Abstract: A process for separating a first gas from a second gas, having the steps of: (1) contacting one side of a semi-permeable gas separation membrane with a feed gas mixture containing at least the first gas and the second gas, wherein the membrane divides a separation chamber into a high-pressure side into which the feed gas mixture is fed and a low-pressure side; (2) maintaining a pressure differential across the membrane under conditions such that the first gas in the feed gas mixture selectively permeates through the membrane from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the membrane; (3) removing from the low-pressure side of the membrane permeated gas mixture which is enriched in the first gas and depleted in the second gas; and (4) removing from the high-pressure side of the membrane a gas mixture which is enriched in the second gas and depleted in the first gas.

Abstract: A flow controller for preventing damage to a rotating machine by automatically redirecting the flow of lubricating oil in and out of a shaft driven pump in the event the machine goes into reverse rotation. The controller contains sealing elements that are moved under the influence of oil moving through the flow controller.

Abstract: A photo installation having an acquisition element intended to receive the optical image of a subject desired to be photographed. The acquisition element is connected to a central processing unit for storing the optical information thus received. The installation is provided with a screen connected to the acquisition element that allows simultaneous viewing by the subject of the image received by the acquisition element. A printing device is provided to take a photograph or a sequence of photographs upon command of the subject. A half-silvered mirror is mounted on the optical axis of the acquisition element and directed along the bisector of the angle defined by the respective optical axes of the acquisition element and the screen so as to generate a virtual image of the screen on the optical path of the acquisition element.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the relief profile of a score line mode in a subste such as a paper board. A hand-held measuring head containing a light source illuminates the score line and the back-scattered light reflected therefrom is recorded by a CCD imager. The digital output of the imager is sent to a processor to determine one or more physical characteristics of the score line.

Abstract: A system for controlling the output of a rolling mill. An intelligent control system is part of a control loop between the mill and a PID controller. The control loop does not rely on the output of an exit gauge sensor in normal operation. The intelligent control system can be an artificial neural network or a parallel cascade network, and has an output node for generating an output signal that is predictive of the exit gauge at a future time. A comparator coupled to the artificial neural network output signal and to a reference signal derives an error signal which is fed to the PID controller for modulating the metal thickness.

Abstract: A counterflow leak-detector unit (1) with an inlet (2) connected to a test specimen, or a chamber housing a test specimen. A high-vacuum pump (4) produces pressure in a test-gas detector. The inlet (2) to the leak-detector unit is connected to an intermediate line (16) in the high-vacuum pump (4). To increase detection sensitivity without any danger of the pressure in the detector rising to inadmissible levels, a constriction (17) is located between two high-vacuum pump states (5, 6) of the high vacuum pump (4). Pump stages (5, 6) are separated by the intermediate line (16). The inlet (2) to the leak-detector unit (1) is connected to the outlet side of the high-vacuum pump state (5) at a point upstream of the constriction (17).

Abstract: A lifting frame for a hinged spa cover having a pair of adjustable lifting arms pivotally mounted adjacent side walls of a spa. A U-shaped foot actuated lever is connected to the lifting arms with the base of the lever extended across one end wall of the spa. The upper part of the arms are equipped with one or more supports that are adjacent to and parallel with the cover hinge whereby the cover is foldable over the support or supports when the lifting arms are in a first position. The foot lever is elevated when the lifting arms are in the first position and depressing the lever cause the arms to be rotated to a second position whereby the folded cover is supported in a vertical position adjacent one end wall of the spa.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for optimizing the magnetic properties of a multiphase product of composition rare earth/iron/boron endowed with permanent magnet properties at ambient temperature. This composition serves as a precursor, which is first subjected to a decrepitation treatment by hydrogenation under low pressure at low temperature to obtain an intermediate hydride in pulverulent form. The pulverulent intermediate hydride is subsequently subjected to a first heat treatment under vacuum for partial dehydrogenation at a temperature below its element separation temperature. The non-separated product thereby obtained is subjected to a second heat post-treatment under an initial primary vacuum and extensively dehydrogenated until the primary vacuum is reestablished at a temperature close to 600.degree. C. The precursor can be an isotropic material obtained by fast quenching, such as wheel quenching or hot welding with a forging ratio of at least 10.

Abstract: The device is distinctive in that tooth (D) and matching adapter (A) are both designed with matching shapes to allow, after assembly, the formation and definition of one or more spaces (V) of variable shape, as appropriate, the adapter and tooth being made with one or more openings allowing the filling and application of a special-purpose material (M) in the above-mentioned space(s), said special-purpose material fulfilling the functions of locking the tooth relative to the adapter by absolute contact between the tooth and adapter by forming a contact cushion that ensures distribution of the stresses and strains in all the areas filled by the material.

Abstract: A unitary waveguide element is employed in a light weight waveguide antenna. The waveguide element has a waveguide portion having a front wall with slots formed across it at predetermined locations, a continuous back wall, and substantially continuous broad walls. A first flange is formed on one of the broad walls lying in a plane that extends in the width direction. A pair of flanges are formed on the other broad wall that lie in planes that are displaced slightly from the first flange, so that when the waveguide element is superposed onto the next successive element, these flanges overlap with the second flanges straddling the first flange. The flanges are then bonded with epoxy or an equivalent agent. A rivet box is formed on the proximal side of the back wall and permits attachment of the waveguide element in precise alignment to a predrilled backing plate with rivets or other suitable fasteners. The rivets do not penetrate into the waveguide portion of the element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas friction pump with a high vacuum (HV) area and a forevacuum area (FV) area; in order to avoid, on the pumping surfaces, the formation of solid materials when such pumps are used for chemical processes, it is proposed that the HV area and the FV area have different working temperatures, so that the temperature of the HV area is lower than the temperature of the FV area (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An adjustable seat having a seat cushion and a backrest which are both secured to an underframe. The seat further includes a hydrostatic system of incompressible fluid contained within a closed circuit. The hydrostatic system includes individual actuators which bear against the seat cushion or both the seat cushion and backrest to adjust the inclination thereof. A shutoff member is provided to alternately allow and prevent movement of fluid within the closed circuit to change and then maintain a desired inclination.

Abstract: A fluid insensitive system for braking the displacement cables in an endoscopic insertion tube wherein at least one control wheel is mounted on the outside of the insertion tube control housing. A brake disc is mounted adjacent the control wheel and is moved in and out of engagement with the wheel by an actuator. A plurality of spring loaded detent pins are slidably carried within the control wheel for engaging a series of depressions in the brake disk to form a restraining ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: An easychair having a frame which forms the back of the chair, two side members forming the seat of the chair and a pair of spaced apart arm rests. The side members and arm rests are mounted or articulated upon the frame. A U-shaped frame forms the leg rest of the chair and the base is formed by a pair of leg units that are secured to the side members and which articulate about a forked yoke. Each arm rest contains a slide rod in parallel alignment with the side members. The end of the front leg unit is arranged to slide along the slide rod and a locking means for holding the chair in an unfolded position. The legs of the leg units are connected by a linkage so that they move together as the chair is folded and unfolded.

Abstract: A post operative adjustable protective socket for a patient that has undergone a transtibial amputation. The socket is formed of a single piece of semi-rigid plastic and includes a cup shaped base, a semi-circular rear shell and a semi-circular front shell that are vertically extended from the base. The rear shell has two opposed circumferential cuffs that surround the wearer's leg above the knee. The front shell extends upwardly to a height just below the cuffs. Wide elastic bands surround the upper and lower sections of the device to press the shells into secure contact against the residual limb. A support strap also surrounds the device in the region of the wearer's patella tendon to help absorb some of the impact in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A contact bar code reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional bar codes. The reader comprises a housing having therein a source of illumination and optics for producing a diverging beam for illuminating a bar code symbol. A transparent frustoconical guide is removably attached to the housing, and has an conical angle corresponding to the beam's angle of divergence. The guide is dimensioned to encompass the bar code symbol, and its line of contact with the data carrier is substantially fully visible to the operator, who can thus confirm that the guide is in proper operating position relative to the bar code symbol prior to initiating a reading operation. A reading operation can be initiated by pressing on the guide to actuate a switch, or on a manual trigger.

Abstract: The strength of an upright wooden structure is diagnosed by drawing a pair of spaced apart electrodes into the structure to a predetermined depth. The force of penetration and the moisture content of the structure at the depth of penetration are measured and the measurement data processed to provide an instantaneous readout indicative of the strength of the structure.

Abstract: A folding swing hammock that has a main rectangular support frame that is held in a generally vertical position by leg members when the hammock is in an unfolded condition. A rectangular seat frame is rotatably supported between two support arms which, in turn, are suspended by springs in the top element of the support frame. A cover is rotatably mounted in the top section of the support frame over the seat frame. The interrelated parts of the hammock are connected together so that they can all be folded into the plane described by the support frame.

Abstract: A computer system that incorporates an SQL type relational database is adapted to enterprises in which human performance is to be managed. There is a single table that contains linking information for multiple entity relationships among a plurality of information entities. Programs that cooperate with the database kernel include an entity relation manager for modifying the linker table to dynamically define entity relationships among the information entities; a hierarchal structure manager for dynamically defining hierarchal relationships among objects in the information entities; a load/unload utility, for changing information between a human-readable format and another format having a syntax acceptable to the database kernel; and an editor which provides an environment that enables a human operator to conveniently interact with the relational database.