Abstract: A process for the processing or upgrading of heavy oil fractions containing polynuclear aromatics is disclosed. The process comprises selectively oxidizing a feedstock under low severity conditions in a multi-phase system, wherein one phase is an aqueous and contains water-soluble catalyst, deoxygenating that product followed by hydroprocessing to yield a substantially mononuclear product.

Abstract: A current rectifier-excited synchronous electrical machine includes a rotor defining an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a rotor shaft, a stator housing, and a central disk. The rotor shaft is mounted in the stator housing. The central disk extends radially outward from the rotor and defines an outer circumference. At least one ring-shaped pole structure is secured to the disk outer circumference and disposed coaxial to the axis of rotation. The pole structure includes a plurality of permanent magnets, soft iron elements and insulators. The permanent magnets and soft iron elements are disposed in interleaved fashion. The insulators are formed of magnetically and electrically nonconductive material and are disposed between each of the magnets and iron elements. The magnets, iron elements and insulators are disposed in two side-by-side rows. Each pole structure is opposed by a stator assembly comprising an outside stator and an inside stator.

Abstract: A valve is presented comprising a valve body defining a chamber, a valve stem extending into said chamber, a disk attached to the valve stem, a discrete annular seat movably disposed in the chamber, a resilient ring disposed in the chamber adjacent the annular seat, and a retainer fixed in the chamber on a side of the seat opposite from the ring, wherein the ring exercises a bias on the seat in a direction toward the disk, urging the seat into engagement with the disk. The invention further contemplates a method for making the valve.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue that limits compressive forces on the soft tissue around a joint during movement of the joint. The orthosis includes two relatively pivotable cuff arms with a cuff on each arm. The cuffs clamp onto the body portions on either side of the joint. The pivot axis of the cuff arms is spaced from the pivot axis of the joint, so that movement of the cuff arms to extend the joint results in distractive forces being applied to the joint. The cuffs are selectively moved on the cuff arms, during extension and flexion, to provide the proper amount of distractive forces to the joint and to limit compressive forces on the joint. A mechanical advantage is gained through the use of a gear drive mechanism for transmitting to the joint the force applied by the patient. This allows the orthosis to be relatively small and light weight. The orthosis also provides a portable system for continuous passive motion therapy for a joint.

Abstract: A zero current soft switching power converter (10) is provided in which a link capacitor (20) is coupled between a source switch S.sub.1 and a source switch S.sub.2. The reversal of voltage polarity across link capacitor (20) allows for zero current switching of switches S.sub.1 and S.sub.2.

Abstract: According to the cellular mobile radiotelephone call access method of the present invention, a directed retry message is sent in response to an attempted call access in a first cell experiencing congestion. A subsequent retry and a second cell of the attempted call access is detected, and, if a traffic channel allocated to the first cell is then available, a traffic channel allocated to the first cell is assigned from the second cell. The call is therefore established in the original cell more often, and interference is reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus capable of providing a continuous source of soil to a level working surface and a vertically and horizontally adjustable conveyor system that transports planting pots proximate to the level working surface, so that an operator may efficiently scoop soil from the level working surface into the pot. The conveyor system is also used to collect and recycle spilled soil via a soil return hopper and a soil return elevator.

Abstract: A doctoring apparatus includes a doctor blade defining a width and thickness. A support beam supports the doctor blade. A blade mounting includes at least one clamping part for clamping the doctor blade. The clamping part provides flexible mounting of the doctor blade in a transverse direction to the doctor blade and generally rigid mounting of the doctor blade in a direction corresponding to the doctor blade width.

Abstract: In a combiner filter for a cellular telephone system, there is a coaxial resonator which includes a rectangular cavity. Within the rectangular cavity, there is a central conductor having an oval shaped plate. The central conductor and oval shaped plate are displaced within the rectangular cavity to establish the fundamental resonator frequency. Adjacent to the central conductor plate is a rotatable I-beam shaped element which is preferably rotated by a shaft coupled to a stepper motor. The rotation of the I-beam shaped element provides frequency adjustment or tuning for the coaxial resonator.

Abstract: A polyvinyl acetal sponge formed from a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol is used for forming a splint for a portion of body, such as during healing of a bone fracture or other injury. The sponge is maintained in a softened condition in the presence of vapors of a softening agent such as ethyl alcohol within a sealed pouch. Upon removal from the pouch, the sponge is applied to the body portion and it hardens to form the splint as the softening agent vapors dissipate.

Abstract: A display module for attachment to the framing members adjacent a lighting fixture. The module is comprised of a light transmissive trough which is suspended beneath the lighting fixture and receives its light from the fixture without substantially impairing the illumination available to the area beneath the light fixture. The modules may be used individually or combined with other modules to create different geometric patterns of display.

Abstract: Optical fibers are embedded in metal structures and components by using a pair of stress-relieving tubes at the air-metal interface of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods for carrying out an authentication check in a mobile telephone system in which an authentic base station serves a plurality of mobile stations. A prior method carried out a unidirectional check from the base to a calling mobile, permitting a false base to carry out a false authentication check by collecting a number of so-called RAND-Response pairs. To avoid this problem, another unidirectional, base-to-mobile, authentication check and an authentication check from the mobile to the base are carried out. In one embodiment, only the bi-directional authentication check is carried out.

Abstract: A vibrating hole forming device for seismic exploration in which a vertically elongated mounting pipe with attached rack gear is powered vertically by a hydraulically driven pinion gear which will mechanically push the pipe downwardly into the earth's surface. A vibrating mechanism imparts vibration to the downward force exerted by the pinion gear and rack gear. Vibration is imparted to the pipe automatically when hydraulic pressure required to operate the pinion gear reaches a predetermined pressure such as when the point on the lower end of the pipe encounters a predetermined resistance to further downward movement. This enables a lightweight unit to impart a constant downward force and a vibration force when needed to enable the device to penetrate through sands or extremely dense subsurface terrain thereby eliminating the necessity of providing a heavy weight vehicle such as is required when conventional hole forming devices are used on which the device is mounted.

Abstract: An umbrella that when folded functions as a conventional flashlight, and when opened functions as an umbrella with a two-way flashlight handle. The flashlight handle contains two lamps/reflectors. One is located in the side of the umbrella handle. The other is positioned in the base of the handle. The handle also serves as a battery compartment for a plurality of "AA" size batteries. The lamp/reflector at the base of said handle is intended to produce the illuminating power of a conventional flashlight. The lamp/reflector at the side of said handle is intended to provide illumination for the forward path of the umbrella user when the umbrella is fully extended. The side lamp/reflector is positioned to direct light onto the forward path of the user when the handle is held vertically. Either lamp may be activated at a time via a two-way switch, located on side of said handle, when said umbrella is either folded or fully extended.

Abstract: An electronic attenuator device is provided whose attenuation characteristics are substantially insensitive to variations in component element parameters and ambient temperature changes. Advantageously, an attenuator device made according to the present invention may be constructed at substantially reduced cost without loss of attenuation precision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming and applying edging material to the corners of ductwork and other conduit structures.

Abstract: The present invention is a Christmas display (10) resembling a ski-lift and ski-slope, for use in conjunction with a Christmas tree (92). The display (10) comprises a track (12) having a first end (14) and a second end (16), wherein the first end is at a higher elevation than the second end, and a lift (18) disposed between the first end (14) and the second end (16). The device also comprises a plurality of figurines (30) having a base configured for slidable movement along track (12) from the first end of track (12) to the second end of track (12) whereby the lift (18) transports the figurine (30) back to the first end (14) of the track (12) in a continuous manner. In the preferred embodiment, the display also comprises a support mechanism (90) for supporting the display on a Christmas tree.