Abstract: Playing cards that include a machine-readable bar code in the form of a number of mutually parallel and juxtaposed bars, wherein the code is adapted to be read by light sensitive detectors. Each playing card includes at least one six-position binary code in which a bar is either present or absent at each of the six positions. The code includes a reference code in the form of an additional bar in at least one further position adjacent to the six-position binary code. The reference code is positioned for detection by a light sensitive detector. The binary code is intended to be read by means of the light sensitive detectors when the existence of the reference code is detected.

Abstract: A parking system in which a mobile telephone can be used to commence and terminate a parking period. A user sends at least one code to a receiving computer at the commencement and termination of a parking period via a mobile telephone system or a permanent telephone system. When a user first connects to the parking system by telephone in order to be able to park the user's vehicle within the system and to communicate parking commencement and termination times with the aid of a telephone, either a pay meter, a cash card terminal, or some corresponding device is caused to read mechanically a cash card that is owned by the user and that is accepted by the parking system as a means of payment. The data read from the cash card is stored in a database in a parking system computer, and at least one user-specific reference is entered and stored in the database and is associated with the cash card data for subsequent identification of the user and for billing the user for parking.

Abstract: A parking control system in which a user sends a code to a receiving computer via a telephone system when beginning and terminating a parking period. A vehicle reference, such as a bar code carried by the vehicle or the vehicle registration number, is used to identify the vehicle. Parking time billing is effected by a credit card number coupled to the user. When checking a parked vehicle, a car park attendant causes a control unit to read and store the vehicle reference for marked vehicles, and also to store the date and time. The control unit memory contents are transmitted to the receiving computer and are compared with vehicle parking information that was received by telephone. A parking fine is issued for parked vehicles not having properly commenced a parking period.

Abstract: A hand-carried counting device with which a counter is stepped forwards through one increment in response to the depression of a count key. The counting device is electronic and includes at least three different count keys for counting the numbers of three mutually different objects. Depressing a count key causes an electric signal to be sent to a register associated with a microprocessor, or the like, within the device. The register corresponds with the key that has been depressed. The device includes a function key which when depressed once or repeatedly causes the microprocessor to perform at least the function that causes the current count values in the various registers to be shown on a display carried by the device. At least one count key is operatively coupled with each of two count registers that are not coupled with another count key.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operability of a mechanical power transmission path between an actuator of an automated transmission and a shift element of the transmission. The selection of the gear step to be engaged takes place via a control unit, and before the selection process a matching movement in the selection direction is performed with the shift element until a reference point has been detected by the control unit.

Abstract: A device for introducing ozone uniformly into water flowing through a conduit for disinfecting the water. An ozone-contacting vessel is provided and includes a downflow tube through which water is caused to flow. The downflow tube is positioned vertically within a diffusion chamber. Within the downflow tube are a plurality of layers of transversely extending porous elements that are in communication with a source of ozone to provide a relatively uniform distribution of fine ozone bubbles over the cross-sectional area of the downflow tube. The downflow tube can be J-shaped, to convey ozonated water into downstream ozone reaction cells to permit oxidation or disinfection of the water being treated. An outlet seal plate is provided at the J-tube outlet to prevent backflow into the J-tube upon shutdown of the contactor cell containing the J-tube.

Abstract: A torque transmitting system including a torque converter or a fluid coupling. The system includes a torsional-vibration damper that is positioned within the housing of the fluid coupling and that serves to damp torsional vibrations. Several locations at which the torsional-vibration damper can be positioned are disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine having a fuel conduit carried within an outer containment member for receiving and containing leakage from the fluid conduit. The fuel conduit includes an end that carries an elongated ferrule that has a first, enlarged head end to receive a connecting nut and a second end for receiving an end of the fuel conduit and for spacing the end of the fuel conduit from the head end of the ferrule. The ferrule has a body portion intermediate the first and second ends that has a tapered outer surface so that the body portion has thicker side wall adjacent the head end than that adjacent the second end.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an aircraft gas turbine engine that includes a thrust augmentation system. An augmentor fuel pump is arranged to provide pressurized fuel to an exhaust nozzle throat area actuation system to eliminate the need for a separate hydraulic pump to provide pressurized fluid for exhaust nozzle actuation. An augmentor fuel bypass arrangement is provided to enable the augmentor fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel to the main fuel pressurizing valve and to components operated by the main fuel system in the event of failure of the main fuel pump. The augmentor fuel pump pressure and output flow are controlled as a function of thrust augmentation demand and main fuel system operation. The system provides redundancy by enabling either the main fuel system or the augmentor fuel system to maintain engine operation if one of the fuel systems fails or provides inadequate fuel flow.

Abstract: A parking control unit intended primarily for checking whether a parking fee has been paid in respect of a parked vehicle. The parking control unit is intended for use in a parking system of a kind in which the user registers an account number and the vehicle registration number at the commencement of a parking period, and again registers the account number at the end of the parking period. The account number, the registration number, the parking commencement time, and the parking termination time are stored in the memory of a central computer so that the parking time that has elapsed between the parking commencement time and the parking termination time can be billed to the account number that was registered at the commencement of the parking period.

Abstract: A flanged joint connection for connecting together by a bolted connection a pair of casing shells having connecting flanges. The connection reduces bearing stress concentrations adjacent fillets provided at the junction of the flange and the casing shell surface. A rectilinear edge portion is provided on a bolt head or a spacer, or both, to avoid point contact of the bolt head or spacer and the flange face or fillet. The rectilinear edge portion includes a convexly-curved surface that faces the fillet. The incidence of cracks between a bolt hole and the fillet, as well as the incidence of circumferential cracks between adjacent bolt holes is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle including a device for determining vehicle operational data and for determining distance traveled by the vehicle. A memory is provided for storing the operational data together with the distance traveled as paired values for subsequent diagnostic and maintenance purposes. Signals representative of engine rotational speed, transmission input rotational speed, and torque transmitted by the clutch are sensed for determining clutch performance loss values, and the performance loss values are stored in the memory as paired values along with the vehicle distance traveled.

Abstract: A container for plants in which an outer container includes an inner carrier that carries a plant. The inner carrier supports a pot or a wrapped root ball and is slidably inserted within the outer container. The outer container encloses and protects the inner carrier and the plant during shipment, and it includes an integral carrying handle to allow the container to be conveniently carried.

Abstract: A retainer for non-rotatably retaining a conduit member that extends through an opening in a casing wall. The retainer has an annular top wall that includes an inner periphery having inwardly extending projections to engage the outer surface of the conduit member. Additionally, the retainer includes a depending skirt that extends from the outer periphery of the top wall. A pair of outwardly extending straps extend from the skirt and include bolt holes for enabling the retainer to be bolted relative to the casing wall. The retainer limits axial outward movement of the conduit member and also diffuses and deflects any leakage air that passes around the conduit member to avoid impingement of the leakage air against the structural components and accessories that are positioned outside the engine casing.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing the ground underlying roadways. Cement is mixed thoroughly with a microfill agent, and optionally a water reducing agent, to obtain a highly reactive and dry cement mixture. The dry cement mixture is blended with at least one of the materials soil, clay, or stone, and sufficient water so that after compaction the blend will have a compressive strength of at least 5 MPa after 28 days. The blend is spread on the ground to a thickness of at least 15 to 30 centimeters and a roadbed is laid over the blend after the blend has cured.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir, particularly for use in an hydraulic system. The reservoir includes a container and a cover cap, and it is intended for containing an hydraulic pressure medium. A pressure equalization component is provided within the container for compensating for pressure differences between the interior of the container and the surrounding atmosphere, and a level compensation component is provided for compensating for changes in the volume of the pressure medium. The pressure equalization component is functionally separate from the level compensation component.

Abstract: A method of effecting payment with a cash card that includes an electronic purse, such as a smart card that includes a chip and with which money can be deposited in said chip. When used for payment the card is read in a pay terminal, such as a cashpoint teller or automatic teller, and the payment sum is subtracted from the amount stored in the chip. The card includes data relating to a cash card number to which the card is tied. When the card is read in the cash card reader of a pay terminal the cash card number is read and is registered to enable a cash card transaction to be carried out, and the amount available on the chip is also read and registered. The pay terminal subtracts the amount concerned from the chip only when the chip contains an amount sufficient to cover the whole of the sum concerned and remains in the cash card reader for a period of time sufficient for the transaction to be carried out. The pay terminal then erases cash card number that was registered.

Abstract: A method of cleansing nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) from waste gases, such as the waste gases or exhaust gases originating from burners and internal combustion engines. The waste gases, or exhaust gases, are passed through a catalyst for catalytic cleansing of the gases. The air-fuel ratio, or the lambda value (L), is reduced to a level below L=1. The gases are passed through a first catalyst and then through a second catalyst, to bring the CO-content of the gas in the first catalyst to a sufficiently high level and to reduce NOx to N2 to an extent such as to bring the NOx content down to a predetermined level. Sufficient oxygen (O2) is delivered to the gases at a point between the first and second catalysts to oxidize both CO and HC to CO2 and H2O to such an extent as to reduce the CO-content of the gas to a predetermined level. A gas burner to carry out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure-medium actuated clutch that includes a plurality of clutch disks and a piston slidably positioned for movement toward and away from the disk to selectively engage and to disengage the clutch. A pressure chamber is provided adjacent to the piston and communicates with a source of pressurized fluid. A pilot-pressure-operated control valve is provided to control the pressure of the pressurized fluid, and a flow constriction is provided in a conduit extending from the control valve to the pressure chamber. A method for actuating the clutch is also disclosed.