Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient's head. The apparatus includes an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device adaptable to the patient's head. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the convective device toward the patient's head. The base sheet also supports an evaporative cooling element that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient's head. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's head by the inflating medium exhausted from the convective device. The evaporative cooling element may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the apparatus, is connected to the convective device.

Abstract: A self-cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when the pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations 11 and channels 3, 4 and 5 for gas or a low temperature for liquids on a dry side and wet side. Fluid streams 1 flow across the dry side 9, transferring heat to the plate. Gas stream 2 flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels 5 on wet side 10, which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate. A wicking material provides wetting of wet side. In other embodiments, a desiccant wheel may be used to dehumidify the gas, air streams may be recirculated, feeder wicks 13 and a pump may be used to bring water from a water reservoir, and fans may be used to either force or induce a draft. The wicking material may be cellulose, organic fibers, organic based fibers, polyester, polypropylene, carbon-based fibers, silicon based fibers, fiberglass, or combinations of them.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and a variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A coolant pump circulates the heating/cooling fluid between the heat exchanger and the heat exchange bath.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant in which an odorant is added, the odorant being compatible with refrigerants and refrigerating device oils, and having no reactivity with refrigerating device oils and materials forming refrigerating circuits, and to provide a refrigerating device in which the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerating circuit. A refrigerant whose main component is a hydrocarbon having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a flammable hydrocarbon fluoride obtained when one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon is substituted by fluorine atoms, the refrigerant containing a tetrahydrothiophene as an odorant, and a refrigerating device in which the refrigerant is circulated are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airconditioning system which uses a plurality of absorption chiller-cells, for refrigerating an antifreeze fluid that is circulated through fan-coil units of an airconditioning system. The anti-freeze fluid passes through refrigerant evaporators in each cell structure in a consecutive order for lowering the temperature of the antifreeze fluid gradually. More particularly, it relates to an absorption chiller-cell system having a plurality of evaporators employing multi-refrigerant circulation circuits in an absorption cycle to produce sufficient refrigerant for the airconditioning system. The invention enables the physical size of the system to be relatively small, so that the system can replace conventional electric airconditioning units for home applications.

Abstract: An absorption diffusion type refrigerating structure comprises a generator, a rectifier, a condenser, an evaporator, a concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank, and an absorber. The absorber is vertical. A spiral device is disposed in the absorber to lengthen the flow path of diluted ammonia aqueous solution, to extend the time of diluted ammonia aqueous solution in the absorber, and to expand the reaction area of diluted ammonia solution in the absorber, thereby reducing the whole weight, shrinking the volume, and enhancing the refrigerating speed. An ammonia liquid pipe and a hydrogen pipe are arranged in the evaporator. The evaporator has a simple and symmetrical shape, and can be processed and assembled easily, hence saving the space thereof. Moreover, because the ammonia liquid pipe and the hydrogen pipe are arranged in the evaporator, the effect of heat exchange thereof is better, and the refrigerating temperature is lower.

Abstract: A refrigerant accumulator (1) for a vehicle air-conditioning system comprises and upper and a lower half-shell (5, 6), which are connected to one another by a welded seam (7).

Abstract: Refrigerant exiting a condenser (1) is diverted into first and second parts, with the first part passed to a first intercooler (6) via a first decompression means (3) while the second part is passed to an evaporator (8) via a second decompression means (7). The refrigerant passed to the second decompression means (7) undergoes heat exchange with the intercooler (6). The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator (8) is fed to a first stage low-pressure compression means (32). In the multi-stage compression apparatus, the refrigerant discharged-from the low-pressure compression means (32) is mixed or merged with the refrigerant exiting the intercooler (6) at a merging point (106), and then fed to a second stage high-pressure compression means (34). The displacement volume of the low-pressure compression means (32) is larger than that of the high-pressure compression means(34).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO2) clean-up cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of a heavier hydrocarbon fraction from a gaseous feed comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, which process comprises subjecting the feed to a first fractionation to form a condensed product; subjecting the condensed product to a second fractionation, at a lower pressure than the first fractionation pressure, to provide the heavier hydrocarbon fraction and distillate fraction; and withdrawing the produced heavier fraction wherein the distillate from the second fractionation is partially condensed to provide reflux streams for both the first and second fractionations. Running the second fractionation at a lower pressure than the first means that there is phased let-down of pressure in two stages, leading to an increased pressure at the suction of the residue gas compressor and reduces power consumption.

Abstract: This plant comprises N (N>1) air distillation units (1) in parallel, each one of which comprises a main air compressor (3) driven by a steam turbine (4); an air distillation apparatus (8) producing liquid oxygen and/or liquid nitrogen; at least one pump (9) for pumping liquid oxygen and/or liquid nitrogen to a high production pressure; and a cycle compressor (10) adapted to compress part of a cycle fluid. Each cycle compressor (10) is driven by an electric motor (11), and an (N+1)th steam turbine (12) drives an alternator (13) supplying the electric motors (11) with electric current. Application to supplying units (2) for producing synthetic hydrocarbons with high-pressure oxygen.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for delivering a liquefied compressed gas with a high rate of flow comprising passing a liquefied compressed high-purity semiconductor gas into a storage vessel; positioning a temperature measuring means onto the wall of the compressed gas storage vessel; positioning at least one heating means proximate to the storage vessel; monitoring the resulting temperature with the temperature measuring means; positioning a pressure measuring means at the outlet of the storage vessel and monitoring the vessel pressure; adjusting the heat output of the heating means to heat the liquefied compressed gas in the storage vessel to control the evaporation of the liquefied compressed gas in the storage vessel; and controlling the flow of the gas from the storage vessel.

Abstract: A system of interconnected ornamental rings which convey a definite and clear message regarding the existence of an interpersonal relationship which, when worn by an individual, cannot be mistaken in the culture. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive system of interconnected ornamental rings comprises a pair of separate finger rings, each having a connection point at which there is attached a decorative chain interconnecting the separate rings. The system of interconnected rings can be worn on two fingers of the hand, with a finger in-between them, so that the decorative chain is prominently displayed. The message conveyed by such a pair of interconnected ornamental rings is very clear, indicating an interpersonal relationship with another, with the decorative chain which enhances the message with its particular type of decorative style.

Abstract: Voltage is applied between electrodes (14a, 14b) under UV irradiation to perform a UV excitation poling, thereby producing microcrystal particles at a core unit (10a). Accordingly, second-order optical nonlinearity is developed at the core unit (10a) of an optical fiber (10). Under a high-temperature condition, a second-order optical nonlinearity can be imparted by a comparatively low-voltage UV excitation poling when a second-order optical nonlinearity decreases.

Abstract: A method for producing formed semiconductor articles with predefined shapes such as core tubes for CVD production of bulk polysilicon. The method is characterized by thermal spray deposition of the semiconductor material in a on a temperature controlled rotating mandrel that is shaped complementarily to the desired article shape, and by later separation of the formed semiconductor body from the mandrel by thermal contraction, melting, or chemical reduction of the mandrel size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double cylinder circular knitting machine which comprises at least one nozzle (18) providing a blast of air close to a yarn cutting-and-locking unit (13) to divert the ends of yarns cut and held by the said unit towards the interior of the cylinder, that is towards the reverse side of the item being manufactured. At the same time each cam (14, 21) for moving the needles where the yarns are picked up from the yarn guides is located and configured to move the needles at a predetermined distance from the yarn cutting-and-locking unit so as to leave a space for diverting the end (20) of the cut yarn towards the interior of the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of knitting knitwear comprises the joining knit step comprising the step that whenever an adequate number of courses of the front body 3a and the back body 3b are knitted by using different yarn feeders, both right and left sleeves 5, 7 are shifted to the body side and joined together; and the step that when the front body 3a and the back body 3b are knitted by different feed yarns, respectively, and the yarn is fed to either of the right and left sleeves 5, 7 to form stitches in the next course, split knit is provided for stitches of the front sleeves 5a, 7a and back sleeves 5b, 7b at side ends thereof on the body side and then the stitches formed by the split knit are laid over the stitches of the different courses in the bodies 3a, 3b, respectively, to join together the sleeves 5, 7 and the body 3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polychromatic yam dyeing apparatus, comprising an upper track portion having at least one pair of upper wheels disposed in parallel, an upper caterpillar unit rotatably travelling around the upper wheels and a plurality of upper dyeing members coupled with the upper caterpillar unit, a lower track portion having at least one pair of lower wheels disposed in parallel, a lower caterpillar unit rotatably travelling around the lower wheels at the same travelling speed as that of the upper caterpillar unit and having a travelling section parallel to a travelling section of the upper caterpillar unit and a plurality of lower dyeing members coupled with the lower caterpillar unit and contacting the upper dyeing members, with a yarn being positioned therebetween, and a plurality of dye supplying parts disposed sequentially along the travelling direction of the lower caterpillar unit, for supplying dyestuff of different colors respectively to the lower dyeing members.

Abstract: A hasp and lock cover for installation on a camming handle of a cargo door of cargo carrying vehicles and shipping containers to substantially cover existing top and bottom hasp elements and the shackle of a lock device installed through the hasp elements. The cover is a unitary rigid box-like device having a contiguous front wall, laterally opposed side walls, a top end wall, an open back side, and an open bottom end defining an interior. Axially aligned apertures through each laterally opposed side wall are sized and shaped to slidably receive the camming handle of the cargo door. A recess in the top end wall is sized and shaped to allow pivotal movement therethrough of the top hasp element into and out of the cover interior. The open bottom end allows the lock device to be manually inserted upwardly therethrough into the interior and manipulated to secure the shackle through aligned apertures in the top and bottom hasp elements.

Abstract: A locking device for a compact computer or a small computer, in particular, a personal data accessory or a palm data accessory (hereinafter referred to as PDA), is presented. The invention also includes a blocking device which is connected with the locking mechanism and is convertible between an unlocking position and a locking position, the blocking device is adapted to be locked and secured by the locking mechanism. The blocking device is adapted to be set to the locking position and resist against the incline surface of the stand so as to lock and secure the PDA with the stand.

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

Abstract: The present invention consists of a molded locking device and opening device together with a cover provided on the top of box, a hook to facilitate locking, and a locking apparatus inside the box opposite to the opening device, and locking device. The present invention is known for two distinctive features: (1) a window provided on the shell of the opening device and a track on the edge of window to facilitate the movement of convex plates, and (2) holes in the lifting plate and locking plate and a folding plate between the lifting plate and opening device. The folding plate connects to one end of the locking plate to trigger the movement of the latch provided on the top of locking plate. Therefore, the design of present invention simplifies the assembly procedure of opening plate, lifting plate and locking plate; thereby reduces the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A door lock is proposed, in which an outside knob assembled at the outside of a door can be manually controlled to be operationally associated with or dissociated from the door lock. When the door lock is fastened, the outside knob can be selectively decoupled from the door lock and become idle; this is greatly beneficial as to prevent the door lock from being damaged even if the outside knob is exerted with external impact or forcibly turned by a strong force. The door lock is further provided with a fireproof mechanism, which prevents the door from being opened during a fire, thereby confining spreading of the fire to minimize fire-induced damage.

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

Abstract: This invention pertains to a mechanism for securing a container. The container includes at least one wall, which is comprised of at least a first door. The mechanism includes a first rod, which is attached with the outer surface of the first door. The first rod is capable of being rotated from an openable position, when the first door is capable of being opened, to a closed position, when the first door is engaged with the container to be closed. The mechanism further includes a channel member, which is attached with the inner surface of the first door, and a sliding member, which is slidably received within the channel member. The sliding member is engageable with the first rod. As the first rod is rotated from the openable position to the closed position, engagement of the first rod with the sliding member causes the sliding member to slide to secure the first door.

Abstract: An interconnected lock assembly which can remotely engage a mechanism to couple operation of an inside handle to operation of an outside handle to enable the door to be unlocked from the outside of the door without requiring a key. The interconnected lock assembly is mounted in a door and comprises a first lock assembly including an inside handle and an outside handle, and a second lock assembly interconnected to the first lock assembly. The second lock assembly comprises a deadbolt assembly operably connected to a deadbolt latch having a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotation of the inside handle operates to move the deadbolt into a retracted position. The interconnected lock assembly further comprises a remote unlocking mechanism selectively engageable to automatically couple the outside handle to the inside handle such that rotation of the outside handle moves the deadbolt into a retracted position thus unlocking the door.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the stroke of a press brake having a movable beam (1) supporting a punch (2), a fixed beam (3) supporting a die (4), means of displacing (5, 5′) the movable beam with respect to the fixed beam, said displacement means resting on side frames (6, 6′) immovably attached to the fixed beam, linear encoders (9, 9′) for measuring the displacement of the movable beam with respect to the side frames, at least one sensor (8, 8′) measuring a physical parameter (p) varying with the force exerted by said punch on a metal sheet placed on said die, and an electronic device for controlling (7) the bending movement controlling the speed of said displacement movement between top dead center and bottom dead center (BDC), provided with a calculation means for correcting the value of said bottom dead center depending on the measurement of said displacement and said physical parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of ductile material by superplastic forming. Excessive wrinkling is prevented in the present invention by providing a method and apparatus which controls the amount of material flow during the forming process.

Abstract: To improve the productivity of the cold rolling facility by providing the cold rolling facility with a strip wiper free of dust and foreign matters suitable for high-speed rolling. The wiping ability was greatly improved by floating and supporting the wiper roll by the static pressure bearing of air of two-pocket type, and by variably adjusting the load range of the floating force in response to the plate width. At high-speed rolling exceeding 700 m/min which was incapable with the conventional roll wiper or tube wiper, the productivity of the cold rolling facility and the surface quality of the strip were greatly improved by applying to the cold rolling facility the wiping device whose wiping ability is equal to or better than the tube wiper at low speeds, and its effect is very large.

Abstract: A method of making an eyewear frame comprising the initial step of extruding an elongated billet of substantially rigid material having a top surface having predetermined convex cross-sectional initially as extruded curvature and a bottom surface having a predetermined concave cross-sectional initially as extruded curvature. The next step involves mounting a predetermined length of the elongated billet in a holding fixture of a computer numerical control (CNC) cutting machine. Next the CNC cutting machine is operated to cut out predetermined lens apertures and a finished eyewear frame around each of the previously machined lens apertures thereby producing a substantially stress free eyewear frame that is ready to have a stress free lens installed in its lens aperture.

Abstract: An extrusion tool for an extrusion press for manufacturing seamless, eccentric pipe sections—in particular pipe sections with circular outer and inner contours—from extrusion blocks, in particular from extrusion billets. The extrusion tool contains a container with a chamber with a longitudinal axis MR which accommodates the extrusion block, an extrusion stem which is introduced into the container chamber, and features a dummy block, a mandrel arm with a longitudinal axis MD forming the inner wall of the pipe-section, and a die with an opening with a longitudinal axis MM forming the outer wall of the pipe section. The mandrel arm is arranged such that it can be pushed out of the dummy block through the extrusion block up to or into the die opening. The mandrel arm in the position for extrusion is arranged eccentric in cross-section with respect to the container chamber and the die opening and the die opening is arranged eccentric in cross-section with respect to the container chamber.

Abstract: A device for upsetting a workpiece has a frame, a head for movement in a first direction toward the frame, and first and second tool holders between the frame and the head for holding dies for the upsetting. A parallelogram linkage mechanism supports the first tool holder on one of the frame and head for movement by the movement of the head in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and toward the second tool holder for the upsetting. The parallelogram linkage mechanism has first and second pins respectively on the first tool holder and the one of the frame and head, and a link rotatably on the pins, one of the pins being eccentric in the second direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal pipe with an eccentrically expanded open end comprises the steps of plastically deforming to a coaxially expanded state M1 so that an axial wall length L2 at a side to be eccentrically expanded is longer than an axial wall length L1 at the opposite side to be expanded without eccentricity. The coaxially expanded open end M1 is then plastically deformed to an eccentrically expanded state M2 by forcibly inserting an eccentrically expanding punch into the coaxially expanded open end M1. The eccentrically expanding punch has a boundary between a conical tip and a cylindrical body inclined with a predetermined angle &thgr; so as to bring the cylindrical body into contact with an inner wall of the coaxially expanded open end M1 at a side to be eccentrically expanded earlier than the opposite side to be expanded without eccentricity.

Abstract: A vehicle frame straightening system includes a rigid vertical post secured to a rigid base and a circumferential post sleeve slidably mounted about an upper segment of the post. The system further includes an elongate pulling member including a frame engagement element at one end and a circumferential sleeve slidably mounted about a central segment of the pulling member, the sleeve having a frame-opposing end and a fame-distal end. An axle is transversely mounted upon the post sleeve to which is pivotally secured the pulling sleeve member. The system also includes first and second linear position actuation elements, the first of which is pivotally mounted to the first sleeve above the axle. Selectable actuation of the second linear position actuation element effects incremental linear pulling of the pulling member inclusive of the frame engagement elements of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for determination of the concentration of a sterilant, e.g., hydrogen peroxide vapor, in a sterilization system. This invention provides a method for calibrating a sensor that is used for measuring the quantity of a sterilant in a system for delivering the sterilant, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating reference calibration data, the reference calibration data showing a mathematical relationship between a measurable parameter, e.g. voltage, and a quantity of the sterilant, e.g.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure p contains a membrane with a front and a rear clamped into a body. The pressure p can be applied to the rear of the membrane. The front of the membrane is actively linked to a piston. In addition, a force transmitter is present with which a predetermined force can be applied to the piston. For the purpose of re-calibration, the membrane of the pressure sensor can be deformed by the force transmitter under precisely defined conditions and the output signal re-calibrated. A positioner can also be foreseen instead of the force transmitter.

Abstract: A novel Stewart platform includes electromagnetic linear actuators. The motion platform may be included in an apparatus and method for testing footwear where a stationary shoe is struck by the motion platform.

Abstract: A capillary test specimen, method, and system for visualizing and quantifying capillary flow of liquids under realistic conditions, including polymer underfilling, injection molding, soldering, brazing, and casting. The capillary test specimen simulates complex joint geometries and has an open cross-section to permit easy visual access from the side. A high-speed, high-magnification camera system records the location and shape of the moving liquid front in real-time, in-situ as it flows out of a source cavity, through an open capillary channel between two surfaces having a controlled capillary gap, and into an open fillet cavity, where it subsequently forms a fillet on free surfaces that have been configured to simulate realistic joint geometries. Electric resistance heating rapidly heats the test specimen, without using a furnace.

Abstract: A method for measuring the viscosity of a green compact sample includes the steps of finding a corrected value V′ of the sample volume of the green compact sample, where the corrected value V′ of the sample volume is a volume occupied by the inorganic powder in the green compact sample; finding a corrected value (dh/dt)′ of the sample deformation rate of the green compact sample, where the corrected value (dh/dt)′ of the sample deformation rate is the difference between the apparent sample deformation rate and the sample deformation rate due to sintering shrinkage; separating a temperature range X in which sintering shrinkage dominates and a temperature range Y in which plastic deformation dominates with respect to the displacement of the green compact sample; substituting the corrected value V′ of the sample volume for the sample volume V and substituting the corrected value (dh/dt)′ of the sample deformation rate for the sample deformation rate dh/dt in the Gent equation

Abstract: A process and a device for determining changes in a liquid medium, in particular a liquid coating agent or its components, caused by shear stress, in which a given volume of the medium is allowed to pass repeatedly through a shear unit under reproducible conditions.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device capable of simply formulating an arbitrary gradient pattern in a low flow gradient high performance liquid chromatography. That is, the present invention provides a split tubing apparatus for a gradient high performance liquid chromatography, which comprises a solvent inlet part, a split tubing part split into two or more plural tubes, and a solvent outlet part.

Abstract: “Process for determining the distillation characteristics of liquid petroleum products by express mini-distillation and apparatus permitting implementation of this process” Apparatus characterized by the fact that it includes: a distillation flask dimensioned to receive 5 to 15 ml of a sample to be analysed, organs for heating the distillation flask, with an adjustable constant heating intensity, two inertialess temperature sensors permitting continuous measurement on the one hand of the true value of the temperature of a sample in the course of distillation in the liquid phase and the true value of the temperature of this sample in the vapor phase, a device for continuous measurement of the pressure in the vapor phase of a sample in the course of distillation which includes a pressure detector and a capillary tube, and organs for reception and exploitation of signals transmitted by the temperature sensors and the pressure detector.

Abstract: An automotive roadwheel is pre-balanced before a tire is mounted thereto. The wheel is balanced by applying a mass of ballasted adhesive to a protected surface of the wheel.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring and identifying moisture intrusion in soil such as is contained in landfills housing radioactive and/or hazardous waste. The invention utilizes the principle that moist or wet soil has a higher thermal conductance than dry soil. The invention employs optical time delay reflectometry in connection with a distributed temperature sensing system together with heating means in order to identify discrete areas within a volume of soil wherein temperature is lower. According to the invention an optical element and, optionally, a heating element may be included in a cable or other similar structure and arranged in a serpentine fashion within a volume of soil to achieve efficient temperature detection across a large area or three dimensional volume of soil. Remediation, moisture countermeasures, or other responsive action may then be coordinated based on the assumption that cooler regions within a soil volume may signal moisture intrusion where those regions are located.

Abstract: A method for determining the adhesion strength of any HVOF-coating/substrate system. This method applies a spherical indentor to the coated part in a loading-unloading cycle. During the loading phase, the substrate deforms plastically. During the unloading phase, the elastic-plastic mismatch between coating and substrate material properties gives rise to a tensile stress normal to the interface. This leads to delamination for a sufficient indentation load. A hybrid numerical-experimental approach calculates the interfacial adhesion. The threshold load for delamination is found experimentally. A finite element model calculates the corresponding adhesion stress for delamination. This method enables the quantitative evaluation of the adhesion for any coating/substrate interface, regardless of bond strength.

Abstract: In a method for determining the air aspirated by an internal combustion engine, in which the air flow rate is detected by an air flow rate meter, simultaneously with the detection of the air flow rate, the humidity and/or pressure of the air is detected by a humidity and/or pressure sensor and evaluated in an evaluation circuit.

Abstract: A snug fitting apparatus for improving the finished quality of a tire assembly 1 without sacrificing productivity, including a first pressing member 25 (25a) adapted to be pressed against the ground contact surface F of a tire assembly 1 and a second pressing member 25 (25b) adapted to be pressed against the ground contact surface F to receive the radial reactional force of the ground contact surface F. Measuring device is provided to read variation in the reactional force. As a result, a large, expensive uniformity checking machine is made unnecessary, making it possible to assure quality for all the quantity of tire assemblies 1 on the production line and to fully automate the process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (200) for monitoring vehicle tire pressure and warning the driver when a low tire inflation pressure condition occurs includes transponder tags (220a . . . 220d, 300, 300a) and associated sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature) for each tire and a monitor (230a . . . 230d, 400 disposed in close proximity to each tire (204a . . . 204d). In this case manner, a low-powered radio transmission can take place between each tire tag and an associated one of the monitors. Each monitor is connected to a vehicle data bus 206, 430) for communicating, preferably bi-directionally, with a computer (208), and a central display (212) provides visual (or audible) warnings to the operator of the vehicle. The system is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and highly reliable, and conforms to standards established for heavy vehicles, and can be used on passenger car applications as well.