Abstract: There is provided a biosensor for detecting water contaminants. The biosensor has a microbial fuel cell compartment, having (i) at least one opening to allow water into and out of the microbial fuel cell compartment, (ii) an anode comprising electroactive microorganisms, and (iii) a cathode. The anode is electrically and physically separated from the cathode. The anode is anaerobic and comprises electroactive microorganisms. The cathode is aerobic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting and characterizing heterogeneities within a bulk material that exhibit scale-dependent uniformity represented by locally representative volume elements (LRVEs). The invention is particularly useful in the characterization of local variations of crystallographic texture of metals and alloys, including metallurgical Ti alloys. The invention consists of generating ultrasonic waves through different paths in the object, and detecting differences in time, amplitude and/or phase of the detected frequency components traveling the different paths to characterize a statistical mean dimensions of the LRVEs, for example, by autocorrelation. Mean sizes of the LRVEs in the scan directions can be computed by autocorrelation, and mean sizes in the direction of the propagation can also be approximated.

Abstract: A vented barrier cover has a tubular body portion with a first body end and a second body end, an end wall connected to the first body end defining an inside cover space, and a venting component connected to the cover where the venting component is configured to prevent an air pressure imbalance between the inside cover space and the outside of the vented cover.

Abstract: Detection devices (1) for controlling storage devices (20) for receiving and storing video signals for a plurality of subscribers are provided with memories (2, 3) for storing subscriber's profiles and detectors (4, 5) for detecting video signals comprising content according to the subscriber's profiles. Indication transmitters (6, 7) transmit indications with respect to the video signal to indication receivers (26, 27) of the storage devices (20) for in response to receptions of the indications storing the video signals or to indication receivers (71) of subscriber devices (70) for in response to receptions of the indications informing the subscribers. Switches (8, 9) activate/deactivate the detection devices (1) in response to un-availabilities/availabilities of the subscribers to check the video signal.

Abstract: An implement holder apparatus having a length of fabric tubing coaxially doubled over itself having a near end forming an opening and a far end forming a fold; an elastic cylinder disposed within the fabric tubing fold; and a detachable connector secured to the fabric tubing near end, whereby an implement can be held by the implement holder by inserting an implement into the far end and securing the apparatus with the detachable connector. Another embodiment is an apparatus comprising a piece of fabric tubing having a near end and a far end; a piece of heat shrink tubing secured to the fabric tubing far end such that at least a portion of the heat shrink tubing extends beyond the fabric tubing far end; and a detachable connector secured to the fabric tubing near end, whereby an implement can be held by the implement holder by inserting an implement into the heat shrink tubing and securing the apparatus with the detachable connector.

Abstract: A hard hat lanyard having a lower strap having a first end and a second end, a lower strap fastener adapted to fasten the lower strap second end to an article of a wearer's clothing, an upper strap having a first end and a second end, an intermediate release buckle fastened to the lower strap first end and the upper strap second end that is secures the lower strap to the upper strap in a releasable manner, and an upper strap fastener adapted to fasten the upper strap first end to a hard hat.

Abstract: Gas cooking appliance comprising a gas burner equipped with a gas injector 1 fixed to a support 3 and a gas supply tube 2; the support is a sheet metal plate 3 with a through-aperture 4; the injector 1 is fixed to the end of the tube 2; the injector 1 and/or the tube 2 extend through the aperture 4 with the injector 1 and tube 2 one on each side of the plate 3; and a radial annular flange (6) is provided on the tube 2 and situated under the plate 3, being clamped in a sealed fashion against the peripheral edge of the aperture 4 and/or bearing surface 12 of the injector 1 so as to seal between the tube 2 and the injector 1 and between the top and the underside of the plate 3 around the edge of the aperture 4, and to hold the injector 1 secured to the tube 2 centrally in the aperture 4 in a predetermined axial position above the plate 3.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the physical properties of a sample, for example, the grain size in a polycrystalline material. An ultrasound field is generated in a local region of the sample with a non-contact source, such as a pulsed laser, such that the generated ultrasound diffuses away from said local region. After waiting until the generated ultrasound field has reached a diffusion regime, the resulting ultrasound field is measured with a non-contact detector. Parameters are adjusted in a mathematical model describing the predicted behaviour of the ultrasound field in the diffusion regime to fit the detected ultrasound field to the mathematical model. In this way, parameters dependent on the physical properties of the sample, such as the diffusion coefficient and absorption coefficient, can be derived. The grain size, for example, can be estimated from these parameters preferably by calibrating the diffusion coefficient to grain size.

Abstract: Gas cooking appliance comprising a gas burner equipped with a gas injector 1 fixed to a support 3 and a gas supply tube 2; the support is a sheet metal plate 3 with a through-aperture 4; the injector 1 is fixed to the end of the tube 2; the injector 1 and/or the tube 2 extend through the aperture 4 with the injector 1 and tube 2 one on each side of the plate 3; and a radial annular flange (6) is provided on the tube 2 and situated under the plate 3, being clamped in a sealed fashion against the peripheral edge of the aperture 4 and/or bearing surface 12 of the injector 1 so as to seal between the tube 2 and the injector 1 and between the top and the underside of the plate 3 around the edge of the aperture 4, and to hold the injector 1 secured to the tube 2 centrally in the aperture 4 in a predetermined axial position above the plate 3.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the physical properties of a sample, for example, the grain size in a polycrystalline material. An ultrasound field is generated in a local region of the sample with a non-contact source, such as a pulsed laser, such that the generated ultrasound diffuses away from said local region. After waiting until the generated ultrasound field has reached a diffusion regime, the resulting ultrasound field is measured with a non-contact detector. Parameters are adjusted in a mathematical model describing the predicted behavior of the ultrasound field in the diffusion regime to fit the detected ultrasound field to the mathematical model. In this way, parameters dependent on the physical properties of the sample, such as the diffusion coefficient and absorption coefficient, can be derived. The grain size, for example, can be estimated from these parameters preferably by calibrating the diffusion coefficient to grain size.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting shear resonances includes structure and steps for applying a radiation pulse from a pulsed source of radiation to an object to generate elastic waves therein, optically detecting the elastic waves generated in the object, and analyzing the elastic waves optically detected in the object. These shear resonances, alone or in combination with other information, may be used in the present invention to improve thickness measurement accuracy and to determine geometrical, microstructural, and physical properties of the object. At least one shear resonance in the object is detected with the elastic waves optically detected in the object. Preferably, laser-ultrasound spectroscopy is utilized to detect the shear resonances.

Abstract: A gas cooking apparatus is disclosed, particularly a cooking table, comprising at least one gas burner (1) including: a burner head (2) fixed sealingly on a top plate (3) of the apparatus, a gas injector (6) situated axially under the head of the burner and mounted on a support plate (10), and a diffuser tube (4) forming a venturi situated axially between the injector and the burner head and opening into the latter, characterized in that the plate (10) supporting the injector (6) and the venturi-forming tube (4) belong to the same unitary part (15) formed of a single metal sheet shaped by cutting out, bending and rolling.

Abstract: There is provided a lattice door lock for a small animal cage. The lock includes a vertical tube secured to the cage and a rigid stick slidably mounted into the tube. A latch transversely projects from the stick and hookingly engages the latticed door under the bias of the weight of the stick when the door closes the cage. A lever at the base of the tube and contacting the stick allows an animal caretaker to actuate the lock without requiring use of his hands, wherein his elbow e.g. may be used. Thus, even if he has to use both hands to handle the animal to be caged, the animal caretaker will be able to open the cage door.

Abstract: A hearth grate comprises a succession of transverse bars which are alternately fixed and movable with a reciprocating movement, said bars being formed by disposing in side-by-side relationship at vertical lateral faces elements which are generally rectangular, with a projection portion at the junction of a frontal face and a dorsal face and in the dorsal face blowing orifices opening in said projection portion.The elements are held by the insertion into openings provided in the frontal faces of limbs of a fastener. The fastener comprises a transverse portion which is disposed in set-back relationship with respect to the frontal faces. Plate portions are welded over the openings to retain the fastener.

Abstract: A fluid, especially secondary air, feed nozzle of an incinerator furnace, in accordance with the invention, is made in two complementary recessed parts (11, 12). These parts are molded from refractory material (silicon carbide, for example) and assembled by pressing so as to have an outside shape identical to that of the bricks which constitute the wall of the furnace.

Abstract: A fire grate is adapted to support a combustible mass. It is inclined longitudinally from a feed end at which it receives the combustible mass to a discharge end. It comprises a plurality of elements disposed in transverse rows alternately fixed and mobile. Each element is rectangular in plan and has a top side and a bottom side, openings by means of which the top side and the bottom side communicate, and a generally transversely oriented front protuberance on the top side in the vicinity of its transverse edge at the feed end. All the openings are in a dorsal surface of the front protuberance facing the discharge end.

Abstract: This invention relates to panels comprising a rigidly interconnected set of metal tubes with a continuous sheet of a refractory lining material which has a satisfactory thermal conductivity and is chemically inert with respect to combustion products covering at least a portion of the surface of the set of tubes, the lining material including a binder which provides the sheet with resistance to collapse in the cold state. Such panels are of particular value in recuperation boilers which burn fuels such as domestic garbage, industrial waste or waste oil.