Abstract: A gas turbine rotor stacking fixture includes upstanding bolts for reception in aligned bolt holes in superposed aft disk, wheels and spacers and upstanding alignment rods received in openings of the disk, wheels and spacers during the rotor stacking assembly. The axially registering openings enable insertion of thin-walled tubes circumferentially about the rim of the rotor, with tight tolerances to the openings to provide supply and return steam for cooling buckets. The alignment rods have radial dimensions substantially less than their dimensions in a circumferential direction to allow for radial opening misalignment due to thermal expansion, tolerance stack-up and wheel-to-spacer mismatch due to rabbet mechanical growth. The circumferential dimension of the alignment rods affords tightly toleranced alignment of the openings through which the cooling tubes are installed.

Abstract: A desk drawer includes a flat bottom wall having side runners mounted thereon. A generally rectangular frame unit is attached on top of the bottom wall to form the side walls of a desk drawer. A pencil tray is permanently mounted to the lateral side walls of the frame unit and is removably attached to the bottom wall. This provides a convenient means for attaching and re-attaching the frame unit and shelf unit.

Abstract: An assembly jig is provided for pre-twisting or rotating the closure blade prior to driving the closure blade into the notch opening at the completion of bucket assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly jig is composed of three clamp assemblies, each mounted to the integral cover of the circumferentially adjacent buckets of the notch group. Each clamp assembly includes first and second axially aligned clamp brackets that are clamped the respective integral cover. The closure blade is pre-twisted or rotated by adjusting the gaps between the adjacent clamp brackets and hence the gaps between the axial ends of the closure blade cover and the axial ends of the adjacent auxiliary bucket cover(s) respectively clamped thereto. The force necessary to rotate the closure blade cover may be generated with jacking bolts that extend generally tangentially of the row of buckets, between the adjacent clamp brackets.

Abstract: The present invention is a personal computer case that is easy to assemble and disassemble. The computer case can be separated into two members, the first covering the top, front, right and left sides of the case, and the second covering the bottom, front, and rear sides of the case. A push button operated latch enables one member to become detached from the other member, allowing the case to be opened, without requiring the use of screws or special tools. The push button contains a slidable detent feature that can prevent the button from being depressed, thus preventing the inadvertent disassembly, separation, and opening of the computer case. The case contains a security feature that involves attaching a padlock to a tab portion of one member that is slid through a hole in the other member. With the padlock attached, the tab can not be retracted from the hole, thus preventing the unwanted separation of the two members.

Abstract: A long oxide superconducting wire for a coil or a cable, manufacturing method thereof, an oxide superconducting coil and a cable conductor which have high operational frequency are provided. The wire is a tape-like oxide superconducting wire including a plurality of filaments of oxide superconductor embedded in a matrix, and each filament is twisted spirally along the longitudinal direction of the tape wire. By winding the wire in a coil, an oxide superconducting coil is obtained. When a plurality of such wires are collected, an oxide superconducting cable conductor can be obtained.

Abstract: A method makes an inverted merged MR head with a second pole tip which is self-aligned with a top first pole tip. After forming a bottom first pole tip layer a top first pole tip is frame plated thereon with a width that defines a track width of the merged MR head. A photoresist layer, which is employed in the frame plating of the top first pole tip, is then soft baked which causes a photoresist opening above the top first pole tip to have sloping side edges which form a recess. An electrically-conductive sacrificial layer, such as copper, is then plated into the recess on top of the top first pole tip and the photoresist is removed. A forming layer, such as alumina, is then deposited and lapped so that the forming layer and the sacrificial layer have top surfaces that are flush with respect to one another. The sacrificial layer is then removed by an etchant that will not attack the materials of the pole tips and the forming layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head is provided that has an extremely small first shield layer and first and second leads of a read head that extend from a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor to first and second pads without any vias therebetween. This is accomplished by patterning the first shield layer into its final shape before the first gap layer and subsequent layers are formed. An alumina mask with a recess at the ABS of the size of the first shield layer is formed followed by forming the first shield layer in the recess. A very thin first gap layer and an optional supplemental first gap layer are then formed, the supplemental first gap layer insulating any potential exposure of the first shield layer at its junction with the alumina layer. After constructing the MR sensor, first and second leads for the MR sensor are constructed from the MR sensor to sites of the first and second pads.

Abstract: A spacer for mounting around the outer peripheral surface of a bobbin. The spacer has first and second edge surfaces formed in a circular arc shape. Subsequent to the formation of a first coil by winding wire around the bobbin, the wire is continuously curved from a distal end portion of the first coil along the first edge surface of the spacer. After making a U-turn of substantially 180 degrees, the wire is wound to form the second coil. Upon completion of winding of the second coil, the wire is guided along the second edge surface, from an end portion of the second coil, and a second portion of the first coil is wound. The portion of the wire for connecting both of the first and second coils is free from bent corners, thus avoiding the generation of stress concentration. Also, the wire is guided by smooth and curved edge surfaces of the spacer, thus preventing damage to a coating on the wire.

Abstract: A bearing installer/remover, for installing and removing a bearing from a panel having a bearing seating passage through it, has a bridge with integral legs engaging a panel surface and straddling the bearing. The bridge has a threaded hole in it. The bearing is positioned between the bridging piece and the head of a bolt which has a threaded shaft threaded through the bridge hole. A cylindrical collar is mounted on the bolt shaft between the bolt head and the bearing, and a cylindrical bushing, preferably integral with the collar, fits closely but slidably around the bolt shaft between the collar and the bearing, and extends through the bore of the bearing, whereby the bearing is restrained against cocking.

Abstract: An installation tool for installing multiple connector housings of a wire harness into engagement with opposing connectors includes a handle portion and a connector gripping portion. The handle portion includes openings that accommodate a user's hand and the connector gripping portion includes pairs of first and second engagement arms separated by intervening spaces. Individual connector housings of the wire harness are gripped by pairs of the first and second engagement arms which hold the connectors housings in a preselected alignment and orientation with the connector housings gripped by the engagement arms and with the opposing connectors.

Abstract: A disk drive recording device comprises at least two platters for storing magnetic recording data and a spindle motor rotating at high speed for mounting the platters. The disk drive is assembled by using pushing devices to push the platters toward the center of the spindle motor in respective directions to bring a portion of an inside circumference of a concentric center hole of each of the platters in contact with an outer circumference of the spindle motor so that the center of gravity of each platter coincides with a center axis of the spindle motor.

Abstract: A jig for loosening electric wires of a wire harness passed through a grommet is disclosed. The jig includes a fixing-side clamping portion for clamping the one end of a wire harness, a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the wire harness, a bearing slidably engaged with the guide rail; a lock portion for locking said bearing to the guide rail, a circular rotating member, supported by said bearing, for rotating the wire harness in a circumferential direction of the wire harness; and a movable-side clamping portion, integrally attached to the rotating member, for clamping the other end of the wire harness. The rotating member may have a spiral cam groove, and the bearing may have an engagement protrusion to be engaged with the cam groove so that when the one clamping portion is inverted, the rotating member can move in its longitudinal direction. The one clamping portion may include a rachet mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of angle plates in transverse ventilation duct flanges comprising a blocking device attached to a platen to block the ventilation duct on the platen, a feeding device to transport angle plates including a slider, said slider being stably joined to a piston-rod of a cylinder to move freely along a guide bar, a supply hopper to house the angle plates located above the feeding device, a fastening device to fasten angle plates in flanges of the ventilation ducts and a clamping device to clamp the flange edges on the angle plates. The feeding device comprises a movable double arm carrier located on a base plate. The guide bar is positioned in the lower part of the base plate and on the slider working plane. The base plate has a port shaped like an angle plate and an oblong hole. The slider has an oblong slot and a socket.

Abstract: A method of mounting electronic parts on a circuit board comprises an adhesive layer formation step of forming, on an electrode surface of each electronic part on which electrodes are formed, a film-like thermosetting adhesive layer having an area substantially equal to that of the corresponding electrode surface so as to obtain adhesive-coated electronic parts. The electrodes on which the adhesive layer is formed are arranged so as to face corresponding electrodes of the circuit board, and the electrodes are positioned relative to each other. Heat and pressure are applied to the electrodes of the electronic parts and the electrodes of the circuit board to fix the electrodes to each other after the electrodes are positioned. Almost no adhesive superfluously comes out of the electrode surfaces. Accordingly, when mounting the electronic parts on the circuit board, it is unnecessary to remove superfluous adhesive, unlike conventional process, whereby the efficiency is improved and also the cost can be cut down.

Abstract: The radio frequency module of the present invention includes an insulating substrate having a first metal film on a first principal surface thereof and a second metal film on a second principal surface thereof opposed to the first principal surface and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is thermally and electrically coupled to the second metal film, and a thickness of the second metal film is larger than that of the first metal film.

Abstract: The behavior of a nozzle tip is measured with a jig when the suction nozzle moves vertically and rotatively before the start of production. The nozzle tip displacement is formulated from the results with a component thickness and a mounting angle used as parameters, and the parameters are corrected according to the component thickness and the final mounting angle of the electronic component to be mounted in the production stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning surface mounted optoelectric devices on a printed circuit board are disclosed. An optical transmitter and an optical receiver are added to the surface mounted optoelectric device. Also, a fiber optic cable is embedded within a printed circuit board. The length of the fiber optic cable is at least equivalent to a distance between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver placed on the surface mounted optoelectric device. An orientation of the surface mounted optoelectric device is aligned on the printed circuit board such that an optical signal transmitting from the optical transmitter can be received by the optical receiver via the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A test strip (209-211) is associated with a circuit board (201-203) to facilitate inspection of the circuit board (201-203) during an assembly process (100). The board (201-203) has a plurality of pads (208) to receive solder paste (400) and electronic parts (600). The pads (208) are electrically coupled such that the received parts (600), once assembled, form an electronic circuit. The strip (209-211) has at least one pad (308, 310), electrically isolated from the pads (208), to receive solder paste (400) and/or parts (600). Inspection of the received solder paste (400) and/or parts (600) of the strip (209-211) indicates the accuracy of the received solder paste (400) and parts (600) on the pads (208) of the board (201-203).

Abstract: An intumescent catalyst mounting mat is provided by cutting a single piece of mat into a desired profile and cutting a slit about 1/2 way through the thickness of the mat at a selected fold line. The mat is then easily folded upon itself to create a double thickness mat that is already secured to the next layer and may have any desired profile.

Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators is made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed ad arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying pressurized fluid to the hollow interior of the blank. A drawforming member is moved inwardly with respect to the cavity of the hydroforming die while the fluid is pressurized so that the drawforming member deforms a portion of the tubular wall inwardly to form a recessed portion having an annular side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The formed tubular blank is then removed from the hydroforming die and a mounting structure is disposed inside the recessed portion and the blank and mounting structure are then disposed within an injection molding die. Molten shock absorbing material is injected into the recessed portion so that the molten material surrounds the mounting structure.

Abstract: A slide assembly is provided including a first slide segment, a reinforcing member and an overmold shell. The first slide segment defines a first sliding surface and a second sliding surfaces. The overmold shell is molded around at least a portion of the reinforcing member to form a second slide segment with a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface. The first slide segment and the second slide segment positioned such that the first sliding surface of the second slide segment is slidable along the first sliding surface of the first slide segment and the second sliding surface of the second slide segment slidable along the second sliding surface of the first slide segment to control the sliding of the first slide segment and the second slide segment relative to one another.

Abstract: A brake disc assembly including an inner hub (14) extending between a drive end (16) and a wheel end (18) and a disc flange (20) extending radially about the circumference of the inner hub (14) at the wheel end (18) with the inner hub (14) having a bore (22) extending between the ends for receiving a drive shaft. A brake disc has a base (26) attached to the disc flange (20) about the circumference of the inner hub (14) and a rotor (28) extends radially from the base (26) and presents parallel braking surfaces (30). A bearing assembly surrounds the hub (14) between the drive end (16) and the disc flange (20) for supporting the hub (14) with an outer race (32) presents a support flange (34) for attachment to a support structure (36) and an inner race member (58) is disposed about the drive end (16).

Abstract: A cutter assembly for use in a shaver for shaving hair from the skin of a user includes a casing formed with a static blade configuration and a static bearing surface removed from the static blade configuration. Mounted within the casing is a moving cutter, which has a number of blades and a bearing surface formed to complement the static bearing surface. A spring element biases the moving cutter against the casing so that the complementary bearing surface slides against the static bearing surface, this sliding corresponding to a shearing cutting action of the moving blades relative to the static blade configuration. This reduces the frictional heating between the blades. Also described is a static blade configuration in which extended open-ended slots are reinforcement by transverse support ribs.

Abstract: A small, lightweight, efficient, quiet electric shaver is provided in which one or more piezoelectric drivers are mechanically coupled to a cutting blade. The cutting action of the blade is generated by the piezoelectric drivers which, when electrically energized, oscillate at a predetermined frequency. The piezoelectric driver is electrically energized by a regenerative drive circuit. Hair shafts, which protrude from the surface to be shaved through a perforated foil member, are sheared at their base by the oscillating action of the blade.

Abstract: A folding knife of the type wherein the blade may be moved between open and closed positions with the hand holding the knife. A blade is connected by a fixed pivot pin to a casing having the usual two handle or cover pieces providing a casing with a space for receiving the blade in the closed position. A substantially V-shaped slot extends through one of the cover pieces in close proximity and partially surrounding relation to the pivot pin. In addition to a circular opening for the pivot pin, the blade tang includes a linearly elongated, through slot communicating at one end with the circular opening. An actuating member, having integral head and stem portions, extends through the V-shaped slot in the cover piece and slidingly engages the slot in the blade tang, and into a blind V-slot in the inwardly facing surface of the other cover piece.

Abstract: Meat and poultry scissors are disclosed as including a pair of swingably interconnected blades fixed to respective thumb and finger handles. The blades are flat and the thumb handle presents a thumb-receiving opening defined about an axis that is oblique relative to the respective blade, while the finger handle presents a finger-receiving opening defined about an axis that is perpendicular to the respective blade. In addition, the blades are different lengths, with the longer blade having a blunt outermost, distal end and a cutting edge that is spaced from the distal end. The end of the shorter blade presents an outermost distal end that is spaced generally the same distance from the end of the long blade as the cutting edge of the long blade.

Abstract: The present invention is a one-piece fixed line vegetation cutting head with several advantages. It is easily adaptable to virtually any vegetation trimmer and it will accommodate a variety of types and gauges of both cutting filament line and wire. The preferred embodiment has an upper portion with the shape of an inverted truncated cone which gives the head an advantage in deep vegetation by hindering the advance and entanglement of long pieces of vegetation around the vegetation trimmer's drive shaft. The preferred embodiment also has a disc-shaped lower portion with two pairs of cutting filament line passage holes in opposed positions near the circumference of the disc which are oriented at oblique angles to both the diameter and the central bore of the disc. When a discrete length of cutting filament line is inserted through the adjacent passage holes in each pair, it is subjected to less bending and wear during high speed rotation than would be experienced with the use of non-angular passage holes.

Abstract: A heavy duty industrial can opener operated by hand or by motor which accommodates various sizes of cans and cuts the outer seam wall of a can rather than the top lip of the can. The can opener includes a cutting wheel with a cutting edge and a traction wheel with a gripping surface. The cutting and traction wheels each have associated gears for rotating the wheels. The gear for the traction wheel is releasably engageable with the gear of the cutting wheel. One of the gears is driven to rotate both the cutting and traction wheels. A cam lock provides a series of levers and link pins the ability to releasably engaged and disengaged the gears. The distance between the cutting wheel and the traction wheel is automatically adjusted while the cam is locked in place.

Abstract: A collapsible saw has a mechanism for releasably tensioning and locking a saw blade into position while also conferring lateral support for the blade, namely a cam lock mechanism. Additionally, a long channel member, a short member, and a saw blade are each pivotably connected in the saw assembly. The long and short member pivot connection is releasable in a manner that allows the long and short member to nest one within the other along with the saw blade. A collapsible saw according to the present invention is highly compact and entirely interconnected such that loss of saw parts is not a concern. Another feature of the saw is that its interconnections and design yield a configuration that can be quickly expanded into an operative configuration or place in a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering angle sensor for motor vehicles. The object of the invention is to be able to provide the absolute value of the steering angle position of the steering wheel within a relatively short angle of rotation of the steering wheel. To this end, the invention proposes featuring two preferably concentric circular tracks (1, 2), wherein the first track (1) is used to determine the relative angular movement of the steering wheel and the second track (2) is used to provide the absolute value of the angle position. Advantageous further developments relate to two different coding options.

Abstract: An apparatus for rendering ovals of adjustable sizes and ellipticity upon various materials. An oval cutter comprises a clickerplate for adjusting the ellipticity of ovals in a single movement. The clickerplate can be rotated about a base using a knob mounted on the clickerplate. One embodiment of this invention comprises a storage compartment in the knob which can hold, for example, extra blades. A further embodiment of this invention comprises an arm that translates through the clickerplate and a swivel plate used for setting the overall size of the oval by locking the arm at a set length. In yet a further embodiment of this invention, ovals can be rendered in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction and an arrow can indicate the direction in which the apparatus is set to render ovals.

Abstract: The present invention entails an equipment leveling device comprising a leveling head having a leveling instrument incorporated therein and a series of spaced apart support legs secured to the leveling head and projecting radially therefrom for engaging an object to be leveled and for supporting the leveling head adjacent the object during the leveling process. In the embodiment disclosed, each of the support legs is adjustable in length such that the leveling device can accommodate structures and objects of various size.

Abstract: A see-thru engineering instrument has markings defining sets of longitudinal reference lines along its length. The reference lines are disposed inwardly of the side edges, and define segmentation patterns distinct to each set, distinguishing lines of the respective sets from each other. Lines of respective sets are preferably interposed each between respective lines of ones of another set or sets. Line segments in a single instrument, of the like illustrated, can define discrete measurable distances of any one, up to all, of 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8 and 15/16 inch. The back surface of the instrument preferably has a matte finish. The width of the instrument is greater than 3 inches, preferably about 4 inches. The length is greater than 12 inches, preferably about 13 inches. The thickness is preferably about 1/16 inch. The length/width ratio is at least 2/1. The markings on the instrument can include a grid of squares, marked over less than 2/3 of the overall area.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring apparatus measures a workpiece in accordance with a measuring sequence. The apparatus has a probe unit for scanning the workpiece and a mechanical assembly for moving the probe unit in three coordinate directions (X, Y, Z). Drives are provided for driving the mechanical assembly to move the probe unit and a manually actuable control element controls the drives. A force unit superposes a force onto the control element in correspondence to specific conditions in the measuring sequence.

Abstract: The center locator tool has a flat, rectangular case with a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls. The interior of the case houses a spur gear rotatably mounted on a center post extending through the center of the case, the center post having a bore defined axially therein. A pair of arms are mounted so that the arms are slidable through the case on opposite sides of the spur gear, each arm having a rack defined in its edge which engages the spur gear so that when one arm is extended from the case, the other arm is extended an equal distance in the opposite direction. Each arm has a groove defined in its bottom surface for engaging a guide projecting from the bottom wall of the case. The end of each arm has a work engaging plate forming a "V" shape, the opening of the "V" facing towards the center of the tool, the plates depending from the ends of the arms and being adapted for engaging a square or circular workpiece.

Abstract: A measuring tape pencil sharpener combination is provided including a housing. A measuring tape is coiled within an interior space of the housing with a free end extending from the housing. A lid defines a compartment and is pivotally coupled to the housing and has a closed orientation in abutment with the housing and an open orientation for allowing access within the compartment. A pencil sharpener is provided for sharpening a pencil and depositing shavings within the compartment of the lid.

Abstract: A retaining adapter for a mechanical measuring tape device extends the versatility of the tape device for construction workers. The retaining adapter can be removable, part of, or fixed to the housing of the mechanical measuring tape device. The retaining adapter has a drop hook and a drag hook, either of which can be attached to the object or construction piece to be measured. The use of the retaining adapter permits the construction worker to use the conventional mechanical measuring tape device beyond his or her natural reach. The retaining adapter may have at least one rule associated therewith in order to further expand the measurement capabilities of the conventional mechanical measuring tape device. The retaining adapter may also function as a square in certain applications.

Abstract: A golf cart fan with multiple positions for providing a cooling fan for occupants of a golf cart that may be pivoted about two axes for enhanced positionability of the fan. The golf cart passenger cooling system for use with a suitable golf cart generally having a dash portion, an upper edge portion, and a forward opening. The cooling system generally includes a fan assembly including a perimeter frame for defining a perimeter about an interior of the fan assembly. The perimeter frame has substantially planar front and rear openings. The cooling system also includes a fan support assembly mounted on the fan assembly. The fan support assembly is adapted for mounting to the golf cart for supporting the fan assembly on the golf cart. The fan support assembly provides pivoting adjustment of the orientation of the fan assembly about at least two axes with respect to the golf cart.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying semiconductor substrates to dry about 50 semiconductor wafers by evaporating an organic solvent and blowing the evaporated organic solvent onto these semiconductor wafers through a nozzle, comprises the evaporate organic solvent being blown onto the semiconductor wafers from a direction aslant by an angle from 20.degree. to 50.degree. from a vertical direction toward the semiconductor wafers. At this time, the initial spray amount of the evaporated organic solvent is not less than 0.8 cc/second and not more than 1.5 cc/second, additionally, the amount of the organic solvent used for drying is not less than 70 cc/batch and not more than 200 cc/batch.

Abstract: A vise having vise members is provided with a vise face on each vise member. The vise faces are opposed and together define an initial vise volume having an open top for receiving loose, wet screenings. The vise faces form jaws moved relative to each other to squeeze the loose, wet screenings, which is a process of enclosing and applying force to the loose, wet screenings to compress the screenings and force the liquid out of or from the material of the screenings. The squeezing makes a loaf volume significantly smaller than the initial volume, and converts the loose wet screenings into a separate dry loaf. A platform has many separate stations. At one station (e.g., receiving & squeezing), a bottom of the trough is sieve-like for draining the liquid from the wet screenings. At another station (e.g., conveying), the bottom of the platform is closed to retain the separate dry loaf of screenings for conveying. At another station (e.g.

Abstract: A grain dryer has three levels of modulated air chambers; a multi-perforated chamber holding grains which surround all three levels of the modulated air chambers; an intermediate air passage; partition walls and a set of central fans to direct airflow cross-upwardly in an S-shape inside the grain dryer; and an external chamber to exhaust air out to the ambient, minimizing heat loss, and thereby increasing the effiency of moisture exhange between grains and air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and several exemplary apparatus for capillary dewatering of foam materials. The apparatus may include felt which is applied to an exposed face of the foam material, or a double felt arrangement applied to two opposed surfaces of the foam material. The apparatus may provide a temperature differential between the two exposed surfaces of the foam material. An alternative embodiment utilizes a roll having a capillary dewatering medium. The capillary dewatering medium may be maintained at a vacuum either above or below the breakthrough vacuum of the capillaries. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly useful for dewatering foams having relatively fine open capillaries.

Abstract: A method is provided in which particulate matter is dried in a high velocity cyclonic dryer having inner and/or outer ring deflectors. Contemplated initial air stream velocities are at least about 100 feet per second, with more preferred velocities at least 300 feet per second, and still more preferred embodiments at least 500 feet per second. In one aspect of preferred embodiments the combination of high velocity air flow and ring deflectors advantageously provides significant drying of the particulate matter using both relatively low temperatures and relatively short transit times. Contemplated temperatures of the air stream entering the dryer are between about 50.degree. F. and about 300.degree. F., with more preferred temperatures between about 60.degree. F. and about 150.degree. F., and still more preferred temperatures between about 70.degree. F. and about 120.degree. F.

Abstract: A dryer for use with chemical compounds employs controlled vacuum, elevated temperature and dry, inert gas to dry the chemical compounds. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber into which trays containing the compounds are placed. The chamber includes heating elements which elevate the temperature of chemical samples placed within the chamber. Supplying and evacuating manifolds, each with a plurality of orifices for supplying and evacuating dry inert gas, provide a substantially laminar flow of dry inert gas just above the trays of chemical compounds which are to be dried. The laminar gas flow removes the unwanted vapor which tends to form above the tray of chemical compound, thus accelerating the drying process.

Abstract: Very dry air is made for drying grain and other particulates. The air is dried by first cooling under pressure to remove moisture, then contacted with a drying device such as a vessel containing desiccant, then heated and released into a bed of particulates.

Abstract: The method detects impermissible operating states in a hot-air clothes dryer with a laundry drum. The temperature in the incoming air flow is detected periodically downstream of an incoming air heater and upstream of the drum. A differential value (difference value or gradient) is formed from two successively detected values. The differential value is compared with a predetermined differential value, and if the newly formed differential value is absolutely greater than the predetermined differential value, then a counting value is incremented by one step. The counting value is compared with a predetermined counting value and, if the current counting value is greater than the predetermined counting value, then the heating of the dryer is turned off and/or an operating state display is activated.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes one or more first fluid containing cushion devices in direct or elastomeric load transmitting contact with a foot to provide superior comfort. One or more second, preferably thicker, fluid containing cushion devices are positioned in a load transmitting portion of the sole, between the foot and ground engaging surface of the footwear. The first cushion device(s) at least partially overlap a portion of the second cushioning device(s) and the two cushion devices are at least partially separated in any overlapping areas by a load distributing element.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear with a sole incorporating low friction surfaces for sliding across a protruding feature on a supporting surface and walking surfaces for other athletic pursuits, and a method of making same.

Abstract: This invention is related to a golf shoe that naturally shifts the center of weight into a heel portion and cause smooth swing. The golf shoes according to this invention comprises a sole having a heel portion (30), a toe portion (34) formed continuously forwardly from the heel portion (30) and an intermediate metatarsal portion (32) formed between the heel portion (30) and the toe portion (34), wherein the toe portion (34) is angled 1.about.5.degree. upward from a horizontal line taking the intermediate metatarsal portion (32) as pivot point and the heel portion is angled -7.about.7.degree. from the horizontal line taking the intermediate metatarsal portion as pivot point.