Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a valve seat (20) for a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine, wherein the poppet valve comprises a head and a stem behind the head, the valve seat comprising: an aperture (21) configured to form a seal with the head of the poppet valve when the poppet valve is in a closed position; and a peripheral body (22) defining, at least in part, one or more ports (23) shaped like e.g. grooves and sized to enable injection of liquid or gas from a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine into a gas stream behind the head of the poppet valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a valve seat (20) for a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine, wherein the poppet valve comprises a head and a stem behind the head, the valve seat comprising: an aperture (21) configured to form a seal with the head of the poppet valve when the poppet valve is in a closed position; and a peripheral body (22) defining, at least in part, one or more ports (23) shaped like e.g. grooves and sized to enable injection of liquid or gas from a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine into a gas stream behind the head of the poppet valve.

Abstract: A stepper motor proportionally controlled bellows valve system comprising: a valve manifold; one or more stepper motors; and one or more bellows valves. The one or more bellows valves may comprise a bellows, a sealing washer, and a profile washer. The sealing washer is configured to removeably engage with a vacuum orifice rim. The profile washers are configured to stick into the valve orifice, such that the profile washer defines a flow through the valve.

Abstract: A stepper motor proportionally controlled bellows valve system comprising: a valve manifold; one or more stepper motors; and one or more bellows valves. The one or more bellows valves may comprise a bellows, a sealing washer, and a profile washer. The sealing washer is configured to removeably engage with a vacuum orifice rim. The profile washers are configured to stick into the valve orifice, such that the profile washer defines a flow through the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser's device running a purchaser program (12) which is operable by the purchaser and a vendor's device running a vendor program (16) which is operable by the vendor. The purchaser's device (12) and the vendor's device (16) are in data communication with each other by way of a communication channel (26). The purchaser program is configured to encrypt a payment message and to convey a payment request to the vendor program by way of the communication channel (26). The payment request comprises the encrypted payment message. The payment handling apparatus is configured to encrypt a confirmation message and to convey a confirmation code to the purchaser program in dependence on receipt of the payment request by the vendor program. The confirmation code comprises the encrypted confirmation message.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser's device running a purchaser program (12) which is operable by the purchaser and a vendor's device running a vendor program (16) which is operable by the vendor. The purchaser's device (12) and the vendor's device (16) are in data communication with each other by way of a communication channel (26). The purchaser program is configured to encrypt a payment message and to convey a payment request to the vendor program by way of the communication channel (26). The payment request comprises the encrypted payment message. The payment handling apparatus is configured to encrypt a confirmation message and to convey a confirmation code to the purchaser program in dependence on receipt of the payment request by the vendor program. The confirmation code comprises the encrypted confirmation message.

Abstract: Welding helmets, systems, and kits providing real-time fume exposure monitoring and warning capability during an arc welding process. A welding helmet configured to protect the head of a user during a welding process is configured with an intelligent warning apparatus and an air-sampling pick-up and output port. The air-sampling pickup and output port connects to a proximal end of an air sampling tube for sampling breathable air within the welding helmet, and a distal end of the air-sampling tube connects to an air-sampling in-take port of an external aerosol monitoring device. The intelligent warning apparatus communicates with the aerosol monitoring device to receive air sample output data from the aerosol monitoring device, and to process the air sample output data to generate warning data and/or warning signals based on preset exposure level set points and/or exposure warning operating modes.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid welding process. An integrated hybrid welding power source includes a first power supply for providing a first welding output and a second power supply for providing a second welding output. The first power supply and the second power supply are operatively connected to coordinate the first welding output with the second welding output in real time while operating concurrently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to at least one of a true energy and true power input to the welding output circuit path.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for searching microblog entries. The microblog entries may be generated through a single microblog website or across multiple microblog sites. Upon receiving a search input, a series of microblog entries responsive to the search input may be displayed to the user. The displayed microblog entries may be the most recently generated microblog entries that are responsive to the search input. In another embodiment, the microblog entries returned are a best match to the search criteria, which may be based on a user authority score for a user that drafted a microblog entry and additional characteristics of the microblog entry.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid welding process. An integrated hybrid welding power source includes a first power supply for providing a first welding output and a second power supply for providing a second welding output. The first power supply and the second power supply are operatively connected to coordinate the first welding output with the second welding output in real time while operating concurrently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to a true energy and/or true power input to the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is also characterized with respect to an inductance of the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is further characterized with respect to a welding output waveform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to at least one of a true energy and true power input to the welding output circuit path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to a true energy and/or true power input to the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is also characterized with respect to an inductance of the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is further characterized with respect to a welding output waveform.

Abstract: An aqueous fabric conditioning composition comprises a cationic softening agent and a silicone having a viscosity of from 1 to less than 10,000 cSt wherein the silicone comprises a cyclic polydi-(C1-6)alkyl siloxane. A silicone is used in a fabric conditioning composition comprising a cationic fabric softening agent to reduce the drying time of laundered fabrics and/or to increase the rate of water removed from the fabrics during the spin cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Abstract: An aqueous fabric conditioning composition comprises a cationic softening agent and a silicone having a viscosity of from 1 to less than 10,000 cSt wherein the silicone comprises a cyclic polydi-(C1-6)alkyl siloxane. A silicone is used in a fabric conditioning composition comprising a cationic fabric softening agent to reduce the drying time of laundered fabrics and/or to increase the rate of water removed from the fabrics during the spin cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Abstract: One data stream is input to a radio frequency (RF) input terminal of a first receiver interface circuit, and the second bit stream is applied to an RF input terminal of a second receiver interface circuit. Each of the receiver interface circuits includes a Reed-Solomon frame synchronization, forward error correction and derandomizer module receiving the bit stream pattern from the RF terminal of the ground station. Following processing in the derandomizer module, the bit stream is input to a wide band frame synchronization module for synchronization on byte-aligned synchronization pattern at the beginning of each wide-band communications block frame. When synchronization has been established, the data frames are collected for transfer to a memory buffer module. Data buffered in the memory buffer module is direct memory access transferred by a VERSA Module Eurocard (VME) bus interface module to the satellite ground station.

Abstract: A packaged aqueous self foaming liquid cleansing composition comprising a base composition comprising a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant and a hydrophobic component, and a post foaming agent, wherein the composition is substantially free of soap and thickens on the addition of the post foaming agent to the base composition.

Abstract: A packaged aqueous self foaming liquid cleansing composition comprising a base composition comprising a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant and a hydrophobic component, and a post foaming agent, wherein the composition is substantially free of soap and thickens on the addition of the post foaming agent to the base composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for interconnecting and streamlining the customer service and management functions of a restaurant. The system comprises a collection of handheld devices, software for operating the system, and a networking means such as a server intended to contain the information necessary for the operation of a restaurant's functions, including creation and maintenance of available menu items, inventory, customer seating, ordering, and billing.