Abstract: A method an apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.

Abstract: A constant linear weld speed process provides constant linear weld speed welding on circular and non-circular weld profiles. A constant linear weld speed device includes a weld fixture for holding a part such as a catalytic converter part, to be welded along a weld profile, the weld fixture having a shape that is substantially the same as said weld profile. A device, such as a constant rpm drive motor, is employed to rotate the part in the weld fixture about the central axis of the weld fixture. A movable weld torch, held to the weld fixture and disposed at an approximately 90° angle to the weld profile surface, is adapted to travel radially in and out so as to follow the weld fixture profile and provide a constant linear weld speed as the weld fixture and the part rotate about the central axis. In an alternate embodiment, the weld torch is adapted to move radially and pivotally.

Abstract: An catalytic converter is integrated with a flexible endcone to form an assembly. The assembly comprises a catalytic converter with a flexible endcone integrated connected to one end of the catalytic converter, which is optionally attached to a mounting flange or exhaust pipe. The endcone comprises a flexible bellow containing a plurality of undulating ribs. The flexible bellow is secured to an end of the catalytic converter at one or more interface points along the periphery of the flexible endcone assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of HIV infection. In particular, the present invention provides non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase (RT), as well as methods to treat HIV infection using these non-nucleoside inhibitors of RT. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of substituted benzimidazoles, effective in the inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used to obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

Abstract: A vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel tank having an interior chamber and a tank opening communicating with the interior chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly also includes an insert disposed in the interior chamber and the tank opening and forming a vapor plenum chamber in the tank opening and a canister chamber therein. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly includes a canister bed disposed in the canister chamber to absorb vapor fuel in the vapor plenum chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly further includes a coaxial line having one end for connection to an engine of the vehicle and another end connected to the vapor plenum chamber to allow liquid fuel to communicate with the interior chamber and vapor fuel to communicate with the vapor plenum chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic fumes collection system for an auger-type distributing device that spreads hot asphalt behind a mobile paver includes a rotatable auger shaft extending horizontally above a surface being paved and laterally to a longitudinal centerline axis of the paver. The shaft includes a plurality of auger flights spaced therealong, and can be raised and lowered to a plurality of elevations above the surface being paved. A fumes intake inlet is positioned above, and in a fixed spacial relation to, the auger shaft, whereby the fumes inlet raises and lowers simultaneously with the auger shaft, resulting in an a more uniform fumes collection over a plurality of auger flight elevations. A fumes exhaust fan and exhaust stack are positioned on the paver.

Abstract: A paving machine that is driven by track assemblies utilizing continuous rubber belts uses a motor and planetary gear reduction combination on each drive wheel to drive each belt. Each planetary gear includes a planetary joint connection between a rotating and a non-rotating portion, with an elastomeric seal therein to retain lubricating fluid in the planetary housing. Each drive wheel is formed from a pair of annular ring members rigidly connected together and spaced apart to provide a passage for directing debris falling from a rotating drive wheel away from the planetary joint, to minimize damage to the seal.

Abstract: A paving machine is driven by track assemblies utilizing continuous rubber belts driven by drive wheels. Each drive wheel is driven by a planetary gear assembly. Each drive wheel is formed from a pair of annular ring members rigidly connected together and spaced apart to provide a passage for directing debris falling from a rotating drive wheel away from the planetary gear, to minimize damage to the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used ot obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lubricant for the hot forming of metals with at least one alkali metal phosphate and possibly additionally at least one phosphate of a divalent metal, which has improved lubricating properties in comparison with known high-temperature lubricants and which at the same time does not attack the workpiece and tool or attacks same to a lesser degree than known lubricants as it contains at least one additives which forms a gas upon being heated.

Abstract: A three-piece electrical box in which the top and bottom can be snapped into place following mounting of the enclosure member, thereby permitting deferral of wire and cable handling until after the principal box member is mounted.

Abstract: A printed data strip (7) on a substrate (5) is provided including bit encoded information (23) and control information (15, 19, 27, 29) for an optical scanner. The encoded information is in a plurality of parallel, contiguous data lines (11) formed of bits of sequentially-encoded information, the bits being of uniform height and width. The data lines (11) start along a common line and, together, form an information portion (23) of sequentially-encoded data. The data lines (11) are transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the data strip (7).Associated with the encoded information on the printed substrate (5) are printed areas serving preliminarily to align the optical scanner with the data lines (17), and to set contrast levels (17), to maintain alignment during scanning (27, 29), and to set the vertical (19) and horizontal (15) rates of scanning. Means are provided to control and adjust the timing of each scanned data line by the optical scanner during the course of scanning.

Abstract: A data strip (2) of predetermined size is made (a) by determining the total nibbles of digital information to be encoded and the maximum number of integral nibbles per data line (14), using predetermined minimum dibit dimensions, after allowing for parity checks, alignment guides (32,36), and a start line (28), (b) by increasing the dibit dimensions to achieve the predetermined size, and adjusting the bit size to account for ink spread, and (c) by preparing a reader instruction header (16) containing coded specifications as to the data strip format. These factors are interdependent and must be correlated to provide a final data strip (2) satisfying all the predetermined criteria.An associated printer (64) prints the data strip (2) with a header (16) and a data portion (12) in the determined format.

Abstract: A data strip (2) of predetermined size is made (a) by determining the total nibbles of digital information to be encoded and the maximum number of integral nibbles per data line (14), using predetermined minimum dibit dimensions, after allowing for parity checks, alignment guides (32,36), and a start line (28), (b) by increasing the dibit dimensions to achieve the predetermined size, and adjusting the bit size to account for ink spread, and (c) by preparing a reader instruction header (16) containing coded specifications as to the data strip format. These factors are interdependent and must be correlated to provide a final data strip (2) satisfying all the predetermined criteria.An associated printer (64) prints the data strip (2) with a header (16) and a data portion (12) in the determined format.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reading contiguous, conterminous, parallel data lines (76) of minute, rectangular bits of information printed on a substrate (2) and together forming a data strip (3) with its length, perpendicular to the data lines (76).The reader (1) includes alignment means for holding the strip (5) and includes data line scanning means (33, 40, 130) on a chassis (20) which moves longitudinally of the data strip (3) while simultaneously and synchronously scanning the tranverse data lines (76) at a rate that scans each data line a plurality of times. An infra-red light source (50) illuminates the data line (76) being scanned, and crossed cylindrical lenses (30, 32, 40, 130), moving relative to each other and to the data strip (3), focus individual scanned bits upon a matched infra-red detector (42).Multiples (33) of one of the cylindrical lenses, mounted on a rotating drum (44), are used to increase speed of operation.