Abstract: A rotating magnetic refrigeration apparatus has magnetic regenerator beds arranged in a ring that is mounted for rotation about a central axis, such that each bed moves into and out of a magnetic field provided by a magnet as the ring rotates. Heat transfer fluid is directed to and from the regenerator beds by a distribution valve which is connected by conduits to the hot and cold ends of the beds and which rotates with the ring of beds. The distribution valve has a stationary valve member which is connected by conduits to a hot heat exchanger and to a cold heat exchanger. The beds include magnetocaloric material that is porous and that allows heat transfer fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for conveying a cryogenically-stored fuel to an internal-combustion engine for providing a combustible working gas. In accordance with the invention, the cryogenically-stored fuel is drawn, in the liquid state, from a thermally-insulated fuel tank, and forced into a fuel line by a conveying device. At least from time to time, within the scope of the operation of the conveying device, the pressure in the fuel tank is increased by an amount that is larger than the difference between a drop in the supply-flow pressure occurring on the intake side of the conveying device and the difference between the dominant tank pressure at a pump-inlet point and the boiling pressure dictated by the instantaneous fuel temperature.

Abstract: A shaped article is capable of at least one of containing and delivering a cryogenic fluid. The article has a porous structure that restricts the passage of cryogenic fluid in the liquid phase while permitting the passage of cryogenic fluid in the gaseous phase. The article may be in the form of a tube or container. The article permits a liquid cryogen to be transported to a specific site, and then cool the site by means of conduction from the cold article and convection of cold gas, the phase change of the evaporating liquid greatly enhancing the heat loss.

Abstract: A refrigerated container dispenser for positioning below the passenger seat of a tractor trailer cab provides easy accessibility and convenience for the driver. The method of use provides manual activation of a lever whereby a refrigerated drink container is presented to the driver, preventing the necessity of stopping or diverting the driver's attention from the road. The preferred form of the container dispenser is mounted below the passenger seat and is affixed to the floor of the cab, within easy reach of the driver.

Abstract: A method of making ice in an automatic ice maker includes the steps of: providing a mold including one cavity; filling the at least one mold cavity at least partially with water; providing an ice removal device at least partly within the at least one mold cavity; coupling a mechanical drive with the ice removal device; coupling a controller with the drive; measuring a temperature of the mold; measuring an ambient temperature associated with the mold; and controlling operation of the drive using the controller, dependent upon the measured temperature of the mold and the measured ambient pressure.

Abstract: Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants are not soluble in hydrocarbon oil. Retrofitting refrigeration equipment with hydrofluorocarbons generally entails the use of expensive polyol ester (POE) lubricants. The invention provides hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant compositions that are soluble in hydrocarbon oil thus allowing for a simpler and less expensive retrofit option to the refrigerant user.

Abstract: Just before shutdown, or at least prior to a significant pressure equalization in a refrigeration system, an accumulator containing oil is isolated from the rest of the refrigeration system in such a way that oil is at a pressure that is higher than the pressure of the rest of the system. The oil in the accumulator is maintained in a state of higher pressure while the refrigeration system is shutdown with the aid of a spring-loaded piston. Preliminary to start up of the refrigeration system, the pressurized oil is placed in fluid communication with structure requiring lubrication which is thereby lubricated.

Abstract: A temperature controller is in a position at a height of 130 cm or more from a base surface settling, of which the refrigerator is settled, on a door of the refrigerator, which position is on an upper side of a handle for opening and closing the door. Further, a minute control depending on a preserving condition of foods, the seasons, a quantity of the foods, and so on is made possible.

Abstract: An automatic defrost system for a refrigerating device, comprising, in a cabinet, an evaporator and a condenser, and a defrost air circuit having: a first circuit portion; a second circuit portion receiving a certain defrost airflow from the first circuit portion and positioned adjacent to the condenser, in order to be heated by the latter; a third circuit portion, which is positioned adjacent to the evaporator, so as to selectively heat it when the heated defrost airflow passes through the second circuit portion and to conduct the defrost airflow to the first circuit portion; and a valve means, which selectively permits the passage of the defrost airflow from the second circuit portion to the third circuit portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of an integrated circuit device includes a refrigerant system having a coolant loop containing refrigerant, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser has a variable speed fan controlled to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at a predetermined value. In a refrigeration system used to cool an integrated circuit device, a method for controlling refrigerant pressure by comparing the refrigerant temperature at a predetermined location to a predetermined value and varying the cooling applied to the condenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, which includes a main body, an inner casing accommodated in the main body and formed with a plurality of storage chambers arranged up and down, a compressor provided in a machine room and isolated from the storage chambers, and a condenser for condensing a refrigerant supplied from the compressor. The refrigerator includes a plurality of evaporators surrounding the inner casing to form a refrigerant flow path toward the lower portion of each storage chamber from the upper portion thereof, a refrigerant valve installed at a refrigerant tube extended from the condenser to an inlet of each evaporator, a suction tube extended from an outlet of each evaporator to the compressor, and a plurality of temperature sensors disposed in the upper portion of each storage chamber, for detecting the temperatures of the respective storage chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to temperature control for refrigerators, which automatically adjusts the on-temp/off-temp values in view of the fluctuation of the ambient temperature. The present invention also relates to a refrigerator on which a sensor of simplified circuit design is reasonably allocated. In accordance with the present invention, ambient temperature is divided into a plurality of particular temperature divisions, the on-temp and off-temp values preferred for refrigerator operation in each corresponding temperature division are determined by experiments. By means of a temperature sensor, on-temp/off-temp values appropriately corresponding to a particular temperature division are applied to keep the temperature of the refrigerator at a required level.

Abstract: In a freezing cycle apparatus that switches between a cooling mode and a heating mode, wherein a low-pressure refrigerant is evaporated in an evaporator 18 for cooling the air during a cooling mode and a hot gas refrigerant is introduced from the discharge side of a compressor 10 directly into the evaporator 18. A variable displacement type compressor capable of varying the displacement is used as the compressor 10. The displacement of the compressor 10 is controlled such that the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling or heating cycle is a predetermined target flow rate during the cooling and the heating mode.

Abstract: An electric compressor includes a motor and a compression mechanism that is driven by the motor. The compressor forms part of the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. A control apparatus of the compressor adjusts the rotation speed of the motor for controlling the amount of compressed refrigerant gas discharged from the compression mechanism, or the displacement of the compressor, per unit time. When the energy efficiency of the motor is lower than a predetermined level, the control apparatus performs on-off control by alternately turning off the motor. During the on-off control, a required amount of refrigerant gas discharged per unit time is obtained, and the energy efficiency of the motor in the on time is higher than the predetermined level.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit. The first connecting unit is forwardly protruded by a predetermined length from the front surface of the front panel and has a hinge shaft on an end thereof. This first connecting unit rotatably holds the intake grille to the front panel and allows the intake grille to be opened at a wide angle. The second connecting unit is provided on the inner surface of a bent portion formed along the side of the intake grille and has a hole to receive the hinge shaft.

Abstract: A device for separating dry solid and liquid by cooling spray has a material reservoir which can adjust and control low temperature for preserving material, a high-pressure pump for extracting material to high-pressure sprayer. Besides, material is pressurized to become a spray state for spraying by adjusting a nozzle of the high-pressure sprayer, and then dry air having high temperature can form a circulating cycle in the steel tub via a heat exchanger of a gas-drying machine to make water content of a spray of liquid be absorbed by dry air having high temperature such that original material becomes powder solid. Besides, air inside the steel tub absorbs much water content due to heat exchange, and then the air with much water content and high temperature is cooled via the heat exchanger when passing through an air filter. After water content of the air is condensed, the air is reheated for using in next cycle.

Abstract: An all electric air conditioning system for an aircraft, wherein the aircraft defines an interior volume having conditioned air at a first pressure. A compressor is provided and is operable to compress supply air to a second pressure. The compressor being operated in response to an electrical drive motor. A passage fluidly couples the compressor and the interior volume of the aircraft. A heat dissipating device, such as a heat exchanger, is positioned in the passage to extract heat energy from the supply air. This arrangement permits conditioning of air within the aircraft without using bleed air from the engines. The use of bleed air results in a significant amount of fuel burn. An optional conditioned air recovery system may be coupled to the interior volume of the fuselage to direct at least a portion of the conditioned air from the interior volume back for further conditioning and use.

Abstract: A cooling method using an adsorption agent is carried out in an apparatus including at least one reactor/adsorber embodied as a vessel for receiving the adsorption agent such as zeolite, at least one evaporator vessel receiving an evaporation agent such as water, and at least one line which connects the two vessels and which can be shut off with at least one shut-off member. The reactor/adsorber and the evaporator each have at least one orifice and are selectively connectable to a vacuum generator and to at least one condenser. The selective separation and connection of individual components and/or of component groups for carrying out regeneration and adsorption cycles take place in each case in a pressure-tight or vacuum-tight manner and with air being shut off.

Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with processing natural gas to recover natural gas liquids (NGL) is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is taken from one of the streams in the NGL recovery plant and cooled under pressure to condense it. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the NGL recovery plant to provide some of the cooling required to condense the natural gas stream. The condensed natural gas stream is expanded to an intermediate pressure and supplied to a mid-column feed point on a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas, and is routed to the NGL recovery plant so that these heavier hydrocarbons can be recovered in the NGL product.

Abstract: A resilient multi-layer container is configured to receive a quantity of hyperpolarized noble fluid such as gas and includes a wall with at least two layers, a first layer with a surface which minimizes contact-induced spin-relaxation and a first or second layer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen. The container is especially suitable for collecting and transporting 3He. The resilient container can be formed of material layers which are concurrently responsive to pressure such as polymers, deuterated polymers, or metallic films. The container can include a capillary stem and/or a port or valve isolation means to inhibit the flow of gas from the main volume of the container during transport. The resilient container can be configured to directly deliver the hyperpolarized noble gas to a target interface by deflating or collapsing the inflated resilient container.

Abstract: An article of jewelry, namely a combination of two wedding rings, wherein the wedding rings are stacked upon each other and fixedly attached. In a preferred embodiment the two wedding rings are oriented concentrically using reverse jeweler's tweezers or cones. The rings are joined together, and in one embodiment gold brazing joins the rings. The wedding rings worn in such a fashion identify that the person is widowed and is a method of signifying widow and widower status without causing confusion, embarrassment or discomfort.

Abstract: To increase the strength of the glass panel of a CRT, the temperature of the glass panel is reduced during reforming from a temperature above, preferably at least 30° C. above the annealing point, to a temperature well below, preferably at least 80° C. below the strain point. This induces high surface compression in the glass panel, paired with a low rate of compaction. The glass panel is subsequently not subjected to the usual annealing step.

Abstract: A method for roll forming a heated glass sheet utilizes a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are pivotally moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and process for making core/clad glass fibers. The apparatus includes a central tube or receptacle connected at the top to a pressure controller and terminating in a reduced section; a side tube or receptacle positioned at about the level of the upper portion of the central tube; an outer tube or receptacle disposed around the bottom portion of the central tube terminating in a smaller section which is concentric with and spaced directly below the section of the central tube; a side arm connecting the side tube and the outer tube; and furnaces around the side, outer, and the reduced sections of the central and the outer tubes.

Abstract: A double-faced reversible color effect fabric is produced on a double bed weft knitting machine with three yarn feeding systems. The first yarn feeder feeds yarn of a first color for the front of the fabric. The second yarn feeder feeds yarn of a second color for the rear of the fabric. The third yarn feeder, according to the invention, feeds a stretchable yarn which serves as an intermediate to interlock between the stitches formed on the front bed and the stitches formed on the rear bed. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the double-faced reversible color effect fabric is produced with a six step/six course knit and tuck knitting process whereby the produced fabric has no air pockets between fabric layers and has no visible tuck marks or mesh openings. The methods of the invention can be used to form a double-faced fabric with or without a motif.

Abstract: The tip (26a) of a rear-end mount (26) that fastens the piezoelectric element (6) is tapered. The rearmost part (26b) of the rear-end mount (26) that fastens the piezoelectric element (6) is indented in a U shape. An eccentric pin (30), which extends in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element (6), is fitted in this indentation. The rear-end mount (42), which fastens one end of the finger (8), is provided with a pin (46) that extends in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element (6). This pin (46) is provided with a spiral groove (48) over practically its entire length.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-theft device, especially for skis, comprised of a cable (3), a cable drum (2) specially connected to an end of the cable (11) in a fixed manner and a locking device (4) which contains at least one clamping element (12, 13) is provided for fixing the cable (3) which is inserted into the locking device (4). In addition, the clamping element interacts with the lock (8) in such a way that the clamping element (12, 13) releases the cable (3) when the lock (8) is opened and prevents the cable from being pulled out in a direction contrary to the direction of insertion when the lock is closed (8). The clamping (12, 13) is mounted such that it can rotate and be moved in the locking device (4). The clamping element interacts with the lock (8) via a pivoted lever (22, 23).

Abstract: A protective cover for a realtor's lock box is provided. The cover comprises a substantially rectangular assembly of panels, wherein at least some of the panels include a resilient layer that protects the lock box from impacts and protects objects that impact the lock box. The cover may also include one or more straps, and the straps may be releasably attached to one or more of the panels. The cover includes an opening at a bottom end to allow a key compartment to eject from the lock box. In a preferred embodiment, the cover includes a sleeve for storing realtor's business cards.

Abstract: A door lock device comprised a main body, a lock bolt, a lock tongue, a spindle, and two moving collars. The spindle is connected with the lock bolt by a lock bolt transmission mechanism. The spindle is connected at one end with a lock control mechanism located in the external side of the main body. The spindle is provided at both ends with a moving collar having a retaining portion which is connected with the lock tongue by a lock tongue transmission mechanism. A rotating mechanism is disposed in the external side of the main body such that the rotating mechanism is coaxial with the lock control mechanism. The lock bolt and the lock tongue are coaxially driven.

Abstract: A freezer door handle and lock assembly comprises a pull handle having a mounting end formed with a slot that is adapted to be mounted to a freezer door. A deadbolt is mounted in the pull handle mounting end for reciprocal movement along a path of travel between deadbolt locking and unlocking positions. A manual push bar extends from the deadbolt to the exterior of the handle mounting end through the mounting end slot. Means are provided for locking the deadbolt in its locking position. A strike is also provided for receiving the deadbolt.

Abstract: A hitch pin used for releasably connecting a load carrier frame to a receiving hitch attached to a carrying vehicle for transporting objects such as bicycles on the load carrier. The hitch pin includes a bolt having a head portion opposite a threaded section and a stem integrally formed between the head portion and the threaded section. A sleeve includes a bore, sized to receive the head and the stem of the bolt which is slidably held inside the bore of the sleeve using a transverse pin, secured inside the bore of the sleeve and passing through an elongate slot in the stem of the bolt. When the sleeve is rotated, the transverse pin transmits the rotation to the bolt providing the turning motion used during connecting of the frame to the receiving hitch. The connection may be made in two stages with hand-tightening as the first stage, followed by application of mechanical force, operating from a set screw, through the bolt to intensify the contact between the frame and the receiving hitch.

Abstract: A lock device, in particular for doors of motor vehicles, has lock elements such as at least rotary latch and a pawl, wherein at least a one lock element a pawl can be connected via connecting elements with at least one handle or such connection can be eliminated. An actuator device of the lock device has a cam disk, the connection being made or eliminated as a function of the cam disk.

Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a shell and a plug inside the shell. A locking pin, a sensor pin and a flexible coupling are mounted within the plug. The sensor pin moves the flexible coupling and the coupling moves the locking pin to an unlocked position when the correct key is inserted into a key slot in the plug. The key includes a locking pin receiving notch, to allow the locking pin to move to the unlocked position. The key also includes a contact surface that moves the sensor pin and thereby moves the locking pin to the unlocked position through the flexible coupling. When an incorrect key, without the locking pin receiving notch, is inserted, the flexibility of the flexible coupling allows the sensor pin to move without moving the locking pin. The cylinder lock may also include conventional pin tumblers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for minimizing thickened ends during the rolling of tubes in a stretch-reducing mill by means of a change in time of the torque of individual driven roll stands when the tube front end and the tube rear end run through the stretch-reducing mill, so that the tube ends are rolled with higher roll speeds than the steady-state speeds. At the same time, lower roll speeds than the steady-state roll speeds are set between the steady-state and the increased roll speeds.

Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of cylindrical metal steel rods. To accurately locate the physical midpoint of the rod-to-be-cut, a novel head centering and positioning mechanism automatically sets the midpoint distance for each setup as the length of the finished rod stock is changed. The steel rod that is used to manufacture the U-bolts is inserted lengthwise into a cutoff saw station or machine until it comes in contact with a stop that is set to the desired predetermined length. An automatic centering device positions the magnetizing heads located at the longitudinal center, on each side, of the steel rod. A high-energy rectangular pulse imparts a permanent invisible magnetic mark at the longitudinal center of the steel rod before being formed into a U-bolt. The rod is then suitably cut to the desired predetermined length, and each of the opposite ends threaded with the desired thread size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate for a spin drum in a centrifuge. The plates contain integrally formed spacers. These plate spacers are comprised of plate material thickenings and are designed to maintain an intermediate space between two or more plates stacked on top of each other. To create this design, the invention includes a process for the manufacture of the plate as defined above. This process includes the step of roll-pressing a blank over a cone shaped mandrel provided with depressions conforming to the shapes of the spacers of the plate. During this rolling process, the spacers are formed when the depressions in the mandrel are filled with the material of the blank. To ease in the formation of these spacers, the blank may be heated prior to rolling.

Abstract: An expanding hub assembly for a capstan drive for a steel mill comprising a modified spline having a large cylindrical surface area for mating with an installed mill roll. The cylindrical surface is interspersed with a series of evenly spaced shallow axial troughs formed therein for mating with a series of shallow projecting splines on a mounted mill roll. The hub is hollow and an expansion device is present in the hollow hub for expanding the mating surface of the hub.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame puller attachment which includes a generally triangular main member having three sides with opposite side edges extending along each of the sides. The main member comprises a first side adapted for coupling to a chain to facilitate pulling on the main member using the chain, with a generally round aperture for freely passing a portion of a chain therethrough and a pair of chain slots for positioning a link of the chain in one of the chain slots such that an adjacent link in the chain is prevented from passing through the chain slot. A second side has four door hinge slots with each of the door hinge slots being elongate and having longitudinal axes extending substantially parallel to the side edges. A third side has a plurality of bolt slots for coupling to various bolt patterns used to attach door hinges to different vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative-angle forming die comprising a lower die half having a supporting portion for placing a sheet metal work, and an upper die half to be lowered straightly downward onto the lower die half for forming the work, an intrusion forming portion formed in the lower die half at an edge portion near the supporting portion inward of a downward stroke line of the upper die half, a rotary cam rotatably provided in the lower die half, a slide cam including an intrusion forming portion and slidably opposed to the rotary cam, and an automatic retractor provided in the lower die half for pivoting the rotary cam back to a position thereby allowing the work to be taken out of the lower die half after a forming operation, the work placed on the supporting portion of the lower die half being formed by the intrusion forming portion of the rotary cam and the intrusion forming portion of the slide cam, the slide cam forming the work by sliding, the automatic retractor pivoting back the rotary

Abstract: The cutting edge of a die and the cutting edge of a punch are spaced more widely from each other in a range of an element which includes a neck and undercuts than in the other range of the element. The element is blanked out of a metal sheet by the die and the punch. Edges of the neck and the undercuts are formed of a sheared surface in a transverse direction and a ruptured surface contiguous to the sheared surface. A burr is formed next to the ruptured surface in a position out of contact with endless rings.

Abstract: A casing for cylindrical electrochemical cells, for example, alkaline cells or lithium cells. The casing is characterized by having a non-uniform wall thickness. The casing comprises a cylindrical body surface, an open end and an integrally formed closed bottom. A portion of the casing body forms the peripheral edge of the casing at the open end thereof. The casing body surface has a wall thickness which is less than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing has a peripheral edge which has a wall thickness which is greater than the wall thickness of the body surface. The peripheral edge wall thickness is desirably about the same or greater than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing is formed by subjecting a sheet of metal to a series of discrete punching steps. A partially formed cup is punched through a die cavity in each step thereby progressively drawing the cup to a progressively reduced diameter and increased length.

Abstract: A sheet fabrication machine is equipped with different servo motors for actuating its upper tool and its lower die. A direction converting mechanism is provided to each of the tool assembly and the die assembly so as to convert the non-vertical forces output by the servo motors into vertical forces that enable the tool and die to move relative to each other to effect work on a workpiece placed therebetween. The sheet fabrication machine is moreover equipped with a system and logic for automatically measuring the length of the tool and for providing a setting from which the operation of the tool can be referenced. Additional features provisioned into the sheet fabrication machine include look ahead functions for optimizing the operational speed of the machine while minimizing the noise generated as a result of the operation.

Abstract: A method for compensating for baseline or span drift in gas sensing equipment includes obtaining gas concentration data over a time period and identifying a quiescent period within that time period. The method compares a component concentration corresponding to the quiescent period with one or more additional component concentrations relating to different quiescent periods and calculates an estimated background gas concentration for a predetermined number of time periods. The estimated background concentration is then compared to a preset, or expected, background concentration, and a correction value is calculated. For baseline drift, a correction value is determined to be the difference between the estimated background concentration and the present (expected) background concentration. For span drift, a correction value is determined to be the ratio of the estimated background concentration to the preset (expect) background concentration.

Abstract: A portable breath test simulator including a case having a jar support arm extending to one side of the top of the case. A jar containing a known water-alcohol solution is mounted on the bottom of the arm. The case and jar support the simulator. A magnetic power drive located in the case to one side of the jar rotates a magnetic stirrer in the jar. Breath blown into the jar forms an effluent having a known concentration of alcohol and is flowed to a breath test analyzer to be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating moisture standards in gases are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for introducing a preselected amount of water vapor or other vaporized liquid into a flowing gas stream at a constant rate, which comprises a suitable syringe having a needle attached thereto; an evaporator attached to said needle, wherein the evaporator is located in the flowing gas stream; and a means for applying pressure to the syringe, such that water or other liquid may be delivered at a constant rate from the syringe through the needle into the evaporator.

Abstract: A yaw rate comparison road friction coefficient estimating section estimates a first road friction coefficient based on a high friction road reference yaw rate calculated according to a high friction coefficient road vehicle motion model in a high friction road reference value estimating section, a low friction road reference yaw rate calculated according to a low friction coefficient road vehicle motion model in a low friction road reference value estimating section, and an actual yaw rate calculated in an actual value estimating section. A final road friction coefficient estimating section calculates a present final road friction coefficient by weight-averaging a previous final road friction coefficient and the first road friction coefficient using a weight function established in a weight function establishing section. The weight function is variable according to a road roughness parameter produced in a road roughness detecting apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for continuously monitoring the operation of electrical equipment and preventing critical operational failures. The invention quantitatively determines the concentrations of gas and/or vapor (including water) components in an insulating fluid on a real time basis. An increase of one or more detected chemical components signifies an actual or potential electrical problem with the equipment. The preferred apparatus consists of a gas extractor, an infrared gas analysis instrument, and a gas diaphragm pump. Gas and water vapor components are extracted from the insulating fluid by permeating through a membrane in a gas extractor. The gas and/or vapor components are then brought into an infrared gas analyzer by the gas diaphragm pump. A quad detector in the analysis instrument identifies and determines the concentration of three specified gases and/or the vapor simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus for occupant classification in a vehicle, which together with a respective CO2 sensor serves to perform an occupant classification. Both the CO2 content and the profile over time of the signals are used for occupant classification. The CO2 sensors are advantageously arranged in front of the respective persons, making possible a simple measurement. The CO2 sensor can also be used in each case with a further different sensor for occupant classification, and here in particular for plausibility (testing). A processor that evaluates the signals from the CO2 sensors cyclically polls the CO2 sensors. For plausibility, the signals from all CO2 TV sensors present in the passenger compartment can also be taken into account.

Abstract: A system for early detection of water leaks at particular locations in any water-dependent appliance and apparatus used in multi-dwelling facilities. A central control apparatus electrically interconnected with a plurality of circuits that enable water leaks to be accurately detected in a diversity of devices including air conditioners, compressor coils, hot water appliances, and pipes, and for communicating the severity of the water-related problem. A plurality of water sensors are incorporated into specially designed probes of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein water leaks may be accurately and reliably detected in a diversity of water-dependent appliances and devices. A specially designed fiber glass cloth functions as a probe for sensing water leaks via its built-in plurality of sensors constructed from a corresponding plurality of conductive wires enables the location and extent of a water leak to be ascertained.

Abstract: A smoke and clean air generating machine for detecting the presence and location of leaks in a fluid system (e.g. the evaporative or brake system of a motor vehicle). A source of gas (e.g. air or nitrogen) under pressure is delivered to a smoke generating apparatus or to a flow meter by way of a multi-position selector valve. With the selector valve in a first position, gas is delivered to the system under test via the flowmeter to detect the presence of a leak in need of repair depending upon the reading of the flow meter. With the selector valve in a second position, gas is delivered to the smoke generating apparatus so that smoke can be supplied to the system under test to locate the leak. With the selector valve in a third position between the first and second positions, pressure is bled from the machine to disable the smoke generating apparatus and thereby terminate the production of smoke.