baber/WOPTO huggingface dataset:
Patent GB-2415742-A (GB)
Title: Heat-resitant clamp device for elongate objects
Inventor: MIZUKOSHI SUGURU
IPC: F16L3/12
Filed: 2005-06-27
Abstract: A clamp device 1 for connecting a high temperature elongated component to a support comprises a first clamp 2 mountable (via 5) to the support and a second clamp 3 for holding the elongate component (9, figure 2). The first clamp includes a clamp holder 11 for holding the second clamp and is made of a non-heat resistant hard plastic material. The clamp holder includes a recess 10 for receiving the second clamp and cover 14 to hold the second clamp in place. The second clamp includes a holder for holding the elongate component with a second cover 30 and is made of a heat resistant hard plastic material. Preferably the outer peripheral surface of the second clamp is covered by a layer of vibration-resistant elastic plastic material that prevents the transmission of vibrations between the elongate component, such as a heater pipe, and the support, such as the under floor of a vehicle. Preferably the first cover has a latch 19 that secures the first and second covers in place.
Patent GB-2432069-A (GB)
Title: Reducing block noise by applying a dither signal in areas of low spatial detail
Inventor: BOCK ALOIS MARTIN
IPC: H04N7/26
Filed: 2005-11-03
Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a compressed video signal to remove blocking artefacts includes decompressing the video signal to provide a raw decoded signal a and a quantisation parameter QP. Mean, maximum and minimum values of samples of pixels surrounding a pixel of concern C are determined. The mean, maximum and minimum values, the quantization parameter and a random number A are entered into a logic circuit 3 to determine whether a dither signal is applied to the value of the pixel of concern, such that the dither signal is applied only in areas of low spatial detail, as indicated by a difference of the maximum and minimum values being less than a first predetermined threshold, and where the quantization parameter is higher than a second predetermined threshold value. The video signal may comprise chrominance and two luminance components and the dither signal may be applied to each component.
Patent GB-2431914-A (GB)
Title: Portable machine for hoisting domestic goods and items up straight stairwells
Inventor: VAUGHAN RENEE
IPC: B66B9/193
Filed: 2005-11-08
Abstract: A lightweight portable hoist for use by delivery and removal firms that can be easily assembled and removed from stairwells. The hoist comprises a lightweight collapsible tube 1 within which runs a wheeled roller assembly (6 fig 2) this is connected via a wire rope to a winch motor 2. The holding brackets 3 are positioned into the positional brackets (8 fig 3) on the rear of the tube and hold it above the risers and treaders of the stairs. The hoist is held firmly in position in the stairwell by means of the tie rods 5 which fix into the holding bracket 3 and abut the stairwell wall or stairwell casing on the opposite side. A platform 4 fixes to the wheeled roller assembly. Power is applied to the winch motor and the platform moves up and down the stairwell transporting items and goods. On completion of the delivery the hoist is disassembled the tubes collapsed within themselves and are stored within the delivery van for transporting to the next delivery.
Patent GB-2427610-A (GB)
Title: An adhesive polyurethane composition
Inventor: GARRETT THOMAS M
IPC: C09J175/04
Filed: 2006-01-18
Abstract: An adhesive polyurethane composition comprising 50-80% by weight a high molecular weight component selected from polyols, polyamines and mixtures thereof; 0.1-3% by weight a proton donor, such a chain extender, such as di(propylene glycol); and 19-44% by weight polyisocyanate, comprising a first isocyanate isomer, such as 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and a second isocyanate isomer, such as 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate wherein first isocyanate isomer reacts with the proton donor to increase relative concentration of the second isocyanate isomer as a percentage of total unreacted isocyanates. Also disclosed is a method of producing the adhesive polyurethane composition.
Patent GB-2436828-A (GB)
Title: Dispensing system for retaining carbonation
Inventor: JOSEPHIDOU MARIOS
IPC: B67D1/00
Filed: 2006-04-07
Abstract: A refillable still and carbonated drinks dispensing system, incorporating a concertina type collapsible bottle (1) contained within a unit with a tap at the front and a back section (5, fig 2) which advances along guide rails incorporating the teeth of a ratchet system (2, 6, 9). The back section contains within it a spring loaded back plate attached to a spigot (3, 4, 8) and a ratchet release lever (fig 2, 5).
Patent GB-2435626-A (GB)
Title: Cyclonic dust-collecting appratus for a vacuum cleaner
Inventor: YOO DONG-HUN
IPC: B01D45/12
Filed: 2006-08-24
Abstract: A cyclonic dust-collecting apparatus (1) for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed, the apparatus having a high fine-dust-collecting efficiency. The apparatus (1) includes a first cyclone (10) having an inlet (12) through which dust-carrying air is drawn in. The first cyclone (10) forces the dust-carrying air to whirl downwardly in a space under the inlet (12) for centrifugally separating dust from the dust-carrying air. A second cyclone (20) is disposed inside the first cyclone (10), the second cyclone forcing semi-clean air entering from the first cyclone to whirl downwardly for centrifugally separating fine dust from the semiclean air. An air guide member (30) forces the semi-clean air discharged from the first cyclone (10) directly to enter the second cyclone (20). The air guide member (30) has a plurality of guide blades (31) radially disposed in at least one annular region based on the vertical axis (25) of the second cyclone (20).
Patent GB-2443432-A (GB)
Title: Optical guidance apparatus for x-ray imaging device
Inventor: NIXON THOMAS EDWARD
IPC: A61B6/08
Filed: 2006-10-31
Abstract: A guidance apparatus 30 for an imaging device 10 having an X-ray radiation source 14 and radiation detector 16 aligned on a common central axis of the X-ray beam. The guidance apparatus 30 comprises attachment means 54 for mounting a light source, such as a laser, 32 and light guide means, such as a mirror, 34 in fixed positions relative to the radiation detector 16. The light guide means 34 is arranged to receive a light beam (40, Fig.2) from the light source 32 and to deflect it (42, Fig.2) at a desired angle with respect to the central axis of the X-ray beam of the imaging device 10, in a direction from the X-ray detector towards the X-ray source. A method of using an imaging device 10 to position an object (90, Fig.7), such as a needle, relative to a target 84 is also disclosed. The imaging device may be a c-arm fluoroscopy unit.
Patent GB-2435534-A (GB)
Title: Estimating remaining life using sensor data and future mission data
Inventor: BONNANI PIERINO GIANNI
IPC: G01M13/00
Filed: 2006-12-19
Abstract: A method for performing prognosis on a component of a system, such as an aircraft engine, is used to estimate the remaining life of the component. A damage estimate 404 for a component is calculated using a diagnostics function. Future mission data 424 and the damage estimate are input to one or more models 406, 408. The models calculate the accumulated damage 410. The results are aggregated 414 based on a quality assessment 412 of the models to produce a final damage estimate 422, an estimate of the life of the component 420 and an uncertainty estimate. The model may be a physics based model or an experienced based model. The model may be tuned using sensor data from a test rig. The sensor data may be debris data.
Patent GB-2447247-A (GB)
Title: Adaptive colour correction for area specific imaging in biometric applications
Inventor: HYDE JUSTEN
IPC: G06K9/00
Filed: 2007-03-07
Abstract: The invention relates to performing adaptive colour correction in image-based biometric identity recognition applications. The procedure comprises the steps of: acquiring an enrolment image of a subject against a background; determining a colour balance control dataset of the enrolment image by measuring a colour content of the background; electronically storing the enrolment image together with its associated colour balance control dataset; subsequently acquiring a verification image of the subject against the background; determining a colour balance dataset of the verification image by measuring a colour content of the background; applying a colour correction algorithm to the verification image with reference to the colour balance control dataset so that the colour corrected verification image has substantially the same colour balance as the enrolment image; and comparing the verification and the enrolment images to determine a biometric match. The invention allows for the removal of the effects of variation in ambient lighting between the enrolment image and the verification image.
Patent GB-2438783-A (GB)
Title: Three-dimensional motion capture
Inventor: SULLIVAN STEVE
IPC: G03B17/00
Filed: 2006-03-16
Abstract: In one general aspect, a method is described. The method includes generating a positional relationship between one or more support structures having at least one motion capture mark and at least one virtual structure corresponding to geometry of an object to be tracked and positioning the support structures on the object to be tracked. The support structures has sufficient rigidity that, if there are multiple marks, the marks on each support structure maintain substantially fixed distances from each other in response to movement by the object. The method also includes determining an effective quantity of ray traces between one or more camera views and one or more marks on the support structures, and estimating an orientation of the virtual structure by aligning the determined effective quantity of ray traces with a known configuration of marks on the support structures.
Patent GB-2455349-A (GB)
Title: Beverage dispense tap
Inventor: MANSER SIMON
IPC: B67D1/14
Filed: 2007-12-07
Abstract: A beverage dispensing tap includes a beverage inlet 1, a beverage outlet 2 and a valve mechanism including a plunger 4 for selectively enabling beverage to be dispensed from the output or not. The plunger 4 has a hydrodynamic profile which has no sharp edges or angled corners. It is preferably a diamond shape (see fig. 6) with a longer dimension X and a shorter dimension Y, the apices (16, 17 fig. 6) of the shorter dimension being curved. The longer dimension fits snugly inside an elongate cavity of the tap, and the shorter dimension provides a space (18, 19, fig.6) along its sides through which the fluid flows. This shape allows the fluid (preferably a beverage such as cola) to remain sufficiently carbonated. The plunger 4 preferably has a portion (9, fig. 4) which receives a spindle 8 actuable by a user to cause the plunger to move.
Patent GB-2444844-A (GB)
Title: Light dimmer with pull cord switch
Inventor: BYRNE BRENDAN PATRICK
IPC: H05B37/02
Filed: 2007-12-12
Abstract: A light or light kit (10, figure 1) is disclosed which includes a switch housing (11), a plurality of light sockets (12), and a pull chain type switch 13 which includes a pull chain or cord 13'. A light bulb 15 is mounted within each light socket. The light kit (10) also includes a controller or dimmer module electrically coupled between the pull chain switch 13 and the light socket (12). The dimmer module may gradually change the light intensity with the actuation of the pull chain switch 13 through the continual pulling of the pull chain 13'. The dimmer module includes an ac-dc converter 21, a regulator 22, a microcontroller 24, a timing circuit 26, a pulse-width modulation transistor driver 29, and a triac driver subcircuit 31.
Patent GB-2457727-A (GB)
Title: Process for producing holograms
Inventor: HARDY NICHOLAS JOHN
IPC: G03H1/04
Filed: 2008-02-25
Abstract: In a process for processing a hologram, a holographic image is formed in a photopolymer layer carried on a substrate (S3). A colour tuning film is applied to the opposed photopolymer layer to form a laminate (S5). The temperature of the laminate is raised (S6) and is subsequently cooled and the laminate is then exposed to a source of curing electromagnetic e.g. ultraviolet radiation (S7).
Patent GB-2458698-A (GB)
Title: Firefighting unit
Inventor: BRIDGMAN WILLIAM
IPC: A62C35/20
Filed: 2008-03-28
Abstract: A firefighting unit comprising the following features: <UL ST="  $  " COMPACT=COMPACT> <LI>A hose reel 15 housed within a cabinet 11; <LI>A pump 22 for generating a pressurized water supply, and a power unit 23 to drive the pump 22. Both of which are housed in the cabinet 11; <LI>The water-issuing nozzle region of the hose is adapted to be held and directed by the operator and carries an operator controlled water releasing and water cut of mechanism 16; <LI>The unit is constructed as to cause the water to issue in the form of a fine mist or fog of water droplets 19.
Patent GB-2463050-A (GB)
Title: Constraining vector quantisation codebook vectors to be ß1, ßj, 0, combinations/multiples thereof to reduce computational complexity
Inventor: CAO FENGMING
IPC: H03M7/30
Filed: 2008-08-29
Abstract: Vector quantisation (VQ) codebooks can be generated by applying the Linde, Buzo, Gray (LBG) algorithm to sets of training vectors. This operates by clustering the training vectors and calculating cluster centroids such that the overall error distance is minimised. These centroids becoming the code-vectors. The invention further constrains (2-18) the codebook vectors to be scalar multiples of ∓1, ∓j, 0 or combinations thereof. The vectors before scaling can be normalised to a unit size. This limitation can reduce the computational complexity of determining the minimum chord distance between a codevector and another vector, which is indicative of the quantisation error. An example constellation is {+1+j, +1-j, -1+j, -1-j, +1, -1, +j, -j, 0}.
Patent GB-2450434-A (GB)
Title: Method using multiple retrieval processes to increase mobility of heavy oil and including a sampling system
Inventor: GOODWIN ANTHONY H
IPC: E21B43/24
Filed: 2007-09-14
Abstract: A method of retrieving a formation fluid from a formation adjacent a borehole wall is provided in which a tool 10 is lowered into the wellbore 14. The tool may include first and second fluid retrieval tools 15 and 17. A first retrieval process is initiated in which the first retrieval process includes attempting to increase the mobility of the formation fluid. At least one downhole parameter related to the mobility of the fluid is then measured, and the first retrieval process changed based on the measured downhole parameter. The parameter may be temperature or viscosity. A second retrieval process is then initiated, in which the second retrieval process includes increasing the mobility of the formation fluid. The fluid sample is then retrieved from the formation with the tool. The retrieval processes may include heating and chemical injection.
Patent GB-2452853-A (GB)
Title: Configurable shower screen
Inventor: ROOKE GEORGINA E
IPC: A47K3/28
Filed: 2008-09-12
Abstract: A shower system comprises at least two panels 50 and means for arranging the panels 50 in at least two configurations with respect to a basin (22, fig2) sized to receive the lower edge of the panels 50. The basin (22, fig2) may comprise a channel (38, fig2) for receiving the lower edge of the panels 50 and a second channel (44, 46 and 48, fig 2) inward of the first for receiving water run-off., the second channel may comprise a drain (42, fig 2) and be sloped in the direction of the drain. A seat 100 being supported at least in part by one or more of the panels 50 where the seat may be a corner seat supported by two panels 50 forming a corner. The seat is supported by inserts 116 and 118, which may be circular, supported by openings 116'' and 118'' in the panels, the inserts having an opening 116' and 118' for receiving a portion of the support structure and may include panels 120 and 122 sandwiching the panels 50 and inserts. The support comprises a brace 106 having open ends 110 and 108 into which mounting posts 110' and 108' are telescopically received. At least a part of the support assembly is fabricated from non-metallic materials. The panels 50 may be comprised of float glass which is coated with paint or ceramic frit.
Patent GB-2453040-A (GB)
Title: Methods and Apparatus to Upgrade and Provide Control Redundancy in Process Plants
Inventor: SMITH DAVID MARK
IPC: G05B19/042
Filed: 2008-09-17
Abstract: Methods and apparatus to upgrade and provide control redundancy in process plants, the method of upgrading software for a control device of a process control system comprises instantiating a replacement component of the software such as software modules/sub systems, copying state data or critical data from an existing component to the replacement component, and changing the replacement component to an active mode when a first state of the replacement component matches a second state of the existing component. Alternatively a method to provide control redundancy for a process plant control system wherein parallel processing of a first and second instances of a control software subsystem is used to provide an output from one of said instances to a field device. Preferably the replacement component uses a hot fix and a voting system is adopted to decide which output is provided to the process field device. The inventive concepts permit an existing component (software module) to continue execution while it transfers critical data (state data) to its replacement component (upgraded software module).
Patent GB-2453666-A (GB)
Title: Fishing pole tip bush
Inventor: PRYCE JOHN MICHAEL
IPC: A01K97/00
Filed: 2008-10-13
Abstract: A tip bush for securing to a fishing pole (2, Fig. 1) comprises a body (3, Fig. 1), connecting means 4 for connection to a pole and auxiliary connecting means 5, 6 to receive a further device (20, Fig. 3). A first part (50, 51, Fig. 6) of the auxiliary connecting means can reside on the pole, which receives a device containing the other part (61, 62, Fig. 8) of the auxiliary connection. Typically, the device is a bait feeder pot (20, Fig. 3). Preferably, the device comprises a bore 4 through a tubular body 7. The bore may have an inwardly projecting ledge 15 to abut the pole. The ledge can include an annular flange 30. Preferably, the auxiliary connection comprises a pair of elongate projections 5, 6, which may be located on opposite sides of the body section 7. Typically, the body has a larger diameter head 8.
Patent GB-2459016-A (GB)
Title: Non-contacting face seals and thrust bearings
Inventor: CROSS EDWARD HENRY
IPC: F16C17/06
Filed: 2009-03-25
Abstract: Apparatus for spacing two relatively rotatable facing surfaces 7, 8 in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion 20 defining a generally frusto-conical surface 23 and a second portion including at least one flat surface 2 disposed on a carrier. The carrier comprises portions 3, 4 releasably connected together. The flat surface is located adjacent the first portion so that the generally frusto-conical surface and the flat surface face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation. The apparatus includes a device 24 for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain a gap between the surfaces within a predetermined dimensional range. Also claimed is an axially moveable tile carrier 3, 4 defining a radial sealing surface 7.
Patent GB-2456952-A (GB)
Title: A method and a system for hydrocarbon production cooling
Inventor: FRIEDEMANN JOHN DANIEL
IPC: B08B9/04
Filed: 2009-05-14
Abstract: A method for cooling a subsea production fluid of hydrocarbon product from above a solids formation temperature for further transport below the said temperature as slurry, comprising the steps of feeding the production fluid through a lumen (8) by which heat is transferred through the lumen wall (9') to an ambient cooling medium for precipitation of material dissolved in the production fluid, as well as the step of dislodging any attaching solid matter from the lumen wall by means of a runner (12) passing with the production fluid flow through the lumen. The production fluid is initially cooled to a temperature still above the solids formation temperature at a location upstream of said lumen (81). The invention also refers to a subsea hydrocarbon production fluid cooling system, comprising a passive unit (2) and an active unit (3) arranged in succession in the production fluid flow, wherein the passive unit (2) comprises a first lumen (8) and the active unit comprises a second lumen (8') arranged to receive the pre-cooled production fluid from the first lumen of the passive unit, and to discharge the same as slurry comprising solids entrained in the production fluid.
Patent GB-2467614-A (GB)
Title: Camera stand with ball joint
Inventor: WU YING-KUEI
IPC: F16M11/14
Filed: 2009-06-22
Abstract: A camera stand has a deck 3 for mounting a camera, a ball joint 31 within a housing 1 and three legs 5, one of which, when rotated, drives a slide-proof rod 8 against a slide-proof sleeve 9, which is assembled with the slid-proof rod as one unit, to abut the ball below the deck for secure positioning. When the leg is loosened by rotating reversely, the slide-proof sleeve moves away from the ball, so that the deck can move freely to adjust the shooting angle of the camera. The abutment is caused due to the turning of a bolt 81 on the slide-proof rod within a nut 82, which is held stationary within a slot 11 in the housing.
Patent GB-2469147-A (GB)
Title: Coupling device
Inventor: COOTE CLIVE
IPC: A63B21/16
Filed: 2009-07-02
Abstract: A coupling device for coupling tubes 10, 11 of a pole dancing pole comprises a body 2 and a mechanism 3. The mechanism comprises a threaded element 5 and a screw 7 mating with each other, and is arranged to apply a force to an interior surface of a tube by turning the screw with respect to the threaded element. During operation of the mechanism, a screw axis of the threaded element and a screw axis of the screw remain substantially aligned with each other. The threaded element preferably comprises a surface adapted to contact an interior surface of the body and apply a force against it. The threaded element may be coupled to the interior surface of the body by at least one fastener adapted to allow the first threaded element to orientate itself with respect to the interior surface of the body. The fastener may expand a portion of the body when turning the screw in one direction with respect to the threaded element and contract a portion of the body when turning the screw in the opposite direction. The body may comprise a longitudinal slot 4 that is expanded and contracted by the mechanism.
Patent GB-2463131-A (GB)
Title: Spent nuclear fuel reprocessing
Inventor: MIZUGUCHI KOJI
IPC: B01D11/04
Filed: 2009-07-31
Abstract: A spent nuclear fuel is reprocessed by dissolving the spent nuclear fuel in an aqueous nitric acid solution, and separating and recovering nuclides contained in the resulting fuel solution by solvent extraction. The reprocessing method includes: an electrolytic valence adjustment step in which nuclides contained in the fuel solution are electrolytically reduced, without removing fission products or minor actinides, until the valence of plutonium is at a level at which solvent extraction efficiency is low (preferably trivalent); and a nuclide separation step in which, by using an extraction solvent which extracts uranium contained in the fuel solution, uranium is distributed from the fuel solution subjected to the electrolytic valence adjustment step to the extraction solvent. The extraction solvent preferably comprises tributyl phosphate diluted with dodecane. Also disclosed is a centrifugal extractor (see Figs 2-5) for centrifugally separating the mixture of fuel dissolved in nitric acid and organic extraction solvent.