Abstract: A bulk bag filler is provided having a frame assembly, a bag filling head, rotatable hooks for engaging bag loops and latch assemblies to engage the rotatable hooks. Each of the latch assemblies include an actuatable latch pin to release the rotatable hook, and upon release, the latch assemblies are gravity driven to return to a latching position in which the rotatable hooks are re-engageable. A method for loading a bulk bag with a bulk material is also provided.

Abstract: A transition duct (40) for a gas turbine engine (10) incorporating a combination of cooling structures that provide active cooling in selected regions of the duct while avoiding cooling of highly stressed regions of the duct. In one embodiment, a panel (74) formed as part of the transition duct includes some subsurface cooling holes (92) that extend under a central portion of a stiffening rib (90) attached to the panel and some subsurface cooling holes (94) that have a truncated length so as to avoid extending under a rib end (45). Effusion cooling holes (88) used to cool a side subpanel (48) of the panel may have a distribution that reduces to zero approaching a double bend region (48) of the panel. An upstream subpanel (76) of the panel may be actively cooled only when the panel is located on an extrados of the transition duct.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system, and related method, for use in the monitoring of communications traffic, comprising the step of recording the said traffic and storing the recorded traffic in an encrypted data format such that the data can be decrypted only by means of keys that exhibit restricted availability.

Abstract: A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head and opening through fluid ports at another end, flush against the valve plate surface. A drive block is mounted on an input/output shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder barrel which may be changed by a drive engaging the yoke at a point near its pivot axis. Loads on bushings supporting the yoke shafts are reduced by providing radially extending fluid ports in the shafts and in communication with the intake and discharge apertures of the valve plate.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical circuit on a substrate. The method comprising a plurality of mask images to define the optical circuit image in photoresist. Each of the mask images defining parts of the optical circuit and the totality of all mask images substantially defining all of the optical circuit. A photolithography system globally aligns and exposes the mask images in photoresist. The resultant composite image being substantially indistinguishable from a single image of the entire optical circuit. Different images for each of the parts can be substituted by other images, thereby exponentially increasing the number of circuit permutations from a predetermined number of images. The method is also applicable to generating a unique circuit from a pre-existing library of reticle images. The images are printed in predetermined locations on a substrate to define the desired optical circuit.

Abstract: A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source is provided. The filling system includes a bag filler having a movable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube being adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.

Abstract: This invention describes the development of a novel spray paint High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) apparatus including a membrane pump to allow for the handling of higher viscosity paint to facilitate high layer-thickness applications (typically in a single paint application) with a marked reduction in over-spray. The apparatus functions by using heated air and allows for heating of waterborne paints and in particular a novel waterborne paint also the subject of this application. This waterborne paint provides for better levelling, drawing and application of the paint product to a desired substrate. The paint product claimed in the invention has a product to a desired substrate. The paint product claimed in the invention has a viscosity profile tailored for use with the spraying apparatus of the present invention. A further aspect of the present invention comprises the combination of the painting apparatus and the sprayable paint product as an effective integrated painting system.

Abstract: A bulk bag filler for filling bulk bags having bag hanging loops and a fill spout is provided. The filler includes a bag filling head having at least a moveable portion that can be moved from a filling position, in which the hanging loops are suspended from hanging loop supports in a position to allow the bulk bag to be filled, to a bag attaching position, in which at least some of the hanging loop supports for attachment of a bulk bag to be filled and a bag spout connection are positioned in proximity to a side of the bag filler. A method for loading a bulk bag is also provided.

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A fold down operator (10) is provided for a rotatable spindle (224) of casement window assembly (200). The operator (10) comprises a hub (12) and a handle (48). The hub (12) has a receiver (22) and an arm (32) extending from the receiver (22). The receiver (22) is adapted to connect to the spindle (224). The handle (48) has a cavity (112). The handle (48) is pivotally connected to the arm (32) such that the handle (48) is pivotable between a closed position wherein a portion of the receiver (22) is positioned within the cavity (112), and an open position, wherein the receiver (22) is outboard of the cavity (112).

Abstract: A method of amplification of one or more DNA sequences in a DNA containing sample, and methods of investigating such samples are provided in which an improved amplification cycling regime is used. The regime features a first phase and a second phase, the first phase including a denaturation temperature step, followed by an annealing temperature step, followed by a corrected annealed primer extension temperature step, these steps being followed by an annealing temperature step, corrected annealed primer extension temperature step prior to any further denaturation temperature steps being applied. Increased amplification from a given number of amplification cycles and maximised sensitivity for the DNA amplification process is achieved as a result.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining additional information about DNA mixtures arising from a variety of sources and/or a variety of concentrations.

Abstract: A finger imaging system for receiving and holding a finger of a person being fingerprinted by an automated fingerprint reader. The system includes a finger imaging device having a finger receiving portion and a finger positioning portion, together forming a recess of reducing dimension such that a subject finger forceably inserted into it is held in a stable position. The finger positioning portion may have a flexible or resilient surface contacting the finger to enhance the stabilizing effect. The flexible surface may be inflated to increase the retaining pressure.

Abstract: A cutting device (10) for cutting a material (12) and providing a cut portion of the material (12). The device comprises a heating assembly comprising an electrical induction arrangement (32) for heating the cut portion of the material by induction heating.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating apparatus that includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe. The valve includes two ducts each containing a restrictor coaxially formed with a capillary designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the capillary, thus allowing expansion of the fluid in either the heating or cooling mode. The valve further includes a duct for sampling the pressurized fluid before expansion during operation in either the heating or cooling mode.

Abstract: A method of amplification of one or more DNA sequences in a DNA containing sample, and methods of investigating such samples are provided in which an improved amplification cycling regime is used. The regime features a first phase and a second phase, the first phase including a denaturation temperature step, followed by an annealing temperature step, followed by a corrected annealed primer extension temperature step, these steps being followed by an annealing temperature step, corrected annealed primer extension temperature step prior to any further denaturation temperature steps being applied. Increased amplification from a given number of amplification cycles and maximised sensitivity for the DNA amplification process is achieved as a result.

Abstract: A method of evaluating primers for use in the amplification of DNA sequences, a method of producing a mixture of primers for such a purpose and a method of amplifying a plurality of DNA sequences using a mixture of primers is provided in which the evaluation involves performing one or more initial evaluations, obtaining a plurality of SNP sites and related potential primer identities which are passes, generating primers corresponding to those primer identities and conducting a test amplification process using those primers in conjunction with a further evaluation of the results, the pass primers therefrom forming a pool of primer candidates from which one or more primers for use in the amplification of DNA sequences are selected.

Abstract: The present invention is an emplacement stand for holding explosive ordnance disposal tools that comprises a support base having tapered pegs evenly spaced around the outside of the support base extending outward at a downward angle. Detachable legs may be attached to the tapered pegs or each other to increase the height of the support base. A pivot arm slides through a hollow bearing ring within the support base and a set screw connector locks the pivot arm into a specific desired position after moving the pivot arm up or down within the support base. A pivot base, having a tool cradle connected to a disc shaped surface attaches to a clevis slot within the pivot arm through a pin that allows the disc shaped surface to freely pivot about the pin within the slot. A second set screw connector locks the disc shaped surface into place within the clevis slot.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating apparatus that includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe. The valve includes two ducts each containing a restrictor coaxially formed with a capillary designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the capillary, thus allowing expansion of the fluid in either the heating or cooling mode. The valve further includes a duct for sampling the pressurized fluid before expansion during operation in either the heating or cooling mode.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for obtaining information about DNA analysis of samples of uncertain origin by establishing the likelihood that they arose in certain manners compared with other possible manners. In this way all of the analysis information is taken into account and likelihood ratios are provided to express the results. The invention is particularly useful in analysing small DNA samples or DNA samples where the contribution from one or more sources is small.