Abstract: A method for initializing a power inverter of a photovoltaic system includes: opening an AC mains switch and a DC switch to disconnect the power inverter from an electrical grid and to disconnect a capacitor bank associated with the inverter from a solar cell array; closing the AC mains switch to allow power to flow from an electrical grid to the DC capacitor bank to charge the DC capacitor bank; monitoring the DC capacitor bank until a desired voltage is reached; initiating the operation of the power inverter; stabilizing the DC voltage received from the DC capacitor bank at a predetermined power up voltage for the power inverter; waiting for an inverter initialization period to elapse; and adjusting DC voltage received by the power inverter to a voltage associated with a maximum power output level of the solar cell array.

Abstract: An eye cover for use in an aquatic environment is provided. In certain embodiments, the eye cover comprises an elastic headband configured to be worn around a wearer's head and configured in use to cover or surround the wearer's eyes. The elastic headband can be configured to provide an at least water-resistant seal around the wearer's eyes. At least one eye chamber disposed on a surface of the headband that in use faces the wearer's eyes can further be provided. The at least one eye chamber permit the wearer's eyes to remain open when the headband covers the wearer's eyes. The at least one eye chamber comprises a flange extending from the headband, wherein the flange is configured to provide at least a water-resistant seal around the wearer's eye.

Abstract: An eye cover for use in an aquatic environment is provided. In certain embodiments, the eye cover comprises an elastic headband configured to be worn around a wearer's head and configured in use to cover or surround the wearer's eyes. The elastic headband can be configured to provide an at least water-resistant seal around the wearer's eyes. At least one eye chamber disposed on a surface of the headband that in use faces the wearer's eyes can further be provided. The at least one eye chamber permit the wearer's eyes to remain open when the headband covers the wearer's eyes. The at least one eye chamber comprises a flange extending from the headband, wherein the flange is configured to provide at least a water-resistant seal around the wearer's eye.

Abstract: A method for initializing a power inverter of a photovoltaic system includes: opening an AC mains switch and a DC switch to disconnect the power inverter from an electrical grid and to disconnect a capacitor bank associated with the inverter from a solar cell array; closing the AC mains switch to allow power to flow from an electrical grid to the DC capacitor bank to charge the DC capacitor bank; monitoring the DC capacitor bank until a desired voltage is reached; initiating the operation of the power inverter; stabilizing the DC voltage received from the DC capacitor bank at a predetermined power up voltage for the power inverter; waiting for an inverter initialization period to elapse; and adjusting DC voltage received by the power inverter to a voltage associated with a maximum power output level of the solar cell array.

Abstract: An eye cover for use in an aquatic environment is provided. In certain embodiments, the eye cover comprises an elastic headband configured to be worn around a wearer's head and configured in use to cover or surround the wearer's eyes. The elastic headband can be configured to provide an at least water-resistant seal around the wearer's eyes. At least one eye chamber disposed on a surface of the headband that in use faces the wearer's eyes can further be provided. The at least one eye chamber permit the wearer's eyes to remain open when the headband covers the wearer's eyes. The at least one eye chamber comprises a flange extending from the headband, wherein the flange is configured to provide at least a water-resistant seal around the wearer's eye.

Abstract: An eye cover for use in an aquatic environment is provided. In certain embodiments, the eye cover comprises an elastic headband configured to be worn around a wearer's head and configured in use to cover or surround the wearer's eyes. The elastic headband can be configured to provide an at least water-resistant seal around the wearer's eyes. At least one eye chamber disposed on a surface of the headband that in use faces the wearer's eyes can further be provided. The at least one eye chamber permit the wearer's eyes to remain open when the headband covers the wearer's eyes. The at least one eye chamber comprises a flange extending from the headband, wherein the flange is configured to provide at least a water-resistant seal around the wearer's eye.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for issuing temporary license plates provides state governments with an electronic temporary tag registration and management system for motor vehicle dealers and tax collectors. The inventive system allows real time record retrieval of vehicle and owner information from a temporary tag, and facilitates motor vehicle dealer's compliance requirements with their states.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator device having a pair of tank encircling straps for connection of the backpack to a compressed air tank, inflation hoses for receiving air from a tank and inflating the buoyancy compensator device and valves for releasing air from the buoyancy compensator including selectively operational valves and automatic over-inflation air releasing valves. The buoyancy compensator includes a backpack portion for supporting the tank and a harness system for attaching the backpack and buoyancy compensator to a wearer. The harness system includes adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable waist straps including a cumber bun for comfortably securing the buoyancy compensator around a wearer's torso.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator device having a pair of tank encircling straps for connection of the backpack to a compressed air tank, inflation hoses for receiving air from a tank and inflating the buoyancy compensator device and valves for releasing air from the buoyancy compensator including selectively operational valves and automatic over-inflation air releasing valves. The buoyancy compensator includes a backpack portion for supporting the tank and a harness system for attaching the backpack and buoyancy compensator to a wearer. The harness system includes adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable waist straps including a cumber bun for comfortably securing the buoyancy compensator around a wearer's torso.

Abstract: Apparatus for screwing a writing instrument tip into a writing fluid reservoir in a writing instrument in which the connection from the reservoir to the tip, in order to supply the writing fluid to the tip, is made by the screwing action just prior to using the writing instrument, in which the writing instrument tip has at least a first working surface upon which at least a second working surface of a wrench acts, the working surfaces being formed as a ratchet and pawl which only engage in a screwing direction and permitting a relative rotation of the working surfaces in an unscrewing direction. As a result the tip cannot be unscrewed from the writing fluid reservoir, avoiding contamination, air entry or blockages.

Abstract: The housing (1') of a writing point (1) or tracing element for manual ink writing or drawing instruments or for plotter or similar automatic or mechanical tracing machines is or can be linked with a shaft (40) that contains the ink and/works as a holder and/or storage. The housing has also a compensating system and a writing body (1") and if necessary other parts. It is provided with a supply system having in the area of the housing (1') several annular spaces (52 and 57) arranged axially one after the other and having different capillarities, their capillarity increasing one or more times in the direction of the writing body (1"). At least one annular space is conically shaped (53) and has a capillarity different from that of the writing body (1"), increasing in the direction of the latter.

Abstract: An automatic lead pencil device has a casing which is releasably mountable in a bracket of a drafting machine. Within the casing, there is a clamp sleeve in which a clamping member is axially movable for clamping and releasing a lead during use of the pencil device. An axial movable lead guide tube projects outwardly of the casing in the rest position, and there is a pencil brake within the lead guide tube. The contact zone between the clamping member and the clamp sleeve is constructed so as to be of the non-self-locking type. There is an operative connection between the clamping member and the lead guide tube such that the clamping member is closed when the lead guide tube moves axially inwardly to assume the working position and opens when the lead guide tube moves axially outwardly toward a rest position.

Abstract: Polyolefins which are made by subjecting .alpha.-olefins to catalytic polymerization are freed from residual liquid hydrocarbons by means of steam and water. To this end, the invention provides:(a) for the hydrocarbon-containing polyolefin to be introduced into an aqueous emulsifier-containing emulsion and for the resulting mixture to be stirred so as to be converted to a homogeneous dispersion;(b) for the dispersion to be introduced into the upper portion of a column with at least 5 sieve plates therein and contacted countercurrently with steam of about 100.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying moist chlorinated polymers, which are separated from an aqueous suspension, comprises a centrifugal nozzle structure which has a discharge outlet associated with it and a fluidized bed drier provided with a closable discharge outlet. The discharge outlet of the centrifugal nozzle structure opens into the upper portion of the fluidized bed drier.

Abstract: A degassing column comprising a tubular shell provided with a plurality of apertured plates; the plates are vertically spaced within said shell; a gap uniform in width over the periphery is left between each plate and said shell; each of said plates is penetrated by at least one eccentrically arranged conduit comprising a draining shaft in the upper portion thereof and a feed shaft in the lower portion below the penetrated plate; the apertures in said plates have a diameter of less than 5 mm; and a surface portion of each plate underneath each conduit is impermeable, said impermeable surface portion being one to two times the cross-section of said conduit. More specifically, each plate is supported by a plurality of generally wedge-shaped mountings fastened to the inside of the shell, and by a ring which is level with the said mountings and is fastened to the inside of the shell, the ring being interrupted at least in the regions of the said mountings. A capping sleeve is slipped over each draining shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process, wherein polyolefins are freed from saturated liquid residual hydrocarbons with the aid of water and steam. The improvement comprisesA. introducing the hydrocarbon-containing polyolefin into an aqueous emulsifier-containing solution having a surface tension at 20.degree. C. of about 50 to 60 dynes/cm with respect to air; stirring the resulting mixture and converting it to a homogeneous dispersion, the aqueous dispersion containing about 10 to 40 weight % of the polyolefin;B. introducing the dispersion into the upper portion of a column provided with 5 to 30 sieve plates and overflow weirs and contacting the dispersion in countercurrent fashion with steam of about 100.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Moist chlorinated polymers, which are separated from an aqueous suspension, are dried. To this end the moist polymers are pre-dried in a centrifugation zone and the pre-dried polymers are completely dried in a fluidization zone which is arranged downstream of the centrifugation zone and in which a bed of fluidized material is continually maintained.The apparatus used for carrying out the drying process comprises a centrifugal nozzle structure which has a discharge outlet associated with it and a fluidized bed drier provided with a closable discharge outlet. The discharge outlet of the centrifugal nozzle structure opens into the upper portion of the fluidized bed drier.

Abstract: Monomeric matter is removed from an aqueous dispersion of a polymer containing at least 50 weight % of polymerized vinyl chloride. To this end, the dispersion is introduced into the upper portion of a column provided with sieve plates and contacted therein for 10 seconds up to 20 minutes, under 600 up to 1200 mm Hg, with hot steam at 100.degree. up to 150.degree. C. flowing countercurrently with respect to the dispersion. The polymer dispersion so treated is removed from the column base portion; and a vaporous matter mixture issuing at the head of the column is condensed stagewise so as to recover an aqueous phase and the monomeric matter.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer dispersion containing approximately 1 to 60 weight % of solid polymer particles with an average size of 20 to 500 microns and 5000 to 15,000 ppm of monomer(s), is freed from monomeric material. More specifically, the aqueous dispersion is preheated to 60.degree. to 90.degree. C. and introduced continuously into an upper portion of a column accommodating a plurality of apertured trays disposed one above another of which each has at least one eccentric aqueous dispersion descent shaft. The aqueous dispersion is introduced at a rate of a 5 to 35 m.sup.3 per m.sup.2 of tray area per hour and contacted countercurrently with steam at 80.degree. to 150.degree. C., under 0.5 to 5 bars, and in a proportion of 30 to 100 kg of steam per m.sup.3 of dispersion, for a mean period of 1 to 30 minutes; the pressure drop for steam ascending through one tray in the column being lower than that which would occur upon the undesirable passage of steam through one of the said shafts.

Abstract: Chlorinated polymers obtained by a filter-separation procedure, in a moist form, especially a water-containing moist form, are dried. To this end, the moist polymer is predried in a first fluidized-bed drying zone, this being continuously operated, and is thereafter further dried in one or more further fluidized-bed drying zones disposed downstream, of the said first drying zone.