Abstract: An optical fiber having excellent strength that can be manufactured at low cost, as well as a method for making such optical fiber, is provided. An optical fiber 1 is a silica-based optical fiber comprising a core 11, an optical cladding 12 surrounding the core & 11, and a jacketing region 13 surrounding the optical cladding 12 and having a uniform composition throughout from the internal circumference to the outer circumference. A compressive strained layer having a residual compressive stress is provided at the outermost circumference of the jacketing region 13.

Abstract: A rotary sinker enabling stitch formation by a knitting machine using a rotor for forming a stitch, a knitting machine including the rotary sinker, and a stitch forming method are provided. The ring sinkers as rotating bodies are capable of rotating about a rotation axis independently of each other. The rotation times of the ring sinkers are set to be different from each other. Thus, the rotation times are adjusted to be different between the ring sinker that holds an old loop and the ring sinker that holds a new loop. Adjustment of the rotation times prevents application of a large tension to the knitting yarn made of low stretch fiber, and a stitch can be formed even with a knitting yarn made of non-stretch or low-stretch fiber.

Abstract: A method for making a seamless knit belt including forming two longitudinal rib sections that are formed from a different material than the body of the belt. The rib sections are formed during the tubular knitting process and then the body of the knit composite is run through a polymeric treating system. After the body is treated, the rib sections are trimmed from the edges and the resulting product is a coated seamless knit belt.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compression performance fabric is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, different yarns can be attached to a single jersey circular knitting machine. The yarns can include polyamide yarn and an elastane yarn. The single jersey circular knitting machine can be configured to create a fabric that includes a a three to one ratio (3:1) of polyamide to elastane and a fabric density of at least three hundred grams per square meter but no more than three hundred eighty grams per square meter can be created. Thereafter, the created fabric can be finished for use in producing apparel including performance apparel.

Abstract: According to one aspect a detergent drawer for a washing machine is disclosed, the detergent drawer comprising a linear guiding, a first holder for a detergent container, a second holder for a front plate and a front plate arranged at the second holder, wherein the linear guiding provides a displacement of a movable portion of the detergent drawer relatively to the washing machine and at least approximately perpendicular to an operating panel of the washing machine in a direction of motion, wherein the detergent drawer has a driving mechanism configured to automatically open the detergent drawer using a mechanically generated force when a user applies a pushing force to the front plate and then releases the front plate.

Abstract: A washing machine includes: a cabinet forming an external appearance and having an open upper portion; a reservoir hanging within the cabinet and allowing washing water to be put therein; a washing tub rotatably disposed within the reservoir and accommodating the laundry; and a spray nozzle spraying washing water into the washing tub such that one boundary of sprayed washing machine reaches a side wall of the washing tub and the other boundary of the sprayed washing water reaches the bottom of the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle includes: a tube part forming a passage along which washing water is introduced; and a spray part connected with the tube part to spray washing water and disposed such that a spray face against which washing water discharged from the tube part splashes is bent at a certain angle with respect to a discharge direction of the tube part. The laundry can be effectively wet by increasing a spray range of washing water.

Abstract: A method of processing a leather material. The method may include providing a tanned and dried leather material and pre-stretching the leather material after the leather material is dried.

Abstract: A device adapted to connect a first securing member to a second securing member, the device comprising a link with a base having an interrupted raised lip forming an internal cavity, the base having a hasp extending into the internal cavity, the hasp having a through hole, and the raised lip having interrupted areas, a first securing element associated with the base at a first interrupted area, the first securing element securing a first securing member, a second securing element associated with the base at a second interrupted area, the second securing element securing a second securing member, a lock having a shackle and a body, the lock fitting within the internal cavity such that the shackle may be inserted through the through hole of the hasp with the body inhibiting the first and second securing members from being disassociated with the first and second securing elements.

Abstract: Button comprising a nut (1), a support (3) and a cover (5) fitted on the aforesaid support (3) defining a chamber (6) and having at least one window (51, 52) for an indicator for at least one position chosen from a first position for the button roughly corresponding to a minimum tightening torque for the nut (1) and a second position for the button corresponding to a lower tightening torque than the tightening torque for the first position, with the aforesaid indicator (30) being connected to a plate (13) by a means which ensures that a rotation of the plate (13) is translated into a rotation of the indicator (30).

Abstract: A lock cylinder includes a housing, in which a sleeve having a cylinder core accommodated therein is rotatably supported. The cylinder core has spring-loaded tumblers forming a form closure with recesses arranged in the sleeve when a key engaging the tumblers is removed. Inside the housing, the sleeve is coupled to a coupling element by means of a disengaging sleeve. The coupling element is supported inside the housingand connected to a bearing in a rotationally-fixed manner. The bearing supports an output element. At least one of the sleeve and the coupling element forms a form closure with the bearing to block the rotation of the output element if an improper object is used in operative connection with the cylinder core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to processes for treating biosolids that result in high-value, nitrogen-containing, slow-release, organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that are competitive with less valuable or more costly conventional commercially manufactured fertilizers. The process involves conditioning traditional waste-water biosolids and processing the conditioned biosolids continuously in a high throughput manufacturing facility. The exothermic design and closed loop control of the primary reaction vessel decreases significantly the amount of power necessary to run a manufacturing facility. The process utilizes green technologies to facilitate decreased waste and enhanced air quality standards over traditional processing plants. The fertilizer produced from recovered biosolid waste is safe and meets or exceeds the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) Class A and Exceptional Quality standards and is not subject to restrictions or regulations.

Abstract: Hydrophobic contaminants are removed from sludge that has been liquidized by violent shearing, by stirring a hydrophobic sorbent substance material into the sludge. After a period of time in which the contaminants are sorbed into the sorbent, the sorbent substance is separated from the sludge by gravity-settling, centrifuging, etc, where the sorbent is a liquid, or by filtration etc where the sorbent is a solid. Some sorbents have a melting point such that the sorbent can be liquid for good dispersal in heated sludge, and then can be solid when the sludge has cooled, whereby the sorbent can be removed e.g by filtration. Liquefaction by violent shearing causes the biosolids in the sludge to go into solution, which leaves the hydrophobic contaminants more available to be sorbed.

Abstract: An oil-based coating for fertilizer granules impregnated with a polymer additive and related methods of applying the oil-based coating. The polymer additive can comprise homopolymers, copolymers, or combinations thereof, including polyethylene homopolymers. The polymer additive increases the viscosity of the oil-based coating, thereby increasing the duration for which the coating is capable of controlling or inhibiting the formation of dust particulates from the fertilizer granules.

Abstract: A pinch roll device (1) for rolled metallurgic products comprises:—a first pinch roll and a second pinch roll (2, 3), a passage gap (5) being defined therebetween, the first and second rolls (2, 3) being rotable about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis (Y1, Y2), respectively, to draw a rolled metallurgic product (10) through the gap (5),—a hydraulic actuator (21, 41) comprising a hydraulic actuator (21, 42, 43) connected to the first roll (2) and/or the second roll (3) to reciprocally either approach or space apart the first and second rolls (2, 3), so as to either reduce or increase the width of the passage gap (5), respectively,—a pressure sensor (25) in the hydraulic circuit (20),—a position sensor (24) in the actuator (21),—a reversible pump (9) in the hydraulic circuit (20, 41) connected to the actuator (21, 42, 43) to slidingly move a piston (22) connected to the first roll (2) and/or to the second roll (3).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-pressing apparatus capable of quenching a workpiece at a sufficient cooling rate. The hot-pressing apparatus performs a hot-press forming of a workpiece using a lower die and an upper die, in which a cooling channel and a cooling channel, and a plurality of gas-introduction paths and a plurality of gas-introduction paths through which heat-conducting gas flows are provided in the lower die and the upper die. The plurality of gas-introduction paths penetrate through the dies. The hot-press forming is performed while the heat-conducting gas is supplied to the areas between the dies and the workpiece from the plurality of gas-introduction paths opening on the forming surfaces of the dies.

Abstract: A device and a method for changing drive rollers of drivers of a rolling mill system. There are a driver station (23) and/or a reel station (24) of the hot-rolling mill system, at least one driver roller storage station (27) and at least one driver roller conditioning station (28), viewed from the hot-rolling mill stations in the direction of the reel station on the extension of the longitudinal axis of the hot-rolling mill system. At least one manipulator (29) is displaceable at least between the driver station and the driver roller conditioning station and the driver roller storage station, and optionally also the hot-rolling station to remove, transfer and install drive rollers at each station.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing shear deformation in a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a processing channel through which the work piece passes, the processing channel including first and second channel sections which intersect at an angle to each other; a plurality of drive members configured to engage sides of the work piece to drive it through the processing channel so that the work piece passes from the first channel section to the second channel section to produce shear deformation in the work piece; and a drive surface disposed at an intersection of the first and second channel sections, the drive surface being configured to engage the work piece and advance it through the intersection, wherein opposing sides of the first channel section are defined by a pair of die faces relative to which the drive members are rotatably fixed, the separation of the die faces being variable in response to thickness variations of the work piece to maintain drive of the work piece through the processing channel.

Abstract: A roll forming method includes: performing a cross-section forming process to causing a steel strip, to pass through a forming roll die so that a cross-sectional shape of the steel strip is formed into a predetermined cross-sectional shape; performing a heating process of heating the steel strip to a first temperature that is equal to or higher than an austenitizing temperature; performing a preliminary cooling process of cooling the steel strip to a second temperature lower than the austenitizing temperature and equal to or higher than a martensite transformation point; performing a cross-section correcting process of causing the steel strip to pass through a correction roll die and correcting the cross-sectional shape of the steel strip, and performing a main cooling process of cooling the steel strip having passed through the correction roll die to a third temperature lower than the martensite transformation point.

Abstract: A method for producing a mold tube from copper or a copper alloy for a continuous casting mold, a tube blank being formed on a mandrel, which determines the inner shape of the mold, by the external application of force, and, following the shaping process, the mandrel being removed from the mold tube (1, 1a); the action of force resulting in response to the movement of the tube blank relative to the die surrounding the same; the die having a shaping structure for a cold formed profile (6, 6a; 7, 7a) on the outer surface (5) of the mold tube (1, 1a), so that the cold formed profile (6, 6a; 7, 7a) is produced by the die upon shaping of the tube blank on the mandrel.

Abstract: The invention provides an aerocushion assembly in a power press having a frame. The power press includes a shape assembly; a shaft communicating with the shape assembly; a cushion assembly communicating with at least one of the shaft and the shape assembly, the cushion assembly preventing at least one of off-center loading of the shaft or deflection of the shaft during movement thereof; a snubbing assembly communicating with at least the shaft; and an adjustment assembly communicating with the shaft and adjusts a stroke length.

Abstract: A liquid proving system is provided with a small volume liquid prover draining into a liquid holding tank that has capacity for multiple proving measurements. The small volume liquid prover can either be top-filled or bottom-filled, or exclusively bottom-filled. A liquid holding tank baffle assembly contains saturated vapor from an initial number of fills of the liquid holding tank within the small volume prover to improve overall accuracy of the proving measurements. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment established by a saturated vapor volume in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover.

Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5, 300) is provided. The vibratory flow meter (5, 300) includes a flow meter assembly (10, 310) including at least two vibration sensors (170L and 170R, 303 and 305) that generate at least two vibrational signals and meter electronics (20, 320) that receives the at least two vibrational signals, generate a new time difference (?t) using multiple time difference measurements obtained for a flow material, and determine if the new time difference (?t) is within predetermined bounds of an old time difference (?t0).

Abstract: Systems and methods for the remote testing of a paddle-type flow detector, such as are common in fire protection systems. Specifically, the systems and methods provide for mechanical movement of the vane to test activation of the flow detector under a flow condition, and which measure the amount of time the vane takes to return to the ready position to verify the presence of a paddle on the vane.

Abstract: During a water draw test, horizontal type bidirectional sphere provers with a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detector switches sometimes suffer from sphere launch failure which typically results in a failed water draw test. These types of provers, especially in larger pipe diameters will benefit from an elongate concentric fabricated reducer attached to the outlet of each launch tube. These elongate concentric fabricated reducers result in a successful sphere launch on the first attempt. Assuming all the other components of the prover are properly designed and assembled, a successful sphere launch will result in a successful water draw test on the first attempt saving time, money and reputation.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter assembly is provided for adapting use of nozzles on liquid dispensing pumps with test and measurement equipment such as liquid provers, test measures and liquid proving systems. The adopter can be used with automatic shut-off nozzles through which the liquid may normally be dispensed.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a storage unit that stores reference data for executing each of functions, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration of the electronic device in at least two axes perpendicular to each other, a motion detection unit that detects a consecutive motion of the electronic device based on the acceleration of the electronic device and generates data of the detected motion of the electronic device, a correction range determination unit that determines a correction range based on data of a motion in a predetermined section of the data of the motion of the electronic device, a correction unit that corrects the motion of the electronic device to a rectilinear motion when the motion of the electronic device is in the correction range, and an execution control unit that judges each of the functions to be executed based on the motion of the electronic device and the reference data.

Abstract: A liquid proving system is provided with a small volume liquid prover draining into a liquid holding tank that has capacity for multiple proving measurements. The small volume liquid prover is top-filled and bottom-drained. A liquid holding tank baffle assembly contains saturated vapor from an initial number of fills of the liquid holding tank within the small volume prover to improve overall accuracy of the proving measurements. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover and into the entire holding tank, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment established by a saturated vapor volume in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover.

Abstract: Device (1) for checking the calibration of catching instruments measuring rainfall intensity, which comprises a plurality of containers (2a, 2b, 2c) having a predetermined internal volume (V1, V2, V3), the volume of at least two of said containers being different from each other, said containers being intended to contain respective amounts of a liquid, wherein each container (2a, 2b, 2c) is provided with a single exhaust nozzle (3a, 3b, 3c) intended to put the internal volume (V1, V2, V3) of said container (2a, 2b, 2c) in fluid communication with an outer environment such to allow said liquid discharged from said nozzle (3a, 3b, 3c) to flow out by gravity in a substantially horizontal direction, each one of said containers (2a, 2b, 2c) further comprising air intake means (4a, 4b, 4c) intended to put the internal volume (V1, V2, V3) in fluid communication with the outer environment in order to define a compensation of the air pressure inside the container, such to make piezometric head constant at the height o

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A fixture includes a base, a carrier plate, a number of pressing strips, and a cover. The base defines a base receiving chamber. The carrier plate is received in the base receiving chamber and defines a number of receiving portions in a surface opposite to the base, each receiving portion is configured for receiving a camera module, the receiving portions being arranged in a plurality of lines, the carrier plate defines a spacing portion between each two adjacent receiving portions in the same line. Each pressing strip is pressed into the spacing portions associated with one of the lines of the receiving portions to press the camera modules in the lines of the receiving portions. The cover is fixed to the base and covers the carrier plate.

Abstract: A canister for measuring the natural gas content of rock cores which (1) has an inner core-containment bag made of non-permeable plastic which can be flash evacuated, collapsing around the core and thus minimizing the amount of air present and improving the quality of the gas analyses and (2) which prevents the released gas from reacting with the outer canister. A procedure for using gas-sampling bags to periodically collect the gas released from the core so that (1) the volume of released gas can be measured at a later date using more convenient and precise laboratory methods, (2) the gas can be readily transported and stored, and (3) the gas can be easily submitted for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for detecting and analyzing materials contributing to a detected odor from an air conditioner. The method includes analyzing the detected odor using a sensory evaluation of the detected odor. A first gas sample is then collected and instrumental analysis is performed to determine a plurality of contributing materials of the detected odor.

Abstract: An air permeability apparatus has a test head with an opening, a vacuum pump, a clamping arm and an orifice disk arranged between the test head and the vacuum pump, wherein the orifice disk has a plurality of orifices. The orifice disk is arranged vertically or inclined with respect to the opening.

Abstract: A rheometer including a flexible blade, a unit for measuring flex of at least part of the blade, a computation unit configured for converting input of parameters from the measurement unit to output of viscosity measurement. A method for determining viscosity including rotating a flexible blade in a medium whose viscosity is being measured, measuring blade flex of at least part of the blade, converting the blade flex measurement to a viscosity measurement, and producing output of determined viscosity. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion-exchange chromatography. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods that can substantially improve analytical sensitivity and/or selectivity of ion-exchange chromatography as well its efficiency and quality as a purification or preparation tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid measuring device comprising a capillary device and a non-linear response device. The capillary device typically having a flow channel comprising a contraction with a sidelet upstream and sidelet downstream of the contraction, the sidelets each comprises a pressure sensor arranged to determine the pressure drop over the contraction, the geometry of the flow channel of the capillary device being adapted to provide a flow response by the linear effects in the fluid, with the least response from the non-linear effects in the fluid. The non-linear response device typically having a flow channel connected to the flow channel of the capillary device, the flow channel of the non-linear response device comprising sidelets arranged to determine a pressure drop over at least a part of the flow channel, wherein the geometry of the flow channel of the non-linear response device being adapted to provide a flow response primarily driven by the non-linear effects in the fluid.

Abstract: A solute concentration measurement device is disclosed. The device may comprise a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, a sensing chamber, a separator, and a sensor. The device may be configured to be placed in fluid communication with a sample solution containing a solute and a solvent. The filter membrane may provide selective fluid communication between the solution and the exchange chamber. The separator may separate the exchange chamber from the sensing chamber and cause a change in a condition of the sensing chamber corresponding to a change of a condition of the exchange chamber. The sensor may sense the condition pertaining to the sensing chamber and calculate the concentration of the sample solution corresponding to this change.

Abstract: A net oil and gas well test system for a set of oil and gas wells includes at least two net oil and gas measurement systems and a plurality of valves that are in fluid communication with the individual wells in the set and independently configurable between a first state, in which the valve routes flow to a first net oil and gas measurement system, and a second state, in which the valve routes flow to a second net oil and gas measurement system. Each net oil and gas measurement system suitably has the capability to measure a multiphase flow including oil, gas, and water without separation. For example, each measurement system can include a multiphase Coriolis meter and a water cut meter. Each measurement system suitably includes the capability to provide dynamic uncertainty estimates related to measurement of the multiphase flow.

Abstract: A multi-phase flow metering system for measuring a multi-phase fluid including oil, water, and gas, includes a Coriolis mass flow meter adapted to measure mass flow rate and density of the multi-phase fluid. The system has a water cut meter adapted to measure the water cut of the multi-phase fluid. A processor is configured to determine the oil mass flow rate of the oil, water mass flow rate of the water, and gas mass flow rate of the gas using the mass flow rate and density from the Coriolis meter and the water cut from the water cut meter. The processor is further configured to determine dynamic estimates of the uncertainty of each of the oil mass flow rate, water mass flow rate, and gas mass flow rate.

Abstract: A method of generating individualized real-time weather and environmental information, including receiving weather or environmental condition data from weather and environmental sensors, analyzing the data received from the sensors to generate weather and environmental information, and transmitting the information to a communicator device. The method may include determining a spatial range of a sensor and/or determining if a communicator device is within close proximity of a sensor. The sensors may be mounted in fixed locations along a roadway or a railway. The sensors may be approximately equidistant.

Abstract: A fluid level sensor system includes a thermal path component disposed at least partially within a fluid containing volume, the thermal path component including a heat source operably coupled thereto and a control temperature sensor for sensing a control temperature of the thermal path component. Also included is a reference temperature sensor for sensing a reference ambient temperature. Further included is a controller in operable communication with the control temperature sensor, the heat source and the reference temperature sensor, wherein the controller maintains a predetermined temperature difference between the control temperature and the reference ambient temperature by controlling the heat source, wherein an energy level required to maintain the predetermined temperature difference is converted to a fluid level within the fluid containing volume.

Abstract: A system configured to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured for measuring a property of a paving-related material and a cellular computer device configured for being in communication with and receiving data from the measuring device.

Abstract: A one repetition maximum (1RM) estimating apparatus includes a potential signal receiving unit configured to receive a potential signal of a muscle from a sensor attached to a user, and a 1RM estimating unit configured to estimate a 1RM of the user based on the potential signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a micromechanical gyroscope and a circuit. The micromechanical gyroscope is configured to be excited in a first mode by a drive signal, and configured to be excited in a second mode by a gyroscopic effect. The circuit is coupled to the micromechanical gyroscope and configured to detect the gyroscopic effect when the micromechanical gyroscope is in the second mode.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic inspection of an axle is disclosed. An ultrasonic probe and wedge are placed on the radial surface of an outboard journal of the axle and an ultrasonic scan is directed toward the inboard journal, wherein the devices mounted on the inboard journal remain mounted during the ultrasonic scan.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for a test object includes a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements. The sensor elements detect a characteristic of the test object. The sensor elements are arranged in a matrix formation. Each of the sensor elements includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the transmitted signal. The sensor array has a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of the test object. A method of detecting characteristics of the test object is also provided.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated pressure sensor system includes a pressure sensing element, a temperature sensing device, and a temperature compensation network. The pressure sensing element provides a first voltage output representative of a sensed pressure value. The temperature sensing device provides a second voltage output representative of a sensed temperature value. The temperature compensation network is connected to receive the first voltage output provided by the pressure sensing element and the second voltage output provided by the temperature sensing device. The temperature compensation network provides a temperature compensated voltage representative of sensed pressure, wherein the second voltage output passively biases the temperature compensation network.

Abstract: A pressure sensor chip includes a sensor diaphragm and first and second retaining members. In a peripheral edge portion of the first retaining member, of a region facing one face of the sensor diaphragm, a region on an outer peripheral side is a bonded region bonded to the one face of the sensor diaphragm, and a region on an inner peripheral side is a non-bonded region not bonded to the one face of the sensor diaphragm. In the peripheral edge portion of the first retaining member, a ring-shaped groove is formed protruding in a direction of a wall thickness of the first retaining member, continuous with the non-bonded region of the peripheral edge portion. The second retaining member is provided with a recessed portion that prevents excessive dislocation of the sensor diaphragm when an excessively large pressure is applied to the sensor diaphragm.

Abstract: In a MEMS PRT having a diaphragm that is located offset from the center of the die, thermally-induced thermal noise in the output of a Wheatstone bridge circuit is reduced by locating the Wheatstone bridge circuit away from the largest area of the die and supporting pedestal.