Author: claimsbot

1. An aqueous composition comprising a mixed aqueous solution containing a chelating agent having a pH of from 1 to 7 and a zirconium compound.
2. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the chelating agent is an amino carboxylic acid or its derivative.
3. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the amino carboxylic acid is a monoamino monocarboxylic acid or monoamino dicarboxylic acid.
4. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the zirconium compound is water soluble.
5. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the zirconium compound is an inorganic salt, an organic salt or a complex.
6. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the zirconium compound is selected from a group consisting of zirconyl hydroxy chloride, oxy zirconium chloride, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconyl sulfate, and zirconyl nitrate.
7. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the zirconium compound to the chelating agent is from 1:0.1 to 1:4.
8. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, which further contains a pH modifier.
9. An aqueous composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the mixed aqueous solution is from 1 to 10.
10. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer, which comprises a mixed aqueous solution containing a chelating agent having a pH of from 1 to 7 and a zirconium compound.
11. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the chelating agent is an amino carboxylic acid or its derivative.
12. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the amino carboxylic acid is a monoamino monocarboxylic acid or monoamino dicarboxylic acid.
13. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the zirconium compound is water soluble.
14. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the zirconium compound is an inorganic salt, an organic salt or a complex.
15. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the zirconium compound is selected from a group consisting of zirconyl hydroxy chloride, oxy zirconium chloride, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconyl sulfate, and zirconyl nitrate.
16. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the molar ratio of the zirconium compound to the chelating agent is from 1:0.1 to 1:4.
17. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, which further contains a pH modifier.
18. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the pH of the mixed aqueous solution is from 1 to 10.
19. A crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 10, wherein the water-soluble polymer has hydroxyl groups in its molecule.
20. A surface treating agent comprising a mixed aqueous solution containing a chelating agent having a pH of from 1 to 7 and a zirconium compound.
21. A water-soluble polymer composition obtained by mixing the aqueous composition according to claim 1 with a water-soluble polymer.
22. A water-soluble polymer composition obtained by mixing the crosslinking agent for a water-soluble polymer according to claim 11 with the water-soluble polymer.
23. A water-soluble polymer composition according to claim 22, which is obtained by mixing 100 parts by weight (dried amount) of the water-soluble polymer with from 1 to 50 parts by weight (dried amount) of the crosslinking agent.
24. A method of cross-linking a water-soluble polymer comprising cross-linking the water-soluble polymer composition according to claim 22.
25. A substrate coated with a cross-linked water-soluble polymer obtained by applying the water-soluble polymer composition according to claim 22 to a substrate.
26. A cross-linked water-soluble polymer film or sheet obtained by forming the water-soluble polymer composition according to claim 23 to a film or sheet and by cross-linking the film or sheet.
27. An adhesive composition obtained by mixing a water-soluble polymer with the aqueous composition according to claim 1.
28. A coating composition obtained by mixing a water-soluble polymer with the aqueous composition according to claim 1.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A hydraulic regenerative drive system for a vehicle comprising:
an electronic controller receiving a nominal engine throttle signal, generating a time-variant torque signal therefrom, and outputting a modified engine throttle signal, and wherein said torque signal and the vehicle’s engine torque corresponding to the modified throttle signal are equal to the torque corresponding to the nominal engine throttle signal;
a hydraulic control circuit receiving controlling signals from the electronic controller;
a reservoir in fluid communication with said hydraulic control circuit for storing hydraulic fluid;
a pumpmotor unit having a controlled-angle swash plate element providing variable displacement said pumpmotor unit being in fluid communication with said hydraulic control circuit and adapted for connection to the drive train of a vehicle;
an accumulator in fluid communication with said hydraulic control circuit;
a pumpmotor unit speed sensor and a pumpmotor unit pressure sensor providing measured speed and measured pressure signals to the electronic controller;
wherein said electronic control further generates said torque signal and said modified engine throttle signal on the basis of a mathematical model of drive train elements between the engine of said vehicle and said drive train connection-point of said pumpmotor unit, converts said torque signal to a swash plate angle, and controls (i) a controlled-torque retard mode of operation, in which said swash plate angle is controlled by said torque signal to impart a dynamically calculated retarding torque to said drive train, and said pumpmotor unit pumps fluid from said reservoir to said accumulator via said hydraulic control circuit, and (ii) a controlled-torque propulsion mode of operation, in which said swash plate angle is controlled by said torque signal to impart a dynamically calculated propelling torque to said drive train, and said pumpmotor unit motors under influence of fluid from said accumulator passing to said reservoir via said hydraulic control circuit; and
wherein said electronic controller performs said conversion between said torque signal and swash plate angle on the basis of searching predetermined characteristics of torque versus pressure versus speed for a set of swash plate angles to locate one or more closest torque values for the predetermined pressure and speed closest to the measured pumpmotor unit pressure and pumpmotor unit speed, and deriving a swash plate angle from the angle values corresponding to said closest torque values.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controller further controls a standby mode of operation in which said pumpmotor unit neither pumps nor drives, and further wherein said electronic controller enables said retard mode to occur only as a transition from said standby state, and enables said propulsion mode to occur only as a transition from said standby state.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said electronic controller further controls transition states between said modes, including:
a pre-propulsion state between standby mode an propulsion mode in which said controller determines that said pumpmotor unit pressure exceeds a threshold value before causing said propulsion mode to occur; and
a pre-retard state between standby mode and retard mode in which said controller determines that said pumpmotor unit pressure is lower than a threshold value before causing said retard mode to occur.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said transition states further include:
a terminate propulsion state between propulsion mode and standby mode;
a terminate retard state between retard mode and standby mode;
and wherein said electronic controller further determines in said transition states that respective elements of said hydraulic control circuit have correctly changed condition in response to said controlling signals before causing a respective mode to occur.

1. An encapsulated nut, which comprises:
a nut with first and second faces, an internally-threaded bore extending between and open at said faces and at least one sidewall;
an encapsulation extension including a tube with proximate and distal ends and a tube bore open at said proximate end and generally aligned with said nut bore;
said encapsulation extension having a flange located at said tube proximate end and engaging a respective nut face;
an encapsulation base encapsulating said nut, said flange and said tube proximate end, said encapsulation base having an opening at the other face of said nut, said opening providing access to said nut and tube bores.
2. The encapsulated nut according to claim 1, which includes:
said nut being substantially completely enclosed by said encapsulation except for said encapsulation base opening; and
said encapsulation base opening having a diameter approximately equal to said nut bore diameter.
3. The encapsulated nut according to claim 1, which includes:
a contact portion in said tube bore adapted for contacting a bolt received therein.
4. The encapsulated nut according to claim 3, which includes said tube having a cylindrical or multi-sided configuration.
5. The encapsulated nut according to claim 4, which includes:
said tube having multiple, longitudinally-extending splines within said tube bore, said splines including said contact portion and being adapted for contacting a bolt within said tube bore.
6. The encapsulated nut according to claim 3, which includes multiple flat faces within said tube bore adapted for contacting a bolt therein.
7. The encapsulated nut according to claim 4, which includes said tube bore having a generally cylindrical configuration and adapted for contacting a bolt received therein in an interference fit.
8. The encapsulated nut according to claim 1 wherein said tube bore has a greater diameter than said nut bore whereby an annular clearance space is formed around a bolt received in said tube bore.
9. The encapsulated nut according to claim 1, which includes:
said nut and said flange each having four sides;
said nut sides being generally flush with corresponding flange sides;
said flange including four locating spurs each attached to a respective flange side and extending in a proximal direction for overlying a respective nut side; and
multiple alignment ribs located on said tube adjacent to its proximate end.
10. An encapsulated fastener manufacturing method, which comprises the steps of:
providing an encapsulation extension molding tool adapted for molding encapsulation extensions;
molding an encapsulation extension including a tube with proximate and distal ends and a tube bore open at said proximate end and generally aligned with said nut bore;
molding said encapsulation extension with a flange located at said tube proximate end;
providing a nut with first and second faces, an internally-threaded bore extending between and open at said faces and at least one sidewall;
placing said nut on said encapsulation extension with said flange face engaging a respective nut face;
providing an overmolding tool with first and second mold halves with respective first and second mold cavities and a mandrel with an end adapted to engage said nut and close said nut bore;
providing a compression spring in said second mold half and engaging said mandrel with said compression spring;
closing said mold halves;
partially inserting said mandrel end into said nut bore and thereby pressing said nut and encapsulation extension into said first cavity;
injecting molten plastic into said first and second cavities to overmold said nut, said flange and said tube proximate end with an encapsulation base;
fusing said encapsulation base onto said flange and said tube proximate end; and
forming an encapsulation base opening adapted for receiving a bolt in said encapsulation base in alignment with said nut bore.
11. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional steps of:
sizing said nut bore to accommodate a predetermined bolt size;
providing said encapsulation extension tube bore with a contact area adapted for contacting said bolt therein; and
reinforcing said encapsulation extension tube with said bolt and protecting said bolt with said encapsulation extension tube.
12. The method according to claim 11, which includes the additional step of:
forming said contact area engaging said bolt with either multiple, longitudinally-extending splines or multiple, flat faces of said tube bore.
13. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional steps of:
providing said overmolding tool first half with an ejector pin having a retracted position adjacent to said first half cavity and an extended position extending into same; and
ejecting said encapsulated nut from said first half cavity with said overmolding tool in its open positioned.
14. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional step of:
providing said overmolding tool with two pairs of locatorejector pins having retracted positions located in said first mold half and extended positions extending into said first mold half cavity;
locating opposite corners of said nut in engagement with said locatorejector pin pairs with said pins extended into said first mold half cavity;
retracting said pins into said first mold half during said overmolding step; and
extending said pins into their extended positions to eject said encapsulated nut.
15. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional steps of:
providing said encapsulation extension with multiple, longitudinally-extending alignment ribs on said tube at radially-spaced intervals around its outer surface; and
providing said overmolding tool first half with multiple alignment rib receivers adapted for receiving said alignment ribs with said encapsulation extension located in said mold first half.
16. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional steps of:
providing said encapsulation extension with multiple locating spurs each attached to a respective flange side; and
placing said nut on said encapsulation flange with said locating spurs engaging respective nut sides.
17. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional step of:
providing a subgate in one of said mold halves and extending into one of said mold cavities; and
injecting material into said mold cavities through said subgate with said overmolding tool in its closed position.
18. The method according to claim 10, which includes the additional steps of:
providing multiple overlying plates of a structure with aligned receivers;
placing a bolt in said aligned receivers;
placing a head of said bolt on an outer surface of said plates;
threading said encapsulated nut on said bolt and in engagement with an inside surface of said plates;
sealing said nut and at least a portion of said bolt with said encapsulation; and
reinforcing said encapsulation extension with said bolt.
19. Tooling for manufacturing an encapsulated fastener including a nut having first and second faces, multiple sidewalls and an intemally-threaded bore extending between said faces, an encapsulation extension placed on said nut and an encapsulation base overmolded around said nut and a portion of said encapsulation extension, which comprises:
an injection mold including a mold cavity adapted for injection molding an encapsulation extension including a flange with a concave proximal face, multiple sides, an extension tube with a proximal end connected to said flange, a closed distal end and a tube bore;
an overmolding tool including a lower half with a lower cavity for receiving the encapsulation extension with said nut placed on said flange concave face and said nut and tube bores aligned;
said overmolding tool including an upper half with an upper cavity and a mandrel receiver;
a mandrel reciprocably received in said mandrel receiver and including a conical lower end and an annular shoulder located above said lower end;
a compression spring located in said mandrel receiver and engaging said mandrel, said compression spring biasing said mandrel downwardly;
said overmolding tool having a closed position with said mandrel lower end received in said nut bore and said mandrel shoulder engaging said nut first face;
said overmolding tool having an open position with said upper half spaced from said lower half;
an ejector device mounted in said lower half and having a retracted position with said overmolding tool in its closed position and an extended position with said overmolding tool in its open position, said ejector device being adapted for ejecting said encapsulated nut; and
a subgate in said overmolding tool communicating with said upper and lower cavities with said overmolding tool in its closed position, said subgate being adapted for injecting material into said cavities.
20. The tooling according to claim 19, which includes:
said ejector device comprising an ejector pin with a retracted position located in said lower mold half adjacent to said lower cavity with said overmolding tool in its closed position and an extended position extending into said lower cavity and adapted for ejecting said encapsulated nut with said overmolding tool in its open position.
21. The tooling according to claim 19, which includes:
said lower cavity including multiple alignment rib subcavities; and
said encapsulation extension tube including multiple alignment ribs received in said alignment rib subcavities with said encapsulation extension located in said lower mold half.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-9. (canceled)
10. Pneumatic control device comprising at least one base body (100; 400), having at least one pneumatic actuator, such as pistons (130), membranes, disks, combinations thereof, or the like, and at least one cover element (200; 500; 600), where controlsupply channels (210, 212; 510, 520; 610, 620, 630), being in fluid communication with fluid channels (110, 112; 405, 410, 415, 420) arranged in the base body (100; 400), are arranged in the base body (100; 400) andor the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600), wherein the controlsupply channels (210, 2112; 510, 520; 610, 620, 630) are sealed by welding joints (700) produced by laser welding between the base body (100; 400) and the at least one cover element (100; 500; 600).
11. The pneumatic control device as defined in claim 10, wherein the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600) is fixed on the base body (100; 400) by the welding joints (700).
12. Method for the production of a pneumatic control device comprising at least one base body (100; 400), having at least one fluid actuator, such as pistons (130)m membranes, disks, combinations thereof, or the like, and at least one cover element (200; 500; 600), where controlsupply channels (210, 212; 510, 520; 610, 620, 630), being in fluid communication with the fluid channels (110, 112; 405, 410, 415, 420) arranged in the base body (100; 400), are arranged in the base body (100; 400) andor the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600), wherein the controlsupply channels (210, 212; 510, 520; 610, 620, 630) are sealed in the area of the channel edges by application of a welding joint (700) produced by welding between the base body (100; 400) and the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600).
13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600) is fixed on the base body (100; 400) by the welding joints (700).
14. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein that the base body (100; 400) or the at least one cover element (200; 500; 600) consists of a plastic material suitable for transmission of the laser beam.
15. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the laser beam is focused in such a way that its focus comes to lie in the area of the channel edges.
16. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the laser beam is moved along the channel edges.
17. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the controlsupply channels (210, 212; 510, 520; 60, 620, 630) andor the fluid channels (110, 112; 405, 410, 415, 420) comprise selectively removable fluid blocking means (407, 409; 645).
18. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein removal of the fluid blocking means (407, 409; 645) is effected by breaking off andor by piercing andor by drilling andor by fusing andor by the use of exchangeable inserts in a plastic mold.