Abstract: In order to suppress the quantity of the nitrogen oxide to be released to the atmosphere when the operation state is shifted from the engine operation with lean air fuel ratio to that with stoichiometric air fuel ratio, the exhaust gas purification apparatus is arranged such that by forced rich operation, when the operation state is shifted from the engine operation with lean air fuel ratio to that with stoichiometric air fuel ratio, the operation state is shifted to the engine operation with stoichiometric air fuel ratio after performing that with rich air fuel ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus control an emission of an internal combustion engine. The emission control of the internal combustion engine has a three-way catalyst and a NOx storage-reduction catalyst in an exhaust passage. The emission control reduces NOx stored in the catalyst to recover its NOx storing capability by performing a rich spike control during a lean burn operation. The emission control apparatus has an electronic control unit that limits the execution time of the rich spike control and, after the elapse of the limited execution time, performs a stoichiometric burn operation. The emission control prevents prolongation of the rich spike control and thereby prevents deterioration of HC and CO emissions. By performing the stoichiometric burn operation after the elapse of the limited time of the rich spike control, the emission control apparatus recovers the NOx storing capability while avoiding deterioration of HC and CO emissions.

Abstract: In order to prevent that a liquid reducing agent in a selective catalytic reduction system freezes, there are provided additional resistor heating elements on the pressure sensor diaphragm of the pressure sensor that is present in the reducing agent feed system. The same technique is applied in the production of the heating sensors as in the production of the sensor resistance network. The use of the sensor diaphragm surface for the electrical heating of the liquid reducing agent (e.g., aqueous urea solution) eliminates the need for additional installation space, sealed areas, and connectors for the electrical supply and triggering mechanism.

Abstract: An arrangement for treating exhaust emitted from an Otto engine with direct fuel injection, includes an engine-proximate catalytic converter and a NOx adsorber which is linked to the catalytic converter by an exhaust pipe. An outer tube with a flexible length portion in the form of a metallic bellows surrounds the exhaust pipe at formation of a circumferential gap therebetween. Provided in the gap is a metal powder which releases or adsorbs hydrogen gas in dependence on a temperature in the gap, wherein the gap is evacuated to provide a heat-insulating atmosphere.

Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a fixed capacity hydraulic pump and a variable capacity hydraulic motor, connected by a hydraulic closed circuit. A control system and method for the variable transmission provides a good deceleration feeling when going downhill. In accordance with the control system and method, a range of a selected gear is determined. Next, it is determined whether the vehicle is in an automatic gear shift mode. If these conditions are met, it is then determined whether or not certain criteria for descent control are satisfied. The certain criteria may include: (1) whether the throttle is closed; (2) a speed or acceleration of the vehicle; (3) whether the acceleration exceeds a threshold; and (4) whether simultaneous satisfaction of conditions (1)-(3) exist for a period of time exceeding a fixed time. If all of the criteria are satisfied, the gear ratio is shifted by a specified amount towards a LOW side.

Abstract: The pneumatic power system of this invention is a process that measures at very high resolution the pressure and/or rate of flow profile at various points throughout the pneumatic circuitry of a piece of pneumatic equipment in a manufacturing environment. Candidates for this process must use compressed air to move, lift, convey, actuate or otherwise influence the manufacturing process. The signature profile allows for high resolution measurement and recording of pressure and/or rate of flow changes throughout the process when the equipment is fully adjusted and tuned to produce product at maximum efficiency and quality. Once optimum adjustments are obtained, the pneumatic profiling process records the pressure profiles throughout the system and uses the model profile as a benchmark to compare all subsequent profile data.

Abstract: A hydraulic system manifold having a body, a counterbalancer in the body and a flow controller in the body is disclosed. The body has first and second pump ports, first and second cylinder ports, first and second compensator ports and first and second supply conduits in communication with the first and second pump ports, the counterbalancer and the flow controller. The counterbalancer is in communication with the first and second supply conduits and the cylinder ports, to communicate hydraulic fluid between the first and second supply conduits and the first and second cylinder ports while counterbalancing hydraulic fluid pressure in the first and second supply conduits. The flow controller is in communication with the first and second supply conduits and the compensator ports, to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the compensator ports and the first and second supply conduits to supply and store hydraulic fluid in a volumetric compensator in communication with the compensator ports.

Abstract: A master cylinder includes a restraining device arranged between the first and second pistons for preventing the return spring from being compressed and expanded beyond a certain extent. The restraining device includes a first, substantially sleeve-shaped component and a second, substantially pin-shaped component. The pin-shaped component includes a flange which projects radially outwards. The sleeve-shaped component includes a first receiving flange which positively interacts with the flange of the pin-shaped component. The sleeve-shaped component includes at least one introduction opening which enables the flange on the pin-shaped component to be laterally introduced into the sleeve-shaped component. The end of the sleeve-shaped component includes a second receiving flange which positively interacts with a flanged projection on the second piston which projects radially outwards.

Abstract: A water-activated locking mechanism has a housing with a chamber formed therein. Compressed water-absorbent fiber pellets are housed in the chamber. Ports in the housing allow water to enter the chamber when the housing is immersed in water. Mounted in the housing is a slidable piston assembly that is biased towards the chamber with a first end of the piston assembly residing in the chamber. A pin assembly is slidably mounted in the housing at an angle relative to the piston assembly. The pin assembly is biased towards the piston assembly with one end of the pin assembly contacting an indented portion of the piston assembly to define a first position of the pin assembly. When the housing is immersed in water, the fiber pellets expand and apply a force to the first end of the piston assembly. The piston assembly then slides within the housing with the indented portion thereof moving past the pin assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for increasing the efficiency and economy of direct iron making processes. In one aspect, the energy contained in off gases produced during a direct iron making process may be utilized in a variety of ways to generate electricity. In another aspect, the off gases may be used to control the pressure in the reaction vessel and increase reaction rates and productivity. In yet another aspect, the sulfur content of the off gases is lowered which reduces the amount of scrubbing required before emission into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for equalizing fluid pressure in a primary fluid flow region, comprised of providing a modulating fluid flow region adjacent to the primary flow region and separating the two regions with a perforated wall. By controlling the fluid pressure in the modulating fluid flow region, and permitting fluid to flow between the perforated wall, the fluid pressure in the primary fluid flow region is equalized. The perforations may be formed either in at least one ring about the perimeter of the plenum or at least one row along the longitudinal direction of the plenum. Furthermore, at least one of the perforations may be canted in either the longitudinal or radial directions. This method is important in equalizing the air pressure in a turbine engine air inlet and thereby avoiding aerodynamic distortions in said inlet. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for equalizing the pressure in a primary fluid flow region.

Abstract: A system is described for allowing transient power augmentation of a gas turbine or a gas turbine combined cycle power plant. A reservoir of pressurized and/or liquefied gas is installed to store a temporary supply of gas turbine working fluid. This supply of working fluid is available for near instantaneous admission to the gas turbine at the compressor discharge or combustion system to boost output, as may be desirable to assist in supporting electrical grid frequency during a transient disturbance (frequency reduction).

Abstract: A nitrogen compressor in an IGCC (integrated gasification, combined cycle) system provides gaseous nitrogen to be directly injected into the combustor of a gas turbine in the IGCC. The nitrogen is injected at substantially the same pressure as the output pressure from the nitrogen compressor. The compressor is controlled to adjust the output pressure of the nitrogen to match a nitrogen injection pressure for the combustor. By controlling the flow (pressure) of the nitrogen injected to a combustor of a gas turbine at the nitrogen compressor, the compressor is relieved of having to overcome the pressure loss through the nitrogen injection valves (which valves are run at or near full open throughout the operation of the nitrogen injection process), and does not need to provide nitrogen at a pressure substantially greater than the nitrogen pressure injected into the combustor.

Abstract: A waste-heat gas driven cogeneration having a micro gas turbine, driving portions including high-temperature-side hydrogen storage alloy containers respectively and operated by heat exchange between waste-heat gas generated from the turbine and a cooling heat medium, and cold-heat generating portions including low-temperature-side hydrogen storage alloy containers respectively to absorb and release hydrogen into/from the containers to generate cold heat and supply the cold heat.

Abstract: A low-cost thermoelectric module utilizing a greatly reduced quantity of thermoelectric material as compared to similar prior art thermoelectric modules. An egg crate design containing thermoelectric elements is utilized in the present invention. However, the walls of the egg crate in the parts of the module separating the thermoelectric elements are made thick so that the total cross sectional area of the elements is less than 75 percent of the total module cross sectional area. The spaces above and below the elements are filled with a high heat and electric conducting material such as aluminum. This produces funnel-shaped conductors funneling heat and electric current into and out of each of the thermoelectric elements. The payoff to this approach is that the heat flux through the hot and cold module surfaces can be maintained while producing the same power output with about half the thermoelectric material or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated container, particularly a cooler bag, for the refrigerated transportation of foods, substances and/or articles, having a jacket surrounding a transportation space or area and a closable opening is provided in the jacket for accessing the transportation space. According to the invention the insulated container is characterized in that in the transportation space is received an active cooling device with a heat exchange device, that in the jacket there is at least one recess and that the recess is constructed for receiving and passing to the outside the heat exchange device.

Abstract: A dual pulse width modulated driver controls the operation of a thermo-electric cooler for stabilizing the operating temperature of a laser. The pulse width modulator has complementary outputs coupled to control inputs of dual pairs of complementary polarity electronic switching elements, that are coupled in circuit between first and second power supply terminals, and a pair of output nodes. The output nodes are coupled in common through a low pass filters to drive terminals of a thermoelectric cooling element. The thermal output generated by the thermoelectric cooling element is coupled to the laser. The thermal output of the cooling element is monitored by a temperature sensing element mounted with the laser and provides an output voltage in linear proportion of its thermal input. This output voltage is fed back through a temperature control servo loop to a differential summing circuit, which is also coupled to receive a reference voltage used to control the duty cycle of the pulse width modulator.

Abstract: A device for storing gas includes at least one container (1) for gas, of the high pressure type, that has an outlet conduit with which is associated a branch (5) ensuring a closeable calibrated loss. The gas is in gaseous phase in this container over a range of pressures extending from about 40 to 250 bars and preferably from 50 to 200 bars and over a range of temperatures extending from about 15° K to 210° K and preferably from 20° K to 200° K. The device includes a thermally insulating envelope (2) in which the container (1) is disposed.

Abstract: A complete infrastructure system for the generation, storage, transportation, and delivery of hydrogen which makes a hydrogen ecosystem possible. The infrastructure system utilizes high capacity, low cost, light weight thermal hydrogen storage alloy materials having fast kinetics. Also, a novel hydrogen storage bed design which includes a support/heat-transfer component which is made from a highly porous, high thermal conductivity, solid material such as a high thermal conductivity graphitic foam. Finally a material including at least one particle having atomically engineered local chemical and electronic environments, characterized in that the local environments providing bulk nucleation.

Abstract: An open flow cryostat for cooling a sample in use comprises a supply (1) for supplying a coolant, an outlet (2) for directing a flow of the coolant towards the sample, a supply line (3) for transporting coolant from the supply to the outlet and an isolation line (5) arranged to transport at least some of the coolant away from the outlet. The isolation line (5) is positioned in contact with at least a portion of the supply line (3) to thermally isolate the supply line (3) from the surroundings.

Abstract: A method for maintaining selectable cold storage temperatures for protracted periods of time using pre-mixed thermal control materials having predetermined melting temperatures equal to the selectable cold storage temperatures is provided. According to preferred embodiments, the thermal control materials are solutions that are filled into cold packs and the solutions are frozen to maintain selected temperatures less than 0° C. The present invention includes methods of storage and transport of materials using the cold packs.

Abstract: Viable biological material is cryogenically preserved (cryopreservation) by preparing the material for freezing, immersing the material in a tank of cooling fluid, and circulating the cooling fluid past the material at a substantially constant predetermined velocity and temperature to freeze the material. A method according to the present invention freezes the biologic material quickly enough to avoid the formation of ice crystals within cell structures (vitrification). The temperature of the cooling fluid is preferably between −20° C. and −30° C., which is warm enough to minimize the formation of stress fractures in cell membranes due to thermal changes. Cells frozen using a method according to the present invention have been shown to have approximately an 80 percent survival rate, which is significantly higher than other cryopreservation methods.

Abstract: An improved cooling system provides cooling away from the surface of electrical and electronic components with very low parasitic power consumption and very high heat transfer rates. The component to be cooled is in thermal contact with a cold plate evaporator device. Refrigerant is circulated by a liquid refrigerant pump to the cold plate evaporator device, and the liquid refrigerant is at least partially evaporated by the heat generated by the component. The vapor is condensed by a conventional condenser coil and the condensed liquid along with any unevaporated liquid is returned to the pump. The system operates nearly isothermally in both evaporation and condensation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a refrigeration cycle without icing of the evaporator of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an air conditioner having a multi-compressor. The method comprises the steps of: first determining, in order to accomplish a set temperature after a user starts the air conditioner, a cooling load of a room by measuring an on-time for which at least two compressors are run, in a manner such that the more the one-time of the compressors is long, the more the cooling load of the room is judged to be large; and operating the air conditioner by changing a compressing capacity of the compressors in response to a first determined cooing load, in a manner such that, when the cooling load is large, the air conditioner is operated by a first combination of compressors, having a large compressing capacity, and, when the cooling load is small, the air conditioner is operated by a second combination of compressors, having a small compressing capacity.

Abstract: A system includes a compressor and an expansion valve. The exit side of the compressor and the inlet side of the expansion valve are connected by a high pressure conduit, and the exit side of the expansion valve and the inlet side of the compressor are connected by a low pressure conduit. A bypass conduit is connected to the high pressure conduit and the low pressure conduit and a flow rate regulating valve is mounted on the bypass conduit. A control unit controls the expansion valve and the flow rate regulating valve to perform two starting operations in such a way that the flow rate regulating valve is open and the expansion valve is closed in a first starting operation, and the flow rate regulating valve is closed and the electronic expansion valve is open to a predetermined extent in a second starting operation. The compressor is controlled by a duty control signal having a period shorter than a period during a normal operation for starting operations.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a permanent magnet electric motor with a high output power characteristic in a cooling and heating range and a high output characteristic even in defrosting operation in a high-speed range.

Abstract: A control valve is located in a variable displacement compressor that is installed in a refrigerant circuit. The control valve operates such that the pressure difference between first and second pressure monitoring points in the refrigerant circuit seeks a predetermined target value. The first pressure monitoring point is located in a discharge chamber of the compressor. The second pressure monitoring point is located in a flow pipe that extends from the discharge chamber. The static pressure of refrigerant in the discharge chamber is introduced into a control valve from the first pressure monitoring point. A pressure that includes the static pressure and the dynamic pressure of refrigerant in the flow pipe is introduced into the control valve from the second pressure monitoring point. As a result, the displacement of the compressor is reliably controlled without being affected by the thermal load of an evaporator.

Abstract: A flake ice machine and a method for the monitoring of a flake ice machine are disclosed. On opening the water inlet valve a clock is started and, after a certain filling time, the water inlet valve is closed, even if a sensor (6) in the evaporator trough (2) has not detected reaching the maximum fill level.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a display case having a bottom, a top, a first side, a second side, and a viewing area, all of which define a display space. A refrigeration coil cools the display case. At least one fan is adjacent the coil and propels cool air through the display space. A vertical channel communicates with the fan and orifices along the channel distribute air horizontally across the display space. At least one surface extends across the display space and directs air along a different horizontal path.

Abstract: A freezer (106) is provided with a connector (120) and connected to a semiconductor equipment (10). The connector (120) may include a connector for power supply (120a), a connector for data communication (120b) and a connector for analog signal (120c). Therefore, the semiconductor equipment (10) can transmit data and signal to the outside while being cooled in the freezer (106). With this constitution, a semiconductor equipment housed in a cooling system for high-speed operation and a refrigerator for cooling the semiconductor equipment are provided.

Abstract: Cooling devices are provided to reduce a person's temperature by evaporative, convective, and/or conductive cooling. One such device maximizes evaporative cooling by aiding the flow of air to the person and the removal of vapor-laden air from the person. An upper sheet and a base sheet are adhered to define numerous elongated, parallel, inflatable cooling chambers separated by flat connecting membranes. Ventilating cross-members interconnect the cooling chambers. Air enters the chambers through an inlet, exits the chambers toward the person through air permeable regions of the base sheet. Air heated by the person's body exits the device upward through evaporation openings in the connecting membranes. The foregoing device, or different variations thereof, may be modified for use in conductive cooling by adding an absorbent sheet beneath the base sheet, or substituting the absorbent sheet for the base sheet itself.

Abstract: The instant invention is an insulated hollowed out cooler box with an insulated lid unit and with an external illumination system built into the frontal walling of the box which illumination system consists of a transparent plate covering a bulb filled with inert gas seated within the frontal walling with wiring affixed to the bulb leading to a manually operable switching unit and wiring leading therefrom to a terminal of a portable battery held within a compartment built into the frontal walling just behind where the bulb is seated and with wiring leading from the second terminal of the battery back to the bulb and with a cover plate serving to encase the battery within the compartment which said cover plate is affixable adjacent the switching unit in the top side of such frontal walling.

Abstract: An air treatment system having an outer heat exchange coil, an inner heat exchange coil spaced-apart from and encompassed by the outer heat exchange coil, seal structure positioned with respect to both coils so that air pulled through the air treatment system by air movement apparatus may flow through the inner heat exchange coil without flowing through the outer heat exchange coil; and in one aspect, an air treatment system having an outer heat exchange coil; an inner heat exchange coil within the outer heat exchange coil; the inner coil spaced-apart from the outer heat exchange coil; the inner heat exchange coil and the outer heat exchange coil defining an inner chamber therebetween; the inner chamber positioned so that air exhaust apparatus above the inner heat exchange coil moves air into the inner chamber for exhausting therefrom by the air exhaust apparatus; air flowing from outside the outer heat exchange coil, through the outer heat exchange coil, and into the inner chamber; and air flowing from outsi

Abstract: The invention relates to a cascade refrigeration system with screw compressors (3) connected with each other thermally via a heat exchanger (20) wherein the refrigerant of the low-temperature circuit is condensed in said heat exchanger (20), and the refrigerant of the high-temperature circuit is expanded in said heat exchanger (20), and in addition to said heat exchanger (20) a desuperheater (8) is arranged in flow direction ahead of said heat exchanger (20) in which the working medium of the low-temperature side is cooled down, while the working medium of the high temperature circuit is expanded.

Abstract: A shipping container for exothermic material comprises an outer container and a plurality of inner containers enclosed within the outer container with a quantity of coolant material adjacent the inner containers. Each inner container includes a box defining an enclosure, a fluted insert disposed within such enclosure for supporting a plurality of vessels, such as plastic syringes containing exothermic material. Each fluted insert includes a plurality of open ended recesses for receiving the syringes separated by upstanding walls defining a barrier between the supported syringes. A pair of heat shields, one at the bottom and one at the top of each inner box, is included for dissipating heat therewithin. Plural inner containers housing exothermic material are bubble-wrapped in a stacked arrangement with gel packs between each inner container.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system for airplanes is proposed in which a portion of the fresh airflow to be prepared is tapped at high pressure from a power unit and another portion is sucked in from the surroundings. The energy potential of the tapped airflow is utilized to compress the ambient air. The compressed ambient air and the tapped air are mixed into a mixed airflow before the mixed airflow's pressure is expanded in one or more turbine stages (T1, T2). Water is separated from the mixed airflow between the mixing point (X) and the first turbine stage 1 (T1). In order to cool down the tapped airflow to a temperature at which water can be separated at all, the tapped airflow is guided past the entire cooler mixed airflow, preferably in two steps (REH, CON), namely once before the pressure expansion and another time after the pressure expansion of the mixed airflow in the first turbine stage (T1) .

Abstract: A refrigeration unit assembly includes: a compressor, and a condenser oriented in a wrap-around relationship with said compressor.

Abstract: Accumulator in an air conditioner including a body having an inlet formed in a top portion thereof, first means fitted near to the inlet in the body for filtering contaminants, second means fitted under the first means for filtering oil, and an outlet tube for recovering oil stored in the body to a compressor, thereby preventing an unnecessary excessive operation of the compressors to improve an energy efficiency.

Abstract: An assembly of gemstones which fit together to form a unitary shape is provided. The stones preferably make up an oval and are preferably four in number. Two of the stones are smaller than the other two. The larger stones are approximately 5/3 the size of the smaller stones.

Abstract: A process and furnace for melting glass is set forth wherein the majority of the combustion energy over the melting zone of the furnace is provided by oxy-fuel combustion while a majority of the combustion energy over the fining zone of the furnace is provided by air-fuel combustion. In many cases, it will be preferable to provide greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the melting zone by oxy-fuel combustion and greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the fining zone by air-fuel combustion. By proper tailoring of the combustion space atmosphere through oxy-fuel and air-fuel firing, the present invention can result in an improvement in glass productivity and quality. The present invention can be applied in the construction of a new furnace or can be applied to existing air-fuel furnaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber, which comprises a furnace for melting a sealed preform assembly to draw an uncoated optical fiber, a coater for coating the uncoated optical fiber, a capstan for drawing the optical fiber from the optical fiber preform by applying a drawing force, an adjoiner for holding a primary optical fiber preform inserted centrally into an overcladding tube with an equidistant space between the outer surface of the primary optical fiber preform and the inner surface of the overcladding tube, and a preform positioner for supporting the sealed preform assembly in a specified position with respect to the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluorinated rare earth doped glass composition and method for making a glass-ceramic optical article therefrom, e.g. optical fiber waveguides, fiber lasers and active fiber amplifiers, having application in the 1300 nm and 1550 nm telecommunications windows. The inventive compositions include Pr3+ and/or Dy3+ in a concentration range of between 300-2,000 ppmw and Ag+ in a concentration range of between 500-2000 ppmw; or Er3+ in a concentration range of between 500-5,000 ppmw and Ag+ in a concentration range of between 0-2,000 ppmw. The monovalent silver ion provides an ionic charge balanced glass-ceramic crystal. These compositions exhibit reduced or absent rare earth ion clustering and fluorescence quenching effects in the presence of high concentrations of rare earth ion dopants.

Abstract: A composition for production of silica glass using a sol-gel process is described, comprising silica particles, a dispersing agent, and a solution containing a polymerizable monomer for formation of acrylic resin and a crosslink agent dissolved in distilled water. The polymerizable monomer is n-methylol acrylamide or n-methylol methacrylamide. A method for production of silica glass is described, including the step of adding silica particles and a dispersing agent to a premix solution of the polymerizable monomer for formation of acrylic resin and the crosslink agent dissolved in distilled water.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform suspending and supporting apparatus able to prevent deformation of a pin placed in a high temperature environment and able to support a porous optical fiber preform without adversely influencing supports of the pin and without causing inclination relative to the vertical line of a main shaft, wherein a movable connector is fitted into an enlarged-diameter portion of the lower end of a main shaft, this enlarged-diameter portion is connected with the movable connector by a pin so that the movable connector is able to swing around the pin, a holding portion including a supporting portion is formed integrally at the bottom of the movable connector to hold an enlarged-diameter portion of the upper end of a starting preform, and the diameter of the pin is in the range of 20% to 50% of the outside diameter of the enlarged-diameter portion of the lower end of the main shaft, and an optical fiber processing apparatus including the same.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine has sinkers arranged for radially reciprocating around an upper portion of a cylinder, and latch needles arranged around the upper portion's perimeter for reciprocating along the axis of the cylinder. Selected ones of the needles draw down a lay-in yarn while the sinkers between the selected needles remain in a pushed forward position, so that the lay-in yarn overrides the nibs of the sinkers. In a preferred embodiment, each forth needle, and only each fourth needle, is selected to draw down a lay-in yarn, and four sinkers are positioned between each adjacent pair of the selected needles so that the lay-in yarn overrides four nibs between each draw down. The selected and non-selected needles engage jersey yarns at other knitting stations. This circular knitting machine can be adapted from existing knitting machines.

Abstract: A non-elastic yarn is knitted with a core spun elastomeric yarn in a ratio of ends of non-elastic yarn to ends of core spun elastomeric greater than 2:1 to create a knitted fabric having a ridged surface that permits air to pass between the ridges.

Abstract: A programmable system and method for dewrinkling, or removing wrinkles from, a hosiery article in a circular knitting machine comprise a dial head movable between a down position and an up position, a means for moving the dial head downward and upward, and a dial head locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the dial head. When the dial head is unlocked and moved to the up position, wrinkles are removed from the hosiery article. A dewrinkling system and method of the present invention are particularly well-suited for removing wrinkles from hosiery articles having thick cuffs, such as quarter socks.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a lower unit of an outboard engine including a collar extending around the outboard engine, pivoting apparatus operatively connected to the collar, and locking apparatus operatively connected to the collar and selectively maintaining the collar around the outboard engine. The collar includes a pair of legs pivotally attached to each other by the pivoting apparatus and longitudinally curved to conform to, extend along, and capture, the cavitation plate of the outboard engine. A pair of plates extend inwardly from the pair of legs and are shaped and positioned so as to cover an opposing pair of mounting bolts and any space therebetween so as to deny access thereto when the anti-theft device is in place. The terminal edges of the plate are tongue and grooved, respectively, so as to form a tongue and groove joint when the anti-theft device is in place.