Abstract: A sugar refining process uses carbon dioxide obtained from a module containing a plurality of gas-permeable polymeric membranes. Flue gas from a boiler is scrubbed, and then passed through the gas-separation module. The output of the module contains an enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide, in the range of about 20% by volume. The carbon dioxide enhanced gas is then directed into a reactor in which raw sugar is exposed to carbon dioxide to cause carbonation, an essential step in the decolorization of the raw sugar. The same boiler used to produce the carbon dioxide is also used to produce steam which drives the reaction. The present invention provides carbon dioxide for carbonation in a highly efficient manner, as the gas separation membrane has no moving parts and requires little maintenance. The invention is especially suited for retrofitting existing sugar refining plants, to improve their efficiency, at a relatively small cost.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane enables the economical separation of noble gases, especially xenon, from oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or mixtures of the latter gases. The membrane of the present invention includes a thin discriminating layer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyester, and polyestercarbonate. In the preferred embodiment, the thin discriminating layer includes material selected from the bisphenolic group consisting of 2,2-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, and 9,9-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene. The invention also includes the method of using the membrane, made as described above, either in a single-stage process or in a multiple-stage process, to provide the desired product gas. Several membrane units, made according to the present invention, may be manifolded together so as to operate in a parallel fashion, to provide an increased volume of product gas at the same desired purity.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor is formed of a plurality of segments which are enclosed within a canister. Each segment includes a metal strip which is folded back and forth upon itself. The strip is coated with catalyst on only one side, and the strip is brazed or welded to the canister only on the uncoated side. The segments of the combustor substantially fill the cross-section of the canister, but these segments are not physically joined to each other. The structure described above makes it possible to make the combustor relatively flat, having a length to diameter ratio of 0.25 or less. The catalytic combustor of the present invention is especially useful in a gas turbine, where space is limited, and where catalytic combustion is useful in preventing the formation of NOx.

Abstract: A pipe hanger has a tubular section which is split axially so that the tubular section can be opened and fit around a pipe. Two partially overlapping tabs extend from the tubular section. When the tabs are urged together, holes in the tabs become aligned, and permit a single fastener to secure the tabs together, and to affix the hanger to a support structure. The hanger therefore requires only a single fastener. The fastener is preferably supplied with the hanger, and is held by friction in one of the holes in the tabs, or in a tubular chamber extending from one of the tabs. The shape of the tubular section facilitates manual closing of the tubular section around the pipe. The hanger is very easy to install, even when the hanger is located in an inconvenient position.

Abstract: The dimensions of a countersunk hole, or of a fastener head, are determined accurately and rapidly by a nondestructive measurement system. At least one laser projects spots of light onto the surface being analyzed. From knowledge of the projection angle, and of the lateral displacement of the spots of light caused by variations in the depth of the surface, one can calculate an actual depth of each point on the surface. A set of parameters defining a mathematical model of the hole or fastener head are fitted to a set of measured coordinates of points on the surface being analyzed, using conventional numerical techniques. The optimized parameters define the dimensions of the countersunk hole or fastener head. The present invention operates independently of the coordinate system used to perform the measurements, so the invention eliminates errors caused by misalignment of optical components.

Abstract: A polarizer labelling tape comprises a series of releasable strips which are connected end-to-end to each other by adhesive strips arranged at respective connections between the releasable strips, and a plurality of polarizer elements releasably attached to and along the series of releasable strips, each of the polarizer elements being covered by a protective layer. The releasable strips of the tape may be constituted by a releasable layer originally present in a master polarizer plate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum cleaner including an internal structure with a motor (12a) driving an air sucking turbine (12) located in a downstream chamber (16) communicating with an upstream chamber (15) containing means (13, 26) for filtering the air sucked in through an air intake (24). The internal structure is enclosed in an inflatable peripheral structure (30) supplied with air through the air outlet (29) of the downstream chamber (16). The inflatable peripheral structure (30) is delimited by a flexible peripheral wall (32) whose envelope completely encloses the assembly of the vacuum cleaner internal structure. The invention is applicable to vacuum cleaners for household refuse, and provides at an inexpensive and efficient protection against collisions between the vacuum cleaner and surrounding objects.

Abstract: An oar handle is used in sweep rowing. Sweep rowing is when a single oar is pulled by both hands of a single rower. The oar handle has a support which at one end can be secured to the end of the shaft of a sweep rowing oar. A handle bar having a pair of hand grips at its opposite ends is mounted at its center to the opposite end of the support. The handle bar is mounted to the support so that it is free to rotate on the support about a pivot point in the center of the handle bar. The pivot point is aligned with the central axis of the support. When the oar handle is mounted on the shaft of an oar with its central axis in alignment with the central axis of the oar, the pivot point is likewise aligned with the central axis of the oar. In use, a rower grips each one of the hand grips with one of his hands. As the rower pulls the oar, the handle bar rotates relative to the central axis of the oar, allowing the rower to pull equally with both of his arms and his body.

Abstract: A structural beam or flexural member, supported only at its ends, has a load carrying capability which is proportional to the relative acceleration between the applied force(s) and the reaction force(s). In a first preferred embodiment, the upper section of the beam is made of a compressive rate-sensitive material, and the lower section of the beam is made of a homogeneous material. The compressive rate-sensitive material accommodates most of the compressive stress encountered in dynamic stress conditions. The homogeneous material accommodates most of the compressive stresses during static or quasi-static conditions and tensile stresses during static, quasi-static and dynamic stress conditions. In a second preferred embodiment, the beam has an upper section made of a compressive rate-sensitive material, a middle section made of a homogeneous material, and a lower section made of a tensile material. The compressive rate-sensitive material functions as in the first embodiment.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is adjusted by changing the longitudinal position of a pin relative to a hydraulically-actuated piston, the pin being threaded into the piston. A holding socket engages the piston and prevents it from rotating while the pin is being adjusted. The holding socket engages a support guide which is contained within the transmission casing. The combination of the holding socket and the support guide replaces a spanner wrench, used in the prior art, and eliminates the need to disassemble the transmission to perform the adjustment, and also provides a more convenient way of making the adjustment in the cramped environment of an automatic transmission. The process therefore substantially reduces the time required to adjust an automatic transmission, and also reduces the likelihood of harm to the transmission, or injury to the technician, during the adjustment process.

Abstract: Articles such as medical devices are selectively coated with a lubricious coating. A temporary coating, formed from an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer of low to moderate molecular weight, is painted onto those portions of the article which are to remain free of any coating in the final product. Then, the entire article is coated with a material which forms a lubricious coating. The article is then soaked in water to loosen the coatings at the locations at which the temporary coating was applied. The coatings are cleanly removed from those locations, leaving an article with a lubricious coating in some portions, and which is uncoated in the remaining portions. The process can be used in coating portions of catheters, surgical gloves, contact lenses, and any other articles which require a lubricious coating only on a portion of the surface of the article.

Abstract: A control device includes both a heating element and a temperature sensor. The control device has the form of a Wheatstone bridge which applies sensing current to the heating element. When the bridge is unbalanced, the control device may apply heating current to the heating element. In one embodiment, the sensing current is switched, so that it flows only for a relatively small part of the electrical cycle. The circuit also includes a provision for reduction or elimination of electrical spikes. The circuit further includes a calibration arrangement, which enables the user to adjust the bridge without passing heating current through the heating element. Another feature of the invention enables the set point of the bridge to be remotely controlled, by adjusting a level of analog current applied to the bridge. The circuit also includes an arrangement for compensating for temperature-induced changes in its components.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle includes an extendable ladder and a compartment for storing a kit containing a source of light and a cable. When the vehicle arrives at the scene of an emergency, the ladder is partially extended, and the kit is removed from the compartment. The source of light is then suspended from the ladder, near the distal end of the ladder, and the cable is connected between the source of light and a source of power. The ladder is then extended and elevated. The method provides light in hard-to-reach places, regardless of whether the accident scene already is lighted. The kit preferably includes cable support hangers which aid in suspending the cable along the length of the ladder. When the emergency work is complete, the components of the kit may be removed and stored in the vehicle. In another embodiment, the kit includes a unitary frame which holds a generator and a plurality of lamps. The kit does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle, and substantially extends its capability.

Abstract: A fusion stabilization chamber stabilizes the spine following removal of one or more vertebrae, and facilitates bone growth. The chamber includes two hollow members, preferably having slightly trapezoidal cross-sections, which slide relative to each other in a telescoping manner. The hollow members preferably have walls made of a metal mesh. Barrel vaults attached to the hollow members form guides for screws which can attach the chamber to the vertebrae adjacent the corpectomy site. Because of its adjustability, the chamber can fit a wide variety of corpectomy sites. One can fill the chamber with bone material, which can eventually fuse to the adjacent bone. A pair of stabilizing plates prevents the surgeon from pushing the chamber too far towards the spinal cord. The chamber eliminates the need to maintain a large and costly inventory of screws, and neurosurgeons can learn to use it quickly and easily. In another embodiment, the device is formed in one non-telescoping piece.

Abstract: A gastrostomy apparatus includes an elongated tube having an inflatable balloon at its distal end, the tube passing through a flexible hemisphere. A spacer, which can be another tube or sheath, surrounds the primary tube in the region between the hemisphere and the proximal end of the tube. When the tube has been inserted into the patient, the balloon is inflated, and the tube pulled back so that the balloon abuts the interior wall of the stomach. The hemisphere is positioned to abut the skin or the exterior of the abdominal wall, and the spacer is affixed to the tube so that the hemisphere cannot migrate towards the proximal end of the tube. The spring action of the hemisphere counteracts the peristaltic motions of the stomach, and tends to keep the apparatus in place. The apparatus thus reduces the likelihood of leakage of gastric contents, and thus minimizes the risk of infection at the gastrostomy site.

Abstract: A computer-based system facilitates exchange of information between users and expert respondents. The users post questions on a topic to a computer bulletin board or forum, using a telephone and modem connection to a remote server. The respondents contact the server by telephone, and receive a list of questions that have been posted. The respondents then dictate answers orally, by telephone, and the answers are recorded and stored by the server as sound files. The stored answers can later be played back by users who connect to the server through their personal computers. The answers can also be transcribed into text files for viewing by the users. Thus, a user can both hear the recorded voice of the respondent and see the stored text of the respondent's answer. The system makes it easy for respondents to answer questions, or provide comments, especially in cases where a respondent is not familiar with computer technology, or where a respondent is not conveniently located near a computer.

Abstract: A device for destroying used tickets includes a housing and a cutter which is removably mounted to the housing. The cutter includes an enclosure having a slot which allows tickets to enter. The cutter also has a rotating blade which cuts the tickets as they pass through the slot. Both the slot and the blade are inclined relative to the horizontal, the inclinations of the slot and the blade being mutually opposite. Thus, the ticket is subjected to an effective angle of shear which is equal to the sum of the angles of inclination of the blade and the slot. The blade is in geared engagement with the same motor that operates a plurality of rollers for advancing the tickets through the device. The cutter enclosure is detachably mounted to the housing, so that it can be quickly and easily removed for servicing. The cutter effectively destroys the incoming tickets, preventing them from ever being re-used.

Abstract: A device including an elongate body (15) with anti-rotation projections on the peripheral side surface thereof and a generally flat side bearing surface (20) for engaging one side of a bone rod (5) forming the end of a ligament (4). The body (15) comprises an axial hole having a tapered internal seat and being engaged by a screw. Slots (24) enable the body (15) to be expanded by the axial screw. When the body (15) is expanded (13, 14), the bone rod (5) is locked in place in a hole (7) formed in the bone (2). Reliable and easily performed and adjusted ligament anchoring may thus be achieved.

Abstract: A composition of matter, for making artificial fingernails, includes a mixture of protein and plastic. The preferred form of protein is gelatin. The preferred plastic is a plastic having a melting temperature of 500.degree. F. or less. In a preferred embodiment, one forms a mixture containing about 2-8%. gelatin (by weight), the balance being plastic. The components are mixed together, liquefied, and injection molded to form artificial fingernails. The artificial fingernails made according to the present invention are strong but flexible. When affixed to a natural nail, they have been found to strengthen the underlying natural nail after being worn for about 2-3 weeks.