Abstract: While a regulation gear is positioned in a disengaged position where the regulation gear is disengaged from a pinion of a driving motor during running of a vehicle, a controller continuously applies a small holding voltage to a switching motor that drives the regulation gear to prevent engagement of the regulation gear with the pinion. The holding voltage is chosen to be relatively small, but enough to prevent engagement of the regulation gear with the pinion upon application of vibrations or shocks encountered during running of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary actuated overspeed safety device for elevators. The overspeed safety device comprises a pair of pivotally mounted counterweights linked by a pivotally attached coupling rod and a wheel that rollably engages a guide rail. The counterweights are pivotally mounted to the wheel in a parallel plane configuration. Centrifugal force causes the pivotally mounted counterweights to pivot outward toward an actuator as the wheel spins. The overspeed safety device is triggered when the pair of pivotally mounted counterweights engages an actuator. The actuator is a housing that is engagably connected to an elevator safety.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to form curved beam sections, such as a brake shoe, includes a rollformer, a cut-off device, and a re-former or sweeping device. The rollformer includes rollers constructed and arranged to rollform the sheet material into an elongated linear beam, where the beam has a T-shaped cross-section. The cut-off device cuts the arcuately-shaped beam into segments that are about 9 to 12 inches long. The sweep device is positioned in line with the rollformer (or off-line as a secondary operation) and is adapted to form the beam into a tightly-radiused longitudinal shape, such as about 100 mm radius, where the support flange and center web form an arcuate crescent shape. In an alternative form, the apparatus also has a re-forming device configured to reshape the segments so that the beam section is very accurately formed. However, it is contemplated that, depending upon the arcuately shaped beam section desired, a re-former may not be required.

Abstract: A device for attenuating the amplitudes of impacts, especially against the wheel of a vehicle. At least one piston is accommodated in a housing and divides it into two attenuating spaces. The piston is attached to a piston rod and operates in conjunction with a component that handles smaller amplitudes. This component is either a diaphragm or a displaceable rigid disk that divides a space and communicates hydraulically with either the upper or with the lower attenuating space.

Abstract: A storage travel bag has a generally parallel-piped shape and includes an internal retention panel system comprising a retention panel with elastic straps or ribbons that enable the retention panel to compress an item and hold it in position in a desired manner within the bag.

Abstract: A rotary coupling comprises a driving part and a driven part, for transmission of driving torque between them; a fixed part in which the driving and driven parts are each rotatable coaxially; and a set of coupling members. The coupling members are carried by the driving part and are seated in recesses in the driven part so as to be in torque-transmitting engagement therewith. The coupling members are juxtaposed to an annular braking surface of the fixed part, and can independently move into and out of engagement with the braking surface. A driving torque, applied by the driving part to the coupling members, is transmitted by the latter to the driven part without the coupling members engaging the braking surface. A reverse torque, applied by the driven part to the coupling members, moves the latter into wedging engagement with the braking surface, locking up the coupling.

Abstract: A step-by-step ratchet mechanism has a mount, a hand lever that is carried on the mount and is pivotal about an axis of the hand lever, and a ratchet that is provided with a toothed set wheel and with an output shaft that is rotatable about an axis of the ratchet in the mount. Two catches are provided, they a) are each hinged on the hand lever and are pivotal around an axis of the catch, b) are each provided with a gear cutting that cooperates with the set wheel, c) are provided with a supporting flank that neighbors an abutment of the mount and d) are provided with a first elastic means that resiliently pretensions the two supporting flanks towards the abutment. Each catch is further provided with e) a pin. The gear cutting is designed as a toothed quadrant with several teeth. Two mean position levers are carried on the mount and are each pivotal about an axis of the mean position levers, one mean position lever being assigned to each catch. The mean position levers are provided with a stop flank.

Abstract: A roller clutch built-in type pulley for an alternator having a sufficient durability by securing a sufficient load capacity of a roller clutch in a structure intended to reduce the size and the weight of the apparatus by using a poly-V belt as an endless belt. In the pulley apparatus a roller clutch and a pair of support bearings are provided between the inner peripheral surface of a pulley having a plurality of grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof and the outer peripheral surface of a sleeve. Out of these components, when the diameter of each of a plurality of rollers for constituting the roller clutch is denoted by Da and the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of a roller clutch outer race is denoted by Da, Da/Do>0.070 is established.

Abstract: An actuation system for a friction clutch installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission includes a pressure medium-powered cylinder assembly and a pilot/automatic control valve assembly. An auxiliary actuating assembly includes an auxiliary actuating valve assembly, which can be switched into a pressure medium feed position, wherein the pressure medium-powered cylinder assembly can be connected with the pressure medium source or with a separate auxiliary pressure medium source for emergency actuation of the clutch, and into a pressure medium discharge position, wherein the cylinder assembly can be connected with a pressure compensation port or with a pressure compensation tank.

Abstract: An electronic security system for a parking meter includes a vault door having a spring-biased contact terminal for making breakable electrical contact with a housing hinge bracket contact terminal mounted in a vault opening. An electronic lock control circuit is able to communicate with a meter control (coin counting/auditing) circuit in the meter portion of the system through the vault door/housing hinge bracket contact terminals, thus eliminating a direct cable connection between the lock circuit and the meter circuit. The spring-biased contact may be substituted by equivalent breakable electrical contacts such as optocoupler contacts.

Abstract: A dead shaft or motorized conveyor pulley in which a drum is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation on a shaft mounted against rotation, has the shaft mounted in a pivot sphere. The sphere is mounted in a complementarily socketed block against rotation around the axis of rotation but to permit angular movement in response to misalignment of the shaft from one of the drum to the other end during installation.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying bulk material includes a conveyor loop (2) having an upper section forming a transport deck (5) extending along a transport path and a lower return section. The conveyor loop (2) includes an array of pins (7) and connections (8, 9) interconnecting the pins (7) and an array of carrier beams (10) each extending transverse to the array of pins (7) and connections (8, 9). A side barrier (11) above and along a side of the transport deck (5) for restraining bulk material from moving laterally off the is formed by an array of side barrier plates (24; 124). The side barrier plates (24; 124) are each fixedly connected relative to axes (35) of a pair of the pins (7). Leading and trailing ends (36) of successive side barrier plates (24; 124) are in at least close proximity of each other.

Abstract: The switching unit has the switching member on the front side and the switching member on the back side which are mutually mechanically and electrically connected when mounted on the spoke portion of the steering wheel, and is designed such tat when the switching members are assembled in one unit, the elastic electrode portion on one side comes into elastic contact with the electrode pattern portion on the other side. The switching members, therefore, are not required to be assembled into one unit prior to installation to the steering wheel, being little restricted in shape and size. In addition it is possible to dispense with such a complicated operation as electrically connecting the switching members by a wiring harness after installation to the steering wheel, therefore improving the ease of installation. Furthermore, since there is no necessity to form a through hole in the spoke portion of the steering wheel, the steering wheel will not be deteriorated in mechanical strength.

Abstract: Electrical contact mat (2) with at least two plates (2a, 2b) arranged at a spacing from each other in the at-rest condition, which plates are fabricated in particular from rubber or polymers and made electrically conductive by the admixture of conductive substances such as carbon black, graphite, metal powder and the like, the spacing being established by one or more nonconductive spacers, and with a device for closed-circuit protection, which is operatively connected with the plates (2a, 2b), the spacers being designed as a substantially inelastic interlayer (2c), which has openings of such size that the inner surfaces of the plates (2a, 2b) make mutual contact when the contact mat (2) is under compressive load and thus form the switch of a tactile sensor (1) of the device for closed-circuit protection, the sensor (1) having an electrical connection (3) in parallel with the contact mat (2).

Abstract: An electroluminescent switch is described incorporating an electroluminescent lamp assembly and one or more membrane switch assembly. The rear or base electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element which functions as the means by which the membrane switch may be closed upon actuation by a user. The membrane switch can be constructed from two electrodes arranged so that the conductive layer when brought into contact with said electrodes, shorts the electrodes thereby closing the circuit. Applications for the membrane switch include electronic devices where panel switches are required or electronic devices requiring particularly thin switches which are to be backlit.

Abstract: A transparent conductive film has a cured layer mainly containing a curable resin and a transparent conductive thin film successively layered on a transparent plastic film base. The transparent conductive film is characterized in that it has 3-200 protrusions over the surface of the transparent conductive thin film per 100 &mgr;m2, each having a diameter of 0.05-3.0 &mgr;m and a height of 0.005-2.00 &mgr;m. The transparent conductive film is characterized in that a volatile component amount contained in the transparent conductive film is at most 30 Pa.

Abstract: A key device for a computer keyboard has a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, and a key structure. The rigid printed circuit board has two adjacent but unconnected conductive ends electrically connected to two wires respectively. The flexible printed circuit board, fixed over the rigid printed circuit board, has a conductive segment installed above the two conductive ends, and an isolation layer installed around the conductive segment to form a gap between the conductive segment and the two conductive ends. The key structure is moveably fixed on the flexible printed circuit board in an up and down manner. When the key structure is pushed downward, the bottom of the key structure will touch the conductive segment of the flexible printed circuit board, and the conductive segment will touch the two conductive ends of the rigid printed circuit board to electrically connect the two conductive ends and the two wires.

Abstract: For a process for producing high-purity liquids, particularly liquid chemicals, by distillation it is proposed that the liquid to be purified (1) is heated by microwave radiation (5) preferably in the uppermost layers.

Abstract: A refractory metal silicide target is characterized by comprising a fine mixed structure composed of MSi2 (where M: refractory metal) grains and Si grains, wherein the number of MSi2 grains independently existing in a cross section of 0.01 mm2 of the mixed structure is not greater than 15, the MSi2 grains have an average grain size not greater than 10 &mgr;m, whereas free Si grains existing in gaps of the MSi2 grains have a maximum grain size not greater than 20 &mgr;m. The target has a high density, high purity fine mixed structure with a uniform composition and contains a small amount of impurities such as oxygen etc. The employment of the target can reduce particles produced in sputtering, the change of a film resistance in a wafer and the impurities in a film and improve yield and reliability when semiconductors are manufactured.

Abstract: A sample table for holding a silicon substrate into which an impurity is introduced is provided in the lower portion of a vacuum chamber. A high frequency power source is connected to the sample table through a coupling capacitor. The high frequency power source has a self-bias of 500 V, for example. Gas introducing means for introducing a sputtering gas such as an argon gas is provided on the bottom of the vacuum chamber. A solid target which contains an impurity which should be introduced, for example, boron is provided in the upper portion of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides various electrophoretic apparatuses for discontinuous gel electrophoresis. One apparatus comprises a vessel and a removable gel cassette for holding the gel, the cassette divided into two separate compartments, each in fluid communication with a buffer reservoir. Access holes provided on the top of the cassette allow sample to be added to the gel inside the cassette. The cassette also optionally includes a gel viewing window and sample loading window. Another apparatus comprises a vessel with a raised platform in the middle on which the gel is placed and over which a gel restraining frame, generally rectangular in shape, is secured close to the gel surface. The frame when in place acts as a barrier to movement of electrode buffer between reservoirs. The frame and an open interior for buffer or fluid, which assists in gel cooling during electrophoresis.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid when the filter comprises a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned in a housing and having filter media disposed between the plates so that during the operation of the filters, fluid flows axially through the media between the electrode plates and into a central recovery zone and is discharged from the filter. A replaceable filter cartridge, a method for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter, a filtration system for removing both water and other contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter in combination with a water-removal filter and a system for maintaining a supply of filter dielectric fluid for a dielectric fluid user on a continuous basis are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and system of operation of an electrodialysis membrane and gasket stack for separation of components in liquid mixtures is disclosed. The system of operation for purification and deionizing liquids includes an operation of pretreatment by filtration for removal of inorganic contaminants, includes an operation of adsorption for removing organic contaminants by activated carbon adsorption, and includes an operation of deionizing for removing ions from the effluent liquids. The deionizing operation includes an apparatus having an electrodialysis stack of a plurality of ion exchange membranes and separating gaskets for selectively removing contaminant ions. The electrodialysis stack of ion exchange membranes and separating gaskets provides continuous operations for purifying ethylene glycol and glycol/water mixtures, for continuous desalinating of water, and/or for continuous deionizing of water to generate ultra-pure water or other purified liquid mixtures.

Abstract: A contact is disposed to come into contact with a metal layer formed on a substrate being treated, the contact being in contact with a surface being treated from an opposite surface through a through hole present in a substrate. Alternatively, a contact is disposed to come into contact with a metal layer formed on a substrate, the contact coming into contact at an approximate center of the substrate. Alternatively, a plurality of needle bodies are disposed to be in electrical contact with a metal layer of a substrate being treated, thereby power supply for electrolytic polishing/plating to a substrate being treated being implemented, without restricting to a periphery of a substrate, from a plurality of points on a surface thereof. Due to any one of these, liquid treatment equipment enables to improve uniformity in plane of an electric current sent to a surface being treated and of liquid treatment.

Abstract: A plating barrel includes a rotatable barrel of which the exterior shape is approximately a hexagonal column, cathode-lead connections which penetrate through end surfaces of the barrel generally along a rotational axis of the barrel, cathodes placed inside the barrel and which are connected to the ends of the cathode-lead connections, and attachments which are attached to the cathode-lead connections or the barrel in a manner such that the central axes of the attachments are approximately the same as the rotational axis of the barrel, the vertices of the attachments point toward the center of the barrel, and peripheral portions of the bases of the attachments at the opposite ends relative to the vertices are close to the inside end surfaces of the barrel so that objects do not pass through the gaps.

Abstract: Between a wafer and a holder holding a wafer, a seal member is disposed so that a contact surface is formed in an approximate plane, and an inner periphery surface is formed in an approximate plane and approximately vertical to a contact surface. The seal member, in a sealed state, has a brim portion of a radius of curvature of 0.5 mm or less at a boundary portion between an inner periphery surface of a seal member and a contact surface. Due to a brim portion, a gap between a contact surface of a seal member and a surface being plated of a wafer W can be made smaller, resulting in reducing bubbles entering in a gap.

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting conventional aluminum smelting cells with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies are pre-heated prior to introduction into the operating cell. Insulation may be installed for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.

Abstract: Methods of forming low molecular weight oligomers of aniline-based compounds are provided as well as methods of forming varied molecular weight oligomers and polymers that are aniline-based which are end-functionalized and capable of being reacted with other monomeric species to form a variety of copolymers. The oligomers, end-functionalized oligomers and copolymers exhibit corrosion-resistant properties and provide corrosion-resistant compounds for use on various substrates.

Abstract: This invention discloses regeneration methods to remove carbon monoxide (CO) from reformate fuel using an adsorption and electro-catalytic oxidation (ECO) approach. One method of the invention comprises a first ECO cell and a second ECO cell, and the other method comprises a first ECO cell and a first charge storage device. Both methods eliminate the requirement of an external power supply that leads to higher cost, additional power consumption and more processor complexity for the CO removal processor.

Abstract: The present invention combines highly advanced electrochemical sensors with inexpensive microcircuitry and other optional sensing devices to produce an electrochemical sensor with microprocessor and memory capabilities. The sensor of the invention is small, self-powered, simple to use, and sufficiently inexpensive to be practical for use in recording environmental conditions to which low unit cost perishable products are exposed during shipping and/or storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and displaying electronic storage media includes a longitudinally extending rod and a storage media container adapted to receive the rod. A bore is provided in the storage media container through which the rod engages the storage media container. A hinge provided such that the storage media container can be opened while in engagement with the rod. An end bulb adapted to pass through the bore in the storage media container and be in interference contact with the bore at a point during the passing and a base adapted to removably engage an end of the rod is also included. The longitudinally extending rod is mounted such that the rod is able to engage a plurality of storage media containers concurrently. The storage media container is adapted to hingedly open while in engagement with the longitudinally extending rod.

Abstract: A multi-sleeve booklet for holding flat objects comprises a plurality of sleeves joined in series and folded upon each other in an accordion fashion, and a spine panel forming a spine of the booklet and hingedly interconnecting all the sleeves together. Each sleeve has a pair of front and back panels hingedly connected together. The front and back panels are secured in face to face contacting relationship while the spine panel is joined to one of the opposed outermost sleeves and secured to the other of the outermost sleeves.

Abstract: A sleeve and a blank for forming a sleeve for holding information discs, for example compact discs or the like, comprises a back panel, a partition panel foldably connected to one of the side edges of the back panel, and a front panel foldably connected to the bottom edge of the back panel. The partition panel is folded and disposed over the back panel to define a first disc pocket between the back panel and the partition panel. The front panel is folded and disposed over the partition panel to define a second disc pocket between the partition panel and the front panel as well as to provide a closed bottom for both the first and second disc pockets.

Abstract: A storage media package has a molded tray is attached to a cover. The cover has multiple panels made from sheet material. The tray holds one or more compact discs in a common well centered on a standing boss. The boss has provisions to receive an insert that is used to retain the discs. The insert also establishes a bottom reference surface for the bottom disc to rest on. The insert's disc reference surface can be formed at different heights. This allows one tray design to be used for 1, 2, 3 . . . disc packaging without the need for multiple tray molds. The rosette insert can be formed to include a center button that is connected to disc locking arms of the rosette. When the user pushes the button, the locking arms are pulled inward and thus unlock the disc(s) for easy removal. The tray can also be molded with an integrally molded rosette.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a medical package is provided which includes a housing, and a catheter product. The housing defines an enclosure which is sealed against ingress of contaminants. The housing has at least a first part and a second part which is movable relative to the first part to open the enclosure. At least one of the parts has a plurality of pores through which a sterilization fluid can enter the enclosure, but which substantially prevent entry of contaminants into the enclosure. The catheter product includes a body, and a vascular access member. The vascular access member has a first end and a second, vascular entry end. The first end is secured to the body and the second end is located distant from the body. The catheter product is located entirely within the enclosure. The catheter product is secured in position to the housing. The catheter product is removed from the housing after the second part is moved relative to the first part to open the enclosure.

Abstract: A package for a roll having flexible edge protection including at least one protective end cap adjacent one end of the roll and an outer cylindrical film layer surrounding the outer roll surface. The flexible edge cap and the cylindrical film layer form the flexible edge protection package.

Abstract: A composition comprising a storage-stable organ preservation solution, comprising a linear polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of approximately 20,000 Daltons and being essentially free of decomposition products. This solution can be used for organ preservation as a perfusate in a process in which the perfusate is flowed through the circulatory system of the organ, and can also be used for transplantation or routine open heart cardioplegic applications.

Abstract: A support pillow comprises a resilient pillow body having a medial region and two opposing arms extending from the medial region to form a generally open well. The pillow body includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A handle is coupled to the medial region at the outer periphery.

Abstract: A basket wrapping material forming a bow in a wrapping about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in the sheet of material about a basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, so that each can be used or further processed as desired, thereby addressing the environmental and economic issues associated with disposing of waste egg shells. The membrane and shell are separated by first processing waste egg shells so as to yield small waste egg shell particles. During this processing, the waste egg shell particles are at least slightly abraded, whereby the linking structure between the membrane and shell is at least partially disrupted. Thereafter, the waste egg shell particles are conveyed to a tank containing, preferably, water, and allowed to settle therethrough. As the waste egg shell particles settle, the particles experience turbulent forces in the liquid which cause the membrane and shell portions to fully separate. Since the membrane particles are very light, they tend to remain entrained in the liquid, where they are, for example, siphoned off and dewatered.

Abstract: A checkweighing station includes a weigh platform mounted on a load cell which in turn is mounted on a rotatable shaft so that the entire assembly can be rotated to tilt the platform in one direction for an acceptable weight of a weighed item and in another direction for a rejected weight or weight of a different catgegory. A memory device can determine a trend and make adjustments in a production process.

Abstract: The machine for the sorting by size of pear-shaped objects comprises a conveyor (10) able to move essentially horizontally and comprising a first alignment of equidistant and parallel primary rollers (30) separated each from the next by an interval allowing one object to pass through. The conveyor (10) also has a second alignment of secondary rollers (44) each arranged in alignment with an interval. The machine has means (42) to guide the secondary rollers (44) along a sorting path (14) of the conveyor, the guide means (42) being such as to move the secondary rollers progressively away from the primary rollers along the length of the sorting path (14). The primary and secondary rollers do not rotate about their axis for the greater part of the said sorting path (14).

Abstract: A diffuser system for multi-outlet pipe structures of the type found in coal pulverizer classifier skirts and in the piping between such classifiers and combustion chambers in coal-fired power plant delivery systems. A plurality of vertical and horizontal diffuser elements comprising toothed bars and rings are arranged in the “skirt” or plenum just prior to the multiple pipe outlets so as to effectively diffuse both axial and radial components of uneven flow distributions.

Abstract: An artificial spa generator comprises a clean water part, a spa generating part, and a first guide pipe connecting with the clean water part and the spa generating part. A dirt removing filter element, a softening filter element, and an active carbon filter element are provided in the clean water part respectively. The spa generating part is provided with spa medical stones therein. A flow meter is joined to the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe on the clean water part to count the quantity of water flowing into or out of the clean water part. The spa generating part joins a thermometer and a spa pipe. The clean water part at the outlet thereof joins a first guide pipe and a second guide pipe. The second guide pipe connects with an odor essence mixing part and the odor essence mixing part further comprises an odor essence storing section. A third control valve connects with the spa pipe and the second guide pipe. The second guide pipe joins a second control valve and connects with the spa pipe.

Abstract: The filter has hollow fiber membranes which are spaced apart from each other and are held in a substantially linear fashion between a first bonded layer and second bonded layer. This allows the membranes to work effectively without having to be looped. This placement also avoids the kinking of the membranes and stretching in the membrane which in turn would undesirably increase the pore size. The filter thus has a plurality of porous membranes, each membrane having a hollow passage therein and having a first end and second end, and each end having an opening. The first bonded layer is affixed to the first ends so as to block fluid entry through the openings of the first ends. The second bonded layer is affixed to the second ends so as to leave the openings of the second ends exposed for fluid exit from the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A liquid filter is provided of the type having a filter container with an inlet through the side of the container towards the lower end thereof, an outlet from the container, and a filter medium interposed between the inlet and outlet. The filter is adapted to utilize a filtration aid and to operate on the basis that at the termination of an operating cycle, filtration aid and dirt fall to the bottom of the container. The filtration aid and at least some dirt becomes stirred up and re-coated on the filter medium by liquid flowing into the container when the filter is started up once more. The inlet is fitted with a manifold having at least two outlet ports adapted to direct a portion of the inlet liquid in each of at least two generally opposite or substantially divergent directions.

Abstract: A tangential flow filtration apparatus is provided which includes a liquid feed reservoir and a tangential flow filtration module connected together by manifolds. The manifolds eliminate the need for tubular conduits, thereby effecting a reduction in recirculation volume for the apparatus.

Abstract: To pot membranes in a header, a dense, viscous liquid, suspension or, preferably, a thixotropic, water soluble gel, is placed in a header pan in space reserved for a permeate channel. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into the gel. A fixing liquid, typically a resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then solidifies, simultaneously sealing the outer surfaces of the membranes and forming a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed by various means. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed. In one embodiment, membranes are grouped by a cushioning adhesive which later surrounds the membranes where they exit the completed header.

Abstract: Dialysis apparatus comprising:

Abstract: A filter cartridge housing formed of a manifold and a bowl containing a filter cartridge is disclosed. The filtration cartridge and bowl are connected to each other to form a unitary construction. The filtration cartridge and bowl are in fluid communication with the manifold in a manner which prevents mixing of a fluid feed to the module and a permeate removed from the module. A threaded ring substantially fixed in a position relative to either the bowl or the manifold is used to positively drive the manifold and bowl together and apart as needed and to form a secure and liquid tight seal between the two components when they are together. The threaded ring is held by a key in the keyway on of the outer surface of the bowl or manifold. The threads of the ring mate with the threads on the manifold or bowl. As the ring is relatively fixed by the key/keyway to its position on the bowl or manifold, it moves the bowl relative to the manifold as the ring is rotated onto or off of the mating threads.