Abstract: The invention relates generally to framing systems and more particularly is concerned with systems adapted to mount panels or laminates in an array on a supporting roof structure of a building exemplified with the mounting of solar electric photovoltaic (PV) panels. The framing system described uses extruded elongate elements with a sealing element to frame the PV panel as a weatherproof PV solar roof tile. Individual frame element profiles effectively embody the PV building integration, (BiPV) or mounting method, of the solar tile within the frame itself. Only a few additional flashing components are needed to complete the PV tile array as part of the roof, or with minor variations, as a PV wall cladding. Full BiPV panel mounting methods show potential to be used for co-generation (PV/T) of solar thermal energy capture in buildings.

Abstract: A device for measuring the rate of flow of fluids in a conduit is positioned within the conduit and includes a tube having two spaced part detectors which are separated by shielding units either side of them which are not in electrical contact with the detector units, when a variable electrical field is applied between the walls of the conduit and the shielding units the detector units detect discontinuities in the fluid, e.g., by detecting changes in the ratio of voltage to current and by correlating the movement of the discontinuities between the detector units, it is possible to measure the rate of flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a mixture comprising a compound of formula (1) and a compound of formula (2) wherein R1 is an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-4 alkenyl, optionally substituted C5-7 cycloalkyl or optionally substituted benzyl, R2 is an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-4 alkenyl or optionally substituted C5-7 cycloalkyl, A is either S or NR3, R3 is an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-4 alkenyl or optionally substituted C5-7 cycloalkyl, or R2 and R3 together form a 5-7 membered ring which can contain an oxygen atom, R4 is hydrogen or methyl, R5 is an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-4 alkenyl, optionally substituted C5-7 cycloalkyl or optionally substituted benzyl and, R6 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-4 alkenyl or optionally substituted C5-7 cycloalkyl, or R5 and R6 together form a 5-7 membered ring which can cont

Abstract: A tubular cutting tool includes two or more sets of electrically actuated retractable anchoring legs (52,54) mounted at longitudinally spaced apart locations and an electrically driven rotary cutting head (14) with a retractable cutting blade (14). The anchoring legs can be arranged such that they are capable of compensating for variations in the internal radii of the tubular to be cut, thereby ensuring that the cutting tool is clamped rigidly in position.

Abstract: A fluid density measurement device includes a float (12) and a weight (14), each mounted on links (16) for essentially vertical movement. A crank (22) is mounted above the float and weight and is connected to them,by a float link (24) and a counterweight link (28) to convert the forces from the float and the forces from the weight to rotational forces on the crank acting in opposite directions. The position adopted by the crank will be dependent upon the density of the fluid in which the instrument is immersed. The links (16) are arranged so that a good approximation to straight line motion is obtained at the centre of the float and the weight.

Abstract: A file transfer method is disclosed in which in which a client (100) requests a file from a server (110) and the server (110) sends to the client (100) one or more data segments which data segments together constitute content of the requested file and additional content provided by a service provider. A benefit that may be provided by at least preferred embodiments is that a provider of download files, and in particular audio files, may add additional material such as advertising material to the download content. Targeting of the material to a particular user might be achieved by asking the user to provide information about their interests, and selecting for inclusion those advertisements that most closely accord with the user's a preferences. To reduce storage requirements, the server may store a virtual file reference for each user and construct a customised file dynamically.

Abstract: A can opener, comprising first and second handle members, knife means, drive wheel, ratch device and the spring, wherein the said first handle members and the second handle members are pivotally connected about an axis, and a radially facing slot is formed on the first handle members, and also a apporiate protrusion in shape is also formed on the said first handle members; The cutting wheel being rigidly mounted onto the first handle member, The drive wheel partly protruding through said slot, and engages with the said first handle members and and the second handle members through the axis; the ratch device and the spring are disposed above the second handle members as well as under the drive wheel, in which one end of the spring is mounted on the first handle members, and the other end is mounted on the second handle members.

Abstract: A broadband antenna having closely spaced dipole antenna elements to form a log-periodic array, arranged normal to a signal feed network having a separate feed line for each of the dipole elements. The length of each feed line is selected to compensate for phase delays such that all frequency components of the radiated signal are in phase at a predetermined phase reference point of the antenna.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a load, in particular a person, from a cable comprises a harness plate adapted to be secured to a harness for supporting the person. The harness plate includes a locking mechanism comprising two locking members spaced apart to define a through-aperture, resilient members arranged to resiliently bias the locking members towards each other to substantially close the through-aperture, and user-operable finger grips arranged to move the locking members against the resilient bias. The apparatus also includes a cable spade having a first part adapted to be attached to the cable and a second part shaped for insertion into the through-aperture and retention therein by the locking members. Insertion of the spade into the through-aperture initially moves the locking members apart against the resilient bias to open the through-aperture and then permits the resilient members to return the locking members so as to securely retain the cable spade in the through-aperture.

Abstract: A file management system allows the linking of objects. In each link one object serves as a parent and the other as a child. When a parent object is copied the parent object is copied to produce a copy of the parent object. Additionally, the child objects of the parent object are copied s well, except in the case when the child object is designated as a special public object, each child of the parent object is copied to produce a copy of the child object. Each copy of a child object is then linked to the copy of the parent object. When a child object is designated as a special public object, the child object is linked to the copy of the parent object.

Abstract: Herbicidal sulfonamides of the formula: ##STR1## and salts thereof, where: A represents a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring, or a 5- or 6-membered substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic ring; Q is --O--, --S-- or a group --CXX'--; X and X', which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen, halogen, cyano, an optionally-substituted alkyl group, or a group --OR.sup.a, --SR.sup.a, or --COR.sup.b ; or one of X and X' represents hydroxy and the other is as defined above; or X and X' together represent .dbd.O or .dbd.S; R.sup.a is an optionally-substituted alkyl, aryl or acyl group; R.sup.b is an optionally-substituted alkyl or aryl group, or a group --OR.sup.c or --NR.sup.c R.sup.d ; R.sup.c and R.sup.d, which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen, or an optionally-substituted alkyl or aryl group; Y is nitrogen or a group CR.sup.9 ; R.sup.1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, benzoheterocyclyl or amino group; R.sup.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which a turbine wheel is mounted to rotate about a pre-determined axis within a housing. A sidewall is displaceable relative to the housing to control the width of a gas flow passage defined adjacent the wheel between the first surface defined by the sidewall and the second surface defined by the housing. The sidewall is mounted in the sidewall cavity within the housing on axially displaceable rods extending parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. A yoke is pivotally supported within the housing and defines arms each of which extends into engagement with a respective sidewall support rod. The yoke is pivoted relative to the housing to control the position of the sidewall relative to the housing. The yoke is located within a yoke chamber defined by the housing, and lubricant is delivered to the yoke chamber to lubricate both the bearing upon which the yoke is pivotally mounted in the housing and surfaces which interengage the yoke and the sidewall support rods.

Abstract: Wound implant materials are described comprising a plurality of bioabsorbable microspheres bound together by a bioabsorbable matrix, such as in a freeze-dried collagen matrix. The microspheres preferably comprise over 30% of the volume of the material, and preferably have diameters of 10 .mu.m to 1500 .mu.m. The microspheres and/or the matrix preferably comprise a polylactic/polyglycolic copolymer, collagen, cross-linked collagen, hyaluronic acid, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, an alginate or a cellulose derivative. The resulting implants are stronger and more slowly resorbed than conventional collagen sponge implants. Better control over the porosity of the implant is achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings comprising a molecular filtration membrane having a maximum pore size in the range of from 0.001 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m, and preferably in the range of from 0.01 .mu.m to 0.25 .mu.m. The wound dressings may also comprise an absorbent layer atop the molecular filtration membrane and/or a wound contact layer of wound-friendly bioabsorbable material for contacting the wound. In use, the molecular filtration membrane retains high molecular weight biopolymers and wound healing factors at the wound surface while excluding bacteria and allowing rapid egress of wound exudate through the membrane into the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A ribbed flexible member for casting into an anchorage medium includes a central strand with outer wires extending helically about the strand. Parts of the exposed surfaces of some of the outer wires are indented in a non-axial direction, those parts being distributed along the strand.

Abstract: Vinyl ester of an alcohol (such as benzoin) is made by reaction of the alcohol with a 3-haloalkyl acid halide (such as 3-chloropropional chloride or bromide) in an anhydrous liquid reaction medium comprising an aprotic solvent (such as toluene) and a hydrogen halide acceptor (such as a tertiary amine) at a temperature of at least 20.degree. C.

Abstract: 2,3-Dihydro-benzofuranyl-5-esters, particularly esters of alkyl sulphonic acid, which possess physiological activity, being particularly useful as herbicides and plant growth regulants.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries mounted in a structure with spring devices between them to exert a force in a direction transverse to the planes of plates of the batteries.

Abstract: Compositions having antibiotic properties containing as antibiotic potentiators peptides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, (lower cycloalkyl)-(lower alkyl), aryl or aryl(lower alkyl) group (said group being optionally substituted as the case may require by one or more amino, hydroxy, thio, methylthio, carboxy or guanidino groups so as to form the characterizing group of a naturally occurring L .alpha.-amino acid); R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each represent the characterizing group of an .alpha.-amino acid of the type normally found in proteins with the proviso that R.sup.3 cannot represent a hydrogen atom when n is zero and R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or the phenyl group; R.sup.4 represents a hydroxy or methyl group; n stands for zero, 1, 2 or 3; and single asterisks denote that the configuration at the carbon atom so-marked is L when R.sup.2 or R.sup.

Abstract: A suspension system for a pair of vehicle wheels comprising a pair of arms, ends of which are pivoted to a frame of the vehicle, the carrying wheel hubs, the free ends the arms remote from the pivots being connected together across the vehicle by a member incorporating a single pivotal joint.