Abstract: Both the drying and also the removal of the water crystalization take place carefully in a respective fluidized bed apparatus (A, B) without any danger of overheating. This is achieved by a complete homogenous fluidization through indirectly heated hot gas. A substantial quantity of energy is transferred via heat exchanger systems (4 or 12) in the fluidized layer. These are heated by heat carrying media. The constructional design of the fluidized bed apparatuses (A, B) which have a rectangular base outline ensures a narrow dwelltime spectrum and a pronounced temperature/moisture profile without the aid of differentially fluidized chambers. Because of the comparatively cold infeed zone and the careful heating which thereby arise the characteristics of the crystals are favourably influenced. The product is characterized by high quality homogenity. In the case of the calcining of moist gypsum no undesired gypsum modifications arise.

Abstract: A device for the distribution of weft yarns into weft ducts of a rotor of a series shed loom has a first part (7) rotating with the rotor (2) with transfer ducts (11) for the weft yarns and a second part (8) which is nonrotatable in relation to the rotor (2) and has connecting ducts (10) for the weft yarns. The parts (7, 8) are axially aligned and movable with respect to one another and energy storing devices (24) hold them in an operating position so that there is a gap between opposing faces of the first and second parts (7, 8). An adjustable support structure permits adjustment of the gap width and then keeps it constant. The second part is connected to an operating mechanism (3) which pulls the second part (8) into an open position to thereby provide access to the transfer and connecting ducts (10, 11) for the weft yarns.

Abstract: A vehicle parking apparatus comprises at least one lift platform (12) which can be brought to parking boxes (11) provided in rows in different stories of a multi-story car park and on which at least one movable vehicle carrying pallet (13) can be arranged. The vehicle carrying pallet is formed by two box-like wheel supporting beams (14) which extend in the direction of travel and which have a length corresponding to the wheel base of the vehicle types to be accommodated and also a lateral spacing corresponding to the track widths of the vehicles to be accommodated. The wheel supporting beams (14) are in the form of an inverse U with outwardly directed angled portions (15) at the lower longitudinal edges and plates (16) which connect the lower longitudinal edges together as well as longitudinal roller arrangements (17) at the front and rear ends. At least one cross-beam (18, 19, 20) is provided at the front and at the rear of the wheel supporting beams.

Abstract: A light fitting, preferably intended to be embedded in the surfacing of a runway, includes a light source (2) with a reflector (1) as well as a limiting light opening in the field of light. A mirror device is arranged for reflecting a part of the field of light (4) back towards the reflector (1) for sending this light through the light opening (3) after further reflection.

Abstract: With the process according to the invention for the purification of salt-charged waste water by wet oxidation of organic constituents under supercritical conditions, the reaction is performed in the form of a flame (5). In this case the supercritical zone is surrounded with a subcritical by-pass flow (4) formed from cooling water. At one end of the reactor (1) constructed as a cylindrical pressure vessel are provided at least one burner nozzle (2) and at least one annular inlet point (48), surrounding the burner nozzle, for the cooling water; at the other end is disposed at least one common outlet point (160) for cooling water, reaction products and in particular precipitated salts. Thanks to the by-pass flow there are no obstructions caused by salts; and corrosion problems are substantially reduced.

Abstract: The penetration depth of an intraluminal device, such as a transesophageal probe or a vascular catheter, is monitored by totalizing incremental advancement and withdrawal of the device over time. For a first embodiment, the devices are provided with axially spaced-apart markings along at least a portion of their lengths. The penetration depth of such intraluminal devices into a body lumen is monitored by detecting passage of the markings past a fixed location relative to the body lumen. Usually, the markings will be optically detected in a manner which permits forward and retrograde motion to be distinguished. Thus, the net totalization of the markers will correspond to the actual penetration distance in real time. In an alternate embodiment, the incremental advancement and withdrawal may be followed by use of a contact roller. In either case, the distance can be displayed by itself or in combination with a real time image, with the distance and image optionally being recorded.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing multi-level raster shapes directly from outlines describing ideal shapes is disclosed. A raster shape suitable for approximating the ideal shape in a raster display device is synthesized by dividing a plane into a plurality of pixel areas according to a pixel grid, then by representing the shape as one or more arcs in the plane, where the arcs collectively, and in conjunction with an insideness criterium, divide the plane into an inside region and an outside region, and then by separating the pixels into inside pixels, outside pixels, and boundary pixels. The raster shape comprises coverage values assigned to each pixel in the plane, where inside pixels are assigned a coverage value of 1, outside pixels a coverage value of 0 and the boundary pixels a coverage value between 0 and 1 approximating the degree to which the boundary pixel is covered by the inside of the outline.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant control and monitoring system for fan assemblies used in electronic equipment. The fan control and monitoring system of the present invention reduces the probability of high temperature damage due to power failure by using a power mixing circuit that provides redundant power to the fans. The system includes means for detecting faults in the power mixing circuit. The system of the present invention further includes means for measuring the exact speed of the fans, as well as means for finer control of fan speed. Physical presence of fan unit is detected without additional pin requirements.

Abstract: A MODFET device has highly doped source and drain regions separated by an undoped semiconductor alloy in which the mole fraction is graded between the source and the drain and with a conduction (and/or valence) band discontinuity at the heterojunction between the source and semiconductor alloy channel region of the device. Due to the graded mole fraction, the bandgap of the undoped semiconductor alloy decreases along the channel from the source to the drain and creates a built-in electric field. The higher bandgap in the source compared to that in the channel permits high energy carrier injection into the channel, with the built-in longitudinal electric field increasing carrier drift velocity and reducing transit time between the source and drain. In a preferred embodiment, the MODFET device has a vertical structure with the source and semiconductor alloy layers stacked on a drain substrate.

Abstract: A telecommunication bridge system uses synchronized arbitration in a portion of a frame of a Radio Frequency (RF) subsystem and is transparent to Ethernet layer protocols and Ethernet-type packets in order to increase bandwidth utilization and effectively extend Ethernet networks to metropolitan-area-wide application. The telecommunication bridge system comprises an enhanced Ethernet network interface subsystem coupled to a conventional Ethernet medium and a control subsystem including an RF modem, in turn coupled to a frame synchronized RF medium in a metropolitan-sized network. On one side the control subsystem emulates all Ethernet layer protocols and on the other side conducts a prioritized arbitration scheme during only a portion of a time division multiplexed frame, the remainder of the frame for carrying a payload of unmodified packets to other bridges.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure which employs at least two metal levels overlying an array of circuit elements. Each metal level contains signal routing resources which can be used for supplying power and interconnecting circuit elements. The metal levels include a first metal level directly overlying the array of circuit elements, intermediate metal levels (if there are more than two metal levels), and a top metal level overlying all other metal levels. Power carrying tracks are disposed in the top metal level. Power antennae are disposed in the first metal level, but only where necessary to provide power to the circuit elements. The power antennae are for connecting the power carrying tracks to the circuit elements. Power bridges are disposed in intermediate metal levels between the first metal level and the top metal level. The power bridges are for connecting the power carrying tracks to the power antennae.

Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs"). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.

Abstract: An accelerator lever for quickly accelerating a projectile to a high velocity in a loom comprises a lever arm (1b) coupled to a rotating shaft (2) by a clamping device (1a). The clamping device includes at least two fasteners (4c) extending through holes in the lever arm and the clamping device and threadably coupled to elements (4a) on the opposite side of the lever arm. The fasteners and elements provide a positive locking connection to firmly connect the lever arm to the shaft.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one physical parameter of accumulator electrode plates, such as the true plate thickness P.sub.d, the apparent density D.sub.s of the active material, the true density D.sub.w of the active material, the pore volume P.sub.a, the porosity P.sub.0 of the active material or the pore structure, is performed such that, by means of various weighings, the weight (G.sub.FP) of a liquid plate is determined instead of the weight of a real electrode plate, and, from this value, the desired physical parameter is obtained which is used for controlling the production process.

Abstract: A universal logic module for use in a programmable logic device, capable of generating all logical functions of three variables or less. The universal logic module also implements a full adder with carry propagation.

Abstract: The power chair of the present invention is a vehicle which is highly maneuverable and has a high degree of usable power. It provides maximum weight distribution to the pair of driving wheels of the vehicle unit. It greatly enhances the stability and provides an overall operating envelope of greatly reduced size, allowing the use of the vehicle in confined areas. The vehicle has a pair of drive wheels rotatably about a common axis which is transverse to the forward direction of the travel of the vehicle, the drive wheels being powered by respective drive motors. The center of mass of the vehicle and passenger is substantially in the vertical plane of the axis of the drive wheels. This arrangement increases the amount of weight for traction. The alignment of the mass with the axis of the driving wheels maximizes the resistance of the vehicle to steering deviations caused by centrifugal force. Stability fore and aft is provided by castering wheels placed in front of and behind the driving wheels.

Abstract: A fastener for securing two sheets of material each comprises a binding bar having pointed barbs at each end of said binding bar, said barbs each directed substantially perpendicular to said binding bar; a stem fixably attached to said binding bar, means at said stem end to urge said barb ends into said material planar surface. The device is particularly effective to join fire barrier panels without requiring their removal.

Abstract: An image printer includes a transport device for transporting standard and auxiliary photosensitive materials to a developing unit, an exposure system for exposing the photosensitive materials. The transport device includes a standard transport unit and an auxiliary transport unit. The standard transport means transports to the developing unit the standard photosensitive material having sensitivity to a wavelength range of the three primary color components of light. The auxiliary transport unit transports to the developing unit the auxiliary photosensitive material having sensitivity to a light wavelength range different from that of the standard photosensitive material. The exposure system includes a standard exposure unit and an auxiliary exposure unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bidding method for regenerating a lost write token in a token controlled loop communications network. In response to a station on the loop detecting the loss of the write token, the station will generate a unique recovery token specifying as the destination address that station's individual address and transmit the generated recovery token onto the loop. Stations receiving the recovery token will examine the recovery token's destination address and based on a bidding method, will either pass the recovery token on unaltered or substitute the receiving station's individual address if the recovery token's destination address is not equal to the receiving station's individual address. When a receiving station's individual address matches that specified in the recovery token, that station wins the bid and generates a new write token.The method disclosed can also be used to generate a write token when the network is initialized.