Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes an improved pad holder for holding a brake pad in the brake assembly. The pad holder takes the form of a simple spring clip, preferably a wire form, that holds the rear surface of the pad tightly against the front surface of the piston or pistons of the associated caliper to prevent brake drag and brake rattle. The clip is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily installed without removing the disc or the caliper from the brake assembly. Indeed, the pad/pad holder subassembly can be removed from the brake assembly, without using any special tools, simply by imposing sufficient upward vertical retraction forces on the pad/pad holder subassembly to deflect the spring clip and to remove the pad holder from the pistons to which it is attached.

Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.

Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.

Abstract: An improved braking system includes a valving arrangement which permits reduction of deadband regardless of a randomly selectable piston home position or permits adjustment of the deadband. The system includes a fluid reservoir, a piston located in a cylinder including a reservoir port, a first fluid channel connecting the reservoir to the reservoir port, a brake actuator, and a second fluid channel connecting the cylinder to the brake actuator. The piston is moveable within the cylinder to produce fluid flow within the first channel. A first valve is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder to prevent fluid flow from the cylinder to the reservoir when the piston is moved to pressurize fluid in the second fluid channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved braking system. The braking system includes a valving arrangement which reduces the dead band of the system and the freedom to randomly select the pistons return position. In particular, the system includes a fluid reservoir, a piston located in a cylinder including a reservoir port, a first fluid channel connecting the reservoir to the reservoir port, a brake actuator, and a second fluid channel connecting the cylinder to the brake actuator. The piston is moveable within the cylinder to produce fluid flow within the first channel. A first valve is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder to prevent fluid flow from the cylinder to the reservoir when the piston is moved to pressurize fluid in the second fluid channel.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a two wheel bike having handlebars, a master cylinder assembly mounted on the handlebar, the assembly including a housing, a tubular body mounted in the housing, a piston mounted in the tubular body, an overrating lever pivotally mounted on the housing, a push rod operatively connecting the operating lever to the piston, a spring mounted in the cartridge body to bias the piston to an inoperative position in the cartridge body, a resilient bladder filled with a hydraulic fluid enclosing the cartridge body, a port timing hole in the cartridge body connecting the cartridge body to the bladder to maintain fluid pressure in the cartridge body, a brake assembly mounted on the housing, and a brake line operatively connecting the cartridge body to the brake assembly.

Abstract: An efficient, cost effective method and apparatus for performing resource allocation of available bit rate (ABR) virtual circuit (VC) in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network includes an explicit rate switch process performed at at least one switch of an ABR VC. The process provides a fast and more accurate computation of the number of active VCs in an ATM network. Furthermore, the fair share allocation is calculated at the switch in a way that is efficient and lends itself easily to implementation in hardware. For example, in one embodiment, the fair share is implemented using a series of counters and registers controlled by a state machine. This simple hardware implementation enables fast convergence to a current final state so that timely accurate resource utilization and allocation to the ABR VCs can be determined.

Abstract: A bicycle brake system includes a flexible brake disk, a fixed mount single acting caliper, fixed and moveable brake pads and a brake actuator. The caliper is mounted on the bicycle frame in a position to straddle the brake disk. The fixed brake pad is mounted on one side of the caliper, and the moveable brake pad is mounted on the other side of the caliper. The brake actuator is on the moveable brake pad side of the brake disk and is aligned with the flexible brake disk. Upon actuation of the brake actuator, the flexible brake disk is flexed into engagement with the fixed brake pad.

Abstract: Particulate tobacco is conveyed by a conveyor comprising a resiliently mounted conveyor tray and out-of-balance motors mounted to the tray. An index of performance of, for example ##EQU1## is achievable.

Abstract: Reactive congestion control in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network where the network is formed by the interconnection of nodes each including a forward path for transfer of information from source to destination through the network and a return path for returning congestion control signals. Each source includes a modifiable issue rate unit which issues forward information signals at different rates for virtual channels in response to the presence and absence of congestion signals received on the return path.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining hydraulic pressure in a spring applied hydraulicly released brake actuator and activating a parking brake light upon stroking the actuator to apply the parking brake in the system, the apparatus including a housing, a compression spring axially aligned in the housing, a cap mounted on one end of the housing, a cylinder formed in the cap, a piston mounted in the cylinder, a spring cup operatively connecting the piston to the compression spring, the piston rod being operatively connected to the piston and to the brake, a tubular housing having a magnetic switch at each end axially aligned with the piston rod, and a cylindrical tube having a magnet mounted thereon aligned with the tubular housing for actuating one or the other of the magnetic switches, one of the switches being actuated on a drop of pressure in the system and the other switch being operatively connected to a parking brake light to signal a loss of pressure in the system and actuation of the parking brake.

Abstract: A new technique for securing into place a plurality of layers which make a battery body, and for preventing electrical short-circuits within the battery by retarding the formation of dendritic growths is disclosed. A radiation curable layer of material is coated onto a portion of at least one outwardly exposed face of a battery body, whereupon the layer of material is then cured. The cured layer of material is positioned relative to the body such that the cured layer provides support to the body in a manner to secure in place a plurality of layers which make up the battery body, thereby ensuring proper electrical contact between the plurality of layers. In addition, the cured layer of material is also positioned such that the cured layer inhibits formation of short circuiting electrical paths between the anode and cathode layers of the battery, the paths being caused by formation of dendritic growths extending out from the anode layer towards the cathode layer.

Abstract: A toner jet printer and method of use for printing images by manipulating individual toner particles using two-dimensional print cell arrays built by micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. Toner particles are positioned by aerodynamic forces controlled by microvalves within each print cell by either selective or nonselective filling. If selectively filled, each cell is then heated or subjected to an aerodynamic force to eject the toner particles onto a paper substrate. If non-selectively filled, only those print cells corresponding to an intended image are addressed electronically to eject a toner particle from an addressed cell by aerodynamic forces controlled by valve actuation or by heating the print cell. Single color or multiple color printing can be achieved using the same cell array.

Abstract: A caliper brake assembly adapted to be mounted on a frame or housing in a position to engage each side of a brake disc, the assembly including a pair of bushings mounted on the frame, a one piece caliper housing mounted on the bushings, a brake pad assembly mounted on the bushings on each side of the brake disc, a ball ramp rotor assembly mounted on one side of the caliper housing for moving the brake pads into engagement with the brake disc, a flat spring mounted on the brake pad assemblies to prevent vibration of the brake pad assemblies.

Abstract: A heavy duty brake assembly including a caliper mounted on a housing in a position to bridge a brake disc, a pair of screws mounted on the housing, a bushing and a washer mounted on each of the screws, a notch formed in the periphery of each of the bushings intermediate the ends thereof, a self-adjusting repeatable retraction device mounted on each of the bushings for supporting the caliper, the device including a plastic sleeve mounted on each of the bushings, a pair of tabs formed in each of the sleeves and aligned with the notches to limit the paths of travel of the sleeve with respect to the bushings, a bell spring formed on one end of each of the sleeves for biasing the caliper to a neutral position with respect to the disc and a seal formed on each end of the plastic sleeve to seal the sleeve to the bushing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel ozone generator device for the production of high concentrations of ozone by way of a design that permits a process environment that is consonant with the optimum values of hardware and operating variables that thermodynamically favor the production of ozone. The device is characterized by a small corona chamber resulting in a low oxygen retention time, a thermally conductive ducted core permitting circulation of a coolant for cooling the feed oxygen and produced ozone, a spherical corona chamber and electrode geometry promoting a homogeneous high electric field density, operating pressures as high as 2000 psi, free expansion cooling of the oxygen at both the inlet and outlet ports of the device, and the selection of an electrode that ensures the production and maintenance of a homogeneous corona. Also disclosed is a closed-loop ozone generator system wherein unused feed oxygen is recovered and recycled for further processing by the system.

Abstract: A heavy duty caliper brake assembly mounted in a position to engage a brake disc, the caliper including means for supporting the caliper on the housing, a brake pad mounted on the caliper on each side of the disc, a rotor mounted on one leg of the caliper in a position to engage one of the brake pads and a ball ramp assembly positioned between the caliper and the rotor for moving one of the brake pads into engagement with the brake disc on rotation of the rotor with respect to the caliper.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extending the cycle life of solid, secondary electrolytic cells employing a solid electrolyte which methods comprise (a) charging the discharged electrolytic cell at a rate of from at least about 0.1 to about 0.5 milliamp per square centimeter; (b) interrupting charging step (a) and conducting a high magnitude discharge pulse in said cell of from about 10 seconds to 2 minutes in duration; and (c) reestablishing the charging rate of step (a) and maintaining this rate until the potential of the electrolytic cell increases by at least 0.5 volts.

Abstract: A parachute canopy seam joint for fastening a ribbon seam and a radial seam of a parachute canopy together. This parachute canopy seam joint combines a ribbon seam using a zigzag stitch pattern and narrow strips of radial tape sewn together with multiple rows of a straight stitch pattern. The ribbon seam attaches two overlapping ribbons within the parachute. The narrow strips of radial tape shroud the ribbon seam which result in a high strength and low weight and volume radial seam and seam joint. This new configuration of a parachute seam joint has distinct advantages in terms of strength and shock absorbing capacity. Specifically, this new parachute seam joint has a seam strength equal to or greater than the minimum rated strength of the adjoining materials and employs a smaller weight and volume of material than conventional radial seams and seam joints.