Abstract: A vehicle drive train comprising a transmission 11 having a differential 3 mounted in a transmission case 7, the differential 3 having a differential carrier 3a and a power transfer ring gear 2, the power transfer ring gear 2 being mounted on or integrally formed with the differential carrier 3a, the vehicle drive train further comprising a power transfer unit 8 having a pinion gear 4 which is rotatably mounted in the transmission case 7 and meshes directly with the power transfer ring gear 2. The present invention provides a more compact vehicle drive train assembly including a configuration that minimises the space occupied by the existing components and in particular provides a power transfer unit 8 which allows for a more compact arrangement.

Abstract: A switch panel having a panel member and at least one switch member, wherein the panel member has a first appearance when front lit, and at least one second appearance when at least a portion thereof is back lit by illumination means controlled by the at least one switch member. The at least one switch member is provided on a reverse side of the panel member and is controlled by a user from an obverse side of the panel member.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved switch panel (SP), e.g. for use in automotive vehicles or electronic/electrical apparatus such as white goods or keypads. Modern switch panels, particularly in cars/automobiles, are provided with an increasing number of electronic controls and equipment. A problem has therefore arisen in that a driver/passenger/user can easily become confused when presented with an array of control switches. The invention therefore provides a switch panel (SP) having a panel member (P) and at least one switch member (S), wherein the panel member (P) has a first appearance when front lit, and at least one second appearance when at least a portion thereof is back lit. The back lighting is provided by illumination means controlled by the at least one switch member (S). The at least one switch member (S) is provided on a reverse (rear) side (105) of the panel member (P) and is controlled by a user from an obverse (front) side (100) of the panel member (P).

Abstract: The present invention is a system which includes an interposer. The interposer may include a mounting plate for mounting the interposer to a fuselage of an aircraft. The interposer may interface with the fuselage to form a seal for maintaining pressure within the aircraft. The system may further include an antenna module. The antenna module may include a ground plane, an aircraft antenna, and a radome. The ground plane may be connected to the aircraft antenna and may be configured for allowing the antenna module to be mounted to the interposer. The radome may be connected to the ground plane to form an enclosure for housing the antenna. The antenna module may be removably connected to the interposer. The system may further include an interconnect for electrically connecting the antenna module to electronics located within the aircraft. The antenna module may be disconnected from the interposer without breaking the seal formed between the interposer and the fuselage.

Abstract: A lug tender includes a conveyor belt-type feed bed having flexible conveyor belts for transporting lugs from a first, feed end, between side guard rails to a hopper or dumping end. At the hopper end, the side rails are omitted so that a grasping mechanism can address the side walls of the lug, grasping same and rotating the lug, inverting the lug over a feed hopper. Fruit carried by the lug is thus deposited in the feed hopper. A guard placed over the feed hopper prevents the lug from entering the feed hopper. A pusher bar displaces the lug across the guard to free up the hopper for the subsequent lug. The emptied lug can then be removed either manually or mechanically for recycling.

Abstract: Intelligent data storing apparatus for use in a control system comprising at least one programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling one or more devices to perform a process, the process having a number of variants. The apparatus comprises means for receiving a data request including a code designating a process variant and a code indicative of one or more designated devices requiring control in order to implement the process variant; a database dictionary defining a tree structure relating operational data elements to particular variants of the process and particular devices; and means for retrieving operational data elements from the database using pathnames corresponding to the structure specified in the database dictionary and for formulating the retrieved data into a block having a predetermined structure for outputting to the PLC.

Abstract: In the preparation of alkane sulphonates for use as a detergent active it is well known to react an olefin with the bisulphite ion in an aqueous medium. This invention proposes the use of specific amounts of starting materials and specific reaction parameters to give a high rate of reaction and a high yield of the desired alkane sulphonate.

Abstract: Mixtures of C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 alkane and olefin sulphonates having better colour than mixtures of the individually produced detergent actives are prepared by subjecting an alpha-olefin feedstock to sequential sulphonation and sulphitation.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of nitroso compounds of the benzene series which comprises heating an aromatic nitrobenzene compound with an aldehyde, ketone or alcohol in the presence of a catalyst having a lattice consisting of a heavy metal selected from antimony, bismuth, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, germanium, gold, iron, lanthanum, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, neodymium, nickel, rhenium, silver, tantalum, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium and zirconium, in association with oxygen atoms or hydroxyl, carbonate or phosphate ions and having at least one other of said heavy metals forming impurity atoms in the lattice. This process is related to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,578,720 and 3,700,605 but replaces the carbon monoxide used as reducing agent by an aldehyde, ketone or alcohol, especially a lower aliphatic alcohol, with consequent advantages in lower toxicity and ease of control of the process. The preferred reducing agent is methanol.