Abstract: A transpirated wall aerosol collection system includes a collector operable to receive a gas flow containing particulate matter. The system also includes a porous wall having a first surface and a second surface. The porous wall is operable to transpire a liquid from the first surface to the second surface. Particulate matter contained in the gas flow is deposited in the liquid on the second surface of the porous wall. A virtual impactor may be used with the system for concentrating the particulate matter contained in the gas flow.

Abstract: A cargo restraint has a D-ring with cold-headed opposed end portions spaced slightly apart and trapped in a gap in a passageway of an anchor bracket and tensioned against edges of the gap to prevent rattling and withdrawal of the ends of the D-ring out of the bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: A firing system for a large-caliber weapon includes a firing pin displaceable into a position of rest, an armed position and a firing position; a spring urging the firing pin into the firing position; a follower affixed to the firing pin; and a rotatably supported control cam having a cam track. The spring urges the follower toward the cam track. The cam track has first, second and third consecutive cam track portions. The first cam track portion is shaped such that upon rotation of the control cam the firing pin is moved into the armed position by a cooperation between the follower and the first cam track portion. The second cam track portion is shaped such that upon continuing rotation of the control cam the firing pin is allowed to be accelerated by the spring into the firing position.

Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of interfolded stacks (17) formed by a plurality of sheets (4a,4b) comprising the steps of: transversally cutting or tearing sheets obtained from at least one web (3a,3b) and offset with respect to one another so that a sequence of offset sheets is created; passage of the sheets on folding rollers (7a,7b) which comprise sucking means for the alternate holding of the sheets (4a,4b) in order to obtain an interfolded disposition; formation of a continuous interfolded stack downstream of the folding rollers. Upstream of the folding a step of treatment of the sheets is provided in order to make them, at least in certain zones (14), enough permeable to air, in particular through perforating means. These perforating means can be provided on rollers (10a,10b) having sharpened points (11a,11b).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line to a pair of hoppers that each have an interior chamber. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior chamber of each hopper using a vacuum means that is in fluid communication with the hopper interior chambers.

Abstract: The source cell of a radio signal broadcast within a cellular radio network is determined by several alternative techniques. Each involves either a mobile station or a base station broadcasting a system-unique identity signal from which the network can determine the source of the signal. From the unique source of the signal the network can determine the geographic source from which the signal originated and use that information to perform automatic system administration functions, such as, prepare a best neighbor list or perform frequency planning and allocation for the network.

Abstract: Organic matter and metal impurities present on the surface of a photomask are removed. Foreign matter still adhering to the surface of the photomask is removed with H2 gas dissolved water. The photomask is dried. Thus provided is a method of washing a photomask in a manner which permits attaining an effect of removing foreign matter equivalent or superior to that of a conventional method with a small amount of chemical solution and reducing the amounts of chemicals and high purity water.

Abstract: A bus buffer conditions and amplifies bi-directional electrical signals on a line carrying MIL-STD 1553 bi-polar signals. The device includes a receiver with a threshold detector, a signal conditioner including a retiming circuit and an amplifying transmitter. The signal conditioner receives filtered bi-polar signal output from the receiver and transforms the signal into separate uni-polar digital outputs. The signal conditioner includes means for increasing the positive voltage state period of each uni-polar output voltage state until the beginning of the next output voltage state to eliminate an effective null bus period during a signal transmission. A timing circuit includes a clock and logic circuitry which retimes and combines the uni-polar signals to create a bi-polar digital output having retimed zero-crossing points which is then transmitted out to a second bus. Two bus buffers are connected between the first and second buses in reverse orientation to provide bidirectional capability.

Abstract: A family of copper-nickel-zinc-palladium alloys for sliding and static electrical contact applications comprises, on a weight percent basis, about 15-65 percent copper, up to about 30 percent nickel, about 5-30 percent zinc, about 5-45 percent palladium, and up to about 35 percent silver. One embodiment of the family of alloys is age hardenable and provides alloys with hardness values in excess of 300 Knoop (100g load) and significant improvement in high-temperature properties, formability, tensile strength and ductility. A second embodiment provides an alloy with increased strength and hardness in the wrought condition, relative to the prior art Cu—Ni—Zn alloys.

Abstract: A method for achieving operational reliability in an overlayed network of service nodes is disclosed. The overlayed network of service nodes is connected to a public telecommunications network. In response to a party using a subscriber number to make a call, the public telecommunications network routes the call to a preferred service node. The preferred service node is capable of providing a plurality of services in response to such a call. If the preferred service node experiences a failure or is otherwise not operational, and does not respond to such a call, the public telecommunications network reroutes the call to a standby service node, which provides the same services as the preferred service node.

Abstract: The washcloth includes a pocket which is positioned on one surface of the washcloth and includes a neck through which a bar of soap can pass only in a lengthwise direction. The neck leads to an expanded cavity within which the bar of soap is engaged when rotated out of alignment with the neck. Further, the washcloth is layered and may serve as a wash mit, accommodating right and left hand use.

Abstract: A scalable multi-level data bit stream is presented which is capable of supporting variable bandwidth ATM network access, including multiple rates for plural bearer channels of voice communications and increased rates for video and data (file transfer) communications. To support communications system repairability, the bit stream includes an embedded operation channel for connection maintenance, performance monitoring, path tracing and testing. Furthermore, the bit stream includes framing data for performing add/drop multiplexing to control bandwidth use by identifying added and dropped bearer channels communicated within the bit stream. The interface with the ATM network is provided through an ATM adaptation layer that segments the bit stream into ATM cells and also assembles the bit from received ATM cells. Both wireless and wireline communications systems are supported with use of the bit stream to access the ATM network.

Abstract: A method for maintaining synchronization between a base transceiver station (BTS) and an interworking function (IWF) within a cellular communications network is disclosed. The method utilizes a synchronization procedure between the IWF and the BTS that makes the IWF aware of propagation delays between the IWF and BTS. The IWF utilizes this information to adapt to the delays such that the correct sequence is unpacked uplink when obtained from the base transceiver station. The IWF also uses synchronization data to control transmissions from the IWF to the BTS such that frame numbers and timeslots are received at the BTS in the correct sequence.

Abstract: A centralized service interaction handler unit is provided in a communications network. This interaction handler includes a database with a plurality of matrices, with one matrix for each type of interaction (e.g., activation of a service, deactivation of a service, roaming between countries, etc.). The interaction handler accesses a pertinent matrix each time such an activation, deactivation, roaming, etc. operation is executed. The accessed matrix is used to determine the action to be taken when a service that interacts with the requested service is encountered.

Abstract: An improved method for production of phenol and acetone by decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of an acidic catalyst to phenol and acetone, wherein the improvement comprises neutralization of the acidic catalyst after substantial completion of the decomposition by addition of a substituted amine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of drilling holes sequentially through a workpiece using a laser gun with a camera positioned axially in-line with the drilling beam of the laser gun. Each image from the camera is analysed by digital image processing techniques to control the positioning of the laser nozzle relative to the workpiece and/or to compensate for errors produced in previously drilled holes. By feedback from the digitally processed images it is possible to repeat the auto-focusing of the laser automatically throughout the drilling of a large number of holes in the same workpiece, to adjust the drilling of subsequent holes in order to bring the hole characteristics closed to a predefined optimum, or to abort work on a particular workpiece if hole diameters exceed a given tolerance range.

Abstract: A customer administrative system of a wireless communications system is interfaced with one or more system database network elements to support single command meta-service activation and management tasks. In this regard, a meta-service comprises a package of individual services. An agent is included in the interface to process single meta-service command for handling by the database network elements. The database network elements supporting the individual services implicated by the meta-service command are identified and are issued appropriately formatted, device specific commands for effectuating the meta-service activation or management task. In the event that each implicated database network element cannot successfully complete the requisite meta-service activation or management task, the service provision state of each implicated database network element is rolled-back to a service provision state prior to receipt of the meta-service command.