Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a buffered acid wash to reduce the amount of oil in cuttings associated with the use of an invert emulsion well fluid. The buffered acid wash is sufficiently acidic as to convert all of the surfactant in the invert oil emulsion from one charge species into another, but substantially prevents the fluid from becoming so acidic as to generate carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of coating an internal surface of a weapon barrel includes the steps of applying an intermediate layer to the internal barrel surface by explosion plating and applying a cover layer at least indirectly to the intermediate layer by electroplating. The intermediate layer has a heat conductivity which is greater than that of the weapon barrel and a ductility which is greater than that of the cover layer.

Abstract: A microwave device includes a number of parallel-plate resonators that include at least one dielectric substrate and first and second plates arranged on either side of the substrate. At least one of the plates of each of a number of the parallel-plate resonators includes a current interrupting device such that the current lines of at least one undesired mode are interrupted at their maxima to suppress the undesired mode. There is also described a method of interrupting undesired modes in a microwave device having a number of parallel-plate resonators.

Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a drill string valve used when drilling a subsea well. The method comprises measuring a first inlet pressure at a subsea mudlift pump while a subsea mudlift pump and a surface pump are operating and before a well is fully shut-in and measuring a second inlet pressure at the subsea mudlift pump after the mudlift pump and the surface pump are shut down and after the well is fully shut-in. The first and second subsea mudlift pump inlet pressure measurements are then compared, and a check is performed to determine if the subsea mudlift pump inlet pressure has increased by an amount greater than an estimated annular friction pressure.

Abstract: A hand stamp that preferably includes a case, a platen secured for selective movement within the case, a stamp die retained adjacent to the platen for movement therewith between a non-marking position where the stamp die is remote from a surface to be marked and a marking position where the stamp die is pressed into contact with a surface to be marked; and a retaining member mounted on the platen in any one of a plurality of positions such that the stamp die is secured in an assembled position adjacent the platen is provided. A preferred method of assembling the hand stamp is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power transistor module for radio frequency applications, particularly for use in an amplifier stage in a radio base station or in a ground transmitter for TV or radio, wherein said power transistor module comprises a support plate, a power transistor chip arranged thereon, outer electrical connections projecting from the module for external connection and inner electrical connections connected between said transistor chip and said outer connections, at least one of said inner electrical connections comprising a first conductor pattern arranged on a flexible foil. The invention further comprises a power amplifier comprising said module, a method in the fabrication of said module, a method in the fabrication of a power amplifier, where said module is electrically connected to a circuit board mounted at a heat sink and to be mounted at said heat sink, and finally to a power amplifier manufactured according to the method.

Abstract: A telephone dialling apparatus appends an end-of-dialling signal, for example a “SEND” signal, to a dialled telephone number by determining from first and second dialled digits how many digits constitute a telephone number to be subsequently dialled. After the dialling apparatus has determined that the correct number of digits have been dialled, it automatically appends the end-of-dialling signal to the telephone number. The dialling apparatus may be used in a system in which a fixed line telephone is connected to a mobile network via a fixed access unit.

Abstract: A musical hoop toy may be provided with a hoop structure, a sensing mechanism coupled to the hoop structure and being disposed on an interior side of the hoop structure such that, when the hoop structure is spun around a person's waist, the sensing mechanism will be periodically activated by a portion of the person's waist, an audio speaker coupled to the hoop structure, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensing mechanism and the audio speaker. The controller may include a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory. The computer program may have a computer program portion that causes a music sequence to be generated and a computer program portion that causes an audio sound effect to be generated in response to each activation of the sensing mechanism.

Abstract: A pre-treatment device for wood chips for pulping comprises a tube through which the wood chips fall into a digester. Steam is injected into the tube through rings of nozzles, which are angled circumferentially to impart a rotary and turbulent motion to the falling chips. Some nozzles are angled downwardly to encourage the chips to flow freely through the tube, some are horizontal to encourage a longer dwell time near the nozzles. Digesting liquor is also sprayed onto the chips from spray nozzles after the first ring of steam nozzles. The heat and steam expel air and other non-condensable gases and volatiles from the chips, allowing them to absorb the liquor. At the bottom of the tube, the chips are propelled down and outwards by jets of higher-pressure steam, spreading and packing them into the digester.

Abstract: A grain wagon includes a wheel supported frame on which is mounted a hopper or container for receiving grain, and the wagon is pulled by a tow vehicle or tractor. An inclined discharge auger conveyor has an outer section which folds between a stored position and an operating position projecting upwardly and forwardly and laterally outwardly from the container. The outer auger section has a pivotal discharge spout with a pivotal internal baffle, and the spout is actuated by a double acting hydraulic cylinder controllable through hydraulic lines from the cab of the tractor so that the tractor operator may fully load and “top off” the grain within an adjacent semi-trailer as the tractor operator pulls the wagon along the side of the semi-trailer. In one embodiment, the outer section of the auger conveyor has an outer telescopic housing extension which carries the discharge spout and extends and retracts automatically with folding of the outer auger conveyor section.

Abstract: Multilayer disposable pads for use as wipes or applicators in various applications, including the cosmetic and personal care fields and the medical field. The pads include an absorbent base pad and a flexible handle attached either to an intermediate barrier layer or to the base pad. To form the handle, handle forming material is mechanically folded, employing a pleating/folding machine, prior to being adhered to the barrier layer or to the base pad. In one embodiment, the handle includes a graspable portion made of two facing segments which may be joined along a distal folded edge, and two handle attached portions respectively joined to the facing segments along fold lines.

Abstract: A method and a machine for rewinding a web (1) for making a log (2a), in particular for the production of rolls of toilet paper, rolls of all purpose wipers or household non woven fabric, industrial rolls and the like. The rewinding is carried out according to the steps of feeding a web (1) of paper into a winding cradle (4); arranging upstream of the cradle (4) a counter support roller (8) comprising at least a cutting slit (9) transversal to the web and a cutting roller (11) with a blade (10) so that it is possible the cut or tear the web (1) for contact of the blade (10) with the web (1); concluding the winding of the log (2a); winding the new log (2b) up to a predetermined length of the web (1); rotating with sliding the counter support roller (8) on the web (1) during the winding of the new log (2b) for causing the blade (10) to cut the web in a desired chosen location.

Abstract: An overhead washer for use in automatic car wash installations utilizes washing curtains slit at their lower edges to provide rectangular washing panels positioned transversely of the curtains that are shorter in length and greater in width than has heretofore been known.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the degradation of persistent contaminants in soil. The method provides the combination of a stabilizing reagent and a degradative reagent where both are admixed into a contaminated soil site for the reduction of permeability at the site and the chemical degradation of the contaminant over time.

Abstract: In ridding fluids, including hydrocarbon fluids, both gaseous and liquid, of sulfur compounds including hydrogen sulfide, oxides of sulfur, and thiols, the present invention uses a small quantity of an activator, generally a noble metal oxide, preferably a copper species and/or a manganese species, along with a known oxide product, such as iron oxide, iron hydroxide, zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, manganese oxide, manganese hydroxide, or combinations thereof, to thoroughly remove sulfur contaminants in a short amount of time. The activator allows for the use of smaller reactor vessels and the production of hydrocarbon fluids substantially free of sulfur products.

Abstract: An electronic book on a computer readable medium, e.g., a CD or the like, has “real-life” pre-recorded audio (preferably, in MP3 format) and visual text (preferably, in RTF format) seamlessly linked together via a linking file (preferably, in XML format) such that a reader can switch back and forth “at will” between visually reading on a computer display screen and/or listening to the book being read aloud by an actual narrator. The computer readable medium includes a reader program installed thereon and an automatic installation program. A novel process for creating the electronic book includes a creator program that may have a similar graphical user interface to the reader program. The electronic book may combine advantages of physical hard-cover books with new e-reading functionality developed by the present inventor.

Abstract: Genetic elements comprising expression vectors and a gene coding for phosphoenol pyruvate synthase is utilized to enhance diversion of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway and pathways branching therefrom. The overexpression of phosphoenol pyruvate synthase increases DAHP production to near theoretical yields.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an intelligent automatic roaming analysis (ARA) that enables a roaming mobile subscriber to use abbreviated dialing regardless of the location of the subscriber in a radio telecommunications network. The radio telecommunications network includes a home network which comprises a Home Location Register (HLR) and a Service Control Point (SCP). The visited exchanges of the network are categorized by a type indicator if located outside the home service area. Subscription data and operator service data are provided as a database in the SCP, wherein applicable telephone codes are available for the home network and the visited exchanges. Based on the type of the visited exchange, an abbreviated number is rebuilt into an appropriate called party number (B-number) by utilizing one or more services provided in the SCP.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the micromachining of accurately aligned holes in the aerofoil surface of a component such as a jet engine turbine blade or vane which comprises a ground anchorage portion and a cast aerofoil portion. The method uses a laser machining apparatus which is preprogrammed to machine holes in the aerofoil surface when that surface is in a predefined reference position and orientation in the apparatus. Initially the component is mounted in the laser machining apparatus by means of its anchorage portion. At least one probe is then moved over the surface of the cast aerofoil portion to derive the positions of selected points on that aerofoil portion. From the derived position data, angular and linear offset data may be calculated to define the deviation of that cast aerofoil portion from the reference position and orientation defined in the computer memory of the laser machining apparatus.