Abstract: A process for the treatment of titanium dioxide pigment in which there is added to a slurry of the pigment a compound of silicon, of aluminium, of zirconium and of titanium, changing the pH of the slurry to 7.5 to 8.5 prior to adding a compound of silicon, an acidic compound of aluminium and an alkaline compound of aluminium, thereby producing a coated pigment.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of titanium dioxide pigment which involves adding to a pigment slurry a compound of phosphorus, of aluminium, of zirconium, of titanium and of silicon, adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value of from 3.5 to 4.5, followed by adding to the slurry a compound of phosphorus of an alkaline reacting compound of aluminium prior to the addition of mineral acid to adjust the pH of the slurry to a value of 6.5 to 8.

Abstract: A method for installing ceiling panels in a tunnel comprises installing a plurality of brackets in the tunnel roof and disposing a horizontal platform at an intermediate height in the tunnel. A plurality of ceiling panels are lifted onto the platform where the panels are then linked together to form a ceiling section. The platform is then raised upwardly until the panels are adjacent the brackets, and the panels are then secured to the brackets.

Abstract: A process for the production of the highly durable titanium dioxide pigment in which the pigment is coated with a phosphate, a silicate and a hydrous oxide of zirconium and aluminium in specified carefully controlled amounts and order of deposition.

Abstract: A digital time division multiplex communication network wherein the subscriber terminals are disposed in a fixed order on a TDM trunk going out from and ending in the terminal exchange is described. The data intended for the subscriber terminals are sent out by the terminal exchange together with an unmodulated carrier byte in the order of the connection of the subscriber terminals. After receiving the information intended therefor and after modulation of the carrier byte with the information to be supplied, the subscriber terminals are no longer capable of reception until the next pulse frame. The carrier bytes sent which are transmitted further and now modulated pass without hindrance through succeeding subscriber terminals.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment for developing seedless fleshy berry of grapes. By treating the flower bunches of a grape tree with a composition containing gibberellin and cyclic 3',5'-adenylic acid in the form of an aqueous solution, it became possible to make seedless fleshy berry from grape trees belonging to varieties other than Delaware, namely belonging to Campbell-Arley, Berry A, Niagara, Kyoho, etc., from which seedless fleshy berry cannot be made by the conventional treatment with gibberellin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting digital data between subscriber stations and a subscriber concentrator and using time hybrids are described. The two-wire lines connecting the subscriber stations to a concentrator are utilized on a four-wire basis, and operate on a time interleaved manner of actuating the send and receive modes of operation of the time hybrids. The send mode of the time hybrid at the subscriber concentrator is actuated responsive to a synchronizing pulse from the concentrator. The send mode of the time hybrid associated with the subscriber stations occurs upon acceptance of data over the two-wire line and a specific time relationship is established between the received data and the initiation of the send mode. In both types of time hybrids a receive pause occurs between the send mode and the subsequent receive mode, and the pause is of a duration corresponding to the anticipated maximum transit time over the two-wire line.

Abstract: A telecommunication switching arrangement is described wherein those switching elements that are idle are marked at a given test point with a free or idle potential, and those which are currently in use, or busy, are marked by an absence of the foregoing potential. The condition indicated at the test point is sensed by test switches on a preceding switching element which, using a test and seizing circuit, attempts to seize the switching element in question. When a switching element is busy, it is guarded by a potential differing from the idle potential. In the course of a connection release and while an inhibited test and seizure circuit is opened, seizure attempts on the opening seizure circuit are prevented. A current monitoring device recognizes a decrease in current flow as a release and opens the seizing circuit until the switching element in question is completely released.

Abstract: A method for connecting subscribers to form a conference call in a time division multiplex (TDM) telecommunication switching system having a TDM ring-like circuit running from subscriber to subscriber is described. A subscriber speech word is added to a pulse code modulated (PCM) word transferred to the subscriber station, and the summation PCM word is both retransferred and stored in the subscriber station for a time-slot frame. The stored preceding PCM word is subtracted from the PCM word transferred to the subscriber station, and the differential PCM word forms an aural signal.

Abstract: A method is described for connecting at least three subscribers in, e.g., a conference call in time division multiplex (TDM) pulse code modulation (PCM) telecommunication switching systems. In each participating subscriber station a TDM signal having the instantaneous value of the speech signal amplitude is stored for one ring circuit signal period in that subscriber station. The stored TDM signal is subtracted from the TDM signal transferred over the section of the ring circuit connected to the foregoing subscriber station in the TDM time segment assigned to the conference call. Added to the difference signal, so obtained, is a TDM signal displaying the instantaneous value of the speech signal amplitude and, the composite TDM signal obtained in this way is transmitted from the aforementioned subscriber station. The latter subscriber station receives either the difference signal or the composite signal as a TDM signal having the instantaneous values of the speech signals of the conferees.

Abstract: A process for cultivating microorganisms by means of fluidized bed characterized by cultivating a microorganism on a solid culture medium while mixing the solid culture medium in the fluidized bed with an upward gas stream and supplying an atomized liquid into the culture. According to this process, a cultivated product being high in enzymatic activity and quality is obtained with a high efficiency.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for telephone subsets having key-controlled selection units is described. The selection unit has three connection points and is replaceable. It includes a pulsing relay responsive to a pulse generator actuated by the selection keys. A bistable relay disables a speech circuit, and maintains a connection of a transmitting and feeding circuit extending through the selection unit.

Abstract: A versatile yet highly simplified and exceptionally utilitarian plant growth apparatus assembly is comprised of a combination, in desired practical plurality, disposition and geometry and arrangement, of several individual and self-contained functional units and structures that are modular in nature and applicability and cooperable for engagement and association with one another so as to constitute the wanted and/or necessary resultant effective and operable assembly; the modular units being severally and characteristically in the nature of either mechanical structure members and/or environmental control systems electrical or otherwise in nature and/or light-providing components; the several said units further being peculiarly adapted for very quick and easy mounting and construction into, change and alteration within, addition to or disassembly from the structured apparatus assembly.

Abstract: A propeller driven vehicle, such as an air cushion hovercraft, comprising a hull, a teardrop shaped cabin mounted on the hull and a propeller arranged in front of the cabin. A gutter shaped obstructing plate is pivotally mounted to each side wall of the cabin and is movable between a horizontal and vertical position. When the obstructing plate is moved from its horizontal position to obstruct the air flow from the propeller around the side wall of the cabin, a pressure differential is created on the cabin which is effective in steering the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for tying together concrete form panels includes an elongated tie and means attachable to a concrete form panel for anchoring the tie to restrain relative movement between the tie and the form panel. Means are provided both to facilitate engagement and release of the tie by the clamping member and to compensate for misalignment between the tie and the form panel and between opposing form panels.

Abstract: The herein described horizontal and vertical wind energy concentrators are structurally simple and light and are capable of concentrating the wind energy at least six times with very high efficiency. This permits a corresponding reduction in the frontal area of the wind turbine and increases its speed without sacrifice in wind energy harnessed. The wind energy concentrator is a high lift, short aspect ratio wing, which is designed to maximize the induced drag. This induced drag takes the velocity out of the wind but transforms the wind energy into rotational energy present in the shed vortex system. The design is such that most of this rotational energy can be harnessed by a small high speed wind turbine placed in the rolled up wing tip vortex.

Abstract: A telecommunication switching network having a multistage reversed trunking arrangement and switching on a four wire basis is described. A number of single channel subscriber lines is connectible to a first switching stage. The number of subscriber lines equals the product of e . v . g where g equals the number of groups into which the subscriber lines are divided, v equals the number of subgroups into which each group is divided and e equals the number of terminals in each subgroup, or the number of termination coupling circuits in that group. A time division multiplex trunk having a number z time slots connects each subgroup of termination circuits to a second switching stage. A total of z . v . g connection channels extend between the first and second switching stages. The first switching stage includes conductor cross switching apparatus for error-free switching.

Abstract: The production of a moulded stressed concrete pipe in which stressed coated tendons are completely embedded in the finished article. The pipe is moulded in at least one longitudinal segment joined only by helically concentrically positioned tendons. The cured segments are then expanded radially to stretch and stress the tendons, the gap formed between the segments being filled with filler material to maintain the stress in the tendons. There is also disclosed a method where the tendons are stressed on a former prior to immersion of the tendons and former in a concrete pour. The former is segmented and collapsible so that the tension in the tendons can be transferred from the former to the concrete when it has cured, thus forming a stressed pipe structure.

Abstract: A playing surface for athletic games, such as tennis, comprising a flat, firm subsurface, a pile fabric disposed on the subsurface comprising a relatively flexible, moisture-impermeable backing and normally generally upstanding pile elements resembling grass, a compacted layer of granular mineral material disposed among the pile elements on the backing to a depth from about 75% to substantially equal to the length of the pile elements, the mineral layer comprising less than 10% clay and further comprising a quantity of moisture retaining material sufficient to maintain the moisture content of the mineral layer above about 3% by weight under normal climatic conditions.

Abstract: A serial printing device comprises a type head mounted rotatably on a carriage which is slidable along a printing line of an office machine. A continuously rotating driving shaft is connected to a differential mechanism which normally transfers the motion to the type head for the selection of the character to be printed. A selectively actuatable electromagnet arrests the rotation of the head in the printing position and simultaneously transfers the motion of the driving shaft to a striking mechanism to effect the printing of the selected character. A positioning element, commanded by the striking mechanism at the actuation of the electromagnet, keeps the head locked during the striking movement and the electromagnet is immediately deenergized. After the striking of the selected character the head is freed by the positioning element and is set in rotation again.