Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity. The microcomposites catalyze, among others, the reaction between organic aromatic compounds and olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is disclosed which includes a p-aramid polymer supporting a catalyst agent. The composition exhibits improved catalytic activity when compared with a similar composition using m-aramid polymer as the support. The composition contemplates shaped and formed catalyst structures using p-aramid particles and fibers, as papers and fabrics, and as, for example, honeycomb and mats.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier and filtering apparatus and method for a bidirectional wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) system having odd and even interleaved channels is disclosed. The apparatus uses optical circulators, in-fiber Bragg gratings, and erbium-doped fiber amplifiers to amplify channels traveling in opposite directions in a WDM system and to filter unwanted ASE and back reflection noise between the channels. Interface circulators positioned at opposite ends of the apparatus respectively receive odd and even channels traveling in opposite directions in the WDM system and pass the channels through an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Other circulators direct the amplified channels to two series of Bragg gratings that respectively reflect only the odd channels and pass only the even channels or vice versa, thereby filtering ASE and other noise located between the channels. An additional amplifier may boost the channels before they exit the apparatus via the interface circulators.

Abstract: A flexible, high dielectric constant polyimide film composed of either a single layer of an adhesive thermoplastic polyimide film or a multilayer polyimide film having adhesive thermoplastic polyimide film layers bonded to one or both sides of the film and having dispersed in at least one of the polyimide layers from 4 to 85 weight % of a ferroelectric ceramic filler, such as barium titanate or polyimide coated barium titanate, and having a dielectric constant of from 4 to 60. The high dielectric constant polyimide film can be used in electronic circuitry and electronic components such as multilayer printed circuits, flexible circuits, semiconductor packaging and buried film capacitors.

Abstract: A grain dryer has three levels of modulated air chambers; a multi-perforated chamber holding grains which surround all three levels of the modulated air chambers; an intermediate air passage; partition walls and a set of central fans to direct airflow cross-upwardly in an S-shape inside the grain dryer; and an external chamber to exhaust air out to the ambient, minimizing heat loss, and thereby increasing the effiency of moisture exhange between grains and air.

Abstract: An optically operated automatic control system for a vehicle's windshield wipers can automatically activate the windshield wipers or a water dispenser filled with cleansing agent in response to the amount of rain cast on a windshield or the level of dirtiness of the same. Thus, a clear vision is constantly kept through a windshield glass for the driver of a vehicle to see. The automatic control system is mainly equipped with a photography device at a proper position adjacent the windshield to take the vision in front of a vehicle via the windshield. Afterwards, a series of calculations via a number of preset mathematical equations are conducted so as to get the wiper control system or the water dispenser to automatically operate accordingly. Thus, the windshield glass of a vehicle can always be kept clear and clean for a driver in driving to see through any time.

Abstract: A safety device in a lift system comprising a cabin moveable along a shaft for moving the cabin in the event of a fault of the main lifting system. The safety device includes a platform located below the base of the lift cabin. Further, engagement apparatus selectively renders the platform integral with the lift shaft and lifting apparatus lifts the cabin in respect of the platform.

Abstract: A shock absorber device is provided for use in absorbing sea surges in mooring and marine towing applications at sea. The device includes a unitary anchor member disposed in a housing. The anchor member includes a rod having an eyelet at one end thereof for attachment to a shackle and a plurality of laterally extending flange members spaced along the length thereof for securing the member in the housing. A unitary piston member, including a rod including a flange or piston plate at one end thereof and an eyelet at the opposite end, is mounted in the housing so as to enable rotation of the piston member about the axis of the rod of the piston member. A coil spring surrounds a portion of the rod of the piston member. The piston member and coil spring are received in a cavity in the housing such that a first end of the coil spring abuts the flange of the piston member and the opposite end of the coil spring abuts an inwardly facing end wall of the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allow users having access to a facsimile (fax) machine to send, receive, and manage e-mail easily. If the user selects a "Direct Receipt" receive mode, e-mail is automatically sent to his fax machine, where it is automatically printed out and can be read. If the user selects "Receipt on Demand" mode, the user calls a predetermined telephone number and answers voice prompts to instruct the system where to fax his (held) unread e-mail. The user can also be notified of unread e-mail being held, via pager or telephone. In either case, the fax received by the user contains the contents of the e-mail message intended for the user. To send e-mail from his fax machine, the user uses an "address book" of e-mail addresses, each of which is associated with a fax telephone number (also called an "internet fax number").

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for centrifugal separation of polyamide and polypropylene materials contained in a liquid slurry. The polypropylene material has a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of the liquid carrier and the polyamide material has a specific gravity which is greater than the specific gravity of the liquid carrier. A gas, preferably air, is injected into the slurry prior to feeding the slurry to a hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluorocarbon carbon dioxide mixture in which the fluorocarbon carbon dioxide mixture is contacted with a semipermeable polyimide membrane to form at least one exit stream having an increased concentration of carbon dioxide and at least one exit stream having a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus retrofitted to a multiple-intertube pulverized-coal burner to reduce NO.sub.x emissions of roof fired boilers. An internal two stage process controls the amount of secondary air which flows to the burner. The first stage includes a secondary air damper and air flow station to regulate the amount of air which flows into a windbox of the burner. The second stage includes an outlet formed in the hot primary air duct, an air plenum which communicates therewith, and a plurality of interjectory air ports which correspond with the burners in number and position along a front wall of the boiler and which communicate with the air plenum. The interjectory air ports inject interjectory air into a combustion chamber of the boiler at a substantially 90 degree angle to the direction of a plurality of burner tips of each burner and supplies the balance of the required theoretical combustion air needed to complete combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) from a mixture comprising CFC-115, difluoromethane (HFC-32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), or from mixtures of these compounds, by azeotropic or extractive distillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Raney catalyst comprising iron, cobalt, a third metal wherein the third metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, osmium, iridium and mixtures of any of the metals of this group.

Abstract: An improved aqueous cathodic electrocoating composition having a binder of an epoxy-amine adduct and a blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; wherein the improvement is the use of a catalytic amount of bismuth trioxide dispersed in the electrocoating composition.

Abstract: A power-driven hand tool is disclosed, having a housing in which a drive for a tool is received, having at least a first handle which is fastened to a support that is attached at a first end to the housing and with a second end projects laterally out from the housing. The support has at its second end at least a first receptacle for attachment of the first handle in a first position such that the first handle projects with one free end in the direction of the housing. Preferably a second receptacle is also provided, for attaching of the first handle in a second position angled with respect to the first position. In addition, a second handle, which is preferably is configured as a switch handle and is displaceable into various positions about its longitudinal axis, can be arranged preferably at the opposite end of the housing. A particularly ergonomic posture and fatigue-free operation are made possible.

Abstract: A system and method for certified transmission of an electronic document, as verified by the generation of a certification indicia. Three embodiments of the system and method are disclosed, providing for the certified transmission of a document through an independent certification device or for direct transmission from a sender to a recipient. Furthermore, the resulting certification indicia may be generated by an independent certification device or by a portable processor at the sender or receiver's location.

Abstract: A method for controlling a server using voice is disclosed. In one embodiment, a client such as a Web browser is coupled over a data communication channel to a server. A telephone at the client side is connected to an interactive voice response (IVR) system that has a speech recognizer at the server side, over a separate, parallel voice communication channel. The IVR system has a control connection to the server. A table of associations between resource identifiers and network addresses is stored in association with the IVR system. A user at the client side establishes a data connection between the client and the server, and a voice connection between the telephone and the IVR system. Control software on the IVR system synchronizes an IVR session to a server session.

Abstract: A monolithic polyimide laminate without joints or seams, formed from polyimide layers containing from 400 to 10,000 ppm of tin without the use of an adhesive, and containing an encapsulated image design consisting of flow channels, ports, passageways, openings and windows for providing uninhibited flow of gases and/or fluids.

Abstract: A process for making a composite ion exchange membrane including fabricating a layered membrane precursor including a microporous support of highly fluorinated nonionic polymer adhered to a layer of highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer, hydrolyzing the layered membrane precursor to convert the highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer to highly fluorinated sulfonate polymer, impregnating the microporous support with a dispersion of highly fluorinated sulfonate polymer or precursor thereof in a polar liquid medium after hydrolyzing, removing the polar liquid medium, and heating to coalesce the highly fluorinated sulfonated polymer in the support.