Abstract: Disclosed are a process for converting low value hydrocarbon streams to hydrogen and/or synthesis gas products and a transport reactor useful in the conversion process. In the transport reactor, carbon produced is deposited on a circulating inert particulated carrier. The carbon deposited is partially oxidized to supply heat for the endothermic reactions. Reaction effluent gas leaving the transport reactor can be processed to remove particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and acid gases; condense the steam; and separate hydrogen from carbon monoxide to produce a purified hydrogen and/or syngas product. The present process has the flexibility to continuously handle all types of low value hydrocarbon feeds substantially without process disruption.

Abstract: Conferencing circuitry, and an associated method, for automatically conferencing together a plurality of subscriber units of a telephonic communications network. A list of directory numbers associated with the subscriber units to be conferenced together is stored in a memory device. When an initiating subscriber initiates formation of the telephonic conference, the initiating subscriber merely enters a conference code by way of an initiating subscriber unit. The conferencing circuitry detects the conferencing coded, and in response thereto automatically conferences together the subscriber units associated with the directory numbers of the accessed list.

Abstract: The invention relates to clay stabilizing agents for use in an alkaline water-base fluid such as a drilling mud and the use of such clay stabilizing agents in the drilling of wells. The clay stabilizing agent comprises a polyfunctional polyamine reaction product prepared by the reaction of a polyamine base reactant with urea or a dialkylcarbonate or by reaction with urea and a dialkylcarbonate. The stabilizing agent is subject to subsequent acidification to reduce the pH thereof to a value of about 7 or less. The polyamine base reactant is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamine, a polyaliphatic polyamine, a heterocyclic polyamine, an alkylalkanol polyamine and mixtures thereof. Specifically, the base reactant comprises an aliphatic polyamine selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, tetraethylenetetramine, and tetraethylenepentamine and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: On the cradle (9) of the twisting machine there is mounted a control panel (38) powered externally through a first slip ring (37-137) and corresponding electrical lines (35-135-235). In the control panel there is located an electronic computer (39) which controls the operation of all the internal components of the twisting machine and which, through at least one serial line (41-141) and a second slip ring (42-142), is connected to an electronic computer (40) located in the control panel which is disposed outside the twisting machine. The electronic computer (40) is associated with a keyboard and screen unit (43) for the programming and interrogation of the computers. An electrical power supply line (35) is linked to the external panel and the mechanism for supply and control of the external components of the twisting machine are provided in this panel.

Abstract: In the case of a process for the continuous heat setting of yarn, the yarn, laid down in loops on transport belts, is fed through a heat setting chamber which operates with superheated steam and under atmospheric pressure. Because of the entry and exit openings, the temperature inside the heat setting chamber is constant only over a part of the transport length. The chamber temperature is set slightly above the required heat setting temperature. Transport speed and chamber length are so adjusted in relation to each other than the yarn, having reached the heat setting temperature, essentially retains it along a part of the transport length.

Abstract: A method of administration of vitamin C to ensure that a continuously-saturated level is produced in the body of a taker. A dose of about 500 mg taken approximately every 12 hours produces a continuously-detectable level of vitamin C in the urine of an average healthy person, which corresponds to a sufficiently high pool of ascorbic acid in the body to provide anti-oxidant protection. The minimum dosage and regimen found to be effective are respectively substantially higher than the U.S. recommended daily allowance and more frequent than administration rates previously used in clinical trials. Also claimed are kits that permit individuals to monitor for elevated urinary excretion of useful substances which are water soluble, excreted in urine, and non-toxic at physiologically beneficial levels, such that optimal dosages and regimens can be determined.

Abstract: To improve temperature compensation of a piezoelectric element measuring mechanical variables, such as pressure, force, and acceleration, with two or more piezoelectric crystal elements, at least one of the crystal elements differ from the other crystal element(s) either physically or chemically, the positive temperature coefficient of a piezo-coefficient of at least one piezoelectric crystal element compensating the negative temperature coefficient of the other crystal element(s), so that the overall piezoelectric sensitivity of the measuring element will remain essentially constant within a given temperature interval.

Abstract: A machine for working on a ballast bed supporting a track comprises a machine frame, undercarriages supporting the machine frame on the track, and a ballast storage receptacle and a suction arrangement on the machine frame. The suction arrangement comprises a suction unit and a suction conduit connected to the suction unit, the suction conduit terminating in a vertically and transversely adjustable suction snout defining a suction opening for aspirating ballast into the ballast storage receptacle. A compressed air conduit connects a compressed air generating unit on the machine frame to the ballast storage receptacle for supplying compressed air thereto, and a blow conduit is connected to the ballast storage receptacle for blowing stored ballast out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A drawer includes drawer side walls and metal pull-out rails attached to the drawer side walls. Each metal pull-out rail has a vertical web, an upper horizontal running flange and a lower horizontal flange supporting a drawer bottom plate. The bottom plate has parallel lateral edges and a pair of longitudinal grooves extending parallel to such lateral edges. A number of flaps are punched out of each lower horizontal flange and extend into a respective groove to fix the bottom plate to the flange. Cover strips are arranged on the drawer side walls and cover the lateral edges of the bottom plate. A further number of flaps is stamped out of each lower horizontal flange. Such further flaps abut the bottom plate at the sides of the respective groove, thus thrusting the bottom plate to the respective cover strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying steam into a silo (1) having a bottom (3), a wall and a discharger with a discharger arm (6) placed in the lower part of the silo. The discharger is mounted in the bottom of the silo by a bearing. The silo is provided with a steam supplying element, such as a steam feed pipe (14), extending from the central part of the bottom (3) into the interior of the silo. The feed pipe (14) is preferably passed through the bearing of the discharger and the end of the pipe (14) is provided with a cap (16) protecting the nozzles (15).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a replaceable blade cartridge and a compatible assembly for holding the cartridge wherein an old blade cartridge is slidably removed from the holding assembly and a new blade is slidably inserted into the holding assembly. Specifically, a replaceable blade cartridge for use in a compatible cutting head assembly of a centrifugal type slicer is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for confirming an official's call in a field sport, including a flag for waving to visually indicate to others that the event has occurred, a shaft upon which the flag is loosely attached, a handle to support the shaft integral therewith, a power source, an electronic signal generator and transmitter, and a receiver worn by another offical for receiving the signal in confirmation of the official's call.

Abstract: A self-steering wheel truck for use with a railway locomotive or powered transit car in which tractive force is transferred from the axles to the frame through traction rods and steering beams connecting with the end axles. The steering beams are interconnected through upstanding shafts pivotally connected to transverse frame members, control arms and resilient curved diagonal alignment arms. The resilient curved alignment arms move the end axles to equal and opposite angulation under compression for a return to parallel operation upon release of self-steering forces.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a machine for automatic sewing of pre-ironed patch pockets to clothing items. The clothing item and the pocket are manually positioned on a work surface at one end of the machine while a previous pocket is sewn to the previous clothing item at a sewing station. After the previous pocket is sewn, a feeder automatically feeds the clothing item to the sewing station while an unloading device simultaneously unloads the previous clothing item from the sewing station to another end of the machine (opposite to said one end). Operations of the feeder, of the unloading device and the double clip at the sewing station are synchronized.

Abstract: Apparatus and method (10, 50) for determining the value of a measurand measured by a fiber optic interferometer sensor (24, 72, 110) is provided. The apparatus includes a light source (16, 58, 102) emitting a light having a periodically modulated frequency which is injected into the interferometric sensor. A modulation cycle is initiated by the microcontroller's (12, 56, 116) generation of a trigger signal. A counter (42, 86) begins counting in response to the trigger signal. A first photodetector (20, 66) is coupled to the light source (16, 58, 102) and produces a first electrical signal proportional to the light. A second photodetector (36, 76, 114) is coupled to the fiber optic interferometer sensor (24, 72, 110) and produces a second electrical signal proportional to the light reflected by the sensor or passed through the sensor and affected by the measurand.

Abstract: An antitheft device acting on a motor vehicle gear lever including a slider movable relative to support members and arranged to cooperate with the gear lever. The slider having a counteracting member which is brought into contact with the gear lever so as to prevent its movement when the antitheft device is engaged and consequently to prevent the use of the vehicle. The support members and the relative movable slider being arranged in a concealed position within a gearshift protection part positioned in the vehicle passenger compartment and from which the gear lever projects. The slider is a plate element with a recessed end arranged to lock the gear lever in a plurality of positions corresponding to different gears. The slider has a polygonal containing an actuator device which is defined by an elongate element torsionally constrained to the lock.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inorganic filtration unit for a liquid medium (2) with a view to recovering a filtrate, the unit comprising at least one inorganic, rigid, porous structure (A), presenting first (a.sub.1) and second (a.sub.2) principal faces opposite each other, at least one cavity (4) being arranged in the structure at a distance from the two faces, defining bearings (6), the cavity or the principal faces being coated with at least one separating layer (3). According to the invention, the porous structure (A) comprises at least one channel (8) with tight walls opening out on the two faces (a.sub.1 and a.sub.2) and arranged to traverse a bearing (6), with a view to constituting a first circulation network (R.sub.1) tight with respect to the cavity (4).

Abstract: A graphics input device for use with a graphics processing system includes a stylus which can be manually manipulated by a user to generate graphics input signals representative of a graphics object to be drawn in a circumscribed area on a display device controlled by the graphics processing system. The graphics input device also includes a grip which can be manually manipulated by the user to generate positioning signals for repositioning the circumscribed area on the display.