Abstract: A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator, wherein the expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series, and a power transmitting device for disconnecting the pump from the motor generator, when the expansion-compressor device is driven by the motor generator so as to be operated as a compressor device.

Abstract: A heat pump equipped with an extraction heat exchanger includes a compressor sucking low-temperature-and-low-pressure liquid refrigerant, and compressing and discharging the low-temperature-and-low-pressure liquid refrigerant into high-temperature-and-high-pressure liquid refrigerant, a condenser in which air passing therethrough absorbs heat from the liquid refrigerant to liquefy the liquid refrigerant, an evaporator in which refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air and is evaporated to cool indoor air, a main electronic expansion valve connected between the condenser and the evaporator to decompress the liquid refrigerant liquefied in the condenser such that the decompressed refrigerant is easily evaporated in the evaporator and flows at a predetermined flow rate; and the extraction heat exchanger branching a part of the high-temperature-and-high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and performing and bypassing heat exchange between high-temperature-and-high-pressure super-cooled liquid refrigerant and high-tempera

Abstract: The present invention relates to air conditioning systems, and more particularly, to an air conditioning system which can control a refrigerant flow rate to a heat exchanger exchanging heat with room air to be optimum; and a method for controlling the same. The air conditioning system includes an outdoor heat exchange part including a compressor for compressing refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for making the refrigerant to heat exchange with outdoor air, and an expansion device for expanding the refrigerant, an indoor heat exchange part including a pump for making refrigerant in a flow path independent from the outdoor heat exchange part to flow, at least one indoor heat exchanger for making the refrigerant heat exchange with room air, and a flow rate control device for controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant, and a hybrid heat exchange part for making the outdoor heat exchange part and the indoor heat exchange part, which are independent from each other, to heat exchange with each other.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner is disclosed. The air conditioner is an apparatus that cools or heats an indoor space by circulating refrigerant in one direction or another. The indoor unit of the air conditioner comprises a case spaced apart from the ceiling of a room by a predetermined distance, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the case to heat or cool the room, and a fan and fan motor provided in the case to suction and discharge air.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with a reheat function selectively utilizing the heat rejected by the variable speed drive controller and electronics that are often employed in known refrigerant cycles. By placing at least one of these variable speed drives in the path of air being delivered to an environment to be conditioned, the air is reheated to a desired temperature, after it has been overcooled in the evaporator to provide a desired humidity level. In this manner, the variable speed drive is cooled, and the reheat function is provided, without the requirement of any additional flow structure.

Abstract: A compressor oil recovering apparatus is disclosed which is capable of smoothly re-supplying, to a compressor, oil separated in an oil separator after emerging from the compressor, thereby achieving an enhancement in the reliability of the compressor, and thus, an enhancement in the performance of an air conditioner using the compressor oil recovering apparatus. A multi-unit air conditioner using the compressor oil recovering apparatus is also disclosed. The compressor oil recovering apparatus includes an oil separator adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from a compressor, an oil recovering port provided at the compressor, and an oil recovering tube having one end connected to the oil separator, and the other end connected to the oil recovering port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil separator for air conditioners that is capable of separating oil from refrigerant. The oil separator comprises a shell having a cylindrical space defined therein, a refrigerant introduction pipe for introducing refrigerant into the shell, a refrigerant discharge pipe for discharging the refrigerant out of the shell, and oil-drop growth accelerating member for accelerating growth of oil drops contained in the refrigerant flowing in the shell.

Abstract: A refrigerant bypassing and filtering apparatus of an air conditioner is disclosed which is capable of effectively removing foreign matter such as slag produced in a refrigerant line, not only when the air conditioner is initially operated, but also during normal operation of the air conditioner. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line adapted to guide a refrigerant to bypass a main line through which the refrigerant flows between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, a strainer arranged at the bypass line, a first valve arranged at the main line between opposite ends of the bypass line connected to the main line, and second valves arranged at the bypass line.

Abstract: An expansion-distribution assembly (30) for the heat-absorbing component in a heatpump system. The assembly (30) comprises an envelope (32) forming an expansion chamber (54) and a distribution chamber (56). A shuttle (80) within the distribution chamber (56) is movable between a first position in response to fluid flowing in the forward direction and a second position in response to fluid flowing in the reverse direction. The shuttle (80) restricts flow when fluid is flowing in the first direction but is less restrictive when fluid is flowing in the second direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system unit for desorbing carbon dioxide and other impurities from highly pressurized methanol. Said system unit comprises at least one or more expansion vessels arranged in succession, at least one heat exchanger, and at least one liquid/gas separator. The inventive system unit contains: a) a line (1) through which the intensely cooled methanol leaving expansion vessel (C) is introduced into the heat exchanger (E) from underneath, and; b) a line (2), though which the heated methanol is drawn out of the heat exchanger (E) from the top, and which serves to connect said heat exchanger to a liquid/gas separator inside of which the remaining carbon dioxide still contained in the methanol is desorbed and separated out to the greatest possible extent. This system unit enables the cold due to evaporation, said cold resulting during the desorption of carbon dioxide, to be obtained inside a heat exchanger and constitutes an important cold energy source for carrying out absorption.

Abstract: A method of separating one or more light components, such as helium, from a carbon dioxide containing stream. A two-phase stream is obtained, at least in part, by cooling a pressurized feed stream to at least partially condense such stream. The stream that is subsequently degassed to produce a first vapor stream enriched in the light component(s) and a first liquid stream containing an entrained fraction of the light component(s). The first liquid stream is expanded to create another two-phase stream that is degasified to produce a second vapor stream that is also enriched in the light component(s) and a second liquid stream having an enriched carbon dioxide content. The second liquid stream is repressurized and vaporized. In case of a supercritical feed, the pressurized feed stream is expanded after having been cooled. Thereafter, the feed is degassed to produce the light component enriched vapor stream and a liquid stream enriched in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of gemstone casting and gemstone setting using a variation of the lost wax method. That is, the present invention is directed towards making a setting wherein a gemstone is set in the center a wax mold. Prong members are then formed around the gemstone. A cast is then made having the exact measurements of the gemstone to be set. This gives the prong members a strong hold around the gemstone. A plurality of smaller gemstones are then evenly distributed around the main gemstone thus provide for better dispersion, scintillation and brilliancy coefficients of the main gemstone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a previously known method for producing synthetic silica glass, comprising the following steps: a gas stream containing a vaporizable initial substance, which can be converted into SiO2 by means of oxidation or flame hydrolysis, is formed; the gas stream is delivered to a reaction zone in which the initial substance is converted so as to form amorphous SiO2 particles; the amorphous SiO2 particles are deposited on a support so as to form an SiO2 layer; and the SiO2 is vitrified during or following deposition of the SiO2 particles in order to obtain the silica glass. The aim of the invention is to create an economical method for producing synthetic silica glass, which is characterized by a favorable damaging behavior towards short-wave UV radiation while being particularly suitable for producing an optical component used for transmitting high-energy ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of 250 nm or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a treatment process in safety glass production by means of information representing a load of glass panels. Flat glass panels are conveyed through a heating lehr (2) and a quenching section (22). The treatment process is preceded by using a line camera (6) for reading the information representing a load of glass. This information is used in controlling the treatment process. The load-representing information is supplemented by automated detection of a glass panel's coating or the absence of coating. A glass panel's thickness is also measured. This information about coating and thickness is used in quenching for automated regulation of a quenching time and a blast pressure. Such information is also particularly useful for the automated control of convection heating (3c) included in the heating device.

Abstract: A process for glass molding includes the steps of: gradually increasing a working temperature to a formation temperature T1 while maintaining a normal pressure and an initial mold position; maintaining the formation temperature T1 for about 60 seconds, and during this period; increasing the normal pressure to a first pressure P3, the first pressure P3 being in the range of 200-400 newtons; increasing the first pressure P3 to a second pressure P2, the second pressure P2 being in the range of 500-700 newtons; increasing the second pressure P2 to a formation pressure P1, the formation pressure being in the range of 700-900 newtons; decreasing the formation pressure P1 to a cooling pressure P4; gradually decreasing the formation temperature T1 to a slow-cooling temperature T3 while maintaining the cooling pressure P4 and gradually de-compacting the mold position.

Abstract: A method for producing a polarizing glass wherein a glass preform containing metal halide particles having a prescribed particle size dispersed therein is heated to a prescribed temperature and elongated, to thereby form a glass sheet containing elongated metal halide particles, and then said metal halide particles are reduced to the metal, characterized in that the glass sheet having been heated and elongated is quenched and then subjected to an annealing treatment, and thereafter, the above metal halide particles are reduced to the metal. The method allows the removal of the stress which generates during the above heating and elongating treatment and residues in the glass sheet, without the reduction of the extinction ratio of the resultant glass sheet, which results in the production of a polarizing glass having good optical characteristics at a low cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for producing an optical lens, especially a precision lens, using a first mold, a convexity being pressed into an essentially plane surface of a glass blank, especially of a glass ingot, without the first mold touching the surface of the convexity or a substantial part of the convexity, and the convexity being pressed into a second mold, the second mold touching a substantial part of the convexity.

Abstract: An automatic pressure control device for detecting and automatically controlling a gas pressure within a quartz tube in an optical fiber preform fabricating apparatus by regulating the flow rate of gas fed into the quartz tube in accordance with a preset pressure value is disclosed. The automatic pressure control device includes: a main flow controller coupled to a soot box to feed the gas into the quartz tube in accordance with the preset pressure value; a sub flow controller coupled to the soot box to feed the gas into the quartz tube to maintain the preset pressure value when there is a pressure change within the soot box; and a gas pressure controller having a pressure sensor inserted into the soot box to compare a pressure value of a signal detected in real time by the pressure sensor with the preset pressure value and to control the flow rate of the gas to maintain a constant level of gas pressure within the soot box.

Abstract: Two blades (14, 14) of a slider of a compound needle move back into blade grooves (8, 8) of a needle body (4) on the left and right side of a partition wall (9). An opening (18) is provided at the front ends of the blades (14, 14), and curved portions (19, 19) are provided on the backside of the front ends of the blades. Further, a thick section is provided at the front end of the partition wall (9), and a thin section is provided on the backside of the thick section. When the blades move forward from the blade grooves, the blades are centered at the thick section so that even if a lateral force is applied from a knitted loop to the blades, deformation of the blades is prevented by the contact of the two blades at the curved portions. In the blade grooves, the curved portions contact the thin section of the partition wall such that the force applied between the blades and the blade grooves does not increase.

Abstract: Seamless knitwear of mixed set-in and raglan sleeves, and a method of knitting the same seamless knitwear. The knitwear of the present invention comprises a body and sleeves. A front body of the body has armhole parts and shoulder-line parts extending along one's shoulder line formed when wearing the knitwear, and a back body of the body has slant-line parts extending obliquely from neckline to side parts of the body. The front and back bodies are knitted in tubular form in a seamless manner, and the sleeves are knitted in tubular form in a seamless manner. The sleeves are joined to the armhole parts, the shoulder-line parts, and the slant-line parts of the front and back bodies in a seamless manner, and a neckline is formed by a part of the sleeves. The number of courses of the front and back bodies knitted in the course of joining of the sleeves to the armhole parts of the bodies is set so that the number of course of the back body knitted is decreased below the number of courses of the front body knitted.

Abstract: A fabric construction utilizing a tying yarn knitting arrangement wherein a portion of the tying yarns are threaded to engage needles so as to form two stitches with one on either side of the inlay warp yarn at rows of stitch formation. The neighboring stitches resist yarn separation and resultant combing while also blocking the commencement and propagation of de-knitting when a tying yarn is broken thereby enhancing seam strength character.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door assembly for a washing machine comprising a main recess part on the door frame for allowing adhesives applied thereto and a sub recess part for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part. Thus, when sticking the door glass to the door frame, the adhesives are not leaked out, thereby preventing the surrounding of the adhesives from being contaminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine wherein a user can be guided in all the washing processes by the respective stages. The present invention is characterized in that usages of the washing machine by the respective stages are provided to an inexperienced person who does not know well the usages, that actual processes are performed when the user follows the provided instructions, and that the user can personally check and troubleshoot simple problems which may occur when utilizing the washing machine. According to the present invention, there is an additional advantage in that various functions and usages of the washing machine can be more conveniently and efficiently utilized with the aid of a wash help.

Abstract: Employment of one or more resealable access slots in a steam distributor apparatus affords easy access to the internal chambers of the apparatus for cleaning and maintenance. The access slots can be located on the lower walls of the steam discharge chambers where debris tend to aggregate during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus can have multiple discharge chambers that are separated by spaced-apart partitions or baffle panels. Steam that is supplied from a steam header to each chamber exits each chamber through perforations of a discharge screen plate that is permanently secured onto adjacent partition panels. Actuators can regulate the steam flow from the steam header to the individual discharge chambers thereby creating a steam curtain with uniform or non-uniform cross direction profiles as desired.

Abstract: A non-intrusive device for automatically dosing at least one liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing machine. The device employs a Venturi tube mechanism or a pump to dose the laundry detergent care composition. The dosing is controlled by a machine-generic algorithm capable of determining the actual cycle at any duration of wash for various cycle designs from various washing machines, without the input of precise cycle design; and dose the correct products correctly and is capable of distinguishing between major water addition and a water pulse.

Abstract: A washing machine, includes a drum; a condensing duct to condense air which flows in from the drum; a cooling water supplying unit to supply cooling water to the inside of the condensing duct so that the air flowing into the condensing duct from the drum is condensed; and a control unit to control the cooling water supplying unit so that the cooling water is supplied intermittently. Thus, a washing machine is provided that is capable of reducing the consumption amount of cooling water, increasing an efficiency of drying laundry and shortening the time for drying the laundry.

Abstract: A shaft-lock system has a mechanism-shaft clamp (1) with a first clamp jaw (2) hinged to a second clamp jaw (3) proximate a clamp pivot (4) that is disposed oppositely from a clamp lock (5). The first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw are articulated for enclosing a mechanism shaft (6) cooperatively. The clamp lock includes a first-jaw indentation (8) that is positioned on a lock end of the first clamp jaw for being juxtaposed to a second-jaw extension (9) in a closed mode of the mechanism-shaft clamp. The first-jaw indentation includes an indentation aperture (10) and the second-jaw extension includes an extension aperture (11). The extension aperture and the indentation aperture are articulated for receiving a lock shackle (12). A clamp jaw includes shackle-guard walls (13) for guarding the lock shackle. The shaft-lock system includes a lock-shaft clamp (17) on the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw.

Abstract: A dual-lock type padlock has a double reminding function includes a housing, a catch member, a shackle, a locking mechanism, and an indicator. The dual-lock type padlock is opened by either one of a key and a code. Thus, the indicator is movably mounted on an outer face of the housing or the catch member which is formed with a first mark and a second mark in the corresponding positions, so that the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by inspecting the position of the first mark or the second mark, and can also feel the position of the indicator by touching the indicator so as to judge if the padlock has been unlocked, thereby facilitating the blind people operating the padlock.

Abstract: A padlock can be opened by either one of a key and a code, and includes an indicator. When the padlock is opened by the key, the indicator is moved from a first position to a second position. The indicator is returned to the first position only when the padlock is opened by the code. The indicator has a surface provided with a first mark and a second mark so that when the indicator is disposed at the first position, the first mark is exposed and the second mark is covered by the indicator, and when the indicator is disposed at the second position, the second mark is exposed and the first mark is covered by the indicator. Thus, users can judge by the indicators if their padlocks have been unlocked.

Abstract: A padlock includes a housing, a shackle, a number lock mechanism, a key lock mechanism, a movable block, and an identification member. Thus, the identification member is exposed outward from the window of the limit knob after the padlock has been unlocked by an inspector of the customs for checking the luggage so as to remind a user to inspect if contents of the luggage that has been opened and checked are missed or lost.

Abstract: A structure for installing an information processor into an electronic equipment includes a biasing unit provided in the information processor; and a projection portion provided in a housing of the electronic equipment. In the structure, the protruding portion biases the biasing unit and the biasing unit applies a predetermined pushing force to the housing via the protruding portion when the information processor is installed in the housing.

Abstract: A resettable combination lock includes two rows of main buttons, and rotary resetting buttons in a rear indoor portion, which are respectively connected to the main buttons for causing angular displacement of the main buttons with; each main button includes a stick formed with first and second trenches, which face opposite directions, and are different distances from a rear end of the stick; the sticks pass through two slots of a plate such that linear displacement of the plate will be prevented when the main buttons are not depressed exactly according to the combination; the lock can be reset in respect of the combination by means of turning the rotary resetting buttons one hundred and eighty degrees to change the orientation of the trenches of the sticks; the lock is equipped with several telescopic connecting elements therein so as to be adaptable to doors of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A communication system including a fluid-operated calling device mounted in a first location in a building, and a fluid-operated indicator mounted in a second location in a building and in fluid communication with the fluid-operated calling device, wherein actuation of the fluid-operated calling device causes the fluid-operated indicator to provide an indication that the fluid-operated calling device has been actuated. A fluid-operated lock may be mounted near the fluid-operated calling device and in fluid communication with a fluid-operated actuator, wherein actuation of the fluid-operated actuator causes opening of the fluid-operated lock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of composting materials in which the aqueous liquids are arranged such that they are to be held at a level which is lower than any one or more of the gaseous outlets effecting gaseous distribution below the composting materials.

Abstract: A metal mold is disposed adjacent to the outer circumference of a base ring, and has a molding face in the inner circumference and a plurality of grooves for forming beads on the molding face along the circumferential direction. A coil for electromagnetic forming is disposed adjacent to the inner circumference of the base ring. When a momentary large current is applied to the coil in this arrangement, the diameter of the base ring is expanded by pressing the base ring toward the molding face of the metal mold such that the base ring is molded into a shape corresponding to the molding face by electromagnetic forming. Improvements such as a metal mold capable of degassing, a separable metal mold, roll-correcting after electromagnetic forming, application of momentary large current over several times, a metal mold with a cutting blade, use of a base ring with a large number of holes, and a metal mold with positioning means are then added.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongated tubular blank into a tubular structural component having a predetermined outer configuration, the method comprising: providing a shape imparting shell formed from a low permeability, rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, plugging the open ends of the tubular blank, placing the plugged blank into the shell, and forming the tubular blank into the tubular component by inductively heating axial portions of the blank by axially spaced conductors adjacent the shell while or before forcing gas at a high pressure into the plugged blank until the blank conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the shell to form the structural component.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method serve for precision rolling of a surface area (2) of a rotationally symmetrical component (3), especially a screw. The apparatus (1) includes at least two spaced apart rolling tools (4, 5), a measuring unit (9) for determining an actual blank diameter of the component (3), an evaluating unit (10) for comparing the determined actual blank diameter of the component (3) with a predetermined blank diameter and for determining an adjustment value from the result of the comparison, and a control unit (11) for adjusting a distance between the at least two rolling tools (4, 5) in response to the adjustment value.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a forging for forming a split casing comprising the steps of creating a forging, for example, by a ring rolling process and then deforming the forging by compressing it along a first axis and/or extending it along a second axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and joining a first sheet material (A) located in a nest (30) to a second sheet material (B) positioned on top of the first sheet material. The apparatus includes a positional pressure roller tool or positional pressure variance unit (50) for performing the forming and joining operations. The PPVU (50) may include both a main roller (58) and a touch-up roller (60). The PPVU (50) is operatively associated with a programmable positioning apparatus in the form of a robotic arm (52) and a machine cell (10) whereby the position of the robotic arm (52) relative to the nest (30) dictates the applied pressure at the interface between the roller (72) and the nest (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for bending orthodontic wires has means for guiding and holding a wire. In order to prevent forces resulting from compressive or stretching strain during the bending process, one of these means does not apply any longitudinal forces onto the wire by design. In another implementation, the apparatus for bending orthodontic wires has a gimbal-mounted gripper for bending the wire. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for applying two bends at the same longitudinal wire location in two different directions.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for punching sheet metal includes an upper die holder 2 which is raised and lowered by a hydraulic ram and the like; a pressing plate 3 secured to the upper die holder 2; a pressing pad 5 suspended from the upper die holder 2 through a resilient member 4; a punch holder 7 constructed as a punch unit secured to the pressing pad 5 by means of a bolt 6 and the like; a lower die 9 on which sheet metal 8 to be subjected to punching is placed; and a die 10 embedded in the lower die 9.

Abstract: A hot forge forming facility includes at least a material supply device, a heating device and a punching device. The material supply device carries a continuous supply of metal material in rolls. The heating device heats and softens the metal material. The punching device compresses, forms and cuts the softened metal material in continuous punching operation to smoothly and quickly produce desired products that are consistent with actual production requirements.

Abstract: A die cushion drive system provided with a servo motor serving as a source of drive power for a die cushion of a press machine and a power circuit with a regeneration function which regenerates energy from the servo motor and returns it to an AC power supply, whereby it is possible to power the die cushion drive system by a servo motor and return the regenerated energy of this servo motor to the power source so as to save on energy.

Abstract: A control device for a die cushion mechanism, for carrying out force control with high accuracy and at a high speed. The control device for controlling the force generated by the die cushion mechanism utilizes a press working cycle which is repeatedly carried out. A correcting part of the control device corrects each deviation in one working cycle based on a time-series of deviation data in the just before press working cycle. By repeating this operation, the deviation between the detected value and the commanded value may be converged toward zero. Therefore, the deviation may become smaller than that of the conventional feedback control, whereby it is possible to respond to a change in the commanded value in a short time.

Abstract: A crimp tool and a method of assembling the crimp tool. A crimp tool is formed by a pair of plates (171) forming a moveable handle (17) of the tool, and a pair of frame plates (180) forming a fixed jaw (2) and a fixed handle (18) of the tool. The tool also includes a moveable jaw, and a transmission (10,11) by which the moveable jaw is driven towards and away from the fixed jaw. The plates (18) of the frame are mutually held in juxtaposition by having edge portions snugly received in a frame shell. Edges of the plates (171) of the moveable handle (17) are snugly received in grooves 144, 146 in a shell (40) for the moveable handle. The tool is assembled by stacking the plates of the moveable handle and the components of the moveable jaw and the link, as well as the frame plates, and then insertion of the stack into the frame shell, which preferably has a tubular portion into which the jaw portion of the stack is inserted.

Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for crimping upon on a shielded data cable a plug connector having a body portion, and a cable shield clamping portion that is initially angularly arranged in an open loading position, characterized by the provision of a pair of operating handles that are pivotally connected for relative movement from an open position toward a partially closed intermediate position, thereby to displace the cable shield portion toward a crimping position in alignment with the plug connector body portion. A crimping arrangement is subsequently operable upon displacement of the handles from the intermediate position to the closed position to crimp not only the clamping portion concentrically about the outer circumferential surface of the shielded data cable, but also the region at the end of the plug connector body portion adjacent the clamping portion, thereby to crimp the female contacts of the plug connector onto the bare conductors of the cable.

Abstract: A die lifter device 10 for a press brake includes a die lifting roller 12 for engaging a bottom wall 14 of a die 16 disposed in a modified die holder member 18 of a press brake, a roller support member 20 for disposing the roller 12 at a predetermined position relative to the modified die holder member 18, a cam bolt 22 for adjusting the elevation of the roller 12 relative to the modified die holder member 18, vertical and horizontal recesses 24 and 28 disposed in the modified die holder member 18 for removably receiving cooperating components of the die lifter device 10 such that the roller 12 is ultimately positioned above a top wall 26 of the modified die holder member 18 to allow the die 16 to be rolled off the modified die holder member 18 after the die 16 has configured a workpiece. The roller 12 is then positioned below the top wall 26 of the modified die holder member 18 to allow another die 16 to be disposed upon the top wall 26 without damaging the die lifter device 10.

Abstract: A metal shaping apparatus to shape a metal blank into one of a plurality of configurations comprising a radius die including at least one substantially cylindrical die section having a plurality of metal blank receiving channels or slots formed therein to receive and shape the metal blank into one of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: An osmolarity measuring system comprising microscale electrode arrays is configured to account for variations and defects in the arrays using a tiered approach comprising several calibration methods. One method accounts for the intrinsic conductivity of the electrodes and subtracts out the intrinsic conductivity on a pair-wise basis, when determining osmolarity of a sample fluid. Other methods in the tiered approach use standards to determine calibration factors for the electrodes that can then be used to adjust subsequent osmolarity measurements for a sample fluid. The use of a standard can also be combined with a washing step.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring the functional capability of a particle detector connected downstream, in the flow direction, of a particle filter, in which particles occurring upon the regeneration of the particle filter, in particular ions, are detected by the particle detector and the resultant measurement finding are compared with an expected finding. The measurement and evaluation are effected in a control and evaluation unit. The invention enables monitoring of the functional capability of a particle detector that does not interrupt normal operation and thus increases the reliability of the entire system.