Abstract: A two-phase nozzle having a converging diverging configurations is equipped with a flow divider at its inlet. The flow divider is arranged to act upon an incoming flow of two-phase liquid to break the liquid phase into finely divided droplets which are directed into the nozzle entrance region so that minimum contact is made with the inside wall of the nozzle. The finely divided droplets are thus thoroughly dispersed in the gas phase of the mixture producing maximum acceleration of the fluid through the nozzle.

Abstract: Adjustable flow electromagnetic valve having a closing assembly (8) movable within a chamber (7) with a passage (3) linked to a high pressure area and a passage (4) linked to a low pressure area. The electromagnetic valve is designed such that the closing assembly consists of a valve (8) freely movable within the chamber (7). The disk-shaped valve (8) is flat, light and non-deformable and is capable of being automatically brought to its fluid flow position when pressure within the inlet passage (HP) (5) tends to a value approaching a predefined set pressure; the electromagnetic valve is also designed such that fluid flow through the valve (8) is achieved by openings (10) formed in the thickness of the valve, the openings being arranged in a median area outside the circumference of the inlet passage (3) so that the latter can be closed when the valve (8) is electromagnetically returned.

Abstract: An improved non-contact apparatus and method for reading a surface that has information encoded in a relief pattern thereon, includes an optical transmitter for projecting a line of light onto the relief pattern at a first angle to a normal of the surface; an optical receiver that views the projected line of light at a second angle to the normal of the surface and produces signal data that is representative of an image of the reflection thereon. The image viewed by the receiver has parallactic displacements of the line of illumination that occur at transitions between raised and recessed portions of the relief pattern. The signal data is culled such that only those pixels surrounding the line of light are selected. The culled signal data is then decoded into electrical signals which represent decoded information contained in the relief pattern. The optical receiver can be realized as a plurality of light sensors arranged in a linear, or a two dimensional array, together with suitable focusing optics.

Abstract: A system for marking trails including a visible tag having a unitary body of a planar configuration. The tag is made of a highly visible color with the body of the tag being made of a biodegradable plastic material. In use, a plurality of tags are fastened to foliage at regular intervals along a trail to provide a series of visible markers which define the trail. The tags are retrieved for reuse after the tags have served their intended purpose.

Abstract: A belt buckle for use in line dancing that includes a body section having thumb grips located on the top edge of the body section and finger grips located on the bottom edge thereof. The grips are provided with contoured seats so that the thumb and forefinger on each of the wearers hands can close over the buckle to firmly grasp the buckle while performing a line dance routine.

Abstract: A shoe for use in a gliding sport employing a board that includes a flexible boot having an upper section for securing the boot to a wearer's leg and a sole having a transverse recess level with arch of the wearer's foot. A block is arranged under the sole and is intended to interact with a binding on the board. A stirrup piece passes under the sole and has arms that rise to either side of the boot. A spoiler is mounted for articulation upon the stirrup piece. The rearward inclination of the spoiler is limited in assembly and wherein the lower face of the stirrup piece receives the block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction vacuum pump (1) with a housing (2, 3), a rotor (8) and a rotor bearing (9) which is supported in the housing (2, 3) via a sleeve-like support (21). In order to obtain a precise support which nonetheless permits slight oscillations in the rotating system, it is proposed that the sleeve-like support (21) is in turn supported in the housing (2, 3) via several, preferably three, substantially axially extending rods (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary tube (1) determining the leakage rate for a test leak; in order to simplify its production and reduce the risk of breakage, it is proposed that the capillary tube (1) be a prior art quartz capillary tube encased in plastic. A holder joined to one end of the capillary tube by a removable connecting coupler has a nozzle for introducing a test sample into the tube.

Abstract: A hand-held diagnostic instrument includes a casing having a hand-holdable body portion and a neck portion that extends from the body portion to a head portion that is formed of a back cover and a front cover. A circuit board assembly in the body portion contains video processing circuitry, and a flexible neck board extends forward from the body portion through the neck portion of the casing to a head board located in the head portion of the casing. A solid state imager and a miniature lamp are disposed on the head board. The front cover contains an adjustable focus lens cell for focusing on the imager an image of a target in the lens cell's field of view. The instrument provides a monitor-ready standard format full color video signal.

Abstract: Civil engineering apparatus that includes a turret mounted upon the chassis of a motor vehicle. A boom is pivotally mounted in the turret and is connected to a tool stick by a boom tip. Articulating members are mounted on either end of the boom stick so that each end of the boom stick can be pivotally displaced in two perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A method of operating a claw-type vacuum pump with two or more stages, each of which has a suction chamber with a pair of claw rotors and end-located suction and discharge ports. To avoid the possibility of liquids affecting operation of the pump, the invention proposes that the pump is operated without internal compression and that the gases emerging from at least one stage are cooled.

Abstract: A buccal respiratory mask includes a shell which has an adaptor for connecting to a respirator tube and a seal which is applied against an area surrounding a patient's mouth. The mask may include a tab or a lug for securing a fastening strap that secures the mask to the patient's face. The mask of the invention is generally used for non-invasive mechanical ventilation of patients suffering from transient respiratory failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test gas detector, preferably for leak detection instruments, with a selective, preferably test-gas-permeable inlet system (6) and with a device (5) recording the presence of test gas; to reduce the complexity in the production of the vacuum it is proposed that the test gas recorder (5) comprise a gas consuming vacuum gauge (8).

Abstract: A chimney cleaning apparatus for cleaning the walls of the chimney comprising a support member selectively placed in the chimney having a top mounting bracket and a bottom mounting bracket. The support member has a clevis arm pivotally attached at one end to the support member. The clevis arm has a cutting blade mounted at the other end which is in contact with the wall of the chimney. There is a first spring connecting the clevis arm to the top mounting bracket and a second spring connecting the clevis arm to the bottom mounting bracket, such that the first spring and the second spring bias the clevis arm in a substantially horizontal position and such that the cutting blade is biased to contact the chimney wall when the support member is moved upwardly or downwardly in the chimney.

Abstract: Active semiconductor devices including heterojunction diodes and thin film transistors are formed by PECVD deposition of a boron carbide thin film on an N-type substrate. The boron to carbon ratio of the deposited material is controlled so that the film has a suitable band gap energy. Boron carbides such as B.sub.4.7 C, B.sub.7.2 C and B.sub.19 C have suitable band gap energies between 0.8 and 1.7 eV. The stoichiometry of the film can be selected by varying the partial pressure of precursor gases, such as nido pentaborane and methane. The precursor gas or gases are energized, e.g., in a plasma reactor. The heterojunction diodes retain good rectifying properties at elevated temperature, e.g., up to 400.degree. C.