Abstract: A single-web loom for loop velvet fabric wherein weft yarns are inserted in a shed (F1) formed by warp yarns and wherein individually controlled electric actuators are used to move at least one warp yarn guide heddle into one of at least four positions (N1, N2, N3, N4) defining at least three warp yarn sheds (F1, F2, F3), and wherein warp yarn guide rods are simultaneously inserted into each of the sheds (F2, F3) other than the shed (F1) into which the weft yarns are inserted for forming loops or pile.

Abstract: A directional alignment and alignment monitoring sensor system that is designed to be mounted to a directional or omni-directional antenna wherein the system includes a sensor having one or more phototransistors that are associated with one or more baffle members and wherein each baffle member defines a restrictive light passageway toward a phototransistor such the by measuring the time that a phototransistor is illuminated, a correct orientation of the antenna may be accurately determined.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38.

Abstract: Self-ligating orthodontic brackets with archwire retainers formed of materials exhibiting shape memory. Each bracket which includes a base from which extends two spaced and opposing pairs of tie wings each pair of which define an archwire guide slot therebetween. The retainers include at least one flange to retain an archwire within the archwire guide slot but which is yieldable to permit insertion and/or removal of the archwire relative to the archwire guide slots. Portions of the brackets and/or retainer may be coated to reduce friction between the archwire and the bracket and to promote aesthetics and overall bracket appearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leaks in blister packages wherein a package is supported with a support chamber and a flexible and imperforate bladder is placed over the package after which at least a partial vacuum pressure is applied and a measure made to determine if any leakage is detected while an image of the bladder is detected, such as by a camera, with the image being used to provide a visual indication of the location of a failure in the blister package.

Abstract: A conduit is provided for use in association with an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit has first and second conduit portions, and a swivel providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit portions. The swivel permits rotational movement of the first conduit portion relative to the second conduit portion. The swivel is constrained to prevent linear movement between the first and second portions at the swivel. The conduit also has a fitting for external connection of the conduit to a pressure port of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit provides sealed fluid communication from the first conduit portion, swivel and second conduit portion to the air conditioning or refrigeration system when the fitting is connected to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. There are also conduit adapters, injection hose assemblies, charging manifolds with swivels, and methods of utilizing such conduits and swivels.

Abstract: A resonate gate drive circuit for driving at least one power switching devices recovers energy loss for charging and discharging the input capacitance of the power switching devices. The gate drive circuit charging and discharging the gate capacitor with a high level current, so the switching loss of the power switching devices can also be reduced. The gate drive circuit can clamp and keep the voltage across the gate capacitor to a certain level while the power switching devices turn on, and it can also clamp and keep the voltage across the gate capacitor to almost zero while the power switching devices turn off. The gate drive circuit comprises four small semiconductor bidirectional conducting switching devices connected in full-bridge configuration. An inductor is connected to the two junctions of the full-bridge configuration to help switching the current direction. A capacitor in series with the inductor is necessary for some applications.

Abstract: This invention provides heavy-duty cleansers (HDHC), with a high level of biodegradability and little or no ecotoxicity, with a high level of efficiency and a maximum skin tolerance and no systemic toxicity. In the broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a cleansing formulation comprising 5 to 10% of one or more methylesters of vegetable saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids which may be from several natural sources including sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil, or coconut oil. The formulation includes between about 10% to 30% of one or more surfactants and a preferred combination of surfactants includes at least one ethoxylated fatty alcohol, one alkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, one alkanolamide and one polymeric quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing information to the public by way of publicly accessible devices. A network of video displays are deployed at publicly accessible locations such as inside public transportation vehicles or at public transportation stations. The video feed to these video displays are provided by a video distribution hub which receives the video feed from a network hub. Different audio feeds are accessible to end users or by telephone. End users can call a telephone interface which receives and routes audio feeds from an audio distribution hub. End users can access audio feeds which may be synchronized with a video feed to provide a complete audio visual experience to the end user. For more useful content, the video displayed at any location may be adjusted to be relevant to the area where the video display is deployed. Audio content synchronized to one of these disparate video feeds can be accessed by the end user by dialing different options through the telephone interface.

Abstract: In order to fabricate an epicycloidal reducer including at least one circular cam (13, 15) whose outer peripheral edge (133, 153) is provided with a first set of teeth (134, 154) suitable for co-operating with a stationary second set of teeth, said cam being pierced by at least a first bore (135, 155) for receiving a drive finger held stationary in a second bore (176) formed in a support (17) secured to an outlet shaft of the reducer, the first bore (135, 155) in the or each cam (13, 15) and the second bore (176) in the support (17) are machined at least in part in a single operation while in alignment (X2) one with the other.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a closing installation, comprising a shaft and an element having teeth for cooperating with a catch which oscillates during rotational movements of the shaft. The mechanism further comprises a safety system including a ring for braking the oscillatory movement of the catch. The movement of the ring is controlled by a detecting system that detects the state of a spring which used to compensate the torque exerted on the shaft by the screen body.

Abstract: A device for transporting segments of wood comprising an annular binding made of a material that is biodegradable and combustible such that the binding can thus be burnt in a fireplace after it has been used. The binding includes two binding rings and spacers, the rings and the spacers being assembled together by having co-operating shapes. Wedges are used to hold the segments of wood in position, without having to use a clamping band.

Abstract: A combination tool that includes opposing jaws and handles that function as conventional pliers and wherein the handles are configured to be abutted with one another to form a spudding tool having a generally circular cross section and wherein one of the handles cooperatives seats within and fills a slot in the opposing handle when the handles are abutted with one another.

Abstract: A mitre instrument for use during surgery when cutting bone in connection with shortening or extension and/or correcting of the angle of the bone. The mitre instrument includes a body (9), in which there is at least one hole for a guide pin (13) for fixation of the instrument and at least two slots or scores (3) for a cutting tool (11). The slots (3) are provided in an oblique form relative each other and in predetermined, fixed angles, which converge in a common origin of coordinates (0), at the same time as the cutting tool (11) is extendable from the lower side of the body (9) at an outlet for a guide pin (13) in origin (0) without the wedge-shaped portions (2) of the body (9) therebetween falling off.

Abstract: A method of determining the integrity of a message exchanged between a pair of correspondents. The message is secured by embodying the message in a function of a public key derived from a private key selected by one of the correspondents. The method comprises first obtaining the public key. The public key is then subjected to at least one mathematical test to determine whether the public key satisfies predefined mathematical characteristics. Messages utilizing the public key are accepted if the public key satisfies the predefined mathematical characteristics.