Abstract: A face shield is disclosed that includes a headband with an inner and outer surface, first and second ends and a visor between a portion of the inner and outer surfaces that tapers from a maximum width at the midpoint between the first and second ends to a minimum at a first point spaced a distance from the first end and at a second point spaced a distance from the second end, a flexible fluid impervious transparent cover removably attached to the outer edge of said headband, and means for adjustably securing the shield to a wearer's head. This face shield permits a wearer to comfortably wear eye glasses and/or breathing apparatus under the shield. Also, the flexible cover can be readily removed and replaced if damaged.

Abstract: A magnetic separator for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid is described herein. The separator includes a separating chamber having an inlet and outlet and a magnetic field generator for establishing an axial magnetic field within the separating chamber. Two or more magnetizable matrix elements are stacked axially within the chamber. A fluid distributor is provided for dividing a stream of fluid containing magnetizable particles supplied to the inlet of the chamber into two or more portions and directing each portion axially through a respective matrix element and thence to the outlet.

Abstract: A non-return fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine operating with at least one cylinder and comprising: at least one intake manifold connected to the cylinder, at least one injector for injecting fuel into the intake manifold, a fuel tank, a pump substantially positioned in the tank in order to deliver fuel to the injector, and a control station comprising a first calculating unit adapted, for each injector, to calculate the value of the average pressure difference between the ends of the injector during each injection phase, and a second calculating unit connected to the first calculating unit and adapted, for each injector, to calculate the average value of the flow rate of the injector during each injection phase on the basis of the value of the average pressure difference between the ends of the injector during the injection phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing/making mineral fiber (e.g. fiberglass) thermal insulation batt is disclosed wherein a base mineral fiber layer is impregnated with a two-layer layering system so as to produce a batt which is substantially vapor impermeable with a perm vapor rating less than about one. The first layer of the layering system is of a low melt material while the second layer is of a high melt material, the first layer being sandwiched between the base insulating layer and the second layer, and functioning to bond the layering system to the base. In certain embodiments, the first layer includes quick blooming ethyl vinyl acetate (e.g. from about 10-25% by weight) and a low density (e.g. 22-26 lbs. per cubic foot) polyethylene, and the second layer includes high density (e.g. 28-38 lbs. per cubic foot) polyethylene. The resulting insulation batt is vapor impermeable, less susceptible to cold-crack, easier to manufacture, fire retardant, more durable, and easier to handle.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for the transmission and reception of a varying reference signal together with a data-modulated signal in a communication system. The reference signal is modulated by multiplying it by a predetermined reference value sequence and is summed together with the data-modulated signal in the transmitter system. The reference signal and reference value sequence generators are identically embodied in both the transmitter and receiver systems. The receiver system determines an estimate of the transmitted reference signal by canceling the effect of the reference signal modulation. The estimated reference signal may be removed from the received signal prior to demodulation of the data-modulated signal by subtracting the unmodulated reference signal estimate, which is multiplied in the receiver system with the known reference value sequence.

Abstract: A variable bit rate scheduler for ATM traffic shaping which includes a service rate queue (SRQ) counter for generating a base traffic profile for the control of data transmission on a virtual channel, a virtual channel peak cell rate determinator coupled to said SRQ counter and operative to determine a virtual channel peak cell sub-rate, VC.sub.-- PCR, a leaky bucket having an input for receiving sub-tokens and an output for discharging tokens and means for adding sub-tokens at the virtual channel peak cell rate to the leaky bucket and, when a cell is to be transmitted, removing a number of tokens from the bucket equal to the ratio of a virtual channel sustainable cell rate. The virtual channel sustainable cell rate is a fraction of or equal to the virtual channel peak cell rate.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided for selecting one of a plurality of simultaneously received encrypted direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signals for decryption and viewing. A converter box or decrypting device is provided with a plurality of different decrypting smart cards, all of which are simultaneously inserted in the converter box. The user or viewer scans the received signals and selects one for viewing. The different decrypting algorithms of the different smart cards respectively correspond to the different encryptions of the received DBS signals so that the selected encrypted signal is decrypted by the appropriate and corresponding decrypting smart card and subsequently decompressed and viewed.

Abstract: An ATM network interface comprising a physical layer interface having transmit and receive line interfaces, transmit and receive framers and overhead processors coupled to respective ones of the transmit and receive line interfaces and transmit and receive cell processors coupled to respective ones of transmit and receive framers and overhead processors. The interface further includes a segmentation and reassembly interface coupled to the physical layer interface having transmit and receive ATM and adaptation layer processors coupled to respective ones of the transmit and receive ATM cell processors and a transmit ATM Traffic Shaper coupled to said Transmit ATM and Adaptation Layer Processor, and a coupler to couple the segmentation and reassembly interface to a PCI bus. By incorporating the SAR unit on the same monolithic device as the remainder of the interface, one is able to eliminate the need for expensive external static RAM or SRAM for connection context memory.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being defined by n.sub.x =n.sub.y >n.sub.z where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. According to certain embodiments, a pair of positive and a pair of negative retardation films are provided such that the two positive retarders sandwich both the liquid crystal layer and the negative retarders therebetween. By providing the positive and negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided.

Abstract: A notch filter is provided in a RGB color twisted nematic liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus, the notch filter preferably being located between the light source and the display panel. Undesirable peak(s) (e.g. blue-green) in the light rays from the source are substantially reduced or eliminated by the notch filter thereby improving the color saturation characteristics of the image reaching the viewer.

Abstract: A normally white liquid crystal display is provided with a positively birefringent uniaxial retardation film having a retardation value of from about 100-200 nm. The retardation film is provided on one side of the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal being sandwiched between a pair of orientation or buffing films which orient the liquid crystal molecules adjacent thereto in predetermined directions. The optical axis of the retardation film is rotated from about 2.degree.-20.degree., most preferably from about 6.degree.-10.degree. relative to the buffing direction on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer. This rotation of the retardation film optical axis allows for the high contrast ratio viewing zone of the display to be shifted vertically into either the positive or negative vertical viewing region depending upon the direction of rotation of the retardation film optical axis.

Abstract: A mineral fiber (e.g. fiberglass) thermal insulation batt is disclosed wherein a base mineral fiber layer is impregnated with a two-layer layering system so as to produce a batt which is substantially vapor impermeable with a perm vapor rating less than about one. The first layer of the layering system is of a low melt material while the second layer is of a high melt material, the first layer being sandwiched between the base insulating layer and the second layer, and functioning to bond the layering system to the base. In certain embodiments, the first layer includes quick blooming ethyl vinyl acetate (e.g. from about 10-25%) and a low density (e.g. 22-26 lbs. per cubic foot) polyethylene, and the second layer includes high density (e.g. 28-38 lbs. per cubic foot) polyethylene. The resulting insulation batt is vapor impermeable, less susceptible to cold-crack, easier to manufacture, a better fire retardant, more durable, and easier to handle.

Abstract: A thermolysis process for liquefaction of biomass solids in which specific and previously unrecognized conditions are employed. The thermolysis is carried out in a single fluidized bed of inert material operating at near atmospheric pressure, relatively low temperature, long solids and gas residence times and moderate heating rates. The distribution of the thermolysis products among liquid (bio-oil), solid (char) and gases under these conditions is unique. In particular, contrary to the prior art, both high liquid and low char yields are obtained. Furthermore the liquid is of similar composition to those obtained by so called fast pyrolysis processes of the prior art. The specified conditions are such as to allow production of liquids in high yields in an energy efficient manner. The low severity of the conditions in comparison with previous approaches allows simplified process design and scaleup leading to lower capital and operating costs as well as easier control.

Abstract: A chemical processing centrifugal pump is provided with a triple cartridge seal arrangement including a first seal axially spaced from a pair of concentric seals. The passageway along the pump shaft between the single seal and the radially inwardmost concentric seal is filled with a pressurized barrier inert gas so as to create a gas seal while a barrier chamber defined between the concentric seals is filled with a pressurized barrier liquid. Accordingly, the concentric seals are lubricated by the barrier liquid disposed in the barrier chamber while the inboard seal is lubricated by the fluid being pumped. Optionally, the single seal may be lubricated by barrier liquid if such a pressurized liquid is used instead of the inert gas to fill the passageway.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for treating acute and chronic neurological disease and attenuating further neuronal cell death in neurological diseases, employing a glycine site antagonist at the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) complex, e.g., 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate (felbamate).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display and corresponding method are provided for reducing display image reflections off of a reflection point on an external medium (e.g. cockpit canopy or automotive windshield). A retarder is provided on the front side of the display so that the polarization direction of the display image is substantially parallel to the plane of incidence when the image reaches the reflection point. Additionally, the angle of incidence .THETA..sub.i is substantially matched to the Brewster angle .THETA..sub.p in order to maximize the reduction of reflection at the reflection point. The retarder has a retardation value of from about 220-320 nm according to certain embodiments, and is a 1/2 .lambda. retarder according to preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A normally white twisted birefringent liquid crystal display having first and second retardation films having retardation values of about 80-200 nm on opposite sides of a liquid crystal layer for the purpose of expanding the viewing angles of the display. Also, the viewing zone of this normally white display can be shifted vertically by rotating the optical axes of the retardation films so as to position the viewing zone away from an inversion area.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for motoring an engine using an external drive motor for the purpose of performing tests on same. The system and method is capable of operating in three separate modes, a horsepower testing mode, a valve train testing mode, and a lap simulation mode. In the lap simulation mode, for example, the operator may select by way of a computer how many laps are to be run, the length of each lap, and the exact RPM to be used during each second or time period of every lap. In such a manner, the operator may simulate actual races so as to determine how a particular engine or components thereof will stand up to anticipated racing conditions. Another aspect of this invention is the use of a laser affixed to the block for the purpose of measuring vertical valve movement during motoring of the engine. The use of such a laser overcomes numerous problems in the prior art caused by vibration, lighting, etc.

Abstract: A normally white twisted birefringent liquid crystal display having first and second retardation films having retardation values of about 80-200 nm on opposite sides of a liquid crystal layer for the purpose of expanding the viewing angles of the display. Also, the viewing zone of this normally white display can be shifted vertically by rotating the optical axes of the retardation films so as to position the viewing zone away from an inversion area.