Abstract: A structural panel has a structural frame of interconnected structural members of cold-rolled steel material. EPS insulation is integrally moulded around the structural members to a combined depth of the members and wall tie brackets extending outwardly. There is minimal surface area contact between each bracket and a structural member to minimise cold bridging. Wall ties connect to the brackets by engagement of hooks on the wall ties with slots in the brackets, again with minimal area of contact.

Abstract: A secure wireless local or metropolitan area network and data communications device therefor are provided, where the device transmits plain text in an encrypted message including cipher text and an initialization vector. The device may include a seed generator for performing a one-way algorithm using a secret key, a device address, and a changing reference value for generating a seed. Further, a random initialization vector (IV) generator may be included for generating a random IV, and a key encryptor may generate a key sequence based upon the seed and the random IV. Additionally, a logic circuit may be included for generating cipher text based upon the key sequence and plain text, and a wireless communications device may be connected to the logic circuit and the random IV generator for wirelessly transmitting the encrypted message.

Abstract: A mobile ad-hoc network may include a plurality of nodes including a source node and at least one adjacent node. The source node may include a wireless communications device for establishing a wireless communications link with the at least one adjacent node, a plain text source, and a seed generator for performing a one-way algorithm using a secret key for generating a seed. Furthermore, the source node may also include a key encryptor for receiving the seed and generating a key sequence based thereon, and a logic circuit for generating cipher text for transmission over the wireless communications link and based upon the key sequence and the plain text.

Abstract: To address the need for a dispatch mobile (303, 305, 307) to more quickly make a call, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention those remote units operating in a dispatch mode (303, 305, 307) will receive a first slot cycle, while those remote units not operating in a dispatch mode (302, 304, 306, 308) will receive a second slot cycle. The second slot cycle is greater than the first slot cycle, so that those remote units operating in dispatch mode (303, 305, 307) will “wake up” during the slot cycle normally utilized for interconnect calls. Because shorter slot cycles are utilized for remote units operating in dispatch mode (303, 305, 307), the time it takes to make a dispatch call is greatly reduced. Additionally the minimum slot cycle duration typically used for standard calls remains unchanged, greatly conserving battery life.

Abstract: A method for configuring an individually mounted feeder section of a switchboard, the method comprising: initiating a utility for configuring a switchboard design; selecting a feeder device to be included in said switchboard design; entering a plurality of parameters for the feeder device in fields queried by the utility; checking existence of any individually mounted device; accessing a database for determining whether individually mounted feeder design is viable; retrieving a set of parameters for the individually mounted device, if any; and displaying output data corresponding to said selected feeder device and entered said plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A structural panel (1) has a structural frame (2) of interconnected structural members (10, 15, 16, 17) of cold-rolled steel material. EPS insulation (3) is integrally moulded around the structural members to a combined depth of the members and wall tie brackets (4) extending outwardly. There is minimal surface area contact between each bracket (4) and a structural member (10) to minimise cold bridging. Wall ties (5) connect to the brackets (4) by engagement of a hooks (56) on the wall ties (5) with slots (51) in the brackets, again with minimal area of contact.

Abstract: An automotive air bag system and a method are provided which restrict activation of an air bag to situations in which the weight of the vehicle occupant meets or exceeds a predetermined amount, e.g., 50 pounds. Occupant weight is determined using a weight pressure sensor positioned underneath the vehicle seat such that it bears pressure from the weight of the seat occupant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking a call attempt in a CDMA system. The method includes the steps of receiving a call attempt request to be placed over a target cell of the CDMA system (202), calculating an effective load for the cell (204), comparing the effective load to a threshold (206), and denying the call attempt request by sending a denial message if the effective load exceeds the threshold (212). The apparatus includes a base station (101) and a base station controller (200) coupled to the base station (101). The base station (101) includes a plurality of transceivers (120) providing a radio communication channel and defining a target cell (130). The base station controller (200) receives a call attempt request to be placed over one of the transceivers (120) of the base station (101).

Abstract: A novel species of microorganism of the Genus Rhodoccoccus filed as strain GIN-1 and deposited under No. 40340 at the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria, Ltd. (NCIMB) at Aberdeen, Scotland.

Abstract: Metal oxides are extracted from coal fly ash by a bio-leading process. The ash is suspended in an aqueous saline solution having a pH within the range of from 5 to 8 and the suspension is incubated with a microorganism strain capable of growing in aqueous saline solution and binding to metal oxide, and the resulting agglomerates are separated.A new gram-positive bacterial strain designated GIN-1 and being a member of the genus Rhodococcus is described. It has been deposited under No. 40340 at the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacterial Ltd. (NCIMB) at Aberdeen, Scotland.GIN-1 is particularly suitable for the bioteching of metal oxides from coal fly ash.

Abstract: A thermally actuated seat belt fastener includes a conventional latching mechanism having an automotive thermostat type of actuator within a release button that is pressed by a user to release the fastener. If the thermostat is subjected to a predetermined high temperature, an internal plunger extends from the interior of the button to automatically release the fastener, without depressing of the release button.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes an electrical mounting and conduction means having a support element having a generally U-shaped interior surface, the base of the exterior of the support element being in thermal contact with a heat dissipating surface; a carrier element having a generally U-shaped exteriorsurface, the surface having a cross-section of smaller dimension than that of the U-shaped surface of the support element, the carrier element being nestable within the support element; and locking means removably securable to adjacent arm members of each of the support and carrier elements for maintaining the support and carrier elements in selective securement to each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and an apparatus for converting organic materials into a high quality fuel product. The process involves introducing the organic materials into a stream heated to a temperature of about 1600.degree. - 2000.degree. F and comprised of a carrier gas and a hard, particulate material. The organic material is rapidly converted into a fuel product which is then separated from the stream. The process can be used to form either a liquid or gaseous fuel product.

Abstract: A kit for supplying a small quantity of temperature and pressure controlled warm water for application to body cavities, the kit containing a pressure regulating valve, an anti-syphon valve, a heater and pneumatic operated control switch, the heater maintaining an initial quantity of water in a warm state between operations.