Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A method of generating quality matrices indicating a relationship between critical to quality characteristics and key control parameters for levels of a process. A plurality of rows of a first matrix are designated as critical to quality characteristics and a plurality of columns of the first matrix are designated as key control parameters. Each critical to quality characteristic is assigned a critical to quality weight. An interaction weight is assigned between at least one critical to quality characteristic and at least one key control parameter. A score is then generated for at least one key control parameter in response to said critical to quality weight and said interaction weight.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A secure financial messaging unit (906) includes a wide area radio frequency receiver (804), a selective call decoder (1004), a financial transaction processor (1014), a main processor (1006), and a message origination unit (1034). The message origination unit (1034) operates in at least one of a reply and confirmation mode and a originate and request mode to effect a wireless financial transaction using a local area link (924).

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A fender system for protecting a high curvature surface includes a top layer of UHMWP, a middle resilient layer of elastomeric material and a base layer. The base layer and resilient layer have notches provided therein to facilitate bending the fender system in accordance with the curved surface.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for an appliance includes a control valve and a swivel garden hose type connector for releasably connecting the fluid inlet of the control valve to external plumbing. The connector is securely and permanently affixed to a mounting bracket which is affixed to the cabinet of the appliance and is adapted for connection to the external plumbing by an internal thread. The integral connection of the connector and mounting bracket isolates the torque generated in securing the external plumbing to the connector and transmits the torque via the mounting bracket to the appliance cabinet. The swivel connector provides for ease in installation and/or replacement of the control valve. A grounding strap connected at one end to the control valve and to a predetermined location of the mounting bracket physically orients the fluid outlet of the control valve to a proper position for connection to a conduit which carries fluid from the control valve to a washing chamber of the appliance.