Abstract: A power transmission system having a pendulum damper is provided. A rolling member of the pendulum damper is arrange in a rotary member, and a vibration damping performance of the pendulum damper is enhanced by increasing an inertia moment of the rolling member to be larger than that of the rotary member. The power transmission system is comprised of a hydraulic route for transmitting power between an input member and an output member through a fluid coupling, a mechanical route for transmitting power between the input member and the output member by engaging a lockup clutch, a pendulum damper that damps torsional vibrations of the output member by an oscillating motion caused by the torsional vibrations, and an elastic damper that damps the torsional vibrations by a relative rotation between a drive member and a driven member connected through an elastic member.

Abstract: The improved system relates to desalting hydrocarbon feeds using a separator with a stacked disk centrifuge to separate an emulsified oil and water rag layer. This system is effective for desalting heavy, high ionic, and non-traditional crude oils.

Abstract: In a passenger conveyor, a supporting angle that is supported on a building beam is fixed to an end portion of a truss main body. A plurality of movement limiting members that come into contact with the supporting angle to limit horizontal movement of the supporting angle are disposed on the building beam. The supporting angle includes: a first supporting portion; and a pair of second supporting portions that are disposed on two sides of the first supporting portion in a width direction of the truss. A horizontal protruding dimension of the first supporting portion from the truss main body is different than horizontal protruding dimensions of the second supporting portions from the truss main body.

Abstract: A system for braking an escalator or moving walkway includes a handrail and passenger support in registration with one another so as to move together. A braking tensioner selectively increases tension in the handrail during operation. The increased tension serves to frictionally brake the handrail and hence the passenger support. The braking tensioner may be located in any of various locations depending upon system design, and may be driven in any suitable manner, e.g., hydraulically, electrically, electromagnetically, and so on. Frictional wear on the handrail is reduced by the fact that the described braking system spreads the frictional load over a large area of the handrail, e.g., the many locations where the handrail contacts the underlying support throughout its length.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically setting trim removal or stacking device arms. One point on a trim arm (such as an end) is attached to a transverse rail, along which that end moves, and provides an anchor point to which the trim arm can be angled. An automated device anchors that end of the trim arm, and locks it in place at a position designated by an operator. A skew adjustment pin couples to a second point on the trim arm, so that adjusting the position of the adjustment pin skews the trim arm's angle. An automated device anchors that second point of the trim arm, and locks it in place at a angle designated by an operator. A control system electronically measures the location of the first anchor point, and directs positioning devices to move trim arms, skew them, and lock or unlock those settings.

Abstract: Overlapping cage-bar caps in a spiral belt conveyor. The cage bars of a spiral-conveyor cage are covered along the majority of their length by a main cage-bar cap fastened to the cage bar at the exit of the belt from the spiral. At the belt's entrance to the spiral, an entrance cage-bar cap overlaps a portion of the main cage-bar cap and the cage bar. The overlap is great enough to prevent a gap from forming along the length of the cage bar between the main cage-bar cap and the entrance cage-bar cap.

Abstract: A conveying device includes: opposed first and second rollers disposed to a first path; a roller holder supporting the second roller and movable between a first position where the second roller contacts the first roller and a second position where the second roller is spaced apart from the first roller; and opposed first and second guide members defining a second path merged with the first path. The first guide member is movable between a third position where the first guide member is spaced apart from the second guide member at a predetermined distance and a fourth position where their distance is less than the predetermined distance. The first guide member includes a guide portion for contacting and moving the roller holder from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the first guide member from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A manual sheet feeder that is an example of a sheet conveying device includes a roller unit in which a rubber roller is mounted on a support member. A separation wall is formed in an internal space of the support member, and a rotation shaft is formed at the separation wall. A slide shaft is provided such that a coil spring is interposed between the rotation shaft and the slide shaft in a compressed state. Movement of the slide shaft from an opening outward in an axial direction is restricted by an elastic engagement piece of a movement restriction mechanism. The elastic engagement piece is formed at a spring holding portion of the slide shaft. In a state where the coil spring is stored in the spring holding portion, a back surface of the elastic engagement piece is supported by the coil spring.

Abstract: Provided is a driving force transmission device including: an actuator (22) that, in a case where one of a first annular gear (11), a second annular gear (14), and a carrier (16) is an input member, another one is an output member, and the remaining one is a rotational member, causes one of the input member and the output member to rotate integrally with the rotational member. When driving force is inputted from the drive source to the input member and input member is rotated unidirectionally, the rotation direction of the output member in the case where one of the input member and the output member rotates integrally with the rotational member is reversed with respect to that in a case where one of the input member and the output member does not rotate integrally with the rotational member.

Abstract: A belt conveyor unit includes a plurality of rollers around which a belt is entrained, including a first roller, a second roller disposed opposite the first roller via the belt, and a third roller other than the first roller and the second roller, and a belt alignment device including a shaft moving device to tilt a rotary shaft of the third roller upon receiving a moving force of the belt moving in a width direction of the belt in an axial direction of the rotary shaft to adjust displacement of the belt. The shaft moving device includes an axial-direction displacement member including a slanted surface that moves to a first side in the width direction of the belt along the rotary shaft upon receiving the moving force of the belt, and a fixation member to contact the slanted surface from the first side in the width direction of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conveying of containers, with a conveyor which forms a contact face for the containers to be conveyed, wherein the conveyor moves at least locally along a pre-set direction and has a plurality of conveying members connected to one another in an articulated manner, and with a drive device for driving the conveyor. The conveying members are produced from a plastics material which has been acted upon with a radiation in order to change its material structure and/or which has a plurality of spherical bodies embedded in its material structure.

Abstract: An exemplary electric switch mounting arrangement includes a housing and a stationary contact to be mounted to an aperture in a wall of the housing. The arrangement having a compensation component within the interior area of the aperture for allowing stationary contacts of two different sizes to be mounted to the aperture, which compensation component includes one or more projections formed on the housing or the stationary contact and/or one or more recesses formed on the housing or stationary contact for receiving the one or more projections.

Abstract: Electronic switching device having a housing in which at least one printed circuit board with circuit parts is arranged, the housing being designed with at least one housing cover, which closes a housing opening, and with a cable bushing for a connection cable and being provided with a filling made of a plastic material which surrounds the printed circuit board with circuit parts, wherein the printed circuit board (2) is encapsulated in the housing (1) in a supported manner on a grid-like carrier body (6), to which end the grid-like carrier body (6) has individual supports (7) which span an adjustment plane (X) depending on heights (Y) of the supports (7) and on which the printed circuit board (2) can be fixed at a distance from the housing walls (8, 9, 10) for a localized arrangement of the encapsulated circuit parts in the housing (1).

Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a scissors-type connecting member, and an elastic element. The scissors-type connecting member is connected with the base plate and the keycap. After the key structure is assembled and the keycap is not assembled, the elastic element provides an upward first elastic force, and the scissors-type connecting member is bent to provide a downward second elastic force. By exerting a small force on the keycap, the key structure can be triggered.

Abstract: An operation key assembly facilitates operation of a plurality of keys disposed in a mutually adjacent manner and facilitates operation by simultaneously operating the keys. The operation multi-direction key assembly includes a plurality of direction keys disposed in a mutually adjacent manner. In the operation key assembly, the plurality of keys can be singly operated or the mutually adjacent keys can be simultaneously operated. On an upper surface of an operation portion of the key, protrusions are formed in at least one part of a portion facing the adjacent key. By touching one key with the fingertip on the protrusion, the key can be singly operated on the basis of the touch of the finger. By simultaneously operating two mutually adjacent keys by simultaneously touching the protrusions of the two keys, the two mutually adjacent keys can be simultaneously operated on the basis of the touch of the finger.

Abstract: An illuminated metal keycap having a legend diffuser material that may diffuse light through a legend opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the legend may be transparent. The metal keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the metal keycap, around the perimeter of the metal keycap, and/or through the background layer.

Abstract: An illuminated glass keycap having a glyph diffuser layer that may diffuse light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the glyph window may be transparent. The keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the keycap, around the perimeter of the keycap, and/or through the background layer.

Abstract: A touch panel according to the embodiment includes a substrate including an effective area and a dummy area surrounding the effective area; a transparent electrode on the substrate; and an outer dummy layer on the dummy area, wherein the outer dummy layer comprises a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical stacks that are stable to light exposure by incorporating one or more UV-blocking layers.

Abstract: A touch panel is formed by firstly forming a film layer on a first plate, and next, sequentially forming a buffer layer on the film layer, forming a sensing layer on the buffer layer, forming a second plate on the sensing layer. After the foregoing formation procedures, the first plate is removed from the film layer. Next, a cover is attached to the film layer. In this way, the film layer is located between the cover and the buffer layer. Finally, the second plate is removed from the sensing layer, so as to form a touch panel with the features of light weight, thin thickness and low costs.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for medical treatment devices includes a switch actuator that depresses a power activation switch after movement in a first direction followed movement in a second direction. The safety mechanism thus prevents accidental or unintentional delivery of power to a heating segment of the medical treatment device.

Abstract: Button assemblies using curable foam shims are disclosed. A button assembly may include a housing, a button positioned within the housing, and a curable foam shim positioned within the housing, the foam shim transformable between a compressible state having a first thickness, to a rigid state having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. In this manner, the foam shim can be used to adaptively fill the interior of a button assembly by adapting to the dimensions of various components within the button assembly. In another example, a button assembly is formed using a foam shim by curing from a first state having a first thickness to a second state having a second thickness greater than the first thickness. In this manner, the foam shim can be used to adaptively fill the interior of a button assembly by adapting to the dimensions of various components within the button assembly.

Abstract: A dimmer switch includes a main body and an operation portion. The operation portion is provided in the main body to be rotatable around a rotation axis to switch the dimmer switch among an off position, a low beam position, and a high beam position. The low beam position and the high beam position are provided above a horizontal line passing through the rotation axis and the off position is provided below the horizontal line in a state where the dimmer switch is attached to a vehicle body. A first rotation angle between the off position and the low beam position is set to be larger than a second rotation angle between the low beam position and the high beam position.

Abstract: There is provided a touch panel including: a substrate; mesh pattern electrodes formed on the substrate; and hard coating layers formed on the substrate and filling air gaps of the mesh pattern electrode.

Abstract: An input device includes an insulation substrate, a switch element, and a detection portion. The switch element includes a fixed electrode portion that is provided on the substrate, and a movable electrode portion that is provided on a main surface side of the substrate, at least part of the movable electrode portion being elastically displaceable toward a direction approaching and leaving the fixed electrode portion. The movable electrode portion is displaceable toward a direction approaching the fixed electrode portion due to pressure from an object to be detected that is an electric conductor. The detection portion is capable of detecting a capacitance change caused by the object to be detected approaching and leaving the movable electrode portion and a capacitance change between the movable electrode portion and the fixed electrode portion produced by displacement of the movable electrode portion due to pressing.

Abstract: A process for treating a human remains comprises the steps of subjecting the remains to pyrolysis in a pyrolysis chamber under conditions that convert the particulate material to biochar remains.

Abstract: A rectification column for multi-component mixture separation with internal heat and mass exchange, which ensures a heat and mass exchange in the film mode with internal reflux generation along the whole length of heat and mass exchange tubes and which allows for an increased efficiency, is proposed. The rectification column includes the rectifying/enriching section with the heat and mass exchange in its tubular and annular spaces being topped by a heat carrier distributor with a distributor chamber (17) on top of the heat carrier distributor in such a way that a higher pressure of fluid heat carrier in the distributor chamber (17) than in the annular space is allowed. The design of the distributor allows to separate an upper outlet for heat carrier vapors and a lower outlet for liquid heat carrier from the annular space completely from the fluid supply of fluid heat carrier in the distributor chamber. A feed-in device allows the multi-component mixture to enter the tubular spaces from below.

Abstract: A method of making a laser water transfer printing film contains steps of: providing a substrate material; coating a release layer on one side surface of the PET film by ways of a first coating apparatus; semi-solidifying a lacquer by using a heat solidifying apparatus; printing an ink layer on the lacquer by ways of a printing device; implanting a message layer on the ink layer by means of an implanting device; embossing geometric patterns on the message layer by using a rolling device; plating the metal layer on the embossed patterns; coating a PVA solution on the metal layer by ways of a second coating device and drying the PVA solution by means of a drying device; separating the PET film from the PVA film by using a releasing device and then rolling the PET film which has separated from the PVA film.

Abstract: The present invention has an objective to provide a processing method and an ion beam processing apparatus capable of inhibiting deposition of redeposited films even for fine patterns. In an embodiment of the present invention, ion beam processing is performed such that an etching amount of an ion beam incident in extending directions of pattern trenches formed on a substrate is made larger than the etching amount of the ion beam incident in other directions. This processing enables fine patterns to be processed while inhibiting redeposited films from being deposited on the bottom portions of the trenches of the fine patterns.

Abstract: A plating apparatus for plating a substrate is disclosed. The plating apparatus includes: a dip-type plating bath; a dry-type plating bath having a hole in a sidewall thereof; and a pressing mechanism configured to press a substrate holder, holding a substrate, against the sidewall of the dry-type plating bath to close the hole. The substrate holder includes a base member and a holding member configured to sandwich the substrate therebetween, a first seal portion configured to seal a gap between the substrate and the holding member, a second seal portion configured to seal a gap between the base member and the holding member, and a third seal portion configured to seal a gap between the holding member and the sidewall of the dry-type plating bath.

Abstract: An anodizing or plating system is provided that has a bath with an electrolytic solution into which a production part is at least partially disposed. For the anodizing process, an anodizing monitoring device is present and has a control panel at least partially disposed within the electrolytic solution. A power source for forming an electrical circuit between the power source, the bath, the production part, and the anodizing monitoring device is present. The production part and the anodizing monitoring device are arranged in parallel relationship to one another in the electrical circuit.

Abstract: Sodium chlorate is produced industrially via electrolysis of brine and is thus an energy intensive process. An improved cathode for this and other industrial processes is a low nickel content stainless steel whose surface has been suitably modified. With an appropriate amount of surface roughening, the cathode provides for improved overvoltages during electrolysis while still maintaining corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A target arrangement for providing material to be deposited on a substrate is provided. The target arrangement includes a target part (210) made of the material to be deposited. The target part may substantially have the shape of a hollow cylinder having an inner (260) and an outer (250) diameter, wherein the hollow cylinder includes a cylindrical surface (211) and two face surfaces (212). The target arrangement may further include a connection arrangement comprising a recess (230) within at least one of the face surfaces of target part. Also, a deposition apparatus including the target arrangement and a method for mounting a target arrangement in a deposition chamber are described.

Abstract: Method for interfacing an integrated circuit with a biological ion channel, the integrated circuit being at least partially disposed within an electrolytic solution and including an amplifier and one or more electrodes on a surface thereof, includes forming one or more microwells proximate the one or more electrodes, applying a lipid membrane over the integrated circuit proximate the microwells, and placing a further electrode in the electrolytic solution proximate the lipid membrane on a side opposite the integrated circuit. A biological ion channel interface is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for effects of temperature on implantable sensors are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for measuring a temperature to determine a change in temperature in a sensor environment. In certain embodiments, a temperature compensation factor is determined based on a change in temperature of the sensor environment. The temperature compensation factor can be used in processing raw data of an analyte signal to report a more accurate analyte concentration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include analyte-responsive compositions and electrochemical analyte sensors having a sensing layer that includes an analyte-responsive enzyme and a cationic polymer. Also provided are systems and methods of making the sensors and using the electrochemical analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of an improved sensor for dielectrophoretic cytometry are presented. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a plurality of sensor electrodes as well as an actuation electrode. Embodiments of microfluidic systems incorporating such sensor are also described. Additionally, embodiments of methods or performing cytometry analysis are also presented.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning control system for driving one or more coils in a fluid conditioning system with a target load current to generate an alternating magnetic field directed at a fluid, the control system comprising a controller, a switch mode power supply circuit and a push pull AC drive circuit, wherein the controller is arranged to develop a first variable output having a frequency range that sweeps between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency, and further arranged to develop a second variable output in the form of a duty cycle controlled signal, wherein the switch mode power supply circuit is arranged to develop a variable supply voltage to the AC drive circuit in response to the second variable output and a current sense circuit, and the AC drive circuit is arranged to develop a drive signal for developing a target load current in response to the first variable output and the variable supply voltage, thereby forming a current feedback loop.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for solid-liquid separation with high efficiency, especially in treating spent filter backwash and sedimentation tank sludge produced in the water treatment process. It combines and applies gravity, electromagnetic force, dynamic filtration, and gravity condensation, magnetic and gravitational compression in one integrated device that produces high quality effluent water (less than 10 ppm suspended solid) and highly condensed sludge (less than 94-96% water content).

Abstract: A fitting (200) for providing a fluid connection between a capillary (202) and a fluidic conduit (204) of a fluidic component (30), the fitting (200) comprising a male piece (240) and a female piece (250) for connection with the male piece (240), wherein the male piece (240) comprises a housing (252) with a capillary reception (212) configured for receiving the capillary (202), wherein a part of the capillary (202) being received in the capillary reception (212) is circumferentially covered by a sleeve (214), an elastic biasing mechanism (206) being arranged at least partially within the housing (252), being configured for biasing the capillary (202) against the female piece (250) and being supported by the sleeve (214), and a locking mechanism (208) being arranged at least partially within the housing (252) and being configured for locking the capillary (202) to the fitting (200).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for solvent extraction utilizing a first electrode with a raised area formed on its surface, which defines a portion of a microfluidic channel; a second electrode with a flat surface, defining another portion of the microfluidic channel that opposes the raised area of the first electrode; a reversibly deformable substrate disposed between the first electrode and second electrode, adapted to accommodate the raised area of the first electrode and having a portion that extends beyond the raised area of the first electrode, that portion defining the remaining portions of the microfluidic channel; and an electrolyte of at least two immiscible liquids that flows through the microfluidic channel. Also provided is a system for performing multiple solvent extractions utilizing several microfluidic chips or unit operations connected in series.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for controlling current density in an electrochemical bath using an anode assembly that comprises a plurality of anodes arranged across a surface of the anode assembly. In one embodiment, each of the anodes may be coupled to a power supply through an intervening electrical switch. A switch controller enables the selection of which anodes should be turned on or off during processing. In this way, current density across the anode assembly can be controlled in a uniform manner by turning on and off select anodes. Turning off a portion of the anodes may lower current density in that region. Likewise, turning on the portion of anodes will increase the current density in that region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a copper-nickel alloy electroplating bath which is characterized by containing (a) a copper salt and a nickel salt, (b) a metal complexing agent, (c) a plurality of conductivity-imparting salts that are different from each other, (d) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of disulfide compounds, sulfur-containing amino acids and salts of these compounds, (e) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid compounds, sulfimide compounds, sulfamic acid compounds, sulfone amides and salts of these compounds, and (f) a reaction product of a glycidyl ether and a polyhydric alcohol. This copper-nickel alloy electroplating bath is also characterized by having a pH of 3-8.

Abstract: The cathodized gold nanoparticle graphite pencil electrode is a sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor based on the cathodization of AuNP-GPE. Cyclic voltammetry shows that advantageously, the cathodized AuNP-GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around ?0.27 V). Fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at <0.1 V, thus the glucose oxidation peak at around ?0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. However, the glucose oxidation peak current at around ?0.27 V is much lower which should be enhanced to obtain low detection limit. The AuNP-GPE cathodization increases the oxidation peak current of glucose at around ?0.27 V. The dynamic range of the sensor is in the range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM of glucose with good linearity (R2=0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of fructose, sucrose and NaCl.

Abstract: An electrochemical reduction device comprises an electrode unit including an electrolyte membrane, a reduction electrode, and an oxygen evolving electrode; a power control unit that applies a voltage Va between the reduction electrode and the oxygen evolving electrode; a hydrogen gas generation rate measurement unit that measures a hydrogen gas generation rate F1; and a control unit that controls the power control unit so as to gradually increase the Va within a range that satisfies a relationship of F1?F0 and VCA>VHER?acceptable potential difference (APD), when the potential at a reversible hydrogen electrode is VHER, the potential of the reduction electrode is VCA, the acceptable upper limit of the hydrogen gas generation rate is F0, and the APD is a potential difference that defines an upper limit of a potential difference between VCA and VHER.

Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure hydrogen production unit for electrolyzing water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen (the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen being higher than that of the oxygen), and a gas-liquid separation unit for removing water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen. The gas-liquid separation unit is placed on a hydrogen pipe for discharging the high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen production unit. In addition, the water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure hydrogen supply pipe for transferring dewatered high-pressure hydrogen from the gas-liquid separation unit, a cooling unit, which is placed on the high-pressure hydrogen supply pipe and is capable of variably controlling the temperature of the high-pressure hydrogen to adjust the humidity of the high-pressure hydrogen, and a control unit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the preparation of a catalyst onto a solid support of a (semi-)conductive material consisting in depositing said catalyst onto said support from a near-neutral aqueous solution containing at least one nickel or cobalt organic complex and at least one basic oxoanion, by a method selected in the group consisting of reductive electrodeposition, photochemical electrodeposition and photoelectrochemical deposition. The present invention also concerns said catalyst and uses thereof.