Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for superheating the refrigerant gas in a motor vehicle air conditioning system in order to minimize the amount of work required to be performed by the compressor. In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant gas is diverted through the exhaust manifold immediately after passing through the compressor. As the refrigerant gas passes through the exhaust manifold, it is superheated by the surrounding hot exhaust gases thereby increasing the refrigerant gas pressure to reduce the amount of work done by the compressor.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a heat-generating chip mounted in a socket on a circuit board, the socket including a cradle having a standard heat-sink receiving configuration, includes an evaporator having a thermally conductive front face, a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator for delivering refrigerant thereto, and an evaporator mount for coupling the evaporator to the heat-generating chip with the front face adjacent thereto. The mount includes a housing having coupling elements for connection to the cradle. The housing has an interior in which a housing insulation pack is provided for retaining the evaporator therein. The mount further includes a cradle insulation pack for maintaining the socket in moisture-free condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making ice cream or other dessert through the use of a canister assembly containing a freezable material. The canister assembly includes at least two separable canister subassemblies. The subassemblies may be nestable so as to minimize storage space.

Abstract: An isothermal transportation container comprises an insulating container and a lid that can seal this insulating container. The insulating container has a plurality of insulating materials arranged overlapped on the inner peripheral face of the insulating container. A thermal conductive member is arranged in a space of the insulating container formed by the insulating materials. The thermal conductive member can accommodate a plurality of laminated packaging containers, each of which accommodates a thermal storage medium and a transported article. The heat in the thermal storage medium in one packaging container can be transmitted to the other packaging container through the thermal conductive member.

Abstract: A metal decorative article includes: a first decorative member formed with a first hole pattern of through-holes, the first hole pattern having inner and outer sides, each of the through-holes extending from the outer side to the inner side, and having an outer peripheral edge on the outer side and an inner peripheral edge on the inner side, the outer peripheral edge of each of the through-holes having dimensions different from those of the inner peripheral edge of the respective one of the through-holes; a second decorative member formed with a second hole pattern of through-holes having inner and outer sides that are respectively symmetrical to the inner and outer sides of the first hole pattern; and a frame defining a frame space. The first and second decorative members are respectively received in the frame space of the frame such that the inner sides face each other and are spaced apart from each other by a gap.

Abstract: Jewelry and methods of making jewelry containing a precious metal-base alloy component in bulk-solidified amorphous phase are provided.

Abstract: The device for blank pressing glass bodies includes a first rotary indexing table with preforms for forming parisons from glass gobs; a second rotary indexing table having pressing molds and pressing tools for pressing the parisons into final form after formation in the preforms; and a device for shifting the first rotary indexing table relative to the second rotary indexing table so that each preform is positionable in a transfer position between a pressing tool and a pressing mold. Each preform is mounted on the first rotary indexing table by a indexable mount for holding it in a first horizontal position or in a second position pivoted away from the first position, so that, when a preform is in the transfer position, the indexable mount can be pivoted, so that a parison in it drops into the pressing mold for pressing by the pressing tool.

Abstract: A complex cam system capable of using a compound needle as a knitting needle is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a needle raising cam, a transfer cam, and knitting cams act on a butt provided in a needle body of the compound needle. A slider cam acts on a butt provided in a slider of the compound needle. Guide paths in transfer for the needle body and the butt of the slider are constituted with delivering paths and receiving paths, and switched from knitting paths. In the delivering paths, a transfer operation by the compound needle can be carried out smoothly using two knobs in a three knobby-shaped paths.

Abstract: A device (1) for improving the threading of thread-guides (5) for warp linear knitting machines (10), comprising at least a first support (6) that is associated or coupled to a supporting structure (11) of a warp linear knitting machine (10), a second support (7) operatively placed between the first support (6) and the supporting structure (11), a plurality of thread-guides (5) designed to guide threads while knitting a knitted item, and at least one thread-guide (5) bar (2) operatively associated or coupled to the first support (6) to which the thread-guides (5) are associated or coupled. The first (6) and the second (7) support are movable with respect to the supporting structure (11) between an operating position, in which the thread-guides (5) are active for the formation of the knitting item, and at least one threading position, angularly rotated with respect to the operating position, in which the threading of the thread-guides (5) takes place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a washer, damper thereof, and control method thereof, by which noise is reduced by adjusting a damping force of the damper in a manner of turning on/off power of the damper according to an oscillation frequency of a vibrating body such as a washer. The control method reduces noise by supplying power to a damper in an excessive vibration state of a vibrating body such as a washer or by cutting off the power supplied to the damper in a normal vibration state of the vibrating body.

Abstract: There is provided a washing machine combined with a dryer. In the washing machine, a cabinet is provided, a tub is installed in the cabinet, an air-vent hose is installed to an outer surface of the tub, a lint filter assembly has one end connected to the air-vent hose to remove lint from air discharged from the tub, and an air-vent duct is connected to the other end of the lint filter assembly.

Abstract: A cable padlock having a thin flexible cable, with a key attached to one cable end and a locking mechanism for receiving and securing the key attached to the other cable end, preferably of a combination or permutation type. The key and locking mechanism are constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminum, providing for a lightweight, compact, and potentially inexpensive padlock. A mechanism for detaching the cable from the locking mechanism by application of a master key is provided to allow an administrator of a facility utilizing a number of the locks to remove each lock without needing to lookup each lock's unique combination. The lock is accordingly useful in prisons, institutions, and other secured facilities where there are concerns that a traditional heavier lock could be used as a makeshift weapon.

Abstract: A pivotal bar-lock comprising an anchor hasp having a locking hub and a first locking element integrally formed with a first mounting plate; a locking hasp integrally formed with a second mounting plate and having a mating element and a second locking element formed therein; and a locking bar rotatably mounted on the anchor hasp, the locking bar having a cylinder lock encased therein and an engagement element formed therewith, the cylinder lock being operable such that when rotated into an unlocked mode, the locking bar is pivotally enabled to assume one of open, in-transit, and closed positions in interaction with the first and second locking elements, and when the cylinder lock is rotated into a locked mode, the engagement element of the locking bar engages the mating element of the locking hasp.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a guard are provided for protecting a padlock securing stanchion levers in their door locking position. An opening in the front wall of the guard permits its use with padlocks having long shackles as well as those with regular length shackles while retaining the compactness not normally retained for the extended length of the shackles. The preferred construction lock guard has a pitched roof and a pair of legs on its laterally outer sides extending downwardly behind the stanchion lever at laterally opposite sides of the stanchion latching mechanism that increase stability, rigidity of the housing and protection of the latches.

Abstract: An electronic marker device affixes a fishing rod to a fishing reel. The device includes a marker housing having a base and a cover to wrap around an arm of a fishing reel and enclose a foot of the reel and a rod of a fishing rod thereby preventing removal of the fishing reel from the fishing rod. The marker housing also supports an electronic marker so as to deter unauthorized removal of the rod and reel combination. The marker may be preferably an electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker.

Abstract: There are provided a cam plate (5) that rotates in an unlocking direction and a locking direction, and a locking shaft (8) that moves between a locking position where rotation of a steering shaft is prevented and an unlocking position where the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted by rotation of the cam plate (5). The cam plate (5) is provided with a steering lock preventing unit (20) through a spring (22). The steering lock preventing unit (20) holds the locking shaft (8) in the unlocking position. A ball (23) moves on a moving surface (24) of a motor unit (4) opposed to the cam plate (5) by rotation of the cam plate (5). A projecting wall (25) is provided on the moving surface (24) at a position before the unlocking position in a range where the ball (23) moves from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A method of and device for immobilising a motor vehicle having a foot actuated brake pedal affixed at the end of a pedal arm. A pedal clasping portion of the immobilisation device is hooked around the brake pedal and a rigid strut portion slides from an elongate body portion where it is locked in such extended position to prevent depression of the brake pedal to its actuating position. The pedal clasping portion has the form of a deep channel firmly affixed to the elongate body portion of the device and may have a cutout in one of the flanges through which the pedal arm passes.

Abstract: A key blank or key has a rectangular parallel metal shaped blade which has side edges formed with grooves for cooperating with a complementary shaped keyway; the sides of the blank having a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts.

Abstract: A device for monitoring an area of coverage on a work tool may comprise a lighting unit, a camera, and an evaluation unit. The lighting unit may be adapted to emit light rays for illuminating the area of coverage. The camera may be adapted to detect two-dimensional images of the area of coverage, and the camera may comprise receiving elements arranged linearly. The evaluation unit may be coupled to the camera to evaluate the output signals of the receiving elements to determine a distance value for each receiving element based on the light rays emitted by the lighting device and reflected back from the area of coverage. The evaluation unit may have at least one switching output coupled to the work tool to activate the work tool such that the work tool is operational only if no object is located in the area of coverage.

Abstract: A bending brake for sheet material includes frames; an upper jaw and a lower jaw that cooperate to hold the sheet material a bending surface pivotally connected to the lower jaw to bend the sheet material against an anvil of the upper jaw; an interlocking unit connected to the frame and having a cam surface which has having a locking position; and an elongated pipe assembly for rotation by a user. The elongated body bears against the cam surface and rests in the locking position to clamp the sheet material with reduced freedom of play.

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of forming a trailer receiver for use in connection with a trailer hitch assembly for towing trailers, campers, boats and the like. The invention relates to an improved method for forming a trailer receiver that utilizes cold forward extrusion and a tooling arrangement to efficiently and cost effectively produce custom trailer receivers.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sheet of material for bending along a bend line includes the step of forming at least one displacement in the thickness direction of the sheet of material, the displacement including a flat zone substantially parallel to the sheet of material with a portion of the periphery of the flat zone extending along and adjacent to the bend line, and including an angled transition zone interconnecting the flat zone with a remainder of the sheet of material. The forming step is preferably accomplished using one of a stamping process, a punching process, a roll-forming process and an embossing process. A sheet of material suitable for bending using the process also is disclosed, as are the use of coatings, shin guards and displacing the area of the sheet between bending inducing slits.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece axle tube housing with localized sections of increased wall thickness includes providing a tube blank, inserting a mandrel having a reduced diameter profile, passing the tube through an extrusion die to conform the tube to the shape of the mandrel; and extraction of the mandrel from the tube to cause outward deformation of the tube at specific locations. A further reducing step may be used to form the final desired profile, including reduced inner and outer diameters along sections of the axle tube housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the tool for working tubes. The tool includes a body having hinged thereto a trigger for moving back-and-fourth, and which is connected to a support member supporting a working head. A drive device is provided for driving the support member mounted on the body and connected to the trigger. The support member includes a toothed rack, and the drive device includes a first toothed gearwheel having a first module and meshing with the rack, a drive pawl serving to advance the rack forwards, and a retaining pawl preventing it from moving backwards. The drive device includes a second toothed gearwheel having a second module smaller than the first module, the second gear-wheel being secured to the first gearwheel, the drive pawl and the retaining pawl being engaged with the second gearwheel.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic pressing device is suitable for one-handed operation. The device includes a housing having a working head attached thereto, an electric motor provided within the housing for actuating the working head, the electric motor being rearward of the working head, an actuating switch for actuating the working head, a rearward switch provided within the housing rearward of the motor; and a lever extending from the actuating switch to the rearward switch. The lever is within the housing and the housing around the lever forms a gripping region. When the actuating switch is actuated, the lever is moved to actuate the rearward switch.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet fastening device has a punch that drives legs of the rivet into portions of workpieces that are forced into a die cavity, in order to join the workpieces. Particular surfaces of the die cavity are modified to increase the coefficient of friction in order to prevent tips of the legs of the rivet from breaking through a workpiece adjacent to the die and forming holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein a material or object to be tested is placed on a base support. A stopper assembly having a stopper tip on one end in contact with the test material or object, and a washer on the opposite end attached to a rod. A projectile is propelled with a selected level of force along the rod and impacts the washer, which transmits the force of impact through the stopper tip to the test material or object. The level of propelling force, the mass of the projectile, the construction of the stopper assembly and the location of impact on the test material or object may be precisely adjusted to simulate real-life impacts.

Abstract: There is provided an oxidizing gas sensor that includes an insulating substrate, a gas sensing layer laminated on the insulating substrate and substantially made of tin oxide so as to make resistance changes in response to concentration variations in oxidizing gas and a plurality of catalyst grains applied to a surface of the gas sensing layer and substantially made of gold, wherein 20% or more of the catalyst grains have an aspect ratio of 2.0 or greater when viewed at from the surface of the gas sensing layer.

Abstract: The present description relates to a process for measuring outgas emissions in fabrication chambers used for semiconductors, micromachines and the like. In one embodiment, the invention includes inserting a gas adsorption material into a processing chamber exhaust vent, running a process in the chamber, venting gasses in the chamber through the gas adsorption material, removing the adsorption material from the exhaust vent, and analyzing the adsorption material for gases.

Abstract: A method positions a sensor in a honeycomb body which is provided with hollow spaces that can be penetrated at least in part by an exhaust gas. The sensor is placed in an area of the honeycomb body in which at least one minimum hydrogen concentration occurs when the honeycomb body is operated in the emission system of a motor vehicle. The sensor positioning method allows the sensor to be placed in the honeycomb body in such a way that systematic errors that occur are kept as small as possible as a result of an inherent transverse sensitivity of the sensor to hydrogen. This applies especially to lambda probes. A honeycomb body contains the sensor which is placed so as to supply particularly reliable test data whose systematic error is as small as possible.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting a vibration corresponding to a first radial resonance mode by using a band-pass filter, from vibrations sensed by an in-cylinder pressure sensor provided at an upper central portion of the cylinder; calculating knock intensity N based on a result of comparison between the detected waveform and a knock waveform model prepared in advance as a vibration waveform when knocking occurs; determining that knocking occurred when the knock intensity N is larger than a predetermined reference value; and determining that knocking has not occurred when the knock intensity N is not larger than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, method and centrifuge permeameter system that includes a hydraulic permeameter adapted for use in a centrifuge; and an automated data acquisition system, wherein the centrifuge permeameter non-destructively determines one or more soil characteristics from a sample of granular material such as soil, rock, and concrete when centrifuged.

Abstract: The system and method for detecting water and/or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

Abstract: Viscometer (80) with a rotor (51) rotatable by a coupling magnet (34) and a driving magnet (38) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (30) mounted on a bob shaft (24) supported via a pair of bob shaft bearings. A spiral spring (70) restricts the rotation of bob shaft (24). Magnetometer (10) measures the angular position of a top magnet (72) connected to the top of bob shaft (24). This angular position information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.

Abstract: An Indicator that visually signals when it is time to start and stop watering by the Indicator's ability to distinctively change it's relative physical size and/or shape as it takes on and releases the water.

Abstract: A method for monitoring deformations in a tire of a vehicle wheel, the wheel including the tire and a rim, the method including: providing the wheel with at least two magnetic-field emitters mutually disposed so as to yield a composite magnetic field having one or more space portions where at least one component of the composite magnetic field is substantially null; disposing at least one main magnetic-field sensor substantially in one of the one or more space portions; monitoring variation of the at least one component of the composite magnetic field; and correlating the variation with tire deformations. At least one of the magnetic-field emitters is disposed in contact with the tire. A system for monitoring deformations in a tire of a vehicle wheel includes the wheel, the at least two magnetic-field emitters, and the at least one main magnetic-field sensor.

Abstract: A device and method for applying a wind force to a plurality of plants in an agricultural environment is provided to screen for selected wind-resistance traits in the plurality of plants. In one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided including a generating device for creating a moving fluid stream to provide the wind force, a directing device, such as a duct and/or movable vane, for precisely and selectively directing the wind force towards a portion of at least one plant, and a controller for adjusting one or more parameters of the fluid stream. The device and/or method embodiments of the present invention may thus be used to selectively apply the wind force to one or more plants (or portions thereof) such that the plants may be evaluated with respect to one or more wind-resistant physical characteristics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are useful for determining the flowrate of fluid flowing within a passage. The method comprises the step of measuring the equilibrium temperature of a location of interest within or proximate to the passage within which fluid flows. The temperature of the location of interest is perturbed to a second temperature, and the temperature of the location of interest is then allowed to return to its equilibrium temperature. The temperature of the location of interest is monitored as it transitions between the second temperature and the equilibrium temperature. The monitored temperature transition is then used to determine the flowrate of the fluid flowing within the passage.

Abstract: A combined utility meter and meter register assembly (10) is disclosed in which a housing (11, 13, 31) for both a utility metering element and a meter register has no visual readout or display of metering data. Metering data is signaled through a data port (33) or an antenna (36) to external equipment. The meter register is provided by electronic circuitry (29a, 29b) that is placed in an upper cavity (27) in the housing part (13) that is then closed by a cover (31) or a body of sealing material. A label (32) can be placed over the closure informational purposes. An additional embodiment of the housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Device for detecting a pressure force exerted by a human muscle. If a sensor measures that a defined force is exceeded, a signal is emitted. This signal is used to indicate to the relevant person that he needs to modify his behavior. To determine the teaching effect of this signal, it is proposed for these signals to be stored in a memory and for the stored values to read out after a certain time and compared with more recent signals. The device can be used, inter alia, in a writing instrument which measures both the gripping force on the writing instrument and the writing pressure.

Abstract: In the case of an imbalance measuring device with a bearing device for static fluid bearing of the rotor (1), to improve the balance quality and to shorten the required time for balancing, it is proposed that the bearing device has at least two open, fluid-supplied bearing shells (11, 11?) to receive sections of the rotor periphery and at least one bearing plate (12, 12?) which is assigned to a rotor end surface and supplied with fluid. The drive is decoupled from the rotor (1) during the imbalance measuring process, and the measuring process preferably takes place during time-variable rotary behavior of the rotor (1).

Abstract: A vibrating gyro element includes in the same plane a base portion; a pair of vibrating arms for detection extended out of the base portion on both sides in a straight line shape; a pair of connecting arms extended-out from the base portion onto both sides in directions perpendicular to the vibrating arms for detection; a pair of vibrating arms for driving each extended-out from the tip portion of each of the connecting arms to both sides perpendicularly to this tip portion; two pairs of beams extended out of the base portion along the respective arms for detection; and a pair of support portions to which the respective beams extended out in the same direction are connected; wherein the support portion is arranged outside the vibrating arm for detection between the vibrating arms for driving in the extending-out direction of each of the vibrating arms for detection.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring an angular velocity formed by a single piezoelectric tuning fork (21) that rotates at the angular velocity. The tuning fork has a detection leg (24) which has a cross-shaped section including two top lateral faces (33, 34) and two bottom lateral faces (37, 38) separated by protruding parts (41, 42) projecting with respect to the faces. The detection leg has detecting electrodes which are arranged such that the electrical field between electrodes is substantially rectilinear through the detection leg.

Abstract: One or more fixed sensing electrodes are employed to sense movement of a mass both within the plane of the mass/electrodes and along an axis normal to that plane. In order to measure movement of the mass along the axis normal to the plane, a reference capacitance is measured between the fixed sensing electrode(s) and an underlying conducting plane and a measurement capacitance is measured between the mass and the underlying conducting plane. A value Cv-KCf may be computed, where Cf is the reference capacitance, Cv is the measurement capacitance, and K is a predetermined constant. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a standard one or two axis acceleration sensor that measures movement of the mass within the plane can be used to also measure movement of the mass in the axis normal to the plane.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a fixing unit and a movable unit. The fixing unit has a plurality of first electrode parts and a plurality of second electrode parts. The movable unit is connected with the fixing unit and includes a body having an opening, a plurality of third electrode parts and a plurality of fourth electrode parts. The third electrode parts are disposed at an outer side of the body with respect to the first electrode parts, respectively. The fourth electrode parts are disposed at the inner side of the body in the opening, and are disposed respectively with respect to the second electrode parts, respectively.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a filter includes an acoustic apparatus. The acoustic apparatus includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a resonator, and a transmitter. The transmitter is configured to emit sound waves receivable by at least one of the first receiver, the second receiver, and the resonator. The monitoring assembly also includes an electronic control module configured to receive signals from at least one of the first and second receivers.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a portion of a weld between at least two materials includes mounting at least one ultrasonic phased array probe including at least one transducer having a plurality of elements within a housing containing a liquid therein, attaching the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the portion of the weld such that the liquid is adjacent to the outer surface of the portion of the weld, and scanning the weld with the at least one ultrasonic phased array probe.

Abstract: An electronic data input apparatus comprises a receptacle, a tube, a housing for electronic components, and a harness. The receptacle is operable for use in a user's mouth. The tube connects the receptacle to the housing, which is attached to the harness. A user wears the harness on the upper part of the torso, such that the receptacle is accessible to the mouth. A cable connects the electronic component housing to a computing element and establishes serial communication from the input apparatus to the computing element. The apparatus may provide the same function as a conventional mouse pointing device by allowing the user to control the motion of a pointer on an electronic display by breathing in to and out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for making a pressure transducer comprising: forming a recess in a diaphragm, the diaphragm having a thinned region that deflects responsively to pressure being applied thereto; depositing a glass frit in the recess; embedding a plurality of strain gages in the glass frit; and, wire bonding the strain gages into a Wheatstone bridge configuration.