Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.

Abstract: A flame proof electrical connector which includes a first housing, a connector block which, together with at least a section of the first housing, defines a flame proof volume, first and second sets of terminals at least partly inside the volume which are electrically connected to one another when the connector block is at a first position and which are electrically disconnected from one another when the connector block is moved away from the first position, and means for biasing the connector block away from the first position.

Abstract: A tester system which is adapted to be plugged into the outlet receptacle of an electrical power circuit for testing for faults which would affect the capability of the circuit to provide rated output voltage at rated load, whether the output line voltage is within a selected voltage range, and whether the receptable has been properly wired to the high voltage or hot conductor, the low voltage or return conductor and to the earth grounding wire. The tester is enabled on occurrence of a plurality of alternate cycles of the AC power carried by the circuit to connect the line conductors across a measuring resistor of sufficiently low value to draw rated current from the line. An electronic switch, including an SCR, is triggered coincident with the zero crossing of the AC cycle so that a single half-cycle of current passes through the measurement resistor. The measurement resistor may be rated much lower than the rated power. A resistor rated at three watts may be suitable.

Abstract: A safety back-up system for a vehicle automatically applies the brakes to stop the vehicle against reverse movement when the vehicle begins moving backward without an attendant at the rear of the vehicle. The system senses reverse motion of the vehicle, whether rolling backward down an incline or driven backward by the engine and automatically applies the brakes, unless the automatic braking is disabled by application of a manual input by an attendant positioned near the rear of the vehicle with a handheld signal transmitter. A manual override device is available to the vehicle's driver, enabling the driver to override the automatic braking device from inside the vehicle when necessary. A record may be kept in a computer memory of all uses of the manual override, to assure that the system is not defeated.

Abstract: This invention describes resin products having particular utility as rapid curing adhesives for wood and other materials, and processes for making the resin compositions. The reaction products are made by reacting an aldehyde condensation polymer, such as a phenol-formaldehyde condensation polymer, with a primary aromatic amine having the formula: ##SPC1##WhereX.sub.1 is --NH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 ;X.sub.2 is --X.sub.1 --OH--alkoxy;X.sub.3 is -X.sub.1 COOH NHCOCH.sub.3 NO.sub.2 OH C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl H -halogen halogenated alkyl alkoxyX.sub.4 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, --H--aryl; andA is ##EQU1## where Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are hydrogen or alkyl radicals having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and Z is an integer from 0 to 2,--SO.sub.2 ----NH----O----S---- C----S--S----N=N--, to obtain an amine-modified polymer. On blending an appropriate hardening agent with the amine-modified polymer, the composition cures very rapidly at ambient temperature.