Abstract: An apparatus for isolating and/or testing a section of a pipe includes a generally annular body having, on each end, a boss. A resilient member such as an O-ring is provided between the annular body and each boss. A series of electromagnets are provided for forcing or urging the bosses towards each other thereby resulting in deformation of the resilient members resulting in a seal being formed between the apparatus and the pipe. A method for isolating and/or testing a pipe segment is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a section of a pipe interior includes a clamp having a magnetic engagement means for axially positioning the clamp within the interior of a pipe and preventing relative axial movement there-between and a sealing plate securable thereto. Movement of the sealing plate against the clamp results in deformation of a resilient sealing member thereby forming a seal between the apparatus and the pipe. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with another oppositely oriented apparatus or other sealing means to form a sealed space within the tube. Pressurization of the sealed space allows for a radial and/or axial force being applied to the sealed section of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of computing an exponent of a message m in an RSA cryptosystem having a private key d, a public key e and system parameters p, q where p and q are primes and ed=1 mod (p?1) (q?1). The method comprises the steps of obtaining a value r, and exponentiating the value r to the power e to obtain an exponent re mod p, combining said exponent re with the message m to obtain a combined value re m and mod p; selecting a value s and obtaining a difference (d?s), exponentiating the combined value with said difference to obtain an intermediate exponent (rem)d?s, multiplying the intermediate exponent by a value ms to obtain a resultant value equivalent to r1?es md and multiplying the resultant value by a value corresponding to r1?es to obtain an exponent corresponding to md mod p.

Abstract: An antenna includes a substrate having a pair of oppositely directed surfaces. A source plane conductor is located on one of the surfaces and has a signal line connected thereto. A ground plane conductor is located on another of the surfaces. Each of the conductors has a slot extending therethrough with the slots sized and positioned relative to one another to inhibit the intensity of radiation emanating from the ground plane.

Abstract: A system and method of translating an abstract notation of an application to a series of sub-applications representing a central application. Also described is a multi-tier application system for generating the central application for deployment on a predetermined combination of selected components. The system comprises an abstract notation description file to contain data for the central application. The system also has an application editor for entering a selected set of input parameters to provide the data, and an application generator for transforming the data from the abstract notation to a selected platform notation corresponding to the selected components. The selected notation is contained in the central application, wherein the deployment of the central application monitors the communication of component data between the selected components. The sub-application can be generated for a variety of computer platforms or languages for deployment on an n-tier system, as directed by the intended components.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising in one embodiment an Internet site configured to enable participants to submit content, such as jokes, and view the submissions of others. The site also enables participants to cast a vote for the best content, e.g., the best joke, with each visit. The votes are redeemable for cash or free access to the site. The payout to participants is preferably funded by charging a fee for accessing the site. This permits participants to be rewarded for the quality of their submissions as judged by others. In another embodiment the Internet site hosts a game, such as a video game. The highest scores are tracked and expert players are identified. The system enables novice players who wish to expand their knowledge of the game to view the play of more skilled players, who receive a portion of the access fees paid by all players. This enables players to be rewarded for their skill.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for coronary surgery of a patient comprising contacting means being capable of providing a mechanical force against at least a portion of the patient's coronary organs according to its positioning with regard to said organs, positioning means to set said contacting means in a given substantially stable spatial position and orientation within a given volume, said contacting means being pivotally connected to a sternum retractor via said positioning means. The surgical apparatus according to the invention allows to perform coronary artery revascularization without the need for extra-corporeal circulation.

Abstract: A printed antenna structure for transmission of radio frequency energy in the gigahertz range that provides good dispersion characteristics and a relatively wide bandwidth using a thin substrate material. The antenna includes a thin printed circuit board having top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface features an electrically conductive ground plane layer. The top surface features a microstrip feed line structure which is connected to a radiating element. The microstrip feedline extends over the ground plane but the radiating element does not. The radiating element has a main V-shaped segment for coupling radio energy over a wide spatial region, and a tuning stub is sequentially connected to the V-shaped segment. Overall, the printed antenna has an overall shape which resembles a hook in oder to minimize the space occupied on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A spray nozzle actuator has a fitment for placement on the ring fitting of a spray can, an hinge or resilient portion, a nozzle pressing portion, and an handle portion extending forwardly of, and along the can. The handle is shaped to avoid obstruction of the spray nozzle, such as by having a large aperture through which a cone of spray may flow with little or no impingement. An operator can hold the spray can in the palm of one hand and reach forward with their fingers to grasp the handle. A generally rearward pull on the handle causes the spray can nozzle to move, releasing the spray.

Abstract: There is disclosed a workhead for timber processing, the workhead having a main body and a jaw assembly for grappling timber. The jaw assembly includes first and second cooperating pairs of jaw arms that are pivotally mounted to the main body. The first of the cooperating pairs of jaw arms provides cutting blades for delimbing. The workhead further includes a feed roller assembly for translating a felled tree through the cutting blades. First and second feed rollers of the feed roller assembly are associated with the jaw arms of the second cooperating pair of arms of the jaw assembly. A third feed roller is provided on the main body for pivotal movement relative to the main body. The feed rollers also effect compression debarking of the felled tree as it is translated through the cutting blades. Each roller has projecting engaging bars which extend in a generally helical configuration along the outer surface of the roller and between its opposed terminal ends.

Abstract: There is disclosed a workhead for timber processing, the workhead having a main body and a jaw assembly for grappling timber. The jaw assembly includes first and second cooperating pairs of jaw arms that are pivotally mounted to the main body. The first of the cooperating pairs of jaw arms provides cutting blades for delimbing. The workhead further includes a feed roller assembly for translating a felled tree through the cutting blades. First and second feed rollers of the feed roller assembly are associated with the jaw arms of the second cooperating pair of arms of the jaw assembly. A third feed roller is provided on the main body for pivotal movement relative to the main body. The feed rollers also effect compression debarking of the felled tree as it is translated through the cutting blades. Each roller has projecting engaging bars which extend in a generally helical configuration along the outer surface of the roller and between its opposed terminal ends.

Abstract: A truss for use as support for a sloped roof of a building. The truss can be a collapsible metal truss. A method for assembling the truss is described. Each of the of the rafter and beam can include a metal chord all which chords lie in a first plane. Each of struts can include a metal chord located in a second plane parallel to the first plane. There are pivotal connections between various members. The chords of the truss can be moved into a collapsed position for storage and transport of the truss. The chords can be hollow tubes of generally rectangular cross section. The pivotal connections can be nut and bolt connections. The rafter and beam chords can be connected at an eave end to each other by a metal member, and the truss can include an eave extension member.

Abstract: A composite power supply comprises a master ZVS power supply and a slave ZVS power supply. Using a phase lock loop circuit, the composite power supply detects a phase relationship between switching of the first switch and switching of the second switch, and adjusts timing of switching of the second switch if the first switch and the second switch are not being switched at a predetermined phase relationship with each other. The outputs of the two power supplies are connected together. Thus, the master power supply contributes approximately half the output power and precision control on the output/load voltage while the slave power supply contributes approximately half the output power.

Abstract: A self-jigging web for fastening two steel chords together to form a beam. There are different sizes of webs for assembly of beams of different depths. A web has several holes for locating screws for fastening the web to a pair of chords parallel to each other. Chords having the same outer cross-section but of different steel gauges are used to obtain beams of different strengths. Assembled beams are used in a frame of a building structure such as a wall, floor or ceiling. A system is provided such that a building designer, given the wind bearing (bending) and axial loads required to be borne by the structure, can determine beam spacing and beam depth required for the structure to bear the loads. Beams are then assembled to meet the determined requirements according to a standard set of instructions which detail the chord steel gauge, size of web, number and spacing of webs lengthwise along a beam, and a number and placement of screws for fastening each web to a pair of chords.

Abstract: A transformer comprises a ferrite core and a printed circuit board for primary and/or secondary windings. The ferrite core comprises first and second trunk portions parallel with each other and first and second leg portions parallel with each other. The trunks and first and second leg portions are positioned into a rectangular configuration. The core also comprises a third leg portion parallel to the first and second leg portions and interposed midway between the trunk portions. A cross-sectional area of the first and second leg portions is approximately the same as each other, approximately one half the cross-sectional area of the third leg portion, less than the cross-sectional area of the first trunk portion and less than the cross-sectional area of the second trunk portion.

Abstract: A toy doll with lips that move as speech sounds are produced from a speaker. Pressing a button on the body of the doll activates an integrated circuit that sends voice signals to the speaker, which transmits the sounds. This in turn actuates a switch, causing a motor to run. The drive shaft of the motor rotates, causing a series of meshing gears to turn. The axle of a gear in the series that passes through the eccentric bore of an internal cam causes the cam to move so that it forces an L-shaped cam follower to rock back and forth about a pivot point. The rotatable pivot rod is supported by the rigid torso of the doll, and one end of the cam follower is attached to the interior of the doll's flexible face at a point connecting the two lips. The rocking of the cam follower causes the lips to close and open in a simulation of talking. The motor only runs, and consequently the lips only move, at the same time that simulated speech is transmitted from the speaker.

Abstract: A device to produce a high capacity, low velocity, non-aspirating, semi-cylindrical air pattern, to be mounted in a ceiling. The device has a box-shaped backpan connected to a ceiling air duct and a flow directing assembly attached to the backpan and hanging below the ceiling. The flow directing component has a perforated face panel made up of flat surfaces in horizontal and angular planes, forming a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. Inside the face panel are four vanes that span its length, for controlling the direction of air flow. The flow directing assembly can swing away from the ceiling by a hinge along one side, or can be removed entirely using quick release means.

Abstract: Vuilleumier type heat pumps and other thermal regenerative devices of the same type are improved by the provision of agitation and circulation of the working fluid within the working spaces for greater efficiency of heat exchange to/from these spaces. The circulation may be by means of fans, with electric motors, jet circulators, controlled direct exit of the working fluid from displacers, rotor blades located on a shaft operated from outside the device and other suitable means. The device may be single- or multi-unit. It may provide power to drive itself and/or for other uses.