Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises a rotatable shaft (28) having at least one and preferably plural electrically conductive slip rings (27) mounted thereon. For each phase, a slip ring is paired with a fixed conducting ring assembly (44). The fixed conducting ring assembly forms an envelope within which slip ring-contacting members are situated. The slip ring-contacting members can take many forms, including brushes (240) or rollers (404). The fixed conducting ring assembly comprises a first conducting plate (200T) and a second conducting plate (200B) positioned parallel to one another to form a conductive ring channel (220) therebetween. The slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) are mounted in the conductive ring channel. An at least partially transparent wall (200W) extends between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate of the fixed conducting ring assembly to further define the conductive ring channel and permit visual inspection of the slip ring-contacting members.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises an electrically conductive slip ring (27) mounted to a rotatable shaft (28), as well as a fixed conducting ring assembly (44) having slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) mounted thereon. The slip ring (27) and fixed conducting ring assembly (44) are mounted to have an annular gap (48) formed therebetween. A slip ring support assembly (42) comprising plural post insulators (102) spaced radially about the rotatable shaft attaches the conductive slip ring to the rotatable shaft. The slip ring and fixed conducting ring assembly are at least partially enclosed in a compartment (57), to which a source (302) applies a cooling/cleaning fluid. In accordance with the structure and method of the invention, the source directs the fluid over at least some of the post insulators for cleaning of the post insulators.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises an electrically conductive slip ring (27) mounted to a rotatable shaft (28), as well as a fixed conducting ring assembly (44) having slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) mounted thereon. The slip ring (27) and fixed conducting ring assembly (44) are mounted to have an annular gap (48) formed therebetween. A slip ring support assembly (42) comprising plural post insulators (102) spaced radially about the rotatable shaft attaches the conductive slip ring to the rotatable shaft. The slip ring and fixed conducting ring assembly are at least partially enclosed in a compartment (57), to which a source (302) applies a cooling/cleaning fluid. In accordance with the structure and method of the invention, the source directs the fluid over at least some of the post insulators for cleaning of the post insulators.

Abstract: A card handling device having either a vertical stack of compartments or a carousel of compartments is used to receive individual cards from a card supply. The compartments may be moved relative to the card supply, preferably in two different directions, such as up and down or clockwise and counterclockwise. The card handling may include shuffling, sorting, validation, and other playing card processes.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: A collation and/or sorting apparatus for groups of articles is exemplified by a sorting and/or shuffling device for playing cards. The apparatus comprises a sensor (15) to identify articles for collation and/or sorting, feeding means to feed cards from a stack (11) past the sensor (15) to a delivery means (14) adapted to deliver cards individually to a preselected one of a storing means (24) in an indexable magazine (20). A microprocessor (16) coupled to the feed means (14), delivery means (18), sensor (15) and magazine (20) determines according to a preprogrammed routine whether cards identified by sensor (15) are collated in the magazine (20) as an ordered deck of cards or a randomly ordered or “shuffled” deck.

Abstract: This application relates to the use as thrombin inhibitors, coagulation inhibitors and thromboembolic disorder agents of diamines of formula I as defined herein. It also provides novel compounds of formula I, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the novel compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lower pressure xenon lamp (12) and the driver circuitry therefor for producing relatively short bursts of intense light from the lamp (12). The lamp (12), including its associated driver circuitry (50) can be used in theatrical, stage, movie and/or video production to simulate, among other things, bursts of lighting. The lamp (12) is installed in a fixture together with a power supply (20) and a control system (50) is provided for controlling when the lamp (12) is turned on and off. Preferably, the control system (50) includes manually operated switches (53, 57, 54) and preferably one or more controllers (50) can be coupled together in a series fashion, should it be desired to control the lamp (12) for a greater number of time cycles then permitted by a single controller (50). Alternative power supplies (20) are disclosed. One power supply (20) permits the intensity of the flashes of light (12) to be controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthetic bulking device for implantation below the mucosa to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The bulking device comprises a flexible body which may have one or more attachment surfaces to allow tissue ingrowth from the adjacent tissue. The bulking device cooperates with residual lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function to increase LES closing pressure.

Abstract: This application relates to the use as thrombin inhibitors, coagulation inhibitors and thromboembolic disorder agents of diamines of formula I as defined herein. It also provides novel compounds of formula I, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the novel compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A fish harvester for the automatic and humane slaughter of fish comprises a fish accommodating space having an entrance for insertion of a fish and an exit for removal of a fish. The harvester includes means for positioning and retaining a fish, a slaughtering member for slaughtering a fish by contact with some portion of a fish; and driving means for driving said slaughtering member. The slaughter member preferably includes spikes for insertion into the brain of the fish. The harvester preferably automatically severs a major blood vessel in order to allow bleeding of said fish. The harvester preferably automatically gauges the size of the fish and positions the fish and the slaughtering member relative to each other, with reference to the size of the fish, in order to allow effective operation. A method of automatically slaughtering fish is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low pressure xenon lamp (12) and the driver circuitry therefor for producing relatively short bursts of intense light from the lamp (12). The lamp (12), including its associated driver circuitry (50) can be used in theatrical, stage, movie and/or video production to simulate, among other things, bursts of lighting. The lamp (12) is installed in a fixture together with a power supply (20) and a control system (50) is provided for controlling when the lamp (12) is turned on and off. Preferably, the control system (50) includes manually operated switches (53, 57, 54) and preferably one or more controllers (50) can be coupled together in a series fashion, should it be desired to control the lamp (12) for a greater number of time cycles then permitted by a single controller (50). Alternative power supplies (20) are disclosed. One power supply (20) permits the intensity of the flashes of light (12) to be controlled.

Abstract: A system and method for the monitoring and collection of all inbound/outbound information activity and communications activity at a particular user location, for example, a household equipped with a variety of devices having communication capabilities. The real-time interaction between a user and an external information service is monitored and specific data are collected regarding that real-time interaction. Connectivity data (e.g., date/time of interactive session, number of packets sent/received, application file name) are collected. In addition, other substantive data (e.g., type of service, type and number of inquiries made) regarding the real-time interaction are collected. A connectivity and desktop activity monitor comprises a set of client software modules, including executable files and virtual device drivers that capture and log targeted operating system modem connectivity and desktop activity data.

Abstract: Apparatus for shuffling or handling cards including a chamber in which a main stack of cards are supported, a loading station for holding a secondary stack of cards, and card separating mechanism for separating cards at a series of positions along the main stack to allow the introduction of cards from the secondary stack into the main stack at those positions. The separating means grips cards at the series of positions along the stack and lifts those cards to define spaces in the main stack for introduction of cards from the secondary stack.

Abstract: A waterline leak detection and shutoff system comprising an in-line flap valve which includes a pivotal valve flap member having attached thereto a magnet and first magnetically responsive switch which switches states, when the magnet is moved from a first position to a second position by forces exerted by flowing water, to activate a counter, and a second magnetically responsive switch which switches states, when the magnet is moved from the second position to the first position as the water ceases flowing, to reset the count of the counter. The counter continuously counts while the magnet is in the second position wherein if the count reaches a predetermined time limit an alarm means and/or an in-line shutoff valve are activated.

Abstract: An information monitoring system for the collection of all real-time information activity between a user and a variety of information services. The real-time interaction between a user using a communication device to interface with an information service is monitored to collect certain predetermined information which characterizes the nature of the user's interaction with a particular information service. The information is collected on a operation by operation basis and is ultimately aggregated at a central location for data analysis purposes.

Abstract: Source language text from an input interface is broken down into source language morphemes by a morphological analyzer. A syntactic analyzer converts the morphemes into source language signs labelled with identifiers and data identifying other signs which are grammatically related. A bilingual equivalence transformer transforms the source language signs to target language signs which are combined by a combiner to provide a first attempt at a target language structure. The structure is repeatedly evaluated by an evaluator and transformed by a transformer. The signs of well formed substructures identified by the evaluator are not dissociated from each other by the transformer. This process ends when either the whole target language structure is evaluated as being well formed or all transformations have been unsuccessfully evaluated.