Abstract: A power efficient assembly is provided for applying a temperature gradient to a Fiber Bragg grating. The assembly includes inner and outer enclosures, the outer enclosure defining an insulation chamber around the inner enclosure. The respective ends of the inner and outer enclosures are in thermal contact. A heat exchange system, such as coiled resistive wires or thermo-electric coolers, applies different temperatures to the opposite ends of the outer enclosure.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the supply of oil to a turbocharger fitted to an internal combustion comprises an oil supply valve (21) controlled by a controller (20) and at least one sensor (23-28) for monitoring a parameter associated with the existence or potential occurrence of a leak in the turbocharger oil supply, or of a condition potentially resulting in such a leak. The controller (20) is operable to determine the existence or possible occurrence of an oil leak in the turbocharger oil supply in response to a signal received from the sensor (23-28) and to close the oil supply control valve (21) in the event of said determination to cut off the oil supply to the turbocharger.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cleaning a grating disc used for cutting food. The grating disc has two sets of parallel blades, the blades delineating quadrilateral-sectioned spaces in a main plane of the grating disc, a main plane of each blade being substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the grating disc. The device has at least one tooth, the tooth being sized such that it is able to be inserted into the spaces delineated by the blades. The device including a pin aligned with the tooth or teeth, an end of the pin protruding relative to one end of the tooth or teeth. The pin being capable of sliding into a space delineated by the blades at the same time that the tooth or teeth are inserted into one or more spaces delineated by the blades. This invention also relates to a set for cleaning a grating disc, comprising such a device. Finally, this invention relates to a method for cleaning a grating disc used for cutting food.

Abstract: The invention concerns an intervertebral implant that includes a spacer designed firstly to assume an implantation shape in which the spacer has two opposed channels (3, 4) bordered by retaining wings (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b), intended to receive the two spinous processes of two vertebrae, and secondly an insertion shape in which the parts of the implant forming the channels (3, 4) are separated by a value (d), and on at least one of their sides are lacking the retaining wings (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b), characterized in that the implant (1) is made from a shape-memory material, so that the implant changes to its implantation shape when it is subjected to heat, and so that, in this implantation shape, the parts of the implant forming the channels (3, 4) are separated by a value (D) that is greater than the value(d) of the insertion shape, in order to ensure the separation of the spinous processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance for preparing a medicament intended to treat a gland, organ or duct obstructed by a naturally formed stone. This method can be applied notably for salivary gland, gall bladder, kidney or pancreas stones.

Abstract: An assembly adjusts functional characteristics of the assembly. The assembly includes a wheel for a vehicle, a pneumatic tire mounted on the wheel, a first electromagnetic structure attached to the pneumatic tire, and a second electromagnetic structure attached to the wheel. The assembly has a first condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being not energized and a second condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being energized. The first condition is characterized by a first footprint of the pneumatic tire with a shape different than a shape of a second footprint of the pneumatic tire in the second condition.

Abstract: A tire has an axis of rotation. The tire includes two sidewalls extending radially outward and a tread disposed radially outward of the two sidewalls and interconnecting the two sidewalls. The tread includes a main portion comprising a first compound and a reinforcing structure comprising a second compound having reinforcing short fibers oriented between ?20 degrees to +20 degrees to a circumferential direction of the tread. The main portion of the tread includes at least one circumferential groove separating circumferential ribs. Each circumferential groove has two sides and a base therebetween. The reinforcing structure includes a layer of the second compound secured to the sides of each circumferential groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a pair of spaced apart bead components, a connecting carcass between said bead components, and a rubber chafer positioned around at least a portion of each of said bead components and intended for contacting a rigid rim of a wheel, wherein said chafer comprises an outer skin layer intended for contacting the rigid rim and an inner core layer disposed radially inward of the skin layer.

Abstract: An engine generator set comprises an internal combustion engine (10) having an output shaft (12) that is coupled to an electrical generator (14) for producing an AC electrical power output’. The engine is operable to rotate the shaft (12) at a first rotational speed so that the generator (14) is driven to produce electrical power at a first frequency and a second rotational speed at which the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a second frequency. An exhaust gas turbocharger (11) is operatively connected to the engine (10) and has a compressor with a housing that defines a gas inlet (22). At least two guide, vane assemblies (40, 40?) that are releasably and interchangeably connectable to the inlet (22) to match the compressor performance with the first or second engine speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a turbocharger system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) path. The turbocharger system comprises an inlet, an outlet and at least one turbocharger. The exhaust gas recirculation path recirculates a flow of exhaust gas to the air intake path. An EGR turbocharger has a turbine with an inlet in fluid communication with a first location in the exhaust gas path and an outlet in fluid communication with a second location in the exhaust gas path. The first and second locations being disposed such that, in use, the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the EGR turbine is less than the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the turbocharger system. The expansion ratio across the EGR turbine is therefore less than that across the turbocharger system and the EGR turbocharger is able to operate with greater efficiency.

Abstract: A turbomachine such as a turbocharger comprises a housing 3 defining a bearing cavity and a turbine wheel 4 mounted to a shaft 8 for rotation about an axis. A housing wall 3a is disposed between the bearing cavity and the turbine wheel 4, the shaft 8 extending into the bearing cavity through a shaft passage 20 provided in the housing wall 3a. The housing wall 3a comprises a first portion defining an air gap with the turbine wheel 4 and a second annular portion 3b defining the opening to the shaft passage 20 and which is axially spaced from said turbine wheel 4 by a minimum distance D. The housing wall 3a further comprises at least one third portion 32, such as an annular rib, radially spaced from the first portion 3a. The third portion is configured to bear load from a turbine wheel rotating off axis in a failure condition.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the supply of oil to a turbocharger fitted to an internal combustion comprises an oil supply valve (21) controlled by a controller (20) and at least one sensor (23-28) for monitoring a parameter associated with the existence or potential occurrence of a leak in the turbocharger oil supply, or of a condition potentially resulting in such a leak. The controller (20) is operable to determine the existence or possible occurrence of an oil leak in the turbocharger oil supply in response to a signal received from the sensor (23-28) and to close the oil supply control valve (21) in the event of said determination to cut off the oil supply to the turbocharger.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each comprising corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle is mounted from a kit which includes a vehicle body that has a chassis, a first actuator assembly carried by the chassis and a motor carried by the chassis; a wheel kit including a second actuator assembly and a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit that has track guide wheels, track driving wheels and a pair of ground-engaging tracks. The vehicle body can be interchangeably coupled to either one of the wheel kit thus defining a wheel mode hybrid vehicle and the track kit thus defining a track mode hybrid vehicle. In the wheel mode, the second actuator assembly is removably carried by the chassis, the ground-engaging wheels are operatively and removably coupled to the first and second actuator assemblies and the motor powers the first and second actuator assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention involves new nitrons carrying a positive charge, useful in trapping of free radicals and especially the superoxide radical, of general formula: