Abstract: The present invention provides a cryogenic refrigerating system for achieving ultra low temperature by sequentially obtaining low temperature through repetition of expansion and evaporation of a mixed-refrigerant in multiple stages. The refrigerating system includes a heat exchanger and a compressor between a final evaporator and a compressor. The heat exchanger causes evaporated refrigerant vapor in a suction tube for the compressor to be heated and to be drawn into the compressor, and causes the refrigerant condensed by a condenser to be supercooled. The refrigerating system includes a plurality of expansion/suction apparatuses connected with one another between the gas/liquid separator and the final evaporator.

Abstract: In order to magnify capacity control of a refrigeration cycle for an increased efficiency and achievement of compactness, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger on a side of a heat source, a liquid receiver, a heat exchanger on a side of use, and an electronic expansion valve, all of which are connected other by pipes, and comprises a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle and being a non-azeotropic refrigerant, a second liquid receiver for taking out a refrigerant vapor from an upper portion of the liquid receiver to condense and store the refrigerant, and a pipe connecting the second liquid receiver to the liquid receiver via a shut-off valve.

Abstract: A fashion bracelet having an elongated flexible strap and a case. The elongated flexible strap has two securable ends and an aperture formed therein. The case includes a base wall and a side wall defining a partially enclosed area with at least one indentation that is adapted to receive and secure at least one interchangeable cosmetic item. The partially enclosed area is enclosed by a cover pivotally mounted to the side wall, and the base wall and side wall are adapted to secure the case to the aperture of the flexible strap.

Abstract: A brilliant-cut gemstone having a pavilion, girdle, and crown is disclosed. The pavilion of the gemstone has 56 facets: specifically, 8 lower diamond-shaped facets, 16 middle kite-shaped facets, and 32 upper triangular facets. The girdle and table may be formed of one or more facets. In one preferred embodiment, the total number of crown facets (excluding the table) is 56, making a total of 114 facets (including the table). In another preferred embodiment, the total number of crown facets (excluding the table) is 64, making a total of 122 facets (including the table).

Abstract: A method for making silica includes delivering a silica precursor comprising a perfluorinated group to a conversion site and passing the silica precursor through a conversion flame to produce silica soot.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for melting and refining vitrifiable materials, such that all or part of the thermal energy necessary for melting the said vitrifiable materials is supplied by the combustion of fossil fuel(s) with at least one oxidizer gas, the said fuel(s)/gas or the gaseous products resulting from the combustion being injected below the level of the mass of vitrifiable materials (7). The refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting takes place at least partly in the form of a “thin layer”.

Abstract: A method for making silica includes delivering a silica precursor comprising a pseudohalogen to a conversion site and passing the silica precursor through a flame to produce silica soot.

Abstract: Thermal 3-D microstructuring of photonic structures is provided by depositing laser energy by non-linear absorption into a focal volume about each point of a substrate to be micromachined at a rate greater than the rate that it diffuses thereout to produce a point source of heat in a region of the bulk larger than the focal volume about each point that structurally alters the region of the bulk larger than the focal volume about each point, and by dragging the point source of heat thereby provided point-to-point along any linear and non-linear path to fabricate photonic structures in the bulk of the substrate. Exemplary optical waveguides and optical beamsplitters are thermally micromachined in 3-D in the bulk of a glass substrate. The total number of pulses incident to each point is controlled, either by varying the rate that the point source of heat is scanned point-to-point and/or by varying the repetition rate of the laser, to select the mode supported by the waveguide or beamsplitter to be micromachined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an elliptic core optical fiber, in which a original preform having a circular core disposed at the center of a circular clad is processed to flatten on its periphery to form a processed preform that is then drawn with heating into an elliptic core optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and device for aligning and connecting an optical fiber (or device) with another optical device, are disclosed. The method rotates the optical fiber about three axes that intersect at the end surface of the fiber core so that rotation of the fiber does not cause a translation of the end of the fiber. This allows the alignment to be done quickly and accurately. Further, by making one of the axes co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the fiber, variations or defects in the end surface (or a lens mounted thereon) can be accounted for in the alignment procedure. Once aligned the housings of the optical devices are soldered together using a hot air nozzle. The nozzle can then direct cool air toward the housings to rapidly cool the solder, or the temperature of the air can be slowly ramped down to provide for controlled cooling of the solder.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber soot, which comprises a core partition having an opening portion at core burner side provided on a periphery of a core burner, in a reactor of the apparatus to be used in a conventional VAD method.

Abstract: This invention relates to the utilization of a warp knitting machine for the manufacturing of open or closed tubes for protecting cables, conduits and the like, mainly for the protection of automobile cables.

Abstract: A combination padlock has a lock mechanism, which comprises two dials, with each being mounted on a shaft rod to prevent the two dials from being interfered with each other. The two dials are partially jutted out of the housing of the combination padlock to facilitate the turning of the dials with fingers at the same time.

Abstract: A security system for connecting a cable to consumer articles, such as cameras, and the like, to prevent unauthorized removal of the articles from a predetermined area while being displayed in retail establishments on open shelves. The system in its most basic form comprises a device including a security cable and a threaded fastener. The security cable is passed through the threaded fastener, and then the threaded fastener is attached into the body of the article. The threaded fastener head has a special configuration and cannot be removed without a special key, thereby preventing the unauthorized removal of the secured property. The threaded fastener also includes a circular borehole through the entire length of the threaded fastener to allow the cable to pass through the opening, and a step is provided inside the borehole to stop the cable from coming off the fastener.

Abstract: A portable lock box includes a box-shaped base member having an open front and top and a box-shaped front closure member having an open back and top. The base and front closure members include complementary horizontal support members and the front closure member is dimensioned to be slidably received through the open front of the base member to form a base assembly that may be filled with ballast. Respective support members define apertures through which elongate fasteners may be extended when aligned so as to couple the front closure member to the base member. A top panel is configured for slidable engagement with the base member so as to cover the open top. The top panel and base member include corresponding bores through which a rod may be extended and locked. Selected items may be stowed for safekeeping in a compartment mounted to an underside of the top panel.

Abstract: A lock device that may be locked automatically includes a base fixed on a door plate. An actuating tube received in the hole of the base is provided with a locking member combined with a handle. The lock core unit has a lock core that may drive an actuating plate to rotate. The drive wheel has a drive slot for insertion of the actuating plate, so that the drive wheel and the actuating plate may be rotated simultaneously. An elastic member has two stop ends rested on the leg of the restoring wheel, and rested on the two sides of the ear plate of the locking plate. The drive plate has a first end inserted into an unlocking rotation knob of the other side of the door plate, and a second end inserted into the drive slot of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A cable actuation and locking system is provided for operating a plurality of locking devices simultaneously using a single activation device. The cable actuation and locking system includes a lock actuator having an actuation member which is movable between first and second positions, at least one locking device having a movable bolt, a cable assembly interconnecting the actuation member to the bolt, and an activation device which is operatively connected to the actuation member. The activation device is operable to move the actuation member between the first and second positions to move the bolt between locked and unlocked positions. A plurality of locking devices may be provided and interconnected with the actuation member such that operation of the activation device will effect the operation of multiple locking devices simultaneously. In one preferred embodiment, the activation device comprises a key operated rotatable lock core and the device comprises a rotatable plate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle locking device with a motor vehicle lock (1) with a connection coupling (2), a lock actuation unit (3) located at a distance from the lock, with a connection coupling (5), and a shaft (7) as the coupling between the connection couplings (2, 5). The shaft (7) has an outer jacket (8) which passes essentially completely between the connection couplings (2, 5), and which normally cannot be turned in the connection coupling (2), and the outer jacket (8) is coupled to a blocking element (9) so that, when the outside jacket (8) is forcibly turned around its lengthwise axis, the blocking element (9) blocks the force transmission element (10) of the connection coupling (2), which element is connected to the shaft (7) or mounted on it, before actuation of the lock mechanism of the motor vehicle lock (1) by the shaft (7) can take place.

Abstract: A method of forming a bottle-shaped or other contoured metal container by subjecting a hollow metal preform having a closed end to internal fluid pressure to cause the preform to expand against the wall of a die cavity defining the desired shape, and advancing a punch into the die cavity to displace and deform the closed end of the preform after expansion begins but before it is complete. The pressure-subjecting step is performed by simultaneously subjecting the preform in the die cavity to independently controllable internal and external positive fluid pressures and varying the difference between them to control strain rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallic, precise columnar member having an outer diameter with high accuracy, wherein the columnar member comprises a plurality of flattened thread ridges having a predetermined outer diameter provided on the surface of a metallic columnar blank in an axial direction. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of using rolling to form a plurality of thread ridges on the surface thereof and using rolling or drawing to make the tops of the thread ridges flat.

Abstract: A straightening machine for straightening an elongated body, such as a pipe, a composite pipe or a rod, including a machine frame (2,3) and a number of radially adjustable straightening rolls (32-35) mounted alongside a straightening channel (20) and offset or alternatingly on supports (24-27) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (10) and in a circumferential direction. The machine allows an adjustment to different diameters or outer contours of the elongated bodies, and for this purpose, the supports (24-27) are guided in at least one displacement plate (8, 9) about the longitudinal axis (10) of the straightening channel (20). The displacement plate (8, 9) includes first adjustment elements (36-39) which engage second adjustment elements (40, 41) on the supports (24-27) such that the radial spacing of the straightening rolls (32-35) relative to the longitudinal axis (10) is changed by turning the displacement plate (8, 9).

Abstract: A process is set forth for cold rolling of a metal strip, wherein the metal strip passes through a nip between two counter-rotating rolls, driven in counter-rotation substantially at room temperature, wherein a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, is blown into the area of the nip or roll gap. A roll stand according to the present invention comprises two counter-rotating rolls forming a nip or rolling gap and nozzle means for blowing a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, through at least one orifice of said nozzle means into the area of the roll nip. Preferably, the temperature of the cold and/or liquefied gas is appreciably lower than room temperature.

Abstract: A strip treatment line in which downstream of the processing roll stand for stainless steel strip, first and second tension rolls are provided to directly form a prestretching zone A for elastic or elastoplastic stretching of the strip following the dressing mill stand and for providing an afterstretching zone with elastoplastic or plastic stretching of the strip.

Abstract: A two-line roll stand has a frame, an upper shaft on the frame, and two lower shafts on the frame spaced horizontally from each other below the upper shaft and forming with the upper shaft an isosceles triangle. Identical drive units each have a pair of rolls and gearing connected to the respective rolls. The lower shafts each carry three drive units and the upper shaft carries at least four of the drive units. The drive units of the lower shafts define a pair of roll lines spaced below and symmetrically flanking the upper shaft. The upper-shaft drive units are aligned on the lines with the rolls of the respective lower-shaft drive units. A single motor has an output directly connected to drive gears on the shafts for synchronously rotating all the shafts and thereby rotating all the rolls via the respective bevel gears and the respective drive units.

Abstract: A rolling system has a die having a row of separate throughgoing passages for producing a plurality of continuously advancing and parallel hot metal strands and a plurality of pinch rollers for pulling the strands out of the die and moving them in a direction along a path. A vertical-roll stand on the path receives the strands and horizontally compresses them. A horizontal-roll stand on the path aligned in the direction with the vertical-roll stand receives the strands and vertically compresses them. The rolls are rotated to draw the strands downstream.

Abstract: A strip rolling mill includes a pair of upper and lower work rolls for rolling a strip, intermediate rolls for supporting each of the paired work rolls, and back-up rolls for supporting each of the intermediate rolls. Each of the work rolls is provided with a tapered portion at a vicinity to one end thereof in such a way that the tapered portions of the work rolls are on opposite sides of roll bodies thereof with respect to roll axis directions. The rolling method for the strip rolling mill comprises the steps of: when the material with a constant width is being rolled, setting axial positions of the work rolls at appropriate positions and changing axial positions of the intermediate rolls to control a thickness distribution in a width direction of the material being rolled.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a seal to a substrate includes a plurality of swage dies having overlapped side surfaces configured to prevent clamp ring fold up between the swage dies.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming components from continuous stock includes a stock feeder, a tool bed, a source of pressured fluid and a control panel. The tool bed has a plurality of horizontally extending tooling rails mounted on a vertical front surface for selectively and releasably attaching one or more of a plurality of tool pallets. Each tool pallet has one or more tools for performing forming operations on stock received from the stock feeder. Tool actuators mounted on the pallet are connected to the fluid source through valves operated by the control panel. The tool pallets are easily replaced for maintenance or changeover to a new component. The control panel generates a plurality of screens for programming, testing and automatically running programs consisting of forming steps to be performed.

Abstract: A malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator for pressurized fluid includes malfunction judgment unit for judging a malfunction of the bellows type accumulator on the basis of a detection output of the pressure sensor. The malfunction judgment unit judges that the malfunction of the seal member generates when the difference between a peak pressure value appeared before a predetermined time is past after the starting of the pressure increase from a value below a predetermined value in the inlet and outlet port and a stable fluid pressure appeared after the appearance of the peak pressure value is not within a predetermined range and/or when the peak pressure value does not appear before the progress of the predetermined time.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inspecting the airtightness of a gas sensor includes an atmosphere-side jig (22) located at a base end side of a sub assembly (1) of the gas sensor, and a measurement-gas-side jig (21) located at a distal end side of the sub assembly (1). The measurement-gas-side jig (21) includes an air chamber (211), a socket (215) receiving the sub assembly (1), and a high-pressure air source (219) supplying a high-pressure air to the air chamber (211). The atmosphere-side jig (22) includes a sealed chamber (221), a socket (225) receiving the sub assembly (1), an airtightly sealing portion (220), a low-pressure air source (229) supplying the sealed chamber (221) with a pressure lower than a pressure of the high-pressure air supplied to the air chamber (211), and a sensor portion (23) leading to the sealed chamber (221).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products determine the porosity or effective air void content of a compacted material sample of pavement or construction materials undergoing analysis corresponding to different measurements of field or lab formed material samples. The effective air void content represents a subset of the total air void content of the material sample.

Abstract: The Invention concerns an apparatus for and method for the simultaneous determination of permeation rate through and desorption rate from a polymeric specimen, the method comprising

Abstract: A flexible circuit film oil sensor includes a flexible circuit film surrounded by a flexible border. A core support flap and a weld flap are attached to opposite ends of the flexible border. The flexible circuit film includes an oil level sensing electrode surface, an oil condition sensing electrode surface, a resistive temperature device, and a common electrode surface. The flexible circuit film engine oil sensor is wrapped around a core structure so that a spiral oil chamber is formed. Accordingly, the spiral oil chamber is at least partially filled with oil and electrical signals are provided across the electrode surfaces in order to monitor the level and condition of oil within the sensor. Additionally, the resistive temperature device provides a signal representative of the temperature of the oil within the sensor.

Abstract: A method of measuring a concentration and a molecular weight distribution of glue or gelatin contained in an electrolyte, which comprises high performance liquid chromatography combined with column switching.

Abstract: Testing process and apparatus for determining absorption properties of a porous specimen. The porous specimen is brought in a predetermined state of contact with the body of water held by a reservoir, for inducing water absorption in the porous specimen. A weight of the porous specimen is monitored for a predetermined time period once the contact is established to produce weight data over time. The predetermined state of contact is maintained substantially constant during the time period by permanent circulation of water in the reservoir. The absorption properties of the porous specimen are determined as a function of the weight data over time.

Abstract: A method for determining physical properties of micromachined cantilevers used in cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments and chemical or biological sensing probes. The properties that may be so determined include optical lever sensitivity, cantilever spring constant and cantilever-sample separation. Cantilevers characterized with the method may be used to determine fluid flow rates. The method is based on measurements of cantilever deflection resulting from drag force as the cantilever is moved through fluid. Unlike other methods for determining such physical properties of cantilevers, the method described does not depend on cantilever contact with a well-defined rigid surface. Consequently, the method may be employed in situations where such contact is undesirable or inconvenient.

Abstract: The output level (vibration level) of vibration of a portion below the spring of a vehicle detected by a vibration sensor mounted to the portion below the spring of the vehicle is frequency converted by frequency analyzing means 14F to obtain the frequency spectrum of the vibration level and an operation is carried out on at least two vibration levels at different frequency bands of the obtained frequency spectrum by vibration level computing means 14R, and this computed value is compared with a master curve showing the frequency spectrum of vibration level stored in vibration level storage means 16S to estimate the condition of a road surface so as to estimate the running state of the vehicle.

Abstract: An oil level/condition sensor includes a first level sensing tube, a common tube, and a second level sensing tube. The tubes are concentric to each other around a central axis. Moreover, the tubes are separated by plastic spacers which insulate the level sensing tubes from the common tube and maintain the concentricity of the tubes. Installed in the end of the first level sensing tube is a coupling/plug and disposed around the coupling/plug is a first condition sensing tube. The coupling/plug insulates the first level sensing tube from the first condition sensing tube and prevents fluid communication therebetween. A second condition sensing tube is attached to the second level sensing tube around the common tube and the first condition sensing tube. A ring-shaped insulator electrically isolates the second condition sensing tube from the second level sensing tube.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, particularly an object being shot or launched, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball being shot from a gun or an arrow being shot from a bow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line.

Abstract: A vibration sensing assembly includes a vibration sensor which is connected to a thread and sends a signal to a signal control unit when a vibration is received by the vibration sensor. The signal control unit sends a signal to an activator such as a relay to activate a fan, light or the like. The signal sent to the activator may be sent by infra-red beam or electric wave, and the signal can be processed by encoding-decoding processes.

Abstract: A low-power, inexpensive acoustic apparatus for levitation and/or concentration of aerosols and small liquid/solid samples having particulates up to several millimeters in diameter in air or other fluids is described. It is constructed from a commercially available, hollow cylindrical piezoelectric crystal which has been modified to tune the resonance frequency of the breathing mode resonance of the crystal to that of the interior cavity of the cylinder. When the resonance frequency of the interior cylindrical cavity is matched to the breathing mode resonance of the cylindrical piezoelectric transducer, the acoustic efficiency for establishing a standing wave pattern in the cavity is high. The cylinder does not require accurate alignment of a resonant cavity. Water droplets having diameters greater than 1 mm have been levitated against the force of gravity using less than 1 W of input electrical power. Concentration of aerosol particles in air is also demonstrated.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the vibration of a plurality of rotating blades (12), such as turbine blades in a gas turbine engine, includes the steps of providing a single strain gauge (16A) on a single one (12A) of the blades and providing either one or two tip timing probes (22A, 22B) on a casing surrounding the blades. The data from the strain gauge (16A) allows the vibration of the single blade (12A) to be fully characterized while the data from the tip timing probes (22A, 22B) allows the amplitudes or velocities of vibration of all the blades to be determined. The relationship between the data from the tip timing probes for the single blade (12A) and the stress data from the strain gauge may be established. This relationship may then be assumed to apply to all the blades, thus allowing the stresses induced in all the blades by the vibrations to be determined.

Abstract: Ultrasound echoes (L5, L8, etc.) through the substrate (2) of a test piece (1) are collected and their amplitudes are measured, their decay being a function of the bond of a coating (2) deposited on the opposite face of the substrate (2); preliminary tests on calibration test pieces give a correlation function so that it is no longer necessary to carry out expensive and uncertain mechanical tests on the test pieces (1).

Abstract: A surrogate component for shock testing is disclosed that includes a housing with exterior dimensions, mass, and a center of gravity approximately the same as the exterior dimensions, mass, and center of gravity of a counterpart component. The housing also has a stiffness greater than the counterpart component and has an interface for securing a sensor. In particular, the counterpart component may be hard drive and the housing may be constructed from a molybdenum material.

Abstract: A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal detecting device can be used to detect standing waves in a tire. A one degree F. differential has been found to exist between the high flexing points and the low flexing points in a standing wave, and thermal imaging can be used to map the wave. Information on the standing waves can be used by the tire designer to improve a design.

Abstract: A reflective movable diaphragm unit 2 having diaphragm portions 25 formed by a circular SiO2 film, a mesa portion 22 and light-reflecting mirror portion 23 of the SiO2 film disposed in the center, and a ring-shaped spacer 24a and bonding layer 24b formed of metal layers in the circumferential edge portion of the diaphragm portion 25, whereby a pressure sensor is formed.

Abstract: A multiaxial high cycle fatigue test system for testing bending, torsion, and tension of a test unit, comprises servo-hydraulic components, including a hydraulic service manifold, two small high frequency actuators along a first axis, and one large main actuator along a second axis

Abstract: A semi-flush air data sensing probe is formed as an elongated bubble housing directly supported on an aircraft surface having a generally longitudinally extending rounded outer edge surface with a rounded contoured leading end. The housing has top and bottom wall surfaces extending from the supporting surface to the rounded outer surface. The trailing end of the housing is smaller than the leading end and is contoured to provide for smooth airflow past the housing. A central longitudinally extending plane that bisects the housing and which is perpendicular to the supporting surface, forms a reference. A forwardly facing port is at the leading end and centered on the central plane, and a pair of angle of attack sensing ports are on the leading end and are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the longitudinally extending plane. A static pressure sensing port also is provided on the housing at a position along the rounded outer edge surface and spaced downstream from the leading end.

Abstract: A method and system for determining fluid flow rates through a motor driven pump controlled by a variable speed drive is disclosed. The variable speed motor drive is used to characterize a pump fluid flow for a plurality of motor torque values at a plurality of known pump speeds. These characterized pump flow rate/torque values/speed are stored and used to determine a pump fluid flow at a measured pump speed and motor torque by interpolating between the known characterized fluid flow/torque/speed values. In another aspect of the invention, the pump flow rate at a measured torque, at a specified characterizing speed value is determined by interpolating between known characterizing pump flow rates. The determined pump flow rates can then be used to determine pump flow rates at a measured speed by interpolating between corresponding speed values which bound the measured speed.