Abstract: An optical telecommunication system includes means for generating optical signals of different wavelengths, an optical-fibre line with amplifying means, a pre-amplifer, and receiving means. The the pre-amplifier comprises an optical waveguide doped with a rare earth material, differential-attenuation means located at a first position along the doped waveguide and capable of causing an attenuation in the signal band which is greater than the attenuation caused at the pumping wavelength, and filtering means located at a second position and adapted to attenuate by a value higher than a predetermined minimum, the spontaneous emission in a wavelength band contiguous with the signal band.The position and attenuation of the differential-attenuation means and filtering means and the wavelength band are selected in a functional relation with respect to each other in order to limit the output power variations from the pre-amplifier.

Abstract: A flooring material comprises 30-70 parts by weight of a copolymer of ethylene and an .alpha.-olefin having 4-10 carbon atoms, preferably an ethylene/octene copolymer, 20-40 parts by weight of polypropylene, 5-20 parts by weight of a crosslinked ethylene polymer, preferably a copolymer of ethylene and an ethylenically unsaturated silane compound, 10-25 parts by weight of an organic filler, preferably polyethylene having a melt index below 0.1 g/10 min (190.degree. C./21.6 kg) and a phase stability in the flooring material of at least about 200.degree. C., 0.2-7 parts by weight of a flame retardant, preferably silicone and magnesium stearate, 0.1-2 parts by weight of an antistatic agent, and 0.1-1 part by weight of a stabiliser. The flooring material is free from inorganic fillers.

Abstract: An optical structure having two optical guidance paths between which coupling occurs in a band about one predetermined wavelength is manufactured by providing an optical structure having two optical guidance paths with respective propagation constants 12', 14' which vary differently with wavelength and coincide at one given wavelength .lambda.' arranged such that coupling occurs between said optical guidance paths in a band about said one given wavelength and subjecting the or at least one of the guidance paths which includes a radiation responsive refractive index changing dopant to radiation to change the propagation constant thereof until said one given wavelength equals said one predetermined wavelength .lambda.".

Abstract: A variable displacement type compressor having a rotary shaft, a swash plate with a through hole into which the rotary shaft is inserted for inclining movement of the swash plate, a lug plate mounted on the rotary shaft, a hinge mechanism between the lug plate and the swash plate for guiding the inclining movement of the swash plate. The displacement of the compressor varies by adjusting the inclined angle of the swash plate. The swash plate is connected through the hinge mechanism to the rotary shaft on two points and directly contacts the rotary shaft at a single contact point located on the inner periphery of the through hole.

Abstract: An electronically controlled and operated injector for gaseous fuel is cleaned in situ of contaminant residues by passing isopropyl alcohol through the injector while directing electrical signals to solenoid fuel flow valves of the injector to open and close the valves in succession while the alcohol is flowing through the injector. Removal of the injector from a vehicle and disassembly of the injector are not required for cleaning of the injector.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production of a mixed C4 olefinic stream comprising primarily isobutene and butene-1, and propylene, said process comprising subjecting a mixed olefin feedstock comprising C5 olefins and ethylene to metathesis in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature in the range from about -20.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. and subjecting the resulting metathesis product to fractionation to recover the mixed C4 stream and propylene resulting therefrom. The production of MTBE or tertiary butyl alcohol or iso-butene sulphate from this C4 stream gives rise to substantially pure butene-1 as a by-product. This method therefore obviates the need separate butene-1 from butene-2 and conventional C4 saturated hydrocarbons as would be the case if a conventional MTBE raffinate had to be processed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compressor designed to facilitate the assembling of the thrust bearing and reduce noise. A swash plate which moves in responsive to the drive shaft is arranged in a crank chamber defined in a pair of cylinder blocks. Ring washers are held between both bosses of the swash plate and seats formed on both cylinder blocks. Wedge-like clearances are formed between the washers and the seats of the cylinder blocks for the effective introduction of the refrigerant gas by the yawing of the swash plate which occurs as the compressor runs. At this time, the washers, together with the lubrication oil mist contained in the refrigerant gas, constitute the dynamic bearing to support the swash plate and permit the relative movement of the swash plate to the cylinder blocks.

Abstract: In a process for the liquid phase carbonylation of an alkyl alcohol such as methanol, and/or a reactive derivative thereof to produce the corresponding carboxylic acid and/or ester, in the presence of an iridium catalyst, an alkyl halide and water, the reaction is promoted by the presence of at least one promoter selected from cadmium, mercury, zinc, gallium, indium and tungsten, optionally with a co-promoter selected from ruthenium, osmium and rhenium.

Abstract: A woven cloth inspecting apparatus eliminates the influences of disturbances such as illuminating light and fly. At least two photoreceptor elements are arranged in the direction of the weft yarn of woven cloth. The photoreceptor elements detect different area of the woven cloth and they apply current signals to two respective current-to-voltage converters which convert the current signals into voltage signals which are fed to a difference calculating circuit. The difference calculating circuit calculates the difference between the values of the voltage signals received from the two current-to-voltage converters and supplies the obtained difference signal to a comparator which compares the received difference signal with a reference value preset by two reference value setting circuits. Exceeding the reference value is indicative of a defect in the warp. Alternatively the photoreceptor elements are arranged in the warp direction and detect defects in the weft.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal MRI using an ingested contrast material. Provision is made for tracking the passage of a bolus of the contrast material through the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A shelf-stable, uncooked or partially cooked moist pasta is produced by treating freshly extruded or sheeted pasta with steam to set the pasta surface, immersing the steam treated pasta in an aqueous solution containing acidulants and/or humectants, partially drying to remove surface moisture, sealing the pasta in a container, and thermally pasteurizing the pasta while it is in the container using conventional thermal processes or microwave treatment. The pasta thus produced is shelf-stable under non-refrigerated conditions and has an equivalent or better texture, color and flavor than commercially available, fresh refrigerated pastas.

Abstract: A holder for water absorbing blocks in which articles requiring moisture, such as flowers, can be inserted for display purposes. The holder includes a back member with peripheral walls forming a cavity in which the blocks are inserted and a receptacle at the lower end and outside a wall of the back member for receiving a retaining water from the block members which flows over the wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for increasing the effectiveness of production chemicals by reducing the number of squeezing and shut-in operations needed to increase the production rate from an oil well. The process includes injecting into an oil-bearing rock formation a water-miscible formulation including as components: (a) a water-miscible surfactant which is an alkyltriglycol ether and (b) at least one water-miscible oil field or gas field production chemical, said components of the formulation being introduced either as a pre-formed single composition, or simultaneously in parallel or sequentially in either order into the rock formation via the production well.

Abstract: An inductor-capacitor series resonant circuit is connected in series with a thyristor or other unidirectionally conductive semiconductor switch to form a resonant network, one resonant network for each stator phase winding of a switched reluctance motor to be connected in parallel to the stator phase winding. Zero current switching is achieved by selecting the resonant frequency such that the inductor and capacitor resonate in a time period during both turn-on and turn-off of the semiconductor switches. A C-dump circuit is included in one embodiment for increased power transfer efficiency.

Abstract: This invention is a formulation comprising a blend of a polybutene and an aliphatic lactate ester said blend containing from 50-99% w/w of the polybutene. The polybutene may be a poly-n-butenes, polyisobutenes, polymers containing a mixture of n-butene and isobutene monomer units, and mixtures thereof. The aliphatic lactate ester is suitably derivable from lactic acid and an aliphatic alcohol having from 6-10 carbon atoms. These formulations are particularly suitable for use as plasticizers for polymeric resins, especially copolymers of vinyl aromatics with acrylates and/or methacrylates such as e.g. a styrene/acrylate copolymer.

Abstract: An aboveground storage tank is provided with a mass balance system for quantitative detection of leakage of liquid from a tank. Arrays of temperature sensors measure the exterior wall temperature of the tank and temperature sensors in an open-ended standpipe within the tank measure the temperature of stored liquid. The temperature measurements and measurements of liquid level change in a chamber mounted at the upper end of the standpipe are polled at intervals to detect changes of the mass of liquid within the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coloring agent and process for preparing yeast cell ghosts having a light color and less flavor. The yeast cell ghosts are to be contained as a component of the coloring agent. Further, the yeast cell ghosts contain a proportion of intact yeast cell walls and one color source. The color source is selected based upon the desired color in the coloring agent and in any product in which the coloring agent is used, such as a pigment or dye. Also uses for the coloring agent are disclosed, such as their use in foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The coloring agents must be acceptable for food and pharmaceutical use. The steps for making the yeast cell ghosts are sequential and involve extracting yeast debris having a solids content not exceeding 20% by weight. An acid is used to perform the extraction and further treatment of the extracted debris with an alkali to obtain whole cells and cells having disrupted cell walls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel catalyst composition comprising a heteropolyacid and a siliceous support which is in the form of extrudates or pellets and to a process for hydrating olefins to the corresponding alcohols in the vapour phase in the presence of such a catalyst composition. By using the specific catalyst composition described herein it is possible not only to increase the space-time-yield of a process but also to prolong the life thereof thereby reducing the frequency with which the catalyst is changed or replaced on a plant, especially in an olefin hydration process.

Abstract: A unit for amplifying light signals in optical fiber transmission lines includes a fiber optical amplifier to which light signals are transmitted through an input optical fiber line, and from which the signals, after having been amplified, are introduced into an output optical fiber line. First and second optical insulators are interposed between the fiber optical amplifier and the input and output lines to prevent the transmission of optical noise signals from the input and output lines, respectively, to the amplifier.