Abstract: A bearing assembly and method of manufacturing a bearing assembly exposable to transmission fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bearing housing (2) having: a base; an annular wall (11) upstanding from the base having an inner (6) and an outer surface; and a flange (10) extending from the base; providing a ball (3) at one end of a stem (4); forming a hemi-spherical cup in the base of the bearing housing encircled by the annular wall, the cup having an inner surface; seating the hall in the cup; and swaging the annular wall unto the ball.

Abstract: A thrust bearing and method of assembling a thrust bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer housing having a substantially circular base, wherein a cylindrical side wall and a central post are upstanding from the base; an outer ball seated on and at least partially within the outer housing; and an inner ball mounted on the central post, wherein the outer ball is sandwiched between the inner ball and the outer housing.

Abstract: Compression-related information is used to constrain the selection and control of video imagery and content used to produce one or more uncompressed video streams for subsequent compression processing. Rather than taking an uncompressed video stream “as is” for compression processing, characteristics of compression processing are taken into consideration during the video production stage when the uncompressed video stream is generated. Different types of constraints include “intra-frame” constraints that constrain video content within a frame of a video stream, “inter-frame” constraints that constrain video content from frame to frame within a video stream, and “inter-stream” constraints that constrain video content across different video streams. Two or more different constraints and two or more different types of constraints may be applied simultaneously. The compression-related information may be “static” (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a dovetail slot of a gas turbine engine disk, including: a first pin member fixed in a stationary position; a second pin member having the ability to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the second pin member is oriented substantially parallel to the first pin member; a member actuable between a first position and a second position, wherein the member functions to automatically position the first and second pin members in a predetermined position within the dovetail slot when in the second member position; a first probe for measuring a distance between the first and second pin members when in the predetermined dovetail slot position; and, at least one plate member forming a base to which the first pin member, the second pin member, the actuable member, and the first probe are assembled in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a dovetail slot of a gas turbine engine disk, including: a first pin member fixed in a stationary position; a second pin member having the ability to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the second pin member is oriented substantially parallel to the first pin member; a member actuable between a first position and a second position, wherein the member functions to automatically position the first and second pin members in a predetermined position within the dovetail slot when in the second member position; a first probe for measuring a distance between the first and second pin members when in the predetermined dovetail slot position; and, at least one plate member forming a base to which the first pin member, the second pin member, the actuable member, and the first probe are assembled in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) elastographs of a region in a body are provided. A catheter, in accordance with one embodiment, comprises an elongated member, an acoustic transducer positioned near a distal end of the elongated member, and a Radio Frequency (RF) coil adjacent to the acoustic transducer. To generate an MRI elastograph of a region in a body, the acoustic transducer and the RF coil of the catheter are positioned at the desired region in the body. The acoustic transducer emits acoustic waves in the region of the body, and the RF coil detects RF signals emitted within the region of the body. The detected RF signals are outputted to an MRI receiver to generate the MRI elastograph of the region in the body.

Abstract: A collapsible fabric structure is described having two wall members, each having a coilable frame. When the structure is expanded, each frame forms a loop defining a pair of opposed sides. To collapse the wall members, each frame is coiled into three loops. To exert a separating force between the two wall members, an elongate arch forming member is provided having a pair of free ends, each connected to one of the wall members. The arch forming member is preferably a glass reinforced epoxy rod having helically wound fiber at its surface. The surface may take the form of a pyramid, cube or playhouse.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game includes the steps of providing at least one deck of cards comprising cards of at least two suits of a first color, and cards of at least two suits of a second color, the cards also having numerical values; providing at least one playing space for at least one player, the playing space having a plurality of indicators for indicating a combination of cards selected from the group consisting of card color, card suit, card numerical value, and combinations thereof; selecting at least one indicator for each player so as to provide each player with at least one player selected combination of cards; dealing three cards from the deck of cards to provide a dealt combination of card color, card suit and card numerical value; and comparing the dealt combination with the at least one player selected combination of cards, wherein the player is winner if the at least one player selected combination of cards includes the dealt combination.

Abstract: An RF source is periodically pulsed for exciting an electrodeless light bulb in an on-off mode so as to intermittently drive the bulb to a high peak power operating point where light generation efficiency is relatively high, while maintaining a relatively low average power input. Pulse rate and duration are optimized to minimize light flicker while maximizing light emission efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel system is described which comprises a high pressure fuel pump arranged to supply fuel under pressure to a plurality of injectors. A backleak connection line is arranged to return fuel from the injectors to a fuel reservoir. A venturi pump is connected to the backleak connection line and is arranged to draw fuel from the line to reduce the fuel pressure therein.

Abstract: A coil extension of the RF coupling coil, surrounding an electrodeless light bulb containing an inert gas and selected chemical elements, generates a voltage at the distal end thereof which is higher than that which appears across the RF coupling coil proper, and wherein the high voltage from the distal end of the coil extension is returned to the light bulb through a point contact electrode located in relatively close proximity to the low voltage end of the RF coupling coil.

Abstract: An electrodeless light bulb assembly having a standard light bulb base located at one end of an extruded cylindrical heat sink including a set of elongated fins extending radially outward from an annular inner body portion. An electrodeless light bulb, excitation coil, and transparent cover for the bulb are located at the other end of the heat sink. A solid state electrodeless lamp driver circuit is thermally coupled to the heat sink and is located in a hollow inner space region formed by the inner body portion. The annular inner body portion also includes at least one but preferably a plurality of boiler/condenser heat pipes located around its periphery for thermally coupling the heat from excitation coil and the driver to the fins where heat is transferred to the air via natural convection. The excitation coil can be formed from a length of conventional electrical conductor or it can be formed from a length of heat pipe connected at one end to the driver and at the other end to the heat sink.

Abstract: An electrodeless light bulb assembly including a case or housing supporting an electrodeless light bulb as well as a convection type heat exchanger. A solid state RF driver circuit is located inside the housing and connects to an excitation coil wrapped around the light bulb. The excitation coil comprises a metal heat pipe so as to provide an efficient thermal transport mechanism for the heat generated by the coil and the heat radiated thereto from the electrodeless bulb to the heat exchanger in addition to generating an RF excitation field for the electrodeless light bulb.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method and apparatus for abutting adjacent articles. Specifically this method and apparatus is particularly suited for abutting adjacent articles, such as wood flooring panels, which are immediately adjacent to obstructions which prohibit the use of previous abutting devices.

Abstract: A derivatized polysaccharide in which at least a portion of the active hydrogens originally present in the polysaccharide are substituted by monovalent aliphatic groups containing at least two carboxylic acid groups to an extent sufficient to provide a degree of substitution of at least about 0.1. The monovalent aliphatic groups contain from 4 to about 10 carbon atoms. The polysaccharide may be cellulose. At least a portion of the carboxylic acid groups present in the derivatized polysaccharide may be crosslinked permanently or reversibly. The monovalent aliphatic groups containing at least two carboxylic acid groups may be derived from 2,3-epoxysuccinic acid; 1,2-epoxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid; 2-(epoxyethyl)-succinic acid; or mixtures thereof. Also provided is a method of preparing a derivatized polysaccharide.

Abstract: An adsorbent filter for removing caffeine from liquids. The filter is composed of a liquid permeable matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces; and a distribution of adsorbent clay minerals attached to individual exposed surfaces of the fibrous material by substantially non-transient bonding, so that passage of a liquid having a caffeine concentration ranging from about 20 to about 100 mg per 100 mL of liquid through the matrix for a contact time of less than about 2 minutes results in at least a 40 percent reduction in the caffeine concentration of the liquid. The matrix of fibrous material may be selected from woven fabrics, knit fabrics and nonwoven fabrics. The adsorbent clay minerals include, for example, sodium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, acidified bentonite clays, and modified bentonite clays containing a flocculating agent.

Abstract: A sliding contact bearing, especially an aircraft landing gear trunnion beating, comprises two bearing members (1, 3) composed of titanium or titanium alloy with cooperating sliding surfaces (2, 4), a first one of which is chromium plated and the second one of which is coated with nickel and fluorocarbon polymer. Preferably, the nickel coating is applied by an electroless plating process, and the fluorocarbon is infused into pores in the nickel plating. Preferably, the nickel and fluorocarbon coating is 0.025 to 0.041 mm thick, and has a hardness in the range 750-1000 VPN.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement in a process and apparatus for preparing panels used in the manufacture of protective garments with compression platens. The platens are provided with at least one heating element which is tensioned by spring means and forms a pattern for a panel. Two panels may be formed simultaneously each having seamed leg and arm portions and are to be joined by heat sealing along the back.

Abstract: A collapsible child seat is provided which has an adjustable bottom panel so as to position the bottom panel in a position generally parallel to a supporting chair seat. The child seat comprises a bottom panel hinged to a back panel. A rear sleeve, which is configured to receive at least an upper portion of the chair backrest, is attached to the back panel. The child seat further includes a support strap which attaches to opposing side edges of the bottom panel and slidably connects to the rear sleeve. When the rear sleeve is slipped over the chair backrest, the child seat is suspended above the chair seat. The support strap extends around the rear of the chair seat and supports the bottom panel in a position generally parallel to the chair seat. The support strap desirably is adjustable in length to draw the rear sleeve around the chair backrest and to adjust the position of the bottom panel.