Abstract: A voltage regulation system is provided including detecting a feedback voltage less than a reference voltage; asserting a current source gate output by the feedback voltage less than the reference voltage; activating a gated current source by the current source gate output; and waiting a delay interval before negating the current source gate output for turning off the gated current source.

Abstract: Attachments for power assisted lifting devices capable of rigidly positioning an object in three-dimensional space, for example pneumatically assisted manually operated mechanical arm manipulators, wherein the attachment is capable of securing an object for remote positioning thereof. More particularly, an end effector for a pneumatic manipulator that is capable of both passively following the motion of a secured object and actively adjusting the position of the secured object in an arcuate direction relative to the attachment of the end effector to the manipulator. The end effector is able to rotate the object about an axis passing through the end effector that also moves arcuately with the end effector. The end effector is particularly useful in the bending of metallic sheets or plates using a conventional sheet metal brake, as the end effector is capable of both positioning heavy sheets in the brake and following the movement of the sheet as it is being bent.

Abstract: A sealed envelope that has line of perforations, along one side,’ with the distance between such perforations as to provide a line of least resistance to tearing, and situated close to a convenient edge; will permit the opening of the envelope by tearing, along such line of perforations and will enable access to the content. The minor part created by the line of perforations, will be torn off, leaving greater part intact for its use for storage/filing of the content for future use .

Abstract: A device for measuring torsional distortion of a body comprises first and second clip portions each having a central part and two legs depending from the central part, each leg having adjacent the free end thereof a groove or projection for engaging a respective projection or groove (14) provided in the body (16) to mount the clip portion the body rotationally fastened therewith. A bridge interconnects the clip portion. The bridge is less stiff than the clip portions whereby relative rotational displacement of the clip portions caused by torsional distortion of the body will cause proportional deflection of the bridge. Means, for example a SAW device (15), are provided for measuring the deflection of the bridge to provide an indication of the torsional distortion which produces the deflection of the bridge. Also (20) for the interior all of a hollow body.

Abstract: A novel microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. Also methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria are provided.

Abstract: A process for adjusting the zero point of a system (10) for sensing weight on a seat (12) of a vehicle includes the steps of correcting only negative zero points errors during an ignition cycle of the vehicle and correcting positive zero point errors after the vehicle ignition cycle ends.

Abstract: A pressure monitor has a base and a lid secured to the base to define a substantially fluid tight chamber. At least part of the lid is flexible and forms a diaphragm which deflects responsive to changes in fluid pressure surrounding the monitor. A projection provided on the diaphragm transmits movement thereof to a distortable substrate located within the chamber. A first SAW device is mounted on the distortable substrate, and at least a second and third SAW device are mounted within the chamber. The second SAW device carried on a reference substrate section has its direction of propagation inclined at an angle to the direction of propagation of at least one of the first and third SAW devices. This way movement of the diaphragm induced by a change in pressure in the zone surrounding the monitor results in distortion of the distortable substrate, which is measurable by the SAW device mounted thereon, without distorting said reference substrate section.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a ? (1?4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: A method (60) for adjusting a sensed load W(s)of a vehicle seat weight sensing system (10) includes the step (64) of determining a rate of change {dot over (W)}(t),{dot over (W)}avg in the sensed load. The method (60) also includes the step (66) of determining the likelihood of drift in the sensed load W(s) in response to the determined rate of change {dot over (W)}(t),{dot over (W)}avg.

Abstract: A method (60) for adjusting the zero point of a vehicle seat weight sensing system (10) includes the step of determining a zero point error (64) of the seat weight sensing system. The method (60) also includes the step of adjusting the zero point error (68) in response to determining that the zero point error was influenced by an object on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (40) for testing an occupant position sensing system (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a motor (42) having a stationary portion (44) and a movable portion (46). A test object (90) is fixed relative to the movable portion (46) of the motor (42). A motor position sensor (64) senses a position of the movable portion (46) of the motor (42) relative to the stationary portion (44) and for providing a motor position signal indicative thereof. Motor drive electronics (58) are responsive to the motor position signal for controlling the motor (42) for moving the test object (90). A data recorder (80) is adapted to receive and record data from the occupant position sensing system (12) and is adapted to receive and record the motor position signal provided by the motor position sensor (64).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an actuatable occupant protection system (40) in a passenger compartment (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a camera (72) configured for obtaining an image of a viewable field (78) within the passenger compartment (12) of the vehicle (10). At least one pattern (84, 86) is associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) located within the viewable field (78). The portions of the obtained image associated with vehicle structures (22, 24, 26) having the pattern (84, 86) are removed from the image so as to obtain information regarding occupancy of the viewable field (78). The actuatable occupant protection system (40) is controlled in response to the obtained occupancy information.

Abstract: A control unit for a magnetron, the circuit being supplied form a source of a.c. voltage and comprising a power switch, a process controller/firing circuit for the power switch and first and second transformers. The first transformer supplies a desired filament voltage to the magnetron and the second transformer controls the current flow in the magnetron and hence the power output. The second transformer is controlled by the operation of the process controller/firing circuit and the power switch to provide an infinitely variable power output setting to the magnetron.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel micro-organism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the present invention pertains to the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A DNA fragment derived from coffee encoding at least one enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides comprising pure or branched mannan molecules linked to each other via a &bgr; (1→4) linkage, and which has the the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 or which is homologous to or hybridizes to a fragment of DNA having the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO.:1.

Abstract: A load cell for use in dynamic testing apparatus for mechanically testing samples includes an accelerometer mounted in the load cell on the same axis as the line of action of the mechanical force applied to the specimen under test. The resultant signal from the combination of the normal output from the load cell and the output from the accelerometer compensates for errors introduced by the mass of the moving grip used to grip the specimen in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.

Abstract: It is possible to monitor the performance of a lubrication system performance of a Dynamoelectric Machine (DEM) by observing the electric current flowing in the DEM shaft. Suitable Rogowski coils are mounted around the shaft of the rotor of a DEM just inboard the bearings. The Rogowski coil may be mounted on the shaft to rotate with the shaft, or it may be mounted on said DEM so as to surround the shaft and remain stationary. Shaft current magnitudes may be established for start-up and steady state operating conditions. Any deviation from the steady state shaft current magnitude may be taken as a warning that the DEM bearing lubrication system is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A method for heat-sealing a sheet of heat-resisting polymer to a heat-resisting polymeric fitment, which enables the fabrication of a containment and delivery system for a bulk quantity of meltable adhesive, wherein a rigid container is lined by a heat-resisting flexible envelope, with a heater interposed between them. Ports are sealed to the envelope to permit the filling and draining of molten adhesive.