Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilation system which makes the drying of roof insulation easier when there is a break in the vapor barrier or in the impermeable membrane protecting the said insulation. The system comprises an impermeable sheet composed of a series of openings distributed on its surface and a plurality of supports arranged between the openings.

Abstract: A controlled environment system and method for constructing same provides for the containment and safe handling of toxic waste materials which are ultimately collected and disposed of without contamination of the external atmosphere. The system generally comprises a frame, a seamless tube-like liner connected to the interior of the frame, at least one air lock disposed within the liner for compartmentalizing the liner, and a negative pressure source for creating a negative-pressure environment within the liner so as to prevent the escape of toxic waste materials therefrom. The invention also includes a unique retainer ring for interconnecting adjacent structural members during assembly, and for rapidly disconnecting the structural members during disassembly without the use of a tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for compacting and smoothing freshly poured concrete during the construction of a floor or other flat surface. The apparatus is a screed divided in two portions. The first portion is used to level, compact and remove excess concrete and the second portion allows the screed to float on the freshly poured and soft concrete.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for deforming sheet metal plates and more particularly aluminium and steel plates. The objectives of this disclosure are realized by laminating a plate of sheet metal in juxtaposed and parallel strips. This method allows for the formation of spherical surfaces having a variable curvature. These strips are oriented according to predetermined axes according to the expected result.

Abstract: A picture transmission system of the present invention is adapted to code picture data by a variable sampling rate coding system to transmit the same. Picture data are stored in a frame memory (16) of a transmission area so that differential values between the same and predictors from a predictive circuit (43) are obtained by a subtracter (41) and compression-coded by a variable sampling rate compression circuit (42) to be transmitted. The compression-coded differential values are expansion-decoded by a variable sampling rate expansion circuit (40) so that original differential values are supplied to an adder (45). The adder (45) adds up the differential values with predictors, to produce predictors for subsequent sampling points. In a receiving area, transmitted codes are expansion-decoded by a variable sampling rate expansion circuit (51), so that the decoded values are added up with predictors from a predictive circuit (53) by an adder (52) to output the original picture data.

Abstract: A main distribution frame (MDF) board for connecting a plurality of stations to a system or switch, or an intermediate distribution frame (IDF) board for connecting an input cable to an output cable, comprises: sets of barrel connectors to which the stations are wired (in the MDF embodiment) or an input connector for connecting the input cable to the board (in the case of the IDF embodiment); an output connector for connecting the output cable to the board; and a plurality of jacks for interconnecting the barrel connectors or input connector to the output connector. The jacks utilized in this arrangement, and their corresponding plugs, are designed such that, when a plug is not inserted into a jack, odd numbered pins are connected to even numbered pins within the jack. Conversely, when the plug is inserted into the jack, the aforementioned connection is broken.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: An array of radiation detectors is rotated about one or more sources of fan-shaped substantially planar radiation beams which are, in turn, rotated in the opposite direction about a three-dimensional body such that substantially parallel paths are defined between given individual detectors of the array and the radiation sources during the course of their oppositely directed movements. Radiation absorption measurements are taken along thusly defined plural intersecting sets of substantially parallel paths within a desired cross-section of the three-dimensional body to provide data for use in computing and displaying a constructed visual image of structures having different radiation absorption coefficients within the cross-section.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit. In one embodiment, each successive scanning plane is parallel to the first scanning plane.

Abstract: A dual-mode transportation system comprises a monotube guideway along which a dual-mode vehicle travels in a first mode of operation, the dual-mode vehicle having a second mode of operation in which it travels along a roadway. Each dual-mode vehicle carries its own four-wheel dolly for engaging the guideway as the vehicle travels along the guideway, the dolly being retractable so as to be stored in a recess in the roof of the vehicle. The dolly carries a flexible pick-up element which extends to an electric supply line in the guideway so as to receive and provide to the vehicle centrally generated power provided by the electric supply line. Power received by the vehicle during travel along the guideway is used not only to motivate the vehicle along the guideway but also to recharge a battery which powers the vehicle during conventional roadway travel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasification burner for heating apparatus (boiler, hot air generator or the like) which uses solid fuel. The gasification burner is placed generally at the center of the hearth of the heating apparatus to achieve gasification of the solid fuel before its transformation into charcoal or coals.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively displaying magnified images of an object having different respective magnifications is disclosed. The system comprises a microscope stage for holding the object, an optical arrangement for magnifying an image of the object in accordance with different respective magnifications so as to produce first and second optical outputs in corresponding first and second optical paths with different respective magnifications in each path, first and second cameras disposed in the first and second paths, and display units for displaying the first and second images of the object magnified in accordance with the different respective magnifications.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: Television (TV) scanning with improved resolution is obtained by implementation into a conventional TV scanning arrangement of a vertical drive signal modifying circuit which modifies vertical drive signals prior to their being provided as an input to the conventional TV scanning arrangement. Processing of the vertical drive signals results in the generation of various time delay signals which, when logically combined in accordance with the present invention, result in the generation of modified vertical drive signals. As a result of application of the modified vertical drive signals to the conventional TV scanner arrangement, the number of fields making up the conventional interlace pattern is multiplied by an integral factor greater than one.

Abstract: A leakage detecting device for electrical appliance is provided with electrodes (17) for detecting a state in which an electrical appliance such as a hair dryer is submerged in water. When the electrodes (17) are in a short-circuited state, relay means (3) is driven to open a contact (7). As a result, supply of the power supply voltage from a commercial power source (1) to the loads such as a motor (15), a heater (16) and the like is stopped so that an accident due to leakage can be prevented in such cases as a case in which the electrical appliance has been dropped into the water.

Abstract: A picture transmission system of the present invention is adapted to code picture data by a variable sampling rate coding system to transmit the same. Picture data are stored in a frame memory (16) of a transmission area so that differential values between the same and predictors from a predictive circuit (43) are obtained by a subtracter (41) and compression-coded by a variable sampling rate compression circuit (42) to be transmitted. The compression-coded differential values are expansion-decoded by a variable sampling rate expansion circuit (40) so that original differential values are supplied to an adder (45). The adder (45) adds up the differential values with predictors, to produce predictors for subsequent sampling points. In a receiving area, transmitted codes are expansion-decoded by a variable sampling rate expansion circuit (51), so that the decoded values are added up with predictors from a predictive circuit (53) by an adder (52) to output the original picture data.

Abstract: The invention relates to hockey gloves having means to improve wrist movements. Such hockey gloves include a cushioned cuff portion having an opening in the side opposite the thumb defining an upper edge and a lower edge. A triangular shaped segment is defined by one such edge, the end of the glove and a seam joining such end and edge. The cushioned cuff portion can also be provided with a second triangular shaped segment on the opposite edge. The seam acts as a hinge.

Abstract: A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respective magnifications being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the path of lower magnification includes a converging lens, diverging lens, reduction lens, bending prism, TV camera and TV monitor; the path of higher magnification includes a trinocular microscope head, TV camera, and TV monitor.

Abstract: An operator-interactive automated chromosome analysis system is employed by an operator to locate and identify acceptable metaphase spreads, form a karyotype by rearranging the identified metaphase spreads in accordance with a predetermined arrangement of the twenty-three pairs of chromosomes naturally occurring in human beings, and display the karyotype on a display or a hardcopy printout, or both.

Abstract: A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respectively magnified images being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the paths of lower magnification and higher magnification each include a TV camera and a TV monitor, and may include various optical elements in accordance with the four disclosed embodiments.