Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of integrity monitoring of a conduit. An optic fibre is provided optic fibre along the path of the conduit, and a fluid in the conduit is pressurized and depressurized. The optic fibre is interrogated to provide a distributed acoustic sensor, and data is sampled from a plurality of longitudinal portions of the fibre during the pressurizing and depressurizing. The data is processed to detect a signal characteristic of the integrity of the conduit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas cap with built-in funnel for small engines. The gas cap provides a compact funnel of sufficient size to speed the refueling process and prevent spills, and may further provide a valve to prevent the escape of gasoline fumes from the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of integrity monitoring of a conduit. An optic fibre is provided optic fibre along the path of the conduit, and a fluid in the conduit is pressurized and depressurized. The optic fibre is interrogated to provide a distributed acoustic sensor, and data is sampled from a plurality of longitudinal portions of the fibre during the pressurizing and depressurizing. The data is processed to detect a signal characteristic of the integrity of the conduit.

Abstract: In a multilateration system receivers are grouped into two groups. The first group is used to determine a position of a signal source, for example, an aircraft equipped with a SAR transponder. From the determined position, predicted time of arrival values are produced for the second group receivers. These are compared with the actual time of arrival values for the signals arriving at the second group receivers. A difference is determined and then the variation of that difference is determined as the aircraft travels in its track. The groupings are then varied and further variations determined. When the minimum variation is determined an alert is given that the second group has a receiver which is operating with a larger than desirable group time delay.

Abstract: In a multilateration system receivers are grouped into two groups. The first group is used to determine a position of a signal source, for example, an aircraft equipped with a SAR transponder. From the determined position, predicted time of arrival values are produced for the second group receivers. These are compared with the actual time of arrival values for the signals arriving at the second group receivers. A difference is determined and then the variation of that difference is determined as the aircraft travels in its track. The groupings are then varied and further variations determined. When the minimum variation is determined an alert is given that the second group has a receiver which is operating with a larger than desirable group time delay.

Abstract: The present invention provides for speech processing apparatus arranged for the input or output of a speech data signal and including a function generating means arranged for producing a representation of a vocal-tract potential function representative of a speech source and as an example, a speaker identification process can comprise means to capture an incoming voice signal, for example from a microphone or telephone line; means to process the signal electronically to generate a time varying series of binary vocal-tract potentials and associated non-vowel binary parameters; means to refine the signal to revoke the speaker-independent speech components; and means to compare the residual signal with a database of such residual features of known individuals.

Abstract: A method of deblurring images e.g. from an MRI scan, comprises calculating the distribution of the slope value of the intensities between the pixels in the image, and using a Levy distribution of power factor k of 1 (Cauchy distribution) up to but not including (2) to determine the correction term to be applied.

Abstract: A ring and mounting thereon for a plurality of gemstones includes a ring formed of a pair of shanks mounted together at a common end. The pair of shanks have a through-aperture between distal ends of the pair of shanks opposite the common end. The distal ends are entirely detached from each other. A first pair of upstanding flexible lever arms, or merely hereinafter arms, bracket opposite sides of the through-aperture. Each flexible arm has a base end and an opposite free end. Each flexible arm is mounted at its base end to a corresponding distal end of the shanks. A first gemstone forms a keystone mounted in compression sandwiched between the free ends of the first pair of upstanding flexible arms. A second pair of upstanding arms are mounted at their base ends to the pair of shanks so as to be disposed, one on each shank, on opposite sides of the first pair of upstanding flexible arms. A first pair of gemstone receiving pockets or cavities.

Abstract: A method of deblurring images e.g. from an MRI scan, comprises calculating the distribution of the slope value of the intensifies between the Levy distribution of power factor k of 1 (Cauchy distribution) up to but not including (2) to determine the correction term to be applied.

Abstract: A ring and mounting thereon for a plurality of gemstones includes a ring formed of a pair of shanks mounted together at a common end. The pair of shanks have a through-aperture between distal ends of the pair of shanks opposite the common end. The distal ends are entirely detached from each other. A first pair of upstanding flexible lever arms, or merely hereinafter arms, bracket opposite sides of the through-aperture. Each flexible arm has a base end and an opposite free end. Each flexible arm is mounted at its base end to a corresponding distal end of the shanks. A first gemstone forms a keystone mounted in compression sandwiched between the free ends of the first pair of upstanding flexible arms. A second pair of upstanding arms are mounted at their base ends to the pair of shanks so as to be disposed, one on each shank, on opposite sides of the first pair of upstanding flexible arms. A first pair of gemstone receiving pockets or cavities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of inhibiting catalyzed oxidation of carbon-carbon composites involving the steps of treating a carbon-carbon composite having pores with a liquid composition, preferably an aqueous solution, containing (a) phosphoric acid, (b) a zinc salt, and (c) an aluminum salt and heating the treated carbon-carbon composite to a temperature sufficient to form deposits within the pores. In one aspect, the deposit comprises a dispersion of aluminum-rich phosphate in zinc-rich phosphate. This solution may be used in combination with a silicon carbide barrier coating, applied by either painting or by CVD, to allow application at higher temperatures. The adherence of the barrier coating may be improved by preoxidizing the surface to increase porosity at the surface. Articles, including friction brakes, and the aqueous compositions are also part of this invention. The methods and articles show improved penetration and retention of the catalyzed oxidation inhibitors.

Abstract: Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further hydrocracking catalysts treated by the oxygen-containing hydrocarbons give improved product yield. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.

Abstract: Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.

Abstract: Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition and method of inhibiting catalyzed oxidation of carbon-carbon composites. The invention includes compositions, capable of impregnating carbon-carbon composites. The invention also includes a method of inhibiting catalyzed oxidation of carbon-carbon composites comprising the steps of treating a carbon-carbon composite with the catalyzed oxidation inhibiting aqueous mixture, and heating the treated carbon-carbon composite to a temperature sufficient to remove water. Articles, including friction brakes, made by this method are also part of this invention. Brake lugs, and other exposed areas of aircraft braking systems have improved resistance to catalyzed oxidation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that the addition of a free triacrylate, tetraacrylate and/or pentaacrylate compound(s) to an uncrosslinked rubber which is then sulfur-vulcanized results in desirable reversion resistant rubber compound properties.

Abstract: Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.

Abstract: A pulveriser separator principally intended for handling refuse such as garbage including a housing having an upwardly divergent funnel portion and a downwardly depending skirt portion, and at least one hammer mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis within the housing, the funnel portion consisting of a plurality of imperforate pulveriser plates disposed to provide a polygonal cross-sectional inner periphery for the funnel.