Abstract: The present invention consists of an improved method and apparatus to upgrade bitumen in various forms which comprises four main components; namely, a fractionator equipped with a condenser, a heavy gas oil catalytic treater, a catalyst regenerator/gasifier and a gas cleanup assembly. In operation, the bitumen in liquid form is fed to the fractionator for initial separation of fractions with the bulk of the bitumen leaving the bottom of the fractionator in the form of a heavy gas oil which is pumped to the catalytic treater and sprayed on a hot catalyst to crack the heavy gas oil (an endothermic reaction) to release lighter hydrocarbons in the form of H2 rich volatile matter while depositing carbon on the catalyst. The volatile matter from the treater is directed to the fractionator where the condensable fractions are separated from the non-condensable H2 rich gas, a valuable primary gas.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a drain zone, a source zone, and a gate electrode. Doping atoms of the first conductivity type are implanted in the region of the drain zone and the source zone by at least two further implantation steps such that a pn junction between the drain zone and a substrate region is vertically shifted and a voltage ratio of the MOS transistor between a lateral breakdown voltage and a vertical breakdown voltage can be set.

Abstract: A method for accessing private data/services from a mobile station over a public network is described including: composing a text-based request message on the mobile station, sending the request message to a private server offering access to private data/services, and checking the authenticity of the user based on the request message received by the server. If user authenticity is confirmed, a text-based response message is composed and sent to the mobile station. The request message includes a user-unique identifier received by the private server with an appended user mobile station number. Authenticity checking (by the private server) includes checking whether (1) the user-unique identifier is stored in a private directory database, and (2) the appended user mobile station number matches the number allocated to the user-unique identifier stored in the private directory database. The interaction is limited to the exchange of pairs of text-based request message(s) and response(s).

Abstract: A spreader includes a first and second preformed components of resilient PVC sheet and deformable PVC sheet, respectively, bonded together and shaped to form a blister-shaped sealed container filled with spackling material or paste. The resilient sheet forms an enlarged blade suitable for spreading the spackling material and forms an opening at the one end for dispensing the spackling material onto the blade and includes ribs to stiffen the blade. A hole in the other end forms a docking station. A resilient plug fits in the opening to seal the opening to maintain the spackling material for later use, and is repositionable into the docking station for holding the plug while using the spreader. The container is suitably sized for grasping and manipulating the blade while dispensing material.

Abstract: A particle inspection device includes a feeder configured to drop a particle through an image area. The feeder includes a tray surface having a flat portion and an edge portion disposed above the image area. The inspection device also includes a vibration device configured to vibrate the feeder induce movement of the particle from the flat portion to the edge portion and an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the particle in the image area. The edge portion may be a downwardly curved edge section and configured to maintain the orientation and reduce tumbling motion as the particle slides off the tray and falls through the image area. Alternately or additionally, a landing element is provided having a landing surface disposed in the image area and angled with respect to the flat portion of the tray surface and configured to receive the particle. The image capturing device is configured to capture an image of the particle on the landing surface.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly 10 is disclosed which comprises an inner shaft 12, an outer tube 14 surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft 12, and two groups of cam lobes 16 and 18 mounted on the outer tube 14. The first group of cam lobes 16 is fast in rotation with the outer tube 14 and the second group 18 is rotatably mounted on the outer tube 14 land connected for rotation with the inner shaft 12 by means of pins 20 that pass with clearance through slots in the outer tube 14. A spring 138 is incorporated in the camshaft assembly 10 to bias the inner shaft 12 relative to the outer tube 14 towards one extreme of its angular range.

Abstract: An engine is described having a camshaft 10 formed of an inner shaft 12 and an outer tube 14 both of which rotate with respective groups of cams 18 and 16. A drive train driving both the inner shaft 12 and the outer tube from the engine crankshaft includes a phaser 30 for enabling the phase of at least one of the groups of cams 16 and 18 to be varied dynamically relative to the phase of the crankshaft. The phaser is secured to the front end of the outer tube 14 and the inner shaft 12 of the camshaft 10 is connected to the front side 36 of the phaser 30 by way of a driving member 46 that encloses the component 40 securing the phaser to the outer tube 14 of the camshaft 10.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly comprises an inner shaft 12 and an outer tube 14 surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft. Two groups of cam lobes are mounted on the outer tube 14, the first group of cam lobes 16 being fast in rotation with the outer tube 14 and the second group of lobes 26 being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube 14 and connected for rotation with the inner shaft by means of pins 22 that pass with clearance through slots in the outer tube 14. A sleeve 20 rotatably mounted on the outer tube 14 is connected to impart drive to the inner shaft 12 by means of a pin 24 passing with clearance through a circumferentially extending slot in the outer tube 14.

Abstract: To test the ESD resistance of a semiconductor component, for example of a NOS transistor, which can be used as a PSD protective element in a chip, a direct current characteristic of the semiconductor component is monitored and the ESD resistance of the respective semiconductor component is inferred depending on this. In particular, the direct current failure threshold of the semiconductor component at which an increased leakage current occurs in the non-conducting direction of the semiconductor component can be monitored in operation of the semiconductor component using an applied direct current and the ESD resistance of the semiconductor component inferred depending on a change in this direct current failure threshold.

Abstract: An engine is described having two camshafts 14, 16 each of which carries two groups of cams and comprises an inner shaft coupled for rotation with a first group of cams and an outer tube rotatably supported by the inner shaft and coupled for rotation with the second group of cams. A phaser 12 is provided to enable the phase of at least one of the two groups of cams on one of the SCP camshafts 14, 16 to be varied with reference to the phase of the engine crankshaft. Drive links in the form of meshing gearwheels, drive chains or belts, couple the two corresponding groups of cams on the respective camshafts for rotation in unison with one another.

Abstract: A twin vane-type phaser is described which is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the drive member to the driven members when the pressure in the working chambers is a below is predetermined value. The locking mechanism comprises two coaxial locking pins 114, 118 mounted in a common bore 110 in the centrally located member 32. The locking pins are resiliently urged apart by a spring 120 into bores in the two outer members 38, 40 and are retracted by pistons 112, 116 when the hydraulic pressure in the working chambers attains the predetermined value.

Abstract: A conductive polymer backfill composition and method of use for setting or resetting utility poles is described. The backfill material is effective in simultaneously reinforcing and electrically grounding the utility pole.

Abstract: A conductive polymer backfill composition and method of use for setting or resetting structures such as utility poles is described. The backfill material is effective in simultaneously reinforcing and electrically grounding the utility pole.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a drain zone, a source zone, and a gate electrode. Doping atoms of the first conductivity type are implanted in the region of the drain zone and the source zone by at least two further implantation steps such that a pn junction between the drain zone and a substrate region is vertically shifted and a voltage ratio of the MOS transistor between a lateral breakdown voltage and a vertical breakdown voltage can be set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination, such as a combined preparation or pharmaceutical composition, respectively, which comprises nateglinide (1) stet or repaglinide and at least one other antidiabetic compound selected from the group consisting of thiazolidinedione derivatives (glitazones), sulfonyl urea derivatives and metformin for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of diseases, especially metabolic disorders and in particular type 2 diabetes and diseases and conditions associated with diabetes; to a composition, respectively, which comprises nateglinide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and to a process of making such composition; the use of such combination or composition for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of metabolic disorders; a method of prevention, delay of progression or treatment of diseases in warm-blooded animals; the use of such combination or composition for the cosme

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a drain zone, a source zone, and a gate electrode. Doping atoms of the first conductivity type are implanted in the region of the drain zone and the source zone by at least two further implantation steps such that a pn junction between the drain zone and a substrate region is vertically shifted and a voltage ratio of the MOS transistor between a lateral breakdown voltage and a vertical breakdown voltage can be set.

Abstract: A method for accessing private data/services from a mobile station over a public network is described including: composing a text-based request message on the mobile station, sending the request message to a private server offering access to private data/services, and checking the authenticity of the user based on the request message received by the server. If user authenticity is confirmed, a text-based response message is composed and sent to the mobile station. The request message includes a user-unique identifier received by the private server with an appended user mobile station number. Authenticity checking (by the private server) includes checking whether (1) the user-unique identifier is stored in a private directory database, and (2) the appended user mobile station number matches the number allocated to the user-unique identifier stored in the private directory database. The interaction is limited to the exchange of pairs of text-based request message(s) and response(s).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of testing for a blood-borne agent present in or on the surface of white blood cells or on platelets, comprising: (a) providing a blood-derived sample enriched in such white blood cells and/or platelets: and (b) testing for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of said agent in said sample.

Abstract: A conductive polymer backfill composition and method of use for setting or resetting structures such as utility poles is described. The backfill material is effective in simultaneously reinforcing and electrically grounding the utility pole.

Abstract: A conductive polymer backfill composition and method of use for setting or resetting utility poles is described. The backfill material is effective in simultaneously reinforcing and electrically grounding the utility pole.