Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.

Abstract: Portable walls, in particular, walls for use in playing or practising ball games, for example Association Football (soccer) comprise:

Abstract: Queries are evaluated against received event information and notifications that events specified in the queries have occurred are generated by following the steps of recording the number of queries; receiving an item of event information; comparing the received item of event information with the queries; and generating a notification if the item of event information matches the query. Normally, a series of items of event information will be received and these are compared sequentially with the queries. Each query can be arbitrarily complex comprising a plurality of sub-queries, each requiring a different item or items of event information to be matched.

Abstract: A method of producing a battery cell anode is described wherein the manufacturing process of the anode commences with a sputtering target with a composition of Li3Sn. The target is sputtered in an argon-nitrogen (Ar—N2) gas mixture, wherein the nitrogen gas is limited to within a range of 0.5%-15% of the total volume of gas. The sputtering of the target produces a Sn:Li3N anode layer.

Abstract: A method of providing a packaging system for a thin film battery (20) is now provided wherein the battery cell is treated with an epoxy (41) prior to the placement of an overlying glass layer (42). The positioning of the glass layer causes the migration or spreading of the epoxy layer across the battery cell.

Abstract: A scanning electron microscope has means for generating a beam of electrons which is scanned over a specimen held within a holder in a chamber which contains a gaseous medium. A negative potential is applied to the holder so as to generate an electric field which accelerates secondary electrons, formed by the interaction or the primary beam with the specimen, in a direction away from the specimen surface and into a collision zone in the chamber. In that zone, the accelerated secondary electrons collide with gas molecules of the gaseous medium, thereby initiating a cascade of collisions which, in effect, amplifies the secondary electron signal. That signal (which may take the form of photons generated as a result of the collisions) is detected by detecting means, such as a photo-multiplier.

Abstract: A pack for cigarettes and like smoking articles has a frame (101) outside the charge of cigarettes but inside a flexible wrap, which is preferably a sealed enclosure of a barrier material such as a metal/plastic laminate, or metallized foil. The inner frame which is not rigid since its side (104) and end (108) flaps are free except where attached to a major panel (102) acts to collate and protect the charge of cigarettes and to allow heat-sealing or other sealing pressure to be exerted more efficiently than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: An improved spray gun having an aluminum gun body and a sprayhead made of a plastics material, preferably of polybutylene terephthalate. The sprayhead is permanently secured to the spray gun body, preferably with a swaged ring of stainless steel. The spray gun may be provided with a plastic handle which is preferably formed from polybutylene with 10% of a polyester elastomer. In one embodiment, the sprayhead is oriented relative to the gun body prior to securing to select either gravity feed or suction feed for the sprayed fluid.

Abstract: Method/apparatus for extracting substance from carrier liquid in first container into an immiscible extraction liquid of different density in second container receiving and locating the first. Substance transfers to extraction liquid at liquids admixture in second container aided by flow control and fine division of carrier liquid force supplied into extraction liquid. Separated liquids receive separator member cooperating with second container as physical barrier with only separated extraction and acquired substance at one side. Centrifuging produces three-stage dividing flow of carrier liquid on the second container wall. Moulded parts suit single use in centrifuge.

Abstract: A loader includes a sleeve support which will carry in a raised position a lightweight open-centered sleeve, of the type which is capable of holding a plurality of automobiles. An automobile support, capable of carrying the automobiles which will comprise one level when loaded into the sleeve, is located below the sleeve. A lifting device moves the sleeve support and the automobile support together to insert the automobiles into the sleeve from its bottom. Latching mechanisms which attach the automobiles to the sleeve are movable between loading positions, where the automobiles can be inserted past them, and latching positions where they will engage the automobiles' tires. The loader is capable of removing the sleeves from cargo containers for loading and/or unloading and then placing them back into the containers when this procedure is completed. The apparatus also is capable of folding the sleeves to their collapsed position and of expanding them to their erected position.

Abstract: A transloader provides means and method for adjusting multiple chains in an array for uniform tensioning. The transloader is mounted adjacent a reference member with chain adjustment rods passing through respective spring assemblies in a spring block. The central adjustment rod is adjusted to position the spring block with respect to the reference member and the remaining adjustment rods adjusted to position respective spring followers relative to the spring block thereby providing uniform tension on all chains.

Abstract: A control valve system and method are disclosed for blowout preventers having an actuating piston for actuating the closing of the blowout preventer whereby the piston has an opening side and a closing side. The control valve system and method include a means for selectively directing fluid from the opening side of the actuating piston to the closing side of the actuating piston in order to reduce the fluid requirements for closing the blowout preventer and reduce installed horsepower requirements thereby.

Abstract: A control valve system and method are disclosed for blowout preventers having an actuating piston for actuating the closing of the blowout preventer whereby the piston has an opening side and a closing side. The control valve system and method include a means for selectively directing fluid from the opening side of the actuating piston to the closing side of the actuating piston in order to reduce the fluid requirements for closing the blowout preventer and reduce installed horsepower requirements thereby.

Abstract: A control valve system and method are disclosed for blowout preventers having an actuating piston for actuating the closing of the blowout preventer whereby the piston has an opening side and a closing side. The control valve system and method include a means for selectively directing fluid from the opening side of the actuating piston to the closing side of the actuating piston in order to reduce the fluid requirements for closing the blowout preventer and reduce in stalled horsepower requirements thereby.

Abstract: A condenser plug for a leaky condenser tube has a cylindrical external fluorocarbon tube body with an integral plug base and a flanged lip, a threaded bolt coaxially fixedly integrally secured wholly within the cylindrical external body and the plug base, and a non-rotatable bolt head permanently anchored in the plug base. A cooperative metal expander bolt has a tapered external cylindrical contour and a coaxial internal threaded sleeve with a flat metal cap. On threading the metal expander sleeve on to the fixed threaded bolt, the tapered expander bolt seats in the annular cylinder volume between the threaded bolt and the fluorocarbon plug body, expanding and extruding the plug body to firmly secure the plug body in the condenser tube. The tube leak is sealed between two condenser plugs disposed at the two opposed condenser tube ends secured in the pair of condenser sheets.

Abstract: A commutator or slip-ring has a contact face formed of at least two dissimilar electrically conductive materials which have different values of electrical resistance. The two materials each occupy different discrete areas with a brush bearing on both areas simultaneously.According to a further feature a commutator comprises pairs of segments of alternately high resistance and low resistance mounted in a machine which is arranged to rotate so that brushes bear firstly on a low resistance segment and then on a high resistance segment.

Abstract: In an hydraulic actuating assembly for a vehicle shoe-drum brake comprising first and second relatively slidable members, the first member is provided with a longitudinally extending bore which is closed at one end and in which works a portion of the second member, and a sealed hydraulic chamber is defined within the bore between the closed end of the first member and the second member. One of the members incorporates an inlet port for the chamber and a vent port is located in a portion of the wall of that member to provide an indication, by external leakage of hydraulic fluid, of failure of the sealing of the chamber.