Abstract: A marine seismic source comprises a housing having a central axis, an open end, and a closed end opposite the open end. In addition, the seismic source includes a piston extending coaxially through the open end of the housing. The piston is adapted to axially reciprocate relative to the housing. Further, the piston has a first end distal the housing and a second end disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A low frequency sound source has a radiating piston (3) of the order of a few metres across backed by a gas spring (13, 15) containing a fixed mass of gas. The gas pressure in the spring is kept at levels for which the natural frequency of the piston (3) loaded by the fluid (41) lies in the seismic band and may be as low as 0.5 Hz. The piston (3) is given an initial displacement and begins to oscillate. Its oscillations are sustained by an actuator (27, 29) whose drive signal is derived from the velocity of the piston (5) via a velocity or displacement sensor. The sound source is caused to perform a frequency sweep by gradually compressing the gas in the gas spring (13, 15) so that the spring becomes stiffer both because of the rising pressure and because of the reducing length of the gas spring spaces (13, 15). This double effect allows large changes in stiffness to be produced and hence allows the source to operate over at least three octaves of frequency.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a fire resistant wood product and method of manufacture thereof. In one embodiment, the fire resistant wood product comprises a resin and a fire retardant composition, wherein the resin comprises an isocyanate and the fire retardant composition comprises a boron containing compound.

Abstract: A portable instrument, described in GB2413189, is held between the fingers of one hand and measures the cumulative exposure of a worker to vibration. However, this instrument will not comfortably fit the hands of all workers There is also an administrative problem in administering the allocation of different instruments to respective workers at the beginning of a shift, recording the measurements at the end of a shift and ensuring that instruments are adequately charged. The problem is solved by using a docking station (14) to receive the instruments before and after use, to receive information recorded by or stored within the units, to charge the batteries and to receive identity information concerning a worker requesting access, to a unit. When a worker returns an instrument to the docking station, a processing mechanism collects information about the identity of the worker, and the state of charge of the instrument's battery.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: The invention concerns a two-stage process for the manufacture of a colloid of iron oxide, and results in the dispersion of the desired iron oxide particles within a carrier fluid by a mixture of mono- and polycarboxylic acids providing excellent properties to the colloid. The process also has the advantage of preserving the physical form of the iron oxide particles, allowing any desired properties of the iron oxide core (such as crystal form or magnetism) to be maintained within the colloid.

Abstract: 1R,2S-Methoxamine may be used topically for effective treatment of faecal incontinence at low doses without local or systemic side effects, for example, without affecting blood pressure. 1R,2S-Methoxamine may be used to treat other disturbances and disorders of the gastrointestinal, as a pressor agent, as a nasal decongestant and in ophthalmology, at low does and without significant side effects.

Abstract: A method of substantially removing, or reducing the occurrence of, injector deposits in a diesel engine operated using a diesel fuel containing a minor amount of a metal-containing species is disclosed. The method includes adding to a diesel fuel the reaction product between a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acid or anhydride and hydrazine. The diesel engine is equipped with fuel injectors having a plurality of spray-holes, each spray-hole having an inlet and an outlet, and the fuel injectors have one or more of the following characteristics: (i) spray-holes which are tapered such that the inlet diameter of the spray-holes is greater than the outlet diameter; (ii) spray-holes having an outlet diameter of 0.10 mm or less; (iii) spray-holes where an inner edge of the inlet is rounded; (iv) 6 or more spray-holes; (v) an operating tip temperature in excess of 250° C.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence and location of leaks in a pipeline (2) comprising inserting a leak location device capable of detecting and recording the occurrence of noise into the flow of fluid (1) within the pipeline (2); allowing the leak location device to travel through the pipeline (2) with the fluid flow; causing the leak location device to detect and record noise in the fluid; and causing the leak location device to record the time at which noise is detected. Generally the leak location device is retrieved from the pipeline (2) downstream to its insertion point.

Abstract: An exercise assembly designed to exercise the upper body including the arms, shoulders, upper back and muscles associated therewith. The exercise assembly is thereby particularly, but not exclusively, adapted for use by an injured person or invalid having limited use of the legs and/or lower torso. A track assembly includes two track segments disposed in a convergent configuration and at least partially defining an open end dimensioned to receive a user, when in a seated, substantially upright position, at least partially therebetween. The user accesses two hand grips each linearly and reciprocally along the separate track segments. A resistance assembly includes a line interconnecting the hand grips and an adjustable resistance mechanism engaging the line so as to apply a movement restricting force thereto. An adjustable resistance is thereby applied to the linear, push/pull movement of the hand grips, as applied by the user.

Abstract: The wiping ability of an energy-curable intaglio printing ink is improved by the incorporation therein of a plasticiser

Abstract: A method of determining the presence and location of leaks in a pipeline (2) comprising inserting a leak location device capable of detecting and recording the occurrence of noise into the flow of fluid (1) within the pipeline (2); allowing the leak location device to travel through the pipeline (2) with the fluid flow; causing the leak location device to detect and record noise in the fluid; and causing the leak location device to record the time at which noise is detected. Generally the leak location device is retrieved from the pipeline (2) downstream to its insertion point.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: A rain detection apparatus and method, comprising a camera adapted to view a surface and a processor adapted to capture at least one image from the camera, in which the processor is further adapted to generate at least one signal indicative of the presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the at least one captured image and to, optionally drive surface cleaning apparatus in response thereto, in which the apparatus is adapted to capture images focussed at a plurality of distances; in which the processor includes edge detection means adapted to detect edges visible in the at least one captured image and difference means adapted to calculate the difference between the number of edges visible between differing images; and in which the edge detection means is further adapted to disregard edges close to areas of light larger than the largest raindrop that is desired or expected to be detected.

Abstract: A lifting implement for removing a panel (10) which has a receiving means (18) in the body of the said panel (10) on the surface of the panel (10) which is exposed in use, the receiving means (18) being offset from the center of the panel (10), from a position in which it is held by gravity in an aperture (12) defined by a surrounding floor or ground surface (14) where the exposed surface of the panel (10) is substantially flush with the surrounding surface (14) comprises a handle (41) with an elongate shift (43) for use by an operator in a standing position, terminating in an engagement member (42) engageable with said receiving means (18), wherein the handle (41) is connected to the engagement member (42) by pivotable means (50), whereby said panel (10) can be removed from said aperture (12), and said handle (41) can move relative to said engagement member (42) during the removal of the panel (10) from the aperture (12), the lifting implement being further provided with restricting means (60) which is movab

Abstract: There is provided a method for flocculating one or more particulate materials present in a dispersion, the method comprising contacting the dispersion with (i) fibrous cationic colloidal alumina microparticles; and (ii) a cationic polymer and/or a non-ionic polymer.

Abstract: A power drive unit (1) for attachment to a golf trolley comprises a drum (2) rotatable about a generally horizontal axis (3) with the external periphery (4) of the drum (2) adapted to seat on the ground and to make frictional contact with the ground for drive purposes, a battery (16) within the drum (2), an electric motor (19) powerable from the battery (16), a transmission from the drive motor (19) to the drum (2), manually operable control means for controlling forward rotation of the drum (2), an end cap (5) at each end of the drum (2), and a final output gear (25) mechanically connected to one end cap (5) via a vibration isolating connection (26, 28, 29).

Abstract: A method of identifying the presence or absence of a DNA molecule in a test sample comprising a specific DNA sequence is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of mixing a test sample with a peptide/dye conjugate comprising a covalently linked peptide and a dye, wherein the peptide binds to the specific DNA sequence and wherein the peptide/dye conjugate will fluoresce if the peptide is bound to the specific DNA sequence, and measuring fluorescence, wherein specific fluorescence above background level indicates that the conjugate is bound to the specific DNA sequence. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of cleaving a specific DNA molecule and a test sample. The method comprises mixing a test sample with a peptide dye conjugate comprising a covalently linked peptide and a dye, wherein the peptide binds to the specific DNA sequence and wherein the peptide dye conjugate will cleave if the peptide is bound to a specific DNA sequence.

Abstract: When an underground pipe carrying a fluid, such as a buried water-pipe, develops a leak the leak must first be located before it can be repaired. One common location method makes use of the fact that the leaking fluid often creates a noise, typically a hissing sound, which is transmitted through the ground, and although rapidly attenuated can be heard with suitable highly sensitive ground microphones and is therefore useful to field crews as a means of locating leaks. Unfortunately, the sound levels can be grossly distorted by underground heterogenities, and can easily be confused or even swamped by other sound sources above ground, and in general ground microphones used like this do not seem to be effective.