Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing materials in a batchwise or continuous fluidised bed, such as a drier, in which the fluidised bed is subdivided into a plurality of smaller areas, to each of which two separately controlled gas flows are provided. The first lower gas flow is provided to the bed preferably all of the time, and is sufficient at least to maintain the bed in an expanded state. The second higher gas flow is provided to each separate area of the bed in sequence by means of a rotary valve arrangement, and is high enough to induce fluidisation in the bed, but not high enough to induce significant solids loss by entrainment in the offtake gas. The higher flow sequence can be chosen to provide almost any desired sequence to the separate parts of the bed. The sequence can be chosen to induce a travelling wave within the bed which can be across or along the bed, and can be skewed relative to the sides of the bed.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a liquid carrying tank vessel, such as an oil tanker, and to the reconstructed vessel whereby a tank vessel constructed with a single bottom hull is reconstructed to a double bottom hull configuration at least over the hull portion including the cargo tanks, and to the reconstructed vessel thereby obtained. The original hull is separated at a point where the bow curve meets the midships section of the hull. A new section is inserted which follows the curvature of the original bows, and increases both the beam and draft. A new double bottom is applied over the remainder of the cargo tank carrying space of the hull, which is tapered in to meet the curve of the stern section. The new section can be fabricated with, or without, a double bottom, depending on its intended use.

Abstract: A protective fabric, and garments made therefrom, having superior resistance to wear and abrasion, as well as good flexibility and stretchability enabling the fabric to be conformed to the structure intended to be protected. The knitted fabric and garments made therefrom comprise a monofilament polymer having a gauge of 0.03 to 0.08 inches interknitted to form a structure of repeated interconnected loops or coils. The structure may be honeycomb-like in appearance. The monofilament polymer may be from a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide, Teflon, polyester or viscose.

Abstract: An optical system for an optical character reader in which a camera, such as a TV camera, reads an image field in a document, includes at least one pair of mirrors which shift half of the image both laterally and vertically to convert a relatively long image, for example with a length to height aspect ratio of 1.5:8, into a rectangular image with a much lower aspect ratio, for example 3:4. Preferably two pairs of mirrors are used, so that the image light path for both parts of the image field is the same length. This optical system reshapes the image field from one having an aspect ratio which does not match the 3:4 aspect ratio of most cameras, such as camcorders, TV cameras, security and surveillance cameras and the like, into one that does, thus significantly simplifying the optical character reader, and lowering its cost.

Abstract: A composite forming fabric in which the woven paper and machine side layers are interconnected by pairs of intrinsic weft binder yarns which interweave with the paper side layer to occupy an unbroken weft path. Each member interweaves sequentially with the warps of the paper side layer and with at least one warp of the machine side layer. Each part of the unbroken weft path is separated from adjacent parts by at least one paper side layer warp yarn. The unbroken weft path is the same, or different, to the weft path of the immediately adjacent paper side layer weft yarns. This arrangement overcomes the paper side layer surface imperfections, which cause an unacceptable level of marking, hitherto associated with the use of intrinsic weft binder yarns in composite fabrics.

Abstract: A flat woven, pin seamed, papermakers' fabric, comprising primary warp monofilament yarns, primary weft monofilament yarns and secondary weft monofilament yarns located between and adjacent to the primary weft yarns. The secondary weft yarns are located beneath, and in contact with, the primary warp. The thickness and width of the secondary weft yarns are chosen at the weaving stage so as to control finished fabric air permeability and increase the paper side surface contact area. The fabrics are of a lower caliper, and provide increased cross direction stiffness at lower yarn counts. Formation of the pintle receiving loop yarns in a low marking woven back pin seam, or of a streamline seam, is also facilitated, without compromising fabric properties, by selection of the appropriate dimensions of the secondary weft yarns.

Abstract: A single layer papermaking machine forming fabric which is woven from a single layer of warps interlaced with primary wefts, secondary wefts, and, if desired, tertiary wefts. The secondary and tertiary wefts are located between the primary wefts. The fabric is woven in a first pattern which repeats once in N sheds, and N is at least 10. The primary, secondary, and, if present, tertiary weft are woven to second, third, and, if present, fourth patterns in a lower number of sheds and which repeat at least twice within the first pattern. This weave provides a forming fabric having good first pass retention, good drainage properties, reduced wire mark, good fabric height and good release characteristics. In certain pattern combinations a forming fabric can be woven exhibiting a level of visual discontinuity or randomness in the paper side face.

Abstract: A loading spout hoist mechanism comprises a multiple monospiral winch drum. The drum is located under the top of the loading spout, and the loading spout passes through it. The multiple monospiral winch drum is supported on two rings, the first of which is located inside the second. The first ring is fixed to the loading spout support frame, and the second ring is journalled to first one. The second ring also carries a ring gear, which may comprise gear teeth machined into the ring, or a separate ring gear attached to the second ring. The loading spout support frame carries a pinion drive mechanism which engages the ring gear, and can rotate the second ring in either direction, to raise and to lower the loading spout by winding in or out the loading spout support cables carried in each monospiral of the winch drum. In a modification, the loading spout is attached to the support frame by motorised pin mechanisms.

Abstract: A multilayer papermaker's press felt fabric comprising in combination a woven first fabric layer, typically a double layer fabric, has a cross machine direction pin seam. A second fabric layer is located on the paper side face of the first fabric layer, and a layer of needled batt is applied to the paper side face of the second layer binding the layers together. A flap comprising a short length of the second fabric layer with attached batt overlays the pin seam area in the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of relatively narrow strips, which are located with a lateral edge at a first cant angle of from more than 1.degree. to less than 20.degree. to the machine direction. A third layer, similar to the second layer, can be included on the machine side of the first layer; the strip widths, the cant angles, and the direction of the cant angle relative to the machine direction for each of the two strips need not be the same. The fabric is assembled using a spiral winding technique.

Abstract: A forming section for a two-fabric paper machine using at least one formation blade having a shallow cavity in its top surface. The cavity is placed and dimensioned to withdraw fluid continuously from the stock, and to propel it back through the fabric and the incipient paper web into the stock so as to cause a controlled level of localized turbulence which serves to improve formation without causing excessive drainage or fines loss. The formation blade shape, in conjunction with the forming fabric tension, is configured to provide a hydraulic seal between the fabric and the stock, so that all of the withdrawn fluid is returned to the stock.

Abstract: A single chip display processor comprised of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for storing at least one of graphics and video pixel data, a pixel data unit (PDU) for processing the pixel data, integrated in the same integrated circuit (IC) chip as the DRAM, the IC chip further comprising a massively parallel bus for transferring blocks of pixel data at the same time from the DRAM to the PDU, whereby the PDU can process the blocks of pixel data for subsequent display of processed pixel data.

Abstract: A ring oscillator comprising an odd number of inverters connected in a ring, and apparatus for driving the ring oscillator so that it oscillates at a frequency slightly less than its maximum oscillating frequency such that harmonics of the oscillating frequency are suppressed.

Abstract: A process in which a calcining step is used to provide a stable clinker containing the EAF dust. The clinker meets all of the applicable leaching standards. It also appears to be possible to use largely oxidic wastes from other processes, such as zinc electroplating residues, and the largely oxidic residues from refuse fuelled power generators. In this low temperature vitrification process a powder composition containing from 20% to 63% by weight waste material, from 30% to 73% by weight silica, and from 7% to 30% by weight alumina, is wetted to form a homogenous mass. The mass is fired in a furnace for a sufficient time and to a temperature of less than about 1,300.degree. C. to cause vitrification; and the vitrified product is recovered as a fired clinker. The clinker, after crushing, can be used as a road aggregate, in tarmac mixes, or after crushing to a suitably small powder, in the making of bricks and tiles having good abrasion and heat resistance.

Abstract: An anti-fraud system for the dispatch of credit cards to customers, rendering the new card useless to anyone other than the intended customer. Validation of the new card is accomplished at any retail outlet by means of a timed sequence at the transaction processing computer which ensures that any first-time sales authorization request under the new card is followed immediately within a prescribed time interval by a reading of the old credit card number and expiry date. The system also operates if the old card is tendered first at a sales outlet after the new card has been issued. This unique sequence of events will then automatically invalidate the old card, validate the new card, and indicate to the card issuing company that the customer has acknowledged receipt of their new card. Since both the old, expiring card, and the new card are required in order to validate the new card, an unauthorized party in illegal possession of the new card only, cannot use it.

Abstract: Clip type fasteners for attaching paper machine fabric contacting elements to their supporting structures. The fasteners are provided typically with two tight tolerance slots, which are press-fits onto the elements and the support structure. The fasteners allow for simple removal, replacement, and respacing of the elements.

Abstract: An extensometer for use in a borehole comprises a combination of linear motion transducers located with daisy wheel anchors, which may be attached together if desired with extension bars. Linkages are used to connect the transducers to the daisy wheel anchors. The transducers are set up to measure distance changes both axially along the hole or radially. The extensometer includes at least one axially measuring transducer, and at least two radially measuring transducers. The transducers change in value according to changes in borehole dimensions; the transducer values are monitored electrically.