Abstract: A portable, easily composable supporting skeleton which serves as a supporting structure of buildings composable in situ. The skeleton comprises a pipe-like spacer. Two dismountable node plates can be fixed to the spacer by way of clamping assemblies. Each node plate includes an eye having a through-hole. A joint assembly which comprises a crosswise tie-piece can be interconnected pivotably to the through-hole of the eye of one of the node plates.

Abstract: A power source for an arc furnace having an intermediate circuit transformer including a magnetic decoupled booster transformer and an AC main-driven converter. Such a power source comprises a current controller and a zero voltage switch. The current controller and the zero voltage switch are integrated in the intermediate circuit transformer. The zero voltage switch short-circuits the main reactance of the booster transformer whenever the current controller faces a current cut off and is blocked.

Abstract: Electrochromic compounds capable of reversibly attenuating the transmittance of the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum are provided. These compounds exhibit an energy difference between the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) energy and the highest doubly occupied molecular orbital (HDOMO) energy (ESOMO−EHDOMO) of less than about 3.6 eV. In addition, these compounds have a transition moment of the configuration made up of the HDOMO and SOMO that is “long axis polarized”.

Abstract: An improved seal member is provided as a part of an electrochromic device to bond two glass elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. In one embodiment the seal member provides improved adhesion to a reflector/electrode on the third surface of an electrochromic mirror, or to a layer of metal on the second or third surface for an electrochromic light filter. This seal member comprises a mixture of an organic resin scaling system and an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promotor comprises a first and a second region, where the first region interacts with the reflector/electrode or the metal layer, and a second region that interacts with the organic resin sealing system, and may even chemically react with the organic resin sealing system. In another embodiment the seal member is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is closer to glass than a standard epoxy sealing system.

Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.

Abstract: A device for transdermal administration of medication includes a medication reservoir, a set of electrodes made up of an electrode attached to the medication reservoir and a counter electrode, an electronic key loaded with a predetermined code, an electronic module, separably mounted on the set of electrodes, for reading and operating the device according to the predetermined code and for regulating the electric current flowing between the two electrodes and through the reservoir and skin of the patient, and a cradle for holding the electronic module.

Abstract: An improved seal member is provided as a part of an electrochromic device to bond two glass elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. In one embodiment the seal member provides improved adhesion to a reflector/electrode on the third surface of an electrochromic mirror, or to a layer of metal on the second or third surface for an electrochromic light filter. This seal member comprises a mixture of an organic resin sealing system and an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promotor comprises a first and a second region, where the first region interacts with the reflector/electrode or the metal layer, and a second region that interacts with the organic resin sealing system, and may even chemically react with the organic resin sealing system. In another embodiment the seal member is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is closer to glass than a standard epoxy sealing system.

Abstract: A column repair jack, for repairing a column comprises a base, a lift member, an extending member, a releasable engaging member, a lift actuating member and a positioning member. The lift member is associated with the base member. The extending member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is associated with the lift member. The releasably engaging member, which is associated with the second end of the extending member, is capable of releasably engaging the column to be repaired. The positioning member positions at least a portion of the extending member at an angle relative to the column to be repaired. After attachment to a column, the lift actuating member facilitates the transfer of at least a portion of the load from the column to the column repair jack, to, in turn, facilitate repair of the column. The invention further comprises a method for attaching a column repair jack to a column to be repaired, for the repair of same.

Abstract: A container for electrolytic cells, and an electrolytic cell associated with such a container. The container includes at least two container half members attachable to each other in a mating configuration. At least one barrier member defines a cell containing region within the container. Furthermore, a cover member, in combination with an adjacent barrier member, defines a lead housing region. Electrolytic cells, such as stacks of conventional flat battery cells, have a portion positioned within the cell containing region, while the portion of the electrolytic cells having electrically exposed leads are entrapped in electrically conducting contact with each other and another electrical lead associated with the cover member, in the lead housing region. The electrical lead associated with the cover member has a portion which extends externally to the container, so as to enable electrical contact with an external device.