Abstract: A spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The spark plug is equipped with a specially configured firing tip on each of its electrodes for the purpose of minimizing the demand voltage of the spark plug, as well as extending the life of the spark plug by maximizing the time over which the demand voltage will remain within an acceptable level. For this purpose, the firing tips are configured such that their firing surfaces include at least three edges and three corners which serve as arc initiation sites of a relatively low resistance arc path between the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention includes a spark plug for a combustion engine including a center electrode having a tapered portion with a plurality of ridges formed thereon. The spark plug may also include a tapered, ground electrode positioned over the center of the center electrode. The tapered center and ground electrodes allow for flames to propagate freely from the spark gap into the combustion chamber and to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the chamber leading to smooth idle and faster starts.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate and pressure of water discharged from a standpipe valve includes a portable tank (10) mounted on wheels (24). A pipe assembly (40), includes a pressure gauge 48), a flow meter (46) and a shut-off valve (44) mounted in series on the tank (40) in fluid flow communication with the tank. A high pressure hose (52) is used to connect the inlet of the pipe assembly (40) to the valve being tested.

Abstract: An enteral nutritional product for a person having ulcerative colitis contains in combination (a) an oil blend which contains eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), and (b) a source of indigestible carbohydrate which is metabolized to short chain fatty acids by microorganisms present in the human colon. Preferably the nutritional product also contains one or more nutrients which act as antioxidants.

Abstract: An oral rehydration solution contains indigestible oligosaccharides. Diarrhea related dehydration requires fluid and electrolyte replacement. The primary etiology of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (also known as pseudomembranous colitis) has been recognized as Clostridium difficile. It is believed that the indigenous microflora of a healthy individual suppresses the normally present C. difficile. However, when the indigenous microflora are disrupted (e.g., during antibiotic treatment) overgrowth of C. difficile may occur causing diarrhea and colitis. Treatment of diarrhea related to C. difficile with rehydration therapy and antibiotics has proven effective, but many times relapse occurs. It has been suggested that normalization of the microflora will inhibit C. difficile relapse. Indigestible oligosaccharides have been shown to inhibit C. difficile infection.

Abstract: The primary etiology of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (which may lead to pseudomembranous colitis) has been recognized as Clostridium difficile. It is believed that the indigenous microflora of a healthy individual suppresses the normally present C. difficile. However, when the indigenous microflora are disrupted (e.g., during antibiotic treatment) overgrowth of C. difficile may occur causing diarrhea and colitis. Treatment of C. difficile with antibiotics has proven effective, but many times relapse occurs. The present invention involves a non-antibiotic approach to the treatment and/or prevention of C. difficile--associated diseases. A therapeutically effective amount of an indigestible oligosaccharide inhibits the infection of mammals by C. difficile when administered enterally.

Abstract: A crossed groove stroking constant velocity universal joint including inner and outer joint members having inner and outer ball grooves defining a plurality of crossed pairs and a plurality of spherical bearing balls seated in respective ones of the crossed pairs of inner and outer ball grooves with predetermined running clearance between the grooves and the bearing balls. The bearing balls are confined by the crossed pairs of ball grooves and by a ball cage between the inner and outer joint members to the homokinetic plane of the universal joint for constant velocity operation. Each of the outer ball grooves is circumferentially offset relative to the inner ball groove paired therewith by about the running clearance. Adjacent pairs of outer ball grooves are circumferentially offset in opposite directions relative to the inner ball grooves paired therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic polyisocyanates which have a content of unblocked and blocked isocyanate groups (calculated as NCO) of 5 to 20 wt.%, preferably 7 to 15 wt.%, wherein at least 95%, preferably 100%, of the isocyanate groups are present in blocked form and wherein the blocking agent containsA) 30 to 70 equivalent-% of diisopropylamine,B) 30 to 70 equivalent-% of at least one other blocking agent selected from CH-acidic esters and 1,2,4-triazole andC) 0 to 20 equivalent-% of blocking agents other than those set forth in A) and B),wherein the percentages of A), B) and C) add up to 100.The present invention also relates to a process for the production of these organic polyisocyanates and their use as crosslinking agents for organic polyhydroxyl compounds in polyurethane coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition which is liquid and storable at room temperature and wherein the binder is based on a mixture of A) a crosslinking component containing at least one amino resin and/or at least one blocked polyisocyanate and B) a polyester component containing at least one hydroxyl- and carboxyl-functional polyester which also contains olefinic double bonds incorporated through unsaturated dicarboxylic acids. The present also related to coated substrates prepared from this coating composition.

Abstract: A torque meter is provided for use in conjunction with a layshaft having a forward and rear end and which is rotatably mounted in a housing. The layshaft is axially movable with respect to the housing between a forward and a retracted position while a gearing arrangement in mesh with the layshaft urges the layshaft towards its forward position with a force proportional to the shaft torque. The torque meter comprises a body secured to the housing adjacent the front end of the layshaft which forms a chamber open to the front end of the layshaft while a piston is axially slidably mounted within the chamber. The chamber is pressurized with a fluid, such as oil, which urges the piston against the front end of the layshaft with a force proportional to the pressure so that the piston balances the layshaft against the axial force imposed by the engine. A fluid pressure gauge determines the pressure within the chamber which varies proportionately with the layshaft torque.

Abstract: An electrical connector suitable for use in connecting together electrical cables underwater comprises a first portion secured to a first cable and a second portion secured to a second cable. The first and second portions include a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact respectively. The first and second portions engage together so that the first and second contacts are in electrical contact with one another and so that a closed free space is formed between the two portions. A means is provided to enable flushing and drying fluids and electrically insulating fluid to be introduced into the free space. The electrical connector is particularly useful for connecting a down hole electric pump in a subsea oil well to a source of electricity.

Abstract: First and second underwater tubular members are assembled together so that the outer surface of the first tubular member and the inner surface of the second tubular member are spaced apart to form an annular cavity. The cavity is sealed, cleaned and dried and filled with a gas at a pressure greater than the surrounding water pressure. The pressure in the cavity is reduced prior to detonating an explosive charge within the first tubular member to weld the members together. The cavity may be subdivided into a plurality of zones by further seals, the pressure in the zones being separably adjustable so as to be able to control the pressure difference across each seal.

Abstract: A keyswitch for a keyboard which may generate either a first signal or a second signal is formed by a pair of saturable magnetic cores and corresponding drive and sense line wires that are molded into a unitary support assembly in a keyswitch housing. A plunger and a magnet assembly that is depressible relative to the housing and which supports at least one permanent magnet and a pair of compressible springs allows for the unsaturation of one core and the compression of one spring upon depression of the plunger to a first position and for the unsaturation of the second core by the compression of the second spring upon further depression of the plunger and magnet assembly to a character second position.

Abstract: A keyboard having N-Key Lockout and Two-Key Rollover Protection is disclosed. Each key switch of the keyboard is assigned a unique time slot in a scan cycle. A key switch actuation results in a logic "1" signal at the input of a shift register which is shifted to the output of the shift register one scan time later. Comparison of the input and output states of the shift register results in a signal which indicates when any key switch has not been actuated during the last scan cycle in order to reset a flip-flop which produces a strobe pulse to external data processing equipment. A modulus 2 counter, and other associated circuitry, inhibits the strobe pulse whenever two key switches are actuated during the same scan cycle.