Abstract: The invention applies to packages for transmitting signals at very high frequencies. A package (10) for the integrated circuit (11) comprises conductors disposed on at least two levels (N1-N6) and distributed so that two pairs of conductors of two fixed potentials (18d, 18g; 19d, 19g), along with a conductor (18s) for single-pole transmission of a signal, form a three-dimensional structure which is approximately coaxial having a characteristic impedance which is substantially constant and predetermined.

Abstract: A pumped fiber laser including turns of optical fiber defining a wound pack, wherein the optical fiber includes a core, a cladding around the core and a concentric layer of a porous glass matrix material, such as sol-gel, around the cladding. The fiber laser further includes a pumping laser, preferably in the form of a semiconductor laser bar, having lasing regions each being operable to generate light, and a wedge device for directing the light from the lasing regions into the side of the optical fiber at a plurality of different turns thereof, respectively.

Abstract: A peanut line and seed and oil products derived therefrom wherein the seed has an oleic acid content of from about 74% to about 84% and a linoleic acid content of from about 2% to about 8%, each based upon the total fatty acid content of the seed, and a ratio of the amount of oleic acid to linoleic acid in the seed of from about 9:1 to about 42:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of detecting check sequences in a situation recognition system, composed of a list of events and time constraints. For each check sequence, a sequence of events and intervals between possible dates of occurrence of each of these events is created in memory. The process manages an internal clock differing from universal time, representing the current date of the system, updates the sequences of events for each situation upon each occurrence of a new event. This causes an updating of the current date, an updating for each sequence of events memorized of the intervals between possible dates of occurrences, detection of all the sequences of events for which one of these intervals is empty, creation of new sequences of events integrating this new event, and a detection of complete sequences.

Abstract: A drain stopper having a lift mechanism or assembly and, optionally, a strainer assembly, is provided wherein a sealing member which may be a stopper plug or a flat disc is coupled to an elongate rod having a pair of legs extending in one direction and a handle extending in an opposite direction. The rod extends transversely across a top of the sealing member, and is coupled to the sealing member in a manner so as to permit rotation thereof. When the rod is rotated to urge the legs downwardly along the sides of the sealing member, the legs will engage the drain and, through lever or camming action, lift the sealing member upwardly from the drain. A strainer assembly includes a member extending downwardly from the underside of the sealing member which holds a screen at a lower extent of the extension member.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for degassing molten metal in a vacuum treatment chamber defined by a open topped ladle containing the molten metal and a generally cylindrical refractory lined cover having a closed top and an open bottom positioned on the ladle, with a temporary joint formed therebetween, and a vacuum seal sealing the vacuum treatment chamber from the atmosphere. A vacuum offtake is connected to the cover chamber to apply vacuum to the vacuum treatment chamber, and the molten metal is stirred to produce sufficient turbulence and splashing to produce an increased surface area of molten metal exposed to vacuum to accelerate the degassing rate. The offtake outlet is located at a height above the cover chamber open bottom to substantially prevent splashed metal and slag from being carried into the offtake while permitting aggressive stirring to increase treatment rate.

Abstract: The protection device according to the invention comprises a primary and a secondary coil facing each other. Current flow through the primary coil induces magnetic fields which repel each other, so that the two coils are jerked apart and a missile is projected towards an approaching projectile. The projecting device is triggered by a sensing device.By offsetting the magnetic fields of the primary and secondary coil, the angle between the direction of acceleration of the missile and the coil plane may be changed, as required.Preferably, the primary coil comprises several offset coil elements, which can be activated separately, in groups or all together, as desired.

Abstract: A composition of matter formed by melt-blending a thermoplastic polymer and from about 0.01% to less than about 1.0%, by weight, of an additive comprising a polyfluoroalkylsiloxane, the additive having a lower surface energy than that of the polymer, and the blending resulting in a substantially homogenous admixture of the polymer and the additive. The admixture, upon cooling, results in a solid composition wherein a concentration of the additive through a cross-section of the solid composition is lower in the interior thereof and higher at the surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous hot-dip coating of metal strip is provided. The apparatus includes a first coating pot to hold a molten bath of a first coating metal and a first metal heating means to heat the bath of molten metal in the first pot. The apparatus also includes a second coating pot to hold a molten bath of a second coating metal, which second pot is shallow in relation to the first pot and is positionable within an upper part of the first but removable therefrom, and a second metal heating means operable to heat the molten bath of metal in the second pot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manipulating data models for the transfer of models between a plurality of software engineering tools (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td, etc.) and for the application of transformation rules to a model, wherein the transformation of data models is carried out by means of gateways (Ba, Bb, Bc, Bd, etc.) which make it possible to convert the format of one tool to the format of another tool by passing through a unique neutral intermediate format (NIM). The present process is remarkable in that the development of the gateways, in accordance with the so-called object-oriented approach, is carried out in an executed language, the gateways being executables which allow the transformation of a data model in several steps activated successively, in a systematic or conditional way, by means of a command language which describes a logic for dynamic concatenation of the steps, concatenation being a named, parameterized procedure.

Abstract: A mixing device for mixing flowable materials in a container employs an elongated shaft having one end adapted to be connected to a power source and the other to be inserted into the material, with a pair of elongated, generally helical open centered coil impellers mounted on the shaft at a location to be submerged in the material, with the coils having their longitudinal axes parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the shaft, with the coils being offset on opposite sides of the shaft. Preferably, the coil impellers are supported on a hub mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the shaft.

Abstract: A gas flow regulator valve is provided with a metering valve and filter assembly including a drawn, generally cup shaped, or hat shaped filter element having a substantially flat end panel, a generally cylindrical sidewall and an open end opposite the end panel. An integrally formed flange, or rim, is formed around the open end and projects outwardly therefrom to provide means for mounting the filter, in a fluid-tight relation, in the metering valve assembly body. The filter is formed from a substantially planar disc-shaped blank of a multilayered screen material in which the respective layers are welded, or sintered, to one another to form a rigid, porous filter medium. The blank is shaped by a cup drawing operation of a filter mesh made of layers of woven smooth, corrosion resistant, fine gauge, high strength metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatic proving theorems describing physical systems in first order logic. This method is used to produce complex systems and is implemented with the aid of a computer in whose memory a theorem to be proved is represented by at least one binary decision diagram (BDD). The method seeks to reduce the BDD to a constant T, symbolizing truth, by a substitution, by constructing and exploring a search tree of possible substitutions. The tree is constructed by minimizing the branching factor and is explored by maximizing in accordance with the Shannon theory, the information gain obtained at each node of the search tree.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable rug underlay includes a water impervious woven web of flat monofilament yarn having its opposite surfaces and its interstices coated with a latex acrylic pressure sensitive non-aggressive adhesive forming a water impervious web and a protective releasable polymer film or liner on each of the opposite adhesive surfaces. The product is dimensionally stable and approximately 1 mm in thickness.

Abstract: A device for mounting a first element onto a second element to sandwich an electrical or electronic component therebetween, wherein the device is operable to cause the first element to exert a contact force on the component when the first element is mounted onto the second element and to couple the device to the first element in a manner which exerts a mounting force on the first element which is independent of whether the first element is mounted onto the second element. The first element may be a heat sink and the second element may be a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system for separation of fluids and drill cuttings received-from a borehole during an under-balanced drilling procedure. The system is designed to cope with significantly varied pressures and flow rates, particularly in relation to gas content of drill fluids returned to the surface during the drilling process in a production zones and to provide effective separation and to reduce the detrimental effect due to the presence of the drill cuttings in the returned drill fluids. In the present invention there is utilized a first stage, high pressure vessel in which a major portion of the gases ad drill cuttings are separated, and a second stages horizontal low pressure vessel, preferably of greater volume than the high pressure vessel, in which further separating is achieved, including the separate removal of the drilling liquid to be returned to the drill tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for so called auricular hygiene since it is particularly intended for the hygiene of the auditory meatus of persons, which device is comprised of a cylindrical body (2) having two opposite extremities (3, 4), of which at least one carries, particularly without any blend, an active part (5) which is itself comprised of a substantially circular active edge (6) to detach material from a predetermined surface and also a depression or cavity (7) to collect said material. It is characterized in that each active part (5) is configured like a semi-spherical envelope having a predetermined radius (R).

Abstract: A system and method removes material from the wall of a passage, such as a vein or artery, in a patient's body with a series of bristles that are rotated. The bristles are part of a sweep catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with a tip thereon. Bristles next to the tip extend out from the distal end a shorter distance than the bristles further from the tip. The bristles, which have smaller bristles or sub-bristles thereon, are inclined away from the tip as they extend out from the distal end of the sweep catheter. The bristles push removed materials away from the tip and towards a suction channel of a guide catheter whereby the materials are removed.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted backing distance gauge is provided, in which an activator bar carried by two side arms, normally biased to an extended position, extends approximately ten inches behind the vehicle, and as the vehicle is backed toward an object such as a loading dock, the activator bar comes into contact with the object and retracts toward a front end of the vehicle. The activator bar is coupled to a plunger beam carried within a casing mounted on the vehicle that moves in concert with the activator bar, and through the use of a bevel gear pair and a follower arm controllably moved by the forward end of the plunger beam, an indicator sign is rotated or pivoted by a shaft coupled to one of the bevel gears from a first position parallel to the side of the vehicle and extending toward the rear of the vehicle, to a diametrically opposed position parallel to the vehicle, but extending toward the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A coupler for managing communication between a portable data medium and a data exchange device. The coupler includes bistable control circuitry (25) input-activated by at least two control signals (DTR, RTS) delivered by the data exchange device in one of two first and second predetermined input sequences, and arranged to output at least one power supply signal (VCC) and a data medium reset signal (RST) in a predetermined output sequence, such that the portable data medium is activated only when one specific input sequence of the two input sequences is received.