Abstract: The invention relates to a passageway having a virtual reality environment through which person can travel. The passageway according to the invention has an elongated pathway with curved sections and opposed sidewalls, the sidewalls being formed of a material adapted to receive a projected image, and image-projectors associated with specific portions of each sidewall for projecting a different image on each sidewall portion. The images projected on adjacent portions form a continuous panorama from an entrance end of the passageway to an exit end thereof. At least sections of the images are visible to a person travelling through the passageway when looking forward along a longitudinal axis of the pathway. Persons travelling through the passageway on foot or roller-blades or by bicycle can benefit from exercise while enjoying a scenic panorama, in a virtual reality environment.

Abstract: Thermal stress relief in a nozzle head of a gas turbine fuel nozzle is provided by forming a slit through each selected air passages of the nozzle head. The strategic location of stress-relief slits contributes to extend the fatigue life of the nozzle with minimal cost and impact on the nozzle aerodynamics.

Abstract: Dental implant drill holes and the shape of a dental implant superstructure are chosen by creating a computer model giving jawbone structural details, gum surface shape information and proposed teeth or dental prosthesis shape information. The computer model shows the bone structure, gum surface and teeth images properly referenced to one another so that implant drill hole positions can be selected taking into consideration proper positioning within the bone as well as proper positioning with respect to the dental prosthesis. Similarly, manufacture of the dental implant superstructure used for fixed dental prosthesis or overdentures can be designed based on knowledge of the actual implant positions referenced to an image of the gum surface and proposed dental prosthesis.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a transfer assembly bridging a pair of side-by-side belt conveyors adapted to move articles in opposite directions. The transfer assembly comprises an air table including an air plate adapted to be mounted between the side-by-side belt conveyors. The air table further includes an inner guide and an outer guide defining a curved track in which the articles are constrained to pass while being transferred from one belt conveyor to the other. The curved track extends at opposed ends thereof over the side-by-side belt conveyors to cause a reorientation of the articles while the articles are still on the belt conveyors.

Abstract: A joist (10) comprises an upper chord (12), a lower chord (14) and a plurality of compression and tension webs (16/18) extending between the chords (12/14) and secured thereto by means of bolts (50). A single bolt (50) per connection or nodal point is used to secure the compression and tension webs (16/18) to the chords (12/14). The metal joist (10) can easily be assembled in a shop or directly on site without highly qualified labor.

Abstract: A lubrication system for lubricating gas turbine engine components and accessory components separately comprises first and second lubricant circulating circuits for separately feeding lubricant to the engine components and the accessory components. The system further includes a supply tank with first and second separate chambers respectively connected in fluid flow communication with the first and second lubricant circulating circuits. A filler port is defined in the tank for allowing the first chamber to be filled with lubricant. A filling and level maintaining circuit is connected to the first lubricant circulating circuit for directing a portion of the lubricant fluid pumped from the first chamber into the second chamber, thereby obviating the need for a second filler port.

Abstract: A sleeper with an integral sock foot sewn directly to the sleeper instead of a traditional fabric constructed sock. The sock is made of stretchable material and is sized and shaped to contract into a snug and tight manner around the child's foot rather than loosely surrounding the foot, as it is the case with conventional footed sleeper.

Abstract: A modular articulated robot structure (FIG. 4) composed of a series of independent modules (10,100,300) releasably connected to each other to form various configurations. The modules (10,100,300) may be of the rotary (10), linear (100), or wheeled (300) type. The rotary modules (10) are generally formed of first and second substantially U-shaped structural members (12,14) pivotally attached to one another by means of a pair of axles or pivot pins (26) adapted to support a workload exerted on the module (10). An actuator (48) is mounted internally of the module (10) for pivoting the second structural member (14) relative to the first structural member (12). The actuator (48) is connected to the second structural member (14) in such a way that it is not submitted to outside loads exerted on the module (10).

Abstract: The system produces movements in a home entertainment chair. It has a motor controller and a plurality of movement generator units for generating small amplitude and low frequency movements in the viewer's chair. The system is intended for home use and can be easily installed under each leg of a chair or of a sofa or at the corners of a platform. The source of movement control signals can be derived from a video presentation soundtrack, and directional movement sensations can be created by inducing controlled movements in each leg of the viewer's chair.

Abstract: A wood-edger for cutting away irregularities left on the edges of wood products, such as planks or boards, comprises a succession of different transferring mechanisms cooperating to regulate the flow of wood products to be processed and to properly position the same for the ultimate edging operation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for measuring a torque. The measuring method is characterized in that it consists in fixing on said part (1) at least two identical sensors (2) for measuring deformation, directly mounted between two separate anchoring points (A, B) and positioned on two curves (a) of the part (1) sloping at an angle a relative to the part (1) axis. Said sensors are designed to deliver electric signals based on modifications in distance between their respective anchoring points generated by said deformation.

Abstract: A convertible bench comprises a seat, a backrest and a pair of armrests extending between the seat and the backrest. Each armrest has a first end portion extending from the backrest and a second opposed end portion pivotally mounted to the seat for allowing the backrest to be swung about the armrests between a backrest position and a tabletop position. A stopper cooperates with the second end portion of each armrest for supporting the backrest in the backrest and tabletop positions thereof.

Abstract: A system for guarantying the authenticity of the contents of a container closed by a closure. The system comprises a data carrier storing some encoded information that can be translated to confirm the authenticity of the contents of a container tagged with the data carrier. The data carrier preferably includes a RFID marker and a chemical marker integrated into an anti-tampering device adapted to be non-removably secured to the closure of the container so as to be damaged as a result of an attempt at removing the closure from the container.

Abstract: A single breath induction anesthesia apparatus for anesthetizing a patient, comprises a gas delivery system for delivering at least one gas to the patient, an oxygen supply system for providing oxygen, and an oxygen/anesthesia gas supply system for mixing oxygen and at least one anesthesia gas at a preset optimum ratio sufficient to cause anesthesia of the patient with a single breath, thereby providing an oxygen/anesthesia gas mixture. The apparatus of the invention further includes a valve for providing selective gas flow communication between the oxygen supply system and the gas delivery system or between the oxygen/anesthesia gas supply system and the gas delivery system.

Abstract: A multi-layer flexible insulation (I) comprises a series of layers which include a pair of closed-cell insulation sheets (10,12) made of multicellular plastic film (i.e. closed cell air bubbles or bubble-pack) and laminated on both sides of a thin white polyethylene film (14), a pair of aluminum foil layers or films (16,18) adhesively mounted on the outer surfaces of the bubble-pack insulation sheets (10,12), and a pair of thin clear polyester layers (20,22) provided on the outer surfaces of the aluminum layers. The aluminum layers (16,18) are vapor deposited on the polyester layers (20,22) and are assembled to the hot bubble-pack insulation sheets (10,12) while the latter are cooled. The bubble-pack sheets (10,12) are then adhered to the central polyethylene film (14) with a hot melt glue. If the polyester (20,22) is highly smooth, the aluminum (16,18) can be deposited thereon in a uniform state thereby providing a high reflectivity, low emissivity, laminate.

Abstract: An EMI shielded system in which a motherboard is permanently shielded behind a shielding plate defining an aperture for each corresponding connector carried by the motherboard so as to allow expansion cards or the like to be connected to the motherboard without having to unshield the latter. The expansion cards are preferably separately mounted and shielded within respective loading cartridges.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system and a method for controlling and regulating the temperature within a building envelope (10) having roof and wall cavities (14) adapted to receive replaceable foam liquid. The interior of the building envelope (10) is maintained at any specific controlled temperature by controlling the temperature of the liquid foam. The temperature of the liquid foam within the roof and wall cavities (14) is sensed and when a change in temperature is detected, a dynamic liquid foam regeneration unit is triggered so as to supply new liquid foam at an appropriate temperature so as to maintain the overall temperature of the liquid foam in the roof and wall cavities (14) substantially constant.

Abstract: A method of applying a decorative color to a thermoplastic strip suited for use to produce slats for blinds is characterized by the use of a heat sensitive printing paper of the type normally used to color the fabric material from which valances are generally made. By using that type of color transferring medium to color the thermoplastic slats it becomes possible, for instance, to manufacture blind slats having the same color as the fabric valance to be hung decoratively from the window for which the blind is to be installed. There is also disclosed a blind structure for attenuating the flapping noise produced when the slats enter in contact with each other.