Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling assembly is provided having at least a first thermoelectric stage thermally coupled to a heat source, such as an electronic device, and a second thermoelectric stage thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric stage across a "thermal space transformer". The first thermoelectric stage has a first surface area for thermal dissipation and the second thermoelectric stage has a second surface area for thermal absorption wherein the second surface area is greater than the first surface area. The thermal space transformer has a first thermal conductivity in a plane transverse to a direction of primary heat flow through the first thermoelectric stage and the second thermoelectric stage, and a second thermal conductivity in a direction parallel to the direction of primary heat flow, wherein the first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Thermal link device for use between an end surface of a cold finger of a cryogenic machine, at cryogenic temperature when in use, and a load, comprising:a plate confronting said end surface, for connection with the load, mechanically separate from the end surface and defining a condensation and vaporization gap with said end surface,a capillary pumping element in said gap,a flexible wall defining an enclosure accommodating said gap and surrounding at least said end surface and a portion of a cold finger which is close to said end surface, andgas means in said enclosure, said gas means including at least one gas having a condensation temperature selected responsive to a cryogenic temperature to be given to the load.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid heat exchanger system has a subatmospheric pressure reservoir, a tube, and an initial fluid ejector. The sub-atmospheric pressure reservoir has a vacuum exhaust. The tube extends through the reservoir. The initial fluid ejector has a suction chamber inlet that is functionally connected to the reservoir vacuum exhaust. The system may have a plurality of fluid ejectors connected to one or more exhausts either in series or parallel. The initial fluid ejector may receive one or more pressurized fluid streams, and the streams may be steam. A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir includes the step of discharging an initial fluid stream into an initial fluid ejector having a suction chamber functionally connected to an exhaust of the reservoir. A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir includes the step of using a fluid ejector to reduce the pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a cryogenic process for increasing the life of silicon nitride tool materials such as machining inserts used in the high-speed machining of cast irons and other materials. The process entails placing the tools in a cryogenic chamber where the temperature is lowered to about -320.degree. F. and held at that level for a period of time and then raised to ambient temperature. Both the lowering and raising of the temperature are at specifically controlled rates.

Abstract: A method for purging contaminants from a contaminated refrigeration system, comprising providing a source of recycled volatile composition to a refrigerant system; passing the recycled volatile composition through the refrigerant system; receiving the volatile composition from the refrigerant system; and recycling the volatile composition by separation of contaminants therefrom.

Abstract: In a process for regulating a refrigeration system (1) using an expansion valve (4), one side of the regulating member is pressed by the pressure of refrigerant at the evaporator side and the other side of the regulating member is pressed by the vapor pressure of a sensor system (22) whose sensor temperature is determined by the refrigerant saturation temperature and by the heat supplied by a heating element (27). heat supply is regulated depending on a measurement value (overheating or liquid level). Also disclosed is a refrigeration system (1) regulated in this manner and an expansion valve (4) as essential component of such a system. An improved, exonomic and universally applicable regulation can thus be obtained.

Abstract: An air conditioner equipped with an air cleaner. In the air conditioner, a dust collector is arranged in an air path located behind a heat exchanger. A dust collecting electrode of the dust collector is combined with a heater for self-cleaning. An opening, which communicates the air path located behind the heat exchanger with the outside, is provided above the dust collector. An open-and-close valve, which is closed during the air conditioning operation and opened in the case where the air cleaning operation is carried out while the air conditioning operation is stopped, is provided at the opening. The dust collector does not interrupt the flow of air during the air conditioning operation and also in the case where the air cleaning operation is carried out while the air conditioning operation is stopped.

Abstract: A liquid temperature apparatus is used in a beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage storage container connected via a liquid feed tube to a liquid dispense tap. The liquid feed tube is divided by a Tee piece and connected to a pair of circulation tubes. A pump means circulates the beverage around the tubes, and also around the coil of the cooling unit. The fluid flow rate is controlled by the adjustable fluid control device.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly e.g. for an air cycle air conditioning apparatus comprises stator windings and a rotating member mounted for rotation about a motor axis and wherein, the stator windings comprise therethrough at least one axially extending passage, and there being means to connect the passage to a source of cooling gas, whereby as the cooling gas flows along the axially extending passage the motor assembly is cooled.

Abstract: Containers for transportation of bulk cargo susceptible to spoilage, that have a controlled temperature profile. The refrigerated containers include opposed insulated side walls each of which include internal channels for carrying return air from the floor of the container upward into a plenum. Each plenum is closed at one end, and in fluid communication with a refrigeration unit at the other end to supply return air to the refrigeration unit. Refrigerated air is blown from the refrigeration unit into a central air distribution duct that extends longitudinally along the roof of the container. The central duct is supplied with a multiplicity of spaced apart apertures, and is preferably tapered from a widest point in the vicinity of the refrigeration unit. Thus, substantially equal refrigerated airflow can be obtained throughout the refrigerated container.

Abstract: An air conditioner has a refrigerant circuit 1 in which a refrigerant flows through a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a supercooling heat exchanger 10, a first expansion mechanism 4 and an evaporator 5 in this order. In this refrigerant circuit 1, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 is condensed in the condenser 3 and the condensed refrigerant is supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger 10. This refrigerant is reduced in pressure in the first expansion mechanism 4, thereafter evaporated in the evaporator 5 and sucked into the compressor. Use of a nonazeotrope refrigerant as the above refrigerant can increase the refrigerating capacity improving effect due to supercooling as compared with the case where a single refrigerant is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying waste streams having water, dissolved noxious substances and volatile organic compounds, comprising a distillation unit having distillate and bottoms products, a freeze-concentration unit and a processing unit. The distillate product is processed in the processing unit and the bottoms product is processed in the freeze-concentration unit, where purified water is extracted.

Abstract: A method for recovering a condensable gas from a mixed gas uses a condensable gas recovering apparatus. The apparatus comprises a compressor for compressing a mixed gas comprising a condensable gas and an incondensable gas, a mixed gas separator including a cooler and an adsorbent that adsorbs the incondensable gas, and a vacuum exhauster. The method comprises the steps of introducing the mixed gas highly compressed by the compressor into the mixed gas separator, liquefying and recovering the condensable gas by cooling the mixed gas separator with the cooler while the adsorbent adsorbs the incondensable gas contained in the mixed gas in a high pressure state, and exhausting the incondensable gas from the adsorbent in a low pressure state where the gas in the mixed gas separator has been exhausted by the vacuum exhauster. Therefore, recovery of the condensable gas is carried out with high reliability, and mixing of a large quantity of the condensable gas into the incondensable gas is easily prevented.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering xenon or a mixture of xenon and krypton from air processed in a cryogenic air separation plant. An oxygen rich stream containing xenon and or krypton and xenon together with other trace impurities is subjected to a carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide removal step followed by concentration of xenon and or a mixture of krypton and xenon in a liquid fraction separated from an oxygen enriched vapor and vaporizing and recovering a xenon and or krypton and xenon mixture enriched vapor.

Abstract: A needle actuation device for knitting machines, comprising a cam supporting surface which faces a needle supporting element and supports at least one casting-off cam which has a profile arranged at an angle to the direction in which the needle supporting element moves with respect to the cam supporting surface during the operation of the machine. The profile of the casting-off cam can be engaged by a heel of the needles, or of needle pusher elements, which protrudes from the needle supporting element toward the cam supporting surface. The casting-off cam is supported by the cam supporting surface so that it can rotate about a first axis which is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the needle supporting element that faces in each instance the cam supporting surface and can rotate on command about the first axis in order to vary the inclination of its profile with respect to the direction of motion.

Abstract: Operational method for seaming the edges of a tubular knitted article (C) comprising the preliminary steps of knitting the article in a knitting station (T), removing the stitches of the last knitted rank with stitches-removing means mounted on a first unit movable between said station (T) and a hook-up station (R), overturning through 180.degree. the first semirank of stitches about an axis which virtually subdivides the last knitted rank into said first and second semiranks so as to dispose the thus overturned stitches in correspondence of the stitches of the other semirank, hooking-up the thus disposed stitches of the first and second semiranks, characterized in that it comprises, following the step for the removal of the stitches of the last knitted rank, the transfer of the stitches of at least one semirank onto means other than those which operate the above said removal, said transfer means supporting the stitches of said at least one semirank during said overturning step.

Abstract: A knitted fabric comprised of two yarn types wherein at least one yarn type is made of an elastomeric fiber and the other yarn type is made of a substantially non-elastic fiber. In the preferred embodiment, one yarn type is a blend of polyester and cotton and the other yarn type is spandex. This overall blend of spandex and poly-cotton fibers creates a knitted fabric having resilience, elasticity and versatility beyond that of a traditional poly-cotton blend fabric. This knitted fabric can then be used to produce sheeting materials, such as fitted contour sheets, which retain shape better, are more easily handled, and have a greater life that standard poly-cotton blend sheets.

Abstract: A knit necktie which is entirely formed from a tubular knit fabric knitted continuously and has a triangular apron tipping portion which is formed from a triangular bag-shaped knit fabric formed by raising needles in a semicircle of a circular knitting machine to a non-knitting level and starting semicircle knitting by forward and reverse rotation of a cylinder, decreasing stitches one by one stitch on each of the opposite left and right sides for each one forward and reverse rotation, repeating the decreasing step until only two central stitches remain, thereafter increasing the stitches one by one stitch on each of the opposite left and right sides for each one forward and reverse rotation of the cylinder, and repeating the increasing step.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dressing item such as an undershirt, body suit or the like with a circular knitting machine, and an item obtained thereby, the method comprising: at least one first step, during which an annular border is formed which constitutes the neck of the item; at least one second step, during which a first tubular portion of knitting is formed starting from the annular border; at least one third step, during which a second tubular portion of knitting is formed to continue the first tubular portion of knitting; and a fourth step, during which a completion portion of the item is formed. The annular border is formed by at least one prestretched elastic yarn and/or by using a limited number of needles with respect to the number used to form the first tubular portion of knitting and/or the second tubular portion of knitting, so as to obtain an item with a neck having a smaller diameter than the remaining part of the item and without seams in the shoulder region.

Abstract: A raised surface fabric knit on a conventional terry knitting machine is provided. The process utilizes yarns of different color or dyeability in alternating courses; by way of example, yarn A (undyed) is used for course 1, yarn B (dyed) is used for course 2, yarn A is used for course 3, yarn B for course 4, etc. Either yarn A or yarn B has a low shrinkability, with the other yarn then having a high shrinkability.

Abstract: By providing a removable cover assembly mountable to a rotating dial of a central housing of a padlock, a padlock construction is attained which is visually distinctive and can be custom tailored to individual consumer choice. The cover assembly of the present invention is preferably constructed from two cooperating components, thereby providing ease of assembly and removal. In its preferred construction, the cover assembly is formed in a plurality of alternate colors, styles, designs, and the like, with or without indicia displayed thereon providing for visual distinctiveness and coordination with luggage products. Furthermore, the cover assembly is also constructed in a manner which enables the dials of the padlock to be easily accessed for use as well as incorporating a visually distinctive combination read-out zone for improved visibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking musical instruments having "necks" to a fixed structure having first and second rigid arm members each having a curved portion and a straight portion; in which the first and second rigid arm members are mirror images of each other; mating eye members are attached to each of said first and second arm members curved portion and mating hinge forming means are attached to each of the first and second arm members straight portion in which each of said first and second arm members has an inner surface for engaging the "neck" of a musical instrument and each of said first and second arm members inner surface has a soft resilient portion and extending chain or cable adapted to fit through the eye means of the first and second arms for engaging a fixed structure.

Abstract: A cabinet locking system for a frameless glass door. The system includes a strike/pull mounted on the door and a lock mounted on the cabinet. The strike/pull clamps about the edge of the glass door and includes a lock strike on the cabinet-interior side and a pull on the cabinet-exterior side. The lock mounted on the cabinet frame includes a throw cooperating with the strike/pull. In the locked position, the lock throw cooperates with the strike of the strike/pull to lock the door in the closed position.

Abstract: An auxiliary door lock in which a spring is coupled between a coupling block, which moves a latch bolt, and a left side board to push the coupling block and the latch bolt forwards when the door lock is unlocked and the key is removed from the door lock; the door handle is locked to stop the door lock from unlocking with the key when pressing a button on the door handle after the door handle has been turned to a vertical position, and unlocked when pressing the button again.

Abstract: A locking shaft extends from the end of the hoist shaft through the hole in the rear bumper of a vehicle. The front end of the locking shaft is tapered to fit within the end of the hoist shaft. A padlock fits within a hole in the locking shaft adjacent to the bumper. The padlock prevents unauthorized removal of the locking shaft from the hoist shaft. If the locking shaft and the hoist shaft are rotated, the padlock contacts a lip on the bumper and prevents further rotation of the locking shaft and the hoist shaft.

Abstract: A container made from a hard synthetic resin is provided on a key body (12). A container half (26) and the other container half (27) of the container (16) are attached to a key body (12) and a transmitting element (18) is secured to the container halves (26) and (27) in a sealed condition. A soft resin outer skin is molded on the outer surfaces of the key body (12) and the resin container (16). Heat and pressure during the molding of the resin outer skin are received by the resin container (16) so that the transmitting element 18 therein is protected therefrom.

Abstract: A bulbous hand grip facilitates the turning of a key within a lock by increasing the turning radius through which the key is turned, as well as providing finger and hand surfaces which may be utilized during turning. The hand grip may include a substantially arcuate or spheroidal surface contour. The key may be secured within the hand grip by elastic deformation forces and/or by conventional fasteners.

Abstract: A method for improving the contour of rolled material over at least one segment of a rolling schedule including a plurality of rolling processes. The method includes associating at least one quality criterion with at least one rolling stand of at least one of the plurality of rolling processes, optimizing the at least one quality criterion using a mathematical formula, predetermining at least one work roll shift for the plurality of rolling processes over the at least one segment of the rolling schedule based on an optimization of the at least one quality criterion, and axially shifting at least one work roll of the at least one rolling stand.

Abstract: The planarity of a strip, especially metal strip is measured in a measurement zone in which the tension of the strip has been reduced in a targeted way by braking the strip. The braking force should be practically equal to the strip tension.

Abstract: Measurement of a mechanical characteristic of a long metallic product. The long product is passed through at least one turn of an electromagnetic coil energized with a variable current, the impedance of the electromagnetic coil is measured continuously and the mechanical characteristic of the long product or variations therein are determined by comparing the measured impedance with at least one predetermined impedance value. The method can be used in particular to regulate the production of hyperquenched austenitic steel spring wire containing martensite (.alpha.') by drawing the wire through successive dies. The impedance of the coil through which the wire passes when it leaves the die is measured in order to regulate at least one of the following parameters: the temperature of the die and the wire and the wire speed.

Abstract: A pressing device (1, 111), in particular for joining a pipe (23) with a press fitting (24), has at least two pressing jaws (17, 18, 21, 22, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and a drive (7) for moving the pressing jaws (17, 18, 21, 22, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) or a part thereof relative to one another from an open position into a final pressed position, such that at least one sensor (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 51, 151, 152) for sensing the final pressed position of the pressing jaws (17, 18, 21, 22, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) is arranged in the region of the pressing jaws (17, 18, 21, 22, 122, 126), and such that an indicating device (43), which generates an externally perceptible indicating signal when the final pressed position is or is not reached, is associated with the sensor (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 51, 151, 152).

Abstract: A crimping tool capable of forming a uniform series of deformations or crimps on a workpiece, such that at least a portion of the workpiece can be modified to acquire an arcuate shape with a predetermined radius. The crimping tool includes a pair of arms and an associated pair of jaws. The tool further includes an adjustment feature associated with one of the arms for adjusting and gaging the distance between the jaws when in a crimping position. As such, the degree of deformation or crimping that can be applied by the jaws is positively limited by the adjustment feature, which physically establishes the minimum gap width between the jaws during a crimping operation. The jaws include die members specially configured to promote accurately placed and uniform crimps in a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a tubular fitting from a blank tube having an interior. The apparatus includes a right die plate, a left die plate, a lower die plate and an upper die plate. The right die plate has a first cavity capable of receiving the blank tube. The left die plate has a second cavity aligned with the first cavity. The right die plate has a first guide post and the left die plate has a second guide post. The first cavity is joined to the second cavity to form a forming cavity. The lower die plate is capable of supporting the right die plate and the left die plate. The lower die plate includes a port capable of receiving a fluid line. The upper die plate is capable of moving between a first position and a second position. The upper die plate has guide holes for receiving the first and second guide posts and aligning the upper die plate with the right die plate and the left die plate.

Abstract: A can-making necker machine to form the bottom and neck of two-piece metal cans has pusher rams. Each pusher has a cam follower which follows a track or groove. The cam follower is not lubricated but instead has rolling surfaces which are coated with a low-friction high-impact diamond film.

Abstract: A method of operating a rolling mill stand of a rolling mill train and including upper and lower rolls having opposite roll edges, with the method including, rolling, in the rolling stand, a first metal strip having a first strip width, thereafter, after a rolling pause, rolling, in the rolling stand, a second metal strip having a second strip width, subjecting the rolls, during the rolling the first and second metal strip, to action of a cooling medium, and interrupting cooling of the rolls, at least in a contact region of the rolls with the second metal strip during rolling of the same, for a time period within the rolling pause between rolling of the first and second strips.

Abstract: A description is given of a bending device for two working rolls (1) of a roll stand having guide blocks (6), provided in lateral roll uprights (3), for each of two vertically adjustable pressure transmission elements (4a, 4b), on which the working rolls (1) are supported via inserts (2), and each having two bending cylinders (5), which are arranged between the pressure transmission elements (4a, 4b) and have a piston rod (12) which acts on a pressure transmission elements (4b, 4a), and a cylinder (10) formed by the respective other pressure transmission element (4b, 4a).

Abstract: A multipass wiredrawing machine particularly for drawing metal wires which comprises a plurality of reels for pulling a wire that exits from a corresponding die, the reels being arranged in sequence to wind the wire that exits from the die and guide it to a next die, each pulling reel being fixed, while the corresponding die can move with respect to the corresponding pulling reel, in order to maintain a substantially constant length for the portion of wire with respect to the corresponding pulling reel and allow the length of the portion of wire to vary with respect to the preceding pulling reel, so as to provide constant adjustment of the tension of the wire between the die and the reel and between the reel and the next die.

Abstract: A pipe bending apparatus is disclosed for bending pipe sections, particularly pipe sections of the type used in pipelines. The apparatus allows rapid clamping of the pipe section at reduced pressure via hydraulic fluid regeneration, while providing full hydraulic force for pipe section bending.

Abstract: A compensation device (10) for a press brake that provides vertical arcuate adjustment to a die holding an elongated workpiece to be configured by the press brake. The compensation device (10) includes a die holder member (18) that removably receives the die, an elongated wedge (14) having an inclined upper surface (60) that congruently engages an inclined lower surface (82) of the die holder member (18), and a press bed engagement member (12) that supports the wedge (14) and positions the die holder member (18) such that the wedge (14) is capable of lateral movement relative to the die holder member (18) thereby arcuately elevating the combined die holder member (18), die and workpiece by adjusting one wedge deformation bolt (76). The arcuately elevated workpiece prevents incomplete bends or "flat spots" from occurring in a mid-portion of the workpiece due to an overloaded or relatively "long" press bed in the press brake.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cam slider in a cam unit to be fixed to a stationary metal mold tool and a movable metal mold tool for machining a pressed product. The cam slider is equipped with a resilient member to allow the cam slider to return to its original position subsequent to the cam action and a counter member to the resilient member.

Abstract: A test fixture for a laser gas module offers automatic and manual testing for individual gas module components. Check or pressure relief valves are tested with an increasing pressure ramp caused by a metered gas flow into a ballast tank. Metering orifices are tested by measuring pressure change in a known volume tank as gas to or from the tank is directed through the orifice under test. The fixture includes capability to test valve logic and leakages. Test sequence and results are monitored on a computer display showing a schematic representation of both module and fixture. Manual control of module and fixture components is done via a computer graphic interface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an inclination sensor construction that is capable of determining the pitch and roll of a machine or machine implement. Moreover, the present invention may be employed to detect the pitch and roll of a blade of a motor grader or bulldozer. The invention is directed to a method of detecting the native inaccuracy of an inclination sensor and providing compensation values to correct for errors in the sensor output, and to an inclination sensor construction that makes use of such compensation values to produce highly accurate inclination sensor construction outputs, and contemplates the inclusion in the inclination sensor construction of a microprocessor that has stored therein compensation values that are utilized during operation of the inclination sensor construction to correct the native outputs of individual transducers to take into account recognized inaccuracies of such native outputs relative to actual inclination values.

Abstract: A calibration disk for calibrating the fly height of a head, includes spaced circumferencial bands on the disk extending in a concentric fashion from adjacent an outer diameter of the disk to near an inner diameter of the disk. Each of the bands include radial and circumferencial spaced asperity emulating bumps having a population sufficient to produce a constant and continuous output signal from a glide head when the glide head flies lower than a maximum height of the bumps. The height of the bumps within individual bands are substantially uniform, and the average heights of the bumps in each band differ from each other. The configuration of the bumps on the calibration disk advantageously avoids errors caused by disk waviness, runout, and contamination. Further, using the differing heights of the bumps on the calibration disk, a glide head can be calibrated on the glide tester without using an independent fly height measurements for the glide head.

Abstract: An antilock braking system employing stress sensors installed in the wheel axle structure of a motor vehicle. The stress sensors measure a road surface frictional force and a braking torque. A parameter M is calculated from these measured values. An ABS control terminates a braking pressure reduction process in accordance with the change in the parameter M. Thereby, the system can preclude the locking of the wheel of the motor vehicle even when the brake is suddenly applied, can prevent the braking pressure reduction from being over controlled, and makes possible to minimize the braking loss.

Abstract: A sensor for determining an oxygen level in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine includes a receptacle arranged in a longitudinal bore of a metallic enclosure for a sensor element. The sensor element is accommodated in a gas-tight manner using a sensor element seal. The receptacle has a measured gas-side ceramic molded component and a connection-side ceramic molded component, which are arranged one behind the other axially. A hollow space is formed between the measured gas-side ceramic molded component and the connection-side ceramic molded component, in which a metallic sealing element is hot-pressed.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting the presence of and confirming the correct orientation of an oil seal. The system comprises a sensor orifice, a flow regulator for regulating flow of air to the sensor orifice, a pressure regulator for regulating air pressure to the flow regulator, and an air supply means for supplying air to the pressure regulator. A vent orifice is also provided for allowing air flow to exit from the sensor orifice when the oil seal is incorrectly oriented. The system further comprises an air pressure sensor, whereby when the oil seal is correctly oriented, with its flat side blocking the sensor orifice, a back pressure of air is created in the sensor orifice and the air supply means, the back pressure detectable by the air pressure sensor to confirm presence and correct orientation of the oil seal.

Abstract: A plurality of test chambers or fixtures are operable for successively testing a plurality of condoms, respectively, in an automated manner. Each test chamber for testing a condom includes a housing containing a porous liner having an interior cavity conformed to the exterior shape of a condom to be tested, whereby a holder carrying the condom is inserted into the liner, a closed pathway for gas flow is provided between a gas port of the holder and the interior volume of the condom, for permitting the condom to be inflated with the gas, causing the exterior walls of the condom to be pushed against opposing inside walls of the liner, permitting gas passing through holes in the condom to flow through pores in walls of the liner to another gas port of the housing for detecting unacceptable holes in the condom using differential pressure techniques and/or gas tagging.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel system has on-board diagnostics for leak testing with correction for different operating conditions. An electronic control unit (ECU) is arranged to carry out a periodic two stage leak test, when the engine is running. Stage A includes evacuation of the fuel tank, monitoring bleedup and recording the pressure rise dP.sub.-- A over a predetermined period A following increase of pressure to a predetermined value p2. Stage B includes measuring the amount dP.sub.-- B by which the pressure in the tank rises above atmospheric due to vapor generation over a predetermined period B following venting and closure fuel system. The ECU calculates a value X representative of leakage from the difference between dP.sub.-- A and dP.sub.-- B using a scaling factor K. The test duration is adjusted in accordance with measured values of fuel level and ambient temperature to ensure that the measured pressure changes are dependent on leakage over a range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A surface property measuring device comprises a detector having a stylus for measuring surface property and a skid at a leading end thereof, and a driving mechanism for causing the detector to advance and retreat along a surface to be measured. The measuring device further comprises a detector-lifting plate having an engaging portion engaging with a protrusion of a connector housing when the detector retreats to the utmost. The detecting-lifting plate is fixed to a frame of the driving mechanism, for lifting the leading end of the detector to thereby separate the skid and the stylus from the surface to be measured when the detector retreats. This enables the surface to be measured, a nose, the stylus, and the skid which protrude from the detector, to be protected when arranging the measurement and also removing the measuring device after the measurement.

Abstract: A gas concentration sensor voltage and current (in both heater on and heater off states) are detected and compared with predetermined thresholds, respectively, by a microcomputer. Based on a combination of the comparison results, the presence or absence of trouble in the system is detected and trouble location in the system is specified. In addition or alternatively, the sensor voltage is compared with thresholds to determine whether it is outside of a normal zone. The voltage may be actually detected or calculated. If the voltage is outside the normal zone, sensor voltage is reduced to zero or restricted to a predetermined limit.