Abstract: A vertical, fixed-bed ammonia converter wherein a fixed-bed catalyst zone is configured into two mechanically separated catalyst volumes and two gas streams that operate in parallel. The design maintains the ratio of gas flow to catalyst volume so that there is no catalyst effectiveness penalty. The catalyst beds and gas flow paths are configured so that gas flow is downward through each catalyst volume. Each fixed-bed catalyst zone in the present invention can hold the catalyst in an annular space formed between two concentric shrouds arranged around a shell and tube heat exchanger. The two catalyst beds associated with each zone are situated above one another along the length of an interstage heat exchanger. Pipes or conduits are disposed through the beds to effect the parallel gas flow configuration, or alternatively, annular flows are created via passages through the internal shrouds that contain the catalyst beds.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner accessory is provided comprising a tubular assembly (6) for connection to, or for inclusion in, a pool cleaner suction hose (4). The tubular assembly includes first and second tubular members (8, 9) generally coaxial with each other and freely relatively rotatable about a common axis in an inoperative condition of the accessory. Means (16) are provided for inhibiting relative rotation of the members in the operative condition with suction applied to the interior thereof. The accessory is preferably used in combination with a connector tube (7) for installation in a suction hose assembly, the connector tube comprising a central portion (21) of substantially rigid tube having at one end a first terminal portion (22) with its axis extending at an incline to that of the straight central portion, and at the other end a second terminal portion (23) having its axis likewise extending at an incline to the axis of the straight central portion.

Abstract: A connector tube (7) is provided for installation in a suction hose of an automatic pool cleaning assembly, the connector tube comprising a central portion (21) of substantially rigid tube having at one end a first terminal portion (22) with its axis extending at an incline to that of the straight central portion, and at the other end a second terminal portion (23) having its axis likewise extending at an incline to the axis of the straight central portion. In end view taken along the axis of the central portion, the axis of the first terminal portion diverges from the axis of the second terminal portion to provide asymmetric connector tube.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula 1

Abstract: This invention provides novel bicyclic compounds of Formula (I): wherein u, v, m, Y, G, A—B, R1, R1a, R2, R4, R5, R5a, and R5b are defined in the specification which compounds exhibit activity as inhibitors of bone resorption and compounds of Formula (II) wherein u, v, m, Y, G, D, A—B, R1, R1a, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5a, and R5b are defined in the specification which compounds exhibit activity as inhibitors of bone resorption.

Abstract: A coating of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a matrix of disordered boron and carbon, such as boron carbide, is provided by sputtering. The coating is wear resistant, adherent, lubricous, and suitable as a coating for tools, molds, and wear parts. The coating has first, second, and third regions. The first region is sputtered in an inert atmosphere onto a substrate such as tool steel and is at least one layer of disordered boron and carbon. The inert sputtering atmosphere is gradually replaced with nitrogen to form the second region, which has cubic boron nitride crystals in a gradually increasing concentration dispersed in a matrix of disordered boron and carbon. The third region atop the second region is an outer wear layer that has a substantially uniform concentration throughout of cubic boron nitride dispersed in disordered boron and carbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both hydrogen or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form a bond;m=1 and n=3 and p=6,or m=3, 5 or 7 and n=1 and p=6,or m=4 and n=2 and p=6 or 8,and the E (trans) and Z (cis) isomers when R.sup.1 =R.sup.2 =H;and the basic addition salts thereof which are inhibitors of phospholipase A.sub.2 and are thus useful agents in the treatment of inflammatory diseases where arachidonic acid metabolic products are implicated, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis conditions such as psoriasis and immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as allergic bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis; and as gastric cytoprotective agents.

Abstract: A strainer basket for a swimming pool having a basket top closure affording two flow paths thus-through to the basket, one via a coupling for a suction hose which is so disposed that the hose can be introduced to the skimmer through a lateral throat at the pool surface, and the other via a weir-gated enclosure carried by the basket closure. The relative flow area of these flow paths is controllable by a valve mechanism.

Abstract: A system protocol for the composite shift key communication of binary signals in which a transmitting transceiver transmits a first summed signal having a first qualifying signal at a qualifying signal frequency Wqt as one of the summed signal components only when a binary signal is desired to be transmitted. The transmitting transceiver ceases transmission of the first qualifying signal Wqt as a transmitted signal or as a component of a composite summed signal when neither a binary zero nor a binary one is desired to be transmitted. The receiving transceiver signals to the transmitting transceiver when the binary signal transmission is being successfully received by transmitting thereto a second qualifying signal Wqr. The receiving transceiver drops the transmission of the second qualifying signal Wqr when the binary signal transmission is not being successfully received, or is being received with perceived errors therein.

Abstract: A Composite Shift Keying (CSK) modulation technique is described which provides enhanced error detection capability in a noisy transmission medium, such as an AC power line. A modulating binary signal causes the generation of two of three possible transmitted signals, and when the modulating binary signal is idle, no signal is transmitted. When the modulating signal is active, a single frequency qualifying signal (of radian frequency Wqt) is transmitted. If the active binary signal is a logical 0, an additional single frequency (of radian frequency W0) is transmitted along with Wqt. If the active binary signal is a logical 1, a different single frequency (of radian frequency W1) is transmitted with Wqt.

Abstract: There is described a pool chlorinator which uses granular chlorine. The chlorinator has a sealed chamber having a container for the granular chlorine. The container has a vertically moving sleeve forming the side wall and a fixed platform forming the bottom. Water from th pressure side of the pool pump flows across the top of the platform to dissolve the chlorine granules and form a bridge of caked chlorine material in the sleeve above the water. The sleeve is lowered incrementally each time the pump is turned on to move the caked material into dissolving contact with the flowing water.

Abstract: A rotary valve in which a chamber has one or more circular ports opening into the chamber. A ball of flexible resilient material is journaled on the offset end of a bell crank shaft extending into the chamber. Rotation of the shaft rotates the axis of the ball around the inside of the chamber, moving the ball from port to port. When engaged with the port, the ball expands into the opening sealing off the port.

Abstract: A gauge for a pool filter in which the gauge includes a housing mounted on top of the filter, the housing having an interior chamber which is fluid connected at the bottom to the upper interior of the filter. The removable top of the gauge housing supports a vertical tube extending down into the chamber, the tube being open only at the lower end. A cup-shaped member is supported inside the chamber and receives the tube. The interior of the tube is visible from outside the housing for observing the level of liquid in the tube.