Abstract: A process for the direct catalytic oxidation of methane to methanol comprises separately contacting chromium chemically bound to the oxygen of a metal oxide support surface with (1) methane and (2) oxidant. The support may comprise silica, alumina, magnesia, titania, or zirconia.

Abstract: A mesa-type PIN diode and method for making same are disclosed. A diode made according to the present invention includes a junction formed in the top surface of the mesa-shaped structure, having an area that is less than (and preferrably, approximately half) the area of the top surface. A highly-doped, N-type conducting layer is formed in the side-walls of the mesa-shaped structure. The resulting diode is subject to greatly reduced charge carrier recombination effects and suffers from much less carrier-to-carrier scattering than conventional diodes. Thus, a diode made according to the present invention is capable of achieving much higher stored charge, lower resistance, lower capacitance, better switching characteristics, and lower power consumption than one made according to the prior art. Particular utility is found, inter alia, in the areas of high-frequency microwave and monolithic circuits.

Abstract: A roll, especially for press rolls in paper machines includes an elastomeric shell separated from a roll core. The roll is characterized by the fact that, in the region of the axial end of the roll core, there is a large reduction in thickness of the roll shell, with the reduced thickness provided substantially at the axial end of the roll shell or in an annular transition region spaced from and near the end of the shell.

Abstract: In a paper making machine a porous support belt travels together with the web over a drying cylinder and leaves the cylinder at a point of removal. A suction box provided in the region of the web removal has a suction zone which is defined by means of two yieldable sealing strips which extend transversely to the direction of travel of the web, and each is supported in a sealing strip holder. The distance between each sealing strip holder and the outer surface of the drying cylinder amounts to at least 30 mm, and each of the yieldable sealing strips has, in its normal condition of operation, such an inherent stiffness that the sealing strip remains substantially free of deformation in the event of a difference in pressure of 0.01 to 0.1 bar between the suction zone and its surroundings.

Abstract: In a process for the coating of a running web of paper or cardboard, provisions are that in a press gap formed between two rolls a coating substance applied in a very small quantity on the surface of the one roll is first pressed on the web leaving a very thin coat on the web which, however, covers all spots including the "mounds" of microroughness. Next, the second coat can be applied and dosed on the still moist first coat with the usual means. In the process, the first coat is preferably dosed on the shell of the first roll, by means of the peripheral grooves of a rotary doctor. The same may be performed also as regards the second coating on the web.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated percussion apparatus for compacting soil, or other material. The apparatus includes a gear case that supports a percussion unit that is adapted to engage the soil to compact the same. A pneumatically operated motor is mounted on the gear case and air is supplied to the motor via a manually-operated "deadman" valve unit. A centrifugal clutch connects the output shaft of the motor to the percussion unit. The air flow to the motor is controlled by a governor to obtain a substantially uniform rotational speed for the motor output shaft.

Abstract: A wagon for transporting grain and other particulate matter. The wagon is adapted to be attached to a tow vehicle. The wagon has a container which is provided with a forward wall. Within the container is a conduit. The conduit has a part which protrudes outwardly from the container and forwardly from the forward wall. Within the conduit is an auger. Pivotally attached to the part of the conduit which extends outwardly from the forward wall is a conduit extension member. The conduit extension member is pivotally movable to a position extending from the forward wall. Within the conduit extension member is an auger extension member. The auger extension member is operatively connected to the auger when the conduit extension member extends from the forward wall. Thus, a condition is established for discharging grain from the container of the wagon. The conduit extension member is pivotally movable to a position closely adjacent the forward wall.

Abstract: A rod guide is provided for centering a sucker rod within a tubular string that powers the pump within a well bore. The rod guide comprises a spool securable to the rod and having upper and lower end members thereon, and a plastic material sleeve extending between the upper and lower end members. The sleeve may be mounted to the rod during a molding operation. The rod guide further includes a guide body which may be machined from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material which has desired abrasive and wear characteristics. In one embodiment, the body is rotatable about the spool. A slot within the guide body and scalloped-shaped cut-outs at both ends of the guide body provide fluid communication between an annulus formed between the O.D. of the sleeve portion of the spool and the I.D. of the guide body.

Abstract: Invisible junction device, particularly for stretched cloths, includes a support (1, 1') for securement to a ceiling or a wall, profiles (2) for the reception of securement pads, disposed in the support (1), and an element (3) for partial or complete closure of the support (1) by pinching. The support (1) is preferably in the form of a profile provided with a surface bearing against the existing ceiling or wall or for securement on an intermediate support, and two longitudinal profiles (2) adapted to coact with securement pads of the corresponding edges of the sheet or sheets to be stretched, at the joint to be provided, the profiles (2) extending parallel and symmetrically with a slight inclination relative to the vertical, their external edge being aligned with the edge (4) of one of the sides of the support (1), while the other edge extends beyond the first in a ridge (5) in prolongation of the external edge of the corresponding profile (2).

Abstract: A Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system which allocates different sets of frequencies to cells with different transmission power levels. Based upon the transmission power levels of a base station for each cell, each base station is assigned to one of at least two groups of base stations. Each group of base stations is assigned a set of frequencies for traffic communication. The set of frequencies assigned to one group of base stations does not overlap with the set of frequencies assigned to a different group of base stations.

Abstract: A method of detecting the identity of a radio channel and to ascertain whether the channel is a control channel or a traffic channel, in conjunction with convolution decoding in a mobile radio receiver. Channel identification is effected without such complete decoding. Part of a data block is decoded in accordance with the Viterbi algorithm as though the block represented a control channel. If the metric obtained after a given number of nodes is smaller than a given number of threshold values, the channel is considered to be a control channel and is thereafter decoded as such a channel. If the metric is greater than the threshold value, the channel is decoded as a speech channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sag-compensation roll having a roll shell (1), a stationary yoke (2), and an oblong hydrostatic pressure shoe (8) which can be tilted about a longitudinal axis and contains hydrostatic pressure pockets (11, 12). The pressure shoe is fitted to the inside diameter of the roll shell (1) and is attached to a radially movable oblong piston (4) which is sealed off from the yoke (2). The longitudinal ridges (9, 10) which define the individual hydrostatic pockets (11, 12) have a width (a, b) equal to at most 1/20 of the width (K) of the piston. The pressure shoe (8) is hydraulically supported over the main part of its width on its lower side, i.e. the side which faces the yoke (2).

Abstract: A device for guiding a submersible mixer 1 through a receptacle comprises two cable sections 7 having upper ends fixed to the receptacle and lower ends received by supporting members 10 mounted to the bottom surface of the receptacle. A guide slide 4, alternatively attached to the receptacle and the submersible mixer by two connecting elements 13, has two tubular posts 60, 61 that are slidably coupled to the cable sections 7. After lowering the submersible mixer 1 onto the guide slide 4, the connecting elements 13 are detached from the receptacle and attached to the submersible mixer, one after the other, so that the guide slide 4 is firmly anchored to the receptacle until the submersible mixer 1 is secured to the guide slide 4. The guide slide 4, with the submersible mixer 1 secured thereon, is then lowered through the receptacle and onto the two supporting members 10 so that the submersible mixer 1 can conduct operations in the receptacle.

Abstract: In telecommunications switching systems, software is frequently modified, enhanced or replaced altogether by new versions. The implementation or integration of the new or revised software into the operational system must be accomplished in accordance with strict requirements for not disturbing the ongoing activities of the system. Therefore, it is desirable that the system not be halted while the change to the new software is made. Rather, the preferred approach is to be able to replace software modules with new versions on the fly, during system operation. The smooth modification made possible in the disclosed system allows such changes with minimal disturbance to ongoing activities by dynamically linking and binding software modules during execution.

Abstract: A converter dolly comprising telescopic hitch means for adjusting the length between a first and second wheeled vehicle. The second wheeled vehicle having a kingpin projecting from an underside of the second wheeled vehicle in tandem comprising, a frame including a base portion and a telescoping hitch means comprising a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion. The tongue portion comprises a longitudinally extending, substantially rigid adjusting member and a mating member longitudinally slidably engaging the adjusting member. A hitch means carried by the mating member for pivotally connecting the converter dolly to the first vehicle about a first substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A process for the solid state upgrading of a polyester resin by polyaddition reaction in which the resin is upgraded in the presence of an upgrading additive which is a compound different from a dianhydride of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid, containing two groups capable of addition reactions with the terminal groups of the polyester, selected for example in the group of the dianhydrides of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic tetracarboxylic acids.

Abstract: A surface modified filler comprises sodium aluminocarbonate particles having a surface coating comprising an organofunctional silane or an organofunctional titanate. The surface modified filler is useful as a fire retardant material in thermoplastic and thermoset compositions.

Abstract: An injection mold capable being filled from the center is a gated mold with at least one repositionable subgate. The subgate permits simplified removal of the central portion of the molded article, while at least substantially eliminating secondary treatment of the molded article.

Abstract: A process for recovering CO.sub.2 from a mixture of light hydrocarbons, e.g. light hydrocarbons produced from a CO.sub.2 injection enhanced oil recovery. The mixture is distilled in a distributive zone with CO.sub.2 produced overhead and in the bottoms. The overhead and bottoms produced from the distributive zone are then fed to first and second concentrating distillation zones, respectively. The first concentrating zone produces a bottoms product rich in CO.sub.2 and an overhead product rich in methane and lean in CO.sub.2. The second concentrating zone is refluxed with lean oil and produces a CO.sub.2 distillate and a CO.sub.2 -lean bottoms product. In various embodiments, at least a section of each of the concentrating zones are placed in a single column, the CO.sub.

Abstract: A balloon pump includes a cylinder having an outlet end and a piston adapted to reciprocate within the cylinder. One-way outlet and inlet valves are associated with the pump for allowing air to exit the cylinder outlet end only when the piston moves toward the outlet end and enter the cylinder only when the piston reciprocates away from the cylinder outlet end. An elongated piston drive member or base is connected at one end to the piston with the other end extending out of the cylinder at the end opposite the cylinder outlet end. A biasing arrangement acts between the cylinder and the piston to bias the piston away from the outlet end of the cylinder. With the pump positioned vertically and supported on the elongated piston drive member, the biasing arrangement raises the cylinder to perform a return stroke so that the pump may be operated simply by pushing down on the cylinder.