A method of monitoring the condition of apparatuses wherein the condition of the apparatus is measured from one or more rotating objects by means of a fixedly mounted condition monitoring system during the operation of the apparatus when it operates at its normal operating speed. In the method, at least one signal indicating the condition of the apparatus and the steadiness of the operation is measured during the change in the operating speed of the apparatus and desired characteristic values an...

Microelectronic packages are formed wherein solder bumps on one or more substrates are expanded, to thereby extend and contact the second substrate and form a solder connection. The solder bumps are preferably expanded by reflowing additional solder into the plurality of solder bumps. The additional solder may be reflowed from an elongated, narrow solder-containing region adjacent the solder bump, into the solder bump. After reflow, the solder bump which extends across a pair of adjacent substra...

A four quadrant leadframe, base and window assembly and assembly method therefor are disclosed which are suited for fabrication of leaded integrated circuit (IC) chip carriers having electrical contacts on all four sides of the package, lead spacing as small as 0.020 inch, and lead counts exceeding 164 total leads.

A tennis elbow support comprising a main body having an opening and a tendon pad having a pad base and a raised portion that projects from the pad base. The tendon pad is inserted into the opening so that the raised portion projects outwardly from a bottom surface of the main body. The main body can be releasably secured in a substantially circular configuration so that the support can be placed around the forearm of a user and the tennis elbow support can be tightened around the arm of the user...

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a plurality of parts, such as spade-type boring bits, from a continuous stock material. Thus, the various steps of the forming method of the present invention can be performed to predetermined portions of the continuous stock material prior to separating the continuous stock material into discrete parts, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the forming process. The present invention also provides an improved forge for forming porti...

An air-managing system for metal-air battery includes resealable septum and one or more hollow needles. The septum separates air pathway into two segments. One segment is from air cathodes of the battery to the septum and the other is from the septum to the outside air. The needles provide conduits to connect two segments. The septum re-closes its torn portion when the needles are removed. Also disclosed is a reusable air manager including a fan and such needles. The air manager can be coupled t...

The subject matter of the invention relates to a chain link of plastic, which is made in one piece from two opposite, spaced-apart chain side plates (1, 2) and a plate (3). The plate (3) comprises at least one profiled groove (8) extending substantially parallel to a chain link (1, 2). The profiled groove (8) is adapted for receiving a partition (6), which has in its one end section an engaging member (9) that is shaped to correspond with profiled groove (8).

A hand held label reader is capable of illuminating a label, capturing a digital image of two-dimensional information indicia on the label, and decoding the digital image to provide decoded output data to a terminal. The target label is illuminated by a low variation illuminator that includes a circular LED array mounted behind a plano-concave dispersing lens. The automatic electronic camera, which includes a CCD camera and control circuitry, uses three images to adjust the intensity of the digi...

Apparatus for sampling fluid from a puncturable conduit, the apparatus including an elongate housing including a conduit puncturing portion and a clamp, the conduit puncturing portion being adapted to receive therein the puncturable conduit, a needle mount mounted in the elongate housing, a needle adapted for flow of fluid therethrough, the needle being fixedly mounted in the needle mount so as to have portions extending outward of the needle mount in opposite directions, a first end of the need...

The present invention relates to protein-coated micro-crystals and their method of preparation. The protein-coated micro-crystals may find particular application in preparing enzymes for use as biocatalysts; preparation of therapeutic proteins for use in pharmaceutical formulations; production of cleansing agents comprising enzymes; production of paints, varnishes, coatings, films and the like comprising proteins which impart protective and/or antifouling properties; production of films, polymer...