Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bearing, a pendant, and a supporting component. The bearing rotatably engages the pendant. The supporting component engages a portion of the bearing. The bearing rotates relative to the pendant upon movement of the supporting component with respect to the pendant and the bearing to maintain the alignment of the pendant.

Abstract: A process reinforcing a silica glass substance, such as a silica glass crucible, is provided without intermixing an impurity. The process comprises forming a silica glass powder layer on a surface of the silica glass substance, and crystallizing said silica glass powder layer under high temperature. As for a silica glass crucible, the process for reinforcing the silica glass crucible and the reinforced silica glass crucible are provided, wherein the silica glass powder layer on the whole or a part of the surface of the crucible is formed and then, crystallized under a temperature at the melting of a silicon raw material being charged into said quartz glass crucible.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shaping camisole and the article produced therefrom having an outer decorative portion and an inner knit tube made with elastomeric yarn to provide midsection support.

Abstract: A deodorization apparatus and a washing machine having the same are provided. The washing machine having the deodorization apparatus includes a tub including a ventilator, and a deodorization apparatus disposed outside the tub, having one side that communicates with the tub, and removing an laundry odor by injecting air into the tub. Therefore, the laundry odor can be quickly removed, and water and power consumption and damage to the laundry, which are caused by a washing operation using the water for deodorization of the laundry, can be prevented.

Abstract: A washing machine with an odor removal function includes a cabinet, a tub received in the cabinet and including an intake port and an exhaust port so as to receive and discharge air, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the tub. Here, ambient air flows into the tub through the intake port by a suction force generated when the washing tub rotates and air inside the washing tub flows to the outside, such that odor of laundry is removed. Therefore, a washing machine with an odor removal function capable of easily and quickly removing laundry odor is provided.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a dispenser with a detergent box, a locking unit, and an automatic withdrawing unit. The locking unit acts to lock or unlock the detergent box as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the dispenser. The automatic withdrawing unit biases the detergent box to the withdrawal position.

Abstract: A blower for use with a textiles processing machine such as a dyeing machine including an intake port and an outlet port each in communication with an impeller that draws air in through the intake port and discharges air through the outlet port, the intake port and the outlet port being arranged such that air is drawn in in a direction opposite to but substantially parallel to a direction in which air is discharged.

Abstract: A lock heating assembly for use with a padlock device to add heat internally within the padlock device that acts to thaw frozen elements in or around the padlock device by triggering an activation mechanism which induces a power supply to supply the electrical current to an at least one heating element that resides in an electrical relationship with the power supply and the activation mechanism, where the at least one heating element resides in heat radiational proximity to the lock housing of the padlock device.

Abstract: A window-locking assembly is used on a window assembly and has a body, a drive device and a locking device. The body has a chamber, two detents a pivot hole, a spring seat and two latch grooves. The drive device is attached pivotally to the body and has a handle, a mounting head and a jacket. The mounting head protrudes from the handle, is mounted rotatably in the pivot hole and extends into the chamber. The locking device is connected to the drive device in the chamber and has a locking arm, a resilient element and a mounting element. The locking arm is attached pivotally to the mounting head with the mounting element, The resilient element is mounted on the spring seat and presses against the locking arm.

Abstract: A door lock system includes a first link lever, a second link lever, and a spring. The first link lever moves to a transmitting position in response to an unlocking operation. The second link lever includes a ratchet driver that is formed integrally with a bushing. The ratchet driver is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position on the first link lever. In response to a door-opening operation, when the ratchet driver is in the first rotational position and the first link lever is in the transmitting position, the second link lever allows a ratchet lever to disengage a ratchet from a latch. The spring maintains the second link lever in the first rotational position when the first link lever moves to the transmitting position.

Abstract: An improved multipoint door lock system of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,077 additionally includes header and sill lock pins actuated by lost motion mechanisms for respective movement from a retracted position to an advanced deadbolt locking position engaged with respective header and sill keepers, in response to movement of one or more latch bolts from a normal latched position to a further extended deadbolt position. The latch bolts are further movable between the normal latched position engaged with associated strike sets on the adjacent door jamb for maintaining the door in a closed position, and a retracted position to permit swinging movement of the door to an open position. The lost motion mechanisms associated with the header and sill pins accommodate latch bolt movement between the latched and retracted positions, without displacing the header and sill pins.

Abstract: A lock unit used for an electronic apparatus that includes a foldable and unfoldable housing that has a first surface that is foldable, and a second surface orthogonal to the first surface includes a lock member that locks the housing in a folded state, an operation member that moves the lock member and releases a lock of the housing by the lock member, and a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force applied to the operation member to the lock member by changing an operating direction of the operation member to another direction, and moves the lock member in the other direction, wherein the operation member is provided on the second surface, and an operating direction of the operation member is a first direction perpendicular to the second surface, the lock member projecting in a second direction orthogonal to the first surface, and a moving direction of the lock member being a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

Abstract: A pipe run is secured from theft by an antitheft apparatus providing a pair of straight tubes, coaxially engaged with an inner one of the tubes slidingly engaged within an outer one of the tubes. Each of the tubes provides a closure plate at one end with one or more apertues in it. A cover on an upper end of the inner tube is able to engage the pipe run to prevent it from being disassembled or pulled from its installation. To service the pipe run, the cover may be opened and the inner pipe lowered into the outer pipe. The tubes are secured to a mooring. Two of the aparatuses may be secured in spaced apart locations on the pipe run to secure components of the pipe run that are between the appartuses.

Abstract: A door lock system includes a ratchet, a latch, a ratchet lever that disengages the ratchet from the latch when a disengaging operation is performed, a first link lever that moves to and from a transmitting position and a non-transmitting position, wherein when the first link lever is at the transmitting position, the ratchet lever is allowed to disengage the ratchet from the latch, and when the first link lever is at the non-transmitting position, the ratchet lever is inhibited from disengaging the ratchet from the latch, a second link lever that is pivotally coupled to a base end of the first link lever at a base end of the second link lever and that moves in response to a locking operation and an unlocking operation, and a panic spring that transmits, when the unlocking operation is performed, a motion of the second link lever to the first link lever using a resilient force of the panic spring to move the first link lever to the transmitting position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking apparatus having a latch bolt separated from a cylinder. The locking apparatus includes a housing, a cylinder rotating within the housing, a slider forwarding or reversing along a shaft direction of the cylinder, a latch mechanism disposed in front of the slider and fixed to the slider when the slider forwards but released from the slider when the slider reverses, and a means for forwarding or reversing the slider. Thus, since the locking apparatus has a simple structure, it has an advantage in that it can be replaced with the conventional locking apparatus having a complicated structure.

Abstract: A drill resistant lock cylinder (100) is useful for resisting attempts to defeat the cylinder (100) using locks or picks. The cylinder (100) includes a cylinder housing (105) having a central axis. Two pinion cylinders (115, 125) are positioned inside the cylinder housing (105) along the central axis. A combination pin cylinder (120) is positioned along the central axis between the two pinion cylinders (115, 125), and the combination pin cylinder (120) and each pinion cylinder (115, 125) includes axial pinholes (220) there through. Pins (130) located inside the axial pinholes (220) in the combination pin cylinder (120) and the pinion cylinders (115, 125) establish two shear lines along axial ends of the pinion cylinders (115, 125).

Abstract: An improved door lock of a cargo container having a burglarproof function is disclosed. The door lock includes a handle hub, in which supporting pieces are integrally formed, welded to a locking rod, a rear supporting piece of the supporting pieces having a fastening hole, a front supporting piece of the supporting pieces integrated with an inward locking protrusion having a screw coupling groove, a handle including a connecting part and having a locking recess with a fastening hole such that the inward locking protrusion of the front supporting piece is inserted into and locked in the fastening hole due to pivot of the handle, and a bolt fastened into the screw coupling groove through the fastening hole of the rear supporting piece. Therefore, robbery is prevented and tamper-evident is easily checked during transfer of the cargo container so that measure against the tamper-evident can be easily taken.

Abstract: A remotely activated and monitored key safe to allow storage and retrieval of at least one key including: a housing having a generally elongated shape and having a longitudinally extending cavity open through a first axial end of the housing, in fixed relation to a structure: a key holding tray adapted to be slideably loaded into the housing, the tray having a front cover fitted to cover the first axial end of the housing, and the tray having a locking/unlocking mechanism; a communications and command subsystem powered by a power source, the communications and command subsystem adapted to receive remote commands to activate the locking/unlocking mechanism; and a backup power subsystem adapted to allow backup power to be applied to contacts presentable on an accessible surface of the key safe in case of a failure of the power source.

Abstract: A reset cradle with integral reset tool assembly, that automatically positions the lock cylinder, the reset tool assembly, and all associated components, and choreographs the operations that need to be performed in the right sequential order. The reset cradle generally comprises a two-section housing including a base section with centrally-protruding tubular post into which the lock cylinder may be inserted, and a separate hub section rotatably seated on the base. Inside the housing, a cam is engaged against the post and is rotatable thereabout along with relative rotation of the two-section housing. A reset member is also operative inside the housing, and is engaged by rotation of the cam for axial displacement into the lock cylinder. Similarly, a detent pin is slidably seated in the post and is engaged by the cam for axial displacement into the lock cylinder.

Abstract: Improved lubricant system useful in metal forming processes. The lubricant formulations contain boron nitride lubricant with graphite additions. These formulations enhance lubricity while maintaining good adherence at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process of production of three-dimensional products from wire (1) or other suitable material, which process may be implemented in a system (8) that may include an advancement mechanism (9), a straightening mechanism (11), a length measuring arrangement (18) towards which advances the material (1), a gripper arrangement (14) suitable to hold the material with fixed grippers (15) and simultaneously with other grippers (16) to twist it to a desired angle around its longitudinal axis (X), and a rotatable bending mechanism (12) that can bend the material plastically in one plane and simultaneously can rotate at a desired angle around the longitudinal axis (X) of the wire (1) so that it may generate bends in different planes. The system (8) implementing the process may also carry a cutting arrangement (13).

Abstract: A sheet metal blank for the manufacture of a casing of a gas turbine engine comprising a sheet of substantially constant wall thickness and a raised or thicker region extending along substantially the full length of the sheet metal blank. A raised or thicker region is provided between edges of the sheet metal blank. The raised or thicker region comprises at least one boss and at least one ridge extending way from the or each boss.

Abstract: A method for evaluating sensors includes receiving a first measurement signal from a first sensor configured to measure a parameter relating to a first apparatus, receiving a second measurement signal from a second sensor configured to measure the parameter as the parameter relates to a second apparatus, comparing the first measurement signal with the second measurement signal, and determining at least one of, whether the first measurement signal is inaccurate or the first sensor has failed based, at least in part, on the comparison between the first and second measurement signals.

Abstract: A caliper atomic force microscope (AFM) comprises two AFM probes (each comprised of an oscillator and an attached tip) that operate on a sample in a coordinated manner. The coordinated operation of the AFM probes may be spatially or temporally coordinated. The result of the coordinated operation may be an image of the sample or a dimensional measurement of an unknown sample. The probes of the caliper AFM may be tilted, or the tips may be tilted at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the probes, so as to enable the tips to access vertical sample surfaces or to enable the tips to touch each other. The tip shapes may include conical, boot-shaped, cylindrical, or spherical and materials from which the tips are fabricated may include silicon or carbon nanotubes. The oscillators may be beveled to allow the tips to operate in close proximity or in contact without interference of the oscillators. The disclosure of the present invention is discussed in terms of an atomic force (van der Waalls) interaction.

Abstract: A substitute reference signal input is incorporated into a state space controller for a scanning probe microscope to improve tracking efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the number of active diamonds on a conditioning disk. In particular, the method comprises (a) contacting a diamond conditioner disk with a hard surface, wherein the diamond-containing side of the diamond conditioning disk is facing the hard surface, (b) moving the diamond conditioner disk under a load across the hard surface so as to cause any active diamonds present on the diamond-containing side of the diamond conditioner disk to leave a mark corresponding to each active diamond, and (c) counting the marks to determine the number of active diamonds on the diamond conditioner disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, personal breath tester device for testing the blood alcohol content of the user of the device. The breath tester comprises a circuit board, wherein a sensor, a liquid crystal display, and a processing unit are installed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The processing unit receives a voltage signal from the sensor representing the blood alcohol content of the user and converts the voltage signal to a precise value that is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A sensor senses an environmental condition. The sensor includes a film bulk acoustic resonator that includes a layer of material that causes resonant frequency and/or quality factor shifts of the film bulk acoustic resonator in response to changes in the environmental condition. The environmental condition may be relative humidity and the layer of material may be a moisture absorptive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for variable-range hydrogen sensors and methods for making same. Such variable-range hydrogen sensors comprise a series of fabricated Pd—Ag (palladium-silver) nanowires—each wire of the series having a different Ag to Pd ratio—with nanobreakjunctions in them and wherein the nanowires have predefined dimensions and orientation. When the nanowires are exposed to H2, their lattace swells when the H2 concentration reaches a threshold value (unique to that particular ratio of Pd to Ag). This causes the nanobreakjunctions to close leading to a 6-8 orders of magnitude decrease in the resistance along the length of the wire and providing a sensing mechanism for a range of hydrogen concentrations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simulating tracer interaction with living tissue. A chamber receives a fluid therein, and includes an inlet conduit for conducting the fluid into the chamber, an outlet conduit for conducting the fluid out of the chamber, a medium disposed within the chamber for modulating fluid flow, and a valve assembly for conducting the fluid into the inlet conduit. In some aspects, the fluid is a radiative tracer or a radiative washout fluid and the medium is configured to mimic a tissue, e.g., the heart, and portions thereof are capable of mimicking both normal and diseased tissues.

Abstract: A control system for particulate filters is provided. The control system for a particulate filter includes a clean filter estimating module that estimates a clean pressure based on a first pressure in the particulate filter within a predetermined period of a regeneration event. A soot prediction module estimates a level of soot in the particulate filter based on a comparison of the first pressure and a second pressure in the particulate filter received after the predetermined period.

Abstract: Checking apparatus for checking operation of a densimeter for medium-voltage or high-voltage equipment having metal casing (4) that is filled with a dielectric gas under pressure; the apparatus comprises a closed chamber (8) suitable for being put into communication with an internal space (5) of the casing (4), and isolation means (10) for isolating the chamber (8) in gastight manner from the internal space (5), in which apparatus said closed chamber (8) has a volume that can be caused to vary, and in which apparatus the densimeter is suitable for detecting at least one pressure threshold in said chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test method and a test device for the determination of an oil separation tendency of lubricating greases under pressure load. In the method, a predetermined test pressure is applied to a test volume (2) filled with lubricating grease (27) over a predetermined test period (32), the lubricating grease (27) of the test volume (2) is contacted with an oil absorption or oil separation element (11), and the change of the test volume (2) is detected on the basis of an absorption or separation of oil (29) separated from the lubricating grease (27) by the oil absorption or oil separation element (11) at the end of the test period (32). To be able to estimate the oil separation tendency of lubricating grease more exactly, in the method according to the invention, the time history of the change of the test volume (2) representative of the oil separation is detected over the test period (32).

Abstract: A semiconductor probe having a wedge shape resistive tip and a method of fabricating the semiconductor probe is provided. The semiconductor probe includes a resistive tip that is doped with a first impurity, has a resistance region doped with a low concentration of a second impurity having an opposite polarity to the first impurity, and has first and second semiconductor electrode regions doped with a high concentration of the second impurity on both side slopes of the resistive tip.

Abstract: A scanner for probe microscopy that avoids low resonance frequencies and accounts better for piezo nonlinearities. The x, y and z axes of a linear stack scanner are partially decoupled from each other while maintaining all mechanical joints stiff in the direction of actuation. The scanning probe microscope comprises a probe, a housing, at least two actuators, each coupled to the housing, and a support coupled to the housing and to at least a first of the actuators at a position spaced from the point at which the actuator is coupled to the housing. The support constrains the motion of the first actuator along a first axis while permitting translation along a second axis. The actuators are preferably orthogonally arranged linear stacks of flat piezos, preferably in push-pull configuration. The support can take different forms in different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A sampling tool for retrieving one or more samples from a wellbore drilled in a subterranean formation includes a coring device retrieving a core from a wellbore wall, wellbore isolation devices that isolate an annular region proximate to the coring device; and a flow device that flows fluid out of the isolated region. During operation, the sampling tool is positioned adjacent a formation of interest. The isolation device is activated to isolate an annular region proximate to the sampling tool. Decentralizing arms can be used to position the coring device next to the wellbore wall. Thereafter, the flow device flows fluid out of the isolated annular region. When the isolated region includes mostly formation fluid, the coring device is activated to retrieve a core from a wall of the wellbore in the isolated annular region and store it in formation fluid.

Abstract: Caliper measurements made during rotation of a bottomhole assembly are processed to estimate the location of the BHA, and size and shape of the borehole. A piecewise elliptical fitting procedure may be used. These estimates may be used to correct measurements made by a standoff-sensitive formation evaluation sensor such as a neutron porosity tool. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The water level sensing unit includes a sensing member having a sensor, the sensing member being installed at a side of the steam container, and a pivoting member having an extension adapted to pivotally rotate about a side thereof having a fixed position on the basis of the level of water. The sensor is adapted to sense positional variation of the extension, to thereby sense variation of the level of water in the steam container.

Abstract: A spacer element for a spacer for a coaxial inner conductor for a measuring device is stated. The spacer element comprises a plate with a circular outside contour and a U-shaped incision, wherein the circular outside contour comprises an external radius, and wherein the U-shaped incision comprises a semicircular region with an internal radius. Furthermore, the plate comprises a surface region, wherein the outside contour and the U-shaped incision are designed such that when at least two spacer elements are arranged such that the circular outside contours are essentially in alignment and such that in each case a surface region of one plate rests against a surface region of the other plate, a spacer with a circular opening is formed, which opening comprises the internal radius of the semicircular region. In this arrangement the outside contour and the opening form concentric circles.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density.

Abstract: A gyro sensor configured to sense an angular rate about a rotational axis includes a drive mass configured to undergo oscillatory linear motion within a plane, and a sense mass configured to undergo an oscillatory motion out of the plane as a function of the angular rate. A link spring component connects the sense mass to the drive mass such that the sense mass is substantially decoupled from the drive mass with respect to the oscillatory linear motion of the drive mass, but is coupled to the drive mass with respect to the oscillatory motion out of the plane of the sense mass.

Abstract: To perform a non-destructive condition assessment of a pipe carrying a fluid, an actual value representative of the propagation velocity of an acoustic disturbance propagating between two longitudinally separated points on the pipe is determined. A corresponding predicted value for the propagation velocity is computed as a function of at least one wall thickness parameter of the pipe by using a theoretical model for the propagation of acoustic waves in the pipe that assumes said pipe has a finite wall thickness with a predetermined circumferential thickness profile. The wall thickness parameter is then computed by matching the actual value with the predicted value, for example, by substituting the actual value in a formula predicting the theoretical value.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system having active noise control may include a gas delivery system, a patient interface, a connection system, and a noise control system. The gas delivery system may supply breathing gas to a patient via the connection system and the patient interface. The noise control system may include a processor, a speaker, a reference signal source, and a feedback sensor. The processor may generate noise control signals to be output by the speaker for canceling noise caused by a noise source of the breathing assistance system. The reference signal source may communicate reference signals associated with the noise source. The feedback sensor may detect noise caused by the noise source and noise control signals output by the speaker, and communicate to the processor feedback noise signals based on the detected noise. The processor may generate the noise control signals based at least on the reference signals and the feedback noise signals.

Abstract: A probe system for initiating and stabilizing plasma discharge includes an inner conductor coupled to an AC voltage source. The probe system also includes an outer conductor arranged around the inner conductor and coupled at one end to the AC voltage source. The outer conductor forms a first electrode at another end thereof. The probe system further includes a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a gap for initiating a plasma discharge in the gap. An ultrasound probe system includes a carrier signal source for supplying a RF carrier signal, an acoustic modulator for supplying an envelope signal, and a mixer for mixing the RF carrier signal and the envelope signal to supply a modulated RF signal. The ultrasound probe system further includes a ground electrode and a RF plasma probe separated from the ground electrode by a gap and configured to receive the modulated RF signal and generate a plasma in the gap. The plasma generates ultrasound waves.

Abstract: An electro-shaker vehicle test stand for vehicle evaluation includes a support frame, an electro-shaker mechanism and an interconnecting lever arm. The lever arm has an adjustable length. The test stand includes a spring table having a spring table plate and a spring table frame that is parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance below the spring table plate, a guide rod having a lower end attached to the spring table frame and an upper end attached to the spring table plate and a spring having an upper end attached to the frame and a lower end attached to the spring table frame. Activation of the electro-shaker mechanism induces an oscillatory movement of the spring in a vertical direction so that the spring table and vehicle are correspondingly displaced in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A package is mainly formed of a package body having a storage area for storing a pressure sensor, a capacity type pressure sensor stored in the storage area of the package body, a lid seals the package body in which the pressure sensor is stored, an adhesive agent for fixing the pressure sensor to the package body, and a bonding wire for electrically coupling a bonding pad of the pressure sensor and a conductive portion of the package body. An adhesive area of the package body and the pressure sensor is set to the area other than a projection area of the diaphragm of the pressure sensor on a mount bottom surface. This makes it possible to provide the package for the pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure with high sensitivity although the gap between the substrate and the diaphragm has the value with the magnitude of several ?ms.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter is provided including a magnetic flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. The magnetic flowtube includes a drive coil and at least one sense electrode. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the flowtube and is configured to provide a drive signal to the drive coil and measure flow of process fluid through the flow tube based upon an output from the sense electrode. A memory contains a stored value related to a nominal parameter of the flowtube. Verification circuitry is arranged to measure a parameter of the magnetic flowtube and responsively provide a verification output related to operation of the magnetic flowmeter based upon a comparison of the measured parameter and the stored value.

Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus having a pressure sensor attached to a journal of a U-joint that interconnects members of a drive shaft to sense pressure during rotational operation of the drive shaft and an analyzer that receives a signal representative of the pressure, an rpm signal representative of the engine speed, and a signal representative of the speed of the vehicle, to determine a torque value that is displayed on a display device. A method of determining motor vehicle torque is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load gauge comprising a generator-sensor assembly. Said assembly comprises a generator unit that generates a magnetic field and a sensor unit that is sensitive to magnetic fields, said generator unit and sensor unit being displaceable by a force in relation to one another. According to the invention, the generator unit comprises at least one permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, each with a geometric cross-section that remains essentially constant in a longitudinal direction. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are situated at an angle to one another.

Abstract: A sensor device includes at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on a plate that is positioned relative to a machine such that a force used during a manufacturing process involving the machine is incident on the plate. The piezoelectric polymer film provides an electrical output indicative of the incident force. In a disclosed example, a single piezoelectric polymer film extends across a substantial portion of a surface area of the plate. In another disclosed example, a plurality of piezoelectric polymer film sensor elements area are arranged symmetrically about a location where the incident force is expected to be most prominent.