Abstract: A method for adhesively joining or sealing two substrates which comprises: (1) applying at about 50° to 150° C. onto a substrate a solvent-free, moisture curable urethane hot melt adhesive composition comprising the polyisocyanate prepolymer reaction product of (a) a polyol and (b) a polyisocyanate; (2) contacting the adhesive disposed on the substrate to a second substrate such that a green bond is formed, and (3) exposing the adhesive bond to ambient moisture causing a crosslinking reaction within the adhesive, thereby forming a moisture-cured bond. The improvement is characterized in that the polyisocyanate prepolymer is prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with a functionality of at least 2 with a polyol with a functionality of at least 2, the reaction product comprising at least 90 wt % “perfect” prepolymer and less than 2 wt % unreacted isocyanate monomer and the prepolymer having a free NCO functionality ranging from 0.2 to 8 wt %.

Abstract: A system and method of improving the control quality of a vehicle engine having a rotatable and positionable crankshaft by prioritizing tasks to be performed by a microprocessor preprogrammed with an inventory of foreground and background engine tasks affecting the efficiency and performance of the vehicle. The invention includes sensing the speed of rotation of the crankshaft to provide a first, second, or third signal indicative of respective low, medium, or high crankshaft speeds, sensing the position of the crankshaft to provide a fourth signal of the crankshaft position, and processing these signals. The foreground tasks are selected if the fourth signal is received. A first set of the foreground tasks are selected if the first signal is received. A second set of the foreground tasks are selected if the second signal is received. A third set of the foreground tasks are selected if the third signal is received.

Abstract: Plastic fastener, fastener clip, fastener dispensing tool and method of fastening objects. According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners.

Abstract: In the steam reforming of hydrocarbon, particularly methane, under elevated temperature and pressure to produce hydrogen, a feed of steam and hydrocarbon is fed into a first reaction volume containing essentially only reforming catalyst to partially reform the feed. The balance of the feed and the reaction products of carbon dioxide and hydrogen are then fed into a second reaction volume containing a mixture of catalyst and adsorbent which removes the carbon dioxide from the reaction zone as it is formed. The process is conducted in a cycle which includes these reactions followed by countercurrent depressurization and purge of the adsorbent to regenerate it and repressurization of the reaction volumes preparatory to repeating the reaction-sorption phase of the cycle.

Abstract: EGR system for an internal combustion engine comprises a stepper motor driven EGR valve (150) to control the rate of exhaust gas recirculation in the engine and an electronic controller (EEC 100) for determining a desired EGR percent mass flow rate as a function comprising a rotational speed value and an aircharge value of the engine, converting the EGR percent mass flow rate to an EGR mass flow rate value, adjusting the EGR mass flow rate value as a function of an exhaust gas temperature value and an absolute exhaust gas backpressure value using MAP values, determining a pressure ratio value across an EGR orifice (155) cooperating with the EGR valve, and determining a required number of motor steps as a function of the adjusted EGR mass flow rate value and the pressure ratio value to achieve the desired EGR percent mass flow rate.

Abstract: A method for the purification or recovery of immunoglobulins from plasma or other immunoglobulin-containing material is disclosed which includes subjecting the plasma or other immunoglobulin-containing material to chromatographic fractionation on a macroporous anion-exchange resin to recover an immunoglobulin-containing fraction therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture which provides an efficient way to change the function of a programmable logic unit included in a control device--where the control device manages the operational characteristics of a hardware unit--without having to disable system access to the hardware unit during the updating process. The hardware unit remains fully functional throughout execution of the updating method. To perform the update, the hardware unit must be connected to a host system by at least two communication channels. Each communication channel includes a control device including a programmable logic unit. The programmable logic unit is pre-programmed by a first data set which establishes its predetermined operational characteristics. Upgrading the programmable logic unit is accomplished by logically removing one of the communication channels leading from the host system to the hardware unit.

Abstract: A process for the removal of endotoxin from a biological product such as proteins for therapeutic use, blood plasma fractions, and albumin solutions that contains endotoxins, which comprises contacting said biological product with a cross-linked hydrophilic matrix comprising a copolymer of allyl dextran and N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide under conditions effective to bind endotoxins in said biological product to said matrix, wherein the total amount of endotoxin in said biological product does not exceed the absorptive capacity of said cross-linked hydrophilic matrix, and recovering purified biological product from which endotoxin has been removed as a result of said binding.

Abstract: An isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer comprising the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyol composition consisting essentially of a polyether polyol of 350-2000 equivalent weight and a low molecular weight polyol of 62 to<300 molecular weight, in an equivalent ratio of low molecular weight polyol to polyether polyol of 0.25-2.7:1. A polyurethane-urea elastomer having good dynamic properties can be prepared by reacting the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with an aromatic amine chain extender at an equivalent ratio of 0.9-1.1:1.

Abstract: Insertion compounds that are not stable in pure water can be prepared by an aqueous electrochemical method. The pH of the electrolyte and/or the concentration of ions of the inserted species must be sufficiently high to provide stability for the product compound. The method is useful for further lithiation of conventional lithium ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: A retraction mechanism is disclosed for retracting and engaging the pumping mechanism assembly of an infusion pump with an infusate flow path. The retraction mechanism provides a linkage which converts rotary motion of a handle about an axis to linear motion along a line parallel to the axis. The linkage is connected to the pumping mechanism assembly to cause the pumping mechanism assembly to retract from or engage with the flow path via a disposable cassette. The retraction mechanism is biassed toward the engaged position to prevent free flow of infusates on the flow path. The retraction mechanism is operable in two steps: first, the handle is pulled out against the biassing force; second, the handle is rotated until it locks into the retracted position. The mechanism includes a toggle linkage which aids in locking the mechanism in the retracted position and in biassing the mechanism to the engaged position when the handle is moved out of the locked retraction position.