Abstract: A tunnel boring machine is provided comprising a cutter head, a main beam, a first, second, and third shield; and a ground conditioning work zone within the first shield, a gripper assembly, a segment erector arm for lining the tunnel, and at least one propulsion mechanism. The ground conditioning work zone includes at least one probing device for probing the terrain ahead of the cutter head. The first shield is configured to be retracted relative to the second shield to provide access for the ground conditioning work zone to apply at least one ground support device. The at least one propulsion mechanism moves the cutter head, the first and the second shield forward while the third shield and the gripper assembly remain stationary. The ground support devices can include filling a hole with a ground conditioning agent; and placing a bolt, ring beam, mesh, or shotcrete in/on the tunnel wall.

Abstract: A T8 fluorescent lamp can comprise a light-transmissive glass envelope, means for providing an electrical discharge to the glass envelope, a phosphor layer within the glass envelope and a discharge-sustaining fill gas inside the glass envelope. The phosphor layer can comprise phosphors of a type for producing a daylight lighting spectrum or of a type for producing a tungsten/halogen lighting spectrum. The fill gas can comprise a mixture of argon and neon. In a particular mode of operation, the T8 lamp can operate at a power of at least 45 watts. In another mode of operation, the T8 fluorescent lamp can operate at a power of approximately 70 watts. A lighting fixture can comprise an array of such T8 fluorescent lamps arranged substantially side-to-side on longitudinal centerlines that are less than one and one-half inches apart. In a particular instance, the fixture can have been retrofitted from having been outfitted to accommodate T12 lamps.

Abstract: A corner joint element for bevel-edge tiles, comprising a first in-view surface (2) and a second in-view surface (8) which are incident to one another and reciprocally inclined by a predetermined angle, in which the first in-view surface (2) exhibits a first corner (3), defined by a union of two consecutive edges (5, 6), and a second corner (4), defined by a union of two consecutive edges (6, 7). Each corner exhibits at least a tract (5a, 6a, 6b, 7a), arranged in proximity of a respective corner (3, 4) of the corners, which is downwards-inclined with respect to the first in-view surface (2) on a perpendicular plane to the first in-view surface (2).

Abstract: A powered awning assembly has an awning frame with a first side arm member having a first distal end and a first proximate end for attachment to a wall and a second side arm member having a second distal end and a second proximate end for attachment to a wall. A connecting member has a first end attached to the distal end of the first side arm and a second end attached to the distal end of the second side arm. A roll awning is attached to the awning frame. A wind sensor assembly is attached to one of the first side arm and the second side arm.

Abstract: A method of defining a biological target for treatment in which image detectable markers are placed at and correlated to the location or locations of tissue biopsy. By obtaining pathological analysis of the biopsy tissue specimens and correlating the analysis to the corresponding marker locations, the definitive pathological analysis of the target tissue at the marker locations can be correlated to corresponding locations on a functional image of the target tissue. The correlation of the marker locations and pathology to the corresponding locations on a functional image can then be used to prescribe and apply modulated therapy to the target tissue.

Abstract: In an information terminal apparatus with a camera having a rotating function, the object of the invention is to impart a predetermined torque to a camera so as to render the camera easily rotatable by the force of a finger in a desired direction and to continue its state of standstill when the rotation is stopped.

Abstract: A folding bicycle includes: a front body having a front frame and a front wheel pivotally coupled to the front frame; a rear body having a rear frame axially coupled to and freely separable from the front frame and a rear wheel pivotally coupled to the rear frame; a folding mechanism provided between the front frame and the rear frame and configured for connection thereof; and a fastening mechanism for fastening the folding mechanism to at least one of the front frame and the rear frame so as for the front frame and the rear frame to be coupled together axially, firmly, and integrally, and allowing the folding mechanism to be received in at least one of the front frame and the rear frame.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and tracking the processing of a plurality of meat items which originated from an animal, with the processing utilizing instructions, such as instructions from a customer. The method comprises the steps of registering one or more of an identification of one piece of meat from the plurality of meat items, an identification of a supplier of the one piece of meat, and an identification of the animal from which the one piece of meat originated; allocating the one piece of meat to one of a plurality of workstations; registering an identification of the workstation; processing the one piece of meat into a plurality of meat cuttings at the workstation utilizing the instructions; and further processing one or more of the plurality of meat cuttings, wherein traceability is established between the one or more of the plurality of meat cuttings and one or more of the one piece of meat, the supplier, and the animal from which the one piece of meat originated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.

Abstract: Provided is a composite antenna adapted for reduction in size while ensuring sufficient electrical isolation between antenna elements. The composite antenna comprises ground plane, first feeding point connected to ground plane, first conductor connected to first feeding point and disposed linearly symmetrically with respect to axis, second conductor connected to first conductor and disposed linearly symmetrically with respect to axis, second feeding point disposed in a position along axis, third conductor connecting second feeding point and second conductor, and fourth conductor connecting second feeding point and second conductor and disposed in a linearly symmetrical manner to third conductor with respect to axis.

Abstract: An image reader capable of operating in two modes for imaging a target is described. It includes an image sensor, a free-space objective lens system and an optically encoded lens system each adapted to direct light reflected from the target onto the image sensor, and a processor for processing signals from the image sensor. In one mode, the processor processes signals produced by light from the free-space objective lens system and in the other mode, the processor processes signals produced by light from the optically encoded lens system. To achieve this, the two lens systems may direct light to two different areas on the image sensor, or the lens systems may be selectively controlled to direct light from one or other of the systems onto the image sensor.

Abstract: A method for installing a window in or within a poured concrete wall is disclosed. The method comprises a kit with at least one window block. It also includes a first spacer adapted to abut a first side of the glass block and a second spacer adapted to abut a second side of the window block. The method implementing the kit includes the steps of erecting a wall form comprising of a first and a second form, locating the kit in between the first and second form, placing concrete into the wall form around the window kit, removing the first and second wall forms, and removing the first and second spacers.

Abstract: The current transformer comprises at least two partial circuits (CBn) each comprising a Rogowski type winding (Cn), each of said the partial circuits being made in the form of an angular portion of a complete circuit (CB) which surrounds at least one primary conductor (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) of the transformer over 360°. The winding (Cn) of each partial circuit (CBn) is constituted by a go winding (Cn0) and by a return winding (Cn1) which extend over the angular extent (?n) of the partial circuit (CBn). For each partial circuit (CBn), the go and return windings are electrically connected in series, both having turns wound in the same direction so as to form a single winding (Cn) which presents a pair of adjacent electrical terminations (T1n, T2n) connected to an acquisition system (7, 7?).

Abstract: A handle rack includes a frame having first and second side edges and front and rear crossbars. A plurality of bar extend between portions of the frame. A handle cross-member is disposed rearwardly of the front crossbar and has a first end secured to the first side edge of the frame and a second end secured to the second side edge of the frame. At least one strengthening bar is provided which has a first portion coupled to the front crossbar and a second portion coupled to the handle cross-member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of adjusting a hearing instrument that is at least partially insertable into an ear canal, the hearing instrument (1) comprising at least two microphones, the method comprising the steps of: estimating the relative microphone location effect for each of the microphones; estimating the feedback stability for each of the microphones; determining the optimum proportion and phase of the signals of the microphones to be used in an omni-directional mode; and setting the optimum proportion and phase of the signals of the microphones. Thus, the present invention takes into account the acoustical stability of each of the microphones in order to optimally combine the microphones to achieve an optimal omni-directional performance if desired by the user of the hearing instrument.

Abstract: Disks having the maximum radius of a large intestine are created and the contours of the disks are connected by virtual springs. Next, the directions of the disks are adjusted so that virtual spring energy becomes the minimum, so that the adjacent disks are prevented from crossing each other. Virtual rays are projected along the disks for generating an image of inside the large intestine. Accordingly, quivering of the virtual rays along a central path lessens and effect of the scale on the image along the central path can be prevented and in the portion where the central path largely bends, duplicate display of the same observation object can also be prevented.

Abstract: A master side communication apparatus and a slave side communication apparatus wherein the structure of a receiving part of the slave side communication apparatus is simplified to achieve a reduced size, a reduced power consumption and a reduced cost. The master side communication apparatus performs a communication in synchronism with the slave side communication apparatus having no synchronization timing adjusting function. A transport signal generating timing adjusting part of the master side communication apparatus acquires, from the slave side communication apparatus, synchronization signal generation timing information used when the slave side communication apparatus receives the transport signal from the master side communication apparatus. The transport signal generating timing adjusting part varies and adjusts, based on the acquired information, the transmission timing of the signal to be transmitted to the slave side communication apparatus.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a structure of a gate electrode/a high-k dielectric insulating film containing aluminum and having a dielectric constant greater than that of a silicon oxide film/the silicon oxide film/a silicon substrate, and is provided with a diffusion layer formed by diffusing an aluminum atom or an aluminum ion to the silicon oxide film or an interface between the silicon oxide film and the silicon substrate by a heat treatment. A laminated film or a mixed film of hafnium oxide and aluminum oxide having a ratio of hafnium and aluminum ranging from about 2:8 to 8:2 is used as the high-k dielectric film. The heat treatment is performed at any temperature from about 500 to 1000° C. for any period of time from about 1 to 100 seconds.

Abstract: An oriented strand board for structural applications and a method of its production comprising elongated strands having aspect ratios greater than 2, the strands being derived from the outer shells of oil palm tree fronds formed as a bi-product of the harvest of oil palm fruit, such that the strand length is limited to about a meter, the strands being cut from the outer shell area of the fronds and at least the outer regions of the major faces of the board being substantially free of core material, the shell strands being combined with a heat settable binder material, the strands being formed by elongated blades moving relative to a frond length in planes generally aligned with a longitudinal direction of the frond length, the strands of the frond shells being arranged and being permanently bonded together such that they are predominately generally aligned with the structural direction of the board at least at the outer regions of the major faces of the board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustably mounting tracks that suspend horizontal sliding doors at a freight elevator landing. The apparatus comprises a plurality of brackets adapted to be mounted in the shaft on the header above the landing opening. The brackets are each secured to the header with anchor bolts. Each anchor bolt is set in the header but initially allows vertical movement of the bracket. An adjusting screw, carried on each bracket, is arranged to easily and precisely move the bracket up or down relative to the anchor bolt as needed to position the tracks and, therefore, the door panels at a proper height. Once adjusted such that a specified gap is established between the lower edges of the door panels and the threshold, each anchor bolt can be tightened to fix its respective bracket in its adjusted position.