Abstract: A method of preparing a fibrous alkali metal titanate which comprises drying a slurry of a titanium-containing compound and an oxygen-containing alkali metal compound, baking the dried mixture and pulverizing the resulting agglomerate.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a bicycle comprising a sprocket wheel of variable diameter, for receivably engaging a linked bicycle chain, drivingly connected to a bicycle wheel. The diameter of the sprocket wheel can be varied in relation to the angular speed of the bicycle wheel. Variation in the diameter of the sprocket in response to drive pressure applied by the linked bicycle chain is prevented by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A plurality of n semiconductor elements U.sub.1 to U.sub.n are sequentially formed on a substrate side by side and connected in series. Different arrangements for providing external terminal connections for the plurality of elements are disclosed. The element U.sub.i (where i=1, 2, . . . n) has a first electrode E.sub.i formed on the substrate, a non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.i formed on the electrode E.sub.i, and a second electrode F.sub.j+1 (j=1, 2, . . . (n-1)) is coupled with the electrode E.sub.j via a coupling portion K.sub.j formed by an extension of the electrode F.sub.j+1. The laminate member Q.sub.i has formed therein at least one semiconductor junction. The second electrode F.sub.i has a conductive metal oxide layer making contact with the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.i and a conductive material layer formed on the metal oxide layer and the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Q.sub.

Abstract: A part of intake passages is made into an arcuate form extending around a surge tank. A rotatable drum is provided in the surge tank to change the length of the arcuate part of the passages. The rotatable drum is controlled by a control mechanism which is operated in accordance with the engine speed for example, so that the effective length of the intake passages may be changed to keep synchronization between the natural frequency of the intake system and the frequency of the pressure wave caused by the reciprocal motion of the piston of the engine.

Abstract: A photo-chemical vapor deposition of a silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) film which includes the step of irradiating a gas mixture of monosilane (or polysilane) and ammonia (NH.sub.3) or hydrazine (N.sub.2 H.sub.4) gas but without mercury vapor by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 nm (or 300 nm) or less to deposit the silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) film having a charge density of 1.times.10.sup.11 cm.sup.-2 or less on a substrate held at 100.degree.-500.degree. C. in a reaction chamber held under a pressure of 0.1 to 10 Torr.

Abstract: A rail anchoring clip and sleeper assembly comprising a sleeper and at least one rail anchoring clip arranged in use to longitudinally anchor a rail across the sleeper, the sleeper having means to locate the rail in a direction longitudinal of the sleeper and means to locate the clip in a direction lateral of the sleeper, the clip being constructed of resilient material and being shaped when resiliently deformed in use to define a first portion that bears tightly against the upper surface of one side of the rail foot, a second portion that bears tightly against the underside of the sleeper to compressibly anchor the rail onto the sleeper and a third portion in cooperative engagement with said means to locate said clip laterally of the sleeper, the positions of contact of the first, second and third portions with the rail and sleeper respectively being spaced apart in a direction longitudinal of the sleeper.

Abstract: An improved speed reduction drive for an electric chain saw is disclosed. The speed reduction drive comprises a first rotatable member directly driven by the drive shaft of the electric motor for rotation therewith. A second rotatable member is connected to the drive sprocket for the cutter chain for rotation in the same direction. At least one endless drive loop drivingly connects the first and second rotatable members for rotation in the same direction, whereby rotational inertia of the electric motor opposes "kickback" of the chain saw.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly comprises a valve, an electrical device 18 to operate the valve in one direction, and means 19 to prevent reverse current flow if the valve should drive the electrical device in reverse when the valve moves in a direction opposite to the said one direction. In the embodiment shown the valve has a plunger controlled by a cam, the cam being driven by a motor 18. The valve may however also be controlled by a solenoid.

Abstract: A parameter such as the depth (d) of a liquid (12) in a tank (10) is measured by use of an ultrasonic transducer (14) outside the tank (10). This is possible by choosing the ultrasonic frequency and the thickness of the tank wall such that a defined relationship is satisfied.

Abstract: A valve device is provided for use in a pressurized hydraulic fluid path, for example the hydraulic path of a hydraulic leg of a mine roof support which is required to yield under two different sets of conditions. The valve device has a port 15 for connection to the pressurized hydraulic fluid path, a bleed valve 25 being arranged to permit hydraulic fluid to bleed from the path at a first rate when the pressure in the path exceeds the first limit, for example to permit the hydraulic leg to collapse at a very slow rate, for example as a mine roof converges. There is also a dump valve 20 arranged to permit hydraulic fluid to flow from the path at a second greater rate, for example if a rock burst occurs. Although the dump valve 20 reacts to high pressure surges of fluid, it does not react to low pressure surges because a non-return valve device 30 traps on one side of the dump valve hydraulic fluid which is at a pressure in the region of the first limit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which has a non-single crystal semiconductor layer formed on a substrate and in which the non-single crystal semiconductor layer is composed of a first semiconductor region formed primarily of non-single crystal semiconductor and a second semi-conductor region formed primarily of semi-amorphous semiconductor. The second semi-conductor region has a higher degree of conductivity than the first semiconductor region so that a semi-conductor element may be formed.

Abstract: The room spray dispenser (1) holds a container (29) that is provided with a valve element (27) which also works simultaneously as a pump. Above the valve element (27) the operating end (25') of a pressure lever (25) is located. It is loaded in the direction of the valve element (27) with at least one spring (26,33). The blocking lever (14) has a raised contact surface (14"). This surface is pressed downward with the operating end (3') of a swivelling lever triggering mechanism, which is mounted on the door (5) or the door frame (6). This downward movement trips the blocking lever (14), which then allows the pressure lever (25) to press down upon the upper part of the valve element (27) due to the force of the tension spring (26). By the return movement of the swivelling lever (3) the blocking lever (14) is raised upwards to its original position and cocked by means of the cocking lever (15). The tension spring (26) is also stretched during this process.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing a succession of articles comprises a plurality of article carriers, for example poultry carcass carrying hooks 19, interconnected, for example by a chain 16, for movement in succession along a path. A weighing device is positioned at a weighing station 22 and means are provided to lower each article carrier at the weighing station to apply load to the weighing device. The article carriers may for example be lowered as a result of being pressed downwardly by means of a dipping portion of rail 26. By lowering each article carrier during weighing, it is possible to weigh the article carried by the carrier without significantly changing the vertical position of the article with respect to adjacent articles, thus reducing the risk that the weight recorded will be inaccurate because of any drag applied by adjacent articles.

Abstract: A video tape recorder which is capable of reproducing video signals from either of the VHS system and .beta. system tape cassettes. The video signal recorded on a magnetic tape of either one of the VHS system or .beta. system tape cassettes can be recorded on the magnetic tape of the other type tape cassette and reproduced therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic coating composition comprising a modified polyurethane resin containing hydroxyl groups at a high concentration, a magnetic powder and, when required, a polyfunctional isocyanate compound.

Abstract: There is disclosed a distortion cancel circuit in FM stereo receiver, which circuit synthesizes a canceling signal mainly including the distortion component by performing the arithmetic operation for an FM demodulation signal and adjusts the level of this synthesized canceling signal and thereafter subtractively combining it with the FM demodulation signal. This circuit enables the elimination of harmonic distortion which appears in the stereo MPX signal output due to the band characteristic of an intermediate frequency amplifier.

Abstract: A laminar flow element for use in a cylindrical fluid flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid through that passage to a constant volume flow rate. The element comprises a body portion having a cylindrical peripheral surface of predetermined length and predetermined diameter, with the surface defining with the passage an annular, tubular fluid passageway. Locating portions are provided extending from the element for engagement with at least one surface in the cylindrical passage for maintaining the peripheral surface concentrically disposed within the cylindrical passage. The length and diameter of the element are dimensioned so that the flow is laminar under all operating conditions, and therefore the volume rate of flow of fluid through the passage is linearly proportional to the pressure drop along the annular passage.