Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.

Abstract: A non-geostationary satellite network incorporates a plurality of satellite nodes and ground stations in communication with the nodes. Routing and control are established from a virtual model of the network. Within the virtual model, a capacity of space segment band width for different traffic QoS classes can be determined. The relationship between the virtual model and the real network is used to transfer the capacity determination to the real network.

Abstract: An apparatus for impact marking comprises a marking unit (2) able to be gripped manually, an electronic control unit (3) mounted directly on the marking unit (2) and a power supply unit (4) situated in a transportable auxiliary containment structure (4a) and connected to the marking unit by means of an extensible cable (25) and an extensible hose (26). The marking unit (2) presents elements (7) for bearing onto a piece to be marked, and a punch (15) movable on two axes by means of motors (10, 13) controlled by the electronic control unit (3). The punch (15) can be actuated with vibratory motion by means of a solenoid valve (21) controlled by the electronic control unit (3), mounted directly on the punch head (14).

Abstract: The intrinsic optical loss exhibited by a circulator-based optical fiber chirped Bragg reflection grating optical fibre dispersion compensator is compensated by including a length of amplifying fibre in the path between the circulator and the Bragg grating, this amplifier fibre being optically pumped by pump power launched into the amplifier fibre from the far side of the Bragg grating.

Abstract: An electronic point-of-sale (PoS) system comprises a network with a number of PoS terminals and a PoS server computer attached to it. The PoS terminals and the PoS server interact over the network to perform conventional PoS transactions. Additionally, each of the PoS terminals monitors its own operation for predetermined security-related events (such as refunds or voids). Upon detection of such an event, the PoS terminal sends an alert message and data over the network to a control computer (which may be the PoS server computer, or may be a separate computer). The control computer responds to the alert message by activating a video camera and recorder to record a view of the PoS terminal, along with the data.

Abstract: An in vivo and an in vitro toxicity test method is described using an organisim or part of an organism from the class Gastropoda. The method is particularly useful for toxicity testing of chemical substances intended for application to human or animal mucosa, such as the intestinal, vaginal, buccal, nasal or respiratory mucosa. The test method may be used both as a screening test and also as a quantitative toxicity test suitable for ranking the toxicity of chemical substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact case for storing contact lenses that is designed to be attachable to a key ring and can be stored within the contact wearers pocket without being obtrusive. The contact lens case includes two reservoirs that share a common circular bottom wall. The reservoirs are coaxially oriented and are threaded to accept cylindrical closure caps that seal the reservoirs. The cylindrical closure caps engage the opposite ends of the cylindrical body and have inner peripheral surfaces that are coaxially related to the outer peripheral surfaces of the two cylindrical reservoirs of the body. The contact lens case further comprises a tab that extends tangentially outward from the central axis of the reservoirs. The tab includes an aperture that is adapted to accept a removable clip that allows for attachment of the contact lens case to a key ring.

Abstract: Communicative services are transported over a TDMA or TDM access network by packetising the services into minicells which minicells are transported within minislots created by subdivision of the TDM time slots. For low bit rate communicative services only, mini-slots are allocated periodically rather than in the blocks that are allocated to high bit rate services. The packetisation delay inherent within the transport layer can be significantly reduced for these low bit rate services.

Abstract: In a communications system in which narrow band, e.g. voice, channels are carried in packet form over an asynchronous network, each channel is encoded to reduce its bit rate so as to reduce demands on band width. The encoding of each channel is effected via an algorithm selected from a group of algorithms associated with that channel. The algorithms forming the group are identified to a receiver station performing a decoding function via information provided in each packet header. The particular algorithm currently in use is determined implicitly from the packet length or from a combination of the packet length and a discriminator field provided in the packet header.

Abstract: A Channel Associated Signalling (CAS) compatible telecommunications node, comprises an operating program in which CAS signalling information is separated from functional behaviour information which defines the behaviour of the node. Therefore, adjustment of the operation of the node can be achieved through datafill. The CAS signalling information and the functional behaviour information are stored in mapped look-up tables in which specific signalling information is mapped to corresponding node behaviour information.

Abstract: A test interface between cable testing apparatus and a coaxial cable for testing the coaxial cable over a frequency range of interest. The test interface comprises a coupler having a cable lead-in opening at a first end and a threaded, connector contact portion near a second end, an insert that abuts an interior shoulder of the coupler proximate the connector contact portion, the insert having a wall portion that projects outwardly toward the second end of the coupler, and a pin constructed and arranged to abut a center conductor of the coaxial cable, the pin substantially centrally positioned within the outwardly projecting wall portion of the insert. The coupler, insert, and pin mechanically and electrically interconnect with a mating electrical connector to provide a reusable electrical connection between the cable testing apparatus and the coaxial cable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotary slide set for a hydraulic steering arrangement with an outer rotary slide and an inner rotary slide arranged in the outer rotary slide, and having in its surface tank grooves, which are, at least in predetermined rotary positions, connected with a low pressure connection, and at least one through-opening in its wall, each overlapping, at least partly, a tank groove. In a rotary slide set of this kind it is desired to avoid jamming between the inner and the outer rotary slides. For this purpose, surface recesses have been made at the remaining tank grooves to serve as balancing areas.

Abstract: An optical attachment unit is described which can be inserted reversibly into the detection light path of a confocal optical microscope, which has the effect of modifying the magnification of the specimen at the level of the detector iris. This modification consists in the preferred form of a demagnification, so that high sensitivity is obtained at the expense of confocal function, as is required for multiphoton imaging and other purposes. No optical telescope or other imaging system used for confocal function is disturbed or removed by the operation of inserting the unit, so that the confocal function can be restored reproducibly and rapidly.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A semi-conductor wafer (12) has its inclined edge flanks polished by a grooved wheel (16) of synthetic plastics material, while a jet (20) of polishing slurry, which may comprise colloidal silica, is fed downwards into the zone of contact between the wheel and the wafer. The wheel (16) is preferably rocked or oscillated laterally such that a constant polishing force is alternatively applied to each flank of the wafer (12). The wheel may be mounted in a buffer store to which the wafers are transported from a grinding station which grinds the edge flanks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antennas for radio communications, and in particular although not exclusively to multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio communications systems. An antenna arrangement comprising: a first, a second, and a third ground plane each arranged substantially perpendicular to the others; a first, a second, and a third antenna element associated with respectively said first, said second, and said third ground planes, each antenna element arranged to radiate in a predetermined polarization in elevation and azimuth with respect to said respective associated ground plane.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a rotational angle sensor on an electrical machine. It is desired to provide a method that enables fault detection at both high speeds and low speeds of the rotor. The electrical power of the machine is measured and a power value is estimated using the output signal of the rotational angle sensor, a residual being formed from the measured power and the estimated power and the time curve of the residual being monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a optical fiber ducting system, the apparatus including a housing; a first aperture in the housing, the first aperture being arranged to receive a multi-bore optical fiber duct including at least two bores; at least two further apertures in the housing, the further apertures each being arranged to receive a respective optical fiber duct; and at least one connection means for connection of an individual bore of the multi-bore duct to at least one of the respective fiber ducts.

Abstract: A railway truck frame for a railway truck including a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame having an inverted trapezoidal-shaped window including a first inclined side and a second inclined side. The truck frame also includes a bolster having a first end and a second end which extends transversely between the first and second side frames. Each end of the bolster includes a first inclined channel and an opposing second inclined channel. Each channel includes an exterior flange, a spaced apart interior flange, and a bearing surface located between the exterior and the interior flanges. Each inclined side of a window is adapted to be located in a respective first or second channel between the exterior flange and the interior flange of the channel and in engagement with the bearing surface of the channel.

Abstract: An anchor with an “L” shaped aperture receives a strap pin end, the lower leg of the “L” locking the pin in place, the strap bearing on a smoothly curved side wall, the pin being held in place when not under load by a clip member on the back of the anchor and being contained within a pocket in the wall of a railroad box freight car. A two part strap is shortened to fit the cargo load through the use of a combination of turns and bights around a three part clip having a generally oval ring with an upstanding half oval ring portion displacing the various parts of the strap threaded thereon to increase friction.