Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the recordation an audio message, whereby the system converts the recorded message to a digital format, and stores the message on a record medium (18) integrally associated with the system. The record medium (18) with recorded message can be removably affixed to a wide range of objects. The system easily facilitates read, decode, and playback functionality for the recorded message without necessitating removal of the record medium (18) from the object to which it is affixed. Further, the system provides the functionality to store and forward audio messages in digital format to various computer systems (56) and computer-related devices.

Abstract: A breathable, stretch-thinned barrier film having improved strength, processability and/or breathability is formed from a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and cavated filler particles such as cyclodextrin. The cavated filler particles provide the film with enhanced breathability to water vapor due to their ring-like, conical, cylindrical or otherwise hollow molecular structure, yet the film remains substantially impermeable to aqueous liquids. The enhanced breathability occasioned by the cavated particles permits the use of relatively low filler levels and correspondingly high polymer levels, thereby enhancing the film strength. The filler may melt during extrusion of the molten polymer into a film, facilitating smooth processing, and re-crystallize into particles after the film is formed and cooled.

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gases including (1) a catalysis-promoting coating comprising a noble metal catalyst and a NOx storage component loaded onto a carrier material, wherein the NOx storage component comprises an alkali metal and, (2) a ceramic substrate for supporting the catalysis-promoting coating, wherein the ceramic substrate exhibits resistance to alkali metal migration below 1000° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 25×10−7/° C. (25-800° C.). A second aspect of, the invention is a process for purifying an exhaust gas from a lean burn engine involving simultaneously removing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by bringing the exhaust gas from a lean burn engine into contact with the exhaust gas purifying catalyst of the present invention disclosed above.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch having a solenoid coil (80), a coil housing (81) disposed surrounding the solenoid coil (80), an armature plate (82) disposed facing the side of the coil housing, and a wet-type multi-plate clutch mechanism, the armature plate being linked to the clutch housing (52). The current flowing to the solenoid coil (80) is controlled so as to control the clamping of the armature plate (82) to the coil housing (81), and the clamping force acting on the armature plate is used made to act on the clutch mechanism via a ball cam mechanism (65).

Abstract: A preform for a z-flow honeycomb filter is formed by a pressing process wherein a batch charge is shaped in a press into a preform of finished plug-and-channel configuration, the shaped preform comprising opposing overlapping arrays of closed-end inlet and outlet channels wherein the end closures consist of bridging segments of batch material connected in continuous (seamless) or uninterrupted fashion with the adjoining channel walls.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method is provided for controlling operations of functional units in systems. The control apparatus and method implement a set of operations that can include dependencies between the functional units of a system to complete each operation. For example, in an asynchronous digital processor, self-timing and inter-block communication are used to implement a self-timed scheduler. The self-timed scheduler and method implement an instruction set using a plurality of functional units of the asynchronous digital processor. A scheduler can include a scheduler decoder that decodes each instruction to generate functional unit schedule and control information, a communication device and a plurality of scheduler functional unit controllers, wherein each of the scheduler functional unit controllers corresponds to one of the plurality of functional units of a system.

Abstract: Honeycomb filters for the filtration of molten metal streams comprise a triangular cell cross-section in combination with specified cell density, cell wall thickness, filter open frontal area and geometric surface area, thereby offering improved filtration performance when compared with similar filters of square or circular cell design.

Abstract: Beta-spodumene bodies and method of preparing the bodies that involves providing a uniform plastic batch of inorganic raw materials, organic binder, and vehicle, wherein the inorganic raw materials are composed of, in percent by weight, about 75% to 95% minerals, and about 5% to 25% glass. The batch is formed into a green body that is fired to produce a body composed substantially of beta-spodumene, and having a thermal expansion coefficient of <10.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C.(0-800.degree. C.), and a strength of .gtoreq.4 Ksi.

Abstract: A method of making a surgical simulator comprises first and second mouldings which can be assembled together to form a simulation limb. The first moulding is in the form of a replaceable cartridge on which simulation surgical operations moulding can be performed. The second moulding is mounted on a supporting base and includes a cavity within which the first moulding can be located. A housing containing a pump assembly is mounted on the supporting base and the pump assembly is arranged to pump simulation blood through a simulation vein contained within said first moulding.

Abstract: A pin for attaching a surgical membrane barrier to tissue structure of a patient comprises a pin body 1 formed from a sequence of four truncated cones which define a serrated profile which enables the pin to engage the membrane barrier and to be pushed-fitted into the tissue structure. The head portion 2 of the pin serves to engage the membrane barrier and retain it in position on the underlying tissue structure.The pin is made from a resorbable polymer, such as PDS Polydioxanone and is of substantially solid construction throughout.In an alternative embodiment, a circularly cylindrical extension is provided between the largest truncated cone and the pin head. The arrangement serves to maintain a spacing between the membrane barrier and the underlying tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing data, the apparatus comprising a plurality of asynchronous control circuits, each asynchronous control circuit employing a request-acknowledge control loop to control data flow within that asynchronous control circuit, and being arranged to exchange data signals with at least one other of said plurality of asynchronous control circuits. Further, a first of said asynchronous control circuits includes a halt circuit for blocking a control signal in the control loop of the first asynchronous control circuit, thereby preventing the exchange of data signals with said at least one other of said plurality of asynchronous control circuits so as to cause the control loops of said plurality of asynchronous control circuits to become blocked. The present invention is based on an asynchronous design, which only causes transitions in the circuit in response to a request to carry out useful work.

Abstract: Extruded rectangular-channel ceramic honeycombs wherein the channels have a rectangular cross-section of aspect ratio 1.2:1 or greater and a hydraulic diameter D.sub.h and constant temperature Nusselt Number N.sub..mu. ("shape" heat transfer characteristic) yielding an "effective" channel surface area factor N.sub..mu. /D.sub.h of at least about 70, provide catalytic substrates for engine exhaust emissions control offering better light-off performance, enhanced conversion efficiency at current converter pressure drops, and/or equivalent efficiency at reduced pressure drops.

Abstract: Extruded low-expansion ceramic honeycombs comprising beta-spodumene solid solution as the principal crystal phase and with less than 7 weight percent of included mullite are produced by compounding an extrusion batch comprising a lithium aluminosilicate glass powder and a clay additive, extruding a green honeycomb body from the batch, and drying and firing the green extruded cellular honeycomb to crystallize the glass and clay into a low-expansion spodumene ceramic honeycomb body.

Abstract: A vapor-phase method for treating a beta-spodumene ceramic article to achieve a substitution of exchangeable hydrogen ions for the lithium present in the beta-spodumene crystals, wherein a barrier between the ceramic article and the source of exchangeable hydrogen ions is maintained in order to prevent lithium contamination of the hydrogen ion source and to generate highly recoverable lithium salts, is provided.

Abstract: An engine exhaust system disclosed which is designed to reduce hydrocarbon emissions caused by the evaporation of fuel from the fuel tank and by the inefficiency of combustion and catalytic conversion during cold engine start-up. This system utilizes molecular sieves, such as high-silica zeolites, which adsorb hydrocarbons evaporating from the fuel tank or emitted during engine start-up, before the catalytic converter has attained an effective operating temperature. This system is designed so that hydrocarbons that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere from the fuel tank or by passing through the converter unconverted are held within the system either for combustion in the engine or passage through the converter once it is operating efficiently.

Abstract: A molten metal filter is disclosed having a carbon or carbon-thermite coating that reduces thermal shock to the filter, and protects the filter from corrosion from the metal or components and impurities in the metal, and prevents metal from freezing in the filter. A molten metal assembly suitable for casting molten metal is disclosed which comprises a filter for molten metal and means for molten metal flow passage leading through the filter. The means have surfaces defining a molten metal path. The filter has a coating of carbon or carbon in intimate contact with a thermite material on the surface of the filter. A process is disclosed for filtering molten metal which comprises passing molten metal through the above described coated filter.