Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for merging first and second data associated with first and second DVD-Video zone directories respectively; the method comprising the steps of: identifying the registers used by at least one of the first and second data; allocating use of the registers to at least one of the first and second data according to said identifying; and creating data associated with video manager information (VMGI) of the DVD-video disc image data to accommodate at least one of the first and second DVD-Video zones.

Abstract: A control system for automated lights comprises a controller (1) having an output signal comprising a plurality of channels (13, 14, 15) transmitted repeatedly in sequence and at least one addressable receiver (3, 4, 5) connected to the controller and arranged to receive at least some of the channels for operating an automated light (6, 7, 8). The controller is arranged to encode instructions for the or each receiver and send each encoded instruction using a predetermined number of consecutive channels of the output signal, the predetermined number being at least two, and the receiver is arranged to combine information received from the predetermined number of consecutive channels to form one encoded instruction, decode the encoded instruction, and operate the automated light on the basis of the decoded instruction.

Abstract: A moving yoke comprises a first yoke member, a second yoke member, swivellable relative to the first yoke member about a first axis, and a third yoke member having an arcuate portion. The second yoke member has an arcuate support portion, and the arcuate portion of the third yoke member is supported by the arcuate portion of the second yoke member to enable slidable movement relative thereto along an arcuate path.

Abstract: An apparatus for combustion of a fuel in stages having at least one wall enclosing a chamber and forming at least one fuel inlet opening, at least one oxidant inlet opening and a plurality of fuel/oxidant outlet openings. A recirculation sleeve is disposed on the fuel/oxidant outlet side of the chamber and is coaxially aligned with the center axis of the apparatus. A plurality of fuel distributors are disposed within the chamber, each fuel distributor having a fuel inlet and a plurality of fuel outlets, each of the fuel outlets being aligned with a corresponding one of the fuel/oxidant outlet openings. Also disclosed is a method for combustion of a fuel in stages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a fuel in which a first-stage fuel and a first-stage oxidant are introduced into a combustion chamber and ignited, forming a primary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the total heat output produced by combustion of the first-stage fuel and the first-stage oxidant is removed from the primary combustion zone, forming cooled first-stage combustion products. A portion of the cooled first-stage combustion products from a downstream region of the primary combustion zone is recirculated to an upstream region of primary combustion zone. A second-stage fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the primary combustion zone and ignited, forming a secondary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the heat from the secondary combustion zone is removed. In accordance with one embodiment, a third-stage oxidant is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the secondary combustion zone, forming a tertiary combustion zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for operating driver amplifier (20) of a line driver circuit (10) from a lower set of power supply voltages, and from a higher set of voltages only when the amplitude of the signal (12) being transmitted by the line driver (20) requires it as determined by a comparator (18). Advantageously, this reduces the power dissipation in the line driver (10) by operating the line amplifier (20) the majority of the time from the lower supply voltage. A delay circuit (14) delays the signal to be amplified sufficient to allow the transitioning of the power supply voltages provided to the amplifier hysteresis of this power supply voltage switching may also be used to further reduce power dissipation.

Abstract: A moving yoke comprises a first yoke member, a second yoke member, swivellable relative to the first yoke member about a first axis, and a third yoke member having an arcuate portion. The second yoke member has an arcuate support portion, and the arcuate portion of the third yoke member is supported by the arcuate portion of the second yoke member to enable slidable movement relative thereto along an arcuate path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for operating driver amplifier (20) of a line driver circuit (10) from a lower set of power supply voltages, and from a higher set of voltages only when the amplitude of the signal (12) being transmitted by the line driver (20) requires it as determined by a comparator (18). Advantageously, this reduces the power dissipation in the line driver (10) by operating the line amplifier (20) the majority of the time from the lower supply voltage. A delay circuit (14) delays the signal to be amplified sufficient to allow the transitioning of the power supply voltages provided to the amplifier hysteresis of this power supply voltage switching may also be used to further reduce power dissipation.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted venous drainage reservoir for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with both hard and soft shell reservoirs. The system utilizes a wall vacuum or other source of negative pressure to create a negative pressure via a regulator within a sealed hard shell reservoir, or within a sealed housing surrounding a soft shell reservoir. The addition of a negative pressure in the venous return line enables the use of smaller cannulas suitable for minimally invasive surgery. The reservoir need not be positioned well below the patient as in conventional gravity venous drainage configurations, thus adding flexibility to the operating room layout and enabling a reduction in the extracorporeal blood prime volume needed. In one embodiment, a flexible membrane in the hard shell reservoir expands to contact the blood surface and reduce blood/air interactions. In another embodiment, a moisture trap is provided between the source of vacuum and hard shell reservoir to reduce environmental contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a fuel in which a first-stage fuel and a first-stage oxidant are introduced into a combustion chamber and ignited, forming a primary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the total heat output produced by combustion of the first-stage fuel and the first-stage oxidant is removed from the primary combustion zone, forming cooled first-stage combustion products. A portion of the cooled first-stage combustion products from a downstream region of the primary combustion zone is recirculated to an upstream region of primary combustion zone. A second-stage fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the primary combustion zone and ignited, forming a secondary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the heat from the secondary combustion zone is removed. In accordance with one embodiment, a third-stage oxidant is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the secondary combustion zone, forming a tertiary combustion zone.

Abstract: A method for removing a condensable component from a process stream in which a first side of a permselective membrane is contacted with the process stream in which is disposed the condensable component. The condensable component is passed through the permselective membrane to a second side of the permselective membrane, forming a condensable permeate. The condensable permeate is then contacted with a liquid stream having a liquid form of the condensable permeate, forming a condensed permeate. The condensed permeate may then be returned to the process which generated the process stream.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant, oxidation-resistant, and/or wear-resistant coatings are made of ternary ceramic compounds of the general formula (I): M2X1Z1   (I) wherein M is at least one transition metal, X is an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Ge, Pb, Sn, Ga, P, S, In, As, Tl and Cd, and Z is a non-metal selected from the group consisting of carbon and nitrogen; and/or compounds of the general formula (II): M3X1Z2   (II) wherein M is at least one transition metal, X is at least one of Al, Ge, and Si, and Z is at least one of carbon and nitrogen. Such coatings may be applied by a thermal spraying process.

Abstract: A method for removing a condensable component from a process stream in which a first side of a permselective membrane is contacted with the process stream in which is disposed the condensable component. The condensable component is passed through the permselective membrane to a second side of the permselective membrane, forming a condensable permeate. The condensable permeate is then contacted with a liquid stream having a liquid form of the condensable permeate, forming a condensed permeate. The condensed permeate may then be returned to the process which generated the process stream.

Abstract: A system (100) for calibrating data converters (101) includes a data converter (101) that receives an input signal and generates one or more pre-digital error correction codes from the input signal. A calibrator (150) receives the pre-digital error correction codes, formulating one or more transition voltage expressions using the pre-digital error correction codes, and compares the transition voltage expressions to one or more measured transition voltage values to generate one or more calibrated values. More specifically, the data converter (101) may be a pipelined analog-to-digital converter (101).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recycling polymeric waste products into monomers and high value forms of carbon by pyrolytic conversion using an induction coupled RF plasma heated reactor.

Abstract: An angle adjustment device comprises a support member, a plurality of holders for light emitting or receiving devices, each holder being supported by the support member for pivoting about at least one axis and an elongate spiral element which co-operates with the holders so that when the spiral element is displaced angularly about its axis relative to the support member, each holder pivots about its said at least one axis.

Abstract: An angle adjustment device comprises a support member, a plurality of holders for light emitting or receiving devices, each holder being supported by the support member for pivoting about at least one axis and an elongate spiral element which co-operates with the holders so that when the spiral element is displaced angularly about its axis relative to the support member, each holder pivots about its said at least one axis.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant, oxidation-resistant, and/or wear-resistant coatings are made of ternary ceramic compounds of the general formula (I):

Abstract: A multi-stage heating apparatus having a first stage combustion chamber, a second stage combustion chamber, a primary porous matrix chamber disposed between the first and second stage combustion chambers, a secondary porous matrix chamber, heat exchanger tubes for transfer of heat from the combustion products to a working fluid, a recirculation device for recirculating combustion products in the first and second stage combustion chambers to the root of flames therein. A mixture of fuel and primary oxidant is introduced into the first stage combustion chamber, and the products of combustion therein are conveyed to the porous matrix chamber disposed between the first and second stage combustion chambers. After undergoing intensive heat transfer in the porous matrix chamber, the cooler products of combustion flow into the second stage combustion chamber forming additional products of combustion.

Abstract: This document describes a simple modification to the traditional pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture that reduces the signal swing of the inter-stage amplifier by a factor of two. This is a significant advantage when low power supply voltages limit the output range of operational amplifies. The modification requires no additional hardware and produces no additional power consumption.