Abstract: An energy-absorbing steering wheel, in particular a large-volume steering wheel for HGVs is disclosed, with a steering-wheel skeleton with hub, spokes and steering-wheel rim which are provided with a casing, the skeleton portions of the spokes extending from the steering-wheel rim as far as the hub, and the region above the hub being of energy-absorbing design. There is provision for the casing to have, at least in the region above the hub, at least one cavity for assisting the energy absorption.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for coating substantially pure boron or highly boron-rich borides in a controlled manner. Such a method of coating of boron has a variety of applications, including surface chemical and wear protection, neutron absorption, prevention of impurity emission from heated filaments and ion beams, elimination of metal dust from vacuum systems, boridizing, boron cluster emission, and reactive chemistry. Borides with a boron-to-metal ratio of 20 or more are known to exist and may be used as a feedstock for substantially pure boron coatings for deposition processes requiring feedstock electrical conductivity, and/or enhanced reactivity. While most metal borides coincidentally produce significant metal vapor as a by-product, certain borides of yttrium, holmium, erbium, thulium, terbium, gadolinium, and lutetium have been identified as capable of producing substantially pure boron vapor.

Abstract: An automated employee selection system can use a variety of techniques to provide information for assisting in selection of employees. For example, pre-hire and post-hire information can be collected electronically and used to build an artificial-intelligence based model. The model can then be used to predict a desired job performance criterion (e.g., tenure, number of accidents, sales level, or the like) for new applicants. A wide variety of features can be supported, such as electronic reporting. Pre-hire information identified as ineffective can be removed from a collected pre-hire information. For example, ineffective questions can be identified and removed from a job application. New items can be added and their effectiveness tested. As a result, a system can exhibit adaptive learning and maintain or increase effectiveness even under changing conditions.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope that is easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, has a fast scan rate, and has a broad range of applications. The oscillating sensor has a high resonance frequency. Because an oscillator is used, alignment of a laser is not required. Further, probe approach and scanning can be achieved at much faster rates.

Abstract: A fiber detector apparatus includes a hub having one or more electrical contacts. The hub is configured to be placed against a connector, which is disposed on an electromagnetic energy source, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical contacts of the hub and electrical contacts on a connector plate of the electromagnetic energy source. The number and positions of the electrical contacts correlate with the presence and characteristics of one or more fibers extending through the hub toward the electromagnetic energy source. A data storage microcircuit may also be provided within the hub to store identification information about the fibers being used. Knowing the physical characteristics of the fibers being used in a particular procedure can permit a user of the apparatus to improve the effectiveness of a procedure using the electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Methods and-apparatus implementing a technique for forming a trap polygon which does not interfere with the print quality of other trap polygons or objects. Edges in close proximity to a color transition edge (“CTE”) are checked for potential interference. A trap polygon is formed for the CTE that avoids any interfering edges or trap polygons for those edges. The technique can be applied to form a trap polygon for each edge in a page to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fast data retrieval. The present invention discloses storing call detail data into two databases. A portion of the total call detail data available is mapped into an interpreted usage event (IUE) and stored in a first database that is indexed for quick data retrieval utilizing a standard database management system. The total raw call detail data is stored in a second database that is less structured, with respect to the first database, without requiring explicit indices. IUEs are retrieved from the first database in response to queries specifying one or more of the characteristics of the desired IUEs. Call detail data stored in the second database is retrieved in response to queries specifying the characteristics from one or more of the retrieved IUEs.

Abstract: A laser apparatus in a hermetically sealed container and methods for hermetically sealing the laser. The laser apparatus comprising an external cavity laser and a modulator in a single hermetically sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for the connection of a fastening element in a preassembled part is provided. The fastening arrangement makes provision for the fastening element to be fastened in the preassembled part by means of a latching connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for forming a trap polygon which does not interfere with the print quality of other trap polygons or objects. Edges in close proximity to a color transition edge (“CTE”) are checked for potential interference. A trap polygon is formed for the CTE that avoids any interfering edges or trap polygons for those edges. The technique can be applied to form a trap polygon for each edge in a page to be printed.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202) having a permanent low pressure. The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104).

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202). The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104). The regulated supply fluid acts on and moves the power piston (118) to pressurize operational fluid in the first bore (102).

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes exterior and interior sensor units for opening one or more sliding doors. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding door(s), and opens the door(s) as they are approached. The motion sensor keeps the door(s) open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door(s) open when the ambient conditions change. A brushless DC servo motor is preferably employed to move a pulley and thereby synchronously open and close the door(s). Optical sensors are deployed above the door(s) at selected deceleration and stopping points for the doors. Other features include a push plate or pushbutton, a key lock, and a multi-tier alarm system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for forming a trap polygon which does not interfere with the print quality of other trap polygons or objects. Edges in close proximity to a color transition edge (“CTE”) are checked for potential interference. A trap polygon is formed for the CTE that avoids any interfering edges or trap polygons for those edges. The technique can be applied to form a trap polygon for each edge in a page to be printed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for heterophase reactions in a liquid or supercritical dispersion medium, in which the starting materials are introduced into the reaction zone of a reactor provided with one or more enrichment zones and the reaction product or unreacted starting material or both starting material and reaction product are discharged via one enrichment zone in each case, wherein a) the reaction product together with the dispersion medium is discharged from the reactor via an enrichment zone, the reaction product is separated off and the dispersion medium is, if desired in countercurrent to the reaction product/dispersion medium mixture and via an enrichment zone, returned to the reaction zone, or b) unreacted starting material together with the dispersion medium is discharged, the starting material is separated from the dispersion medium and returned directly to the reaction zone and the dispersion medium is, if desired, in countercurrent to the reaction product/dispersion medium mixture and vi

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.

Abstract: A universal inkjet cartridge body with multiple ink reservoirs that can be used for single color or multiple color applications. The ink flow routing is accomplished by merely changing the printhead-to-body sealing structure, which can be an adhesive pattern. This allows for all the reservoirs' inks to be mixed at the head for one cartridge configuration, or the respective inks can be directed to different parts of the printhead for a multiple color application. The same cartridge body structure can be used for two or more cartridge configurations. A nose piece structure defines multiple ink channels leading from the respective ink reservoirs to a printhead mounting region. The sealing structure is applied to mount the printhead to the nose piece and to complete the ink path routing from the reservoirs to the printhead nozzle array(s).

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.

Abstract: A control apparatus (12) for a brake system (10) having a housing (40) with a first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members located in first (44) and second (46) bores. The first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members and corresponding first (50) and second (54) valve seat members define first (52) and second (56) chambers within the first (44) and second (46) bores which are connected to a source of pressurized fluid. First valve means (68) are located in the first chamber (52) and second valve means (70) are located in the second chamber (56). A first plunger means (72) in the first bore (40) and a first valve seat member (50) define a first brake chamber (74) which is connected to a first set (16) of wheel brakes and a second plunger means (76) in the second bore (48) and a second valve seat member (54) define a second brake chamber (78) in the second bore (46) which is connected to a second set (16′) of wheel brakes in the vehicle.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system with a translational inkjet service module. The system includes a carriage which moves along a scan axis over a print zone, with a plurality of printheads mounted on the carriage, each printhead having an array of nozzles for applying ink to the print media in the print zone. The service module has wipers for engagement with the array of nozzles during a period when the nozzles are not applying ink to the media. A motor moves the servicing module in a linear direction orthogonal to the scan axis in order to simultaneously wipe each array of nozzles. The servicing module also provides a capper function and a priming function.