Abstract: The invention provides a design innovation to conventional air passenger seats. The design innovation relates to the positioning of IFE boxes. For a better understanding, the reader may recall the last flight in the airline seat and the way the passenger's leg room was inhibited by a box mounted on the seat leg in front of the passenger. The new design innovation repositions (or “pancakes”) the IFE box underneath the seat pan.

Abstract: A method and device for filtration and/or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological and chemical contaminants, such as fluids containing metals, water treatment chemicals, reactive chemicals and microorganisms, where the fluid is passed through a composite material composed of fluid treatment media with or without a binder matrix in which the filtration media, binder, or support structures, or a combination thereof contains a surface treatment.

Abstract: A multilayer brazeable metallization structure for diamond components and method for producing it are described. The brazeable metallization finds particular application for the attachment of diamond components such as heat spreaders in electronic packages that incorporate high power semiconductor devices. In the present invention, a diamond component is provided with a multilayer coating of metals including depositing a first layer of chromium for adhesion onto at least a portion of the diamond component, depositing a second barrier layer of a refractory metal for a barrier onto at least portion of the chromium layer, and a top layer of copper, silver or gold for wetting. This top layer is thick (greater than 5 microns), without sacrificing resistance to delamination, particularly at brazing conditions. It is obtained by depositing a layer of a first metal onto at least a portion of the refractory metal layer, and depositing a layer of a second metal onto at least a portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: A corona discharge ionization source is disclosed in which neutral species are removed by directing a flow of oxygen containing gas in a direction substantially different to that of the ion flow. The ion profiles produced are similar in many respects to those produced by a 63Ni source, thus an alternative, non-radioactive, ion source is offered.

Abstract: A personal respirator has a face mask and is provided with a filter unit comprising a canister housing contiguous layers of novel filter material. The filter material is suitable for both particulate and vapor filtration, and comprises a composite of first and second groups of chopped fibres, the fibres of the first group having a relatively large diameter (about 7×10−6 m) and the second group having a relatively small diameter (about 0.5×10−6 m).

Abstract: A strain/electrical potential transducer (10) includes a rigid base (12), a rigid beam (18) hinged to the base (12) at (20), an elongate stack (14) of dielectric substance, e.g. piezoelectric material, generally parallel with the beam (18) and hinged to the base at (16), and a rigid link (22) interconnecting ends of the beam and stack remote from the base (12). The transducer can be operated as a displacement generator by applying potential difference to the stack (14) via contacts (15) to strain the stack (14) and to cause amplified, transverse displacement as shown at (32). Conversely, the transducer can be operated as a sensor. Displacement at (32) causes strain in the stack (14) which generates a potential difference at the contacts (15). Composite transducers are disclosed. A manipulating device in the form of an arrangement of displacement generators and use thereof for microscanning are disclosed.

Abstract: Composite-shell pneumatic craft convertible into a closed box, having a rigid hull and an inflatable float fixed to the edge thereof, a removable rigid panel constituting a lid for the hull containing the deflated float; a profile fixed along the outer edge of the hull comprises a supporting flank and a groove with narrow opening which opens into an upper wall close to the flank; the groove holds a bead joined to flexible skirt of the float; the upper wall, in its part adjacent to the groove opposite to the flank, can support a lip of the removable panel; a portion of the flank cooperates with members for fixing the profile to the hull.

Abstract: A swimming pool with a rigid structure, comprises a rigid peripheral wall made of a rot-resistant material supported by posts and a flexible waterproof liner arranged in the space defined by the rigid wall and attached to the upper edge of the said wall, in which, along their full height, the posts comprise an interior portion made of a rot-resistant material to which the rigid wall is secured and an externally projecting portion having at least two grooves, one on either side, and cladding panels having at least externally at least the appearance of wood are slid into the opposing grooves of two consecutive posts the externally projecting portions of the posts being of such dimensions and the grooves being so positioned that there is a gap between the cladding panels and the rigid wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transformer comprising a closed probe core (2) consisting of a soft magnetic material, a probe coil (3), at least part of which is wound around the probe core (2), a closed compensation core (1) consisting of soft magnetic material, and a compensation coil (4), at least part of which is wound around the probe core (2) and the compensation core (4). The probe core (2) and the compensation core (4) are arranged in relation to one another in such a way that a conductor (5), which carries a measuring current, can be guided through the probe core (2) and the compensation core (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-strength, age-hardenable, corrosion-resistant maraging type spring steel, which is essentially comprised of 6.0 to 9.0 wt. % of Ni, 11.0 to 15.0 wt. % of Cr, 0.1 to 0.3 wt. % of Ti, 0.2 to 0.3 wt. % of Be and of a remainder consisting of Fe, whose martensite temperature Ms≧130° C. and which has a ferrite content cferrite of less than 3%.

Abstract: In a method of regulating the flow rate of additional oxygen taken from a pressurized inlet for oxygen from a source and admitted into a breathing mask provided with an inlet for dilution ambient air, the ambient pressure and the instantaneous inhaled breathe-in flow rate in terms of volume reduced to ambient conditions are measured in real time. The minimum oxygen content in the complete inhalation phase in order to comply with respiratory standards is computed from the ambient pressure and the instantaneous flow rate of additional oxygen is controlled in such a manner as to satisfy the requirements of the applicable standards with a safety margin that is generally a few percent. There is also described a regulator implementing the above method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensation current sensor, comprising a magnet core (M4), with a first section around which a secondary winding (S4) is wound. A magnetic field probe (MS4) is arranged in the vicinity of the secondary winding (S4). A primary winding is magnetically coupled with the secondary winding (S4). A metal screen (A4) is provided at a distance from the magnet core (M4). On the plane, on which the magnet core (M4) lies, the shield (A4) surrounds the magnet core (M4), with the exception of a side opening, whereby part of the opening is in the vicinity of the magnetic field probe (MS4) and arranged and configured such that magnetic flux which passes through the shield (A4), partially passes through the magnetic field probe (MS4).

Abstract: A smart film or material which automatically controls its porous properties in relation to changes in its local environment thus allowing fluids to pass through the film or material in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: Structures and assemblies for stowable tables and similar objects are detailed. Versions of the assemblies may cooperate with pivoting covers mounted to vehicle seats for purposes of deploying and retaining the tables. Other versions may include tables biased to fit snugly in recessed portions of backrests of seats, with compression of the biasing mechanism occurring sometimes when backrests are reclined and expansion of the mechanism occurring sometimes when the tables are deployed. Yet other versions may include tables latching to bars or other objects protruding rearward from the backrests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.

Abstract: Stowage systems having boxes with covers are addressed. Exemplary systems include mechanisms for biasing covers toward their closed positions and for blocking, or maintaining, covers in their open positions when necessary or desired. Such systems are particularly (although not exclusively) useful for cockpit storage of oxygen masks, where open covers might impede use of certain flight controls during aircraft operation but facilitate removal or reinsertion of the masks by a mechanic when the aircraft is not operating.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for constructing inflatable objects are detailed herein. Objects made according to these techniques may include both plastic material (such as polyvinyl chloride) and fabric connected indirectly via an interfacing material including the two. The objects additionally may include a fastening system including opposed, spatially-alternating loops through an article is placed. Use as inflatable sleds may (although need not necessarily) be the intended function of the objects.

Abstract: The surface plasmon resonance apparatus (1) for detecting a soluble and/or particulate analyte comprises a prism sensor (2) providing a metallised sensor surface (3) capable of binding the analyte, and a laser (10) providing a beam (4) for direction at the sensor surface (3). A detector (5) is provided which is capable of detecting light (6), which is internally reflected from the sensor surface (3). Displacement means (7) comprising a vibrator (8) and mirror (9), is operable whereby the excitation beam (4) is displaced over an angular range (A) relative to the sensor surface (3). An analyte sample (15) is disposed on the metallic sensor (3). The detector (5) is used to interpret the light signals (6) internally reflected from the sensor surface (3) so that the sample (15) is analysed. A video camera system (16), which includes a mirror (17), microscope objective (18) and CCD (charge-coupled device) array (19), is used to detect the scattered light emitted from the upper face of the sensor surface (3).