Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plasma torch capable of an output speed of at least 100 m/s, a fine powder distributor, and a substrate holder which can be heated electrically and cooled by water, which is at an adjustable distance from the torch, and which is movable in two transverse directions at adjustable speeds. The method consists in starting from ceramic having a low roughness CLA and from powder having a narrow granulometric distribution over an average value of at most 10 .mu.m, and projecting the melted powder onto the substrates kept at a regulated temperature and subjected to the said transverse movements.

Abstract: A time division digital switching network comprises first multiplexing means in which first-order digital data channels transmitting words consisting of a given number of bits and having first rates which are different from but multiples of one another undergo a first multiplexing converting them into a second-order digital data channels having a second predetermined rate. Thereafter there are provided second multiplexing means in which the second-order digital channels undergo a second multiplexing converting them into third-order digital data channels having a third predetermined rate. In a digital switching unit having at least one buffer store, the first-order-channel words multiplexed into the third-order channels are grouped at an address whose first part depends upon the second-order channel they occupy in the third-order channel and whose second part depends upon the first-order channel they occupy in the second-order channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transmission of visual information, comprising: a longitudinal row of spaced apart pictures, each picture containing separated animated figures in a frame depicting separated illuminated phases of a movement of the animated figures along a vehicle pathway, and a stroboscopic illumination means mounted in a fixed relation to the frame to sequentially illuminate each picture, variable control switch means energizes the stroboscopic illumination means to turn on illumination independently of moving in the vehicle along the vehicle pathway, and is adjustable for flashing periodically on and off at a rate between about 80 cycles per second and 100 cycles per second, the light pulses which illuminate each picture having a duration which is approximately a tenth of the viewing period for the selected picture of the moving viewer in said vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit sensitive to the ratio of the values of two voltages of fixed polarities and possibly variable magnitudes, including two identical voltage dividers respectively fed from one and the other of said voltages and a third divider fed from a constant amplitude alternative voltage source. Each divider consists of a constant resistance and of a variable voltage sensitive resistance. The relative positions of the constant and variable resistances are the same in the two first dividers and are reversed in the third one; the latter is biassed by a voltage derived from at least one of the voltages to be compared. From the voltages received at the mid-points of the two first dividers, a resulting voltage is derived, the value of which has a simple relation to the ratio of the compared voltages.

Abstract: An electrical connector device comprising a number of H-shaped electrical conductor connecting elements each having four equipotential connection arms so as to embody two rows of connecting pins disposed parallel to one another and perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis. The connecting elements are secured to a solid insulating member in which their central parts are embedded.

Abstract: A carrier bead is disclosed having a core and at least an outer coating of polytetrafluoroethylene or fluorinated ethylene propylene. Use of these fluoropolymers as carrier coatings results in extremely long carrier life and overcomes problems that have heretofore plagued the commercialization of a magnetic brush development system for a plain paper electrostatic copying apparatus.

Abstract: Improvement to video-telephone systems allowing a called subscriber to have at his disposal on his television receiver screen, before he takes off his handset, information about the person who has initiated the call. Each subscriber station has a handset, a television camera, a television receiver and a character generator and is connected to a switching network by a telephone line, an incoming video line and an outgoing video line. Means are provided in the calling station for connecting to the outgoing video line the character generator when the calling subscriber takes down the handset and the television camera when video signals are detected on the incoming video line and in the called station for supplying with current the television receiver when ringing tone signals are detected on the telephone line.

Abstract: An arrangement of modular elements comprising a balance beam having a narrow top rail and trapezoidal base with steep sides giving the illusion of shallowness adapted by connecting means to be used together with one or more cylindrical pedestals each having a well and a recessed disc seated in said well which serves to carry a message and acts as the target or destination of a child walking the rail along a roughened strip longitudinally extending the length thereof, the child sensing the strip by the sense of touch through the bottom of his feet.

Abstract: A mobile storage and transport unit for use in a shelf storage system. Each unit comprises a first part consisting of a four sided frame in which rollers are housed with their axes of rotation above the frame and a second part which is adapted for receiving and carrying the goods to be stored and is detachably supported on the first part. The frame of the first part comprises two profile cross members, each of them being equipped with a first, protruding member extending towards the outside of the frame in a direction parallel to the frame, and with a second protruding member arranged on the opposite side of said first member on said profile member and extending upwardly inclined towards the inside of the frame.

Abstract: A sound pick-up and reproducing system, comprising a first and a second pair of directional microphones respectively disposed at a first and a second given distance from the sonic scene to be transmitted, said second distance being greater than said first distance, said four microphones being closely coupled; the system is characterized in that the spacing between the microphones of the second pair is substantially less than that between the microphones of the first pair, and in that the angular divergence between the sound pick-up axes of the second pair is substantially less than the angular divergence between the sound pick-up axes of the first pair of microphones.

Abstract: A process for preparing fusible, crosslinkable resinous intermediates of polyaddition and polycondensation resins consisting essentially of continuously proportioning and feeding a resin precursor composition in solid and liquid form, in a mixing and kneading machine, intensively mixing the resin precursor composition in both the longitudinal and transversal directions and simultaneously heating said composition, thereby plasticizing and homogenizing the same below the temperature of cross-linking and hardening and at a temperature of 50.degree.-90.degree. C during a brief average dwell time in the mixing chamber of said machine which will prevent excessive stiffening of the mixture in the form of a pasty mass to thereby plug the machine, continuously expelling the plasticized intermediate resin mix at a temperature of 50.degree. to 90.degree. C in the form of a pasty mass through a hollow die with twin conical outlet heated to a temperature of not more than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for welding of steel pipe to a pressure vessel comprising the steps of cutting an opening in the wall of the pressure vessel, joining a connection member which consists of a thickened rim or lenticularly shaped disc, aligning the disc with a bore at a right angle to a tangential plane of the outer surface of the connection member, and welding in two specific areas whereby said first weld at the rim of said forged disc to the wall of said pressure vessel has greater strength against notch breaking at the thicker portion and the second welding at the opening of the wall of said pressure vessel provides a smooth transition.