Abstract: In a method of diagnosing an air-conditioning loop of a motor vehicle an undercooling value is determined from parameters of the loop. An overheating value is determined from parameters of the loop. The undercooling value is compared with minimal and maximal values. The overheating value is compared with minimal and maximal values. The comparison results are processed to provide information about the operational status of the loop.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an ice-on-coil (IOC) thermal storage coil system and method utilizing "deep-tank" technology and dimensional relationship of coil height to coil width wherein the coil serpentine's height (vertical tube dimension) is greater than the width (the horizontal dimension), and wherein all manifold and header joints are above, or just below the water surface of the tank, easily visible and accessible for maintenance, assembly, leak-checking or repair. Another aspect of the present ice-on-coil (IOC) thermal storage coil system and method is that, in some embodiments, the ice-coil tubes are never horizontal anywhere in the full coil height, but instead vertical tubes or "near-horizontal" sloped tubes are utilized which slope in an upward direction to facilitate air removal during filling of the coil with the coolant mixture.

Abstract: The invention is a device to maintain a continuous volume and pressure in a Freon (.TM.) operated air conditioning unit. Outside ambient temperature is used as a baseline for the on/off switch. Vital components include a 110 volt to 24 volt transformer, a pair of electromechanical operated solenoid valve, a pressure and volume gauge, a compressor, and a timer. All devices are connected to a Freon tank-operated air conditioning unit and can be instituted into either enclosed structure or automotive air conditioning systems.

Abstract: An evaporative condensing apparatus used in an air conditioner to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner and improves its EER value. The evaporative condensing apparatus is based on the rule that the condensing temperature is directly proportional to the condensing pressure during the exchange of a cooling agent between liquid state and gas state.

Abstract: A thermostat for use with multistage Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plants where a proportional/integral control loop is present for each stage of the multistage HVAC plant. Filter constants, Ki and Kp as well as stage control points and interstage values can be set independently for each stage.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a device for opening/closing cool air supply ports is disclosed. The refrigerator has a sensor for sensing temperature in a cooling compartment, a motor for driving the device, and a control part for controlling the motor so that an open degree of the cool air supply ports are controlled by the device on the basis of the temperature difference between the sensed temperature and a standard temperature. Since the open degree of the cool air supply ports is controlled according to the standard temperature and the real temperature of the cooling compartment, the temperature of the cooling compartment is exactly controlled.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for selecting damper values in a refrigerator. Performance parameters indicating a desired fresh food temperature and desired freezer temperature are obtained for a plurality of control settings. A fresh food temperature variance limit and a freezer temperature variance limit are also obtained. A transfer function for the refrigerator representing performance of the refrigerator at each of said plurality of control settings is determined. A plurality of damper values are determined to minimize deviation from the desired fresh food temperature and the desired freezer temperature for each of said plurality of control settings.

Abstract: Temperature comparison circuits which utilize two thermistors which are initially set up in a balanced bridge using NPN transistors and resistors. As temperature differences between the thermistors cause the bridge to become unbalanced, there is a current flow in which the voltage varies in magnitude and direction. The circuits are attached to electrical equipment which is sensitive to changes in magnitude and direction of voltage. The circuits find uses in controlling refrigeration systems, controlling heating and cooling systems, and performing diagnostic tests on mammals or devices which contain temperature differences between two separate points. The circuits may be used in cooperation with an expansion valve which is located in the tubing of a refrigeration system. The tubing is non-magnetic. There is a fixed magnetizable plate having a central orifice.

Abstract: In an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle, a heat exchanger for adjusting a temperature of air blown into a passenger compartment is formed in a lateral-longer shape to have a longest dimension in a right-left direction of the vehicle, and the heat exchanger is accommodated in an air conditioning case. The air conditioning case is also formed in the lateral-longer shape and has a longest dimension in the right-left direction. An air passage is formed in the air conditioning case so that air passes through the heat exchanger from a front side to a rear side in a from-rear direction of the vehicle. The air conditioning case is disposed in an instrument panel at a center in the right-left direction to extend from the center to upper sides of foot spaces provided at right and left sides of a center console without being inserted into the center console. Thus, an installation performance of the air conditioning apparatus in the instrument panel of the vehicle can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner apparatus comprising a housing including top and side walls, and presenting an air inlet and first and second air outlets, the first and second air outlets being disposed on different ones of the top and side walls. A blower assembly including a central axis about which the blower assembly is supported for rotation relative to the housing, the blower being in fluid communication with the air inlet and the first and second air outlets for forcing air under pressure from the air inlet to the first and second air outlets. A first removable air outlet cover assembly for blocking the air under pressure from being discharged through the first air outlet, the first removable air outlet cover assembling including a first flow control structure for directing air under pressure toward the second air outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cold storage device, in particular for an automobile, having a storage medium for storing cold and a storage medium carrier that is connected in a thermally conductive manner to pipes for carrying a heat transfer medium for charging or discharging the cold storage device. To provide an improved cold storage device particularly suitable for use in an automobile, that is able to accommodate changes in volume of the storage medium while itself having a small structural volume and which can be produced cost-effectively, the storage medium carrier comprises an absorbent material, and the storage medium, in its liquid state, is preferably completely absorbed by the storage medium carrier.

Abstract: A portable evaporative cooler is constructed from a housing having at least one opening fitted with an evaporative medium pad, and an exhaust vent. This cooler includes a pump for dispersing water over the evaporative medium pad, and a bottom pan for receiving the water, the pump cooperating with the bottom pan to permit water to recirculate. A fitting on the housing permits the cooler to be connected to a water source, the fitting including a valve (such as a float valve) for automatically filling the cooler when the water level in the bottom pan is below a predetermined level. An exhaust fan draws air into the housing through the evaporative medium pad and out the exhaust vent. Finally, the housing is fitted with a convenience device (such as a beverage server or tool tray).

Abstract: The plant has a generator for a refrigerant in rich solution. A condenser is connected downstream of the generator in the refrigerant loop. A first expansion valve is connected downstream of the condenser. The refrigerant vapor produced there is directed into the sump of an absorber. The liquid refrigerant passes from the first expansion valve to a second expansion valve which adjoins an evaporator. Arranged in the absorber is a jet apparatus, whose nozzle is fed with the weak solution from the generator and whose suction space is connected to the evaporator. The weak solution therefore draws the refrigerant vapor out of the evaporator and delivers it into the top region of the absorber. There, a deflection takes place, whereupon the solution that is increasing in concentration is directed over cooling coils and passes into the sump of the absorber. In this way, very effective droplet, film, trickling and immersion absorption occurs.

Abstract: A plurality of freezing cells opening downwardly are defined like a grid in a freezing chamber of an injection type ice making machine. The freezing chamber, which is made of a metal having good thermal conductivity, is coated on the surface with a material containing a substance having an antibacterial substance. Contaminant-free ice cubes are adapted to be formed by the thus formed coating layer. As a material of this coating layer, a melt of tin (96.5%) and silver (3.5%) can be suitably used.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator having a cylindrical cooling tank and an auxiliary tank or section. The auxiliary tank or section ensures that a cooling chamber is surrounded by liquid refrigerant during normal operation. The flooding of the cylindrical cooling tank provides more efficient and even cooling in an interior cooling chamber. The more efficient cooling allows the ice cream machine to utilize a smaller compressor, thereby reducing the cost and energy consumption of the ice cream machine. The auxiliary tank can be a coil of tubing, a cylindrical container positioned above the cylindrical cooling tank, or a portion of the cylindrical cooling tank.

Abstract: A water cooler is provided having a cabinet with water spigots and a door for accessing a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit includes a freezer compartment and may also include an icemaker. The cabinet interior contains a water reservoir which is supplied with water from a water bottle inverted in the top of the cabinet. Alternatively, the reservoir may be provided with an external source of water. In such case, an E-Coli sanitization module and a particulate water filter are provided. Cooling is effected with a compressor unit, condenser unit, an expansion valve and the refrigeration unit--all of which are interconnected with a closed loop coolant line. Predetermined segments of the coolant line are used to create freezing temperatures in the freezer compartment and non-freezing temperatures in a storage area, selected water lines and the reservoir. The condenser unit includes a condenser coil section which may be wrapped with ambient water for producing a supply of hot water.

Abstract: This invention has an object of providing an air conditioner for a railway vehicle which can restrict a reduction in the introduced volume of outside air during a high-speed running of a vehicle and which can achieve lower noise. To achieve this object, the air conditioner for a railway vehicle includes an external cover 4 provided along the same surface as a vehicle surface, an air intake port 5 with a periphery provided on the external cover 4 and having a roundness in the cross-sectional configuration of an inside edge portion 12a of the intake port periphery, an air intake louver 11 disposed in the air intake port 5 to intersect a vehicle running direction, and an air exhaust port 3 for exhausting air that has been heat-exchanged, wherein an upper end surface 11a of the louver 11 is recessed from the surface of the exterior cover 4, and a cross-sectional configuration of the edge portion 11b of the upper end surface 11a has a roundness.

Abstract: An ice thermal storage type air-conditioner and an ice thermal storage tank, in which unused portions in the ice thermal storage tank is reduced to enhance an ice filling rate in the ice thermal storage tank or to prevent excessive icing from damaging a heat transfer unit.

Abstract: A beverage retainer and method of use in which a beverage container has two chambers which are fluidly separate from each other and are positioned next to each other for thermal conductivity. One chamber has a resealable closing member adapted to contain a chilling material. The resealable closing member is removed and chilling material, such as ice, is dispensed therein. The closing member is then secured so that the deposited ice is thereafter retained within the second chamber until removed. Preferably, the releasable closing member is mated with threads to the second chamber. The beverage container may also include a lid adapted to contain liquid within the first chamber. Preferably, this lid contains an aperture from which fluid is withdrawn. Further, the lid may include an aperture in which a straw is insertable. A handle assembly is attached to the two chambers to permit a user to conveniently hold the beverage container.

Abstract: An absorption air conditioning machine that includes a main machine section containing an evaporator unit, an absorber unit, at least one generator unit, a condenser unit, and at least one solution heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tubes of the units and the solution heat exchanger are all supported within a pair of spaced apart tube sheets to provide a highly compact machine assembly.

Abstract: The air separation plant is provided with a housing for containing cryogenic equipments, at least one free-standing column to be disposed in the housing, at least one column to be disposed in the housing on a frame constituting the housing, and a powdery thermal insulator packed in the housing, having a packing density to be obtained by packing under atmospheric pressure; the free-standing column being set to have a first natural frequency of not more than 0.7 times or not less than 1.0 times as large as that of the housing. Further, the packing density of the powdery thermal insulator is 55 to 80 kg/m.sup.3.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system and a packing module and column suitable for cryogenic rectification having packing sheets with top and bottom modifications in alternating sequence and preferably having top and bottom edges terminating in planes wherein capacity and mass transfer efficiency is enhanced and mechanical strength is not compromised.

Abstract: A bracelet with decorative elements and support elements includes a front sections of the decorative elements with in one a semi-cylindrical hollow and in another a projection of corresponding dimensions to permit two juxtaposed decorative elements to be maintained in position whilst permitting their articulation; the support elements have a shape inscribed within the recess of the decorative elements, an end of this support element has a coupling member formed by a convex semi-cylindrical surface provided with a coaxial hole, the other end of this support element includes two laterally separated coupling members each formed by a convex semi-cylindrical surface and provided with coaxial holes; and pins passing through the holes of two adjacent support members effect their coupling and permit their articulation.

Abstract: A finger ring which is not only outstanding as an accessory but provides the fun of toying with and the benefit of diversion. This double-ring finger ring comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, with magnets mounted in an outer circumferential region of the inner ring and in an inner circumferential region of the outer ring with their like poles facing each other.

Abstract: A double wall reaction chamber assembly comprising a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall axially parallel thereto, the inner wall having an annular junction with a thickened annular junction flange on the outer surface thereof. The lower end of the outer wall being fused to the outer surface of the thickened annular junction. The outer surface of the inner wall and the inner surface of the annular junction flange define a sloping annular drainage channel to a downwardly sloping drainage port, enabling liquid to drain from the junction. The double wall reaction chamber assembly has a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall axially parallel thereto. It has a lower end fused to the inner wall. A gas distribution tube has a gas inlet end and a gas distributor end, the gas distributor end comprising a split tee having a junction.

Abstract: A process for forming a glass sheet, which is a process for continuously forming a glass sheet, and which comprises a step of introducing a vapor film-forming agent, which is not vapor at least around room temperature and which is vapor at a temperature above the glass transition point of the glass, into a support composed of a structure or a material capable of internally containing liquid, and a step of sliding the support and the glass of which temperature is above the glass transition point against each other via a thin layer of a vaporized vapor film-forming agent.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A method for melting and refining glass, such as E glass, comprises feeding glass batch materials into a melting and refining tank for melting and refining the glass batch materials into glass and a forehearth, downstream of the tank, for further refining the glass and delivering the glass to fiberizing means. The melting and refining tank is heated with oxygen fired burners. The oxygen fired burners in the melting and refining tank are located in the sidewalls at the upstream end of the tank and extend for about one-third, one-half or two-thirds the length of the tank. In one embodiment, burners are also located in the upstream end wall. This arrangement of the oxygen fired burners at the upstream end of the melting and refining tank moves the melter hot spot upstream for better refining of the glass and enables the furnace to produce a higher output of glass than can be obtained in a conventional E glass furnace of the same size.

Abstract: A needle selection structure used in a rib knitting machine or interlocking knitting machine, which includes a computer-controlled needle selection unit arranged on a cover plate above a needle dial, and controlled by an external computer to move selection jacks, enabling plate needles to be selectively extended out to act with cylinder needles in knitting a yarn into a ribbed or interlocking fabric.

Abstract: A yarn carrier designed to minimize needle wear yet which is relatively easy to thread is described. The yarn carrier includes a yarn guide having an aperture for receiving a yarn and directing it to the needles of a knitting machine, and a flexible, nonmetallic guard plate secured to the guide such that at least a portion of the guard plate overlies at least a portion of the aperture in the guide plate, to reduce the tendency for the hooks of the knitting needles to enter the aperture. The guard plate is desirably made from a polymeric material such as polyurethane, and preferably has a Shore A hardness of about 50-70. The guard plate is desirably deformable so that an operator can readily bend it outwardly from the yarn guide while threading a yarn through the yarn guide aperture, yet when the bending force is released, the guard plate readily resumes its initial undeformed configuration.

Abstract: Needle selection system for a circular machine for knitted fabrics, constituted by an assembly which comprises a series of movable elements correspondingly related to respective stationary elements, the movable assembly including a cylinder (2) with numerous longitudinal grooves (3) distributed on the exterior contour, with the incorporation, in each groove (3), of a needle (1) and three successive positionable elements (6), (11) and (17), which determine the movement of the needle (1); while the stationary part includes respective actuating cams (5), (10), (12) and (25), which determine the actuation of the abovementioned positionable elements of the movable portion, as a function of the revolution of the cylinder (2).

Abstract: A household washing machine includes a common plastic line-routing body in which all water-conducting and air-conducting lines that are routed on a rear wall of the washing machine are integrated. Supply line openings of the line-routing body are sealingly connected through elastic sealing sleeves to inlet locations and outlet locations, such as solenoid valves and a detergent dispenser, and mechanically retained.

Abstract: An improved padlock assembly is provided which includes a lock body, a shackle with a pair of opposed legs fitting into the lock body, and the lock body including an interior chamber in which are positioned a pair of reciprocal lock plates. A first lock plate operates in response to the manipulation of the lock cylinder, while the second lock plate operates in response to a lock pin to keep it in a locked and/or unlocked position. The entire shackle may be removed by first removing the first shackle leg from locking engagement with the first lock plate, moving the first lock plate back to its locked position, afterwhich the lock pin may then be removed to move the second lock plate to its unlocked position in order to free the second leg of the shackle and thereby remove the entire shackle.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a door has first and second latches, a handle, a first cam connected to the first and second latches, a second cam and a third cam connected to the handle such that movement of the handle operates the first and second latches by transmitting movement from the third cam to the first cam through the second cam. One or more rods may be used to connect the latches and or handle. The first handle may simultaneously operate the first and second latches. A second handle may also be provided for simultaneously operating the latches. The first cam includes a finger and the second cam includes a projection that is selectively engageable with the finger. Movement of the third cam causes movement of the projection which in turn causes movement of the first cam when the projection is engaged with the finger of the first cam. The first and second latches may be locked by disengaging the projection and the finger.

Abstract: A mechanical locking device in the kit form for the prevention of automotive vehicle theft by locking the gearshift control lever to the park position of this vehicle which comprises parts to form basically a clamp attached permanently to the lower portion of the lever, regardless of the size, shape, tilt angle and clearance of such lever, and a yoke and latching member capable of being lowered at least in part into and locked securely to the slot structure of various widths and lengths whereby the control lever is operated to prevent the movement of such control lever.

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallel" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: A free-wheeling lock mechanism for a cylindrical door lock includes inner and outer spindles directly connected to corresponding inner and outer lever handles, a latch retractor located between the spindles and a cylindrical outer cam located within the outer spindle. The outer cam has an ear on its perimeter that moves from a forward to a rearward position as the outer cam is rotated to operate the latch retractor. A cylindrical locking plug is located within the outer cam and has an outwardly projecting finger that connects and disconnects the outer cam from the outer spindle to lock and unlock the mechanism as the locking plug slides axially relative to the outer cam. In the unlocked position the finger projects outwardly through a slot in the outer cam into a longitudinally oriented portion of a T-shaped slot in the spindle. In the locked position the finger projects outwardly through the outer cam slot into a circumferential portion of the spindle slot.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively manufacturing fabricated or semi-fabricated articles, such as a rotor or stator assembly, includes a punch press and a progressive stamping die for creating the assemblies from sheet stock moving therebetween. A microcontroller board or network, including a plurality of microcontroller boards, is secured to the die for controlling operation of the apparatus responsive to information provided to them. Sensors are provided for monitoring operation of the apparatus and providing such information to the microcontroller boards. The communication system provides for communication between the sensors and the logic chips, among the logic chips and among the microcontroller boards and between the microcontroller boards and other portions of the apparatus which are to be subjected to responsive control.

Abstract: A method for forming artistic forked pipes made of aluminum or copper alloy, including the steps of selecting of extruded material, milling for making an extruded pipe, enlarging the bore of a main pipe, and forming to form forked branch pipes. Wherein, an extruded material selected is provided with a plurality of through holes and protruding columns. The through holes are formed to have a main pipe on one end and a plurality of branch pipes on the other end thereof. The material of the protruding columns are milled to distribute on protruding portions on the main pipe, and on protruding portions on the branch pipes for making an extruded pipe. A die core with the corresponding shape of the main pipe has to be fitted in the main pipe hole of the extruded pipe to facilitate operation of exerting pressure onto the protruding portions of the main pipe to enlarge the bore of the main pipe into a desired form.

Abstract: A one-piece metal plate has an open mesh-like pattern, a plurality of identical rectangular perforations arranged at regular intervals in parallel rows, a plurality of identical rectangular embossed parts arranged at regular intervals and bridging the rows, and a plurality of identical rectangular web parts. Each of the embossed parts is raised relative to the web parts, and has two opposing overlapping ends extending into the rows. Each of the web parts is confined by two adjacent ones of the perforations and two adjacent ones of the embossed parts. The perforations are aligned along first lines which intersect the rows. The embossed parts are aligned along second lines parallel to the first lines. The first and second lines alternate with one another.

Abstract: A shaping device of a wire bending machine formed by a plurality of shaping means, each shaping means comprises a seat, a motor, a rotary wheel, a linkage and a knife seat. The seat is fixed to the wire bending machine, and is installed with a track. The motor is fixed to the seat. The rotary wheel is connected to the motor and is driven to rotate by the motor. One end of the linkage is pivotally connected to an eccentric position of the rotary wheel. The knife seat is slidably matched to the track of the seat, while another end of the linkage is pivotally to the knife seat. By aforementioned components, a shaping device of a wire bending machine with a large stroke and a small radius is formed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a bridge frame for a transfer press. In one aspect of the invention, a bridge frame includes a first plurality of horizontal beams operable to receive a press bed, a second plurality of horizontal beams disposed outwardly from the press bed and operable to receive a crown capable of moving a slide vertically relative to the press bed and the crown, and a plurality of vertical support structures disposed between the first and second plurality of horizontal beams and supporting the second plurality of horizontal beams.

Abstract: A hydraulic compression tool having a compression head with a frame and a movable ram. The ram has a first compression die removably mounted thereon. The first compression die has a front end with a connector contact surface and a rear end connection section. The front end connector contact surface has a general pyramid shape and two front facing flat sections extending from two opposite sides of the general pyramid shape. The outer perimeter of the front end of the connector contact surface, at two other opposite sides of the general pyramid shape, does not extend outward past the base of the pyramid shape at the two other opposite sides.

Abstract: The working machine comprises a first (ET) and a second (TT) machining means, at least the first one (ET) being arranged to move in relation to the machine body (28) towards the second one (TT), to accomplish machining of a sheet material, wherein the sheet material to be worked is placed between the machining means (ET) and (TT). At least one of the machining means (ET and TT) is provided with means (7, 9) for conducting the transfer and working movements of said tool (ET, TT). The first part (7) of the means is fixed to the machining means (ET, TT), and the second part (9) of the means is fixed to the machine body (28), to be movable in relation thereto by actuators (10, 11, 14-26, 39, 41) in the machine body (28). The movement of the second part (9) of the means (7, 9) in relation to the machine body (28) during machining based on pressing of the sheet material is transmitted from the second part (9) to the first part (7) by a contact surface connection.

Abstract: A high performance method and apparatus for testing a closed loop transducer is disclosed. A test bitstream signal is combined with a .SIGMA..DELTA. feedback bitstream of the transducer to produce a combined bitstream which is converted to a physical feedback to the sensor of the transducer. The .SIGMA..DELTA. bitstream output of the transducer is recorded for later analysis so as to test characteristics of the transducer. The test bitstream signal is preferably an oversampled, pulse density modulated signal. A testing arrangement is provided which is based upon the storage of short-length test patterns which are repetitively accessed to form a continuous test pattern. The test bitstream provided by the method of the invention produces very low noise and low distortion test signals where a repetitive test pattern is equivalent in length to one period of the test signal.

Abstract: A porous Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 thick film covers the SrTiO.sub.3 layer of an oxygen sensor, said SrTiO.sub.3 layer being contacted by means of two Pt electrodes and deposited on an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 substrate. The electrically insulating Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer bears a protective layer, which is exposed to the exhaust gas and is preferably also made of SrTiO.sub.3. This construction ensures that the output signal of the sensor representing the oxygen partial pressure then depends only on the resistance or, respectively, conductivity value of the non-contaminated SrTiO.sub.2 sensor layer.

Abstract: A main-shaft malfunction-state detector in an air bearing type machine tool, in which an abnormal contact of a main shaft with a housing is reliably and automatically detected. The contacting state of the main shaft 11 and the housing 13 is detected through the presence of electric conductivity by a contact detection means 31. A contact decision means 32 determines the contact of the main shaft 11 with the housing 13 based on the detected conductivity, thus automatic and certain preventative measures, such as the main shaft of the machine tool stops and so on, are based on the above decision.

Abstract: A dye concentrate for introducing a leak detection dye into a climate control system is described. The dye concentrate is a mixture of a lubricant and at least 40 weight percent of a leak detection dye. The dye concentrate can be thixotropic, a paste, or a suspension. The dye concentrate can be inserted into appropriate locations within the climate control system.

Abstract: A wafer inspection tool for determining the cause of broken wafer edges. The wafer inspection tool comprises a circular transparent plate having a profile similar to a wafer. The circular transparent plate further includes a wafer edge notch for aligning with a wafer and a plurality of clamp pin notches showing wafer clamp pin positions of a particular sputtering chamber. The wafer inspection tool is placed on a sputtering chamber in an easily accessible, one for each sputtering chamber. When broken edges are found on a wafer, the cause of the broken wafer can be traced back by overlaying the broken wafer on the transparent plate with their respective wafer edge notches aligned together. Then, the positions of broken edges are compared with the clamp pin notches on the tool. If broken edges of the wafer match the clamp pin notch positions of a particular chamber, the particular chamber that causes the broken edges is found.

Abstract: An air flow rate measuring device for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air flow rate measuring device has a casing provided downstream from an air cleaner element for purifying intake air to the internal combustion engine, a duct connected fluidly to and downstream from the casing, and an air flow meter provided in said duct, for measuring an air flow rate taken into the internal combustion engine. A cross-sectional area of a connection portion between the casing and the duct, taken perpendicularly to the direction of air flow is the minimum cross-sectional area in the duct.