Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a drying apparatus for drying ink deposited onto media includes an electromagnetic energy source to generate electromagnetic energy. The embodiment of the drying apparatus also includes a rectangular waveguide coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. The rectangular waveguide includes slots in the axial direction of the rectangular waveguide on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the largest sides forming a cross section of the rectangular waveguide. The electromagnetic energy source is configured to establish a TE01 mode within the rectangular waveguide, resulting in an electric field substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of fibers within the media and thereby reducing power dissipated within the media while providing sufficient power for drying the ink during a drying operation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting dilute brines of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate to form feed solutions from which sodium based chemicals may be recovered. The sodium bicarbonate in a dilute brine is neutralized and the brine then fortified with calcined trona to form a feed liquor concentrated in sodium carbonate from which sodium based chemicals may be recovered in a Monohydrate or other crystallization process.

Abstract: A printer having a media transport with a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlays the platen, and a suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen, such that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A second movable web below the first web limits air flow through at least a selected portion of the platen other than a portion overlaid by the sheet. The movable web may be a continuous belt, which may have two separate air-blocking regions that are positioned beyond the platen when full airflow is desired, and at least partly registered with the platen to block airflow to peripheral platen portions.

Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.

Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.

Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is arranged to efficiently route digital information from a mobile network to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and vice versa by interposing a packet network between the mobile network and PSTN so that digital information originating from the wireless network at a first data rate may be forwarded over the packet network at that rate and then sent over a direct connection from the packet network to the PSTN at a second data rate expected by the PSTN. In this way the conversion of the digital information from the first to the second data rate is performed only when needed, i.e., at the ATM switch connected to the PSTN.

Abstract: There is disclosed numerous embodiments of a method and apparatus for a particle scanning system and an automatic inspection system. In each of these a particle beam is directed at the surface of a substrate for scanning that substrate. Also included are a selection of detectors to detect at least one of the secondary particles, back-scattered particles and transmitted particles from the substrate. The substrate is mounted on an x-y stage to provide it with at least one degree of freedom while the substrate is being scanned by the/particle beam. The substrate is also subjected to an electric field on it's surface to accelerate the secondary particles. The system also has the capability to accurately measure the position of the substrate with respect to the charged particle beam. Additionally, there is an optical alignment means for initially aligning the substrate beneath the,particle beam means.

Abstract: The method and system for precise time based presentation of recorded medical data, such as cardiac data, encephalographic data, fetal monitor data or the like, which has been recorded on an ordinary audio cassette tape utilizing an inexpensive presentation device. An off-the-shelf tape transport deck is utilized which operates at an actual presentation speed which varies in a linear fashion in response to variations of a control signal which do not vary by greater than a selected maximum value during a given time period and in a nonlinear fashion in response to variations of a control signal which do vary by greater than the selected maximum value during a given time period. A timing track signal is utilized to determine actual presentation speed and small variations between the desired presentation speed and the actual presentation speed are coupled to a linear control system and utilized to vary the control signal at a rate which does not exceed a first rate.

Abstract: An ECG recorder and playback unit which includes software-implemented digital signal processing filters which compensate for phase and magnitude distortion occurring when an ECG signal is recorded on a Holter recorder and played back. This permits "tuning" a recorder and playback unit which may be unrelated, as when made by different manufacturers. An impulse or step signal is recorded and played back to provide a system frequency response measurement. Coefficients for a digital correction filter are derived from the discrete Fourier transform of the impulse or step response and a desired system response. When recorded ECG data is played back, it is filtered on a substantially real-time basis with the digital correction filter to compensate for phase and magnitude distortion. Prior to recording, the high frequencies of the ECG signal are boosted to compensate for high frequency losses inherent in the recording and playing back of ECG signals.

Abstract: A process for producing valuable sodium-based chemicals from a brine containing sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, such as those containing from about 8% to about 20% total alkali obtained by contacting water with an underground trona formation by heating the brine at about 100.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. to evaporate water, convert sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate and to drive off resulting carbon dioxide, reacting the brine with reduced sodium bicarbonate with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in amounts to convert essentially all of the remaining sodium bicarbonate in the brine to sodium carbonate, cooling to about 5.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C. to precipitate sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals, separating the crystals from their mother liquor, melting the separate crystals to form a sodium carbonate solution, heating the solution to from above about 60.degree. C. to below 110.degree. C.

Abstract: A variable caliber self-loading pistol has a slide carried by a breech block slide of the gun with this slide projecting forwardly of the breech block slide so as to support the underside of a cartridge during initial rearward movement of the breech block slide as that cartridge is being extracted from the chamber. The slide also assists in preventing premature movement of a fresh round of ammunition upward from a magazine into the chamber.

Abstract: A self loading firearm of the locked breech, short recoil pistol type has a barrel and a breech block slide provided with a separate locking block accommodated between the underside of the barrel and the upper surface of a movable trigger guard. The locking block is provided with means for positively locking the barrel to the slide during the high pressure period of the firing cycle of the firearm and means for enabling release of the slide from the barrel during the remainder of the firing cycle. Means described for permitting release of the locking block comprise a rotary catch which is rotatable between a position to hold the locking block in its barrel retaining position and a position in which the locking block is able to release the barrel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a firearm having an improved catch arrangement for retaining a magazine in a well in a grip portion of the firearm. A single spring (56) operates simultaneously pivotally to urge a catch member (18) into a magazine engaging position, to retain the catch member on a pivot and to urge outwardly catch release buttons (19 and 20) which can be depressed to engage inclined cam surfaces (18G and 18H) to cause retraction of the catch (18F) from a magazine detent engaging position.

Abstract: An automatic tape threading device transfers a tape leader and its associated tape from a supply reel, past a transducer head, to a take-up reel. It is comprised of a threader arm having a perpendicular threader pin which follows an arcuate path defined by an overhead cam. The overhead cam guides the threader pin from a first predetermined position, which relates to a leader block associated with the supply reel, to a second predetermined position, which relates to a receiver mechanism within the take-up reel.

Abstract: A tape leader block can be restored to and removed from its housing in a tape cassette by a device which comprises a threader arm having a leader block carrier which supports a threader pin. The leader block carrier also is provided with a gear system which engages with a compatible gear system of a rotatable yoke. The yoke terminates in a cam follower which is forced into certain distinct operating positions by powered movements of a camming device. Attainment of these operating positions serves to restore or remove the leader block to and from the tape cassette's leader block housing.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of mineral particles, for example calcium carbonate and/or calcium hydroxide, has a mineral solids concentration of at least 40% m/m and contains an agent that maintains the slurry at a pumpable viscosity but that acts as a flocculant upon dilution of the slurry. Suitable agents include cationic and amphoteric polyelectrolytes having nitrogen-containing groups, for example polyamines and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride polymers. The slurries may contain other components, for example a synthetic hectorite or a dispersing agent such as a polyacrylate, polymethacrylate or polyphosphate. The slurries are useful in papermaking and in the treatment of sewage.