Abstract: A weapon system includes a cartridge and a fire control apparatus have been developed for generating a projectile with a selectable launch velocity. The cartridge includes multiple primers and propellant chambers which may be individually selected by the fire controller so as to fire the projectile at a selected launch velocity. Additionally after firing the selected primers and propellant charges, the fire controller sends a second firing signal to all remaining primers after a suitable delay. The second firing signal ensures that all remaining propellant is initiated and consumed, thus rendering the cartridge safe to eject. The delay between the first firing signal and the second firing signal is sufficient to allow the projectile to be expelled from the cartridge so that the launch velocity is not affected by the combustion of the remaining propellant.

Abstract: A weapon system includes a cartridge and a fire control apparatus have been developed for generating a projectile with a selectable launch velocity. The cartridge includes multiple primers and propellant chambers which may be individually selected by the fire controller so as to fire the projectile at a selected launch velocity. Additionally after firing the selected primers and propellant charges, the fire controller sends a second firing signal to all remaining primers after a suitable delay. The second firing signal ensures that all remaining propellant is initiated and consumed, thus rendering the cartridge safe to eject. The delay between the first firing signal and the second firing signal is sufficient to allow the projectile to be expelled from the cartridge so that the launch velocity is not affected by the combustion of the remaining propellant.

Abstract: To provide a simple interface that can operate seamlessly across a mix of databases with different categorization, individually or concurrently, and limit categories offered to those categories directly relevant to a search term entered, a method of querying and displaying point of interest category and point of interest item information in a personal navigation device includes sending a search term to a first server, receiving matching category data from the first server, displaying a representation of the matching category, sending a query to a second server when the matching category is selected, receiving point of interest data corresponding to the matching category from the second server, and displaying a point of interest described in the point of interest data.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler for cooling a fluid contained in an array of spaced heat exchange elements by heat transfer to a cooling liquid flowing downwardly around the elements in counter current flow to an upwardly flowing gas is provided.

Abstract: To provide a simple interface that can operate seamlessly across a mix of databases with different categorization, individually or concurrently, and limit categories offered to those categories directly relevant to a search term entered, a method of querying and displaying point of interest category and point of interest item information in a personal navigation device includes sending a search term to a first server, receiving matching category data from the first server, displaying a representation of the matching category, sending a query to a second server when the matching category is selected, receiving point of interest data corresponding to the matching category from the second server, and displaying a point of interest described in the point of interest data.

Abstract: A transcritical vapour compression refrigeration apparatus including: a compressor, a gas cooler, an economiser, an evaporator and a refrigerant; the refrigerant being compressed in the compressor, heat being rejected from the compressed refrigerant at supercritical pressure in the gas cooler, the cooled compressed refrigerant being then expanded in a first stage to first temperature and pressure conditions in the economiser and then expanded in a second stage to second temperature and pressure conditions; a stream of refrigerant from the economiser at said first temperature and pressure conditions then being compressed in a first stream in the compressor, refrigerant at said second temperature and pressure conditions absorbing heat in the evaporator and then being compressed in a separate second stream in the compressor; said first and second compressed streams then being combined before passing to the gas cooler or passing through separate gas coolers before being combined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: A communication terminal accesses a web page for a target entity using the telephone number of the target entity. The communication terminal directs a web access information request to a web access information server maintained by the target entity using a telephone number entered by the user or retrieved from memory. The information server returns web access information in response to the web access information request. The communication terminal can then use the returned web access information to access the target entity's web page.

Abstract: Methods of displaying broadcast media content information to a user include receiving at a first receiver first content from a first channel of a multi-channel broadcast media system while receiving at a second receiver information regarding the content on a second off-channel of the multi-channel broadcast media system. Then, at least some of the received information regarding the content on the second channel is displayed to the user. A database of information may also be provided that includes, for example, information regarding listening/viewing preferences of the user. This database of information may be used, for example, to select the off-channels that are scanned for content information and/or to select what information is displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a function of a communication device by a remote unit. The method may comprise receiving a user input identifying a selected function that can be performed by the communication device, and receiving a control signal corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit. The method may further comprise associating the selected function to the control signal such that in the future, receiving the control signal from the remote unit results in the communication device performing the selected function. The device may include a cellular radio transceiver; and a short-range wireless transceiver. The communication device may include a processor configured to communicate with a remote unit and receive user input identifying a selected function, and receive a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit.

Abstract: A consumer electronics device comprises a receiver to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by a commercial broadcast radio station, a controller, and a communications interface. The broadcast radio signal comprises multimedia content that may be rendered to the user and information identifying the multimedia content. The controller generates a request to download the multimedia content using the information identifying the multimedia content. The communications interface transmits the request to a server in a communications network, which downloads the requested multimedia content to a user-designated destination device if the content is available.

Abstract: A visual interface for a PTT user terminal displays user images of participants in a PTT conference. When a PTT conference is established, a controller determines whether an image associated with each participant invited to the PTT conference is stored in memory on the user terminal. For each participant that has an associated image stored on the user terminal, the controller displays the image. For those participants that do not have an associated image stored on the user terminal, the controller generates and sends a request for the image. Upon receipt of the image, the controller displays the image on the user terminal. During the PTT conference, the controller alters the appearance of the images to show the status information of each participant, such as which participant has floor control and presence of participants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of plates for distributing a molten polymer composition, the series of plates includes at least two plates: a first plate that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of polymer distribution channels connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.

Abstract: Methods of operating radio communications devices may include accepting user input at the radio communications device of a streaming time to initiate media streaming, and accepting user input at the radio communications device of a network address of a streaming server to provide media streaming content. At the streaming time, initiating media streaming from the streaming server identified by the network address may be initiated over a radio link. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of plates for distributing a molten polymer composition, the series of plates includes at least two plates: a first plate that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of polymer distribution channels connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven fiber materials, and methods for making the same, useful for loop materials in hook and loop mechanical attachment systems, the nonwoven materials having crimped monocomponent fibers having substantially circular cross sections, and the webs may further contain uncrimped fibers. The invention also provides disposable articles comprising nonwoven loop materials including disposable personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine care sanitary napkins, and adult incontinence articles, and disposable protective articles such as surgical drapes and gowns and other protective apparel.

Abstract: An sanding/polishing apparatus which has a motor including a body and a working head which is mounted on the body for sanding/polishing movement relative to the body and to a surface to be treated and includes means for attachment of an abrasive or polishing material to the working head. A feed line is provided in the motor for directing a cold gas flow through the body and working head to the surface to be treated, and a cold gas flow is fed to that feed line through a vortex tube mounted on the body that significantly reduces the temperature of the air delivered to the feed line.

Abstract: A refrigerant composition which is suitable as a substitute for conventional refrigerant R12 in a vapour compression system employing a centrifugal compressor, comprises a mixture of tetraflouroethane and at least one additional refrigerant. The refrigerant mixture has a vapour density which renders it suitable for use as an R12 replacement in a centrifugal compression refrigeration system. The molecular weight of the mixture approximates 121. Preferred mixtures include 67 wt. % tetraflouroethane and 33 wt. % octafluoropropane; 69 wt. % tetrafluoroethane and 31 wt. % octafluorocyclobutane; and 66 wt. % tetrafluoroethane and 34 wt. % heptafluoropropane. Refrigeration effect and coefficient of performance are similar to R12.

Abstract: There is a need in the field of x-ray optics for an oxygen-free polymeric filter. This is because the mass absorption coefficient of oxygen is greater than that of carbon at every energy in the soft x-ray region except for a narrow band between the oxygen k-edge at 543.1 eV and the carbon k-edge at 284.2 eV. This band of frequencies is known as the "water window." The present invention is a method of filtering x-rays with the use of a freestanding, thin film of a polymer, metal-polymer composite, mesh-supported polymer film, or mesh-supported metal-polymer composite where the polymeric component of the filter is a PBI or a PPQ. In accordance with the present invention, the soft x-ray transmission of a 2500 angstrom polybenzimidazole film was measured as 3 to 5% more transmissive than either the polyimide DuPont 2610D or the polycarbonate GE Lexan.

Abstract: A compounding element for use with a rubbing compound in the finishing of a working surface. The compounding element has a buffing surface and a resiliently deformable skirt around the perimeter of the buffing surface and projecting beyond the buffing surface. In use, application of pressure to the compounding element on a working surface causes deformation of the skirt so that the buffing surface contacts the working surface and the skirt restricts slinging of the rubbing compounds.