Abstract: A bi-material, anti-dazzle raster for tubular light sources includes, for example, at least two side pieces and a plurality of transverse partitions that extend between the pieces. The side pieces are made of a relatively rigid and resistant material and the partitions are grouped into modular units. Each unit includes a selected number of partitions connected to one another by at least two generally parallel connection bars and to the side pieces by a snap fit. The modular units are formed of a selected plastic material using injection molding.

Abstract: A swimming flipper comprising a blade (1) made of relatively rigid material, a shoe (2) made of relatively yielding material and at least a pair of lateral ribs (3) extending along the edges of the blade. On the blade there are provided at least two longitudinal slots (9) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flipper and two openings (11) extending diagonally from the shoe towards the lateral edges of the blade. The slots and the openings are filled with a relatively yielding material in the form of flattened ribs (12, 13).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for amortizing the authentication overhead of data transmissions. The method comprises establishing a first secure transmission of data between a transmitter and a receiver by transmitting at least one token to the receiver during the first secure transmission. There may be any number of senders and receivers, and any receivers may be a sender and vice versa. The method also comprises establishing at least one additional transmission of data between the sender and the receiver and transmitting the data and at least one token during the at least one additional transmission. In addition, the method compares the at least one token transmitted during the at least one additional transmission to the token transmitted during the first secure transmission to guarantee the authenticity of that at least one additional transmission. The method may also include transmitting a preselected number of tokens during the first secure transmission.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for amortizing the authentication overhead of data transmissions. The method comprises establishing a first secure transmission of data between a transmitter and a receiver by transmitting at least one token to the receiver during the first secure transmission. There may be any number of senders and receivers, and any receivers may be a sender and vice versa. The method also comprises establishing at least one additional transmission of data between the sender and the receiver and transmitting the data and at least one token during the at least one additional transmission. In addition, the method compares the at least one token transmitted during the at least one additional transmission to the token transmitted during the first secure transmission to guarantee the authenticity of that at least one additional transmission. The method may also include transmitting a preselected number of tokens during the first secure transmission.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump comprising a pump body (1) housing an impeller (3) keyed onto a motor shaft (4) and provided with a suction mouth (7) and a discharge mouth (8) capable of being made to communicate with, respectively, a suction pipe (9) and a discharge pipe (10). Between the suction mouth (7) and the suction pipe (9) there is provided a chamber (22) that communicates with a tank (11) situated at a level higher than the level of the pump, said tank being interposed between the discharge mouth (8) and the discharge pipe (10) and in communication with both of them and communicating also with the chamber (22) through a recirculation duct (28) having a section smaller than the section of the suction pipe (9).

Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism for use as a motor, pump or compressor. The mechanism includes a housing having a chamber defined by a peripheral wall. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the chamber and has two longitudinal seal edges in contact with the wall. The rotor is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for sliding movement relative to the axis in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. The axis is offset from the center of the chamber.

Abstract: A method, system, transmitter, receiver and protocol are disclosed for communicating with wireless receivers. The invention includes providing a controller having a discovery mode and an operating mode, in the discovery mode the controller is capable of registering wireless devices, in the operating mode the controller is capable of receiving transmissions from a wireless device that has been registered. A wireless transmitter is provided which is capable of communicating wirelessly with the controller. The wireless device has an actuator for initiating at least one transmission of registration data. When the controller is placed into the discovery mode, and the actuator of the wireless device is actuated to wirelessly transmit the registration data from the wireless device to the controller, whereby the wireless device is registered with the controller. The wireless data contains data that allows the controller to interface with the wireless device.

Abstract: A toilet seat having a generally ring-like shape, with an upper surface, that comes into contact with the user's skin, defined between an external perimeter edge and an internal perimeter edge, the seat comprising, or being associated with, a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying sanitizing fluid over the upper surface. The seat has a passage arranged in such a manner as to have a fluid inlet opening along the external perimeter edge and an outlet opening along the internal perimeter edge, the inlet opening being shaped so as to collect any excess fluid flowing beyond the external edge, such that the excess fluid drains through the passage, out the outlet opening and into the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A method and system for communication between server-less computing devices or clients in computers communicating over networks, such as the World Wide Web (WWW) using stateless protocols, e.g., HTTP. In this scheme, there are two classes of clients which can operate independently or can be combined in computers communicating over the network: a) clients that issue commands and request status or data, and b) clients that function as service brokers for providing services and processing commands, updating status and providing specific data—resembleing a server device but without accessible TCP/IP ports. Each service providing device is authenticated, retains a unique identity and establishes a soft state with the globally accessible server or servers. All devices and clients can compile and process a globally common command language established between all communicating network clients. The central server includes a CGI processing program and a database to retain client specific information.

Abstract: A drive system for use in a bicycle or the like, which includes a manually-operable member and a drive train connected to the member for transferring drive from the member to at least one of the bicycle wheels. The member is mounted for substantially rectilinear reciprocating movement on a lever system having a first lever, a second lever and a tie rod. The first lever has a first end connected to a first pivot and a second end that is rotatable about the first pivot. The second lever has a first end that is pivotably connected to the second end of the first lever and a second end to which the manually-operable member is attached. As for the tie rod, it has a first end pivotably connected to the a second pivot and a second end that is pivotably connected to the second lever between the first and second ends thereof. The first lever is constructed and arranged for limited reciprocating rotation of the second end about the first pivot.

Abstract: A diffusion flame combustor for a gas turbine comprising a flame tube that delimits a combustion chamber, the flame tube having a fuel injector unit mounted at one end, the other end of the tube being connected to a duct that conveys combustion gases to the turbine. The flame tube is mounted coaxially inside a generally tubular container that communicates with the discharge casing of an air compressor and, together with the tube, defines a space for combustion air. The injector unit comprises an injector head facing generally into the combustion chamber and provided with at least one fuel gas injection nozzle. The nozzle includes an air-gas premixing duct into which fuel gas is introduced. The premixing duct has an inlet section that communicates with the air space and is provided with a radial-fin air swirler generally upstream of a point at which the fuel gas enters the premixing duct. This partial premixing of combustion gas with combustion air reduces NOx emissions and production of un-combusted material.