Abstract: A method of detecting an error in a measurement cycle. The method includes wirelessly transmitting a sequence of electrical signals sweeping through a predetermined frequency band from a transmitter to the receiver of an electric evaluation circuit of household appliance controller. The levels of the signals are measured, and a parameter is calculated from the signal levels in the evaluation circuit. The parameter is compared to an upper and lower limit, and the quality of the measurement cycle is determined as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for reducing digital data of an electro magnetic acoustic transducer pig that travels through a pipeline so as to detect defects by measuring an analog ultrasonic echo includes determining a size of a defect and determining a background noise at the defect. The size of the defect is determined by selecting peak values of the digital data based on a plurality of amplitude/transit time vectors indicating maxima of an ultrasound envelope, each vector being determined by three amplitude/transit time pairs. The ultrasound envelope is generated by determining a width of a respective vector ultrasound envelope for each vector. The background noise at the defect is determined by summing peak values of the digital data in time intervals so as to form an interval-specific summation value.

Abstract: A method for automatically indicating status information of a measuring system via an output device includes assigning status information to respective status ranges according to at least one predetermined condition, the status ranges being limited by at least one threshold value. The status ranges are individually outputted. The status information is automatically updated at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A regulator is provided. The regulator includes a main switch, a synchronous switch, an inductor, a sample-and-hold circuit, a ramp generator, a PWM comparator, an error amplifier, and a current sense amplifier. A current through the synchronous switch is sensed by the current sense amplifier. Also, a current sense voltage provided by the current sense amplifier is sampled when the synchronous switch is on, and held when the synchronous switch is off. The ramp generator is arranged to generate a voltage ramp that emulates the slope of the inductor current while the synchronous switch is open. Additionally, the sampled synchronous switch current is combined with the voltage ramp. The PWM comparator is arranged to provide a PWM signal by comparing the voltage ramp to a comparison signal provided by the error amplifier.

Abstract: Two types of solar cell modules having an equal output voltage and different sizes are used, and a plurality of solar cell modules of these two types are installed so that they are connected in parallel. The size of a solar cell module having two solar cell sub-modules is two times larger than the size of a solar cell module including one solar cell sub-module. By connecting two power generating regions of each of the solar cell sub-modules of the former solar cell module in parallel, connecting adjacent two solar cell sub-modules in series and connecting two power generating regions of the solar cell sub-module of the latter solar cell module in series, an equal output voltage is obtained from both of the solar cell modules.

Abstract: Provided is an absorbent pad for being used with a sanitary tampon, which includes a pad body having liquid absorbency. The pad body has front and rear faces, and a string receiving portion. The string receiving portion passes through from the front face to the rear face so that a string extending from the tampon can be inserted into the string receiving portion.

Abstract: An alloy ingot for permanent magnet consists essentially of rare earth metal and iron and optionally boron. The two-component alloy ingot contains 90 vol % or more of crystals having a crystal grain size along a short axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m and that along a long axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m. The three-component alloy ingot contains 90 vol % or more of crystals having a crystal grain size along a short axis of 0.1 to 50 .mu.m and that along a long axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m. The alloy ingot is produced by solidifying the molten alloy uniformly at a cooling rate of 10.degree. to 1000.degree. C./sec. at a sub-cooling degree of 10.degree. to 500.degree. C. A permanent magnet and anisotropic powders are produced from the alloy ingot.

Abstract: Harmonic frequencies of a ceramic filter (1) can be efficiently attenuated by placing in a hole (2; 3) of a first and/or last resonator a conductive rod (7; 7'), on which disk-like insulating plates (9, 10, 11, 12; 9', 10', 11', 12') are provided in spaced relationship along the length of the rod. The harmonic filter thus formed is a low pass filter, comprising transverse capacitances formed by the insulating plates and longitudinal inductances formed by the rod portions between the plates. Coupling between the harmonic filter and the resonators of the main filter takes place at the upper end of the rods (7, 7').

Abstract: A catheter having a lumen for delivering air and a lumen for delivering fluid, such as water. Each lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter. An opening is formed between the air and fluid lumens adjacent the distal end to allow communication between the lumens to allow mixing of the air and fluid. A syringe having a fluid barrel and an air barrel is connected to the catheter to communicate with the respective fluid and air lumens.

Abstract: A flexible disposable ultrasound transducer sheath for medical diagnostic instruments comprises a core having a central opening aligned to a core axis and contoured and dimensioned in cross section in correspondence with the cross section of a standard instrument shaft where the transducer is to be removably applied. A piezoelectric layer of flexible polyvinylidene fluoride is formed over the core and a first electrically conductive gold layer electrode is sandwiched between the piezoelectric layer and the outer core surface. A second conductive layer is formed over the piezoelectric layer and includes a plurality of conductive gold strip electrodes aligned with the axis of the core, the strips being separated one from the other circumferentially. The transducer, when driven with electrical pulses, is an ultrasound emitter. As a receiver, the transducer converts returning echoes into electrical signals. Alternative embodiments include inflatable balloons over the transducer or as an element of the transducer.

Abstract: A dressing unit for advancing and retracting a spindle, having a diamond roll rotatably mounted thereon, wherein advancement of the spindle brings the diamond roll into contact with a grinding wheel for dressing the grinding wheel. The dressing unit comprises an outer ram mounted within a housing, an inner ram telescopically disposed within the outer ram, means for advancing and retracting the outer ram to a positive stop, and means independent of the advancing and retracting means for incrementally moving the inner ram from an inner position to an extended position. The inner ram is connected to the spindle to advance the spindle to thereby bring the mounted diamond wheel into contact with the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for lighters includes a lighter body having a safety lever that is actuated from outside the body by acting upon a tongue passing through a L-shaped window in the body. The safety lever, which is mounted as a torsion spring, normally occupies a position in the L-shaped window with the tongue at the end of the horizontal leg of the window. In that position, the pushbutton and the upper edge of the safety lever are in substantial abutment and operation of the lighter is not possible. When the tongue is moved to the other end of the L-shaped window, the tongue is in alignment with a recess provided in the pushbutton such that the pushbutton is free to move. After lighting is accomplished and the pushbutton is released, the tongue recovers automatically to the safety position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spraying device comprising a receptacle for the fluid to be sprayed and a spray head disposed on the receptacle for spraying the fluid.To provide a spraying device of this kind which is characterized by an operation which is on the whole easier, safer, more pleasant and cheaper, especially during refilling and fluid change, the present invention aims at a spraying device wherein the receptacle comprises a refill pouch for receiving the fluid and a holding means for detachably holding the refill pouch, and wherein the spray head is mounted on the holding means and connected to the interior of the refill pouch through a connection means.

Abstract: Levels of a stereo sum signal and a stereo difference signal are detected by first and second level detectors (7, 9), respectively. Outputs of the first and second level detectors (7, 9) are compared with each other by a comparator (10). A voltage controlled amplifier (4) is responsive to an output of the comparator (10) for changing a level of the stereo difference signal, when a broadcasting signal including only either one of a left stereo signal and a right stereo signal is received, such that the levels of the stereo sums signal and the stereo difference signal are equal to each other.

Abstract: A three-dimensional amusement device for transforming the outer appearance of a video terminal thus enhancing its appeal and improving the state of mind of the person requiring its use, particularly when that person is a child.