Abstract: A reciprocating engine (10) comprises separate cylinders (12 and 15) for air compression and expansion with heating of the compressed air taking place in a heat exchanger (17) or combustor (64) located between the cylinders (12 and 15). The flow of gas into the expander cylinder (15) is controlled by an admission valve (37). The stem (41) of the admission valve (37) extends transversely across the expander cylinder (15) and is cooled by the flow of exhaust gases out of the expander cylinder (15).

Abstract: A laser beam delivery system and a method for ablating tissue, e.g., for reshaping a cornea of an eye is provided. The laser beam delivery system directs a laser beam on the tissue to be ablated in a predetermined pattern according to the principles of the present invention. The laser beam is incrementally scanned to subsequent laser beam ablation points or spots in the ablation zone in accordance with the predetermined pattern. The laser beam ablates tissue at the spots in the predetermined pattern in an arranged order. In one aspect of the present invention, the radii of the predetermined pattern is varied between scans of the laser beam until a predetermined reshaping is achieved by ablation. In another aspect of the present invention, every other, every third, every fourth, etc. laser beam spot in a predetermined pattern is ablated, and the scans are repeated for unablated points until all spots are ablated.

Abstract: A system for illuminating an eye useful for tracking movement of an eye during vision correction treatments includes a generally arcuate main body having. The main body is constructed and arranged to be mounted in spaced relation to an eye to be tracked. An infrared light source is carried by the main body on at least a significant portion of its inner circumferential surface to direct infrared light toward the eye being treated at an angle from about 20 to 45 degrees with respect to an iris base plane of the eye being tracked.

Abstract: Provided is a solution aerosol formulation adapted for use in a pressurized aerosol container. The aerosol formulation is formulated from a composition containing Budesonide, Formoterol at least one fluoroalkane propellant, and a cosolvent present in an amount that dissolves or solubilizes the Budesonide and Formoterol in the mixture of cosolvent and propellant.

Abstract: A method of coating a component (6) having at least one passage (16) entirely therethrough. The method comprising the steps of applying a coating (28) to a region of the surface (22) of the component (6), adjacent to one end of the passage. Then directing a liquid jet (38) through the other end of the said passage (16) so as to remove at least a portion of any coating material (28) located within, or obstructing, the passage (16). In this method the jet is channelled by a first portion (42) of the passage (16) before it encounters the coating material (28) within, or obstructing, the passage (16). In particular the jet (38) is a water jet, which is used to remove a ceramic coating (28) from a component (6). The method has particular use in clearing cooling holes (16) within combustor components or turbine blades. The method can also be used in the repair of such components (6).

Abstract: A catalytic combustion chamber is provided with at least two catalytic combustion zones arranged in flow series. In a first mode of operation fuel is supplied from first fuel injectors, positioned upstream of the first catalytic combustion zone, into the catalytic combustion chamber and is burnt in the first catalytic combustion zone in order to preheat the subsequent catalytic combustion zones. In the second mode of operation the supply of fuel to the first fuel injectors is reduced and fuel is supplied from second fuel injectors positioned between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone into the space between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone. This prevents the first catalytic zone becoming overheated, and reduces the possibility of the second and third catalytic combustion zones becoming overheated and allows the optimum catalyst to be selected for the first catalytic combustion zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing corneal refractive surgery by ablating a portion of a corneal surface of an eye. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser for producing a pulsed output beam of light. A scanning mechanism scans the output beam, and the output beam is operatively associated with the scanning mechanism such that the output beam may be scanned over a predetermined surface defined by a mathematically derived ablation layer boundary curve for each ablation layer. A controller is operatively associated with the scanning mechanism so as to deliver output beams to the predetermined surface such that center points of output beams may be disposed within the ablation layer boundary curve, on the ablation layer boundary curve, and outside but within a predetermined distance from a nearest point on the ablation layer boundary curve so as to integrate the edges of the ablation layer boundary curve to more closely correspond to the desired ablated shape.

Abstract: A titanium aluminide based alloy consisting of 42-48 at % aluminium, 2-5 at % niobium, 3-8 at % zirconium, 0-1 at % boron, 0-0.4 at % silicon and the balance, apart from incidental impurities, is titanium. The titanium aluminize alloy composition has a satisfactory combination of high tensile strength, acceptable ductility at room temperature and low secondary creep rate at elevated temperature, so as to be suitable for use in high temperature applications for example aero-engines and automobile engines. It is suitable for compressor discs and compressor blades of aero-engines.

Abstract: In a method for decomposition of hydrocarbons for the production of hydrogen and carbon black, the feed stock is passed through a plasma torch, which causes a pyrolytic decomposition of the feed stock. The feed stock is transported through the plasma torch (A) in a cooled lead-in tube (1) and undergoes a first heating in an area in the immediate vicinity of the plasma flame. The material thereby produced is passed on to one or more subsequent stages where the final and complete decomposition of the hydrocarbons to carbon black and hydrogen occurs. In this area further raw material may be added which causes quenching and reacts with the already produced carbon black. An increase is thereby caused in particle size, density and amount produced without further energy supply, whereafter the products produced are expelled and separated and hot gas may be transported in a return pipe to the torch, in order to further increase the energy yield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing polysulphide by means of oxidizing sulphide in spent liquors from kraft cellulose cooking. The process is characterized in that green liquor is firstly enriched in sulphide and then oxidized.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the bending of rigid workpieces, particularly tubes, such as those of use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems.

Abstract: In a method for the production of carbon black and hydrogen by means of pyrolysis of hydrocarbons with a plasma torch (3) in a reaction chamber the pressure in the reaction chamber (1), the feed rate for the hydrogen plasma gas and hydrocarbons and the angle of the injection nozzles (2) in the reaction chamber (1) are adjusted in order to establish a reaction zone (5) in the chamber's central area with a location which determines the reaction enthalpy for decomposition of the hydrocarbons into hydrogen and carbon black in order to obtain a desired quality for the carbon part. The enthalpy value is adjusted in a range between 1 and 50 kWh/Nm.sup.3 and the temperature in the reaction zone is maintained between 1000.degree. C. and 4000.degree. C.

Abstract: A sample removing tool comprises two partly spherical blades which are rotatably mounted on a carrier member about parallel axes. The cutting edges of the blades face each other and a portion of the cutting edges are arranged to lie in a nominal circle. The carrier member is rotatably mounted on a support member about an axis, the axis is perpendicular to a plane containing the nominal circle and passes through the center of the nominal circle. The axes of the blades are inclined to the axis of rotation of the carrier member. The blades are rotated about their axes and the carrier member is rotated about its axis such that the cutting edges of the blades move along the circumference of the nominal circle to cut a sample from a surface of a component arranged perpendicular to and intersecting the nominal circle.

Abstract: Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas containing: a wall structure defining an interior chamber; a first reflecting surface for reflecting a pressure wave within the interior chamber; a second reflecting surface for reflecting the pressure wave within the interior chamber, wherein the first and second reflecting surfaces are constructed and arranged to resonate the pressure wave in the interior chamber; at least one first inlet for introducing a first gas into the interior chamber; and at least one outlet from the interior chamber for drawing off a pressurized gas from the interior chamber. Also provided is a turbine engine containing the combustion chamber, and an electrical generating power plant containing the turbine engine.

Abstract: A method for determining the resonant frequency of vibration of a rotating blade comprises determining the approximate resonance frequency and rotating a blade at a plurality of frequencies in a range above and below the approximate frequency. At each frequency two measurements are taken representative of synchronous amplitudes at each measurement point (P.sub.1 and P.sub.2) wherein the two points are separated by an angle .beta. and there are an unknown number x of complete synchronous vibrations between the two points. A set of data is provided and a plot of P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 produced, the data being analysed to determine a likely value of x and hence the resonant frequency.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making pulp having the steps of:contacting an undigested cellulosic fiber material with a pretreatment liquid formulated from a mixture comprising alkali metal bicarbonate and alkali metal hydrogen sulfide as reaction components which are dissolved or disbursed in an aqueous liquid, under conditions that:(1) the reaction components react to form H.sub.2 S, CO.sup.2 and alkali metal carbonate in situ;(2) HS.sup.- ions are formed by disassociation of H.sub.2 S and/or by disassociation of alkali metal hydrogen sulfide; and(3) at least a portion of the H.sub.2 S and/or HS.sup.- ions is absorbed or diffused into the undigested cellulosicfiber material to enhance the sulfur content of the undigested cellulosic fiber material,to form a sulfur enhanced, undigested cellulosic fiber material, wherein the pretreatment liquid is substantially free of alkali metal hydroxide; anddigesting the sulfur enhanced, undigested cellulosic fiber material in a digester to form a pulp.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine has a fuel nozzle located in the upstream end thereof and is positioned within a cylinder coaxial with said nozzle. The cylinder comprises at its downstream end an annular flange extending from the cylinder in a generally radial direction. The flange has a plurality of cooling air apertures radially extending therethrough so as to direct cooling air along the face of an adjacent heatshield.

Abstract: A frequency allocation plan for a wireless communication system that accommodates growth in demand from a low density reuse pattern of twelve cells to a high efficiency reuse pattern of three cells. The available radio spectrum is first divided into three ranges and each range is further divided into four groups. The frequencies in each range are sequentially assigned to the four groups, and the groups are further identified as even and/or odd index groups. The twelve cell groups are laid out in rectangular shapes of four cells across by three cells high, with a first set of three cells in the upper left portion being assigned to use a first even index frequency group. A second group of three cells in a lower left portion are assigned to use a second even index frequency group. A third and fourth group of three cells associated with upper right and lower right positions are assigned the first and second odd index frequency group.

Abstract: An electrical machine has a rotor shaft (12) which carries a plurality of rotor discs (14) for rotation therewith. Each rotor disc (14) has pairs of rotor rims (16) secured thereto. Each rotor rim (16) consists of a single row of alternate magnets (20) and laminated pole pieces (18) and is opposed by a series of stator cores (22) which straddle the rotor rim (16). Armature windings (24) are disposed within the stator cores (22) for operably exciting said stator. The phase relationship between the currents through the armature windings (24) and the orientation of the stator cores (22) or the magnets (20) in opposing rims (16) are such that the effects of electromagnetic coupling, long path fluxes and torque ripple is reduced.

Abstract: In this approach to implementing a wireless communication system, in band translator components are located in the center of remote cells which would normally contain a base transceiver system (BTS). Selective diversity processing is implemented in the translators by providing for at least two spatially separated receive antennas and two receive path circuits in the up link direction. A diversity circuit is time synchronized to the downlink signal to provide for proper detection and selection of the appropriate signal to be forwarded to a centralized BTS. As a result, a separate diversity path need not be maintained for the remainder of each backhaul link, and radio frequency components such as a second upconverter, synthesizer and power amplifier associated with the range extender can be eliminated.