Abstract: A method and system for providing diagnostic services for a computer system is provided. The diagnostic application presents to the user of the computer system a graphical representation of a computer system (202). The user is able to click on graphical components of the graphical representation. The diagnostic application performs diagnostic services on the particular component clicked on by the user. The diagnostic application may determine if the most recent version of the appropriate software driver is installed in the computer system. The diagnostic application may perform diagnostic tests on the clicked component. The diagnostic application may also permit the user to access online diagnostic services to permit the user to access the most recent version of the applicable software driver, communicate with a diagnostic support specialist, or receive additional diagnostic tools from a location remote from the computer system.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission fluid supply system for operating a transmission of a vehicle includes a hydraulic pump having an inlet and an outlet communicating with an inlet of the transmission. A filter assembly includes a filter housing having an inlet communicating with a source of hydraulic fluid and a fluid outlet communicating with the inlet of the pump. A check valve is associated with the filter housing inlet to permit only one-way flow of fluid through the system such that in the event the transmission develops an air leak, the fluid is nonetheless maintained in the system and not permitted to back flow through the system.

Abstract: A metal surface which has been cleaned using an alkaline based solution is treated with an acidic solution which contains rear earth ions to remove any smut which may have been produced during the alkaline cleaning. A coating is formed on the cleaned surface using a different acidic solution containing rare earth cations which have multiple valence states. When the surface is reacted with coating solution, an increase in the pH at the metal surface indirectly results in precipitation of a rare earth metal such as cerium onto the surface. Alternatively, after the removal of the smut, the surface may be coated using a painting technique.

Abstract: A sliding vane pump comprising a rotor housing having a pumping chamber, a rotor in the pumping chamber having a plurality of radially disposed slots, and a plurality of sliding vanes disposed in the slots configured to extend to follow an inner wall of said pumping chamber.

Abstract: Any hydraulic flow return system of a transmission pump in which primary and bypass flows of hydraulic fluid are returned to primary and bypass flow channels, respectively, of a booster nozzle situated adjacent the rotating group at the inlet of the pump for delivery a boosted flow of high pressure fluid to the pump is a result of the incoming bypass flow being passed through a flow restrictor before being recombined with the primary flow, the system is improved by incorporating a bypass valve which senses the back pressure in the incoming bypass flow and operates to open an auxiliary bypass channel in the event that the back pressure exceeds a predetermined control value in order to divert a fraction of the bypass flow around the flow restrictor for delivery to the pump until such time as the back pressure falls below the control value.

Abstract: An autochanger 10 for DAT cassettes 52 includes a 5¼ inch form factor housing 12 within which are arranged a tape drive mechanism 50, a magazine 70 for holding six DAT cassettes 52 and a transfer mechanism 13 for transporting DAT cassettes between the storage area 15 and the tape drive mechanism 50. A turntable 100 is mounted in the underside of the lid 16 of the housing 12 for rotating the magazine 70 about 18° so that all of the DAT cassettes in the magazine 70 are accessible from a single direction.

Abstract: A wear pad for a stabilizer leg, the wear pad comprising a first part to provide a wear surface and a second part comprising engagement means, wherein the first part comprises a first, relatively soft material and the second part comprises a second, relatively hard material.

Abstract: A sliding vane pump comprising a rotor housing having a pumping chamber, a rotor in the pumping chamber having a plurality of radially disposed slots, and a plurality of sliding vanes disposed in the slots configured to extend to follow an inner wall of said pumping chamber.

Abstract: A mounting assembly includes an arm, and a working implement mounting device provided at or towards one end of the arm, the working implement mounting device being adapted releasably to mount on the arm a first working implement, and the invention being characterised in that the working implement mounting device has mounted thereon, a second working implement, the second working implement being mounted such that the second working implement is movable relative to the working implement mounting device between a first position in which the second working implement may be used when the first working implement is de-mounted from the arm, and a second position in which the second working implement is stowed to allow use of the first working implement when mounted on the arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a material creates a cavitation nucleus in a portion of the material by focusing optical radiation at the portion of the material and then causing mechanical disruption in another portion of the material adjacent the cavitation nucleus by subjecting the cavitation nucleus to ultrasound waves.

Abstract: Lightweight moulded pulp trays or the like are attracted upward from transport on the upper side of a first conveyor to contact with the underside of the lower run of the perforated conveyor belt of a vacuum transfer mechanism by means of vacuum conditions transmitted through groups of perforations in said perforated belt, the location of said perforations in each group, and the timing of vacuum conditions transmitted through each perforation in each group being arranged to lift the forward and rearward proportions of each said product simultaneously with continuous support during transport to a selected location for simultaneous release of vacuum support for said forward and rearward portions of each said product, whereby to provide a level lift and drop-off for each product.

Abstract: A system for preventing vibrations occurring in a diesel engine during shut down. The system employs a combined starter/alternator apparatus to apply a positive and/or negative torque to an engine to effect a smooth deceleration of the rotating parts of the engine. A system control function is provided wherein the engine speed from a vehicle engine speed sensor and the vehicle ignition key off signal are introduced to a control means to determine if the rate of engine speed deceleration is above or below a selected threshold level. If the rate of deceleration is above the selected threshold level, a command is generated by the control means to cause power to be absorbed from a rotating part of the engine to slow the engine. If the rate of engine deceleration is below the selected threshold level, a command is generated to add torque to the engine rotating part to prevent rapid deceleration.

Abstract: A pitch control system for a bulldozer having a bulldozer blade that is mounted to a blade linkage. The bulldozer blade is coupled to the blade linkage by a bearing that permits the right and left angling movement of the bulldozer blade and the forward and rearward pitch of the bulldozer blade relative to the blade linkage. An angling control valve hydraulically positions two hydraulic angling cylinders for angling the blade right and left relative to the blade linkage. A hydraulic dump valve is hydraulically positioned between the angling hydraulic control valve and the hydraulic angling cylinder, the hydraulic dump valve having a dump position and a checked position. A linear actuator in the form of a hydraulic pitch cylinder is operatively positioned between the blade linkage and the blade for selectively adjusting the pitch of the blade relative to the blade linkage. A pitch control valve is used to selectively position the pitch cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for mass production of taxol which comprises adding sugar into a culture medium containing sugar in the course of semicontinuous culture of Taxus genus plant cell, and a universal method for mass production of taxol which comprises culturing Taxus genus plant cell in a culture medium containing sugar and AgNO3 as well. In accordance with the present invention, large amount of taxol can be produced with a high yield, simply by manipulating the culture condition of Taxus genus plant cell culture.

Abstract: Resiliently expandable sleeves to locate and protectively separate from each other bottles or other articles placed vertically in a container are each comprised of at least three side walls connected to each other at their adjacent edges, each said side wall being tapered from the width at its upper edge to a lesser width at its lower end, the dimensions of the opening at the top of each said sleeve formed by said upper edges being designed to provide free entry of said article into said tapered sleeve, with further insertion of said article into said sleeve causing each of said side walls to be resiliently deflected outwardly, thereby to create a grasping pressure over the area of contact between the outer surface of said article, and the inner surface of each of said side walls.

Abstract: An autochanger for DAT cassettes comprises a 51/4 inch form factor housing having a tape drive mechanism, a magazine for six DAT cassettes and a transfer mechanism for transporting DAT cassettes between a storage area and the tape drive mechanism. A turntable mounted in the underside of a housing lid rotates the magazine about 180.degree. so all of the DAT cassettes in the magazine are accessible from a single direction.

Abstract: A chemical agent for use in binding to and insolubilizing the solubilized products of fat digestion in order to prevent absorption of fat from the diet.

Abstract: A process for forming a conversion coating on the surface of a metal, including: contacting the metal with an acidic solution containing an oxidant in order to initiate growth of a metal oxide cell structure on the metal surface; contacting the metal with water for a period of time sufficient to thicken the oxide and form a metal oxide containing layer of a desired thickness; and treating the metal with one or more rare earth elements in order to impregnate and substantially seal the metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mass production of taxol by semi-continuous culture of Taxus genus plant with a high yield. According to the present invention, taxol can be prepared with a high yield, by employing semi-continuous culture of Taxus genus plant cell, which comprises: (i) inoculating Taxus genus plant cell on a medium containing 1 to 10% (w/v) sugar, and incubating it; and, (ii) transferring 1/10 to 1/2 volume of the culture obtained in the step (i) to a fresh medium and repeating the step (i), adding 1 to 10% (w/v) sugar to the remnant culture and incubating to the time of maximum production of taxol.

Abstract: A moulded container with a detachable hinged cover, and a method of applying the cover into hinging engagement with the remainder of said container.