Abstract: The preferred embodiment provides an electronic learning aid which includes a housing having a hand pad that is sized and shaped to receive a child's hand. The hand pad has five finger portions with each having a finger switch embedded therein that is positioned to be actuated by the child's finger. An indicator is mounted in close proximity to and associated with each finger portion to indicate the appropriate finger to be depressed on the hand pad. A keyboard assembly, having an abbreviated keyboard, is also mounted on the housing. A light emitting diode is mounted directly beneath each white key so that each white key can be illuminated to indicate the appropriate key to be depressed. A microcomputer having a speech synthesizer provides instruction to the student and controls the operation of the electronic learning aid.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyamide resin by reacting 1 mol of linear polyester resin (as calculated in repeating unit of the linear polyester resin) consisting of at least one dicarboxylic acid component and at least one diol component and having an intrinsic viscosity of not less than 0.2 dl/g with 0.5-1.5 mol of at least one diamine compound in a reaction medium comprising at least one solvent which is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethers and acetals, so that the diol component of the linear polyester resin is substituted by the diamine compound to provide the polyamide resin as a reaction product.

Abstract: A projectile having a longitudinal axis, a sensor disposed in the substantially pointed front end of the projectile for detecting a respective target, and electronics connected to the output of the sensor for igniting a correction charge to effect a correction of the flight path of the projectile by a predetermined angle (.delta..sub.0). In order to install the apparatus for flight-path correction into the respective projectile completely and in a space-saving manner, so that, unlike in known projectiles, corresponding evaluation and signal-transmission units in the respective weapon carrier can be omitted and complicated gyroscopic systems in the projectile can be omitted, the sensor determines the angle (.delta.) between the longitudinal axis of the projectile and the line (target line) connecting the projectile and the target, and when an angle (.delta..sub.0) is reached that is identical in size/magnitude to the deviation caused by the respective correction charge, the electronics ignite this charge.

Abstract: A robust and frequency-economic point to multipoint radio access microwave system combines the use of only two frequency bands and alternating polarizations. Base station antennae feeding adjacent sectors from a common base station site operate at least with different ones of two sets of channels. Moreover, sectors at adjacent base station sites (e.g., in adjacent cells) which are aligned with the sectors of the first base station site employ either a different set of channels or differing polarization. The two sets of channels can be two sets of frequencies (e.g., FDMA).

Abstract: A linear actuator has four drive gears which engage two racks. The actuator movable member may comprise two racks which have gear teeth which face inwardly and towards each other, or a single rack which has gear teeth which faces outwardly. In either case, four gear drives to engage the rack, two gear drives on each side. A plurality of linear actuators may be used to provide for position control in two or more directions. Control is provided by a servo mechanism.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow electroformed product of precious metal includes the steps of forming a hollow soluble metal electroformed layer soluble in an inorganic acid on the outer surface of a master model formed of a low melting point material or a chemically soluble material soluble in a chemical, melting or dissolving and removing the master model from inside the soluble metal electroformed layer, coating the outer surface of the remaining soluble metal electroformed layer with a masking layer, forming a precious metal electroformed layer on the inner surface of the soluble metal electroformed layer, stripping the masking layer, and dissolving the soluble metal electroformed layer with inorganic acid.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data acquisition system is disclosed for use in hazardous locations. The system includes a driller's console that itself is intrinsically safe and includes a large LCD monitor, keypad and local CPU. The system further includes satellite data acquisition and processing boxes that are also intrinsically safe and that are located within the hazardous area. Each satellite box includes its own CPU and acquires and locally processes signals received from a number of field sensors. The satellite box converts the signals into digital form, and transmits the data via a fiber optic communication channel to a master CPU box located in an unclassified area. A high current intrinsically safe barrier distributes power from the master CPU box to the satellite box for powering all the sensors supported by that satellite box. Another such barrier distributes all the power required by the driller's console.

Abstract: Apparatus for balancing and lifting a load supported from opposite ends of a cable or chain and which includes a sheave engageable by the cable or chain and through which extends a pin member. The pin member is radially offset from the center of the sheave and is supported, at opposite ends thereof, by structural members which may be attached to a source of lifting power.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the communication capacity of a communication system utilizing a time-division, multiple-access communication scheme. A broadcast carrier is defined which is divided into time slots which include a control channel and traffic channels. The traffic channels are used to communicate traffic signals with remote subscriber units. When the traffic channel is not used to communicate traffic signals, carrier signals, whether modulated with information or not, are instead generated, thereby to ensure that signal energy is detected by a mobile subscriber unit when tuning to the broadcast carrier. Two or more signals can be transmitted concurrently upon a single traffic channel utilizing antenna forming techniques wherein the antenna beam pattern used to transmit the two or more traffic signals together encompass an entire cell.

Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of messages from one medium to another in an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunications system comprising several Intelligent Peripherals (IPs) connected to a Service Control Point (SCP) over a network. The various IPs are also linked to each other over a distinct telecommunications backbone. The SCP orders a conversion IP to retrieve the received message over the telecommunications backbone and convert it to a specified medium, which may optionally be specified by the recipient. When the conversion process is complete, the SCP orders a delivery IP to retrieve and deliver the converted message to the intended recipient.

Abstract: A system and method are provided in which a phase modulation generator is used to modulate the output signal of a DDS with a modulation index, h/N. The phase-modulated. DDS output drives a PLL, which is an upconversion stage for a radio transmitter, with the modulated DDS signal as the PLL's reference. The output of the PLL will have a modulation index of h. Consequently, the frequency band of the DDS output is significantly narrower than the frequency band of upconversion stages used in conventional transmitters, and there are significantly less spurious emissions in the transmitted signal. However, a transmitter employing the present phase-modulated DDS-driven PLL topology can still transmit over a relatively wide frequency band.

Abstract: A method of farming comprises collecting waste material such as manure from animal farming, or effluent from food processing plants or the like in a closed container, stirring and aerating the material within the container and adding yeast and phosphoric acid to increase aerobic bacterial activity while reducing anaerobic bacteria and rendering the material into a pumpable liquid. The collected manure is stored in a cylindrical container having a plastics liner and roof and is used as a fire suppressant material for dowsing fires in the farm buildings by providing a pump and hose on the container or hydrant located adjacent to the buildings.

Abstract: A cosmetic pencil having at least one applicator to which a detachable reservoir for a cosmetic substance is engaged. The applicator and the reservoir are spring-loaded and rotatable relative to each other. An axially displaceable cover having apertures is provided over the applicator so that a comparatively soft cosmetic substance can be used in the reservoir. The cover is located between the surface of the cosmetic substance and the applicator.

Abstract: A silver/palladium alloy for electrical contact applications comprises, on a weight percent basis, 20-50 silver, 20-50 palladium, 20-40 copper, less than 1.0 nickel, 0.1-5 zinc, 0.01-0.3 boron, and up to 1 percent by weight of modifying elements selected from the group consisting of rhenium, ruthenium, gold, and platinum. The combination of zinc and boron provides an alloy of high strength and hardness and permits the use of lower amounts of both copper and palladium.

Abstract: A carrier for conveying components of a fuel cell to be sintered through a sintering furnace. The carrier comprises a metal sheet coated with a water-based carbon paint, the water-based carbon paint comprising water, powdered graphite, an organic binder, a wetting agent, a dispersing agent and a defoaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention is described as a lipid-complexed topoisomerase I inhibitor (TII), for example camptothecin (CPT) preparation that allows for intravenous administration in vivo in clinically relevant lipid:drug ratios. The lipid formulation has in vitro antitumor activity similar to that of the base compound and displays similar cytotoxicity against both MDR-1 negative and positive tumor cells.

Abstract: Device for winding a wrapping film around an article (1) to be packaged, the article to be packaged having the shape of a substantially flat rectangle in cross-section. The article to be packaged comprises two substantially parallel broad sides (2, 3) and two narrow sides (4,5), the edges between the broad and narrow sides forming supporting points (6) for the wrapping film. The device comprises a film distributor (7) disposed to travel along a ring-like endless track (8) at a substantially constant speed around the article to be packaged.