Abstract: A cargo and accessory carrier for attachment to a vehicle receiver hitch includes a riser assembly secured to the vehicle, a door assembly pivotally secured to the riser assembly, and a platform assembly pivotally secured to the door assembly for carrying cargo at a desirable elevation above ground level, such that the door assembly can be pivotally rotated in a horizontal plane and a parallel plane while secured to the riser assembly. The platform assembly can be rotated about the door assembly and maintained in a vertical or horizontal position relative to ground, whether or not it carries a load or it is installed on the vehicle. The carrier provides a multipurpose support assembly which can be used as a "stand alone" unit to carry cargo, and which can be used in combination with other accessory carriers such as a cargo chest, bicycle carrier, ski carrier or any number of other accessory-carrying devices.

Abstract: A rotary turbine employs rotors that are rotated primarily by the frictional forces of a pressurized medium flowing through a gap that separates the rotors from the stationary housing. The rotors are coupled to a source of pressurized medium that creates a medium flow through the gap. The frictional forces between the flowing medium and the rotors create a torque that rotates the rotors. A compressor is formed of a rotor assembly that includes first and second counter-rotating rotors having substantially smooth surfaces. The rotors are separated by a gap that allows the medium to flow therethrough, with the surface of at least one of the rotors contacting the medium, such that the flow of the medium through the gap is induced by surface friction between the contact surface and the medium.

Abstract: A low breakdown voltage gas discharge device includes an envelope filled with an appropriately selected working substance. Two main electrodes are sealed in a vacuum-tight manner inside the envelope, and are separated by a predetermined distance. A supplemental electrode extends between the main electrodes along the direction of the electrical discharge, and has its geometrical and electrical parameters satisfy the following equation:S=I.sub.d /C,where S is the surface area of the supplemental electrode and depends on the distance between the main electrodes, I.sub.d is the current flowing in the supplemental electrode during normal glow discharge, and C is a constant characterizing the current I.sub.d, the composition of the supplemental electrode, and the type and pressure of the working substance. The supplemental electrode is connected to an AC or DC power source via a switch, so that the supplemental electrode always acts as a preparatory glow discharge cathode.

Abstract: A packet-switched facsimile network and method of operation, wherein the network includes a plurality of facsimile stations, and a plurality of nodes for connecting the facsimile stations. The network includes subscribers' transmission channels, such as telephone switched network, for connection to the facsimile stations, and common transmission channels, such as dedicated lines and packet switched network, for connection to the nodes, in order to allow the facsimile stations to communicate with each other. In operation, the part of image data received from a plurality of facsimile stations is formed into data packets at the nodes. Simultaneously, the formed data packets are sent via the common transmission channels to destination nodes, and therefrom to appropriate receiving facsimile stations.

Abstract: A method for suppressing second and higher harmonic power generation in a klystron is described. The klystron includes a series of cavities that are connected to a series of connecting drift tubes, and one or more waveguide loads are placed on selected ones of the drift tubes or cavities, for reducing the second and higher harmonic power by causing it to be loaded out progressively, at predetermined discrete intervals. In the preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the drift tubes is such that the cutoff frequency is above the fundamental operating frequency of the klystron, which will allow frequencies greater than the fundamental frequency, and particularly the second harmonic frequency, for example 22.848 GHz, to propagate. In one example, each of the four pre-selected drift tubes is loaded with two generally diametrically oppositely positioned waveguide loads. In another example, each of four drift tubes is loaded with three equidistally positioned waveguide loads.

Abstract: An adjustable support structure is used to support various types of roofs, such as flat, single slope and double slope roofs. The support structure includes a channel shaped post, a load beam assembly connected to the post at about its uppermost end, an adjustable bracket adjustably secured to the load beam assembly, and a purlin secured to the adjustable bracket, at a generally angular position relative to the load beam assembly, for supporting the roof. The adjustable bracket includes an upwardly oriented generally U-shaped seat which is secured to a downwardly oriented generally U-shaped saddle, such that the saddle is mounted snugly across the load beam assembly, and is adjustably connected thereto. An extender is adjustably secured to the post and to the load beam assembly. The extender includes a generally U-shaped seat, which supports; it is connected to the load beam assembly, such that the extender seat can be adjustably connected to the load beam assembly along the horizontal direction.