Abstract: Tetrafluoroethylene oxidation process at temperatures comprised between -100.degree. C. and -40.degree. C., in absence of Uv radiations, and by operating in the presence of a chemical initiator containing at least one F--X bond, wherein X is oxygen or halogen, in the presence of a solvent comprising an amount of COF.sub.2 higher than 8% by moles.

Abstract: A joining tool for automatically joining or intertwining two or more items, preferably reinforcement rods (23). The joining tool advances a joining wire (6) in a not predetermined length through a track (5) in a ring-shaped head (2). The advancing movement of the joining wire (6) stops when the wire has completed the turn and the wire is then held at its free end by a holding pin (10) whereupon it is pulled back until it is tight around the reinforcement rods (23). Upon tightening the joining wire (6) is held by another holding pin (12) whereupon two cutting sleeves (14 and 15) cut the joining wire (6). After cutting, a turning head (7) is rotated until the desired joining strength is obtained. The desired joining strength is determined by a U-shaped brace (19). When the desired joining strength has been obtained, the joining wire is released by the holding pins (10 and 12).

Abstract: When a car is to enter a parking lot, an image of a number plate of the car is picked up by an image pickup device, and a car number of the car is recognized. The recognized number and the entry time are stored in a central processing unit, and a parking ticket is dispensed for the car, and the car is allowed to enter the parking lot. If there is any service to be offered to customers at the time of parking, service information is inputted to the central processing unit directly from a service counter, and therefore the central processing unit effects a service processing such as a parking fee discount processing. The image of the number plate of the departing car is picked up, and the car number is recognized, and it is judged whether or not the car is entitled to the fee adjustment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving the characteristics of foundry cores which includes adding to the foundry aggregate mixture one or more biphenyl compounds.

Abstract: A method and a plant for combined production of electricity and fresh water in a stand-alone plant of the wind/diesel type. The method enables the simultaneous production of electricity and fresh water with optimal use of the various units of the plant under all conditions of operation by optimally utilizing the wind energy and minimizing fuel consumption. A continuously operating diesel engine controls the line frequency and the power supply without any energy being accumulated. A preferred embodiment of the plant includes a first closed fluid circuit and a second open fluid circuit, the first closed circuit including at least an electric heating unit receiving energy from a wind turbine, an internal-combustion engine, preferably a diesel engine, and a distillation unit. The distillation unit constitutes a unit common to the first closed and the second open circuits.

Abstract: A method of calibrating and using a device for the determination of the concentration of an active gas in a mixture of gases wherein the device incorporates a gas sensor (4) and has gas diffusion barrier means (A) and (B), one of which may be closed by a valve (12). The signal from the sensor is recorded at first and second times after closing the valve, and a value for the concentration of an active gas is calculated from the signals and the time difference.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing pasta production and for ensuring a more uniform and quality pasta product which includes heating the die face of a die by positioning on the die face an electric resistance heater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique method and system for automatically controlling the motion of a rotary ring twisting and winding device, provided with a rotary ring member rotatably mounted on a holder by way of a bearing mechanism, which is utilized for textile machines having a so-called ring traveller twisting and winding mechanism. The present invention is characterized in that the rotational speeds of the rotary ring member and spindles are continuously detected, and the detected rotational speed of the rotary ring member is compared with the desired rotational speed of the rotary ring member which is calculated by multiplying a predetermined ratio by the detected rotational speed of the spindles, and if it is detected that the rotational speed of the rotary ring member is out of control, the rotational speed of the rotary ring member is electrically controlled to return to a condition of satisfying a predetermined allowable controlled condition.

Abstract: An electronic part is tacked to a circuit board, leads of the electronic part being made into contact with cream solder built up on the circuit board, and thereafter, the circuit board is heated up so as to melt the cream solder in order to solder the electronic part to the circuit board. In this procedure, the melting temperature of a hardener in the tacking bond, that is, the hardening temperature of the tacking bond--is higher than that of the cream solder, thereby making it possible to prevent hindrance to sinking of the lead terminal of the electronic part into the melted cream solder.

Abstract: Optically active biphenyl derivatives including optically active biphenyl carboxylic acid derivative, hydroxybiphenyl derivative, alkoxybiphenylalkanol derivative and alkoxybiphenylalkanol derivative have the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group of 3-20 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group or alkoxyalkyl group of 1-20 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one halogen atom. X represents --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--, m represents 0 or 1, n represents an integer of 1-6 and p represents 0 or 1, and the * mark represents an asymmetric carbon atom. These optically active biphenyl derivatives are useful as a ferroelectric liquid crystal material or its component having a sufficient spontaneous polarization and by which a high speed response is possible and which further exhibits a ferroelectric liquid crystal phase in a temperature region around room temperature.

Abstract: A rudder bar system for a helicopter controlled in yaw by acting on the tail rotor or an equivalent device has a capability, as a function of the parameters representative of the current flight status of the helicopter, of either automatically continuously recentering the forces on the rudder bar, which cancels out the residual static forces and gives the pilot a tactile sensation close to that given by a friction-type rudder bar, or allowing the pilot fully to feel the countering action of an elastic return device such as a spring.

Abstract: A device for drilling into the ground for the in-situ production of columns of stabilized and compacted soil, which comprises at least two parallel shafts, each shaft driving in rotation one auger, each auger being fitted with a loosening drill head. The shafts and the shanks of the augers include a bore and at least one orifice for discharging a filler material, the augers having opposite hands and being driven in counterrotation, and which furthermore have a drive for reversing the direction of rotation of the augers, said device including an even number n, at least equal to 4, of augers and in that, as seen in cross-section, the axes of the augers are centered at the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon.

Abstract: A manually actuated liquid pump sprayer is capable of use in both upright and inverted positions without leakage through the vent port by the provision of an auxiliary inlet passage including an inlet port in the path of a slider valve, and a vent port likewise in the path of a slider valve. The vent port is open while the inlet port is closed while the slider valve in the upright attitude of the sprayer, while the converse is effected by the slider valve when operating the sprayer in an inverted position.

Abstract: A liquid flow cytometer for counting and classification of particles such as biological cells and other microscopic particles in liquids that involves an optical system for irradiation and detection in a metering zone (7), thus enabling optical dispersion and fluorescence caused by the particles to be simultaneously detected when the particles pass the metering zone, includes in a first beam path (S.sub.1) a mirror reflector (9) with its focal point in the metering zone (7), a quarter-wave plate (8) between the metering zone (7) and the mirror reflector (9), a lens (6) with its focal point in the metering zone (7) and located on the opposite side of it together with a dichroic mirror (5) behind the lens and provided in such a manner that it gives reflection to a second beam path (S.sub.2). In the second beam path (S.sub.2) a beam splitter (4) is provided between the dichroic mirror (9) and a known per se light source (1), and produces a third beam path (S.sub.3).

Abstract: A device for supporting an optical system of a television camera has a pair of positioning holes, formed in a bracket holding an image pickup element, which are fitted respectively on a pair of positioning pins formed on a rear side of an escutcheon holding a lens, thereby positioning the image pickup element in a horizontal and a vertical direction. Rattling of the bracket in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system is absorbed by a pair of plate springs, and also rattling of the bracket in a direction of the optical axis is absorbed by a pair of coil springs, thereby enabling a high-precision adjustment.

Abstract: A manually actuated pump dispenser has a water seal for maintaining the container vent ports sealed closed during pumping until at or near the end of the pressure stroke whereupon a vent path through which only air is permitted travel into the container, is open as the path is shielded against water entering the vent path when pumping in a wet environment as when dispensing hair shampoo or hair conditioner. In a plunger lock-down position of shipping and storage, leakage of product through the vent ports is substantially avoided during a superatmospheric condition within the container.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R is a biphenyl group optionally substituted, by one or more substituents, the same or different selected among halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkyl thioalkyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl groups containing one or more fluorine atoms, carboxy groups, nitro groups, amino or aminocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, momo- or di-alkylamino groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, mono- or di-alkylamino-carbonyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope having an insertion section which extends from a proximal end to a distal end and is inserted into a cavity under inspection and an operation section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, and a protection cover including an insertion section inserting channel which extends from a proximal end to a distal end and into which said insertion section of the endoscope is insertable and a conduit channel which extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the improvement being characterized in that a distal end portion of the insertion section has a non-circular cross section such as a semicircular or oval cross section and a proximal end portion of the insertion section has a substantially circular cross section. A distal end member of the insertion section inserting channel has an accommodating portion which is a corresponding non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A manually actuated pump sprayer of the type having a discharge nozzle cap in engagement with a probe, spin mechanics formed between the cap and the probe. A generally cylindrical fluid flow dampening chamber, formed at the end of the probe in communication with the spin chamber or being integrated with the spin chamber, has a non-smooth sidewall defined by at least one projection extending toward the axis of the probe for reducing spin energy of the fluid spinning in the dampening chamber and/or in the spin chamber about the axis to effect a solid spray cone of fluid exiting the orifice.

Abstract: An ink-jet head for injecting ink into a work piece, has an ink passage in which the ink is received, and a pair of electrodes in the ink passage for heating electrically and vaporizing thermally the ink to generate an ink-jet toward the work piece, wherein a crystal grain diameter of the electrodes is not less than 0.1 .mu.m, a total orientation deviation of (002) or (011) crystal orientation face of the electrodes with respect to a direction perpendicular to an electrode layer thickness direction is decreased, and/or a surface roughness of the electrodes is not less than 0.005 .mu.m, so that oxidation and corrosion of the electrodes are restrained.