Abstract: The invention described here concerns a unit for automatic container returns systems, with a conveyor device for transporting the containers in the direction of their longitudinal axis, with two rotary-driven rollers arranged along the conveyor path and which can be transferred from a neutral position into an identification position in which they release the container from the conveyor device and rotate said container, and with a sorting means for the selective, lateral removal of the container from the conveyor device according to the identification. It is the object of the invention to provide a generic unit for automatic container returns systems that is characterised by a simple construction.

Abstract: Image templates are extracted from video images in real-time and stored in memory. Templates are selected on the basis of their ability to provide useful positional data and compared with regions of subsequent images to find the position giving the best match. From the position data a transform model is calculated. The transform model tracks the background motion in the current image to accurately determine the motion and attitude of the camera recording the current image. The transform model is confirmed by examining pre-defined image templates. Transform model data and camera sensor data are then used to insert images into the live video broadcast at the desired location in the correct perspective. Stored templates are periodically updated to purge those that no longer give valid or significant positional data. New templates extracted from recent images are used to replace the discarded templates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading in-service or legacy telecommunications cabinets that improves power, cooling, space and EMI capabilities, allowing the cabinet to house updated, telecommunications equipment. The upgrade modules include an extension collar that replaces legacy doors, allowing the attachment of replacement doors having integral heat exchanger units. The extension collar also has support for Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI) shielding gaskets so provide EMI shielding capable of meeting FCC mandated levels. Additional upgrade modules include a battery chamber attached beneath the base of legacy cabinet, cooled and vented by one or more of the heat exchanger doors, thereby providing longer battery life.

Abstract: A magnetic pick-up coil for measuring magnetic field with high specific sensitivity, optionally with an electrostatic shield (24), having coupling elements (22) with high winding packing ratio, oriented in multiple directions, and embedded in ceramic material for structural support and electrical insulation. Elements of the coil are constructed from green ceramic sheets (200) and metallic ink deposited on surfaces and in via holes of the ceramic sheets. The ceramic sheets and the metallic ink are co-fired to create a monolithic hard ceramic body (20) with metallized traces embedded in, and placed on exterior surfaces of, the hard ceramic body. The compact and rugged coil can be used in a variety of environments, including hostile conditions involving ultra-high vacuum, high temperatures, nuclear and optical radiation, chemical reactions, and physically demanding surroundings, occurring either individually or in combinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for automatic addressing of devices on a rack controller bus. As each tracing interface module in a rack is powered up, the device identifies its electronic serial number (ESN) to the rack controller via the rack controller bus. The ESN includes information identifying the type of module, and the number of ports on the module to the rack controller. The rack controller maps the module's ESN to a unique address, which it sends back to the module. In subsequent communications, the module uses this address to identify itself to the rack controller, and the rack controller uses this address to track the location of patch connections to the module. If a module is replaced, the rack controller tracks the replacement using the same address assigned to the original module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic strip assembly is disclosed comprising a polyimide substrate, a thin film voltaic strip, and a transversely grooved, protection covering of a chlorofloural polymer. The grooves are provided to increase the flexibility of the strip, and may be V-shaped, flat bottomed with splayed sides, or rounded to provide dome shapes between them. Similar grooves may be provided in the exposed surface of the substrate to further increase the flexibility of the strip. The grooves of the substrate may be aligned with ridges between the grooves of the protective covering, to receive these ridges when the strip is wound around a rechargeable battery or energy cell. In a different embodiment the grooves are between rows of hump-shaped protuberances. The protuberances of adjacent rows may be staggered.

Abstract: A holiday ornament is attachable to a relatively soft candle in such a fashion that it is firmly held to the candle until the candle burns down far enough to permit the ornament to fall off. A metal strip is welded to the back of the ornament. The two opposite ends of the strip are bent upwardly, away from the soldered portion and disposed at an angle of approximately 10-15° so that, when pushed into the candle, the soft wax exerts a force on the two pins in order to keep it in place during normal use. The structure of the pins keeps the ornament in the vertical position until the candle has burned down at least half way, at which point the ornament falls off for lack of support. Thereafter, the ornament can be removed and placed on a holiday item, such as a Christmas Tree, wreath, etc.

Abstract: The controller 70 of the brine supply device 10 performs the PID calculation of the manipulated variable MV of the valve 14, calculates the compensated manipulated variable MV′ by compensating the manipulated value MV, and controls the operation of the valve 14 based on the compensated manipulated variable MV′. The variation &Dgr;MV of the manipulated variable MV becomes proportional to the variation &Dgr;PV of the brine supply temperature Pt1 as the operation of the valve 14 is controlled with the compensated manipulated variable MV′. This makes it possible to control temperature with a high accuracy using only one set of PID constants.

Abstract: A toothed belt wherein the toothed portion is covered with a cover cloth consisting of a weft and a warp. The weft consists of weft yarns defined by an elastic core yarn and by at least one composite yarn wound about the elastic yarn; and each composite yarn comprises a high thermal and mechanical resistance yarn and at least one covering yarn wound about the high thermal and mechanical resistance yarn. To improve adhesion of the cloth to the elastomeric material of the belt body and teeth, to improve abrasion resistance and to extend the average working life of the belt, according to the present invention, the cloth is treated with an adhesive composition comprising resorcinol, formaldehyde, a highly saturated and carboxyl groups containing nitrile and conjugated diene copolymer latex, and epoxy resins.

Abstract: A folding photovoltaic strip device is provided comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules joined to form a strip and pleated by flexible, transverse creases so that the device may be stored folded together along the creases, in a compact form, and the creases sprung opened to expose the modules to energizing light. The creases are permanent to facilitate folding the device for storage, and the ends of the strip may be attached to a casing and a lid in which the strip is to be stored.

Abstract: A microwave antenna is described, capable of simultaneous maximum gain communication with N≧2 satellites in geo-stationary orbit. The orbiting satellites are positioned offset relative to each other at a specific azimuth angle(s) &phgr;. The microwave antenna has radiating elements that are divided into N groups (1a, 1b; 1a′, 1b′; 1a″, 1b″ 1c″) of radiating elements. The antenna is characterized by the fact that each of the N groups of radiating elements is organized in a plane, with the planes arranged at specific angles relative to one another corresponding to the respective azimuth offset angle of the satellite to be communicated with, such that the surface normal (FN) of the planes, once the microwave antenna is oriented, point in the direction of the respective satellites.

Abstract: A multi-projector video wall system employs a blending frame to blend the overlapping portions of two adjacent images I1 and I2. The blending frame is preferably located a distance Dframe from the aperture of the projector and has an optimal half frame width Wf from the axis of the lens of the projector. A camera-based feedback loop can be employed to fine-tune the optical blending by digitally altering the image source.

Abstract: The controller 70 of the brine supply device 10 performs the PID calculation of the manipulated variable MV of the valve 14, calculates the compensated manipulated variable MV′ by compensating the manipulated value MV, and controls the operation of the valve 14 based on the compensated manipulated variable MV′. The variation &Dgr;MV of the manipulated variable MV becomes proportional to the variation &Dgr;PV of the brine supply temperature Pt1 as the operation of the valve 14 is controlled with the compensated manipulated variable MV′. This makes it possible to control temperature with a high accuracy using only one set of PID constants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conductor rail for supplying power to current consumers. The inventive conductor rail is comprised of a base body (1) and of a slide surface (2a) which is connected to the base body (1) and which is made of an especially wear-resistant material. Connecting elements (5) extending over the length of the slide surface (2) are provided on the side of the part (2) which forms the slide surface (2a); said side pointing toward the base body (1). Each connecting element (5) together with an elongated narrow side (2b) of the slide surface part (2), forms a recess (3). The recess is at least partially filled with the material (6) of the base body (1).

Abstract: Image templates are extracted from video images in real-time and stored in memory. Templates are selected on the basis of their ability to provide useful positional data and compared with regions of subsequent images to find the position giving the best match. From the position data a transform model is calculated. The transform model tracks the background motion in the current image to accurately determine the motion and attitude of the camera recording the current image. The transform model is confirmed by examining pre-defined image templates. Transform model data and camera sensor data are then used to insert images into the live video broadcast at the desired location in the correct perspective. Stored templates are periodically updated to purge those that no longer give valid or significant positional data. New templates extracted from recent images are used to replace the discarded templates.

Abstract: A composite resonator (10) consisting of a conducting metal (14) and a dielectric material (12) is used to provide resonant frequencies lower than can be obtained using the same volume of dielectric alone and with higher unloaded Q than can be obtained using the same volume of metal imbedded into a cavity and used as a resonator. This significantly reduces the cost and size of the resonator (10) without degrading its performance. An inexpensive metal (14), such as aluminum, can be substituted for more than half of the dielectric (12) and stille form a resonator (10) with substantially equivalent resonant properties. The operative embodiments of the resonator invention (1) cover composites with doughnut-shaped, i.e., cylindrical, configurations, with the “doughnut” either metal (14) or dielectric (12), and the “hole” either dielectric (314) or metal (312), respectively.