Abstract: A system and process for concentrating hydrocarbons in a bitumen feed comprising bitumen, water and solids. The system comprises an inclined plate separator, a hydrocarbon cyclone and a centrifuge. The inclined plate separator separates the bitumen feed into a first overflow stream and a first underflow stream, the first overflow stream having a first bitumen concentration greater than that of the first underflow stream. The hydrocarbon cyclone separates the first underflow stream into a second overflow stream and a second underflow stream. The centrifuge separates the second overflow stream into a third overflow stream and a third underflow stream, the third overflow stream having a third bitumen concentration that is greater than that of the third underflow stream.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar includes having bends forming angled portions. The angled portions are supported by bushings that are secured by straps to a vehicle frame. The stabilizer bar rotates about a axis. The bushings supporting the stabilizer bar have an axes that are transverse to the pivotal axis of the stabilizer bar and to one another. The bushings have flared or thickened portions at their outer ends to provide additional bushing material since the misaligned pivotal axis permits the stabilizer bar to deflect the bushing as it rotates. The straps may be cupped so that they laterally locate the bushings as the stabilizer bar rotate about its pivotal axis.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an inventive bushing having an integrated bushing and strap supporting a stabilizer bar. The bushing includes a body having a hole for receiving the stabilizer bar. A base of the body may include a cut so that the bushing can be spread apart to insert the stabilizer bar through the cut and into the hole. The bushing includes a shell around the exterior of the body that provides legs which are used to secure the inventive bushing to the vehicle frame. The shell includes one or more layers of cords similar to the steel belting of a tire to provide structural integrity to the shell. Layers of cords can be arranged at angles relative to one another to provide increased lateral stability.

Abstract: A manufacturing process produces a stabilizer bar having a thickened, reinforced portion formed by thermal spraying a molten metal onto a surface of the bar. The process produces a stabilizer bar having a thickened portion in the areas typically subject to fatigue failure while avoiding the addition of unnecessary material and weight to other locations of the stabilizer bar not needing reinforcement. In one example, the unprocessed bar stock is thermally sprayed in desired locations. The thermally sprayed bar is formed into a desired shape and heat treated. The heat treated, formed, and sprayed bar is shot peened. Alternatively, the bar is thermally sprayed after the surface has been prepared by shot peening. Forming of the bar may also occur before thermal spraying, and pretreated bar stock may also be used.

Abstract: An anti-shift collar prevents lateral movement of a stabilizer bar assembly. The anti-shift collar is thermally formed to a central segment of the stabilizer bar and is locked to the central segment thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a conventional rectangular HVAC duct to a flat oval shaped duct where a conventional rectangular duct fitting is provided with a converting means to convert the opening from rectangular to a flat oval. The converting means is formed by a pair of arcuate members defining semi-circular edges and having recesses to receive portions of parallel members. The apparatus utilizes two sheet metal pieces which are formed in arcuate contours that connect between flat edges of parallel sheets to form the oval shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a flowing fluid with microwave energy comprising a conduit having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a retention portion wherein at least the retention portion of the conduit is fabricated from a material which is substantially microwave transparent. A temperature probe is provided for measuring the temperature of the flowing fluid in the outlet portion. The cross-sectional area of the retention portion is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet portion such that the flow rate through the retention portion is slower than the flow rate through the outlet portion from the retention portion to the temperature probe. Microwave energy is used to heat the flowing fluid in the retention portion, the microwave energy being generated by a source which is controlled in response to a signal from the temperature probe. The retention portion of the conduit resides within a wave guide and passes transversely therethrough.

Abstract: A method and structure for the integral reinforcement of HVAC ducting including the steps of laying out one or more planar sheet metal blanks having portions defined therein dedicated for integral rib reinforcement; placing relief slots in the dedicated portions of the blank corresponding to the seams and folding lines; forming the integral reinforcement rib from the dedicated blank material; bending the blanks along fold lines and assembling the rectangular duct; and placing rib corners over the reinforcing rib ends at the corners of the duct. Alternatively, the step of cutting the reinforcing rib at the fold lines may be substituted for the step of placing slots in the blank. The completed structure includes reinforcing ribs circumferentially positioned around the duct or on the planar duct surfaces, the ribs being formed of, and integral to, the duct itself. Pre-manufactured rib corners serve to seal and strengthen the reinforcement ribs as required.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling components of a color optical scanner subassembly which includes a first filter member, a second filter member and a photosensor unit. The apparatus includes an imaging means for impinging an imaging light beam from a line object onto the first and second filter assemblies for producing spatially separated color component images of the line object on the photosensor unit. The apparatus also includes a physical adjustment assembly for holding and selectively adjusting the relative position of the first filter member, the second filter member and the photosensor unit in response to data signals generated by the photosensor unit. This positioning accurately locates the filter members relative to the photosensor unit for optimizing performance of the color optical scanner.

Abstract: An aperture and light source assembly including an elongate aperture plate having a longitudinally extending, aperture defining slit at a top end thereof and a light source for illuminating an object to be scanned including a first elongate bulb and a second elongate bulb positioned adjacent opposite lateral sides of the vertically disposed portion of said aperture plate and below the top end slit therein; a connector and spacer assembly fixedly connecting the bulbs in spaced apart, parallel relationship; and an attachment assembly associated with the connector assembly removably attaching the light source to the optical scanner; and whereby the first and second bulbs are installable and removable from the optical scanner as a modular unit.