Abstract: Protic ionic liquids having a composition of formula (A?)(BH+) wherein A? is a conjugate base of an acid HA, and BH+ is a conjugate acid of a superbase B. In particular embodiments, BH+ is selected from phosphazenium species and guanidinium species encompassed, respectively, by the general formulas: The invention is also directed to films and membranes containing these protic ionic liquids, with particular application as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

Abstract: “Frozen ionic liquid” microparticles and nanoparticles are disclosed, as are alternative methods of making the particles. The particles may be monodisperse or polydisperse, with spherical or other shapes. The particles may be prepared without specialized equipment, and without harsh conditions. The microparticles and nanoparticles have uses in biomedical, materials, analytical, and other fields.

Abstract: Protic ionic liquids having a composition of formula (A?)(BH+) wherein A? is a conjugate base of an acid HA, and BH+ is a conjugate acid of a superbase B. In particular embodiments, BH+ is selected from phosphazenium species and guanidinium species encompassed, respectively, by the general formulas: The invention is also directed to films and membranes containing these protic ionic liquids, with particular application as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a surface temperature using is a fluorescent temperature sensor or optical thermometer. The sensor includes a solution of 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane within a 1-butyl-1-1-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid solvent. The 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane remains unassociated when in the ground state while in solution. When subjected to UV light, an excited state is produced that exists in equilibrium with an excimer. The position of the equilibrium between the two excited states is temperature dependent.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluorescent temperature sensor or optical thermometer. The sensor includes a solution of 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane within a 1-butyl-1-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid solvent. The 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane remains unassociated when in the ground state while in solution. When subjected to UV light, an excited state is produced that exists in equilibrium with an excimer. The position of the equilibrium between the two excited states is temperature dependent.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insert for use in a chemical injector adapted to be interposed within the path of the fluid stream flowing from an upstream conduit to a downstream conduit. The insert has a body that includes a primary flow channel substantially parallel to the fluid flow. A chemical reservoir is formed on an outer surface of the tubular body and intermediate the upstream end and the downstream end of the body, with a chemical feed channel substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and communicating with both of the reservoir and the downstream face. In an alternative embodiment, a chemical staging recession is structured on an outer aspect of the body. The staging recession forms a reservoir for fluid chemical when the insert is positioned within a chemical injector.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a chemical into a fluid stream comprises a chemical injector adapted to be interposed within the path of the fluid stream flowing from an upstream conduit to a downstream conduit. The chemical injector includes primary and secondary channels, substantially parallel to the fluid flow through the upstream conduit, and a chemical feed channel having an input end, adapted to communicate with a chemical source, and an output end coupled at an angle to the secondary channel. Injection of a chemical into a fluid stream comprises directing the stream through an upstream conduit; dividing the stream into a primary flow and a substantially parallel secondary flow; coupling a chemical source at an angle to the secondary flow; increasing the fluid flow pressure until chemical flow into the secondary flow is induced by vacuum pressure; and directing the primary and secondary flows into the downstream conduit.

Abstract: As assembly of normally open pressure responsive electric switches (10a-10e) is provided using a single lead frame (8) for forming respective discontinuous annuli (12) to serve as contact surfaces for pressure responsive discs (42) and a center contact (14) for each respective discontinuous annulus. The lead frame is overmolded with electrically insulative plastic and the circuit paths are electrically separated from one another by severing selected interconnecting runners (40). Each switching station has a disc (42) sealed by a flexible layer (47) and an O-ring (48). A separate lead (26) can be provided for adding switches of an opposite logic, i.e., normally closed, and a thermistor (38) can be included, if desired. The normally closed switches can be modular or the switches (100, 200) can have contacts formed from the lead frame (89).

Abstract: An automatic compression brake muffler is provided including a muffler pipe. An auxiliary pipe is connected to the muffler pipe and defines passages which are offset from the muffler pipe. Next provided is a mechanical valve having an open orientation for allowing the passage of air through the entire muffler pipe and a closed orientation for precluding the passage of air through the entire muffler pipe and further forcing air through the auxiliary pipe. Finally, a mechanism is included for transferring the mechanical valve to the closed orientation only when a compression brake is actuated.

Abstract: An electric switch system (10) for use with a motor vehicle transmission has a movable contact assembly (22) mounted on the detent lever (12) linked to the manual valve assembly and a stationary contact assembly (18) mounted in an open housing (16) disposed over one face surface of the detent lever and in facing relation therewith. The housing has a plurality of L-shaped attachment projections (24a, 24b, 24c) each with a leg (24d, 24e, 24f) which, when the switch system is assembled, extends over the opposite face surface (12c) of the detent lever. A locking projection (24g) of the housing is received in a cut-out (12g) of the detent lever when the attachment projections are out of alignment with the detent lever and has a leg (24h) which extends over the opposite face surface (12c) of the detent lever when the housing (16) is rotated relative to the detent lever so that the attachment projections are in alignment with the detent lever.

Abstract: A switch system (10) is shown having housing members (12, 13) forming a cavity (14) in which an actuator arm (32) is pivotably mounted. Spring electrical contact members (36, 38) are mounted on the actuator arm and slide into and out of engagement with electrical contact segments (26a, 24a) respectively mounted on respective circuit boards (26, 24) as the actuator arm pivots. The actuator arm is formed with a hub portion (32a) received in bores (12b, 13b) of the housing. The hub in turn has a bore (32b) which is received on and keyed to the manual shaft of a vehicle transmission by opposing flat surfaces (32c). First and second annular spring seal elements (34) are received between respective sealing surfaces (12a, 32a) and (13a, 32a) to prevent ingress of debris into cavity (14). Housing member (12) is formed with a connector portion (16) having a generally cylindrical connector shroud (16a) which receives terminal pins (28) which are electrically connected to contact segments (26a, 24a).

Abstract: A bracket 14 for mounting a lead frame 12 having pressure responsive electrical switches 20 is provided with a pair of bores 88 through the bracket at each switch station in alignment with recessed portions 78 and 86 in the bottom surface of the switch housing. A layer 92 of filter material is disposed between the bores and the recessed portions so that fluid flowing through the bores into the recessed portions will be forced to flow through the filter material to exclude particles of contamination larger than a selected size.

Abstract: A vehicular transmission sensor having an electrical output responsive to gear selection is shown having a plurality of sealed electrical switches mounted within the transmission housing. In a first embodiment a cam plate is disposed on a face of the detent lever and is movable therewith relative to the switches. The switches are each provided with a follower which moves between switch contacts engaged and switch contacts disengaged positions in dependence on the angular position of the cam plate. In a second embodiment a switch arm mounting a plurality of first switch contacts is movable with the detent lever into and out of engagement with respective second switch contacts mounted in a sealed stationary housing.

Abstract: A switch having first and second housing members 12, 14 sandwiching a combination terminal and disc seat member 30 has a tortuous vent path 64, 66 and 68 formed through first and second, annular bearing surfaces 60, 62 in the top surface of the second housing member. The terminal and disc seat member 30 and top surface 42 of the second housing member are configured such that an interference fit is formed between the terminal and the disc seat member 30 and the second, annular bearing surface 62.

Abstract: A switch is shown mounted inside the housing of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle with a sliding movable electrical contact coupled to the manual valve of the transmission to provide an indication of the position of the manual gear selector. An electrical resistive network is interconnected with stationary contact segments to provide electronic signals to a powertrain electronic controller of the automobile corresponding to the linear position of the manual valve. Pressure switches are coupled to selected hydraulic circuits and electrically interconnected to the resistive network.