Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling a lean-burn engine whose exhaust gas is directed through an exhaust treatment system which includes an emission control device that alternately stores and releases a selected constituent of the exhaust gas, such as NOx, based on engine operating conditions, and a downstream NOx sensor. The system estimates the concentration of NOx flowing into the device based on engine operating conditions while determining a value for the concentration of NOx flowing out of the device based upon the output signal generated by NOx sensor. A device purge event is scheduled when the device efficiency, calculated based on the NOx concentrations flowing into and out of the device, falls below a predetermined minimum efficiency value. The length of a purge event is determined as a function of an accumulated measure based on the difference between the NOx concentrations into and out of the device.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is provided with an oxygen storage amount estimator for estimating an oxygen storage amount of an exhaust purifying catalyst and air-fuel ratio control means for controlling an air-fuel ratio, based on the oxygen storage amount. An upper threshold and a lower threshold are set for the oxygen storage amount, and the air-fuel ratio controller performs such control that, when the oxygen storage amount is larger than the upper threshold, the controller controls the air-fuel ratio to a rich region and that, when the oxygen storage amount is smaller than the lower threshold, the controller controls the air-fuel ratio to a lean region.

Abstract: A method wherein a reactant is added to a substance to react with such substance. The product of such reaction along with un-reacted portions of the substance and un-reacted portions of the reactant are directed to a sensor. The sensor produces an output signal in response to detection of both the un-reacted portions of the substance and the un-reacted portions of the reactant. The method includes changing the amount of reactant added to the substance. A measurement is made to determine whether the change in the amount of reactant and the change the output signal are in the same direction or in opposite directions. A processor is provided for controlling the addition of a reactant to a substance to react with such substance. The product of such reaction along with un-reacted portions of the substance and un-reacted portions of the reactant are directed to a sensor.

Abstract: An engine comprising a particulate filter which is arranged in the exhaust passage and has a function of absorbing NOx, where the amount of discharged particulate discharged from the combustion chamber per unit time is made smaller than the amount of particulate removable by oxidation per unit time without emitting a luminous flame on the particulate filter and where the temperature of the particulate filter is maintained in a temperature range where the NOx absorption rate becomes more than a certain value.

Abstract: A partitioning member for dividing a connecting pipe into at least two exhaust passageways is provided in the connecting pipe, which is attached to an exhaust side of a silencer. A valve mechanism is operable to vary the passageway area of one of the exhaust passageways. With this structure, for example, when an engine is rotating at low revs, exhaust gas is discharged from the exhaust passageway without the valve mechanism, while when the engine is rotating at high revs exhaust gas is simultaneously discharged from the exhaust passageway having no valve mechanism and a passageway provided with the valve mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to reduce exhaust noise when the engine is rotating at low revs.

Abstract: A hydropower conversion system is provided which uses a hydraulic gradient to accelerate water in a drive pipe. A valve is disposed in the drive pipe to interrupt the flow of water and thus create a temporary negative pressure within the drive pipe. A negative pressure relief device with a riser section is coupled to the drive pipe and is adapted to pull air but not water into the riser section when under negative pressure. A pneumatic device such as a power turbine is coupled to the negative pressure relief device.

Abstract: Various work machines in which safety of operation and operation efficiency can be enhanced in accordance with variation in the kind of operation and operation condition when operation is carried out based on a previously set operation mode of an operation machine, and operation speed of the operation machine or running speed of the work machine can finely be adjusted is provided. The work machine comprises mode switching means having a mode switching switch and the like of operation modes of one or more operation machines. A speed finely-adjusting switch is disposed for finely adjusting an operation speed and/or a running speed to values out of range set in each mode by manual operation. An engine, a pump, a flow rate adjusting valve disposed in a driving circuit of one or more operation machine and running motor and the like are operated by a signal output by operating the speed finely-adjusting switch, and the engine revolution number and the pump discharge amount are adjusted.

Abstract: A continuously auto lifting and lowering hydraulic jack comprises a base, an oil pump, working oil cylinder, a piston, an oil box, an accumulator, a two-position and two-way valve, a dual-controlling check, a pressure-set check and other checks. The two-position and two-way valve, the dual-controlling check and the pressure-set check are arranged in a straight line; a valve bore is formed in the base to serve as a common valve bore for the two-position and two-way valve, the dual-controlling check and the pressure-set check. Valve members of the two-position and two-way valve, the dual-controlling check and the pressure-set check are disposed sequentially in the valve bore in series; a tappet is positioned between the two-position and two-way valve and the dual-controlling check; and another tappet is positioned between the dual-controlling check and the pressure-set check. Also disclosed is a hydraulic circuit for the hydraulic jack.

Abstract: A power plant for producing electricity utilizing the buoyancy of a liquid. A first and second expandable chamber are each place in a liquid filled shaft are coupled together with a cable so that when one of the expandable chambers is raised, the other one is lowered. The cable is couple to a pulley for turning a generator for producing electricity. An electrode and electrolyte are placed within each expandable chamber for generating heat and steam to expand the expandable chamber when the expandable chamber is at the bottom of the liquid filed shaft. The increased volume of the expandable chamber causes it to rise in the liquid filled shaft at the same time as the other expandable chamber is reduced in volume and caused to be lowered into the other liquid filed shaft. A valve in the expandable chamber releases the steam causing the volume of the expandable chamber to be reduced. The released steam may be used to power a turbine or enter a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An hydraulic system that includes a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, a fluid conduit extending between the cylinders, and a pressure relief valve within the conduit between the cylinders. The pressure relief valve includes at least one port that is closed by an elastic member that overlies the port and that opens when fluid pressure acting through the port exceeds a predetermined level to cause the elastic member to open the port.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine has a turbine having a variable turbine geometry for the variable setting of the effective flow inlet cross section to the turbine wheel. The exhaust-gas turbocharger has a compressor which is connected to the turbine via a shaft. The variable turbine geometry can be adjusted by means of a regulating device between a closed position and an open position. To compensate for wear, a stop limiting an end position of the variable turbine geometry is provided, and the position of this stop can be set in a variable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damper arrangement for reducing combustion-chamber pulsations arising inside a gas turbine (1), having a combustion-chamber housing (8) which upstream comprises a front plate (2) with a plurality of individual burners (6) and damping elements (7, 7a, 7b) projecting through the front plate (2) and downstream is connected to a turbine stage (9) and is surrounded by a turbine housing (3) which comprises first openings (5a) which are adapted to the burners (6) and through which the burners (6) project upstream. The invention is characterized in that closable second openings (5b), through which it is possible to insert and tune the damping elements (7, 7a, 7b), are provided inside the turbine housing (9) adjacent to the first openings (5a) adapted to the burners (6).

Abstract: A combustor liner is provided on its backside cooling surface with a braze alloy coating and cooling enhancement material, preferably metallic particles to enhance the heat transfer between the liner and the cooling medium. The surface area of the backside coated area is increased substantially by the coating and particles in relation to the uncoated surface areas. Consequently, the life of the liner is extended.

Abstract: In a twin wall combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine, the outer wall has impingement holes so that compressed air surrounding the chamber can pass through the holes to impinge on the inner wall, and the inner wall has effusion holes whereby air can effuse into the combustion chamber. The number of effusion holes is greater than the number of impingement holes, the effusion-holes preferably being arranged in groups of seven, comprising six holes equi-spaced around a central seventh hole, each group having an impingement hole in a fixed positional relationship to the central hole, preferably downstream of it.

Abstract: A one-piece deflector-flare cone assembly for a gas turbine engine combustor that facilitates extending a useful life of the combustor in a cost-effective and reliable manner is described. The one-piece assembly includes a deflector portion and a flare cone portion. The deflector portion includes an integral opening that extends through the deflector portion for receiving cooling fluid therein. The cooling opening extends circumferentially within the deflector portion. Cooling fluid discharged from the cooling opening is used for film cooling a portion of the deflector portion to facilitate reducing an operating temperature and extending a useful life of the combustor.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a dome assembly that facilitates extending a useful life of the combustor in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The dome assembly includes a dome plate and a heat shield coupled to the dome plate. The dome plate includes an impingement baffle and an opening extending therethrough and sized to receive a fuel injector. The impingement baffle also includes a plurality of cooling openings in flow communication with the heat shield that direct cooling airflow for impingement cooling and film cooling of the heat shield.

Abstract: A process for attenuating noise generated in a turbomachine by the interaction of rotor blades with stator vanes downstream of the rotor blades comprises the injection of a fluid in continuous jets upstream of the blades through a number of orifices equal to the number of vanes. The orifices are arranged in a ring and are capable of pivoting about the rotor axis by an angle at least equal to the angular pitch between two consecutive vanes. The angular position is controlled so that the sound waves produced by the interaction between the jets and the blades are of opposite phase to those produced by the interaction of the blades with the vanes.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a temperature sensor assembly that continuously monitors an operating temperature within a multi-stage rotor assembly of the turbine engine is described. A plurality of cavities are defined within the multi-stage rotor assembly. The temperature sensor assembly includes a plurality of temperature sensor assemblies that monitor the temperature within each of the rotor assembly cavities. Each temperature sensor assembly includes a plurality of support guide tubes attached to the engine and extending from an outer casing of the engine to each cavity. A temperature sensor is inserted through the guide tubes and positioned within each cavity.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine comprising a power turbine mounted downstream a compressor, and a compressor turbine mounted downstream the power turbine for rotation in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the power turbine. Exhaust fluid from the compressor turbine is cooled in a heat exchanger with a compressed fluid downstream the compressor and is then cooled with air in separate heat exchanger before being admitted to the compressor. A part of the compressed fluid heated in the heat exchanger is fed to cool the turbine blades, and the rest of the fluid is fed to a heated fluid source for the turbine. To control the gas turbine engine, a part of fluid is boosted by a booster compressor and is discharged from the engine. The booster compressor is driven by an expanding turbine that rotated under the effect of combustion air that is expanded in the expanding turbine and flows through the expanding turbine under the action of reduced pressure in the heated fluid source.

Abstract: Cooler for a beverage, e.g. beer, which enables dispense at low temperature with good appearance of the dispensed beverage, comprises an inlet and an outlet, at least one heat exchanger (10, 30, 32) between the inlet and the outlet through which the beverage can be passed to cool it and at least one Peltier plate assembly (12, 14, 42) connected to a voltage supply whereby a cold side and a hot side may be generated at the assembly, characterised in that the assembly (12, 14) is positioned whereby the beverage can also be cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (12, 14) on its passage to the outlet or whereby the coolant after passage through the heat exchanger (32) is cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (42) before being recirculated to the heat exchanger (32).

Abstract: A Stirling refrigerator, which prevents oil rising, makes oil seal bellows have long-life, and includes a housing, cylinder, piston, piston rod and an oil seal bellows. The oil seal bellows seals a space between the housing and the cylinder, wherein a tip end of the oil seal bellows is sealed and fixed on the piston or on the piston rod inside the cylinder, and a base end of the oil seal bellows is installed on the housing. The oil seal bellows reciprocates with a stroke, wherein the tip end of the oil seal bellows is compressed to a compression side from a position of free length then returns to the position of free length.

Abstract: An offshore liquefied natural gas regasification system is disclosed, which includes a mobile floating platform having a regasification unit disposed on it. The regasification unit is adapted to operatively couple to an outlet of a liquefied natural gas carrier. The regasification unit is adapted to operatively couple at its outlet to a tap on an offshore gas pipeline. The mobile floating platform is adapted to moor to at least one liquefied natural gas carrier.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions include mixtures of at least three different components, including a fluorinated sulfur-containing compound with at least one of a fluorinated ether or a fluorinated hydrocarbon. Also, methods for cooling a body include compressing such a refrigerant composition and bringing the body into heat transfer relation to it. The disclosed refrigerant compounds have refrigerant-significant properties similar to those of R-22, and they can be employed as drop-in substitutes in refrigeration apparatus designed for R-22 application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power-saving apparatus and method for a display portion of a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a power-saving apparatus and method for a display portion of a refrigerator in which brightness of the display portion is controlled only when a user utilizes the refrigerator. That is, the present invention aims to monitor whether the user utilizes the refrigerator and to control the brightness of the display portion of the refrigerator such that the display portion can be kept bright only when the user utilizes the refrigerator. To this end, the present invention is characterized in that whether the user utilizes the refrigerator or remains in the vicinity of the refrigerator is determined by using operating signals of function keys inputted by the user, a door switch, an infrared sensor and the like. Further, it is characterized in that the operation of a backlight portion is controlled in response to the result of the determination.

Abstract: A displacement control device comprises a control valve. The control valve controls the pressure in a crank chamber. The control valve includes a valve body, and an electromagnetic actuator. A power source supplies the current to the actuator. A switch device located between the actuator and the power source. A controller determines a target value of the current supplied to the actuator in accordance with an external condition. When the target value is changed to a new value, the controller controls the switching of the switch device such that the current is intermittently supplied from the power source to the actuator before the current is set to the new target value. This permits the displacement of the compressor to be smoothly and rapidly changed.

Abstract: A mobile cooling apparatus is provided that may be quickly deployed to cool an area. The apparatus is preferably self-contained or substantially self-contained. The apparatus can be either a dedicated trailer with a conventional draft vehicle or a vehicle itself. The apparatus creates an evaporatively cooled volume of air with fine entrained water droplets suspended therein. The apparatus transfers the cooling suspension to an area to be cooled proximate the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recreational vehicle having an attached refrigeration unit including heat-dissipating coils and heat-collecting coils. An evaporative cooler disposed adjacent the condenser is capable of pre-cooling air to the heat-dissipating coils, and a thermostat control assembly is capable of sensing ambient temperature and activating the evaporative cooler when the ambient temperature reaches a threshold ambient temperature providing pre-cooled air to the heat-dissipating coils.

Abstract: A simple one-piece, flexible, lightweight and portable shade apparatus for an evaporative or “swamp” cooler that can collapse for transport or storage and does not require tools or equipment for installation whereby it does not blemish or deface the cooler unit or the attached dwelling in any way.

Abstract: A dehumidifier system comprising: a dehumidifier into which moist air is introduced and contacted with a liquid desiccant solution associated with the dehumidifier to remove moisture therefrom; a regenerator having a liquid desiccant solution associated therewith and contacted with air which removes moisture therefrom, said liquid desiccant solution being in liquid communication with the liquid desiccant solution associated with the dehumidifier; a refrigeration system that comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, a refrigerant and a compressor, wherein the refrigerant passes through the heat exchangers, the heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in thermal contact with the liquid desiccant solution associated with said dehumidifier, a second heat exchanger in thermal contact with the desiccant solution associated with said regenerator and a third heat exchanger that is not in contact with said desiccant solutions.

Abstract: Assaying of liquid samples of refrigerant to determine their composition utilizing refractive index techniques. The sampling may be done with the use of extractors which remove refrigerant gases from refrigerant machines, and clean and dry the sample before it is assayed.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein feed air is provided into the lower portion of a cryogenic rectification column, and liquid having a defined oxygen concentration is withdrawn from a defined intermediate level of the column above the feed air introduction level, vaporized and optionally diluted with nitrogen for recovery as ultra high purity clean dry air.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry comprising a substantially rigid base member comprising a groove along its length and a plurality of beads retained within the groove wherein the shape of the groove conforms to the shape of each bead to limit transverse movement of he beads and to allow the beads to slide along the groove. An outer member over a groove in the beads in turn holds the beads in the groove in the base member.

Abstract: A necklace assembly is constructed to be either worn as a necklace or releasably attached to a display stand. The necklace assembly is comprised of a pendant having at least one passage and at three openings with each opening communicated with at least one other opening through at least one passage with a continuous cord slidably received therein to form at least three adjustable loops external to the pendant. The loops of cord are accessible at the openings in the pendant and can be either adjusted to be worn as a necklace or to be releasably attached to a display stand.

Abstract: A method of providing a decorative metal pattern on an electrically non-conductive substrate, such as a glass or plastic substrate, which includes applying a mixture of heat fusible material, such as glass or plastic, with a metal having a particle size less than about 500 mesh constituting at least 50% of the mixture, to the substrate in the desired pattern, heating the so-applied mixture until the heat fusible material fuses and bonds to the substrate, cleaning the substrate with the pattern thereon, and a electroplating the pattern with the desired finish metal. In one method in which the mixture includes glass, a negative resist is adhesively secured to the substrate and the mixture is applied. The resist disintegrates upon heating. In another method, used when the substrate is plastic, a mixture of plastic and metal in past form is applied to the substrate by silk screening or pad printing to form the pattern.

Abstract: A method of making an optical device comprises the steps of providing a body of vitreous material that is generally tubular along an axis. A portion of the body is molded with external mold structure for forming a bulbous portion when the interior of the tube is pressurized. An axial portion is cut from the bulbous portion to form a first coupling device with first and second axially oriented openings. This method can produce optical coupling devices with excellent optical quality in an economical manner.

Abstract: An alkali-free glass applicable to a light transparent glass substrate in a liquid crystal display essentially consists, by weight, of basic elements of 40-70% SiO2, 6-25% Al2O3, 5-20% B2O3, 0-10% MgO, 0-15% CaO, 0-30% BaO, 0-10% SrO, and 0-10% ZnO, and a fining agent of a combination of 0.05-3% Sb2O3 and at least one of 0.05-2% SnO2 and 0.005-1% Cl2, which fining agent makes the resultant glass free from bubbles without the use of toxic As2O3 which has been known as the fining agent in the art.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of quartz crucibles comprising a hollow mold having a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion and defining a hollow space therein. The walls of the mold include a plurality of openings to facilitate gas passage therethrough. A rotatable support of the mold is provided to rotate the mold about a vertical axis. A vacuum is applied through the walls of the mold to draw quartz particles against the walls and remove gas. A shroud surrounds at least a portion of the hollow mold; at least one gas inlet positioned to provide a gas to a space between the shroud and the mold. A housing overlaps at least a portion of the shroud and the hollow mold. At least one gas outlet is positioned to exhaust gas which may exit the space between the shroud and the mold. Alternatively, or in addition to the outlet, a space may be provided between the housing (hood) and the shroud to facilitate gas discharge.

Abstract: A method and device for the manufacture of a hollow cone (37) with a cone tip (31) whereby a parison of viscous material (35) is moulded into the shape of the hollow cone. An escape space (11) becomes accessible to the material in the vicinity of a cone tip to be formed. The moment the pressure present in the material in the vicinity of the cone tip to be formed exceeds a previously defined value. Breaking-off of the cone tip during or after moulding is prevented by this. The hollow cone is suitable inter alia for use in a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting glass optical fiber preforms and glass precursor elements for making optical fiber preforms, wherein the preform or glass precursor element is stored within a protective bag. The protective bag preferably has anti-static agents incorporated therein. The protective bags can be employed to protect any glass precursor element used in making optical fiber preforms, for example, glass core canes, glass tubes, or the optical fiber preforms themselves.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a preform suitable for use in manufacturing a wide bandwidth multi-mode optical fiber. The method includes steps of employing a liquid phase spray pyrolysis technique for generating silica soot at a high rate, in combination with a non-chlorine containing liquid silica precursor and a refractory, index of refraction raising additive that overcomes the problems inherent in the use of germanium-based chemistry at typical sintering temperatures. The refractory, index of refraction raising additive is preferably comprised of a Group VB element oxide, such as a tantalum oxide. The liquid precursor is preferably comprised of a polymethylsiloxane, such as hexamethyl di-siloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCCTS), or tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing the temperature of an optical fiber wherein a housing body is provided a plurality of inner cooling chambers which are-, partitioned from each other by a plurality of partition walls. An axial through hole extends through each of the inner cooling chambers from an upper end of the housing body to a lower end of the housing body for the axial passage of an optical fiber therethough. A plurality of gas injection holes corresponding to the inner cooling chambers are provided in a side wall of the housing body for injecting gas into the inner cooling chambers. A plurality of coolant pipes through which a liquid coolant is circulated extend through each of the inner cooling chambers from the upper end to the lower end of the housing body. The coolant pipes are disposed between the gas injection holes and the axial through hole so that the gas which is injected into the inner cooling chambers via the gas injection holes is not blown directly against the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material, which is a base material of an optical fiber, comprising: a base rod, around and along which said glass base material is formed; a burner that hydrolyzes and accumulates a gas material, which is a base material of said glass base material, around and along said base rod; a first burner-moving-unit that moves said burner in a direction parallel with a longitudinal direction of said base rod; and a second burner-moving-unit that moves said first burner-moving-unit in a same moving direction of said first burner-moving-unit.

Abstract: There is provided an optical fiber drawing furnace capable of drawing an optical fiber having small non circularity, which drawing furnace includes a muffle tube, in which an optical fiber preform is supplied, a heater surrounding the muffle tube, a plurality of electrode connecting portion extending from the heater, a plurality of electrodes connected to electrode connecting portions, and in conjunction therewith to an electric power source, and unifying means for unifying the temperature distribution along the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A compound needle (1) is provided with a slider (8) having two slider springs (11, 12), whose ends constitute an open funnel pointing toward the hook (3). The ends, or legs (21, 22), constituting the funnel, are flattened. Therefore, starting at a starting point, the thickness of the material is reduced in the tapered area (29) toward the ends of the slider springs (11, 12). By means of this a correct functioning of the compound needle is also provided if the slider (8) is not completely centered. Moreover, it is possible to improve the easy movement of the slider (8) in the slider slit in that the funnel, formed by the legs (21, 22), can be embodied to be narrower at a constant width, than without the taper of the slider springs (11, 12).

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing shaft for rotating agitating blades disposed in a dewatering tank, and the washing shaft is disposed coaxially on a hollow dewatering shaft for rotating the dewatering tank. The washing shaft is connected to the output side of a reduction mechanism, and a washing side input shaft is connected to the input side of the reduction mechanism to rotate the washing shaft by decelerating the rotation of a drive motor. A rotor of the drive motor is coupled to the lower part of the washing side input shaft. Therefore, the rotating torque of the agitating blades can be increased without increasing the torque of the drive motor. In addition, if the laundry collides against the agitating blades, the eccentricity to the washing side input shaft is suppressed, thereby the increase of the washing capacity can be handled without increasing the size of the drive motor.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes an elongated generally U-shaped resilient shackle, a base block, and may also include a keyed auxiliary locking bar. A first shackle arm is slidably and rotatably secured to the base block so that the shackle can be moved between extended and depressed positions and pivoted between locked and unlocked positions. The base block includes a catch for retaining a second shackle arm in the locked position. To pivot the shackle so that the second shackle arm can be moved into or out of the catch, the second shackle arm must be flexed toward the first shackle arm. When the shackle is in the locked position, a locking mechanism holds the shackle in the extended position and requires the shackle to be depressed, while the second shackle arm is flexed, to pivot the shackle and move the second shackle arm out of the catch.

Abstract: A door locking handle assembly with two locks makes its locking function and appearance stricter. Keys of these locks may lock and unlock a door handle (15). The assembly may permit only one of the keys to unlock the handle (15), if necessary. The handle (15) is mounted on a door (B) and capable of extending from and entering a handle holder (10) mounted on the door (B). A first lock (30) and a second lock (40) are mounted on a free end of the handle (15) and the holder (10), respectively, and adjacent to each other, and are provided with a first movable locking element (32) and a second movable locking element (42), respectively. When these locking elements (32, 42) are engaged with each other, the handle (15) is locked. When they (32, 42) are disengaged, the handle (15) is unlocked.

Abstract: A bellcore-style latch with a safety lock feature, having a handle with a shank. The shank has an axial bore, with side apertures extending through the shank into the bore. A lock plug is positioned in the bore of the handle, and has a head and a shaft. The shaft has recessed portions and unrecessed portions, and the lock plug is rotatable to move the lock plug between a locked position, wherein the unrecessed portions are in alignment with the side apertures to cause the ball bearings located therein to protrude from the side apertures, and an unlocked position, wherein the unrecessed portions are in alignment with the side apertures permitting the ball bearings to retract into the side apertures. A spring is used to bias the lock plug to its locked position. An escutcheon with an aperture is provided for receiving the shank portion. The aperture has pockets for the ball bearings.

Abstract: A lock nut designed for securing a nut on bolt, specifically for those situations in which the bolt cannot be rotated and the bolt is located proximate to an object that can obstruct the ability to rotate the lock nut on the bolt. The lock nut can change form by the addition of pieces, the removal of pieces, or by changing the shape of a single piece. The lock nut is designed such that in one form it can be threaded onto the bolt and, thereafter, it can be changed in form and locked into this new form, the new form being such that the lock nut cannot be fully rotated on the bolt without encountering an obstruction, thus preventing the ability to remove the lock nut.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock assembly has a latch (12) for mounting on a vehicle door. The latch (12) has at least one release lever for effecting releasing of the latch and at least one locking lever (14) for locking the latch, disabling the release lever, and unlocking the latch, enabling the release lever. A compound linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) operatively engages the locking lever (14). A lock cylinder (30, 130) has a spindle (28) which engages the linkage. The spindle (28) rotates in response to keyed rotation of a matched key being received by the lock cylinder (30; 130) which drives the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) to effect movement of the locking lever (14). The spindle (28) is axially slidable to disengage the spindle from the linkage. A hollow shield (34) shrouds the locking lever (14), the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) and the engagement between the linkage and the spindle (28), preventing access thereto. If the spindle is removed, the linkage will pivot away preventing manipulation thereof.