Abstract: A modular safety switching device is set up such that various signaling devices in a set of possible connectable signaling devices can be connected. In this case, a typical combination of inputs and outputs that are used is provided for each signaling device. The nature of the connection of the signaling device is unique for each signaling device within the set, by which the safety switching device can identify during startup, on the basis of the electrical connections that are made, which type of signaling device is connected and what function is required for identical signaling devices. The safety switching device automatically changes itself to the required operating mode in accordance with this association.

Abstract: A device for discharging concrete having a flexible hose which is connected to a concrete supply line, preferably a concrete supply line of a concrete pump, the hose is provided with an input end which is associated with the supply line and through which the concrete conveyed through the supply line enters the hose and an output end through which the concrete conveyed through the hose leaves the hose for the purpose of discharge. The hose is adapted to be bent in at least one swiveling plane between a substantially straight initial position and a curved position, and also has a swivel for moving the hose from its straight initial position to its curved position.

Abstract: A flexure carriage assembly has a carriage formed of a substantially rigid material. The carriage has four elongate columns arranged spaced apart and parallel to one another. Each of the elongate columns has first and second ends. The flexure carriage has four first cross members disposed between adjacent pairs of elongate columns and arranged to interconnect the first ends. The flexure carriage also includes four second cross members arranged between adjacent pairs of elongate columns and arranged to interconnect the bottom ends. The elongate columns and first and second cross members define a three-dimensional rectangular structure. The flexure carriage also has disposed centrally between the four elongate columns a translating section spaced equidistant between the first and second ends of the columns.

Abstract: A diffuser master is provided which is manufactured mechanically instead of holographically. The master can be made from a suitable substrate including relatively hard materials such as plastic, glass or metal. A substrate having a first side is worked to form a diffuser surface relief structure thereon. The substrate can be buffed using a buffing agent of a selected grit in order to form surface scratches in the first side of the substrate. The substrate can also be blasted with shot particles in order to form indentations and depressions in the first side. The substrate can alternatively be acid or alkali etched in order to form surface irregularities in the first side. The scratches, depressions or irregularities can be formed in order to create a desired surface relief and hence desired diffuser output characteristics.

Abstract: A gate valve wherein a valve disc is moved to a position where the valve disc is brought into contact with a valve seat and a position where the valve disc is separated from the valve seat by a driving device provided outside of a valve housing through a valve rod projected from the inside to the outside of the valve housing. The valve disc is brought into contact under pressure with the valve seat in the valve housing when the valve rod is inclined at the end of the movement of the valve rod. A cylindrical bellows is provided at the outside of the valve housing, one end of the cylindrical bellows being sealingly secured to the valve housing and the other end of the cylindrical bellows being sealingly secured to the valve rod. The valve rod is inclined centering arround a center of the axial direction of said cylindrical bellows in the compressed state thereof.

Abstract: A fiber optic luminaire is arranged to couple light energy from a light source along its length. The fiber optic luminaire includes a plurality of light redirecting structures distributed along its length; the light redirecting structures are arranged to uniformly distribute by reflection light energy from the fiber optic luminaire. The light redirecting structures are preferably non-scattering structures, including structures such as microprisms, microfacets, microgrooves and micrometers. The fiber optic luminaire may be configured to a variety of shapes and to provide customized light distribution patterns.

Abstract: A method and rotary blancher for processing food product using a heat transfer medium and directed flows of a fluid that can comprise a liquid, a gas, a vapor or a combination thereof. The directed flows can be discharged from orifices or banks of orifices that are distributed around the food products in the blancher. The flows are discharged at a high flow rate, a high pressure, or a combination of both. Where a liquid is discharged, it preferably is discharged at a flow rate of at least 20 gpm and at least 30 psi. Where a gas is discharged, it is discharged at a flow rate of at least 60 CFM at a pressure of at least 2 psi or at a flow rate of at least 10 CFM at a pressure of at least 80 psi. If desired, discharged fluid can be recirculated to save energy. To help increase agitation and help break up clumps of food products in the blancher, direct-contact mechanical agitation devices, such as baffles, can be used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a mineral acid and a polymer additive in an asphalt composition are described. Methods of preparing a polymer modified asphalt include providing a source of a neat asphalt; heating the neat asphalt; providing a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the neat asphalt to form a blend; providing a source of a dilution asphalt; and adding the blend to the dilution asphalt to form a diluted product. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the addition of the mineral acid widens the temperature range in which satisfactory performance from a given polymer asphalt composition can be achieved or, as a corollary, reduces the amount of polymer additive that would otherwise be needed to achieve satisfactory performance within a given temperature range.

Abstract: A rotor composite type three-phase stepping motor having a stator consisting of two stator elements each having 6 n pieces of stator magnetic pole with Ns pieces of pole tooth formed on the tip end of each stator magnetic pole piece, and a permanent magnet held by the two stator elements therebetween, a rotor of magnetic material arranged so as to face to a periphery of the stator through an air gap, Nr pieces of pole tooth being formed on a periphery of the rotor, and exciting windings wound around each stator magnetic pole piece of the stator elements consisting of two sets of three-phase windings each wound around 3n pieces of stator magnetic pole among the 6 n pieces of stator magnetic pole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting and configuring a communication network are described. A network includes a first router; a tie-line having a plurality of full duplex dedicated router interconnects connected to said first router; a second router connected to said plurality of full duplex dedicated router interconnects; a first user connected to said first router with a first full duplex loop; and a second user connected to said second router with a second full duplex loop. The systems and methods provide advantages in that bursty control information can be multiplexed with time sensitive laminar data.

Abstract: In the present invention, a metal-ceramic composite substitute is produced by joining a metal plate to a ceramic substrate by using a brazing material in a paste form prepared by adding 10-14 parts by weight of a vehicle to 100 parts by weight of a powder of which the solid centent comprises 90.0˜99.5% of an Ag powder, 0˜9.5% of a Cu powder and 0.5˜4.0% of an active metal powder, and 0.0˜0.9% of a titanium oxide powder if necessary.

Abstract: An object holding device has a base plate, first and second claws, base ends of which are pivoted at the first and second pivotal points on the base plate, respectively, free ends of which hold an object detachably, a driving device, first and second driven members to be rotated around the first and second pivotal points, respectively, by a driving device, and first and second spiral springs wound around the first and second pivotal points, respectively, for connecting the first and second driven members with the first and second claws, respectively, in order to urge the claws in a closed position. An angular position of the claw is detected, and an original position is set when the claws are opened fully. The object is held by a holding force according to the difference between the rotary angles of the driven member and the claw.

Abstract: A method for the simulation of responses of a nonlinear amplifier provides for measuring characteristics of nonlinearity of amplitude and of amplitude/phase-shift conversion of the amplifier, each measurement being made at an amplitude that is constant in input. The method further includes measuring the characteristics at different frequencies, developing the characteristics in sequences of direct transfer functions, computing frequency correctors for the direct transfer functions, measuring characteristics of distortion of amplitude modulation, each measurement being performed by modulating the input amplitude, computing modulation transfer functions reproducing the distortion amplitudes at output according to the input modulation amplitudes and correcting the direct transfer functions when the input amplitude is modulated in order to simulate the envelope memory effect. There is a direct application of the invention to the field of the simulation of high efficiency microwave amplification.

Abstract: A method and rotary blancher for processing food product using a heat transfer medium and directed flows of a fluid that can comprise a liquid, a gas, a vapor or a combination thereof. The directed flows can be discharged from orifices or banks of orifices that are distributed around the food products in the blancher. The flows are discharged at a high flow rate, a high pressure, or a combination of both. Where a liquid is discharged, it preferably is discharged at a flow rate of at least 20 gpm and at least 30 psi. Where a gas is discharged, it is discharged at a flow rate of at least 60 CFM at a pressure of at least 2 psi or at a flow rate of at least 10 CFM at a pressure of at least 80 psi. If desired, discharged fluid can be recirculated to save energy. To help increase agitation and help break up clumps of food products in the blancher, direct-contact mechanical agitation devices, such as baffles, can be used.

Abstract: The sheet panel of the present invention is formed by a panel forming apparatus comprising a first forming mechanism for forming a center projection at a central portion of a sheet panel, a second forming mechanism for forming S-shaped curve faces on both sides of the center projection of the sheet panel, a third forming mechanism for forming side projections at both sides of the center projection of the sheet panel, and a fourth forming mechanism for forming S-shaped curve faces on both sides of the side projections of the sheet panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for coiling a fire hose includes a base and a main support extending generally vertically and having upper and lower opposed ends, the lower end being attached to the base. The upper end includes a hose reel having an axle that is rotatably mounted to the upper end and which has an axle distal end. A crank is coupled to the axle of the hose reel to rotate the hose reel as the crank is correspondingly rotated. The crank has first and second opposed ends, the first end being releasably coupled to the axle distal end and the second end being configured to be gripped by a user. Next, the apparatus includes a retainer for coupling the fire hose to the hose reel, retainer including a handle and a pair of elongated rods that are spaced. To operate the apparatus, a portion of the fire hose near the male hose end is positioned between the elongated rods of the retainer, and then the retainer is coupled to the hose reel.

Abstract: A reception antenna, applicable to the field of television signal transmission, for picking up signals originating from a stationary satellite which has a paraboloid reflector capable of reflecting signals received and concentrating them in a focal point where a source is arranged for guiding the signals towards a frequency converter. The source and the reflector are located inside a polyhedral housing permeable to electromagnetic waves and its lower surface is designed to be placed horizontally when the receiving antenna is being used, the relative positioning of the source and the reflector with respect to the housing lower surface has a predetermined on-site adjustment originally built in. The relative positioning takes into account the elevation angle corresponding to the position of the targeted satellite.

Abstract: A device useful in the field of digital telecommunications, particularly for on-site mounting of a connector on a coaxial cable which has a portable clip (10) adaptable to the diameter of the coaxial cable in order to immobilize the cable. The clip includes a base with a first edge, an opposed second edge and a reference plane formed therebetween. The reference plane supports the coaxial cable and includes a groove formed therein adapted to receive a ferrule of a connector.

Abstract: A side dam assembly for a continuous casting apparatus for continuously casting thin steel strips between casting rolls. The side dam assembly has a side dam for bearing directly against the rolls of the casting apparatus for preventing leakage of molten metal therebetween. The side dam is attached by a pair of belts to an insulating refractory plate which is carried by a cooled panel. To allow axial motion, one of the belts is not rigidly affixed to either the insulating refractory plate or the side dam. The cooled panel is carried by a thrust plate and is urged toward the rolls by biasing elements which preferably comprise a plurality of pistons urged outwardly from the thrust plate by springs. Preferably, the biasing elements are constructed and arranged so that they are distributed over a zone of shape corresponding to that of the side dam and are capable of exerting on the side dam thrust forces independently of one another.