Abstract: A bi-directional compressed air outlet includes a tubular body having a handle which has a chamber and a passage defined therein, and a valve device disposed to the handle and communicating between the chamber and the passage. A middle member is movably received in the body and has a plurality of inclined apertures defined therethrough. The body has an annular inclined flange defined in an inner periphery thereof and the middle member has an annular inclined surface defined in a front end thereof so as to mate with the inclined flange. Air in the chamber proceeds through the passage and selectably toward a front end of the body via a space defined between the inclined flange and the inclined surface, or a rear end of the body via the inclined apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously tempering chocolate masses and the like includes at least one tempering circuit (17) for a tempering medium and a plurality of chambers (9), at least one of the chambers (9) being connected to the tempering circuit (17). The chamber (9) includes an entrance (15) for the tempering medium being arranged at the periphery of the chamber (9) and an exit (16) for the tempering medium being arranged at the periphery of the chamber (9). At least one first separating wall (29, 29') is arranged inside the chamber (9), and at least one second separating wall (30, 30') is arranged inside the chamber (9). The first and second separating walls (29, 29'; 30, 30') are arranged in the form of at least two spirals defining a spiral-like canal (32) therebetween for the flow of the tempering medium from the entrance (15) toward the exit (16). The separating walls (29, 29'; 30, 30') each extend from an outside region of the chamber (9) toward an inside region of the chamber (9).

Abstract: A chimney cover is provided which can accommodate any size chimney. The chimney cover comprises at least one panel assembly that is attached to the chimney by weaving a strap through slots formed in the ends of the panel and by connecting the ends of the strap to a fastener which can be adjusted to tighten the strap about the chimney. The chimney cover preferably is comprised of a plurality of subassemblies, each of which comprises two side panels and a middle panel. The first ends of the side panels are movably mounted within a guide structure formed in the middle panel to allow the side panels to slide in first and second directions within the guide structure. The overall length of the subassemblies can be adjusted by sliding the panels in the first or second directions. Once the length of the subassemblies has been fixed, the side panels are locked in place. The subassemblies are then placed in an overlapping relationship and adjacent side panels are attached at their second ends.

Abstract: Pliers (1) for crimping workpieces include a first mounting die (5) having an outline, a second mounting die (6) having an outline, a first crimping die (8) and a replaceable second crimping die (9) being mounted to the second mounting die (6). The replaceable second crimping die (9) in its mounted position has a portion (11) extending beyond the outline of the second mounting die (6) and a flange (10) not extending beyond the outline of the second mounting die (6). Bores (25) are arranged in alignment in the second mounting die (6) and in the replaceable second crimping die (9). A removable fixing screw (26) is arranged in the bores (25). At least one circumferentially closed opening (14, 15) is arranged in a region (13) between the portion (11) and the flange (10). A transverse support member (16, 17) is arranged in the circumferentially closed opening (14,15). The transverse support member (16, 17) extends beyond both sides of the flange (10).

Abstract: A cellular modem pool provides call progress information to a calling party during call setup. In particular, the cellular modem pool includes a coupling means, which communicates any signals between the cellular-side of the cellular data connection and the PSTN-side of the cellular data connection during call setup. This allows the calling party to hear the call progress on the called party side of the data call. In addition, the cellular modem pool monitors the signals for a data signal provided by the called party, e.g., a predefined answer tone. Once the answer tone is detected, the cellular modem pool opens the connection provided by the coupling means and processes the respective signals on the cellular-side and the PSTN-side of the cellular modem pool.

Abstract: A tension lift device is provided for a Venetian blind which includes a headrail, a plurality of slats, and a bottom rail. The tension lift device includes a first retaining cord extending through each of the slats and having a first end secured in the headrail, and a second end extending through the bottom rail and extending outward from the bottom rail, and a second retaining cord extending through each of the slats and having a first end secured in the headrail, and a second end extending through the bottom rail and extending outward from the bottom rail.

Abstract: A power supply having a high energy capacity battery module and a high energy power battery module for providing power to a load is disclosed. The high energy capacity battery module is connected to a DC to DC converter via a first switch for selectively providing power to the load. The high energy power battery module is connected to the DC to DC converter via a second switch for selectively providing power to the load. A charger is provided for connection to the high energy capacity battery module and the high energy power battery module via a third switch and a forth switch respectively for selectively enabling the high energy capacity battery module to charge the high energy power battery module. A controller is provided for performing switching operations on the first, second, third and fourth switches based on the operation conditions of the power supply.

Abstract: A user-configurable frame relay network system is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system is designed around a service provided frame relay network. More specifically, a plurality of frame relay user equipment are configured to intercommunication via one or more primary communication links that pass through a service provided frame relay network. At least one frame relay access unit is interposed between the service provided frame relay network and each frame relay user equipment. In this way, communications between the various frame relay user equipment pass through the frame relay access units. At least one secondary communication link extends from a first access unit of the plurality of access units to a second access unit of the plurality of access units, the at least one communication link being outside the service provided frame relay network.

Abstract: A composition of Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 suitable for use in microwave wireless communications is provided. Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 doped with Zr is formed by combining starting materials containing barium, titanium and zirconium. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, zirconium-doped Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 is formed by combining BaCO.sub.3 and TiO.sub.2, and substituting an appropriate amount of ZrO.sub.2 for a portion of the TiO.sub.2. The relative proportion of Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 obtained as a result is increased over that which may be obtained using other dopants, such as tin (Sn). Forming Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 with a Zr dopant in the appropriate amount also results in greater stability of the dielectric constant, an increase in the quality factor, and a decrease in the temperature coefficient than exhibited by other compositions of Ba.sub.2 Ti.sub.9 O.sub.20 that lack a Zr dopant.

Abstract: A method of low-damage, anisotropic etching and cleaning of substrates including mounting the substrate upon a mechanical support located within the positive column of a plasma discharge generated by either an ac or dc plasma reactor. The mechanical support is independent of the plasma reactor generating apparatus and capable of being electrically biased. The substrate is subjected to the positive column, or electrically neutral portion, of a plasma of low-energy electrons and a species reactive with the substrate. An additional structure capable of being electrically biased can be placed within the plasma to control further the extraction or retardation of particles from the plasma.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for concatenating Reed-Solomon and trellis encoders. Preferably, the apparatus includes an input for receiving a plurality of information bits. The plurality of information bits are divided or defined to comprise a first portion and a second portion. A Reed-Solomon encoder is disposed to receive the second portion of input bits and generate a first encoded output. A trellis encoder disposed to receive the output of the Reed-Solomon encoder and configured to generate a second encoded output. Finally, a mapper is disposed to receiver the bits output from the trellis encoder as well as the first portion of input bits.

Abstract: Pliers (1) for crimping workpieces include a pliers head (2) including at least two cover plates (6, 7) and a recess (3), the cover plates (6, 7) having rectilinear channels arranged therein. A stationary crimping (4) die is arranged inside the recess (3) of the pliers head (2). A movable crimping die (5) is arranged inside the recess (3) of the pliers head (2). A guiding element (22) includes two spaced apart guiding projections (27, 28) and it defines a line of movement (33), the guiding element (22) including an opening (39) for its stroke (34), being connected to the movable crimping die (5) and linearly guiding the movable crimping die (5) in the rectilinear channels being arranged in the cover plates (6, 7). A bearing (37) is arranged at the cover plates (6, 7) and in the line of movement (33) between the two guiding projections (27, 28) of the guiding element (22) to enlarge the distance (24) between the two guiding projections (27, 28).

Abstract: A modular high-frequency oscillator structure utilizes a master circuit board to form a plurality of oscillator units. The master circuit board has an upper, middle and lower copper foil layer. The upper copper foil layer has a plurality of component circuit patterns and a plurality of positive voltage, ground and signal regulation circuit patterns. The middle copper foil layer has a plurality of power transfer and ground transfer circuit patterns. The lower copper foil layer has a large common ground circuit pattern. The master circuit board is etched in such a manner that the upper and lower copper foil layers are cut through to isolate each oscillator unit and the middle copper foil layer remains uncut.

Abstract: A self-contained high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing system configured for portable or fixed installations. The beverage system is designed to dispense carbonated and noncarbonated mixed beverages, as well as any carbonated and noncarbonated unmixed beverages in liquid form. In particular, the self-contained pneumatic beverage dispensing system includes a high pressure carbonator tank, a refillable source of CO.sub.2 gas at high pressure, a source of pressurized water, a carbonator tank water level switch and water valve, and a beverage dispenser valve. In a first embodiment, the source of pressurized water comprises a high pressure water tank containing water that is pressurized with CO.sub.2 gas. In a second embodiment, the source of pressurized water comprises a low pressure water tank, and a high pressure water pump that is used to raise the pressure of the water supplied by the low pressure water tank.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical switch which comprises a flexible longitudinal beam disposed adjacent to first and second contact members which form a gap in, for example, a radio frequency transmission line to control the flow of the radio frequency signal. At least one actuating beam is attached to at least one end of the flexible longitudinal beam. Also an actuating member is disposed adjacent to the actuating beam so as to generate an electrostatic force therebetween upon the application of a voltage across the actuating beam and the actuating member. When the voltage is applied, the actuating beam bends and thus applies a longitudinal force and torque on the joint between the actuating beam and the flexible longitudinal beam. This longitudinal force and torque cause the flexible longitudinal beam to bend laterally toward the first and second contact members, thereby completing the electrical circuit attached to the first and second contact members.