Abstract: A solid state controlled popcorn machine is disclosed which is used in conjunction with a popcorn machine. The components of the machine are electronically controlled by a controller which is a programmable microprocessor. The controller has a user interface with programming keys and a visual display. The cooking cycle for popcorn is automatically programmed to add a selected amount of oil in a kettle. The kettle is heated for a selected amount of time at a certain temperature and the corn is agitated by an agitator. The parameters of the cooking cycle may be adjusted by a variety of programming buttons. The popcorn machine also has a blower, lights and a heater for the storage of completed popcorn. These elements are also controlled by the controller and may be adjusted via programming keys and the display. The mechanical elements are connected to fuses which are coupled to the controller.

Abstract: In a fuel supply system for diesel engines, which comprises a fluidic series connection of a fuel pump (5) sucking out of a tank (1), of a fuel filter (7) and of a high-pressure pump (9), a parallel connection, located downstream of the high-pressure outlet (14) of the high-pressure pump (9), of a plurality of injectors (16) or injection nozzles and of an electrically controllable high-pressure regulating valve (17) with a return line (20), said parallel connection being capable of being fed by the high-pressure pump with a fuel stream under a pressure which is variable, as required, by the activation of the high-pressure regulating valve, at least one return line (18) for recirculating a fuel excess from the high-pressure regulating valve and/or the injectors into the tank (1), and at least one cooler (19, 21) arranged in a return line, according to the invention a first return line (18) is located downstream of the injectors (16) and a second return line (20) downstream of the high-pressure regulating v

Abstract: The invention concerns a navigation-assistance method and a device for a vehicle driver, to which instructions obtained by comparing the itinerary predetermined by course-guiding points with every established position of the vehicle are given. The information to be passed on to the driver concerning deviations from the predetermined itinerary are controlled continuously or almost continuously by comparing the deviation variables from the predetermined itinerary with the variables obtained regarding the established positions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A distributed data processing system in a surface vehicle comprises sensors, user I/O, data processing and mass storage of geographical data. By means of a restricted library of system calls or primitives that can only be processed as unitary entities after deterministic transport control while keeping the transfer stateless, the distributed real-time operating system allows coexistent running of a plurality of processes that share localized processing power and/or a device, a sensor, I/O and/or file data.

Abstract: In a peripheral pump, having a rotor (2) which rotates in a pump casing (1) and having two delivery chambers (11, 12), which extend on both sides of the end sides (3, 4) and each have circular cross sections, the delivery chambers (11, 12) have a communicating passage (13) between them, formed by an overlap of their cross sections. As a result, the liquid can flow without interference from one delivery chamber (11) into the other delivery chamber (12). One delivery chamber (11) is connected to an inlet duct, while the other delivery chamber (12) is connected to an outlet duct.

Abstract: A storage medium (202) carries data structures (220-222) with attribute values (224-232) for a plurality of geographical locations. On the basis of a given code the storage medium is accessed by a system in order to read the attribute values of the data structure (222) corresponding to the given code. The storage medium in accordance with the invention stores a structure description (236) which specifies the layout of the data structure (222) in attribute values. The system consults this structure description and, as a result, knows the layout of the relevant data structure. By storing the structure description on the storage medium different data structures with an individual more suitable layout can be stored. Moreover, a subsequent version of the storage medium can store an adaptation of the data structure layout while it can still be read by the original system.

Abstract: A parking aid for a motor vehicle, which measures the distance between an object and the motor vehicle in a contactless manner and has a plurality of sensors which are arranged on the motor vehicle, each sensor emitting a signal and receiving the signal reflected from an object located in the direction of the beam, and an evaluation device connected to the sensors determining the distance between the object and the motor vehicle from the signals received. The outlay for electrically synchronizing the sensors is reduced and which nevertheless allows reliable detection of the actual object for accurate measurement of the distance, has three sensors which are arranged directly next to one another to provide approximate coverage of the same detection area, whereby the main beam of each sensor having approximately the same beam angle.

Abstract: A guidance system for guiding a surgical instrument without visual information to a target in tissue. The system centers the target upon the trajectory of an infinite family of zero-flux curvilinear lines emanating from either a fixed magnet or an ac or dc electromagnet which is mounted on the instrument. The approach to the target allows selection of straight and curved trajectories based on the zero-flux lines that intersect the target. A self-centering attachment that holds the magnet allows any straight instrument to be guided by the system. The zero-flux lines are measured by a magnetometer that is located on a remote location on or in the tissue. The transducers of the magnetometer measure the magnetic field strength that is present if the instrument deviates from the zero-flux line. The guidance information is plotted on a display that allows a user to guide the instrument along the zero-flux line to the target.

Abstract: A navigation system (100) guiding a driver of a vehicle has a receiver (102) for the reception of traffic message. The navigation system has a filter module (104) that determines the delay caused by the event of the received traffic message. The filter module only transfers the traffic message to the process module (106) of the navigation system if the delay is larger than a threshold (108).

Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.

Abstract: A safety system for use in a motor vehicle fuel system in which fuel flow components generate electrostatic charges. The system includes a fuel pump that has a housing that is electrically connected to ground potential and an electrically conductive safety device that connects each fuel flow component to the fuel pump housing for discharging static electricity to ground through the fuel pump housing.

Abstract: A conveyor system for a cotton picking machine having a duct for the air transport of cotton from the picking heads and cotton transport apparatus for receiving air borne cotton and moving it to a common collection location for the transport to a storage bin.

Abstract: A method and system for accelerating an integral evaluation program using the Monte Carlo evaluation by sequence generation program without disclosing the internal workings and functionality of the programs. More specifically, the present invention uses a sequence generation program to generate a point in a sequence. An integral evaluation program calculates the integrand at that point and passes the result to the sequence generation program. Based on this sample, the sequence generation program generates further points in the sequence based on the integrand but without revealing specific information about the sequence. The sequence is used by the integral evaluation program to solve the integral without revealing the details of the sequence generation program.

Abstract: A multi-function exercise machine includes a base structure that defines an exercise position. A lever is provided on the base structure for pivotal movement about an axis. The axis is located between opposite end portions of the lever. A handle is associated with the lever so as to be engaged by an exerciser to move the handle about the axis in an upward direction to a raised position and in a downward direction toward to a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position. A first connector is provided on one end portions of the lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the handle in the upward direction. A second connector is provided on the opposite end portion of the lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction.