Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for managing and combining layers in a multi-layer bitstream of data encoded predictively and scalably by encoding data in one layer of the bitstream in with reference to data in at least one other layer of the bitstream.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a front end of a vehicle to provide lateral flex for absorption of lateral forces. The suspension assembly comprises a steering shaft including two ends: an end coupled to an upper triple clamp and another end coupled to a lower triple clamp. A spring unit couples one of the two ends of the steering shaft to the associated triple clamp and absorbs forces that are transferred from a road surface up through a front wheel and the pair of forks retained by the upper and lower triple clamps. A pivot mechanism couples the other triple clamp to the other one of the two ends of the steering shaft and creates a pivoting axis. The suspension assembly permits the front end to pivot about the pivoting axis and causes the spring unit to flex laterally in response to bumps in the road surface.

Abstract: An adjustable, foldable support leg for a bass drum has a cylindrical leg member movable longitudinally within a tubular leg member. A threaded portion of the tubular member includes apertures in which ball bearings are located. The bearings are retained in the apertures by an annular locking collar which is also threaded to allow the collar to move longitudinally on the tubular member as the collar is turned. The locking collar has an interior frustoconical surface. When the collar moves downwardly on the tubular member, this surface presses the ball bearings against the cylindrical member, locking the leg members in place. A mounting bracket includes a pin about which the folding leg pivots and a channel which receives the inner end of the leg. The leg is biased against the floor of the channel which includes detents to receive the end of the leg in the folded and extended positions.

Abstract: A red-eye reduction technique includes converting a multi-channel image to a hue, saturation, value color space. The hue channel, the saturation channel, and the value channel are processed to identify the location of the red-eye within the image, if any.

Abstract: A valve arrangement includes a valve member, which rotates continuously in one sense. The generally cylindrical head of the valve member, within the housing, is formed to co-operate with various ports to create reciprocation in the actuator. It is preferred to provide some vibration of the valve member, to assist in overcoming the effects of friction.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymeric material comprises reacting a first reactant with a second reactant. The first reactant comprises anhydrous phosphorous pentoxide and the second reactant comprises an alcohol. A method for producing a polymeric salt material comprises reacting a first reactant comprising an amine with a second reactant comprising a phosphate ester.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for surround-specific display modeling in which the brightness of a display is varied based on a perceptual brightness model that is expressed as a function of the illumination level that surrounds a display as it is being perceived by a viewer.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing one or more of the user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators, wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.

Abstract: Improvements in integral carriers for carrying multiple containers by their necks are disclosed, the improvements comprising annular neck-engaging structures having circumferential ribs oriented on an inward bias forming an angle relative to horizontal from about 45° to about 65° that permits nesting of the carriers, and a centrally disposed longitudinal handle with an attachment configuration that promotes a balanced distribution of weight for ease in carrying and handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed includes a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a mechanism for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel. The oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism includes one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas in a downward flow into the vessel within a range of plus or minus 40° to the vertical.

Abstract: This application relates to a process for controllably placing two or more microspots on a target substrate in close proximity to one another. The microspots may then be simultaneously irradiated and the resulting ions detected by mass spectrometry, such as time of flight mass spectrometry. In one embodiment the size and spacing of the microspots on the substrate may be controlled by using an electrodynamic balance during the deposition step. The deposition procedure ensures that at least some of the microspots are spaced-apart on the substrate a distance less than the focused output of a single laser. Simultaneous irradiation of the adjacent microspots may cause desorption plumes of the microspots to interact in a gas phase, such as by ion-molecule reactions. The microspots may be configured to improve the ionization yield of the sample material in the gas phase and/or to increase the frequency of ion-molecule collisions in the gas phase.

Abstract: A demountable pellet is disclosed for use as an electrode contact assembly. The pellet comprises a base 1 upon which is mounted a plurality of electrodes 18, 19, 20 arranged in respective spaced parallel planes and having respective contacts 23, 24, 25 protruding from them. A closure 2 for the base 1 has a member 11, 12, 13 engaging at least one of the electrode contacts. In an unassembled condition of the pellet, with the closure 2 separate from the base 1 and each closure member disengaged from its respective electrode contact, the contacts 23, 24, 25 lie in respective spaced parallel planes. In the assembled condition of the pellet with each closure member engaging its respective electrode contact, at least one of the contacts 23, 24, 25 lies in a plane other than that in which it lay in the unassembled condition of the pellet.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic coupling is described for use in an engine having a camshaft, a hydraulic phaser for driving the camshaft, and an oil feed manifold secured to the body of the engine and incorporating oil galleries for supplying oil to the phaser. The rotary coupling, which serves to connect the oil galleries of the oil feed manifold to rotating oil ducts which lead to hydraulic working chambers within the phaser, comprises a cylindrical first element rotatably received within and sealed relative to an annular second element, each of the first and second elements having bores that communicate with annular grooves in a mating surface of at least one of the two elements to establish fluid flow communication between the bores in the two elements, the bores in the first element being connected to axially extending oil passages formed within the first element.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided for obtaining a filtered liquid sample from slurry, such as a liquid process stream that contains liquid, dissolved matter and solids. A housing defines a cavity. A rod is arranged in the cavity and supports a filter. A cartridge comprises the filter, and is arranged between the housing and the rod. Furthermore, there is a helicoidal passage for a slurry defined by the housing and the cartridge. There is also a cavity defined by the rod and the cartridge. The slurry has velocity that generates scouring and cleaning action on the filter media thus preventing cake formation on the filter. The filtering apparatus of the present invention provides reliable and continuous on-line sample delivery for an analyzer.

Abstract: A set of extruded panels is provided for constructing a form-work for concrete. The set includes a plurality of first, second and connecting wall panels. The first wall panels are arranged edge to edge to form a first wall. The second wall panels are arranged edge to edge to form a second wall generally parallel to the first wall. The connecting wall panels are arranged to span transversely between the first and second walls. Each first wall panel incorporates an outer wall extending between first and second edges of the first wall panel, and an inner wall extending between first and second edges of the first wall panel, the inner wall spaced transversely from the outer wall and located relatively more proximate to the second wall panel. Each first wall panel incorporates a plurality of support walls extending transversely between the outer and inner walls.

Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of copper-bearing materials, such as copper concentrates, so that the impurities and gangue minerals in the materials, such as silicates, are in effect removed completely.

Abstract: Sulphidic zinc concentrate usually also includes small amounts of rare metals such as indium and gallium. If the content of these metals in the raw material is sufficiently high, their recovery may be economically worthwhile. In the method according to the invention the recovery of indium and other desirable rare metals takes place in a zinc leaching process, in which at least part of the sulphidic concentrate is leached directly without roasting.

Abstract: A protection device for monitoring current in a power cable to an electrical device and for controlling a remotely located starter for the electrical device in response to a system controller. The device includes a transformer magnetically linked with the power cable to produce a voltage signal in response to the presence of a changing current within the power cable. An input circuit located in a single housing together with the transformer is electrically connected to the transformer so as to receive the voltage signal. The input circuit produces, in response to the voltage signal, either a first signal or a first circuit condition at the output terminal of the input circuit, representative of the changing current in the power cable. A switch circuit also in the same container with the transformer has a terminal for sensing either a second signal or a second circuit condition of the remotely located system controller.

Abstract: A head brace and a method for attaching a stub sill to a tank of a railroad tank car by the use of such a head brace. A stub sill includes side plates having ears that extend upward to support the tank near where the head of the tank is attached, and a head brace is welded to the side plates and to the head of the tank in a weld joint that can be continuous along the head brace from the ears of the side plate to the center of the head brace. Doublers may be provided on the sill where the head brace is welded to the side plates.