Abstract: A method, and program storage device apparatus for adapting multi-media presentations of various formats to a new format suitable for playback on a general scene description based playback system. More specifically, when mult-media presentations do not contain scene description components, such components appropriate to the multi-media presentation will be constructed. The multi-media presentation will then be presented together with the created scene description components to the playback system for decoding rendering.

Abstract: A container holding device arranged for being removably inserted into the winch handle receptacle in the top of a sailboat winch. The housing is comprised of an upper larger section for holding larger containers and a lower smaller section for holding smaller containers. The lower section having through holes for draining. Extending vertically underneath the lower section is a box-like protrusion shaped to fit into a winch handle receptacle in the top of a sailboat winch.

Abstract: Absorbents, suitable for absorbing sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide from gases and liquids, in the form of shaped units having an average size within the range 1-10 mm and containing at least 75% by weight of an absorbent material comprising copper carbonate, basic copper carbonate, and/or copper hydroxide. The units preferably have a bulk density of at least 0.9 kg/l, especially at least 1.2 kg/l. The units are preferably agglomerates containing a small amount of a binder such as a cement and may also contain a proportion of alumina to catalyse hydrolysis of carbon-containing sulphur compounds such as carbonyl sulphide or carbon disulphide.

Abstract: A circuit and method for driving a load such as a gas discharge illumination device from an ac main supply with a high power factor. The circuit includes a pair of electronic switches arranged in a half bridge configuration and a self oscillating driver circuit having two outputs for driving respective ones of the electronic switches, the electronic switches being coupled across a dc bus voltage and having a switched output coupled to the load. The circuit further includes a voltage regulator circuit coupled across the dc bus voltage and coupled to the self oscillating driver circuit, the voltage regulator circuit maintaining the dc bus voltage within a preset range and preventing the dc bus voltage from exceeding the range if the load is removed or becomes an open circuit. The voltage regulator preferably is a boost regulator switching an inductance. The circuit is particularly suitable for driving gas discharge illumination devices, e.g.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous highly selective skeletal isomerization of linear olefin-containing organic feeds to iso-olefins over constrained intermediate pore zeolites, e.g., ZSM-35, using multiple parallel reactors.

Abstract: Agglomerates containing oxide, hydroxides, carbonates and/or basic carbonates of copper, and zinc and/or another element such as aluminium or silicon, are useful for removal of sulphur compounds from fluids, especially under non-reducing conditions. The agglomerates have surface area above 80 m.sup.2.g.sup.-1 and a calcined density below 1.5 g.cm.sup.-3. After ignition, the cupric oxide plus zinc oxide (if any) content of the agglomerates is at least 70% w/w. The proportion of the copper compound is such that the copper atoms constitute 30-97% of the total of the copper, zinc, and said other element atoms in the agglomerates.

Abstract: Agglomerates containing oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and/or basic carbonates of copper, and zinc and/or another element such as aluminium or silicon, are useful for removal of sulphur compounds from fluids, especially under non-reducing conditions. The agglomerates have surface area above 80 m.sup.2.g.sup.-1 and a calcined density below 1.5 g.cm.sup.-3. After ignition, the cupric oxide plus zinc oxide (if any) content of the agglomerates is at least 70% w/w. The proporation of the copper compound is such that the copper atoms constitute 30-97% of the total of the copper, zinc, and said other element atoms in the agglomerates.

Abstract: Agglomerates containing oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and/or basic carbonates of copper, and zinc and/or another element such as aluminum or silicon, are useful for removal of sulphur compounds from fluids, especially under non-reducing conditions. The agglomerates have surface area above 80 m.sup.2.g.sup.-1 and a calcined density below 1.5 g.cm.sup.-3. After ignition, the cupric oxide plus zinc oxide (if any) content of the agglomerates is at least 70% w/w. The proportion of the copper compound is such that the copper atoms constitute 30-97% of the total of the copper, zinc, and said other element atoms in the agglomerates.

Abstract: Power supply apparatus including a generator of electrical energy, such as fuel cells, solar cells, MHD generators or the like, in which a storage battery is connected to the generator and to the load for supplementing the generator when the load exceeds its output or for storing energy from the generator when the generator output exceeds the load. A differentially rated, current-sourced, dual converter is interfaced between the storage battery and the generator for controlling the flow of power into or out of the battery.

Abstract: In a current-source GTO converter, protection against a DC fault or a commutation fault condition is provided by immediately interrupting the conduction of a GTO device which is ON and by turning ON another GTO device to allow fault current to bypass the bridge or safely pass through the bridge. As a result, protective action is immediate and an early recovery is made possible. Bypassing of the bridge is done by freewheeling, with an auxiliary GTO switch or with one of the main GTO switches. Diversionary action is done through the bridge by changing the mode of operation of the bridge from rectifier to inversion, or conversely.

Abstract: Three terminal, six and twelve pulse unrestricted frequency changing circuits are provided by inserting controllable bidirectional switching circuits between open star configured coils in multiple phase windings of isolation transformers. Where the switched winding are secondaries of the isolation transformer, interphase transformers are provided between each pair of three pulse circuit groups and additional interphase transformers are required between six pulse circuit groups to provide a three terminal output. Where the switched windings are primary windings of the isolation transformer, the secondary windings are electrically connected in series with each other to provide the three terminal output.

Abstract: A relatively lightweight `motivator buoy` (15), constrained by guides (93) attached to a ballasted "floating platform" (1) of contrasting and static buoyancy characteristics, reciprocates vertically by wave action, lifting water via a piston (20) and cylinder (4) through automatic non-return valves (21,22) into a pressurized storage compartment (23) incorporating a compressible medium such as an airspace, then turning a water turbine (10) and electricity generator (11), or alternatively providing a hydraulic power source for other uses. Modules so constructed may be linked by an above-water framework to form continuous arrays.

Abstract: The outputs of a plurality of modules or generators of electrical energy, such as fuel cells, chemical storage batteries, solar cells, MHD generators and the like, whose outputs are different are consolidated efficiently. The modules supply a power distribution system through an inverter. The efficiency is achieved by interconnecting the modules with an alternating voltage supply and electronic valves so controlled that the alternating-voltage supply absorbs power from modules whose output voltage is greater than the voltage at which the inverter operates and supplies this power as a booster to modules whose output voltage is less than the voltage at which the inverter operates.

Abstract: An apparatus for the interruption of DC transmission lines without substantial arcing utilizing in combination a DC circuit breaker, a DC-to-AC current converter, converter control and an AC power sink. Upon command from the converter control, DC current is converted to AC current in the current converter and is then magnetically coupled via a transformer into the AC power sink; thus, drawing power out of the DC transmission line and reducing the DC current toward a zero value at which point the DC breaker can be opened without substantial arcing. Various single and multi-phase converter circuits utilizing thyristors are employed. A bypass switch in parallel with the converter can be provided to pass the DC current around the converter during normal operation of the DC transmission line to minimize electrical losses.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel means of inserting capacitance into an AC network for power factor correction or voltage regulation that minimizes and transient disturbances to the system. Current surges and voltage transients that are normally associated with connection of capacitors into an AC network is minimized by predetermining an amount of inductance that must be inserted to suppress these transients and simultaneously inserting the inductance into the network with the capacitance.

Abstract: An autotitration method for electrochemically determining the concentration of a substance (S) contained in a fluid, which is arranged to flow past a generator electrode (2) and downstream thereof a detector electrode (3), said substance being capable of reacting with a species which is generated electrochemically at the generator electrode, the non-reacted portion of said species being detected electrochemically at the detector electrode. According to the invention the generator electrode current (i.sub.gen.) is controlled in response to the ratio between the detector electrode current (i.sub.det.) and the generator electrode current so as to maintain said ratio (i.sub.det. /i.sub.gen. or i.sub.gen. /i.sub.det.) at a pre-determined value (N'). Either of said currents (i.sub.gen. or i.sub.det.), which is a function of the concentration of the substance to be determined, is then measured.The invention further discloses a device for carrying out this autotitration method.

Abstract: A VAR generator is taught in which a thyristor controlled inductive element is used to provide lagging VAR's and a bank of parallel capacitors, each of which may be switched into and out of circuit cooperation independent of the other, is used to provide discrete levels of leading VAR's. The inductive element is utilized in conjunction with the discrete levels of leading VAR's to provide a continuum of VAR generation in the region between the discrete levels by providing continuously variable compensating or cancelling current for interaction with the discrete levels to provide an overall continuous range of VAR generation in the leading VAR region.

Abstract: A naturally-commutated, voltage-fed direct-current (DC) to alternating-current (AC) power converter employing thyristor elements couples a DC power system with an AC power system without the requirement to force commutation. To effect natural commutation, the fundamental component of current flowing between the DC system and the AC system must lead the DC system switching voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to induction heating for cooking. Solid state reciprocal power switches are used to excite a resonant power output circuit including an induction coil to be inductively coupled to a cooking utensil. A first control signal which is a function of the Q of the coil, the direct current voltage applied to the power switches and the frequency of operation of the power switches is used to offset the power circuit from oscillating at resonance in order to control the power output. A solid state differential circuit is used responsive to a second control signal establishing the level of power desired and to the first control signal for regulation about the selected power level. The same differential circuit is responsive to a third control signal to insure low starting power or in case of a failure of the power line. Minimum power output is provided at the lower end of the ultrasonic frequency spectrum without entering the audible frequency range.

Abstract: A limited torque, positive drive transmitting arrangement employs a leaf chain and a fluted pulley which co-operates therewith. The positive drive is transmitted via engagement of the leaf chain link edges with the specially formed pulley flutes, and the leaf chain is modified to ensure that the consequential loading of the link edges and any resulting damage thereto is prevented from interfering with the proper articulation of the chain in passing round the pulley.