Abstract: Embodiments of methods are disclosed for determining at least one dimension or a wear characteristic of a superabrasive element, such as a polycrystalline diamond cutting element. In an embodiment, a method for characterizing a superabrasive element using two-dimensional images is disclosed. Two images of a superabrasive element are obtained. A relationship between two dimensional coordinates on the two images and three-dimensional coordinates on the superabrasive element may be approximated using projective transformation techniques. A wear flat dimension on the superabrasive element may be determined or calculated using the approximated relationship between the two dimensional coordinates on the two images and the three-dimensional coordinates on the superabrasive element.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods are disclosed for characterizing a tested polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element, such as a PDC cutting element. In an embodiment, a method for characterizing a tested PCD element is disclosed. An initial volume of a PCD element is measured using a coordinate measuring machine (“CMM”). A workpiece is cut with the PCD element so that the PCD element develops a wear flat. A post-cut volume of the PCD element is measured after cutting the workpiece using the CMM. A wear volume of the PCD element is determined at least partially based on the post-cut volume and the initial volume of the PCD element.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods are disclosed for characterizing a tested polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element, such as a PDC cutting element. In an embodiment, a method for characterizing a tested PCD element is disclosed. An initial volume of a PCD element is measured using a coordinate measuring machine (“CMM”). A workpiece is cut with the PCD element so that the PCD element develops a wear flat. A post-cut volume of the PCD element is measured after cutting the workpiece using the CMM. A wear volume of the PCD element is determined at least partially based on the post-cut volume and the initial volume of the PCD element.

Abstract: An automatic locking window latch including a housing for holding a handle with a fully integrated bolt for securing a window, and a catch for engaging the window to release the bolt to secure the window, as well as to hold the bolt open to open the window. The catch may include a catch body, a spring guide, and a trigger pin. The spring guide slideably fits over a post attached to the housing for guiding the catch body and positioning a catch spring. In an unlocked position, an external force acting against the trigger pin causes the catch body to slide from between the bolt and a slide surface of the housing along the post. As the catch body moves past the bolt, bolt springs push bolt extensions of the bolt through the housing and into an adjoining window molding to secure the window. The catch spring presses the catch body against the bolt until the handle pulls the bolt from the locked position.

Abstract: An automatic locking window latch including a housing for holding a handle with a fully integrated bolt for securing a window, and a catch for engaging the window to release the bolt to secure the window, as well as to hold the bolt open to open the window. The catch may include a catch body, a spring guide, and a trigger pin. The spring guide slideably fits over a post attached to the housing for guiding the catch body and positioning a catch spring. In an unlocked position, an external force acting against the trigger pin causes the catch body to slide from between the bolt and a slide surface of the housing along the post. As the catch body moves past the bolt, bolt springs push bolt extensions of the bolt through the housing and into an adjoining window molding to secure the window. The catch spring presses the catch body against the bolt until the handle pulls the bolt from the locked position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charger unit for charging a rechargeable energy storage device. In particular, a universal charger unit is disclosed which comprises a connector having a set of externally accessible contacts for making electrical contact with a corresponding set of receptor contacts on a rechargeable energy storage device. The connector, which may comprise a removable module, also preferably includes a sensor to interact with the structure of the receptor on the rechargeable device, so that the output of the charger unit can be regulated to be compatible with the electrical characteristics of the rechargeable device as determined by the sensor. The charger unit and/or connector may include one or more replaceable electronics modules.

Abstract: A battery pack has a plurality of female contacts for supplying electricity to different electrical devices. The contacts are recessed in cavities in the pack which open outwardly to two adjacent exterior surfaces of the pack, such as the bottom surface and a front or rear wall surface. Each female contact comprises a parallel and opposing pair of contact arms having a curved contact surface for gripping various types and sizes of male contacts from an electrical device. This combination of the female contacts and their accessibility to a mating male contact from two adjacent, external surfaces of the pack enables a single pack to be useful for a variety of different electrical devices.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus (10) which automatically dispenses and tees golf balls (19) is disclosed herein. Depressing a foot pedal (41) coupled to a main shaft (42) actuates a reciprocating ball dispenser (50) which dispenses a single golf ball (19) to be teed upon a ball support (102). Releasing the foot pedal (41) causes an air cylinder (111) to raise the ball support (102) and teed golf ball (19) into a position for driving. The golf practice apparatus (10) of the present invention is characterized by its simplicity of function and ability to be transported by the average user.

Abstract: A process for producing high grade polyethylene paper on conventional continuous wet-lay papermaking equipment. In particular, the process comprises preparing a furnish of 75-99 wt. % oriented polyethylene pulp, 0.5-15 wt. % fibrous stabilizing agent and 0.5-10 wt. % strengthening agent and depositing the furnish on the forming screen of a conventional wet-lay papermaking machine. The resulting waterleaf sheet is dried on heated drying cans and then thermally bonded to provide a high grade polyethylene paper having high dry strength and toughness, exceptional dimensional stability and superior uniformity (i.e., no holes). The high grade polyethylene paper made by the inventive process is particularly useful in microfiltration end-uses such as vacuum cleaner bags.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cartridge comprising a rectangular base and four side walls which form a cavity into which an energy pack or a plurality of individual battery cells, either primary or secondary, are locatable. The cartridge is securable to an electrical apparatus by a latching mechanism. Alternatively, the cartridge can be integral therewith. In a first embodiment, a plurality of cells are locatable such that their positive and negative contacts are positioned against a set of positive and negative contact areas located along the first and second side walls. The first embodiment optionally comprises a contact arm, locatable substantially parallel to the second side wall, which includes a plurality of positive contact areas corresponding to and across from the negative contact areas located on the second side wall.

Abstract: In a technique for suppression of mirroring in a system which utilizes discrete Fourier transformation of an input signal, a correction apparatus adjusts the observed forward velocity spectrum by a first correction function and adjusts the observed reverse velocity spectrum by a second correction function to provide corrected velocity spectra. The first and second correction functions are representative of mismatches between the in-phase and quadrature channels of the signal processor. The correction functions are obtained during a calibration period in which calibration signals are applied to the signal processor. A first calibration signal contains frequencies of only forward velocities, and a second calibration signal conmtains frequencies representative of only reverse velocities. The correction functions are calculated from the spectra that were measured during calibration. In many cases, the first and second correction functions are the same.

Abstract: This invention provides an ultrasonic transducer system which utilizes a reconfigurable delay line to perform a variety of processing functions. In particular, for a preferred embodiment, the delay line utilized to sum the outputs of transducer elements is reconfigurable to provide serial processing of image scan lines while providing parallel processing of Doppler color flow scan lines. More particularly, the echo signals generated in response to the packet of color flow lines utilized to generate color flow information are applied in a predetermined way to two separate portions of the delay line, the portions of the delay line having different delay profiles, the resulting outputs being focussed to slightly different points in the image and thus providing color flow packets for two separate points in response to the transmission of a single packet of color flow lines. This results in a substantial enhancement of the system frame rate.

Abstract: A method of ironmaking by means of a smelting shaft furnace including the steps of supplying iron ore and coke to the top of the furnace; and injecting coal and oxygen into the smelting zone of the furnace to promote combustion, to control reaction temperature and provide heat for smelting, the quantities of coal and oxygen injection being within the range of 0.7 to 1.7 of stoichiometric conditions with respect to combustion to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of removing heat from molten metal in which the metal is caused to flow freely within a gaseous media or vacuum over a body disposed within the metal stream such that any tendency for the metal to solidify during its passage is effective on the surface of said body against which the solidifying metal contracts into intimate contact therewith. The body may be forcibly cooled, e.g. by water. Accordingly, since the liquid metal is not enveloped by a channel or pipe, the solidifying shell tends to shrink on to the body, no gap is created, and this much higher heat transfer coefficients between the shell, the liquid metal, and the cooling body are achieved.

Abstract: A resulfurized and rephosphorized free-machining steel bar formed by cold drawing a hot rolled steel bar has the composition, by weight, C up to 0.08%; Mn 0.6% to 1.4%; Si up to 0.1%; P at least 0.03%; S 0.25% to 0/50%; Cb 0.02% to 0.10%; the sum of Ni, Cr, Mo and Cu up to 0.15%; balance iron. The ratio of %Mn/%S is from 1.6 to 4.0, and the ratio of [%Mn-(1.62.times.%S)]/%Cb is from 2 to 50. The yield strength of the steel bar is further determined by the draft in cold drawing the bar from the hot rolled state and the size and cross section of the bar after draft. The relationship between strength and ductility is further improved by heavy drafting in cold drawing the bar from the hot rolled state.

Abstract: An equipment testing device facilitates the testing of telephone communications systems having a number of predetermined test terminals. The equipment testing device includes a housing with a plurality of electrodes mounted on the housing. Means are provided for connecting the electrodes to the predetermined test terminals and for correlating the electrodes and the test terminals so that a selected electrode is an extension of a selected test terminal.

Abstract: A parallel redundant actuator system of the kind wherein the signal in each of a plurality of lanes (31A, 31B, 31C) comprises the difference between a demand signal and a signal indicating the position of an output member of the system and the output member (3) takes up a position determined by the output of a summing arrangement (21) for the outputs of the lanes and wherein between the input of each lane and the output of the summing arrangement each lane has a non-linear input/output characteristic whose slope over a range of values of input in which changes of input due to failure of another lane occur is greater than if the characteristic were linear over the range of values of input over which the lane is capable of operation. The arrangement is intended to reduce the change in position of the output member which occurs on failure of a lane.

Abstract: A cold drawn free-machining steel bar having a composition consisting essentially of, in weight percent, C up to 0.15; Mn 0.7 to 1.3; P 0.03 to 0.09; S 0.30 to 0.50; Bi 0.05 to 0.25; the sum of Ni, Cr, Mo and Cu up to 0.15 and the balance iron. The ratio % Mn / %S is from 1.7 to 3.0 and the %Mn-1.62.times.%S is from 0.05 to 0.40. The ratio %Bi /(%Ni+%Cu) is at least 2.0. The yield strength of the steel bar is further determined by the draft in cold drawing the bar from the hot rolled state and the cross section of the bar prior to draft.