Abstract: A scraper for an optical surface of a device is disclosed. The scraper includes a blade having an edge that is rigid and non-deforming to withstand high shear stresses. The blade is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the optical surface and also configured to move in a line with respect to a second axis perpendicular to the optical surface. This allows the rigid, non-deforming blade to maintain contact with the optical surface. Furthermore, the edge is configured to move across the optical surface to remove any materials adhered to the surface. The scraper can be used to clean the optical surface of an instrument, for example.

Abstract: Antifoam particles contain: (A) porous copolymers of urea or melamine or a mixture thereof with an alkanal, and (B) a silicone antifoam composition which is liquid at 0° C. The invention also provides pulverulent antifoam agents which comprise antifoam particles and optionally further carrier materials.

Abstract: A method and software for daily reconciling and monitoring of a defined benefit plan including plan assets and plan benefit liabilities. A data processor receives a daily plan asset value and automatically tracks a difference between the plan asset value and allowed benefit values for participants of the defined benefit plan. The method further includes automatic posting of the difference to a side account with the data processor.

Abstract: Superior defoamer compositions contain a low viscosity linear organopolysiloxane, a higher viscosity, optionally branched organopolysiloxane, a polyethersiloxane with a low cloud point, and both colloidal silica and fumed silica.

Abstract: The present composition relates to fabric care compositions comprising an organosiloxane polymer. Methods of using such compositions including contacting a fabric with the composition and rinsing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present composition relates to fabric care compositions comprising an organosiloxane polymer. Methods of using such compositions including contacting a fabric with the composition and rinsing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a surface treatment composition which comprises a polyorganosiloxane fluid-silicone resin mixture and a carrier. The polyorganosiloxane fluid-silicone resin mixture comprises about 50% to about 99.99% by weight of one or more polyorganosiloxane fluid compounds, at least 0.01% by weight of one or more silicone resin, and a maximum of 5% by weight of water.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a surface treatment composition which comprises a polyorganosiloxane fluid-silicone resin mixture and a carrier. The polyorganosiloxane fluid-silicone resin mixture comprises about 2% to about 95%, by weight of the mixture, of one or more polyorganosiloxane fluid compounds; from about 1% to about 10%, by weight of the mixture, of one or more silicone resin, a protonation agent, at least about 5%, by weight of the mixture; of water; and optionally, less than about 5%, by weight of the mixture, of an emulsifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to providing a vibration dampening system for an overhead frame structure used with a vehicle. The system involves the provision of one or more dampening members and/or components between portions of one or more members forming the overhead frame structure. The dampening members or components are compressed when certain portions of the members are set in position. As a result, the vibration and contact normally encountered between the portions and/or interconnecting brackets is limited, and in turn, the stress normally experienced by the one or more fastener assemblies holding the portions and/or the interconnecting brackets due to such vibration is also limited.

Abstract: Antifoam particles contain: (A) porous copolymers of urea or melamine or a mixture thereof with an alkanal, and (B) a silicone antifoam composition which is liquid at 0° C. The invention also provides pulverulent antifoam agents which comprise antifoam particles and optionally further carrier materials.

Abstract: The present composition relates to fabric care compositions comprising an organosiloxane polymer. Methods of using such compositions including contacting a fabric with the composition and rinsing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, program products and systems for automatically trapping drop shadows. For at least one segment incident to an atomic region which includes a drop shadow, and for each side of the segment, determining a first flattened color of the side's incident atomic region, and if the atomic region includes a drop shadow, additionally determining a second flattened color omitting the color of the drop shadow. An effective neutral density from the side's first flattened color is determined and, if the side has a second flattened color, the side's second flattened color. The two atomic regions incident to the segment are trapped based upon the effective neutral densities for the respective sides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of piezoelectric fault recovery comprising: monitoring a set of operational piezoelectric elements of a piezoelectric actuator, detecting a failure of an element of the set, removing the failed element from the set, and rerouting the drive signal sent to the element according to a predetermined behavior preference.

Abstract: A system and method for defining a signal for driving a piezoelectric actuator, comprising defining a wave profile corresponding to a voltage waveform of a signal for actuating a piezoelectric actuator; modifying the wave profile such that an operational profile of the piezoelectric actuator is adjusted; and providing the signal to the piezoelectric actuator to operate the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to providing a vibration dampening system for an overhead frame structure used with a vehicle. The system involves the provision of one or more dampening members and/or components between portions of one or more members forming the overhead frame structure. The dampening members or components are compressed when certain portions of the members are set in position. As a result, the vibration and contact normally encountered between the portions and/or interconnecting brackets is limited, and in turn, the stress normally experienced by the one or more fastener assemblies holding the portions and/or the interconnecting brackets due to such vibration is also limited.

Abstract: A cooling fin for a mortar tube comprises a plurality of discrete nibs disposed on an external surface of the mortar tube wherein the nibs are arranged in longitudinal rows spaced circumferentially around the mortar tube. Preferably, the number of longitudinal rows of nibs is thirty-six. The nibs have a substantially square cross-section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to providing a vibration dampening system for an overhead frame structure used with a vehicle. The system involves the provision of one or more dampening members and/or components between portions of one or more members forming the overhead frame structure. The dampening members or components are compressed when certain portions of the members are set in position. As a result, the vibration and contact normally encountered between the portions and/or interconnecting brackets is limited, and in turn, the stress normally experienced by the one or more fastener assemblies holding the portions and/or the interconnecting brackets due to such vibration is also limited.

Abstract: Defoaming compositions employing organopolysiloxanes bearing aryl radicals exhibit surprising efficiency relative to their alkyl counterparts.

Abstract: A scraper for an optical surface of a device is disclosed. The scraper includes a blade having an edge that is rigid and non-deforming to withstand high shear stresses. The blade is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the optical surface and also configured to move in a line with respect to a second axis perpendicular to the optical surface. This allows the rigid, non-deforming blade to maintain contact with the optical surface. Furthermore, the edge is configured to move across the optical surface to remove any materials adhered to the surface. The scraper can be used to clean the optical surface of an instrument, for example.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (A) an organosilicon compound of the formula Ra(R1O)bR2cSiO(4-a-b-c)/2??(I) in which R2 independently denotes a monovalent, SiC-bonded, optionally substituted, aliphatic cyclic or aliphatic branched hydrocarbon radical having at least 3 carbon atoms, R, and R1 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon radicals, the sum a+b+c?3, the organosilicon compound has at least one unit of the formula (I) with c other than 0, and in at least 50% of all of the units of the formula (I) in the organosilicon compound the sum a+b+c is 2; at least one additive (B) selected from (B1) filler particles and/or (B2) organopolysiloxane resin(s) and optionally (C) an organosilicon compound which has units of the formula (III), R5g(R6O)hSiO(4-g-h)/2 where R5 and R6 are hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical, g+h?3 and in at least 50% of the units (III), g+h=2, are highly effective and long lasting defoamers.