Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for pre-filling a low-pressure storage device (14) of a motor vehicle braking system (17), having a changeover valve (8), a hydraulic pump (9), an outlet valve (13), and a low-pressure storage device (14) situated in a suction line of the hydraulic pump (9). The low-pressure storage device (14) can be pre-filled in a particularly simple and low-noise manner if the actuation of the foot brake pedal (1) is monitored using a sensor mechanism and, when there is an actuation, the changeover valve (8) is closed in order to lock in the braking pressure acting on the wheel brake (11), and at least one of the outlet valves is opened in order to release the braking pressure into the low-pressure storage device (14).

Abstract: Carriers for flat objects such as sheet music are described which supplement the capacity of musical instrument cases having at least one handle. An adjustable hanger strap or straps are provided so that the carrier can be used on cases having different sizes, shapes and thicknesses. The case handle fits through one of a plurality of elongated slots on the hangar strap of the carrier with the carrier positioned against the case. The particular slot used depends on the shape and size of the case. The carrier has one or more compartments for storing articles placed therein, with the carrier draping over one of the sides while being transported about as a single unit by virtue of the case carry handle. Loops engaging the strap are also provided to provide stability.

Abstract: A wheeled luggage is configured to be pushed or pulled using a handle attached to the wheeled luggage. The wheeled luggage has a main luggage body with a plurality of fixed wheels and one or more swingable wheels in front of the plurality of fixed wheels. Each swingable wheel has an elongated neck attached to a front lower portion of the main luggage body, with a backward tilt due to a higher ground clearance in the front lower portion. This backward tilt enables a user to push the wheeled luggage ergonomically by applying force to the handle.

Abstract: A piston plate stop for a torque converter including: a flexible connection element with a first end and a second end, the first end arranged to connect to a piston plate for the torque converter, the second end arranged to rotationally connect to a cover for the torque converter and a stop disposed on the flexible connection element. The stop is arranged to restrict axial movement of the piston plate. In some aspects, the flexible connection element is arranged to rotationally connect the cover and the piston plate. A torque converter including a piston plate; a cover; and at least one flexible connection element rotationally connecting the piston plate and the cover. The flexible connection element has a tab that is positioned to limit axial displacement of the piston plate away from the cover.

Abstract: A transmission for a hybrid vehicle including a combustion engine and an electric propulsion system may include a forward clutch assembly, a fluid chamber, a fluid supply, and a forward clutch holding valve. The forward clutch assembly may include a hydraulically actuated clutch member in communication with the fluid chamber. The forward clutch holding valve may be in communication with the fluid chamber and the fluid supply. The valve may provide communication between the fluid supply and the fluid chamber when in a first position and may seal the fluid chamber when in a second position, thereby maintaining a fixed quantity of fluid within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A friction clutch for at least one running wheel (9) of a track-bound traction vehicle is disclosed. The running wheel (9) is secured to a shaft (16) and can be driven by a motor (1). The friction clutch has opposite, annular outer jaws formed by a portion (28) of the running wheel (9) and by a compression ring (17, 23) which is firmly fixed to the running wheel (9), a clamping ring (27) being clamped between the compression ring (17, 23) and the portion (28) of the running wheel (9). The invention provides a friction clutch which is easy to produce and easily accessible. Moreover, it allows maximum torque to be subsequently adjusted.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic clutch apparatus for forming a magnetic path in a circulating shape by an electromagnet at a pilot clutch alternately arranged with a main outer plate and a main inner plate and capable of controlling to transmit a torque between a clutch housing and a cam plate by being engaged in an axial direction and at a surrounding of a nonmagnetic portion continuously formed in the axial direction of a middle portion in a diameter direction of the pilot clutch to carry out an engaging, the nonmagnetic portion is formed by through holes in a circular arc shape having bridge portions for maintaining a shape in a diameter direction of the pilot clutch therebetween in a peripheral direction, and the bridge portion is divided in the diameter direction of the pilot clutch and a nonmagnetic member is interposed between divisions thereof.

Abstract: A friction plate for a wet-type multiplate clutch is provided with a core plate and friction linings bonded on opposite sides of the core plate, respectively. Each of the friction linings is composed of plural segment pieces each having at least one first oil groove and at least one second oil groove. The first oil groove opens to a radially-inner side of the friction plate and has a closed end portion located in a radially-intermediate part of the friction lining, and the second oil groove opens to a radially-outer side of the friction plate and has a closed end portion located in another radially-intermediate part of the friction lining. The second oil groove has a shape that its angular width becomes narrower from its open end portion toward its closed end portion thereof, and at the open end portion, the angular width of the second oil groove is reduced. The first oil groove may be provided with an oil pocket at its closed end portion.

Abstract: In a one-way clutch, an inner diameter-side retainer is formed with a radially inward flange while an outer diameter-side retainer is formed with a radially outward flange. The inner race has a portion radially outwardly extended from one end in the axial direction to the more outer diameter side than the outer race. The outer race has a portion radially inwardly extended from one end on the axially opposite side to that of the inner race to the more inner diameter side than the inner race. Those extended portions face each other in the axial direction with the torque transmitting members therebetween. The inner diameter-side retainer engages the inner race on the side of the extended portion of the inner race at the inner periphery of the inward flange, and the outer diameter-side retainer engages the outer race on the side of the extended portion of the outer race at the outer periphery of the outward flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device in the form of a hydraulic unit for triggering at least one clutch (5, 6) in a hydraulic circuit for an axle transmission of a vehicle. Said method and device make it possible to simply and very quickly make available an adequate amount of working fluid at the required pressure to at least one clutch according to the driving situation in order to close said clutch.

Abstract: Currency note and ticket processing apparatus, includes a housing, and a currency note validator for examining and validating or rejecting currency notes. A redeemable ticket reader is provided for reading redeemable tickets, while a printer is included to prepare new redeemable tickets for issuance for later redemption. Further provided is structure defining one or more pathways within the housing and an opening in an external wall of the housing communicable with the pathway(s) whereby the opening is a common opening at which currency notes or redeemable tickets are inserted into the housing and conveyed respectively to and beyond the currency note validator and the redeemable ticket reader, and at which new redeemable tickets prepared by the printer are issued from the housing. Means is provided for driving currency notes or redeemable tickets along the pathway(s) to or from the common opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-purpose transportation system, including: a carrying platform including a gap path; a conveying module located underneath the carrying platform and extending along the gap path; and a carrying device coupled through the gap path onto the conveying module via a conveying base, wherein the carrying device further includes a control unit for controlling the moving direction of the conveying module.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to make person conveying systems more simple and less expensive. Said aim is achieved by equipping a person conveying system with a synchronous linear motor comprising a rack-shaped, permanent magnet-less secondary part (S) for driving purposes while the primary part of the synchronous linear motor is fixed to the conveying device (K) in or on which persons can be conveyed. If the person conveying system is embodied as a magnetic levitation railway, the synchronous linear motor makes it possible to conserve a significant amount of energy as opposed to an asynchronous linear motor as the permanent magnets provide a certain basic magnetic flux that can be used for supporting the railway car and driving the same in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a plurality of teeth (36) that interact with a toothed driving member (42). In a disclosed example, a low friction material (60) is placed near an end of the teeth (36) on the handrail (30). The low friction material (60) facilitates the teeth sliding along a guidance (70) but does not interfere with a desired engagement between the teeth (36) and corresponding teeth (46) on the driving member (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for the separation and removal of plate-shaped workpieces (7) out of the proximity of a separating device, which arrangement and method are intended for the automatic removal of such workpieces. For this purpose a bearing surface (2, 3) of a two-piece supporting table (4) is replaced by a second supporting table (6), which, together with the remaining bearing surface (3, 2), is moved and therein accepts the workpiece (7) completely. The second supporting table (6) subsequently carries the workpiece (7) completely out of the proximity of the first supporting table (4). The arrangement and the method permit separating the workpieces without damage to the support and the rapid and precise removal of the worked workpieces as well as of the trimmings.

Abstract: A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.

Abstract: A cap sorter for lifting and orienting caps includes a hopper section for holding randomly oriented caps. A conveyor belt travels along a belt path that extends through the hopper section. The belt path extending from the hopper section and moving upward therefrom. A plurality of spaced apart cleat attachment locations are located along a length of the conveyor belt, each cleat attachment location formed by a plurality of button members extending from an outer surface of the conveyor belt. Each button member includes an enlarged head portion. Each cleat attachment location has a cleat attached thereto with each cleat having a plurality of slots for matingly engaging with a corresponding one of the button members to removably hold the cleat to the conveyor belt when the enlarged head of the button member is located at a securing location of its corresponding slot.

Abstract: Rather than simply changing a component or module to be installed, a conveyance speed of a conveyance means for conveying a workpiece is modified in response to the specifications of a product when a product with specifications modified in part from common specifications of mass produced products is added to the mass produced products. Furthermore, a condition wherein the speed of the conveyance means is modified in accordance with specifications is displayed in real time such that a worker can identify the condition.

Abstract: A cant turner has several discrete laterally aligned cant turning stations spaced laterally across the width of a transfer. At each station the turner has two arms that rotate independently about a corresponding shaft. The arms can be selectively oriented in-line with each other or can be set to be at an angle, for example ninety degrees to each other. When in-line and horizontal, the arms allow a cant to pass over the laterally aligned stations without interruption. When one of the arms is elevated, for example, vertically, that arm acts as a hook stop and stops cants from further translation downstream. With a cant stopped against an elevated arm, when both arms rotate in unison the cant may be forwardly turned ninety degrees and allowed to progress down the transfer.

Abstract: The invention finds application in the field of machines for orienting and aligning empty plastic bottles or containers and particularly relates to a star wheel conveyor for unloading the bottles or containers from such a machine. The conveyor (1) is of the type having a plurality of box-like pockets which have a slit through which negative pressure is generated in the pocket to hold the container. Particularly, each pocket (7) is interchangeable and may be quick-connected to the star wheel structure to allow replacement thereof when changing the container format.

Abstract: A conveyor idler support frame (10) for rotatably mounting a conveyor idler (12, 14, 16, 20, 22) is provided. The frame is displaceable between an operation position and an idler removal position. In the operation position, the frame places a mounted idler in operational engagement with a conveyor belt (18). In the idler removal position, the frame brings the mounted idler out of engagement with the conveyor belt to allow the idler to be removed from the frame.

Abstract: A directional-change conveyor (1) is provided for conveying piece goods (2) along a first conveying strip and a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. A transfer structure (3) is provided for transferring conveyed piece goods from the first to the second conveying strip. The first and second conveying strips are twin-belt conveyors (4, 5). The transfer structure (3) is provided with tilted non-driven guide rollers (11) in an angle sector (10) between the two revolving belts (6, 7) of the first twin-belt conveyor (4). The lateral revolving belts (6, 7; 8, 9) of the two twin-belt conveyors (4, 5) are provided as the only drive of the conveyor (1). The tilted non-driven (first) guide rollers (11) are the exclusive deflection elements in the angle sector (10) and deflect conveyed piece goods (2) from the first twin-belt conveyor (4) on a curved strip to the second twin-belt conveyor (5).

Abstract: The modular endless conveyor belt comprises a structure provided with guides to support the upper run (6) of said belt (2), curvilinear guide means and stabilization means for said belt with relation to the perpendicular in curved trajectory sections. The curvilinear guide means are made up of rollers regularly distributed on the structure, cooperating with lugs (15) arranged on the internal surface (16) of said belt. Said lugs (15) comprise a shoulder for stabilizing said belt. The guide has the form of a rail (21), arranged below the rollers (17), cooperating with a shoulder (24) on each lug (15) to counteract the vertical movements to which the belt (2) is subjected as a function of the load being transported. The rail (21) arranged below the rollers (17) has the form of a thin metal sheet in a circular arc and said sheet is housed in a rebate (19) provided in the support structure for the upper run (6) of the belt (2).

Abstract: A weather-resistant roller device for a conveyer includes a roller body which has two axially opposite end walls respectively having indented wall regions each confining a receiving groove, a spindle supporting the roller body and having two engaging parts each projecting out of a respective end wall, bearing assemblies sleeved on the spindle, two anti-leak assemblies each provided in a respective receiving groove, and two protective caps each covering a respective engaging part. Each anti-leak assembly has an outer fixed seal member disposed annularly around the spindle and extending from the spindle to a respective indented wall region. Each protective cap has an inner skirt abutting sealingly against the outer fixed seal member of a respective anti-leak assembly, and a hollow neck extending outwardly from the inner skirt and receiving fittingly a respective engaging part.

Abstract: A collecting device (1) for catching crumbs which fall through constructional gaps in the conveyor belt (4) of an oven (2) during baking. The device (1) has an elongated upper plate (10) having a plurality of through perforations (10a) which is mounted beneath the top flight (4a) of the conveyor and extends across the width of the belt (4). A directing panel (7) is attached to each longitudinal edge (10b) of the upper plate (10) perpendicular to the plate (10). The crumbs which fall through the conveyor belt (4) are first received in the perforations (10a) in the upper plate (10) and then directed by the panels (7) into a removable container (5) beneath the lower edges (7b) of the panels. In an oven (2) which has a metal sheet (20) installed beneath the top flight (4a) of the conveyor belt (4) parallel to the belt, the upper plate (10) is installed by firstly excising a similarly sized portion of material from the metal sheet (10) and then substituting the excised portion with the upper plate (10).

Abstract: A method for enabling a presetter to connect connecting portions of belts having different widths, and for forming an endless connection of a flat belt with no defects such as the bend of the connecting portions. This method includes a first step of setting so that the connecting portions at both ends of the flat belt are placed on a lower mold surface of the presetter, and that, with the flat belt held from both sides by a wall part standing from the lower mold surface and a flat belt member having substantially the same compression property as the flat belt, an upper mold of the presetter is placed on the flat belt and the flat belt member, and then fixing the flat belt and the flat belt member by the presetter; and a second step of connecting the connecting portions at the both ends by pressing the presetter with the flat belt and the flat belt member fixed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch comprising a casing (1, 9), an actuator member (2, 3) pivotably mounted in the casing (1, 9) and integral with a switching control rod (10), capable of occupying a central position (A) and a rocked position (C), a pusher (5) slidably mounted in the actuator member (2, 3) in an incoming/outgoing direction substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry of the rocking, remarkable in that it further comprises a rockably mobile lock (4) on an elastic support (11), said lock (4) being distinct from the pusher (5) and capable of assuming a first position where it is interposed on the trajectory of the actuator member (2, 3) and a second position where it cooperates with the pusher (5) so that a thrust on the pusher (5) urges the lock (4) and allows the latter to disengage from the trajectory of the actuator member (2, 3) towards the rocked position (C).

Abstract: An interlock assembly for a safety switch includes a linkage. A first end of the linkage is coupled to the operating handle of the safety switch in order that moving the operating handle results in a corresponding movement of the second end of the linkage into and out of an aperture in a bracket member. The bracket member is movably coupled to the safety switch enclosure by a fastening mechanism. When the cover of the safety switch is disposed in its open position, the bracket member is disposed in a first position preventing the second end of the linkage from entering the aperture and resisting undesired movement of the operating handle. When the cover is closed position, the bracket member is moved to a second position corresponding to the second end of the linkage being receivable by the aperture in order that the operating handle is movable.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a MEMS structure further comprising: a MEMS device (240) having a first surface with one or more contact structures (244, 245 and 246) thereon connected to functional elements of the MEMS device (240), a dielectric layer (100) overlying the first surface defining openings therein through which the contact structures (244, 245 and 246) are exposed, a patterned metallization layer (254, 255 and 256) comprising conductive material extending from the contact structures (244, 245 and 246) through the openings in the dielectric layer (100) and onto a surface of the dielectric layer and a first heat sink (190) in thermal communication with the metallization layer (254, 255 and 256).

Abstract: There is provided a safety switch arranged to allow the control of power supplied to an apparatus, wherein the safety switch is provided with a biometric sensor module arranged to obtain biological information from a user of the safety switch, such that activation of the safety switch is controlled via the biological information obtained.

Abstract: An improved button actuation assembly for activating a switch on hand held devices such as portable barcode readers has an improved structure that absorbs and dissipates the force exerted on the button. The improved structure thus protects the switch and the button actuation assembly itself from being damaged by excessive force such as from an impact shock caused by dropping or misuse.

Abstract: A sensor element for a touch switch device has a sensor element body of elastic, electrically conductive material. The sensor element body has two parallel end wall areas as the top and bottom surfaces, which are integrally connected in one piece by inwardly cambered side wall areas. Such a sensor element body can be very easily compressed. The wall thickness of the wall areas is substantially the same throughout. Such sensor elements can be constructed by forming a linear strip of such material having a cross section as described, where the strip is cut into individual pieces, thereby forming each individual sensor element.

Abstract: A small click generating member is mounted on a yoke, and a large click generating member is rotatably mounted on an operating shaft. A plunger case is relatively rotatably mounted on the operating shaft, and large and small click peaces are mounted on the plunger case. An electromagnet is mounted on the yoke, and a plunger magnetic body attractable to the electromagnet is mounted on the plunger case. A magnet is mounted to cover the yoke. By changing over the supply of electricity to the electromagnet among a non-electricity-supply state, a backward connection electricity supply state and a forward connection electricity supply state, a generated coil magnetic field and a magnetic field of the magnet are applied in a cooperative manner, a magnetic circuit generated in the yoke can be changed over, and clicks are changed over among large click feeling, small click feeling and a fixed state.

Abstract: A method of production of blast furnace coke comprising drying mixed coal, then, or simultaneously with the drying, classifying it to fine-grained coal and coarse-grained coal, then adding to the fine-grained coal at a temperature of 80 to 350° C. a caking additive comprised of one or more of a heavy distillate of tar, soft pitch, and petroleum pitch, agglomerating it by hot pressing, then mixing the clumps of coal and the coarse-grained coal and charging and carbonizing the mixture in a coke oven.

Abstract: The invention relates to producing lump semicoke and can be used in metallurgy. Essence of the invention consists in that a method for producing said lump semicoke calls for using, as coal bed, coal having a fraction of 20-70 mm and air is supplied thru the coal bed with a relative blowing rate of 70-99.5 m3/m2·hr according to a coal rank.

Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor consists of a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.

Abstract: A method for separation of particles with different sizes. The method introduces radiation in a waveguide, coupled to a second guide in a coupling area, the radiation entraining all particles towards the coupling area, and separates the particles as they pass into the coupling area.

Abstract: A wafer plating apparatus has a rotor in a head including wafer retainers which properly hold a wafer on the rotor in position. A seal on the head seals plating bath liquid away from the edges of the wafer. After plating is completed and the wafer is moved away from the seal, the wafer retainers prevent the wafer from sticking to the seal. The rotor may include a backing plate adapted to support a wafer during processing, with the wafer retainers pivotally attached to the backing plate. Movement of the backing plate relative to a seal may move the wafer retainers between open and closed or engaged positions.

Abstract: A method for deposition of a layer on a razor blade edge of a razor blade, the layer including at least two components, in an enclosure comprising at least first and second sputter targets, each sputter target including at least one of the components to be deposited on the edge and being adapted, in operation, to release the component in the enclosure.

Abstract: An electrochemical/electrocontrollable device having variable optical and/or energetic properties, including at least one carrier substrate including an electroactive layer or an electroactive layer stack arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. At least one of the lower or upper electrodes includes at least four layers including at least one metal functional layer having intrinsic electrical conductivity properties, the functional layer being associated with an electrochemical barrier layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, the electrochemical barrier layer being associated with a humidity protection layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, and the functional layer being associated with a first sublayer of electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range.

Abstract: An integrated copper deposition process, particularly useful for forming a copper seed layer in a narrow via prior to electrochemical plating of copper, including at least one cycle of sputter deposition of copper followed by sputter etching of the deposited copper, preferably performed in a same sputter chamber. The deposition is performed under conditions promoting high copper ionization fractions and strong wafer biasing to draw the copper ions into the via. The etching may be done with argon ions, preferably inductively excited by an RF coil around the chamber, or by copper ions, which may be formed with high target power and intense magnetron or by use of the RF coil. Two or more cycles of deposition/etch may be performed. A final flash deposition may be performed with high copper ionization and low wafer biasing.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides for, in different embodiments, low-cost deposition techniques to form high-quality, dense, well-adhering Group IBIIIAVIA compound thin films with macro-scale as well as micro-scale compositional uniformities. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of growing a Group IBIIIAVIA semiconductor layer on a base, and includes the steps of depositing on the base a film of Group IB material and at least one layer of Group IIIA material, intermixing the film of Group IB material and the at least one layer of Group IIIA material to form an intermixed layer, and forming over the intermixed layer a metallic film comprising at least one of a Group IIIA material sub-layer and a Group IB material sub-layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention, aiming at providing an exhaust gas treating system capable of increasing the exhaust gas treating volume, through increase of the diameter of the reaction tube, stabilizing the state of generation of plasma without requiring any water membrane, and improving the harmful matters removing performance by extending the plasma length, comprises a reaction tube 1 for introducing exhaust gas G, an upper electrode 2 disposed in the air on the top side of the reaction tube 1, a lower electrode 3 disposed on the bottom side of the reaction tube 1, and a spray nozzle 4 for spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3, so as to form a path of electric current between the electrodes 2, 3 and generate plasma P in the reaction tube 1, by spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus for the production on site of a solution of sodium hypochlorite. It is based on the electrolysis of a dilute solution of sodium chloride and operates in flow through mode. Its main use is the potabilization of drinking water. Other uses include the production of sterilizing solutions for washing, wound disinfection, etc. It can be powered by a solar photovoltaic module (PVM), and it is portable in order to be easily transported in remote areas or emergency situations where chemicals or electricity are not available. The flow through operation is based on a gas lifting mechanism, the gas being hydrogen generated during the electrolysis of the sodium chloride solution. Therefore no moving parts are employed for pumping the solution through the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of sputtering targets uses a direct-chill method to fabricate various aluminum and aluminum alloy ingots. Without the need of follow-up forging processes, the fabricated aluminum alloy ingots can be cut to attain aluminum and aluminum alloy sputtering targets. The method according to the present invention features the advantages of few process steps, high productivity, and high yield. In addition, the fabricated targets have small grains, fine precipitate phases, and homogeneous composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetron with a planar target and a planar magnet system. The planar magnet system comprises a bar-shaped first magnet pole with enlarged ends and a frame-shaped second magnet pole, wherein a relative movement between the magnet poles and the target is such that every point of the magnet system moving with the target being stationary moves on a circular path. If the magnet system is stationary, each point of the target moves on such a circular path. During the relative movement with respect to one another the magnet system and the target are in parallel planes. The diameter of the circular path corresponds to the mean distance between two parallel arms of a plasma tube, which during the sputter operation develops between the first and the second magnet pole. Thereby that the magnets in the curve region of the plasma tube are disposed such that the pole lines form at this site a circle arc or a circular area, holes in the target are avoided.

Abstract: A sensor-dispensing instrument is adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid and comprises a body, a cap, a cartridge, a test-sensor receptacle, and a sensor-advancement mechanism. The cap is adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The cap and body are adapted to correspond with each other to form the closed position. The cartridge contains a plurality of test sensors. The cartridge is located substantially within the cap. The sensor-advancement mechanism is adapted to advance the plurality of test sensors, one at a time, to a position that allows a user to manually remove the test sensor and place the test sensor in the test-sensor receptacle. The sensor-dispensing instrument may also include a lancing device including a lancet.

Abstract: A laminated gas sensor includes a solid electrolyte layer, a measurement gas chamber, a reference gas chamber, a measurement gas chamber formation layer, and a reference gas chamber formation layer. The measurement gas chamber formation layer has an opposite pair of inner side surfaces that extend in a longitudinal direction of the solid electrolyte layer and face each other in a lateral direction of the solid electrolyte layer through the measurement gas chamber. The reference gas chamber formation layer has an opposite pair of inner side surfaces that extend in the longitudinal direction and face each other in the lateral direction through the reference gas chamber. Further, at least one of the inner side surfaces of the measurement gas chamber formation layer is located more inside the laminated gas sensor than a corresponding one of the inner side surfaces of the reference gas chamber formation layer in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensing element, a housing, a metal cover, and an oxide layer. The sensing element generates a signal indicative of an oxygen concentration in a measurement gas. The housing holds therein the sensing element with a portion of the sensing element protruding outside of the housing. The metal cover surrounds the portion of the sensing element and is to be exposed the measurement gas. The metal cover has formed therein a gas passage through which the sensing element is also to be exposed to the measurement gas. The oxide layer is formed on at least a surface of the metal cover. With the oxide layer, during operation, at least the metal cover is prevented from being oxidized by the oxygen contained in the measurement gas. Consequently, the oxygen concentration in the measurement gas can be accurately determined based on the signal generated by the sensing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrophoretic pigments, wherein the electrophoretic pigments are platelet-like metal pigments coated with at least one coating composition and the coating composition has (a) one or more binder functionalities of anodic electrophoretic paint binders and (b) one or more functional groups for effecting adhesion or binding to the pigment surface, and (c) an acid value of from 15 to 300 mg KOH/g of coating composition. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said electrophoretic pigments and to the use thereof.