Abstract: A drive circuit for use with an ambient condition detector limits heat dissipation and associated temperature rises in the presence of varying RMS values of an applied AC signal. The drive circuit includes a voltage doubler with a current regulator located between first and second storage elements. In the presence of a sensed ambient condition, which exceeds a predetermined threshold the regulator is enabled permitting one of the storage elements to be charged to a voltage on the order of twice the peak value of the applied AC voltage. A digital timer is used to trigger a flashable visual indicator from the stored DC voltage. The regulator provides a substantially constant DC voltage to the visual indicator in the presence of a varying AC line voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initially taking an individual bar from a supply of bars and placing it on an entry conveyor while preventing movement of the remaining bars. Other mechanisms are provided for adjusting the entry conveyor to accommodate the diameter of the bars to be ground. The individual bars to be ground are initially moved into position between a regulating wheel and a grinding wheel. The regulating wheel maintains the bar against the grinding wheel and the movement of the regulating wheel toward the grinding wheel during the grinding action is sensed by an encoder device. The encoder device in turn signals to a servomotor to move the grinding wheel an amount equal to but in the opposite direction to the regulating wheel to compensate for the wearing of the grinding wheel. The regulating wheel is set at a slight angle relative to the bar to impose a vector force that moves the bar through the grinding station to the exit conveyor from where the bar is subsequently moved to a holding area.

Abstract: Concrete modules stacked in courses are used in making a retaining wall. Each module has unitary front, lateral, and bottom walls. The front wall may extend above the lateral walls. Each lateral wall has front ribs extending outwardly and inwardly and adjoining the front wall. Each lateral wall has back ribs extending outwardly and inwardly. In each intermediate course, the front and back ribs of each module partly support modules of the next course above and are partly supported by the front and back ribs of modules of the next course below. For post-tensioning of the retaining wall, plural elongate tensioning members are employed, each extending through an aperture of the bottom wall of one module of a lower course, between two modules of every other one of the intermediate courses, through an aperture of the wall of one module of an upper course.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the sulphur/sodium ratio in a soda recovery boiler when strong sulphurous odour gases are burned therein. According to the method, sodium is introduced into the soda recovery boiler in an amount proportional to the amount of sulphur either as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate compounds or soap, whereby the sodium and sulphur react, forming sodium sulphate, which can be removed from the flue gases together with fly ash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling and cleaning gases containing tar-like or other impurities, and to a reactor. In the method, process gas is first fed into a hot fluidized bed (4), where the tar-like impurities contained in it crack into smaller fractions, whereafter the process gas is passed onward, the fluidized bed material entrained in the process gas is separated from the process gas and returned through the cooler (8) into the fluidized bed and into the process gas stream, whereby the process gas cools under the influence of the cooled fluidized bed material. The reactor comprises a cooler (8) above the fluidized bed (4) and an annular conduit (7) outside the cooler (8), through which conduit the process gas flows into the upper portion of the reactor after the fluidized bed (4).

Abstract: An attaching ring or fixing ring is provided for attaching or fixing a dispenser member to a neck of a receptacle containing a substance to be dispensed. The ring is annular and has a bottom portion and a top portion. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion includes snap-fastening tabs for fixing the ring to the neck. The top portion includes an opening for the dispenser and a surrounding structure for securing the dispenser member to the neck. The top portion further includes at least one guide wall element extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser member and around the periphery of the fixing ring substantially in line with the snap-fastening tabs. A hoop can be provided for preventing the tabs from splaying apart. The hoop can include an internal projection, such as a vertical rib or a thread.

Abstract: A system which improves coverage in overlapping coverage areas between two type-A or type-B cellular radio telephone systems is able to direct a subscriber unit in the overlapping coverage area to the home or primary system, thereby minimizing the subscriber unit's roaming-type expenses. The system includes a control channel receiver, a control unit, and a control channel transmitter/receiver pair, in combination with a transmit/receive antenna. The system transmits a control channel, which is associated with the home system, into the overlapping region. The control channel is intended to be the strongest channel in that region. Any subscriber units in the region associated with the home system which respond to that control channel will be directed to other control channels associated with the home system. Those subscriber units will receive service from the home system, as opposed to the foreign system which may provide other strong control channels in the overlapping coverage area.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, illustrated as an endoscopic surgical stapler, includes first and second operating linkages respectively operatively connected with first and second operating levers pivotally mounted on a frame of the instrument. An improved mounting arrangement is provided for the operating levers in the form of first and second mounting bosses. The mounting bosses are formed separately in order to isolate forces exerted thereon by the operating levers attendant to use of the instrument.

Abstract: In a railroad track comprising a railroad rail having a lower flange, a railroad tie made from concrete, and a polyurethane pad mounted between the lower flange of the railroad rail and an upper surface of the railroad tie, a particulate layer is interposed between the polyurethane pad and the railroad tie and comprises particles bonded to the polyurethane pad. Preferably, the bonded particles are polycarbonate, acrylic, or nylon particles, either granules or fibers. Alternatively, the bonded particles are particles of quartz, silica sand, silicon carbide, or aluminum oxide. An adhesive layer is interposed between the polyurethane pad and the railroad tie, comprises a methacrylate ester composition, and is bonded to particles among the bonded particles and to the railroad tie, whereby the polyurethane pad and the railroad tie are bonded to one another via the particulate and adhesive layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a galenic form of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives which is characterized in that it comprises a combination of microgranules of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives consisting, on the one hand, of gastroresistant microgranules and, on the other hand, of prolonged-release microgranules, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and the microgranules as intermediates in the preparation of the form according to the invention.

Abstract: In a railroad track, a composite pad is useful between a lower flange of a railroad rail and an upper surface of a railroad tie, particularly but not exclusively a concrete tie. The composite pad comprises a bonding member, preferably a plate made from galvanized, powder-coated steel and a polyurethane pad. Such a plate, if used, may be powder-coated with a composition comprising a polyester, acrylic, or epoxy resin. The pad is cast onto the member so that the member is bonded directly to the pad. An adhesive layer comprising a methacrylate ester composition bonds the member to the upper surface of the tie, at the lower surface of the member, so as to resist relative movement between the member and the tie and so as to retard infiltration of sand, water, or debris therebetween.