Abstract: An emission control device, such as a filter, is regenerated by exposure to plasma. Plasma breaks down carbon-based residues, such as soot, to enable the filter to be easily cleaned and regenerated without subjecting the filter to heat-related stress associated with thermal regeneration methods. Secondary plasma generation is used to overcome impediments caused by the presence of a metallic housing and/or metal-containing materials such as a washcoat or mesh in the filter.

Abstract: Discrete solder preforms (28, 14a, 14b, 14c) are quickly and accurately placed on substrates (10) to be soldered by means of a foil sheet (24) apertured (26) with the pattern of preform placement. The foil sheet has a vacuum drawn through its apertures, and a number of discrete solder preforms are randomly projected from a vibratory membrane (38) up against the foil to be attached to the foil at each of its apertures. Then the foil sheet with its vacuum attached solder preforms (28, 14a, 14b, 14c) is moved into registration with the flux pattern (12a, 12b, 12c) pre-printed on the substrate (10), and all of the vacuum attached preforms are simultaneously positioned down upon the flux areas of the substrate where they remain when the vacuum is released. Planarity of the thin foil is maintained by a flat somewhat rigid but porous backing member (32) secured to the foil.

Abstract: An electrical circuit component is temporarily fixed to a temporary substrate. Electrical contacts on the component are interconnected with corresponding contacts on the test substrate by lead wires or ribbons using a bonding wedge that forms the lead wires into a gull-wing shape with central portions thereof formed adjacent to edge portions of the component. The component is subjected to a test procedure while fixed to the temporary substrate via signals applied to the contacts thereof. The lead wires are then severed near their connection to the temporary substrate, and the component with the remaining lead wire portions attached is removed from the test substrate. The lead wires are sufficiently stiff and/or are adhered to the edge portions of the component with an adhesive so as retain their shapes after removal of the component from the temporary substrate.

Abstract: A method of monitoring torque in a drive transmission incorporating a friction clutch assembly having a two part rotatable drive transmitting member the two parts of which are relatively movable against the action of damper springs comprising monitoring the extent of the relative movement of said two parts (16, 17) of said drive transmitting member. The invention also resides in a friction clutch assembly having a two part, rotatable, drive transmitting member, the two parts being movable relative to one another against the action of damper springs, the clutch including a plurality of angularly spaced reference teeth on each part of said two part member respectively and a sensor relative to which said two part member rotates, said sensor monitoring said teeth and in use producing, at a plurality of points in each revolution of the two part member, an output representative of the relative positions of said parts of said two part member.

Abstract: A variable reluctance transducer includes a C-shaped assembly defining a magnetic circuit, one limb of the C being longer than the other. The assembly is arranged with its limbs on opposite sides of a movable member. A winding linked to the magnetic circuit is connected to a discriminating circuit including an integrator having a variable bias circuit which ensures that the peaks of the integrator output are in a predetermined relationship to a reference voltage. A comparator compares the integrator output with the reference voltage.

Abstract: A valve, such as a butterfly valve having an offset closure vane and stub shafts for operating the vane in the flow passage of the body, has all exposed and/or potentially vulnerable metal surfaces encapsulated in a corrosion-resistant polymeric plastic coating. Providing bearing support for the vane drive shaft are a pair of spaced apart journal bearings located in the shaft bore in a shrink fit relation to the coating thereat.

Abstract: A valve, such as a butterfly valve having an offset closure vane and stub shafts for operating the vane in the flow passage of the body, has all exposed and/or potentially vulnerable metal surfaces encapsulated in a corrosion-resistant polymeric plastic coating. Providing bearing support for the vane drive shaft are a pair of spaced apart journal bearings located in the shaft bore in a shrink fit relation to the coating thereat.

Abstract: The disc recording cutter head is carried on the inner end of an arm which is pivoted intermediate its ends. A counterbalance weight on the outer end of the arm exactly counterbalances the cutter head. A direct current torque motor mounted on the pivot axis applies cutting force to the cutting stylus. Additional features optionally include damping of arm motion by arm position feedback to the torque motor and control of the cutting force as a function of stereo program material.

Abstract: A valve, such as a butterfly valve, having an offset closure vane supported on stub shafts for operating the vane in the flow passage of the body, has all exposed and/or potentially vulnerable metal surfaces encapsulated in a corrosion resistant polymeric plastic coating. Annular seals of resilient composition bonded to a steel insert are formed with an annular radial recess at an axially intermediate location and are positioned on the vane shafts axially squeezed between vane and body bosses thereat. In this arrangement, controlled deflection is provided by the seals in effecting a positive sealing pressure whereby the shafts are protected against exposure to line content. At the same time, the seals are rendered self-packing in response to pressure of line content while also functioning to assure concentric centering of the vane in the body passage.