Abstract: Various processes for preparing C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described. Various processes are described for preparing C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof from feed compositions comprising glycolaldehyde. Also, various processes for preparing useful downstream products and intermediates, such as erythritol and erythronic acid, from the C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described.

Abstract: Various processes for the pyrolysis of carbohydrates to prepare products such as glycolaldehyde are described. Also, various catalysts and processes for preparing catalysts useful for carbohydrate pyrolysis are described.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for debugging heterogeneous applications in a distributed environment. In one embodiment, an architecture for debugging heterogeneous applications in a distributed environment is configured to enable both location transparency and dynamic exposure of service state. Regardless of where the physical application state resides, the architecture describes or otherwise provides a mechanism that allows seamless debugging and troubleshooting of distributed applications. The location of the state is transparent to the debugger and the application being debugged. In addition, the architecture enables an individual service to expose its state dynamically at run-time. It is possible for the service to expose its state in a self-describing fashion, allowing service state to be exposed in the architecture regardless of the service environment.

Abstract: A hand held device for examining a patient's retina. In one example, the device generates visible or non-visible illuminating beams having desired spectral content. The illuminating beams are then polarized to generate polarized light beam(s) that are directed towards the patient's retina. At the patient's eye, a portion of the polarized beam is partially reflected by the cornea and travels back to the device, and another portion of the polarized beam enters the eye through the undilated pupil, illuminates the patient's retina, and generates a reflected retinal image (generally de-polarized) which also travels back to the device. The device receives the retinal image and transmits certain portions of the retinal image on through to an image detector (i.e., CCD or CMOS); and the device deflects the received polarized corneal reflections away from the image capture device. Hence, the image capture device receives retinal images but does not receive the polarized corneal reflected light.

Abstract: The invention provides improved digital data processing systems with distributed object management for use, e.g., in process control. These systems are of the type having servers and, more particularly, object request brokers (ORB's) that route requests generated by one or more clients to implementation objects maintained by a server application. Routing is based on a binding table (or other such store) that identifies dispatching procedures, or “skeletons,” that invoke requested services on implementation objects specified in the requests. Such systems may be CORBA-compatible, though the improvements provided by o the invention are applicable to distributed object management systems having other architectures, as well. The improvements are characterized by the utilization of a single entry in the binding table (or other such store) to route requests to a plurality of different implementation objects, e.g., representing process control blocks and parameters, maintained by the server.

Abstract: An optical intensification system for viewing an input source through a telescope or camera lens or other input optical device. The system includes a housing having an input thread coupling adapted to be coupled to the input optical device, an image intensifier positioned within the housing for amplifying the input source, and a lens coupled to an output thread coupling of the housing for providing a virtual image of the input source viewable by the human eye. The image intensifier can provide luminous gain on the order of 20,000 to at least 35,000. In an alternate arrangement, the lens can be coupled to the output thread coupling of the housing using an adapter having one end adapted to be coupled to the housing, and another end adapted to be coupled to an image capturing device, such as a CCD video camera, CCD camera, film camera, digital camera, or other image capturing device.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for detecting and evaluating surface conditions on a road surface from a moving vehicle as disclosed. The system comprises a sensor means for detecting the presence of deposited material on a road surface, detecting means for determining one or more characteristics of the material such as its freezing temperature, process means for converting a detected signal and display means for displaying the condition of the road surface. A first embodiment of the invention includes a collection device for collecting a sample of the surface materials and one or more sensors to detect the freezing point of the material. A second embodiment includes a collection chamber which can be isolated and its contents frozen so that the freeze temperature may be obtained irrespective of knowing the composition of the material.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for detecting and evaluating surface conditions on a road surface from a moving vehicle as disclosed. The system comprises a sensor means for detecting the presence of deposited material on a road surface, detecting means for determining one or more characteristics of the material such as its freezing temperature, process means for converting a detected signal and display means for displaying the condition of the road surface. A first embodiment of the invention includes a collection device for collecting a sample of the surface materials and one or more sensors to detect the freezing point of the material. A second embodiment includes a collection chamber which can be isolated and its contents frozen so that the freeze temperature may be obtained irrespective of knowing the composition of the material.

Abstract: A light for mounting a high intensity linear lamp bulb includes a bulb mount assembly adaptable to various lengths of linear lamp bulb. The light includes a front and rear cover, onto which rear cover slidably mounts the bulb mount assembly. The bulb mount assembly is slidable along longitudinally extending grooves formed in said rear cover to a preselected position set by positioning means. The positioning means also slide along said grooves. The bulb mount assembly is spring biased to allow insertion of the lamp bulb.

Abstract: A motion-controlled light for movement about two independent axes is disclosed. The light includes a housing assembling having adjustably connected thereto a light assembly incorporating a high intensity arc lamp. The housing assembly is connected to a support assembly which provides for pivotal mounting of the housing assembly about the two axes. Separate fans are provided to cool the anode and the cathode of the arc lamp, providing a greater efficiency and longer life to the arc lamp.

Abstract: A light is provided which includes a first, forwardly concave reflector member, a first, forward lamp spaced ahead of the reflector member, and a second rearwardly concave reflector member spaced forward of the lamp. The rear reflector member has a generally parabolic surface and the forward member has a generally arcuate surface. When the lamp is activated, its rays generally travel forward, are reflected off the second reflector member rearward onto the first reflector member, and thence forward in a substantially parallel array to provide a spot light. A second lamp is located axially rearward of the first lamp and forward of the first reflector. When this lamp is activated, its rays travel generally laterally, strike the first reflector member, and thence are reflected forward in generally random array to provide a flood light. Means are provided to selectively activate either or both of said lamps.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a reflector and a bulb assembly which is removably mounted on the reflector by a retainer spring. The reflector includes a generally parabolic reflector wall, a cylindrical wall which extends rearwardly from the reflector wall, and a rear wall at the rear end of the cylindrical wall which extends generally perpendicularly to the axis of the reflector wall. The bulb assembly includes a bulb which extends through an opening in the rear wall of the reflector and a flange which is retained against the rear wall by a retainer spring which is removably attached to the reflector. The front end of the reflector includes a generally annular rim, and a transparent lens is retained within the rim and against an O-ring within the rim by a retainer ring which surrounds the rim.

Abstract: A light is provided which includes a first, forwardly concave reflector member, a first, forward lamp spaced ahead of the reflector member, and a second rearwardly concave reflector member spaced forward of the lamp. The rear reflector member has a generally parabolic surface and the forward member has a generally arcuate surface. When the lamp is activated, its rays generally travel forward, are reflected off the second reflector member rearward onto the first reflector member, and then forward in a substantially parallel array to provide a spot light. A second lamp is located axially rearward of the first lamp and forward of the first reflector. When this lamp is activated, its rays travel generally laterally, strike the first reflector member, and then are reflected forward in generally random array to provide a flood light. Means are provided to selectively activate either or both of said lamps.

Abstract: A portable light including at least one lamp bulb, a battery and a control circuit for conducting electrical current from the battery to the lamp bulb comprising in combination:an airflow passageway in which said battery, said control circuit, and said lamp bulb are serially mounted, said airflow passage defined at one end by an inlet in airflow communication with the atmosphere and defined at another end by an outlet in airflow communication with the atmosphere, and means for moving air between the inlet and outlet along said air passageway mounted in said air passageway and actuated by said control circuit.

Abstract: A lamp bulb mount for axially mounting two lamp bulbs into a light for selective operation in relation to a combination flood and spot light is disclosed. The mount includes a forward base and a rearward base selectively connectable to each other. The forward base is conformable to a reflector member of the light and has an opening formed therein which receives the lamp bulbs supported by the rear base. Interconnection of the forward and rearward base and placement of the forward base against the reflector member projects the light bulbs through the reflector member in a predetermined relationship. A socket of each base of the mount is convertible between flanged lamp bulbs and twin pin lamp bulbs through alternative spring mountings. A carrying case for the mount includes a fan adapted to maintain air flow throughout the light, cooling the battery, control circuitry and lamp bulbs.

Abstract: The subject invention involves a device which may be referred to as a sampler for obtaining a sample of molten material from a supply thereof and an aspirator apparatus or air pressure system which is adapted for detachable operative connection with the device in a manner to provide a vacuum whereby to induce, promote or cause the molten material to expeditiously flow into and substantially completely fill a chamber or chambers constituting the receiving means of the device to obtain a well formed sample or samples for analysis.

Abstract: The subject invention or inventions involves providing a device which serves to substantially retard or prevent the flow of slag through a taphole of a furnace or other vessel containing molten steel, thereby improving the quality or grade of the metal. The device comprises a plug which is of such a character that when inserted in a taphole and the furnace is tilted the taphole will move to a position below the level of the layer of slag until the plug is disintegrated or destroyed by the metal to automatically allow substantially only the latter to enter and flow through the taphole or passage.

Abstract: The invention or inventions are directed to devices for obtaining samples of an extremely hot liquid, such as a molten material or metal from a supply thereof for analysis.More particularly the invention or inventions involve what may be termed sections, components or members which are so designed and constructed that they can be readily superimposed in different relationships to provide various forms of subassemblies of devices for receiving samples of an extremely hot liquid such as, for example, molten material or metal.

Abstract: The invention involves a tube for use with a device for obtaining a sample of molten material and providing the tube with a notched entrance or receiving structure whereby to facilitate or promote the inflow of such a material through the tube and into such a device. In this regard, reference is hereby made to my copending application Ser. No. 075, 941 filed Sept. 17, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,902.