Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for and method of preparing a slurry for a purification apparatus such as a wash column. A slurry is produced in a crystallizer. The crystals are essentially removed from the concentrated mixture and transported to a more dilute solution. The crystals are caused to dwell in the dilute solution to permit the crystals to ripen and to grow in size significantly.The apparatus that performs the foregoing functions is a gradient column where the change from a concentrated slurry to a dilute slurry takes place. The output of the gradient column is coupled to a holding tank where the residence time of crystals in the dilute solution is prolonged to permit the crystals to ripen.

Abstract: A tractor drawn and powered machine is disclosed for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural crops in a chamber of fixed size. The baling chamber consists of a lower and an upper section. The lower section includes a wheel mounted main frame, along with a pickup reel and a bottom conveyor comprising side by side belts entrained on four transversely extending rollers. The upper section is supported on a subframe which is hinge mounted along its front edge to the main frame allowing thereby the rear portion of the upper section to open as a rearward facing tailgate for discharge of a completed bale. Situated within the subframe of the upper section are all of the conveying elements which make up the rear, top and front of the generally cylindrical periphery of the baling zone. Each conveyor element in the upper section comprises a plurality of side by side belts entrained on spaced apart transversely mounted upstream and downstream rollers.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is presented which is useful with a machine which gathers crop material from a windrow and forms it into large round bales. The latching mechanism senses bale density while holding the opposing faces of the tailgate closed during the bale forming operation. Density is sensed by spring mounting the latch slides so that the tailgate comes slightly ajar when pressure in the baling chamber builds up. The amount of separation of the opposing faces of the tailgate is sensed and when it exceeds a specified amount, initiates a bale discharge sequence. The tailgate lifting mechanism is interlocked with the latch release to assure safe operation of the system.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is described which senses when a bale is ready for discharge from the bale forming chamber. As implemented, the enclosure for the baling chamber was hinged along the front edge to allow the upper portion to open like a rearward facing clam shell for discharge of a completed bale through a tailgate. The latching mechanism holds the opposing tailgate faces of the enclosure together while the bale forming process is being completed. The latching mechanism senses bale density while allowing only a slight opening of the tailgate in response to application of large compressive forces within the baling chamber. The profile of the slot in each latch is uniquely cut so that the forces tending to force open the tailgate can be matched to a spring. The spring is adjustable so as to allow the latch assembly to begin rotation toward the released condition as the bale density reaches a pre-established level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grounding the individual wire shields of plural conductors in a cable when making electrical interconnections is described. A metallic disc is provided with ferrules to which the wire shields are affixed. The conductors are passed through the ferrules and interconnections made. The disc is then secured about its periphery to a backshell structure and then grounded.

Abstract: An ejection mechanism is described which automatically assists in the discharge of completed bales from the bale-forming chamber. As implemented the ejection mechanism forms a part of a baler which produces generally cylindrical bales in a chamber of fixed size having closed sidewalls adjacent the ends of the bale. The baling chamber is divided into two parts with one portion being hinge mounted along its front edge to allow its second or rear edge to swing open upwardly to provide a gate through which completed bales can be discharged. The second portion of the baling chamber contains a bottom conveyor for imparting rotational motion to the bale during the crop gathering and bale forming process. When the bale in the chamber is completed and ready for discharge, the gate swings open and the bottom conveyor continues moving in a front to rear direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process control system and method of controlling a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process where a coating is deposited on a substrate heated by passing a current through the substrate to create a heating zone. The control system relies on detecting a signal induced on the coated substrate outside of the heating zone and using the induced signal to control one or more process parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conversion by way of decomposing a solid carbonaceous matter to acetylene. Specifically, the invention teaches selecting the operating conditions which will produce high yield at low cost. Specific values of heat and enthalpy for the carbonaceous matter and the gas are proposed in combination with specific particle sizes and reaction time. All of the foregoing contribute to producing acetylene at a commercially competitive cost.

Abstract: In a munitions system, a cylindrical canister is fired over a target. The canister carries a target sensing infrared device and, when a target is detected, a projectile is fired downward from the bottom of the overflying missile. A spinning motion is imparted to the missile to stabilize its flight, and a wobbling motion is imparted to the missile to provide a larger target area. The projectile forms a concave lower end to the missile and is fired by an explosive charge.

Abstract: An abrasive device is defined by a honeycomb or cellular structure which is configured to define the grinding device. The cells of the cellular structure are filled with the normal constituents that make up a grinding wheel such as abrasive grains, a bonding matrix such as an organic resin, and fillers. The bonding matrix acts to bond the abrasive grains together into a uniform mass. The bonding medium is also designed to bond the abrasive and fillers to the walls of the cellular structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treatment for stoichiometric silicon carbide. A carbon-rich silicon carbide layer is applied over the silicon carbide. In the case of the silicon carbide surface, the ratio of silicon to carbon in the carbon-rich layer varies from one at the silicon carbide interface to near zero in the interior of the carbon-rich layer to greater than zero and preferably 0.3 to 0.5 on the surface of the carbon-rich layer remote from the interface. A preferred method of making the silicon carbide layer is also presented.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a transparent alumina material and a method of preparing this material.The material is characterized as a dense primary recrystallized polycrystalline structure having a degree of preferred crystal orientation. The material is transparent to visible and infrared light and quantitative values are given.The transparent alumina covered by this invention is made by means of hot forging and an annealing process for powders or dense compacts of high-purity alumina.

Abstract: This invention relates to the inlet throat of a machine for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural material. The machine includes a single axle chassis and a tongue enabling it to be towed along a windrow by a tractor. On top of the chassis is a generally cylindrical housing containing a baling chamber of fixed size having a horizontal axis. Around the periphery of the baling chamber is a plurality of serially arranged conveying elements. The rear portion of the housing swings upward from a hinge point at the top to enable rearward discharged of a completed bale. A pickup mechanism is transversely mounted across the lower front of the chassis. Behind the topside of the pickup mechanism there is a conveyor which forms the bottom of the front part of the baling zone. The conveyor consists of a plurality of side-by-side belts entrained on four parallel rollers which extend horizontally across the entire bottom of the machine.

Abstract: Silicon carbide filament is produced by overcoating a carbon monofilament core using continuous process vapor deposition. The deposition takes place by passing the carbon monofilament through a reactor into which gaseous sources of silicon and carbon are injected. At a deposition temperature of about 1300 C., a deposit of fine grained beta crystals of silicon carbide are formed. Application of a thin coating of silicon-rich silicon carbide on the surface of the filament both adds strength and provides a surface which is readily bonded to metals, glass and resin matrix materials during the forming of composite structures.

Abstract: Lightweight filament reinforced composite metal matrix structures is provided. The preferred process for producing tubing comprises wrapping alternate layers of metal and filament material to be molded around a mandrel. The mandrel is removed and in its place a test tube-shaped hollow glass cylinder is inserted. The wrapped cylinder is next placed in a cylindrical shaped mold and the entire assembly placed in an oven which is capable of heating the unit to the liquidus temperature of the metal matrix. The glass, which is of a type which softens at about the melting point of the matrix material, is pressurized to a medium high pressure. Under the influence of this pressure, the glass expands, forcing the composite metal matrix against the interior surface of the mold. The consolidated tubing is then cooled to a completely solidified state and removed from the mold.

Abstract: In a method for changing the spin of bodies released from an aggregate, the bodies are connected by straps or bars which serve as tension or compression members. Spin of the connected bodies results in either compressive or tensile forces in the connecting member. Those forces in turn provide torque which counters or enhances the spin and converts that spin to or from translational energy. Once the spin of the bodies has been changed a predetermined amount, the connecting member is released.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with fixed displacement type auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one auxiliary drive motor. To prevent large power losses when the steerable wheel assist mode is not being utilized, the selector valves are placed in close proximity to each fixed displacement motor. This allows the motors to circulate large quantities of fluid around a closed loop at minimum pressure drop.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one hydraulic motor. The auxiliary motors are of the variable displacement type, enabling them to be destroked to neutral when disconnected from the main pump. Destroking to neutral eliminates energy loss due to the pumping of large quantities of hydraulic fluid through a closed loop when the motors are driven by the wheels.

Abstract: Gasification by reaction of carbon (e.g., in coal) with sulfur in the presence of steam, at 500.degree.-1500.degree. K., and controlled to favor production of carbon monoxide/-dioxide and hydrogen sulfide (further reactable to hydrogen and sulfur, which can be recycled). Heat generated by combustion of reaction products and/or through possible exothermic portions of the process can be utilized in the process for preheating reagents or reducing energy requirements of the main reaction.

Abstract: A pair of generally parallel snapping rolls are disclosed which mount beneath a stripper plate having a fore and aft extending slot through which stalks of corn may pass. The snapping rolls rotate in opposite directions and serve to draw stalks downwardly until the ears thereof strike the stripper plate and are snapped free. Each snapping roll has longitudinally extending flutes, the flutes of one roll being interleaved with those of the second roll. On each roll, the odd numbered (1, 3, 5, etc.) flutes extend radially outward while the even numbered (2, 4, 6, etc.) flutes extend outward at a non-radial angle. Rotating the two rolls in synchronism thus results in the generation of a cyclic narrow and wide spacing sequence between opposing flutes. This cyclic action provides improved efficiency in the harvesting operation.