Abstract: An absorption air conditioning machine that includes a main machine section containing an evaporator unit, an absorber unit, at least one generator unit, a condenser unit, and at least one solution heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tubes of the units and the solution heat exchanger are all supported within a pair of spaced apart tube sheets to provide a highly compact machine assembly.

Abstract: A heat-fused unitary ferrule includes a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate. The first glass substrate and the second glass substrate are unitarily joined by heat-fusion. A method for producing a heat-fused unitary ferrule includes the steps of: bringing a surface to be heat-fused of the first glass substrate having a groove for fixing an optical fiber into contact with a surface to be heat-fused of the second glass substrate; and subjecting the first and second glass substrates to heat-fusion at a temperature ranging from (Tg1-100).degree. C. to (Tg2+150).degree. C. (Tg1 denotes the higher glass transition temperature, and Tg2 denotes the lower glass transition temperature of the first and second glass substrates).

Abstract: A fluid-filled cylindrical elastic mount comprising: a center shaft member; an intermediate sleeve disposed radially outwardly of the center shaft member; an elastic body interposed between and connecting the center shaft member and the intermediate sleeve; and an outer sleeve member disposed on the intermediate sleeve; an orifice member interposed between the intermediate sleeve and the outer sleeve member to divide a first pocket formed in the elastic body into a pressure-receiving chamber and a first equilibrium chamber partially defined by a first flexible diaphragm, to close a second and third pocket diametrically opposite to the first pocket, to provide a second equilibrium chamber having a spring stiffness smaller than that of the first equilibrium chamber and a third equilibrium chamber having a spring stiffness larger than that of the first equilibrium chamber, and to partially define a first, second and third orifice passages for communication of the respective first, second and third equilibrium ch

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether leaks are present in a discharge check valve of a refrigeration system. The method includes steps of establishing a pressure difference between a high pressure side and a low pressure side of the refrigeration system, temporarily stopping compression of a refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to flow to the low-pressure sides, and then determining the discharge pressure changes with time.

Abstract: Apparatus for both attenuating vibrations below a given load and absorbing shock above the given load. A hydraulic damper unit is equipped with a spring that preloads the device and positions the damper in a neutral or centered position. The spring holds the damper unit centered until the preload force is exceeded in either tension or compression. Elastomeric rod ends connect the damper unit to a mass to be protected and a supporting structure. The elastomeric rod ends have a response such that they attenuate vibrations up to the preloading force of the spring whereupon the elastomer is fully compressed thus permitting the damper to be displaced to absorb shock loads that are greater than the preload break-away force.

Abstract: The backpack baby carrier is noteworthy in that it comprises a T-shaped support frame of which the central arm (2a) is vertical and able to act as a supporting surface for a rigid seat of adjustable position (3) so that the position of the seat can be adapted to suit the size of the child and in that the shaped horizontal upper arm (2b) of the frame is fastened at each end to a connecting means (4) of a means (5) for stabilizing the carrier and enabling it to be rested on the ground, said support frame being constructed so as to take protective and wearing means of the shoulder straps and belt type.

Abstract: A boot is intended for cross-country skiing, ice skating or roller skating, the boot including an upper that includes stiffeners. The boot has a cuff mounted on the upper so that the cuff can articulate forward and rearward. The boot includes two rivets having pins. The rivets are mounted on the stiffeners at a level with the malleoli of the wearer. There are included circular recesses in the cuff with the recesses facing the malleoli and the pins pass through the recesses. There is an arcuate groove located either on the outer surface of the upper or the inner surface of the cuff. There is an arcuate rib located on the cuff or upper opposite of the groove. The rib and the groove have the same radius centered on the pin whereby the rib moves freely in the groove.

Abstract: A video signal processor includes an edge enhancement determining circuit that senses the amount of some characteristic of that signal which provides a measure of noise inherent in the signal, precisely determines a preferred amount of edge enhancement to be applied to a video signal as a function of that characteristic, and applies that amount of edge enhancement to the video signal. The video signal characteristic, used to determine the noise content of the video signal includes the amount of automatic gain control amplification and the brightness of the viewed scene. Thus, the amount of edge enhancement added to the video signal is adaptively controlled according to the brightness level of the viewed scene and the amplification level of the video signal by the automatic gain control circuit, and provides the proper amount of edge sharpness to the viewed video scene as a function of its noise content.

Abstract: A conduit assembly according to the invention includes a first member comprising a pair of integral conduit sections which interface with a custom connector having a first pair of distal connectors for receiving the receptacles of the duel lumen tube and a second pair of proximal connectors for receiving a shroud and an air tube, respectively. Received at the first proximal connector is a shroud for shielding electrical wiring. Received at the second proximal connector is a distal end of a pneumatic tube, which at its proximal end is connected to an air tube extending from an inflatable section of a cuff. The custom connector minimizes the area of and severity of seams and crevices at a separation area of electrical and pneumatic leads, and assures that the area of separation will endure only minimal mechanical degradation over the course of the device's use.

Abstract: A pushnut fastener having a substantially planar base portion from which a cylindrical sleeve is drawn and internally threaded. A pair of angled leg portions extending from opposing lateral edges of the base portion, each including a laterally extending tab partially extending into a space formed between said leg portions for engaging threads of a mating male fastener. The leg portions are preferably defined by inner and outer leg sections, each outer leg section including an inwardly angled section which engages the edges of a mounting hole of a panel into which the pushnut is seated during assembly.

Abstract: A combinatorial chemistry bead that includes an electromagnetic spectral emitter that radiates a distinct electromagnetic code for each bead that uniquely identifies each bead, a terminal apparatus for receiving the electromagnetic code from each bead, and a method for performing combinatorial synthesis using a bead that transmits a distinct electromagnetic code. The invention includes a large number of spectrally narrowed light emitting mechanisms for generating distinct optical codes.

Abstract: A gripping handle for a diagnostic instrument, such as an intraoral dental camera, in which the instrument includes an elongate body having an integral camera head and a protective sheath having a transparent window which overlays the camera head. The gripping handle is a unitary hollow section of an elastomeric material which is fitted over a portion of the instrument body and clamps the sheath in a predetermined position to prevent the sheath and the transparent window form being twisted during use. Preferably, the gripping handle and the instrument body can each be made from a biodegradable and recyclable material allowing one time use of each.

Abstract: An eye bandage formed of a soft material and having a shape similar to a contact lens, the eye bandage being worn on an eye after an intraocular surgical operation of the eye, such that the eye bandage is held in contact with a cornea and a sclera of the eye so as to cover an incised portion of the sclera, the eye bandage comprising: a central portion which is to contact the cornea and which has a back surface having a profile following that of a front surface of the cornea; and a peripheral portion located radially outwardly of the central portion and having a thickness larger than that of the central portion and a diameter which is large enough to cover the incised portion of the sclera, the peripheral portion including at least a sclera-contacting portion that is to contact the sclera, the sclera-contacting portion having a back surface having a profile following a front surface of the sclera, so that the sclera-contacting portion is held in close contact with the sclera of the eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryopump having pump surfaces which are held at different temperatures during operation and are disposed in a housing with a flange for connecting the housing to a vacuum chamber. Additional pump surfaces are provided for the accumulation of easily condensable gases and improve the suction performance of the cryopump. These additional pump surfaces are disposed in the vacuum chamber and are connected to a first stage of a two stage refrigeration head via a cold bridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a radio frequency ("RF) choke having improved insertion loss and reduced hum modulation. The RF choke includes three conductors wound in series around an elongated core. The first conductor forms a first group of windings where each turn abuts the next turn. The second conductor forms a second group windings where each turn is spaced from the next. The third conductor forms a third group of windings where each turn abuts the next turn. The second and third groups of windings are wound in an opposite direction around the core than the first group of windings. The elongated core can include two separate diameters. A plurality of resistors are electrically connected to said conductors to provide an impedence that effectively blocks an RF signal at between 5 MHz and 1000 MHz. This type of choke can be employed in numerous circuits, including line splitters and couplers, trunk amplifiers, bridge amplifiers and line extender amplifiers.