Abstract: A one-piece unitary compression cap for securing a pipe or tube on a fitting. The cap includes at least one inward deformation that provides an interference fit between the cap and the pipe or tube. Consequently, the cap cannot fall off the pipe or tube before being permanently crimped.

Abstract: A process for the solid phase synthesis of a peptide having at least one thyptophan residue, wherein said method comprises temporarily protecting the indole ring of said tryptophan residue with a side chain protecting group which is labile to a base wherein said protecting group is removed during cleavage of said peptide from the solid support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a low-base number calcium sulfonate that is essentially chloride free. The process involves preparing a sulfonic acid solution by adding a solvent to a sulfonic acid, optionally removing dissolved or entrained SO2 or SO3, mixing the solution with a specific amount of water and calcium hydroxide, heating the mixture, separating out excess calcium hydroxide from the mixture, removing the solvent and recovering the calcium sulfonate product in oil.

Abstract: An electronic pool pump timer that controls the run time of the pump for a period of time each day depending on the date. In the preferred embodiment, the user enters the historical daily maximum and minimum pump run times for the specific pool and the system calculates the required time the pump will run on a given day. The customized run time is thus calculated as a function of the date and the minimum and maximum run times for a given pool. The system then self-adjusts the run time each day as necessary. The device comprises a data input means, a display, memory, and a controller. It may also include a manual override to allow the user to turn the pump on at any time. The device is connected to the pump motor. The device is connected to a power supply and may also include a battery back-up in the event of a power outage. To prevent the pool from freezing, the system may also include an air temperature sensor that triggers pump operation when the ambient air is below a given temperature.

Abstract: An algorithmic or cyclic data converter uses an RSD stage having a switched capacitor network for efficiently scaling at least one externally supplied reference voltage. A reference voltage is scaled by using capacitor ratios that also function to provide an output voltage used as a residue output of the RSD A/D converter. The residue is used to generate a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the residue. Two RSD stages cycle back and forth generating a logic value each half clock cycle until the desired bit resolution is achieved. In one form, the RSD stage scales the externally supplied reference voltage only by factors of less than one. In another form, the RSD stage scales the reference voltage by any scaling factor. A reference voltage scaling circuit separate from the RSD stage is avoided.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-optic reflective modulator comprising a reflective active material, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, that reflects a wavelength in a highly reflective state and is reversibly switched to a transparent and low reflectivity state at the wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the electro-reflective optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active material does not move when reversibly switched between the high and low reflective states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic reflective modulators.

Abstract: A separation alert system includes a first component securable to a child, an elderly or disabled person, or an animal. A second component is securable to a person having responsibility for the child, the elderly or disabled person, or the animal. The second component includes an alarm which is activated whenever the second component is separated from the first component by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an analog converter. The apparatus comprises a first redundant signed digit (RSD) stage and a configurable block. The configurable block converts to a sample/hold circuit to sample a single ended analog signal. The sampled signal is then scaled, converted to a differential signal and provided to the first RSD stage. The first RSD stage outputs a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the digital signal. In a next half clock cycle the first RSD stage calculates a residue that is provided to the configurable block. The configurable block is converted to a second redundant signed digit stage and generates a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the residue provided by the first RSD stage. The first and second RSD stages cycle back and forth generating logic value each half clock cycle until the desired bit resolution is achieved. The configurable block is then converted back to a sample/hold circuit to start another conversion process.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a first member having a slot formed therein, a pin laterally extending into the slot and having an abutment facing the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member, and a second member rigidly secured to the pin and movable relative to the first member along the slot. A plastic bushing encircles the pin and extends into the slot. The bushing has a flange engaging the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member. A plastic washer encircles the pin and is located between the first and second members. A spring washer such as a wave or Belleville washer is located between the abutment and the flange and resiliently biases the second member relative to the first member to resist relative lateral movement between the first and second members to reduce lash therebetween. The pin can be ether a guide pin or a drive pin of the control pedal.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a lower arm which moves relative to an upper arm to adjust the position of a pedal. A control system includes a sensor and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller determines a position of lower arm based on signals from the sensor and automatically stops movement when the lower arm reaches a stored position or an end of travel without engaging mechanical stops, when sensors indicate that there is a failure in the drive system, and when sensors indicate that a predetermined fore/aft offset between two pedals is not maintained. The controller automatically moves the lower arm to a predetermined position when signals indicate the driver may egress the vehicle. A lock-out switch prevents movement of the lower arm so that the lower arm is not accidentally moved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a low-base number calcium sulfonate that is essentially chloride free. The process involves preparing a sulfonic acid solution by adding a solvent to sulfonic acid, removing dissolved or entrained SO2 or SO3, mixing the solution with a specific amount of water and calcium hydroxide, heating the mixture, separating out excess calcium hydroxide and calcium salts from the mixture, and recovering solvent and oil to capture the calcium sulfonate product.

Abstract: A cleaning implement comprising a handle and a removable cleaning pad. The removable cleaning pad is capable of absorbing at least 10 g deionized water per g of cleaning pad in 20 minutes, under a confining pressure of 0.09 psi. These implements provide the convenience of disposable cleaning implements and the cleaning ability of conventional mops.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an article, such as an electrochemical cell, in which a microporous layer is coated on a temporary carrier substrate and a substrate, such as an electrode, is then laminated or contacted to the microporous layer, after or prior to removing the temporary carrier substrate from the microporous layer. The microporous layer comprises one or more microporous xerogel layers comprising a xerogel material, such as a zirconium oxide xerogel material. Also provided are articles, such as electrochemical cells and separators, prepared by such methods.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-optic modulator comprising an organic free radical compound, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, as an active modulating material. The modulator is reversibly switched between two states of high and low transmission at a wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active modulating material does not move when reversibly switched between the two states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic modulators.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-optic reflective modulator comprising a reflective active material, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, that reflects a wavelength in a highly reflective state and is reversibly switched to a transparent and low reflectivity state at the wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the electro-reflective optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active material does not move when reversibly switched between the high and low reflective states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic reflective modulators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement comprising a handle and a removable cleaning pad. The cleaning pad is designed to provide multiple cleaning surfaces each of which contact the soiled surface during the cleaning operation. The cleaning pad also preferably has the ability to absorb at least about 10 g of water per g of pad.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to organic reflective layers comprising an organic radical cation compound, wherein the layer reflects in the infrared region. Preferably, the organic radical cation compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Also provided are marking systems comprising such reflective layers and methods of marking an article utilizing such reflective layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are different titanium aluminide (Ti—Al) honeycomb panel structures formed from a gamma-based Ti—Al (&ggr;-Ti—Al) or orthorhombic Ti—Al (O—Ti—Al) honeycomb core brazed to a &ggr;-Ti—Al or O—Ti—Al facing sheet(s), where a metal braze filler foil containing copper and one or more other metals is used to join the faying surface of the honeycomb core and the faying surface of the facing sheet(s). The structures and method of the invention are useful where high strength, lightweigth materials are required, such as in aircraft and other aerospace-related applications.

Abstract: A tubular support system with a bowl and a hanger, the bowl for supporting at least one tubular member and including a body with at least one access port for accessing a fluid channel opening of the hanger positioned within the bowl; the hanger for connection to a tubular member and having at least one fluid channel through it from a bottom surface to an outer surface so that one or more control lines attached to a supported tubular (pipe, casing, riser, tubing) can be placed in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel, and, via the at least one access port, the at least one fluid channel can be placed in fluid communication with other apparatus, e.g., a surface control unit.

Abstract: A process for the solid phase synthesis of a peptide having at least one thyptophan residue, wherein said method comprises temporarily protecting the indole ring of said tryptophan residue with a side chain protecting group which is labile to a base wherein said protecting group is removed during cleavage of said peptide from the solid support.