Abstract: The invention relates to a device for and method of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involving cardiac compression of a patient's heart through expansion of the esophagus with an orally inserted balloon. Traditional CPR applies external pressure to the patient's sternum in an attempt to compress the heart thereby forcing blood flow through the heart. Such CPR is often ineffective or highly inefficient since the applied external force is dissipated as the force deflates the lungs and collapses the esophagus posterior the heart. The method of the invention expands the esophagus with a cyclically inflated and deflated balloon in the local area between the heart and the spine to exert a more effective local compression to the posterior of the heart. Preferably the lungs are inflated simultaneously to contain and further compress the heart during local esophageal compression.

Abstract: Digital audio is generated and coded using a multi-state dynamical system such as cellular automata. The rules of evolution of the dynamical system and the initial configuration are the key control parameters determining the characteristics of the generated audio. The present invention may be utilized as the basis of an audio synthesizer and as an efficient means to compress audio data.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing metal foil, comprising a drum cathode having an outer plating surface. The drum cathode is partially immersed to a set level in an electrolyte bath and is rotatable in a fixed direction about a generally horizontal axis. A main anode assembly having a main anode is immersed in the electrolyte bath, the main anode having a semi-cylindrical curved anode surface facing the drum cathode. The main anode is dimensioned to be spaced from the plating surface of the drum cathode so as to define a generally uniform gap therebetween. An energy source is connected to the main anode for energizing the main anode. A chamber containing an electrolyte solution is disposed above the electrolyte bath and adjacent the cathode drum where the cathode drum exits the electrolyte bath. A treatment anode is immersed in the electrolyte solution in the chamber adjacent the drum cathode. An energy source is connected to the treatment anode for energizing the treatment anode.

Abstract: Digital video data is encoded by using the evolving states of cellular automata. The video stream is decomposed into reference frames that are separated by blocks of intermediate video frames. The reference frames are transformed with transform basis functions derived from the evolving cellular automata. The ensuing transform coefficients are encoded using a sub-band-based embedded stream technique that places the most important coefficients at the top of a hierarchical storage/transmission. Compression of the reference frames is achieved when the stream encoding/decoding is terminated after: 1) a stipulated maximum bit budget is reached, or 2) when a predefined maximum error rate is attained. The intermediate frames are encoded by a predictive method that utilizes one-dimensional multi-state dynamical system. An encoding method is provided for accelerating the transmission of video data through communications networks and storing the compressed data on digital storage media.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A composite hockey stick shaft of generally uniform cross section along a longitudinal axis having a first pair of opposing sides perpendicular to a neutral bending axis, and a second pair of opposing sides parallel to the neutral bending axis, wherein the first pair of opposing sides has a lower compressive strength and strain than the second pair of sides.

Abstract: Pills or pellets containing seeds and inert carrier material, characterized in that the inert carrier material forms the core of the pills or pellets, while the seeds are distributed in a multitude around the core, adhering to that core in an adhesive layer, and method for the preparation of pills or pellets containing seeds and inert carrier material, characterized in that onto cores formed from inert carrier material a fluid adhesive containing seeds is applied, if necessary diluted with other material, in a quantity corresponding with at least two seeds per present inert core, making up the adhesive layer, or that the seeds are first mixed with a powdery adhesive, if necessary diluted with other powdery material in a quantity so that per present core at least two seeds are available, after which the mixture of seeds and at least adhesive, and simultaneous addition of fluid to form the adhesive layer, is applied to the core, and finally, if desired, the layer is dried.

Abstract: A system for the modification of the vibrational properties of a ski comprised of a support member having a fixed end attached to the ski, and a free end that is movable longitudinally in a holder attached to the ski and is connected by means of a piston with a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the ski. The free end has an elongated recess in which the hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the ski and is pivotally connected to the piston. This allows the system to be used under tough conditions, protects the hydraulic cylinder from damage, and allows the hydraulic cylinder to be readily replaced.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a male and female half (11, 12) that are coupled together in axial alignment. A keying portion (13) is provided at one end of the male half (11) which has at least one keying element (14) with a bearing surface (20). The female half (12) has an opening (17) located on one side with recesses (18) therein shaped for location of the keying element (14). The opening (17) allows the keying portion (14) to engage the opening (17) in a direction that is transverse to the aligned axis. The recess (18) has abutment surfaces (21) against which the bearing surfaces (20) locate when the keying portion (14) is engaged within the recess (18). The bearing (20) and abutment (21) surfaces prevent separation of the coupling when placed under tension along the aligned axis. The invention provides a simplified means for connection of the coupling while at the same time allowing relative rotation between the male and female halves (11, 12).

Abstract: A composting device including a drum rotatably arranged about an axis slightly inclined to the horizontal, and having a feeding opening for composting material at the higher situated side of the drum and a discharge opening for finish composted material at the lower side of the drum, the interior of the drum being subdivided into a number of consecutive chambers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the drum, with intermediate sieve screens, whereby the adjacent chambers of the drum are entirely separated from each other by the sieve screens, whereby each sieve screen has the same size of meshes over its entire surface, and where each sieve screen has smaller mesh size in relation to the nearest preceding sieve screen.

Abstract: A lock assembly for locking and unlocking a door comprising a lock bar moveable between a locked and unlocked position, three locks, each of which have lock arms moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, and a linkage connecting the lock arms to the lock bar. The linkage has a first operating configuration whereby the lock bar moves from its locked to its unlocked position in response to the movement of any pair of lock arms from their locked to their unlocked position. The linkage also has a second operating configuration whereby the lock bar moves from its locked to its unlocked position in response to either movement by a predetermined pair of lock arms from their locked to unlocked position or the movement of the third lock arm from its locked to unlocked position.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a flow rate of a heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer system, the heat transfer system having a heat transfer fluid flow path, flow control device for creating flow along the path, a fuel source for providing a combustible fuel to the path, an air source for providing combustion air to the path, and an assembly for combusting the fuel and air, the control system comprising a sensor for sensing a measured flow value at the air source, a controller for storing an optimum flow value at the air source and for storing a range of operating control values for the flow control device, the operating control values corresponding to the optimum flow value, a system for calculating a deviation between the measured flow value and the optimum flow value, and a system for varying the operation of the flow control means in accordance with deviation.

Abstract: An electronic control for a heating apparatus and specifically a deep fat fryer is provided. The electronic control includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a cooking medium during a cooking cycle. Cooking medium temperature sensed during the cooking cycle is utilized as a pointer to one of a plurality of time compensation values for corresponding temperatures stored in a memory. The time compensation corresponding to the sensed cooking medium temperature is retrieved from the memory and adjusted by an offset value determined in accordance with the setpoint temperature to obtain an adjusted time compensation value. The adjusted time compensation value is utilized in the adjustment of the cooking time.

Abstract: A force sensing system for a CPR device which generates an intelligible output signal corresponding to a force parameter. The system is comprised of a sensing device for sensing force exerted thereon and producing an electric reactance signal in response to the force exerted, and a processor for processing the electric reactance signal into an intelligible output signal which is shown on a display device.