Abstract: A rotating cylindrical sputtering target surface as part of a magnetron has cylindrical shields adjacent each end of the target that are shaped at their respective inner edges to maximize etching and to prevent condensation and subsequent arcing that undesirably occurs when certain materials, particularly dielectrics, are being sputtered. If two or more rotating targets are employed in a single magnetron system, each is similarly shielded. In an alternative form, the target is provided with a single cylindrical shield that is cut away for a significant portion of the distance around the cylinder to provide an opening through which a sputtering region of the target is accessible, while maintaining shielding of the target end regions. This alternative single shield is similarly shaped at portions of its inner edges adjacent to the opening to maximize etching and to prevent undesired condensation and subsequent arcing.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprises a cooling chamber (2), means (4) for introducing liquefied gas or its cold vapor thereinto, an exhaust passage (16) having flow inducing means associated therewith and a heat transfer means (46) associated with said exhaust passage (16) in which the heat transfer means operates to transfer heat from a heat source to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a freshly metallized substrate in which a metal substrate is passed through a bath of molten metal for the purpose of applying a coating thereto while a treating gas containing a reducing gas, a non-oxidizing gas or combination thereof is provided at the region where the metallized substrate exits the molten metal bath to thereby at least reduce oxidation of the metallized substrate and the surface of the molten metal bath.

Abstract: A fault current limiter for use in alternating current transmission utilizes a (high temperature) superconductor body. If the current density through the body exceeds a critical value, the superconductor becomes a resistor; the fault current limiter makes use of this principle. In order to enable the critical current density to be selected from within a range of different values, the superconductor is immersed in a volume of cryogenic liquid, e.g. liquid nitrogen, in a vessel provided with a closure having an outlet communicating with a duct in which is disposed a manually adjustable back pressure regulator. The back pressure regulator enables the pressure in the ullage space of the vessel to be set at a chosen value, usually below atmospheric pressure. The liquid nitrogen is stored in the vessel at its boiling point which depends on the pressure in the ullage space. Accordingly, the temperature of the liquid nitrogen can be set by the regulator.

Abstract: An improved rotatable magnetron enabling efficient removal and replacement of a target structure, having axially movable structures including at least one spindle, which may be extended to engage or retracted to disengage the target structure, and means for extending into a magnet structure within the target structure to selectively fix a rotational position of the magnet structure, and preferably having water and vacuum seals integrated into cartridges which are disposed between spindles and seal housings of the improved rotatable magnetron.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for the control of biological treatment of waste water in which waste water is fed to a substantially air tight supported growth biological filter unit (2) that includes an exhaust gas vent (5). Dissolved oxygen is supplied to the filter unit and the oxygen consumption rate across the filter is measured by comparing the flow rate of oxygen into the filter (2) to the flow rate of oxygen exiting the filter through the gas vent (5). The feed rate of waste water is adjusted to maintain a predetermined oxygen consumption, thereby controlling the effluent quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing particulate bodies, comprising a rotary member having a generally horizontal freezing surface, means for dispensing said bodies onto said surface, means for cooling the surface to a freezing temperature and means for collecting said bodies in at least peripherally frozen state from said surface. The particulate bodies may comprise food stuffs, such as prawns or cream, a pharmaceutical, a microbiological culture, or a puree. Liquified carbon dioxide and nitrogen are preferred for cooling.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for cooling harvested edible and non-edible plants and plant products with a cryogenic fluid wherein the plants and plant products are delivered to an on-site freezer which receives the cryogenic fluid and the cooled plants and plant products and at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid is sent to a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Films are coated on substrates, useful for applications such as packaging, having a substantially continuous inorganic matrix in which organosilicon moieties are discontinuously dispersed. The inorganic matrix is formed by evaporating an inorganic source within a evacuated chamber while at the same time flowing vaporized organosilicon into the chamber adjacent to an electrically isolated substrate.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus comprises a cooling chamber such as a freezing tunnel having a pipeline for introducing liquid nitrogen into it and an exhaust passage for cold nitrogen vapor. The exhaust passage extends through a rotary regenerative heat exchanger. Downstream of the heat exchanger is a fan operable to draw the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger. A second passage extends through the heat exchanger and is arranged for the flow therethrough of relatively warm air, whereby, in operation, the air is able to transfer heat to the exhaust gas in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A planar magnetron sputtering device with improved target utilization and cooling capacity is provided. The device includes a magnet yoke as the main structure of the cathode body. The magnet yoke is made of low carbon steel which provides magnetic shunt and physical strength. The target is attached to a metal backing plate so that the side surface of the target is substantially flush with the side surface of the backing plate. Suitable magnets are adapted for producing a closed-loop magnetic field over the lower surface of the target. The magnets include an outer magnet that has an annular structure positioned around an inner elongated magnet. The outer magnets are positioned along the perimeter of the backing plate and small magnets are employed to create larger active target area. The magnet yoke also comprises extension structures which are positioned along the side surface of the target. These extensions shunt the magnetic field at the edges of the target.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a resin coating on the surface of an article having a three-dimensional structure, comprising: (i) a compartment (a) in which the surface of the article is coated with a resin solution, (ii) a compartment (b) in which said resin solution coated on said article is cured; and (iii) means for successively transporting said article through said compartments; wherein said compartment (b) is substantially shut off from the outside air and has an entrance and an exit for said article transport means, said entrance and said exit being provided with respect guide members having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for sputtering coatings of material onto a substrate from a chamber subject to substantial evacuation during use, which includes: a substantially cylindrical target tube having on a surface thereof the material to be sputtered, means for rotating the target tube about its longitudinal axis, magnetic means for assisting the sputtering process by the provision of a magnetic field in a sputtering zone associated with the target tube, means for moving the substrate through the chamber and into the sputtering zone, means for introducing an ionisable gas and a reactive gas into the chamber in the vicinity of the sputtering zone, wherein supplementary magnetic means are provided to form a supplementary magnetic field remote from the sputtering zone and means are provided to introduce ionisable gas in the vicinity of the supplementary magnetic field.

Abstract: A rare gas-halide excimer laser uses a buffer gas consisting of from 5 to 50% by volume helium the balance being neon.

Abstract: An infrared reflecting interference filter capable of transmitting a desired proportion of visible radiation while reflecting a large portion of incident solar radiation is provided. The filter consists of a transparent substrate coated first with a dielectric layer, next a partially metal reflectance layer, and finally an outer protective dielectric layer. In addition, between each metal-dielectric interface is deposited a nucleation or glue layer that facilitates adhesions and improves chemical and mechanical resistance. The interference filters are durable and can be modified to provide a full range of optical and electrical characteristics. The dielectric layer can comprise of composite films consisting of silicon nitride in combination with zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, and/or hafnium nitride.

Abstract: A freezing tunnel includes a longitudinally extending housing defining a cooling cavity containing a cooling atmosphere which progresses from one end of the tunnel to the other end. An endless mesh belt extends through the housing for carrying articles to be frozen. A shroud is located within the housing and extends transversely across the belt and terminating in edges which define an opening. The shroud defines an inner region and an outer region between the inner region and the housing and includes first and second longitudinally spaced shroud portions, each having respective apertures for allowing fluid communication between the inner and outer regions. Electrically driven fans direct the cooling atmosphere through the respective apertures and the opening and past the articles to be frozen.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for chilling a food product which includes a food distribution device having a pair of circular members including at least one spaced-apart partition defining a food receiving area; the circular members rotating to cause food delivered to the food product receiving area to fall into a food storage compartment in a uniform manner; and a cryogen releasing device connected to one of the circular members which uniformly distributes a cryogenic substance to the food product within the food storage compartment.

Abstract: A plasma treating apparatus is useful for coating substrates with thin films having vapor barrier properties at relatively rapid deposition rates. The apparatus comprises an evacuable chamber, an electrically powered electrode defining a plasma-facing surface within the chamber, and a shield spaced a distance .DELTA. transverse to the plasma-facing surface. During plasma treatments, the plasma is confined to within distance .DELTA. while a substrate is continuously fed through the confined plasma.

Abstract: A hot coke bed is established at the bottom of a vertical shaft furnace, e.g. an iron melting cupola. The cupola is then charged with alternate layers of ferrous metal and coke material, respectively. Burners burn hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of a stoichiometric excess of oxygen-enriched air and thus form a hot gas mixture including oxygen. The hot gas mixture passes upwards through the shaft of the cupola thereby providing sufficient heat to melt the ferrous metal. Molten ferrous metal flows downwards under gravity into and through the coke bed and may be removed through a tap hole. At least one jet of oxygen is injected into the hot coke bed so as to maintain it at a temperature sufficient to superheat the molten metal. Preferably a fan is operated to dilute with air the combustion gases above the level of the charge in the shaft and thereby create secondary flames. No air blast is supplied to the cupola.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cylinder containing a bed of adsorbent material and a gas, e.g. carbon dioxide. A piston compresses the gas which is adsorbed by the adsorbent material and the heat of adsorption is dissipated by fins to atmosphere. The piston, when retracted, decompresses the gas which desorbs from the adsorbent material. Repeated compression and decompression of the gas causes a cold zone to be created within the material which is thermally linked to a location to be refrigerated.