Abstract: There is disclosed a modular assembly and method of forming the assembly. The assembly is particularly suitable as at least part of a rear end of a transportation or automotive vehicle. The assembly preferably includes one or more plastic structure adhesively secured to one or more metal structures.

Abstract: A communication system comprises first and second devices (2,3) having respective housings (5,6); a data trans-mission line (8) for transmitting data between the devices in a reflective signalling format; and conversion means (4) connectable to the line externally of the housings (5,6) for converting data between a reflective signalling format and another format. A method of signalling between first and second devices (2,3) linked by a transmission line (8) and of sensing a security violation of the line (8) comprises the steps of (a) transmitting a signal from the first device to the second device, reflecting the signal back to the first device in a manner corresponding to a first bit sequence, receiving the signal thus reflected at the first device, and comparing this signal with the transmitted signal to determine whether there has been a security violation of the line and to extract the first bit sequence.

Abstract: A transition device for providing a smooth corner of a pair of angular oriented interconnected windshields on a boat, the boat having a forward facing or front windshield and a side facing windshield, both the windshields being mounted in a formed aluminum molding. The transition device comprises a first element attached to the molding of the forward facing windshield at an upper end of the joint and terminating at the joint in a ball and a second element attached to the molding of the side facing windshield at the upper end of the joint and terminating in a socket. The ball and the socket are shaped and sized to fit together to form a smooth transition at the upper end of the joint so that the corner joint appears to have a ball and socket joint.

Abstract: The use of surfactants that do not themselves act as dopants and are isoelectronic with either the group III or group V host atoms during OMVPE growth significantly reduces the incorporation of background impurities such as carbon, oxygen, sulfur and/or silicon. For example, the use of the surfactants Sb or Bi significantly reduces the incorporation of background impurities such as carbon, oxygen, sulfur and/or silicon during the OMVPE growth of III/V semiconductor materials, for example GaAs, GaInP, and GaP layers. As a result, an effective method for controlling the incorporation of impurity atoms is adding a minute amount of surfactant during OMVPE growth.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing communications between a calling party and a called party is disclosed. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes receiving a communication at a service provider network, recording the communication, analyzing a voice content portion of the recorded communication to determine if the voice content portion contains a keyword stored in a database, and forwarding the recorded communication to a law enforcement agency if the keyword is detected in the voice content portion. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a buffer memory for receiving a recorded communication from a service provider network and a content analysis system coupled to the buffer memory.

Abstract: A brake system for a ram air turbine (RAT) causes the RAT to slow or lock if the RAT achieves an over-speed condition with a centrifugal force operated trigger system that actuates a compression type brake pack to slow or lock the turbine hub

Abstract: A defect current contribution elimination technique may be suitable for dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) and other memory devices. A defect current can be eliminated by using an isolation circuit (106) between bitlines (102-0 and 102-1) and an associated sense amplifier circuit (104). Isolation circuit (106) can be controlled by programmable elements, such as fusible links, which are blown at wafer test to isolate the defective bitlines from the sense amplifier circuit. Isolated, defective bitlines may initially float, but based upon the type of defect, such bitlines can be resistively tied to another element, and as a result no DC current will flow. According to another implementation, controllable devices are placed between wordlines (206) and the wordline driver circuits (226-y). A current path through a defective wordline can be similarly cut-off.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing communications between a calling party and a called party is disclosed. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes receiving a communication at a service provider network, recording the communication, analyzing a voice content portion of the recorded communication to determine if the voice content portion contains a keyword stored in a database, and forwarding the recorded communication to a law enforcement agency if the keyword is detected in the voice content portion. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a buffer memory for receiving a recorded communication from a service provider network and a content analysis system coupled to the buffer memory.

Abstract: A power supply detecting input receiver circuit (300) can include a multiplexing capability that can select one of at least two power supplies during a non-critical timing period. Such selection of a power supply can reduce both the standby and the active current of input receiver circuit (300). In one arrangement, an input receiver circuit (300) can include a comparator (310), a latch (316), and a select circuit (304). A latch (316) can be enabled to indicate a selection of a supply upon a circuit power-up, as but one example. A method is disclosed that includes comparing at least two supply voltages, setting a latch to indicate a selected supply, and providing the selected supply to an input receiver. The receiver output signal may be voltage-translated to a suitable internal supply level.

Abstract: The invention is directed generally toward a fastener for use in assembly of steel truss members which can be installed at an angular orientation relative to the truss member surface. The fastener comprises a shank having a tip and a head. The fastener shank further has threaded portions for engaging truss members and plate elements if present. The tip of the shank can have a self-tapping point. The head of the fastener has a tool engagement surface and a seating surface. The seating surface has a configuration that allows for a wider distribution of force at a truss assembly contact point. In particular, the configuration includes an arcuate contour that is generally convex.

Abstract: A truss fastener which includes a shaft having a head and a tip. Threading extends along the shaft from the tip end toward the head end of the shaft. The threading is interrupted, abbreviated, and/or otherwise separated by wings projecting from the surface of the shaft. The interrupting projection extends in a generally oblique orientation to the center axis of the fastener.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of communication devices, at least one of which comprises a control device, a half duplex communication network to transmit data between the plurality of communication devices, and a translation engine to translate voice communications spoken into a first one of the communication devices into at least one other language, wherein when the control device of one of the communication devices is activated, the corresponding communication device secures a floor control of the network, and while the floor control is secured, the communication device communicates with the translation engine such that words spoken into the communication device are translated, and the network transmits the translated communications to selected ones of the plurality of communication devices.

Abstract: A method of making an exercise machine from a pair of spaced apart, laser-cut sheets of metal of substantial identical shape and connected together to form a relatively flat frame, which comprises the steps of first examining a pre-existing exercise machine of the type having a three dimensional frame made from horizontal vertical and transverse frame members, all the frame members being interconnected to form the three dimensional frame upon which are mounted the necessary handles, levers, pistons, crank arms, operating rods and linkage to provide a given exercise for the operator of that exercise machine, the step of examining being performed to determine, from the three dimensional frame, the vertical and horizontal extent of the pre-existing machine, secondly, making a two dimensional pattern whose vertical and horizontal extent conforms to the vertical and horizontal extent of the pre-existing machine based upon the examination thereof, thirdly, cutting a pair of steel side frame members from steel sheet

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a powder dispenser portion with an outlet port which opens into a loading chamber. A slide gate valve assembly selectively closes the port and a disc valve assembly is provided above the slide gate valve assembly. Containers are loaded into the loading chamber and are located beneath the port and are then purged with inert gas. The slide gate valve assembly and disc valve assembly are then opened to allow container to be filled with ultra fine powder.

Abstract: A twin plasma torch assembly includes two plasma torch assemblies supported in a housing. Each of the two plasma torch assemblies has an electrodes. Plasma gas is introduced into a processing zone around the two electrodes. A shroud gas is introduced to surround the plasma. A feed tube is provided to supply feed material to the processor.

Abstract: A twin plasma torch assembly comprising two plasma torch assemblies (10, 20) supported in a housing. Each torch has first and second spaced electrodes. Plasma gas is introduced into a processing zone between two electrodes. A shroud gas is introduced to surround the plasma. A feed tube (112) is provided to supply feed material to the processor.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a powder dispenser portion with an outlet port which opens into a loading chamber (6). A slide gate valve assembly (10) selectively closes the port and a disc valve assembly (5) is provided above the slide gate valve assembly. Containers (19) are loaded into the loading chamber (6) and are located beneath the port and are then purged with inert gas. The slide gate valve assembly (10) and disc valve assembly (5) are then opened to allow container (19) to be filled with ultra fine powder.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses optical recording elements having optical recording layers containing tetra dyes. The dyes have metallized azo dianionic dye with cationic dye counterions. The recording layer has a thickness from 225 to 300 nm.