Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the general direction of the origin of a projectile. At least one sensor, having at least three spaced-apart transducers, each being capable of encountering a blast wave generated at an origin of and by a propellant for the projectile, is provided for generating a signal responsive thereto. From the signals, a time relation is measured between at least three transducers when the blast wave serially encounters each of the three transducers. From the time relations, at least one unit sighting vector from at least one sensor to the origin of the blast wave is determined so that the unit sighting vector points in the general direction of the origin of the projectile.

Abstract: The invention concerns a processing circuit (2, 120) for producing a variable output signal in response to a variable quantity picked up or received as input. The processing circuit is associated with a stage or has an input sensor (4, 100) furnishing a signal with a variable amplification/attenuation factor, and further exhibits response characteristics which depend in particular from state variables. The processing circuit includes a suppression circuit (FIG. 5, FIG. 6) for suppressing transients normally produced by modification of the amplification/attenuation factor, this suppression circuit functioning by modifying the value of the state variables in direct proportion to the modification of the amplification/attenuation factor.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein E is O or S; R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkenyl; X can be H, F, Cl, Br, I, CF.sub.3 ; n is an integer 1 to 4; m is an integer 0 to 4; A and B are 5- or 6- membered aromatic carbocyclic rings optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, S and carrying the substituents R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, respectively; R.sub.1 can be hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl, a sulfonic group or a tetrazole group of formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 can be hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl; R.sub.2 can be hydrogen or a COOR.sub.4 group (wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl), CN, SO.sub.3 H, PO.sub.3 H or a tetrazole group R.sub.3 ; can be a hydrogen or a moiety of formula (II)B'(R'.sub.2,R'.sub.3) (II)wherein: B.sup.1, R.sup.1.sub.2 have the same meanings reported above for B and R.sub.2, R'.sub.3 is H; with the proviso that when A is phenyl, R.sub.

Abstract: To determine the carbon black distribution two measurements of spectral intensities of separately produced plasmas are carried out with different time delays relative to a particular laser pulse, the time delay for the second measurement for determining the spectral line intensities of a reference element carbon (I.sub.C,) and at least one analysis element (I.sub.A.n,) being smaller than for the first measurement; for determining the spectral line intensities of the reference element (I.sub.C) and the other analysis elements (I.sub.A.n).Evaluation of the measurements is performed by reference to calibration information based on reference measurements, which information shows the magnitude of the concentration ratio of the other analysis elements or the at least one analysis element to the reference element (c.sub.A.n /c.sub.C or c.sub.A.n /c.sub.R) as a function of the appurtenant intensity ratio values.

Abstract: A cat game (10) includes a rigid enclosed frame (16) having bottom and top edges (18, 20) and interior and exterior sides (22, 24), with the interior side defining an interior space (46). Rigid parallel flat bottom and top walls (38, 40) are attached at the interior side respectively adjacent the bottom and top edges of the frame for permanently enclosing the interior space. The flat top wall has nine holes (48a-i) therein and a spherical ball (14) is placed in the interior space through one of the holes. A distance between the flat top and bottom walls is substantially uniform and not greater than twice a diameter of the spherical ball and substantially all of the top holes have minimum dimensions that are greater than the diameter of the ball but less than 1.5 times the diameter of the ball. Most of the top holes are spaced a substantial distance from the frame.

Abstract: An electrical connector, or coupling, includes a connecting lug (1) formed as a tongue-shaped metal plate which has a substantially slit-shaped recess (3) for receiving a wire. In an area of the recess a stamping is made in the connecting lug (1). By these means also wires with particularly small cross sections can be coupled to the connecting lug (1) by a force fit (friction) and a shape-interlock.

Abstract: A front end loader driven by a diesel engine is prevented from starting in reverse after stalling under load conditions which might place a backload on the engine. A speed sensor senses engine speed and the output of the sensor is applied to a programmable controller that controls a fuel flow solenoid. The controller compares the engine speed with a first reference speed in approximately the range of the idle speed of the engine until the engine speed is greater than the first reference speed. The controller then compares the engine speed with a second reference speed value less than the engine idle speed. If the engine speed drops below the second reference speed value, indicating an impending engine stall, the microprocessor controls the fuel flow solenoid to stop flow of fuel to the engine so that the engine stops. Since the engine is without fuel it cannot restart even if backloaded. A method of operating the diesel engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for measuring and displaying the eccentricity or off-set position with respect to coaxiality of a metallic conductor within an insulating coating during an extrusion process. The measuring apparatus employs a combination of optical and electrically inductive techniques to determine respectively the position of the outer coating of the cable and that of the core within the cable. By relating these positional measurements it is possible to determine the position of the core relative to a desired location namely the coaxial position so that appropriate corrections can be made to the extrusion process to keep the core in that coaxial position.

Abstract: A coupling device (1) between a source of mechanical energy (2) and a generator of electrical energy (3) comprises an arbor (4) driven by said source of mechanical energy, a cylindrical element (5) fixedly and coaxially mounted on the arbor, a tube (6) surmounting said cylindrical element arranged to rotate freely about said arbor and drive said generator. A helical spring (7) is friction-fitted on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first turns (8) and last turns (9) respectively. A space (10) is provided between said tube and cylindrical element and the central turns (11) of the spring (7).

Abstract: The fuel tank of a mobile vehicle is provided with a level sensor for sensing the level of fuel in the tank as it is being filled. The output signal from the level sensor is applied to a microprocessor which in turn provides output signals to drive an audible alarm and a visual display. The microprocessor determines the level of fuel in the tank from the signal produced by the level sensor and drives the audible alarm to provide a first sound pattern, such short beeps or tones when the tank is at least 3/4 full but less than 7/8 full and a second sound pattern such as a continuous tone when the tank is at least 7/8 full. The microprocessor also drives a visual display to display text messages indicating the level of fuel in the tank. A vehicle operator may initiate filling of the tank and attend to other service on the vehicle, leaving the fill operation unattended. The first sound pattern warns the operator that he must soon give his full attention to the fill operation.

Abstract: A push button switch, particularly a power supply switch, has contacts (4, 5) attached to a housing and a movable contact bridge (8) which is moved by means of a spring plunger (10'). A spring switching mechanism (26) transmits force between the spring plunger (10') and a manually-actuated switch actuator (22'). The switch actuator (22') is alternately latched and unlatched by a locking linkage (27, 28) which alternately holds the switch actuator in "switched-on" and "switched-off" positions when the switch actuator is repeatedly pushed. Additionally, a switching rocker (51) is provided between the switch actuator (22') and the spring plunger (10') to improve switching action. The switching rocker (51), at the beginning of "switching-on" and "switching-off" operations, forcibly carries the spring plunger (10') in its respective switching direction through a partial path of its contact stroke (H).

Abstract: A tool permitting a longshoreman to install and remove stacking pins from cargo containers without the necessity of using a ladder is disclosed. The stacking pin tool includes a segmented, elongated, handle with one end segment thereof terminating in a specifically designed stacking pin engagement and retention structure for a specific design stacking pin. The longshoreman remains on the deck while engaging and retaining the stacking pin with the end of the tool, rotating the tool and pin 180.degree. to individually position stacking pins over and in position to be inserted in each of the four reinforced corners of a cargo container. The length of the elongated handle is adjusted by adding or removing segments therein for use in one or two tier cargo container stacks.

Abstract: A dispersion consisting of: from 10 to 50% by weight of alkali metal, or amine or ammonium salts of crosslinked acrylic acid polymers or copolymers as dispersed phase and from 50 to 90% by weight of a dispersing phase, characterized in that the dispersing phase consists of a polyether of general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 linear or branched alkyk group, aryl or aryl substituted with one or two C.sub.1 -C.sub.9 alkyl groups, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or the methyl group, n, m, and p may take values ranging from 0 to 80 with the proviso that n+m+p is between 1 and 100.

Abstract: An evacuator housing ( 14) of a gas tank evacuator (10) receives a gas tank (12). A valve seal of a movable seal head (34) and a puncture seal (66) of the evacuator housing are clamped onto the gas tank at opposite ends by a hollow threaded shaft (32) to form a sealed test space (58) exteriorly of the gas tank at a valve (22) and a sealed evacuation space (68) exteriorly of the gas tank at a puncture spot (24). A pressure gauge (60) coupled to the test space rides on the seal head and a valve actuator in the form of a rod (40), passes through the hollow threaded shaft into the sealed test space. A puncturing mechanism (18) punctures the gas tank at the puncture spot. The sealed evacuation space is positioned vertically below the puncture spot and communicates with a carbon filter positioned vertically above the evacuation space so as to form a U-shaped trap (90).

Abstract: A non-contacting shaft sealing device in which an even-number of dynamic pressure generating groove groups are arranged in the peripheral direction thereof on a sealing end face of the seal case side or a sealing end face of the rotary shaft side. Each dynamic pressure generating groove group is composed of one or plural shallow L-shaped grooves of a specific groove width comprising a fluid lead-in part extending in the radial direction from a peripheral edge of high pressure side of said sealing end face and a dynamic pressure generating part extending in the peripheral direction from the end portion thereof. When the dynamic pressure generating groove group is composed of plural L-shaped grooves, those L-shaped grooves are arranged close to each other at an equal pitch without crossing each other such that the end portion of each dynamic pressure generating part is positioned on a fourth sealing end face diametral line.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for measuring and displaying the eccentricity or off-set position with respect to coaxiality of a metallic conductor within an insulating coating during an extrusion process. The measuring apparatus employs a combination of optical and electrically inductive techniques to determine respectively the position of the outer coating of the cable and that of the core within the cable. By relating these positional measurements it is possible to determine the position of the core relative to a desired location namely the coaxial position so that appropriate corrections can be made to the extrusion process to keep the core in that coaxial position.

Abstract: An insect trap (10) including a housing having a support frame (11), a skin (18) of flexible transparent or translucent material attached to and substantially covering the support frame (11) to provide a housing interior (17A) which is substantially totally exposed to sunlight. A walk through passage (16A) extends through the housing interior (17A) and a brush (33A, 37A) forms a dense curtain in the walk through passage (16A) for brushing flies off an animal passing through the housing interior (17A) in the walk through passage (16A). One or more ceiling sheets or panels (20) are located in the housing which are spaced from the flexible skin (18) to define an enclosed space (57) which functions as a heat trap for insects.

Abstract: In a locking device for sports footwear, in particular for ski-boots comprising a body (12) on which a leg-piece (18) is pivotably mounted two levers (24,26) are hinged together at one of their ends and pivotably mounted at their opposite ends on the body (12) and the leg-piece (18) respectively. The lever pivotably mounted on the body (12) is provided with a lug (41) able to engage with an inner shoe (21) so as to prevent it from coming out.

Abstract: An anti-lock brake control system comprises at least two micro-computers and at least two input/output circuits which monitor one another as well as functions of other components of the anti-lock brake control system. If faulty voltages appear within the anti-lock brake control system or if false values in transmitted signals occur, the anti-lock brake control system will be dependably shut down. By integrating a plurality of monitoring functions in the input/output circuits as well as by building redundancies into the anti-lock brake control system, a high level of safety is achieved, in spite of the small number of necessary components and the small production cost associated therewith.

Abstract: A measurement arrangement, in particular for measuring the proportion of glucose in the blood, which is intended to be associated with a removable sensor including a plurality of single use active zones includes a cutting arrangement (44, 64, 66, 68, 70) serving to cut off the removable sensor (52) introduced into the measurement arrangement. The cutting arrangement comprises a lever (44), a crank (66) and a blade (70) fixed on the lever.