Abstract: A two-part vessel for use in oil transport in waters where ice may occur, comprising a first part constituting a barge part having a bow portion and a stern portion and containing a number of loading tanks, the bow portion having a submerged receiving space for a mooring and loading buoy, and a second part constituting a propulsion part having a forward portion and a stern portion which is adapted for breaking ice, the forward portion having a forward end which is adapted for connection to the stern portion of the barge part.

Abstract: Known designs of single-thread screw rotors in single-piece cast iron constructions having wrap angles of >720 degrees with balancing cavities on the face of the screw operate with no unbalance at average rotary frequencies of (.about.3000 min.sup.-1). The use of a pump in processes having sensitive purity and maintenance requirements or working with corrosive substances or where limited space is available and quality is demanded, brings about problems for rotor designing and balancing, which the present invention solves. An uneven mass distribution is accomplished by constructing the rotors with several single parts inside the rotor, by forming cavities and/or by choosing the adequate material, which, combined with the screw length/pitch ratio, cause a static and dynamic balancing. Screw rotors designed as described offer several advantages since they are easy to assemble and have a compact and stable construction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for circulating fluid in a borehole is described. The apparatus comprises a tubular assembly (1; 40; 60) which has an axial through passage (21, 18; 47; 19) between a fluid inlet (21) and first fluid outlet (19). The fluid inlet (21) and the first fluid outlet (19) are connected (13, 20) in a work string which is supported from the surface above the borehole. There is a second outlet (16; 42, 48) which extends generally transversely of the assembly (1; 40; 60). An obturating member (9) is moveable between a first position in which the second fluid outlet (16; 42, 48) is closed and a second position which permits fluid flow through the second outlet (16; 42, 48). An engagement mechanism (12, 6, 7; 68, 69) is moveable between an engaged configuration in which the obturating member (9) is maintained in one of the first and second positions, and a disengaged configuration in which the obturating member (9) is in the other of the first and second positions.

Abstract: The measuring instrument comprises a retaining fixture adapted to hold an object to be measured in a center plane of the measuring instrument, defined by a guide, in such a position that a dimension of interest will extend parallel to the guide. A carriage supporting a transmitter and a receiver, respectively, at either side of the center plane for an energy beam focused on the center plane is movable along the guide. A distance measuring device provided to measure movements of the carriage along the guide comprises a rule member which is disposed in the center plane. The dimension of interest is determined based on positions of the carriage at which the energy beam, first received by the receiver, is interrupted by the object to be measured and then again received.

Abstract: A generator transfer function regulator incorporating two control loops. The first control loop produces a first generator excitation control signal (U) which varies to compensate for variations in the magnitude of the generator output voltage (V.sub.1) . The second generator loop produces a second generator excitation control signal (U.sub.e) which varies so as to maintain substantially constant the response of the generator system to variations in the generator output. The two control signals are combined and applied to a conventional generator exciter circuit (2). As a result, the generator terminal voltage (V.sub.1) control performance achieved by the AVR under open circuit conditions is effectively maintained when the generator is loaded over its range of operation, irrespective of the power system which the generator feeds.

Abstract: In known embodiments, media are fed in a contact-free manner in propeller pumps by single-thread twin feed screws which are guided via pilot gears, the twin feed screws having the same transverse profile with a core circle, tip circle, an involute flank and a hollow flank, enabling the pump chamber to be divided into axially staggered cells and this obtain high pressure differences in one stage. In addition to dynamics, efficiency and production, the control of the medium is also determined by the contour of the end profile, the variation of which improves all the dependent variables. According to the invention, the involute is replaced by a curve which does not rise constantly and has a central saddle region and a smooth connection to the core circle. The variations in the end face achieved thereby improve the dynamics and volumetric efficiency and extend the possibilities for controlling medium at the end face.

Abstract: A disc cartridge having a casing designed to accommodate the disc and to allow the read-out and/or the recording of information while the disc is housed in the casing. The recording discs concerned may be of the type generally designated as "compact disc" or "CD", and more particularly information carrying discs called "CD ROM", although the invention is not limited to this type of disc.

Abstract: A material separating apparatus which is particularly suitable for sorting different forms of waste material including a carrier, generally a table (1) having a surface (10) onto which material can be deposited; and a drive element (3) for providing the carrier surface with a reciprocating motion in the plane of the carrier surface; the drive element being arranged to provide, in use, an abrupt change of direction of the carrier surface at each end of its travel to provide a motion to cause different components of the material to be separated in consequence of obtaining different velocities in dependence on their physical properties, and the table surface having different sloping zones for channeling out different materials. The drive element uses an offset crank linkage which collapses at the end of travel in each direction enabling the inertia of the table to continue until it hits a stop and is then drawn back in the reverse direction by the linkage.

Abstract: A pivot body (22) mounted on a machine bed (20) so as to be capable of swinging defines a lift axis (D) which extends transversely of its own pivot axis (A) and along which a reciprocating slide (24) is movable. Infeed of a saddle (26) on the reciprocating slide (24) can be effected along a spindle axis (E) transversely of the lift axis (D). A tool spindle (28) adapted to receive a tool (30) is supported on the saddle (26) so as to be driven in rotation about the spindle axis (E). Furthermore, a workpiece slide (42) is guided for traversing movement on the machine bed (20) and, together with a workpiece support (44), it defines a central plane (G) extending at right angles to the pivot axis (A). An advance finger (58) is adapted to be engaged intermittently with a respective one of the cutting teeth (12) of a workpiece (10) in order to advance the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medical syringe comprising a tubular body, in which slides a plunger comprising an opening, the plunger comprising a sealing piece, movable in the plunger and which closes the opening of the syringe before it is used. The assembly is arranged such that, after the syringe has been used, the sealing piece no longer closes the opening permanently, so that the syringe cannot be used again. All the parts of the syringe are designed for being produced by moulding and automatically mounted in series by axial jointing.

Abstract: A plurality of series-connected elements are arranged, as parallel elongated stripes, on a common electrically insulating transparent substrate (1). Each element comprises a photoanode (4), a porous counterelectrode or cathode (6) and an intermediate electrically insulating porous layer (5) separating the photoanode (4) from the cathode (6). The pores of the intermediate layer (5), the photoanode (4) and the cathode (6) are at least partially filled with an electron transferring electrolyte. An intermediate layer (2) of a transparent electrically conducting material is interposed between the substrate (1) and each photoanode (4). The cathode (6) of the first photovoltaic element of the series is electrically connected with a first terminal (9) of the battery. The cathode (6) of each following element is connected with the intermediate conducting layer (2) of the preceding element, over a gap (3) separating the respective intermediate layers (2) of these two elements.

Abstract: Compositions and processes are disclosed for treating fresh-cut apple pieces by dipping cut apple pieces in an aqueous solution containing GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) substances that protect the cut apple pieces from deterioration due to increased enzymatic activity, oxidative reactions, water migration and microbial effects during the extended shelf life of the fresh-cut apples pieces. The composition consists principally of L-cysteine, sorbitol and calcium chloride. A chelator such as sodium hexametaphosphate can be added to enhance the affiance of the agent. A synergistic effect is observed when apple pieces are packaged in a film that will equilibrate to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the range of 0.5-5.0% and 7.0-37.0%, respectively.

Abstract: A plasma stream generator with a closed-configuration arc for achieving a stream comprising a central area at a uniform or very low temperature. The generator comprises a higher or even much higher number of electrode pairs than is usual, whereby rows may be formed and, in particular, an elongate stream, i.e. a curtain, may be achieved. The orientation problems resulting from the closeness of the jets and the increased attraction/repulsion therebetween are solved by means of magnetic devices (coils) of which there are generally three for a pair of electrode chambers.

Abstract: A floor frame assembly for facilitating the construction of buildings including mobile homes and modular homes. The floor frame assembly includes longitudinally extending structural support beams which are arranged side by side. The structural support beams are rigidly connected by a plurality of cross members extending therebetween. A plurality of one-piece outriggers are separately secured to the longitudinal beams and transversely extend laterally outward therefrom. The outriggers are substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: Container for liquids, particularly for wine and spirits, characterized in that it has essentially a rectangular parallelepipedic or cubic shape and comprises six panels forming the faces of the container, i.e. a bottom panel, a top panel, a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, the top panel having at the proximity of its front edge and substantially in the middle between the side panels a filling hole; the internal surface of the top panel forms with respect to a horizontal plane three corners, that is a first prismatic corner presenting a planar surface which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane downwardly from the front panel towards the rear panel, and two side corners presenting each a planar surface which is inclined towards said inclined surface of the first corner from a point of the interior ridge formed by a corresponding side panel and the front panel up to the vicinity of the filling hole.