Abstract: A method of synchronizing a received signal frame in a TDMA radio system with a locally generated (TR) training sequence and of determining a channel estimate based on the comparison the received signal frame and the locally generated training sequence. A center of energy value is calculated for a first vector having M correlation values. A second vector having N consecutive correlation values distributed around the center of energy is chosen to form the channel estimate. The center of energy in the second vector can be chosen as synchronizing position.

Abstract: A pre-load indicating washer in which a plurality of protuberances, struck and partially sheared from the annular body of the washer, are pushed under load back into a corresponding plurality of indentations in the annular body which are formed when the protuberances are formed. The mass of material defined by each protuberance/indentation pair is concentrated along the lengthwise central region of the protuberance/indentation pair, thereby stiffening the protuberance, so that when load is applied to the washer, the protuberance will first undergo elastic deformation prior to collapsing back into the indentation from which it was formed.

Abstract: A phase locked loop frequency synthesizer in which the output frequency is changed in a series of steps in order to reach a final frequency value. The steps are computed and stored in a memory in a control unit. The steps are chosen to approximately cancel the poles of the transfer function of the synthesizer. The phase locked loop provides increased switching speed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for articles of food comprises a receptacle (4) where the articles of food which are to be heated are brought and which may rotate around a axis during heating. The apparatus further comprises a cover (6) which forms with the receptacle (4) substantially closed chamber during heating. The axis may form an adjustable first angle with a vertical line. The apparatus further comprises a roof (6) which may rotate relatively with regard to the recipient (4) over a second angle which is smaller than 60.degree. to allow for filling or emptying the heating apparatus with articles of food. The heating apparatus may be used for substantially all articles of food which may be heated and the apparatus has a good thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A separator apparatus and method for a hydrocarbon fluidized catalytic cracking process are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a main plenum in a disengagement vessel which connects a plurality of riser cyclones in a riser catalyst separation stage to a plurality of secondary cyclones in a secondary catalyst separation stage. The cyclones in the second and each succeeding stage receive a substantially equal amount of gas from the plenum. The effluent gas is substantially prevented from leaking into the interior space of the disengagement vessel. Also disclosed is a method for retrofitting an existing plant with the plenum design to provide a more compact arrangement of the catalyst separation equipment in the disengagement vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a roll-coating machine for the application of coating colors onto a paper web, including:a coating roll that rotates in a coating color pool;a trough retaining the color pool and having a coating color inlet, a guide wall with a first overflow edge, and an overflow channel for a first overflow stream;a mating roll that rotates in a direction opposite to that of the coating roll and with it forms an inlet gusset and an outlet gusset; anda guide shield that has a second overflow edge on its downstream end for a second overflow stream, a bypass channel for division of the second overflow stream and having a valve, and a restrictor defined by the guide shield in cooperation with the paper web.

Abstract: Improved multi-wall containers and pipes for transporting fluids which have to be protected against leakage and mechanical forces, have an inner and outer wall separated by a continuous foam layer integrated into the containers. Improved strength and resistance to axial inertial pressure is provided by the method of manufacture using chopped glass fibers, continuous windings of glass fibers and suitable polyester resins and circumferential ribs spaced at stress points and integrally incorporated into the containment walls. Vessels produced according to the methods of the invention have a moment of inertia strength of about 4.67 in.sup.4 substantially eliminating torquing, buckling and rupture.

Abstract: A system for paging mobile stations within a cellular telecommunication system wherein paging areas, which are composed of a plurality of location areas, are created to provide a means for locating a mobile station when the mobile station has not responded to a location area page and without requiring a service area page. The system sends a page request to the location area where the desired mobile station last registered. If a response is not received, the system sends a page request to the paging area which includes a plurality of location areas where the mobile station is likely to be found. If a page response is still not received from the desired mobile station, then a page request will be sent to all of the location areas within the service area.

Abstract: A theft prevention device to be mounted on a parallelepipedic box, the device including a frame with an insert opening for enclosing the box. The frame is provided with a hook shaped lock tongue, displaceably and pivotally mounted to the frame. The hooked shaped lock tongue may be moved from an engaged position on the frame where it blocks the insert opening, to a position where it can be disengaged to not block the insert opening to allow removal of the box from the frame. A latch having a rotary bolt holds the hook shaped lock tongue in the engaged position. This latch can be adjusted to free the lock tongue, for it to be moved from the engaged position where it can be disengaged from the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing subterranean structures, soil-chemicals mixture or soil-agents mixture by using a multi-shaft auger machine to mix soil with a chemical hardener in situ. As the auger shafts of the multi-shaft auger machine penetrate the soil, spiral flights attached to the auger shaft above the initial auger blades assist soil in passing by supporting structures located between adjacent auger shafts. The spiral flights both assist in raising the soil beyond the supporting structures and also prevent reagglomeration of the soil prior to passing by the supporting structures. The spiral flights have a diameter less than that of the auger blades attached to the shaft below the spiral flights and have a connection ranging from 360 degrees to 720 degrees around the shaft.

Abstract: A first endless felt belt (43) which absorbs water from the belt (9) passes through a first press nip (1) having a stone roll (42C) and a similar second felt belt (57) passes through a second press nip (II). The arrangement is such that the web (9) is continuously in contact with at least one transport means (for instance, with one of the felt belts). One side of the web comes into contact with the stone roll (42C) in the first press nip (I) and the other side of the web comes into contact with the water impermeable elastic press element (53) in the second press nip (II).

Abstract: An optical waveguide encapsulation for facilitating the tapping of light signals. The optical waveguide includes an optical medium, preferably a polyimide. An encapsulating material comprises a medium which matches the index of the light conducting core of the waveguide. The refractive index of the light conducting core is higher than the refractive index of the encapsulating material, and the encapsulating material is an elastic material.

Abstract: The assembly of the invention includes a pressure vessel having a size to fit in a usual home refrigerator for the domestic fermenting of a fermentable liquid mixture under pressure and under chilled conditions, The pressure vessel defines a closed fermentation chamber for containing a bath having an amount of fermentable liquid mixture effective to provide a pressurized atmosphere above the surface of the bath within the closed fermentation chamber during the fermenting process, A pressure relief valve controls the pressure within the fermentation chamber at a level sufficient to maintain safety conditions during the fermentation process, Pressurized gaseous material is introduced into the pressure vessel to enhance the fermentation process within the chamber. A spigot is part of an output discharge mechanism including a float used to remove fermented beverage from adjacent the surface of the bath to draw beverage from the pressurized vessel while a pressurized atmosphere remains in the vessel.

Abstract: An electronic switching device such as an inductive proximity switch includes an externally influenced oscillator detector with its output connected to a switching amplifier. An electronic switch connected to the output of the switching amplifier responds to the amplifier signal and controls a state indicator. Upon the influence state of the detector crossing a predetermined threshold, the switching state of the electronic switch is reversed, and the detection state of the oscillator is reflected in switching states of the electronic switch and indicated by the state indicator. A second state indicator indicates whether or not the reading from the oscillator is in a "safe range" in which variations in ambient conditions cannot cause a false reading.

Abstract: A quantum wave guiding electronic switch includes a substrate which carries electron waveguides disposed in a fork-like configuration. Each of these electron waveguides is connected to a respective electron reservoir. Electrons are driven through the waveguides by voltage sources. Electrodes on the substrate generate an electric field which passes through the outgoing electron waveguides of the switch, and creates a potential difference therebetween. In one case, in which the electrons are transported ballistically, in the absence of electron scattering, this potential difference creates a phase mismatch between the outputs. An incident electron wave function having even parity is herewith switched to a quasi even electron wave function in the output that has the lowest energetic potential. When transportation is not ballistic and the electrons scattered to some extent, switching is effected by relaxation of incoming electrons to lower energy levels.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for monitoring the flow of inspired and expired air. The apparatus includes a respiratory air tract and a piezoelectric sensor for sensing the pressure within the air tract relative to ambient pressure and generating a corresponding pressure signal. There can be alarm means in communication with the pressure sensor for indicating when flow within the air tract is inadequate. The present invention is also an apparatus for maintaining a breathing passage in the trachea of a patient. The apparatus has a tracheotomy tube for fitting into the trachea and a pressure sensor disposed such that the pressure of the air in the tracheotomy tube is sensed and produces a pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure in the tracheotomy tube. Preferably, there is also a capacitor disposed in the tracheotomy tube such that the capacitance of the capacitor corresponds to the percent occlusion of the tube by an obstruction.

Abstract: An extraction device comprises an inclinable scraper shaft driven in rotation along a first vertical axis of rotation, thereby extracting bulk products stored over a storage area having at least one evacuation opening. The extraction device comprises a support piece whose foundation is mounted to rotate above the evacuation opening along the first axis of rotation, defining a supporting base for the scraper shaft. The base is inclined by an angle .beta. with respect to the horizontal. The first driving member is provided to rotate the support piece and the scraper shaft about the first axis. The foundation of the scraper shaft is inclined with respect to the axis of the scraper shaft by an angle .alpha. complementary of the angle .beta. and is mounted to rotate on the base along a second axis of rotation perpendicular to said base.

Abstract: A control circuit system for controlling one or more parameters in a circuit with at least one operational stage is disclosed, in the form of a delay stage or a logic stage, the operational stage comprising at least one operational circuit, at least one operational current source for supplying a drive current for the operational stage, and at least one operational load. The operational stage also comprises a number of controllable components of the operational current source and of the operational load, allowing control of the size of the drive current and of the load, respectively, in the operational stage. At least one reference stage includes essentially an image circuit of the operational stage with a reference current source for supplying a drive current for the reference stage and a reference load, comprising a number of controllable reference components, allowing control of the size of the drive current and the load, respectively, of the reference stage.

Abstract: An easy-peeling and safe-dispensing tape roll for packing or sealing purpose is provided with a roll of continuous tape the rear side of which is provided with a layer of release coating and the opposite side thereof coated with a layer of adhesive. The tape is provided with a strip-like area at the middle of the lateral span thereof having no adhesive applied thereto, and the strip-like area is also provided with a plurality of spaced punch holes of various shapes, such as linear or circular and etc., so as to facilitate an operator to relocate and peel off the starting end of the cut tape each time in one aspect and to make the tape easily torn off with bare hands without a cutting blade of a dispenser in another aspect.

Abstract: A method of implementing an endoscopic surgical procedure on a patient, and more particularly, a novel and unique technique of performing a uniportal palmar subligmentous endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Moreover, also disclosed is a unique endoscopic surgical instrument adapted to be employed in the implementation of the foregoing method of endoscopically effecting the carpal tunnel release. This surgical procedure only requires the formation of a single and relatively small entry portal or incision in the palm proximate the distal side of the flexor retinaculum, thereby reducing any postoperative symptoms of the patient with only a cosmetically appealing scar formed on the palm, while eliminating the need for a second portal or incision proximate the wrist of the patient.