Abstract: A control method and device for controlling the operation of various components of a refrigeration system provides more efficient operation of those components. Energization of the compressor is delayed upon power interruption, and high pressure is relieved through operation of a valve. The compressor runs is energized if the cabin temperature exceeds a specified temperature for a predetermined length of time, is is de-energized if the cabin temperature drops below a specified temperature. The condenser fan is energized based on the temperature of the condenser coil inlet and the ambient temperature. The evaporator fan is energized based on the cabin temperature and the temperature of the evaporator coil outlet.

Abstract: A purging device for a system accumulating condensable and non-condensable gases. The purging device comprises: a purge tank; apparatus receiving the condensable and non-condensable gases from the system and directing said gases into the purge tank; apparatus condensing the non-condensable gases into a condensed form; apparatus accumulating the non-condensable gases in a header space; apparatus returning the condensed gases from the purge tank to the system; apparatus controllably removing the accumulated non-condensable gases from the header space; and apparatus generating controlled flow in the condensable and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A system for controlling the starting of an air conditioner includes a compressor controlled in a pulse width modulation according to a duty cycle control signal, an electronic expansion valve for expanding refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a high pressure conduit connecting the exit side of the compressor and the inlet side of the electronic expansion valve, a low pressure conduit connecting the exit side of the electronic expansion valve and the inlet side of the compressor, a bypass conduit connected at its first end to the high pressure conduit and at its second end to the low pressure conduit, and a flow rate regulating valve mounted on the bypass conduit for regulating a flow rate of fluid flowing through the bypass conduit. A control unit controls the compressor during the starting of the compressor in such a way that the electronic expansion valve is open, the flow rate regulating valve is open and a duty control signal shorter than a duty control signal during a normal operation is generated.

Abstract: A refrigerator system includes one or more insulated cabinets structured and disposed for mounting to a wall, soffit, or ceiling in suspended relation above a countertop so that the insulated cabinets are positioned at a height which enables easy viewing and access to items stored within the cabinets' interior compartments, while also providing an open and unobstructed area between the underside of the cabinets and the countertop. In a preferred embodiment, at least two insulated cabinets are used, including one insulated cabinet providing a refrigerator compartment and a second insulated cabinet providing a freezer compartment. A stand-alone refrigeration and freezing unit for controlling and maintaining the temperature in the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is separated from the insulated cabinets and, in the preferred embodiments, is mounted in a soffit or ceiling structure above the insulated cabinets.

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: An air conditioner including an air supply passage for introducing outdoor air into a room, an air exhaust passage for exhausting indoor air, a rotary dehumidifier that is a rotary drum structure having an air passage formed of a material impregnated with an absorbent, the rotary dehumidifier being arranged such that one half thereof is disposed in the air supply passage for dehumidifying by absorption a supply air which is the introduced outdoor air and the other half thereof is disposed in the air exhaust passage for regenerating the adsorbent with use of exhaust air which is the exhausted indoor air as a heat source, a regenerative heater for heating the exhaust air before flowing into the rotary dehumidifier to a temperature required for regenerating the adsorbent of the rotary dehumidifier, a sensible heat exchanger for causing a sensible heat exchange between the supply air dehumidified at the rotary dehumidifier and the exhaust air before flowing into the regenerative heater and a refrigerating device

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle incorporating a second flow controller having a throttle section, which is composed of an inlet noise eliminating space 19, an inlet side porous permeable member 20 communicating in a refrigerant flow direction, an orifice 23, an outlet side foamed metal 25, and an outlet noise eliminating space 27, and a multi-directional valve, a gas/liquid two-phase refrigerant is caused to pass through the throttle section.

Abstract: A direct-fired generator for an absorption chiller includes an inner shell, in which combustion occurs, and an outer shell. The inner shell supports a tube bundle through which a first portion an absorption solution is conveyed. Combustion products makes a single pass across the tube bundle within the inner shell. Such construction minimizes the number of potential leak paths and facilitates leak testing of the generator at an intermediate stage of assembly. A flow distributor apportions solution flow to the tube bundle and to a second solution flow path which bypasses the tube bundle but which is likewise heated by the combustion occurring within the inner shell. The two solution flow paths converge after the solution flowing therethrough has been heated by the combustion occurring in the inner shell. A vapor separator disentrains solution in liquid form from vaporized solution before the vapor exits the generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cooling an object using a heat transfer fluid are presented. One of the methods comprises the steps of contacting the object with a heat transfer fluid comprising helium as a major component, the object traversing through a heat exchange unit having an object inlet end and an object outlet end; preventing ingress of contaminants into the heat exchange unit inlet end and outlet end using a seal gas, the seal gas exiting with the heat transfer fluid to form an exit gas; compressing the exit gas to form a compressed recycle gas; routing the compressed recycle gas to a gas-liquid separator, thus forming a helium enriched gas which function as the heat transfer fluid and an enriched liquid; and heating the enriched liquid to form the seal gas.

Abstract: Hyperbaric Hypoxic Fire Escape and Suppression System is provided for multilevel buildings, transportation tunnels and other human-occupied environments. The system produces and maintains a hypoxic hyperbaric environment in a separate part of a building (staircase shaft) or a tunnel (service tunnel) in order to provide an entirely secure escape area in case of a fire emergency and instantly extinguish an ongoing fire in a building or a tunnel by releasing a breathable hyperbaric hypoxic fire-extinguishing composition into location affected by fire. Additionally, the system provides continuing adequate protection against biological and chemical warfare and contaminants by filtering ambient air before processing it by the system and by establishing breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere at a positive atmospheric pressure inside a building or tunnel.

Abstract: A method of making a multicolor product (1, 11; 22) with longitudinal development of precious material adapted to be used for manufacturing wearable ornamental articles such as armlets, necklaces, and the like is disclosed comprising the following steps: providing one or more coated wires (3) each consisting of a central element (4, 17) of precious metallic material covered by one or more coaxial external twisted sheaths (5,18; 19) also made of precious metallic materials having different colors from each other and relative to the color of the material of the central element (4, 17); manufacturing an unfinished product (7, 15, 21) with longitudinal development using at last one of the coated wires (3) on which one or more mechanical workings are carried out; removing material from one or more zones (10) of the unfinished product (7, 15, 21) for a depth sufficient to make visible one or more of the underlying materials of different colors constituting one or more sheaths of each of the coated wires (3).

Abstract: Decorative articles are disclosed having interchangeable modules. The decorative articles, such as rings, include a body or shank having first and second surfaces and defining an aperture therethrough. The interchangeable modules may be mounted, either individually or in combination, on the body from the side, the outside or the inside of the body or shank. In one aspect, the interchangeable modules include first and second portions. The first portion, at least partially disposed in the aperture, retains against the first surface adjacent the aperture. The second portion is connected to the first portion and is disposed adjacent the second surface. The supporting member is pivotally attached to the first surface and is selectively pivotable to contact the first portion and maintain the module mounted on the body.

Abstract: Problems the invention is to solve: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a quartz glass crucible capable of pulling up a silicon single crystal at a highly improved yield, yet without generating oscillation at the surface of the melt on pulling up silicon single crystal, and free from generating dislocations due to the peeling off of quartz glass fractions.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a glass suitable for an information recording medium required to have high qualities, a process for the production of a glass substrate blank from the above glass and a process for the production of a glass substrate from the above blank. The method is for the production of a glass containing an alkali metal element by melting a glass material in a glass melting apparatus and uses, as said melting apparatus, a melting apparatus whose glass-contact portion is made of a material containing zirconium and containing substantially no alkali metal element. In the process for the production of a glass substrate blank, the glass obtained by the above method is press-molded or is subjected to a float process, and in the process for the production of a glass substrate, the above glass substrate blank is lapped and polished.

Abstract: A furnace (10) and method for heating conveyed glass sheets within a housing (12) includes forced convection heaters (24) spaced along the direction of conveyance both below and above a roll conveyor (20). Each forced convection heater (24) includes a gas burner assembly (32) generally adjacent one of the housing side walls and has an outlet (34) through which products of combustion are supplied to the housing heating chamber (18) at a location intermediate its side walls. A hot gas distributor (38) of each forced convection heater (24) includes an inlet (40) that is spaced from the outlet (34) of the gas burner assembly (32), and the hot gas distributor (38) has a suction fan (42) for drawing in heated products of combustion together with spent recirculating gas in the heating chamber (18) for mixing to provide heated gas that is distributed to the conveyed glass sheets.

Abstract: An air-temperature device for a glass plate including a plurality of upper blowing heads for blowing air to an upper face of a bend-shaped glass plate heated to a high temperature and a plurality of lower blowing heads for blowing air to a lower face of the glass plate, wherein a first link mechanism including a plurality of four-bar linkages and being formed by connected a plurality of units each having a common link a first connecting link mechanism and a second link mechanism.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Forming a Lens on an Optical Fiber includes a fiber rotator assembly that receives and axially rotates an optical fiber. The optical fiber is positioned through a fiber support assembly that includes an air bearing for the near frictionless rotation of the fiber. A fiber forming assembly is positioned adjacent the end of the optical fiber and includes an abrasive disc mounted to the shaft of an abrasive disc motor. The fiber forming assembly is advanced toward the rotating optical fiber for the rotating abrasive disc to contact and remove a portion of the tip of the fiber forming a cone having a predetermined cone angle. A fiber profiling tool having a flexible abrasive flap is advanced to contact the cone-shaped tip of the rotating fiber to remove a portion of the cone to form a lens on the end of the fiber.

Abstract: A method for rapidly increasing the photosensitivity of an optical fiber comprising the step of providing an optical fiber comprising a glassy material and a thermally-stable coating. The thermally-stable coating has a thermally-stable exposure band, wherein desired time/temperature exposure parameters fall within the time/temperature thermal stability exposure band for the coating. The optical fiber is exposed for the desired time/temperature exposure to a hydrogen-containing atmosphere. The desired temperature is more than 250° C. and the desired time exposure does not exceed one hour. The glassy material then may be irradiated with actinic radiation, such that the refractive index of the irradiated portion results in a normalized index change of at least 10−5.

Abstract: A sol-gel process is described that allows dry gels to be produced, and where necessary, the corresponding dense vitreous bodies, around an incompressible insert. A particular feature of the process is the step of a rotating a container holding the sol and incompressible insert throughout the gelling step under such conditions that a wet gel adhering to the insert is produced, which is then dried. The process is useful particularly for the production of preforms for optical fibers, which are also claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dual-type system for producing optical fibers. According to this system, a draw tower is partitioned into a first spinning chamber and a second spinning chamber by a central partition frame. A preform feed unit, a furnace, a spinning nozzle and a diameter gauge are installed on each of the first and second spinning chambers in order to spin an optical fiber. Two coating units are installed at the lowest unit of the draw tower at positions corresponding to the first and second spinning chambers and used for coating the surfaces of the optical fibers spun and drawn through the first and second spinning chambers. Two ducts each having a filter are installed on a side of each unit of the draw tower at positions corresponding to the first and second spinning chambers for supplying fresh air to the optical fibers so as to prevent the optical fibers from absorbing foreign substances in addition to cooling the optical fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a draw tower for optical fiber producing systems. The draw tower supports a preform feed unit, a furnace, a spinning nozzle, a diameter gauge, and a coating unit thereon. The draw tower includes a plurality of vertically assembled frames. Each of the frames consists of a hollow column vertically erected at each corner to form a square structure, a plurality of horizontal beams horizontally extending between the upper ends and the lower ends of the columns, and a cantilever beam diagonally connected between the columns. The cantilever beam of at least one upper frame has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of a conventional cantilever beam, thus reducing weight of the upper part of the draw tower. The hollow columns of at least one lower frame each have the same cross-sectional area as that of a conventional hollow column while having thicker walls than a conventional column, thus reinforcing the lower part of the draw tower in addition to preventing vibration of the draw tower.

Abstract: A closing device (4) is provided for closing a tube-shaped knit fabric on one end, for example for producing stockings or socks, which has plates (9) and counter-plates (13). The latter each have loop-carrying sections (18, 41), whose ends are designed to be complementary to each other and can engage each other in an interlocked manner. Here, the plates (9) have a receiving end, and the counter-plates (13) a penetrating end. The receiving end is constituted by a receiving funnel (28), formed by the ends of two legs (22, 23). These can be resiliently bent away from each other. This has the advantage that the penetrating counter-plate (13) cannot cause any damage to the plate (9) if it is moved too far in the direction toward the plate (9). There is the further advantage that in the course of the dipping movement of the needle into the free space of the plate, as well as during the relative movements between the needle and the plate, damages are almost impossible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooking a starch solution and then dispensing that cooked starch solution to a commercial laundry washer provides a vessel with an interior surrounded by a wall for holding a volume of liquid, a water supply inlet for supplying water to the vessel interior, an opening for adding dry starch to the vessel interior, and a steam supply inlet for adding steam to the vessel interior so that the volume of liquid within the vessel can be heated. A level controller controls the level of fluid within the vessel in between the minimum and maximum levels that is fabricated of a generally low or non-heat conductive material. A recirculation flow line has an inlet and outlet that each communicate with the vessel interior. A centrifugal pump mounted in the recirculation flow line pumps fluid from the inlet to the outlet in a recirculating fashion, the pump having a filter disposed on the inlet side within the vessel that breaks up starch lumps flowing in the recirculation flow line.

Abstract: The present invention relates a washing machine having a floatage clutch for performing the conversion of a cleansing step and a dehydrating step. This floatage clutch can be actuated only by using floatage and gravity to be generated during the feeding/draining of water without a separate driving part. Accordingly, the construction of clutch part can be simplified, and consequently the cost of manufacturing of the washing machine can be reduced.

Abstract: Washing machines having improved frictional forces with laundry. Those machines include a cabinet with a door, a tub inside for retaining wash water, and an internal vessel, inside the tub that is coupled with a motor that rotates the internal vessel. A friction member inside the internal vessel rubs against laundry. The frictional member includes a friction enhancer, such as a spherical structure or a freely rotating ball, that enhances laundry friction during washing and reduces adhesion of laundry after a dehydration cycle.

Abstract: A bicycle anti-theft device is made out of the saddle post by substituting to the regular hollow tube two massive half-cylinder arms grooved on their flat sides. The master arm is molded in one single piece with the head-like saddle holder, and the secondary one is terminated at its lower end with a full cylinder ring which houses a tubular cam round key lock. These two arms are coupled together on their flat side to reproduce the standard saddle post diameter and house in their inner face to face grooves an extra bar that pivots around the master arm lower end. The constituting parts of the saddle post can be reassembled and locked in a closed circuit that can be used to secure the bicycle (with the two wheels, the saddle and its post) to a metal fence or to a post. To do so, the secondary arm is hooked to the back of the saddle holder, and then the free end of the pivoting bar is introduced and locked between a buffer and a tubular cam lock mechanism in the secondary arm ring end.

Abstract: An automobile anti-theft device that has its parts straddling over the spoke(s) of a steering wheel, with one side tightly wrapped around by the device. Traditional steering wheel lock, such as the trademarked product The Club®, PTO registration number 1872404, allows a maximum of two cuts on the steering wheel to remove the anti-theft device and thus is not a very effective theft deterrent. Current anti-theft device eliminates the two-cuts easy steal because one side of the steering wheel is completely wrapped around, allowing no cuts to be made by the would-be-thieves. Theft can only be attained by extreme force to break current device, destroying the key/lock mechanism, or chopping away the steering wheel from the steering column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a door-locking device having an inside door-handle element which can be moved from a closed position into an open position by virtue of an inside door handle being actuated. Also provided is an outside door-handle element which can be moved from a closed position into an open position by virtue of an outside door handle being actuated. A driver element can be coupled in a form-fitting manner to the inside door-handle element and the outside door-handle element by a coupling 3 and can be moved from an uncoupled closed position into a coupled open position by the inside door-handle element and the outside door-handle element. By means of the driver element, in the coupled state, a catch of a door lock can be actuated, it being the case that the coupling 3 can be moved counter to a spring force from its coupled position into its uncoupled position by an uncoupling element.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an improved access control system that provides additional security for the connection between an existing locking system and an access control system, for example, to prevent tampering. The security system preferably includes a control line shield to protect a control line running from an access reader to an external lock incorporated in a door, for example. The control line shield seals the control line into the interior of the door to prevent easy access for interference and tampering Additionally, the control line shield may be removed as necessary to provide service to the access system.

Abstract: The method of unauthorized code units unblocking through certain manipulations based on listening to signals that appear when code elements contact with a locking rod. and that are easily picked by human ear is widely used in practice. The inventive method eliminates the possibility of unauthorized code unit unblocking by using such signals by providing locking rod movements blocked when the code lock pins or interim elements between code lock pins and the locking rod are unblocked, and allowing unblocked locking rod movements having the code lock pins or interim elements between code lock pins and the locking rod blocked. Locking type devices that have dials with discrete marking with symbols (for example digits) are widely used in practice. The symbols are used to set the dial to a working position. However it is possible to see a right combination and then the dial can be illicitly set to the detected working position.

Abstract: A key case comprises three parts, a center body, a first case piece, and a second case piece. The center body has a first cavity which side facing the first case piece is opened. The second case piece has four tabs extending toward the first case piece at positions substantially opposite to the peripheral surface of the first cavity. Each tab includes a claw on its distal end. The center body has apertures through which the corresponding tabs can pass therethrough. Following to each aperture, a groove and a shoulder are formed in the peripheral surface of the first cavity. A wireless module is contained in the first cavity while claws pass through the corresponding apertures to be engaged with the shoulders. The wireless module is sized to prevent the claws from disengaging from the shoulders.

Abstract: A lock cylinder with a cylinder core rotably mounted in a housing and normally locked against rotation by means of pin tumblers comprising core and housing pins mounted in core and housing orifices, spring-loaded against the housing and displaceable into a release position by insertion of a key (2) into a lock channel, wherein the cylidner core has at least one support pin inserted in a radial orifice of the cylinder core and spatially associated with a pin tumbler in such a way that the pin tumbler can be located between the support pin and core pin by interposition of a spacer (9) movably associated with the key (2), wherein the radial bore bearing the support pin extends obliquely to the orifice bearing the core pin, and the direction of movement of the spacer (9) extends obliquely to the broadside face of the key (2).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a combination adjuvant comprising an ammonium sulfate fertilizer impregnated with a drift reducing agent. The drift reducing agent is preferably polyacrylamide. Anti-caking and drying agents are preferably added to the combination adjuvant to provide ease of use and prevent caking and agglomeration of the adjuvant.

Abstract: A method for preadjusting and controlling strip planarity in flexible single-pass and reversing rolling of a strip-shaped material web using at least one work roll pair forming a roll gap and back-up rolls for the work rolls, and devices for roll adjustment, roll bending, roll displacement and roll balancing. The method includes, when rolling a thickness ramp for adjusting a desired strip profile shape over the strip width, determining corresponding adjustment parameters by accessing on-line a multidimensional data matrix produced off-line through a FEM model for all adjustment ranges of rolling force, roll displacement and bending control at all occurring strip widths.

Abstract: A sheet metal bending machine is provided with a bending unit moved by hydraulic cylinders with sliding pistons. The cylinders are controlled by a closed loop control system comprising temperature measuring means for measuring the cylinder temperature, position detecting means for detecting the piston position and a control unit for varying the rate of hydraulic fluid fed to the cylinders according to the measured cylinder temperature and the detected piston position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making cans from three pieces of a sheet metal, namely a bottom part, a body part and a closure, the method and apparatus enabling cost efficient production of cans in small batch sizes. The apparatus has means for forming a tubular can body from a blank of sheet material without internally supporting the tubular form. The apparatus further has means for subsequently forming the tubular can body into a cross sectional shape without the use of a dedicated press tool, means for beading, curling and flanging the can body and means for attaching the bottom part and the closure to the can body.

Abstract: An apparatus for making mattress and upholstery spring coils . The apparatus has a wire feeding device and a wire guide adapted to support first and second wires of different diameters. The wire guide is movable to first and second positions to align the first and second wires, respectively, with the wire feeding device. A spring coiling machine is positioned adjacent the wire feeding device. When the wire guide is in the first position, the spring coiling machine receives the first wire of one diameter from the wire feeding device; and the spring coiling machine bends the first wire into a spring coil of a desired diameter and pitch and having a first stiffness. When the wire guide is in the second position, the spring coiling machine receives the second wire of another diameter from the wire feeding device; and the spring coiling machine bends the second wire into a spring coil of the desired diameter and pitch but having a second stiffness.

Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.

Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container (1) is gripped at a holding station and tooling (10) is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling (10) by means of coordinated movement of the tooling (10) (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a ball-and-socket joint housing by cold forming from a blank (R), which is preferably produced from a bar or wire material and is prepared for forming. A first axial depression (1) with a diameter (D1) is first prepared by reverse cup extrusion. A second axial depression (2) with a comparatively larger diameter (D2) is subsequently prepared in the axial depression (1) by reverse cup extrusion. A diameter reduction (D3) also of the first axial depression (1) is formed in some sections by the deformation of the material during the second reverse cup extrusion.

Abstract: A simple structure is provided for the frame by changing the orientation of the crank mechanism so as to orient the crankshaft longitudinally. More specifically, the structure includes two ring-shaped main plates are provided in the front and back and are connected by means of connector plates. An upwardly and downwardly movable slide for the machine press is provided in a space demarcated by four column portions of the ring-shaped main plates and a bolster is provided atop a bed of the ring-shaped main plates. A crankshaft oriented longitudinally is provided at the crown portion of the ring-shaped main plates, and the slide is moved upward and downward by a drive mechanism that includes the crankshaft.

Abstract: A collision test apparatus (20) comprises input (22) and output members (23) formed from incompressible liquids and between which is positioned a sample (24) whose impact characteristics are to be measured. A compression wave is input to the input member (22) and propagated through the sample (24) and into the output member (23). Suitable detectors (33, 34) detect the input compression wave, output compression wave and any part of the input compression wave reflected off the sample (24).

Abstract: A gas sensor element is inserted into a housing having a base end and is fixed with respect to the housing. Terminal electrodes are provided on the base end of the sensor element. An atmosphere-side cover including an insulator with terminal accommodation holes is provided on the base end of the housing. The insulator also has an element accommodation hole (communicating with the terminal accommodation holes) in which the base end of the sensor element is placed. The insulator has ribs forming inner surfaces defining the element accommodation hole. The rib thickness is smaller than that of the sensor element base end. Metal terminals are at least partially placed in respective terminal accommodation holes and have connecting portions with leads for external electrical connection. The ribs are located between the metal terminals to form spaces between the metal terminals.

Abstract: Semiconductor gas-sensitive materials of the formula Cr2−xTixO3 where 0.05>x≧0.0001, and gas sensors formed therefrom.

Abstract: An air side cover is attached to a proximal end of a housing so as to confine an aerial atmosphere therein. A measured gas side cover is attached to a distal end of the housing so as to confine a measured gas atmosphere therein. A glass sealing material airtightly seals a clearance between an inner surface of an insulator and an outer surface of a sensing element. A contact interface of the glass sealing material protrudes toward a proximal end of the gas sensor compared with at least an adjacent portion of the remainder of the glass sealing material. By melting and hardening a glass pellet, the sensing element is airtightly fixed in the insulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the change in the density of a solid, liquid or gaseous medium. Said device is able to detect effects on the density of the medium caused by physical and/or chemical parameters which cause changes in the density of the medium. The device comprises an emission device (2) for emitting any kind of emission signal having at least one period. Said emission device is coupled to the medium (3). At least one receiving device (7) picks up the response signals which are reflected and/or transmitted from the medium. A comparator (6) follows each receiving device, the receiving device being connected across one input of the comparator and the emission device being respectively connected across the other input thereof. The outputs of the comparators are coupled to a processing and sample selecting device which is followed by a display screen (9).

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring transmission characteristics of a gas of interest through a barrier material wherein a sealed test gas chamber is provided on one side of the barrier material and an aligned sealed measurement chamber is provided on the opposite side of the barrier material. A rough vacuum is pulled in the test gas chamber and a high vacuum pulled in the measurement chamber to establish a set pressure differential therebetween. A mass spectrometer having partial gas sensitivities of 5×10−4 Torr or lower in fluid communication with the measurement chamber determines permeation of the test gas of interest through the barrier material.

Abstract: A plumbing testing device (10) has a pair of aligned and closed pipe sections (12 and 14) with open sides facing in opposite directions. The plumbing testing device (10) is longitudinally collapsible to facilitate removal from between pipe ends (19 and 20). The pipe sections (12 and 14) each have a port (32, 35), a transparent hose (38) connects the ports to one another, and a valve (30) controls the flow of water between the pipe sections (12 and 14) through the hose (38).

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine operable in a plurality of compression ratio operating states includes the steps of determining a change in idle air flow of the engine as the engine is operated in selected ones of the compression ratio operating states, and evaluating operation of the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the change in idle air flow.

Abstract: An integrated engine combustion monitoring system that includes at least one structure comprising a light communication channel (LCC) and a sensor, which are embedded in a cylinder head gasket, for monitoring combustion composition, pressure, or temperature. The sensor and the LCC may be positioned between an air cavity or a material comprising a photorefractive gel or polymer. The sensor includes a sensing component that may have various shapes or configurations. The LCC comprises one or more materials, such as a polymer, which may be formed into a strand or other structural shape and incorporated into the cylinder head gasket. The other end of the LCC may be fabricated as part of one or more engine structures or it may be connected to other structures or components such as optical detectors or associated process control electronics.