Abstract: An automatic filling system for a compressed gas tank includes a controller that measures the rate of fill of a tank being filled in order to provide an accurate estimate of the fill time for the tank, given available source pressure.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring energy transfer efficiency changes resulting from modifications in a boiler system, comprising: measuring the amount of fuel used by the boiler to produce a certain quantity of energy in its output; making modifications to the boiler system; measuring the amount of fuel used by the boiler, after the modifications, to produce the same certain quantity of energy; and determining the difference in the measured fuel usages as a measure of the effectiveness of the boiler system modifications.

Abstract: A disk-shaped article is held in a freely floating fashion in a state of equilibrium on account of the vacuum produced by a gas exiting from an annular nozzle 12, due to the aerodynamic paradox known as Bernoulli's principle. Above a facing surface of a support 1, the article is retained so securely that it can be treated with a fluid. Cams 45 are provided all around the annular nozzle 12 as lateral stops for the article. These cams 45 are located eccentrically on shafts 44 rotatable on gear wheels 43 in the support 1. The shafts 44 can be turned via the gear wheels 43 by a gear rim 40 received in the support 1 so that rotation of the cams 45 occurs. A space (31, 33) accommodating the gear rim 40 is separated and sealed off with respect to another space (50, 53, 54) through which the compressed gas flows to the nozzle 12. Consequently, the flow of the compressed gas therethrough is not impaired by the cams 45.

Abstract: A free-swinging cutter element for a timber thinning machine includes a generally stirrup-shaped member having an outer wall and integral side walls. Each half of the member is formed as the frustrum of a triangle so that bevels on the upper and lower surfaces form sharp cutting edges that incline to respective upper and lower points in the center of the outer wall. This construction moves the center of mass further outward toward the outer wall to increase chipping and cutting efficiency, which is further increased by the form of the cutting edges. A single edged cutter having similar overall shape also is provided.

Abstract: A balloon package is provided to facilitate erection of a balloon assembly, which prevents unintentional loss of buoyant balloons. The package includes an uninflated balloon, a placard or preferably planar object of a mass sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the balloon when inflated and articles such as a ribbon for joining the balloon to the placard. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the balloon is inserted directly into the placard. In package form the balloon kit is sealed in a plastic overwrap.

Abstract: An improved crane type vending machine is disclosed. It provides the customer the opportunity to position a vacuum suction inlet over a selected product item and initiate the descent of the suction inlet so as to pick up the product. The machine deposits the item in a dispensing chute. The suction device may be a vacuum motor housed in a flying saucer. A telescoping structure prevents the motor from twisting the electrical lead. A limit switch disconnects the suction motor from electrical power when it is over the product outlet and reconnects the power when it moves away. The product items may be encased in plastic bags.

Abstract: A black horehound extract is used to prepare a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, particularly a dermatological composition, for promoting skin pigmentation, preventing or delaying the growth of grey hairs, treating pigmentary disorders, reducing triglyceride levels in fat cells, and preventing the build-up of body fat such as in cellulite. The composition may particularly be used effectively to promote skin or hair pigmentation and a reduction in the build-up of body fat such as in cellulite.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of phthaloylhydrazide derivatives and their salts as anti-hypoxic and defensive agents, with special focus on the use of 5-aminophthaloylhydrazide and its salts, when administered in high doses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting an arcing fault on a power line carrying a load current. The apparatus monitors and analyzes energy values of the load current flowing through the line. The analyzed energy values are compared to several threshold values. The number of energy values being greater than the threshold values are compiled to determine whether an arcing fault exists on the power line.

Abstract: A method for supervising and controlling the information transfer between two or more categories of users of a data network with closed user groups. Users, belonging to a first category of users, constitute, together with a number of users belonging to other categories, a special closed user group. Within this group, the users belonging to the first category are given a certain first identity, whilst users, belonging to other categories of users, are given a certain second identity, different from the first identity. Transfer of information is only allowed firstly between users with the first identity and users with the second identity and secondly between users who belong to the same closed user group.

Abstract: An arrangement for installing a protective layer between a subgrade and a layer of ballast of a track bed includes an excavating unit to remove ballast from underneath the track and a subgrade stabilizing unit by which additives are disposed directly over the exposed subgrade and blended underneath the track with the subgrade for formation of a protective layer following a leveling and compacting process. Removed and cleaned ballast is then laid by a conveyor over the new protective layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects disposed in close proximity to a conductive loop, includes the use of a sensitivity selection circuit to compensate for loop sensitivity to metal and other conditions, and a microprocessor circuit for helping to prevent false detections or undesired interruptions of valid detection due to changes in environmental conditions.

Abstract: A communication network control system includes facilities for data driven control of components attached to the network The network has an overall control function and each component has an individual control function. Common component control functions can be controlled via the overall control function straightaway. Uncommon component control functions are controlled via translation of subfunctions within the overall control function. Such translations are effected as required based upon information regarding individual component needs, which information is stored in a data model where it may be accessed and subsequently interpreted as part of the overall control function.

Abstract: A track working machine comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and having opposite ends, the machine frame having an upwardly recessed portion between the ends, and undercarriages supporting the machine frame ends on the track for mobility thereon in an operating direction. An operator's cab has an access below the upwardly recessed machine frame portion for permitting an operator to enter and leave the cab, and two structural parts are attached to the machine frame and extend in the longitudinal direction below the upwardly recessed machine frame portion, the structural parts being spaced from each other transversely to the longitudinal direction and defining therebetween a delimited working area. A hoisting apparatus is mounted on the machine frame, the hoisting apparatus comprising a load carrying device and drives for adjusting the load carrying device in vertical, longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: The packaging machine comprises a feeding line equipped with belt conveyors for conveying flat folded blanks withdrawn thereby from a magazine. An erecting station, situated downstream of the withdrawing station, is provided with a rotating head featuring gripping means with suction cups aimed at cooperating with second suction cups to open adjacent edges of the blanks. Upper runs of belt conveyors of a packaging line situated below the feeding line, are designed to cooperate with the lower run of the conveyor so as to hold the cases obtained from the blanks. Pushers are located at the side of a feeding line placed at the side of the packaging line for feeding the articles, and are operated axially in order to introduce the articles into the cases. Means are provided for adjustment in accordance with the height of the cases, and move vertically a group comprising the feeding line.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser (10) having an external cavity used for coherent frequency and time domain reflectometry is provided. The laser (10) provides a very stable single longitudinal mode characteristic, a very narrow lasing linewidth, and a very low noise optical output. The laser (10) includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (14) emitting a coherent light beam from one facet, a phase modulator (22) receiving the coherent light beam and linearly varying an optical frequency of the laser, and an etalon (32) selecting and stabilizing one longitudinal mode of the laser cavity for lasing, narrowing the linewidth and reducing the noise. A computer-controlled and piezoelectric actuated wavelength-selective grating (58) varies the length of the laser cavity and thereby tuning the optical frequency of the selected longitudinal mode to track the transmission frequency of the etalon by maintaining maximum power intensity thereby stabilizing the selected mode.

Abstract: A process is provided herein for producing a variety of reformed and cured herring roe mixed foods including "herring roe on kelp", "herring roe on shellfish" and "herring roe with kamaboko" by making the best use of the intrinsic binding ability of fresh herring eggs. In one embodiment, the process may begin by extracting ovaries from sexually-matured herring. Individual eggs are then singled out from the ovaries. The eggs are rinsed and cleaned. A perforate mold is then filled in single or multi-layers with any solid food or foods, e.g., kelp, fish, shell-fish, kamaboko, ham, sausage and/or cheese between the layers of eggs, to form a sandwich structure. The sandwich structure in the mold is then salt-cured, substantially to the saturation level. The salt-cured and solidified product is then removed from the mold.