Abstract: M-center luminescence is used to measure radiation. An LiF crystal is excited with a 442 nm He-Cd laser because absorption measurements in LiF indicate the peak of the M-center absorption occurs at 443 nm. Laser stimulation produces an excited state of the M-center, which undergoes a very strong Stokes' shift. The peak of the M-center emission spectrum occurs at 665 nm with a half-width of 0.36 ev. Since the excitation wavelength differs significantly from the emission wavelength, measurement of the deep red emission can be done simultaneously with the excitation. The population of M-centers grows with increasing radiation damage, and therefore M-center lunimescence provides a basis for radiation dosimetry.

Abstract: A drum brake has two sets of braking linings. The drum brake includes a brake plate and a brake drum. An additional cylinder is mounted on an outer periphery of the brake plate. The additional cylinder is actuated by hydraulic oil on depression of an additional brake pedal provided proximate to a clutch pedal of the car. A further brake lining is provided around an outer periphery of the brake drum. On depression of the additional brake pedal, the brake lining engages with the outer surface of the brake drum to provide additional stopping capability.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for promoting the destruction of volatile and/or hazardous contaminants present in waste materials during in situ vitrification processes. In accordance with the present invention, a cold cap (46) comprising a cohesive layer of resolidified material is formed over the mass of liquefied soil and waste (40) present between and adjacent to the electrodes (10, 12, 14, 16) during the vitrification process. This layer acts as a barrier to the upward migration of any volatile type materials thereby increasing their residence time in proximity to the heated material. The degree of destruction of volatile and/or hazardous contaminants by pyrolysis is thereby improved during the course of the vitrification procedure.

Abstract: The amount of ionizing radiation to which a thermoluminescent material has been exposed is determined by first cooling the thermoluminescent material to a cryogenic temperature. The thermoluminescent material is then optically stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet light. Visible light emitted by the thermoluminescent material as it is allowed to warm up to room temperature is detected and counted. The thermoluminescent material may be annealed by exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A saddle support device includes a resilient support fixed on an upper end of a seat post of a bicycle. A base, a carriage and a yoke are provided in series on the support and each has a hole and are clamped together by a bolt. A pair of saddle frames of a saddle are received between the carriage and the yoke. A cushion is received in the support. The resilient support and the cushion absorb a shock or a vibration which may be transferred to a rider so that the rider may feel more comfortable.

Abstract: Apparatus for compensating component audio signals comprises amplifier means and a gain control circuit for selectively adjusting the gain of the amplifier means in response to data values received by the gain control circuit. The apparatus has power supply terminals for supplying operating current from an external power source to the amplifier and the gain control circuit. In addition, the apparatus comprises an electronic storage device for storing data values and applying those data values to the gain control circuit. The stored data values are maintained in the apparatus upon interruption of the supply of operating current to the power supply terminals. The apparatus has an input port for applying data values to the storage device, and does not have manually actuable controls for selectively adjusting the stored data values.

Abstract: An electrooptic directional coupler having first and second electrodes for influencing coupling between a segment of a first optical waveguide and a segment of a second optical waveguide, is operated by varying the potential of the first electrode relative to the second electrode during a first interval in accordance with a first function such that the first electrode remains at a first polarity relative to the second electrode, and varying the potential of the first electrode relative to the second electrode during a second interval in accordance with a second function such that the first electrode remains at a second polarity, opposite the first polarity, relative to the second electrode. The integral with respect to time over the first and second intervals of the potential of the first electrode relative to the second electrode is essentially zero.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for threading the end of a web (P) from a jumbo roll (30) or equivalent through the winder along a path determined by the members guiding the web (P). In the method the end of the web (P) is passed from the jumbo roll (30) through the winder as of full width by grasping the end of the web (P) placed on the jumbo roll by means of a fetching and grasping device (11). The web (P) is transferred by means of the fetching and grasping device (11) to a web (P) holding device (13), the web (P) is held by means of the web (P) holding device (13), the web (P) is detached from the fetching and grasping device (11), the web (P) is attached to a threading member (22) carried by a carrier device (12), the web (P) is detached from the web (P) holding device (13), and the web (P) is threaded as a single thickness through the winder, whereat web (P) is unwound from the jumbo roll (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for copying transparent and optionally mask films (19,20) onto a radiation sensitive plate (12) comprises a plate carrier (2) on which one or more radiation sensitive plates (12) and one or more transparent films (20) and optionally mask films (19) can be placed in predetermined mutual positions. The apparatus includes a contact frame (3) having means (18) for vacuum connecting the contact frame (3) to the plate carrier (2) and means (V1,V2) for vacuum connecting the transparent film(s) (20) and the mask film(s) (19) to a contact glass (16) of the contact frame (3). An exposure light (4) is provided for directing radiation through the transparent film(s) (20) and the mask film(s) (19) so as to copy them onto the radiation sensitive plate (12). The plate carrier (2) comprises a flexible support plate (8) which is connected to the apparatus frame (1) only along its outer edges, and which carries a flexible rubber blanket (10), which is connected to the support plate (8) only along its outer edges.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a rain sampling device adapted for independent operation at locations remote from the user which allows rainfall to be sampled in accordance with any schedule desired by the user. The rain sampling device includes a mechanism for directing wet precipitation into a chamber, a chamber for temporarily holding the precipitation during the process of collection, a valve mechanism for controllably releasing samples of said precipitation from said chamber, a means for distributing the samples released from the holding chamber into vessels adapted for permanently retaining these samples, and an electrical mechanism for regulating the operation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cowling structure for a gas turbine aircraft engine which allows the aerodynamic characteristics of the inlet passageway to the engine to be varied in accordance with flight conditions. This structure includes an annular lip portion positioned at the front edge of the cowling defining an aerodynamically sharp contour and which is mounted on a set of support struts constructed for allowing the lip portion to be translated forwardly and backwardly from the forward edge of the cowling. The structure further comprises a mechanism for injecting pressurized air into the airflow along the trailing edges of these support struts in order to suppress turbulence induced in tha airflow such that noise as may be produced as a result of airflow is substantially decreased.

Abstract: In a device for alternatively one- or double-sided coating of a running paper web the final evening-out of the coating is made in a smoothing nip including a first roll and a counter member. The device includes means for leading the web from below upwards into the smoothing nip. At a considerable distance before the smoothing nip, there is a coating substance applicator including an applicator chamber, where the coating substance is brought into a substantially non-pressurized contact with the running web for adhering thereto and travelling therewith upwards to the smoothing nip. The web moves linearly from the applicator to the smoothing nip.

Abstract: An appliance for dispensing hot water comprises walls defining a reservoir for receiving water to be heated, a filling aperture for introducing water into the reservoir, a heating chamber located at least partially above the reservoir, and a discharge aperture for allowing heated water to leave the heating chamber. The appliance further comprises a tube extending upwardly from the reservoir and opening into the heating chamber, and a plug for sealing the filling aperture. The walls are at least partially transparent to microwave radiation so that when the appliance is exposed to microwave radiation, water in the reservoir is heated and is forced from the reservoir through the tube into the heating chamber, where it is further heated and is discharged from the heating chamber by way of the discharge aperture.

Abstract: An optical attenuator includes a first beam splitter for receiving an incident light beam from a light source at a predetermined angle of incidence and splitting it into a first reflected light beam and a first transmitted light beam, and a second beam splitter for receiving the first reflected light beam at the same predetermined angle of incidence and splitting it into a second refelected light beam and a second transmitted light beam. The first and second beam splitters are arranged such that the planes of incidence of the first and second beam splitters are perpendicular to each other. The optical attenuator further includes a first deflector for deflecting the first transmitted light beam to cause the deflected light to be propagated in other than the incident direction of the first transmitted light beam. A second deflector is also provided to deflect the second transmitted light beam to cause the deflected light to be propagated in other than the incident direction of the second transmitted light beam.

Abstract: A strobe light provides uniformly intense, monochromatic illumination of an object photographed by a video camera. The strobe light includes a circuit board having a central aperture and a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the circuit board and generally surrounding the aperture. The circuit board is attached to the camera with the aperture positioned in front of the camera lens such that the video camera views the object through the aperture as the diodes illuminate the object. The strobe light further includes an oscillator providing an output square wave signal of adjustable frequency and duty cycle. A transistor switch controlled by the square wave signal periodically connects a constant voltage across the diodes, thereby causing the diodes simultaneously to generate flashes of light with a frequency and duty cycle determined by the square wave signal.

Abstract: A pouch is mounted on a vehicle door that comprises a frame, an inside panel, and screws securing the inside panel to the frame, using an elongate mounting bracket coupled to the pouch and having two opposite ends and a hole adjacent each end. Two of the screws are removed, from opposite respective edges of the door, and the bracket is placed against the inside panel with the holes aligned with the screw holes in the door frame. The screws are inserted into the door frame through the respective holes in the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A vacuum toilet system comprises a waste-receiving bowl defining an interior space for receiving waste material. A sewer pipe defines an interior space that can be placed at a pressure that is lower than that in the interior space of the waste-receiving bowl, and a discharge valve is connected between the outlet of the waste-receiving bowl and the sewer pipe for controlling passage of material between the waste-receiving bowl and the sewer pipe. A rinse liquid valve controls supply of rinse liquid to the waste-receiving bowl. A controller is responsive to a user stimulus to open and close the discharge valve in accordance with a predetermined cycle, and to open the rinse liquid valve during at least the interval during which the discharge valve is being opened.

Abstract: A baffle for use in an attic defined by a vertical exterior wall having a top wall plate, parallel ceiling joists supported by the top wall plate, and spaced apart, inclined rafters securely connected to the top wall plate and the ceiling joists is disclosed. The rafters typically have a roof deck fastened to their top surface. The baffle is installable between adjacent roof rafters to substantially block the flow of ventilating air through an opening located between the top surface of the wall plate and the underside of the roof deck. Once installed, the baffle of the present invention restricts flow of ventilating air between an exterior soffit and insulating material installed between the ceiling joists in the attic cavity.

Abstract: In-situ vitrification of soil is initiated by placing a cord of dielectric material impregnated with conductive material in thermally-conductive contact with the soil, and energizing the cord with an electric current for heating the cord and starting the vitrification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing data communication between concurrently operating random access memory and processing devices includes a set of interface nodes interconnected in series by bidirectional buses. Each node includes means for reading data at selected addresses within a random access memory and means for selectively transmitting that data outwardly to either one or both of the nearest neighbor nodes to which it is connected. Each node also includes means for receiving data from any nearest neighbor node to which it is connected, for writing that data into a selected address of random access memory, and for forwarding that data to another nearest neighbor node. Each node attaches a selected distance field to data it transmits to a nearest neighbor node, the distance field indicating the relative address of an intended destination node in terms of the number of nodes between the forwarding node and an intended destination.