Abstract: A method of storing liquid in a tank, said tank having a moveable follower carrying one of an inlet or outlet port of said tank, said liquid being concurrently and continuously fed to and delivered from said tank and the volume of said liquid in said tank varying in response to variations in the rates of supply and demand.

Abstract: A process for the production of a black coloring material characterised by treating a compound selected from finely powdered sugar, protein and a polyamide polymer, having amino groups with a naphthoquinone derivative represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, or a group represented by the following formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, R.sub.3 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or a hydroxylalkyl group, and n represents 1 or 2; cosmetics comprising a black coloring material produced by the above process; and a process for staining a substrate using the obtained black coloring material.

Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting magnetic data on media is disclosed which utilizes an array or arrays of horizontal magnetoresistive sensors. The present invention detects the pitch or separation of magnetic transition data on the magnetic medium under test, and generates a signal that is independent of the velocity of the medium. In one embodiment, the magnetoresistive sensors employed in an array are spaced apart a distance which corresponds to the separation of magnetic transition data of interest, and the output of each sensor is connected to a voltage adder. The signal from the voltage adder is at a maximum when the separation of the magnetic transition data corresponds to the sensor separation. A comparator is connected to the output of the voltage adder, and compares the voltage adder output to a predetermined threshold voltage before indicating that a medium having a particular magnetic transition data pattern is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular offshore platform for use in water depths of 160 feet and less. The jacket assembly of the structure is composed of interchangeable stackable modular units. The horizontal cross section of the jacket assembly has a truncated triangular configuration. Some of the vertical members of modules of the jacket assembly are adapted to allow the passage of piles which function as conductors and some of the vertical members are adapted to allow the passage of piles only. The jacket assembly is designed to lie well beneath the water surface so that it is not subject to great wave forces and does not need to be battered.

Abstract: A coin mechanism comprising testing devices for testing coins as to their acceptability, a substantially upright coin store or tube adapted to contain a plurality of acceptable coins of a particular denomination up to a predetermined upper level, and a coin dispenser for dispensing coins from the lower end of the store. The coin store is provided with a coin inlet located below the predetermined upper level, and devices for delivering acceptable coins of the denomination from the testing devices through the inlet into the store. This enables the coin store to be pre-loaded to the upper level and, when its contents have been partly dispensed, to be refilled from the coin tester, through the coin inlet at the lower level.

Abstract: A coin handling system includes two coin escrows which receive respectively high and low denomination coins. Each escrow comprises a helical structure with coins individually supported between successive turns of the helix. Each helical structure can store coins of any denomination in any location, and has exits at both ends to allow control over the sequence in which the coins are sent to a cash box.

Abstract: A curing agent for a two-component type polyurethane, containing as a main constituent a polyisocyanate derived from hexamethylene diisocyanate, the polyisocyanate having a viscosity of lower than 1,400 mP.a/25.degree. C. in substantially free from monomeric hexamethylene diisocyanate and a solvent, having a uretidine dione dimer content of more than 10%, and having an isocyanurate cyclic trimer content of less than 60%.

Abstract: The concentration of a dope of cellulose/amine oxide/water for use in the manufacture of continuous filaments of cellulose is controlled by measuring its refractive index and adjusting the water content to maintain the refractive index within specified limits.

Abstract: A method for transporting a solution of cellulose in aqueous N-methylmorpholine N-oxide through a pipe, the temperature in degrees centigrade of said solution in the center of said pipe being controlled at 1000/(X+0.98 x.sqroot.D) and/or the temperature of said solution at the interior wall of said pipe being controlled at 1000/(Y+1.15 x.sqroot.D) where D represents the internal diameter of the pipe in inches, X represents a value equal to or greater than 5.0, and Y represents a value equal to or greater than 5.4.

Abstract: A small, low cost, low power, and portable x-ray source that produces an x-ray flux that is sufficient to produce high quality x-ray images on suitable x-ray sensitive films. The source includes a vacuumated chamber that is filled with a heavy atomic weight gas at low pressure and an x-ray emitter. The chamber is in a magnetic field and an oscillating electric field and generates an Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) plasma having a ring of energetic electrons inside the chamber. The electrons bombard the x-ray emitter which in turn produces x-ray radiation in a given direction. A pair of magnetic members generate an axisymmetric magnetic mirror trap inside the chamber. The chamber may be nested within a microwave resonant cavity and between the magnets, or the chamber and microwave cavity may be a single composite structure. The source is useful to make x-ray photographs virtually anywhere and may be battery powered.

Abstract: A flat-panel display system and a display method utilizing microprojection techniques whereby each pixel of the display acts as its own micro-projector. The micro-projector utilizes a reversed Schlieren optical arrangement. A flat fiber-optic illuminator and an illumination method provide collimated light for the display. A layer of light scattering material such as polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) is interposed between the illuminator and the rear-projection screen of the display. The scattering layer, when in a first state, allows the collimated light to pass through openings in an aperture plate that is part of the microprojection display. In a second state, the scattering layer scatters the collimated light. Side and vertical walls of the aperture plate absorb most of the scattered light resulting in a high contrast ratio for the display. The degree of scattering can be controlled to provide for a gray scale for the display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for etching ultra fine lines of impurities on semiconductors and other materials. A cold diverging ion beam is generated, made to converge, encoded using a mask to correspond to an image, and then used to etch impurities on the substrate. An ECR plasma source is used to generate a warm plasma. A cooled neutral target gas is penetrated by the warm plasma ions so that the plasma ion charge is transferred to the cool target gas to provide cool ions, which are then extracted to provide a cryogenic ion beam. The ion beam is made converging and then encoded by the mask. The ion beam also may be transformed into an atom beam in a charge exchange cell.

Abstract: Control of an anti-tachycardia device such as a defibrillator to apply a preselected programmed therapy in the event of ventricular tachycardia. The control includes comparison of the atrial and ventricular rhythms, and examination of the criteria of stability of the P-R intervals, of the stability of the R-R intervals, and of the acceleration of the ventricular rhythm subsequent to an atrioventricular desynchronization, thereby to ensure control of the antitachycardia device solely in the event of ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: A magnetic field and electric field shield having an electrically conductive layer and two layers of thin, soft magnetic material wrapped in opposite directions about a common axis. One layer of magnetic material is wrapped in a clockwise direction and the other layer of magnetic material is wrapped in the counter clockwise direction. The electrically conductive layer is grounded and provides a barrier to electric field penetration. The two layers of magnetic material oppositely wrapped provide a barrier to magnetic field penetration. An outer wrapping of material may be used to secure the magnetic wrappings in place. The shield is applicable to electric devices, in particular electrical wires and cables for automotive vehicles and other high current discharge operations.

Abstract: A simple and economical six-bar linkage system keeps a reclining chair stable in its closed position, and permits it to assume any degree of recline between slight recline and full recline without need for friction devices or springs. This is accomplished by the stable balance of the linkage. Sequencing devices are likewise not needed; interaction of the components constrain the movement of the linkage, such that there is only one possible path of travel. The six links are: base frame, back frame, seat frame, drive link, carrier link, and legrest. A heart-rest position may be attained with assistance from an attendant.

Abstract: A method for use in endoscopic investigations comprises the steps of providing an endoscopic insertion member with a suction line, inserting the endoscopic insertion member with the suction line into a patient, and visually inspecting organic tissues inside the patient with the endoscopic insertion member. To collect a fluid specimen, a port cover on the suction line is moved with respect to the suction line to open a port in the line. A specimen vial is coupled to the suction line at the opened port so that the suction line communicates with the vial. A vacuum is applied to the suction line to draw a fluid specimen into the vial. Subsequently, the vial is detached from the suction line, and the port cover moved back into position to again cover the port.

Abstract: A pedicle screw clamp for attaching a pedicle screw or other spinal implant to a spinal support rod, wherein the axis of the pedicle screw and the axis of the support rod are in different planes and the distance between the axis of the pedicle screw and the axis of the support rod is adjustable.

Abstract: In a multi-chamber centrifuge for gassing or degassing of liquids which has a floor 7, a corresponding lid 3 placed at a certain distance, with gaps to permit the passage of gas in the floor 7 and lid 3, with a liquid pipe connection in the lid 3 and two sets of coaxially mutually fitting cylinders, the set (=rotor) with the rotating cylinders rises from the floor 7, while the other set (=stator) descends from the lid 3 and is static. The cylinders of one set each penetrate the gaps between the cylinders of the other set, and each set of cylinders leaves a radial gap by reaching just short of the opposite base (either the floor 7 or the lid 3). At least some of the cylinders of the rotating set can be made at least partially of a woven material which can be fashioned like a sieve. On the static cylinders 4, vibration generators 19 and/or heating devices 13 may be installed (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Knitted joins are made in double jersey knitted articles using a method which minimizes the effect of hole formation at the join. Single jersey edges are knitted along the edges to be jointed, being knitted on from one to six needles in each of the courses of knitting which form part of the edge of the join. The edgings need not extend along the whole length of the join. In a further embodiment superimposed strips of single jersey knitting are knitted between the edgings so as to split hole formation into two smaller series which are less noticeable. With this embodiment, one or both edgings can be omitted. The method is useful for upholstery fabric joins, particular for vehicle seat covers, where exposure of the padding is to be avoided.