Abstract: A scrubber for removing contaminants from an airstream, preferably including an intake duct, a scrubbing chamber, a stilling chamber, and a filtration unit. The scrubbing chamber has a primary sump and an overhanging secondary sump. A weir gate assembly is employed with the secondary sump to form a water induction slot causing water from the secondary sump to be drawn into the airstream. A baffle arrangement causes the water entrained airstream to flow over the secondary sump and a cascade plate creates a water curtain above the secondary sump. A perforated agitation panel is also disposed over the secondary sump to break up the water droplets in the airstream into smaller droplets.

Abstract: Composite conducting polymer particles are described, wherein surface-treated supporting polymer particles having a charged surface of a first polarity are provided with a coating of conducting polymer of opposite polarity applied to the surface thereof. Suitably, the supporting insulating polymer particles are subjected to a surface treatment which introduces charged moieties thereon. The conducting polymer may be doped with at least one dopant to improve its conductivity. The novel particles have desirable rheological properties, and particularly when admixed with at least one processible polymer may be used to prepare products comprising conductive polymers in a particularly facile manner.

Abstract: A gauge for validating the inner diameter and thickness of a calibrated loop. The gauge preferably has a long handle, a cylindrical member at each end of the handle and a slot at each end of the handle. The cylindrical members have slightly different outside diameters for attempted insertion into the loop to be validated and the slots have slightly different widths for attempted insertion of the loop therein. Identifying indicia are imprinted on the handle to indicate which end is which.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R1 represents --R3, --OR3 or --N(R3).sub.2, in which R3 is alkyl of 1 to about 18 carbon atoms;R2 represents alkyl of 1 to about 18 carbon atoms; andX represents --OR3, halogen, --CN, --SR4 or --N(R4).sub.2, in which R4 is alkyl of 1 to about 5 carbon atoms,with the proviso that at least one of R2 and R3 is a pheromone alkyl chain.Members of this class of compounds have been shown to exhibit outstanding activity in disrupting pheromone-mediated behavior of various insects, in particular moths.

Abstract: A wireless, real time video system provides a low power video transmitter wherein the base band video signal generated by the video camera directly modulates a radio frequency carrier signal to produce a very narrow band transmitter signal that is transmitted through a circularly polarized patch radiating antenna to a receiving antenna at a remote receiver site. The transmitted signal is picked up by the receiver antenna to be passed through a narrow band preselector filter to a low noise amplifier. The amplified signal is then applied to a mixer along with a fixed local oscillator frequency that is demodulated to reconstruct the original base band video signal for use in operating a video monitor or recorder connected by hard wired cable to the receiver unit.

Abstract: In an infrared stove apparatus, there is provided a stove body having a radiation window at the front and upper portions of the stove body. A frame is placed within the stove, and one open end of the frame faces to the front portion of the stove body so as to serve as a radiation opening, the other open end of the frame having a porous burner plate through which a mixture of fuel gas and air is to be released. An exhaust opening is provided at the upper lateral side of the frame to pass exhaust gas released through the porous burner plate when the mixture of fuel gas and air is ignited at the time of operation. A metallic net of a suitable mesh screen is provided within the exhaust opening to increase fluid-resistance of the exhaust gas flowing out through the exhaust opening so as to keep a uniform velocity distribution of the exhaust gas while restraining outside air from entering into the frame through the radiation opening leading to the exhaust opening.

Abstract: For detecting whether a probe (P) is in contact with an electrical circuit under test (U), capacitance measurement means (M) measures the capacitance between the probe and a reference (G), without the probe contacting the circuit. The measured capacitance is stored in control circuitry (T) and then a capacitance value is measured between the probe and the reference with the probe in a position in which it is assumed to be in contact with the circuit, the control circuitry comparing the measured value with the stored capacitance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the composition of a fuel mixture comprising hydrocarbons and oxygenates, wherein more than one measurement is made of the interaction of light passing through a light guide and the fuel mixture in which the light guide is immersed using light of a variety of different wavelengths and/or light guides having different indices of refraction. Data from the measurements is then interpreted to establish the concentration of hydrocarbons in the fuel mixture and/or the concentration and identity of the oxygenates. Pursuant to one type of embodiment of the invention, a plurality of light guides is provided, with particular light guides being used for each oxygenate to be analyzed (including water). In accordance with an alternative type of embodiment of the invention, a single light guide is employed with a single wide band light source and a plurality of light sensors.

Abstract: Remotely located lottery terminals, for operation by purchasers of lottery tickets, are adapted to be coupled by telephone to each other and to a central host computer as for verification of tickets by storing backup lottery data. Individual terminals are self-sufficient to approve ticket sales, issue tickets, encrypt data, register data and verify winners. Tickets are sold by terminals on the basis of various payment forms, e.g. cash, credit cards and payslips. One aspect of security in the relationship between the host computer and the remote terminals is provided by monitoring for operating anomalies, as a disconnected terminal, format irregularities or identification failures. Detection of an anomaly prompts corrective action, e.g. commanding a fresh call, realigning data or calling numbers for identification confirmation, as by use of ANI calling number identification.

Abstract: A vector and in particular a virus, plasmid or oligonucleotide vector including unique enhancer and promoter domains. The vectors of the invention are derived from a retrovirus or feline endogenous proviral elements. The unique enhancer domains exhibit unique tissue specificity. These vectors are useful in gene therapy or gene transfer techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus for efficiently electrolyzing water comprising an electrolysis cell and gas-liquid separating mechanism, wherein the electrolysis cell is composed of a plurality of compartments, each of which has two plate electrodes with a membrane assembly sandwiched therebetween, the plate electrodes and the membrane assembly are spaced by a concavo-convex ion net and a concavo-convex nichel net respectively so that the spacing between the two electrodes is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A relay with a safety spring set such that the spring contact sets are arranged in chambers, which are freely accessible from the outside via openings when the cover is removed so that the spring contact sets can be manipulated. To prevent broken pieces from ending up in the other regions of the relay in the event of breakage of the contact springs of the spring contact sets, the cover has inwardly directed projections which seal the openings of the chambers when the cover is in place.

Abstract: A central processing system interfaces remote terminals through a dial-up telephone facility to complete various communication formats selectively involving either an audio response unit (ARU) or a telecommunications service representative station (TSR station). A substantial number of ARU's accommodate many calls simultaneously, executing formats whereby a caller is given voice cues or prompts to input digital data using the telephone keypad. Similarly, a substantial number of TSR stations accommodate calls in various formats with a prompting data display. Calls are selectively allocated to an ARU or a TSR station on the basis of time, call loads and call format. A programmable logic array cooperates with a host computer, load indicators and a clock (time class indicator) to implement a program of call allocation. Accordingly, the structure and process accommodate multiple-port, multiple-format operation.

Abstract: Existing dumpster lids are difficult for a user to lift and also leak some water into the container. The lids also tend to become bent when dumping into a full garbage truck, as the lid presses against the mound of trash. The present invention provides a waste container and lid assembly comprising a lid having a pivot arm which operates on a pivoting surface attached to the side of the container and having a fulcrum. The pivot arm has first, second and third pivot points on its lower surface in order to move the pivot point as the center of gravity of the lid shifts during opening to keep the center of gravity approximately over the pivot point. The lid is connected to the container by a two-piece hinge which swings the pivot arm clear of the supporting plates when the container is inverted. This allows the lid to swing freely on the two-part hinge which also permits the lid to move up or down while hanging in order to avoid damage to the lid if a solid mass is struck.

Abstract: A valve for use in the float chamber of a boiling water unit. The valve consists of a body of circular horizontal cross section having a vertical outer wall. The inner portion of the valve body includes a central circular cut-out seat portion to accommodate a cylindrical seal, the wall of the valve seat between the cut-out portion and the outer wall being sloped in the manner of the surface of the frustrum of a cone, the seat being positioned below a nozzle so that when the nozzle is spaced from the valve body, flow from the nozzle contacts the valve body and is deflected along said sloped outer wall to activate a temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing individuals to determine their capability of conducting predetermined tasks. A base line is generated which is unique to each individual to whom the test is to be presented. The individual's current response to the battery of tests is compared by using an algorithm with the individual's base line to determine impairment of the individual. The algorithm is statistically designed to pass individuals relative to their base line performance level while eliminating all false negatives. When an individual tests positive, the test is repeated one or more times and the results compared using an algorithm which is statistically designed to pass individuals relative to their individual base line performance levels while eliminating all false positives. Such is accomplished by providing a source of images randomly and non-repetitively to a screen for recognition and response by the individual being tested.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a thin film silicon-containing active layer and a metallic first electrode is provided with an interfacial metallic layer at an inner surface of a second electrode to increase electrical resistance and thereby reduce shunts adjacent pinhole-type defects of the active layer. The interfacial layer is preferably made of a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, gold, titanium, palladium and tantalum.

Abstract: A connection arrangement between the holding tank and the heating tank in a boiling water unit in which a transfer pipe extends between the heating tank and the metering tube through which water is transferred from the holding tank. The transfer pipe is of Teflon construction and is elevated and internally chamfered at its end which extends into the heating tank. Connection joints are provided where the transfer pipe enters both the heating tank and the metering tube and each connection joint houses an expansion joint incorporating an O-ring and lubricant.

Abstract: Dopable, fully dense polymer membranes are used to form membranes having selective permeabilities. To improve selectivity, the membranes may be subjected to chemical or electrochemical treatment with electron donors or acceptors to alter the doping level of the polymer membrane, generally in a reversible fashion. This leads to significant changes in gas permeation rates relative to what is observed for the non-doped, fully dense polymers. This change in doping level of the polymer films can be precisely controlled by varying the concentration and nature of chemical dopants used. Desirable changes in permeation rates are achieved by a treatment which comprises a reversal doping of the polymeric material, followed by removal of the dopants (to provide an "undoped" polymer).

Abstract: A fiber optic panel provides backlighting in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels, or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source for emitting light and a fiber optic cable which transmits the light to a plurality of different locations throughout the device. The fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers, each of which individually terminates at one of a plurality of different locations to illuminate that location. Alternatively, the optical fibers individually terminate at evenly spaced locations throughout the device to illuminate a region uniformly.