Abstract: The present invention provides a device for holding hair in a bundle securely. The device consists of a cylindrical coiled shape with pitch slightly larger than inside diameter, made with a material of sufficient rigidity as to not flex. A bundle of hair, smaller than the pitch, yet larger than the inside diameter is inserted into a pitch gap and the bundle wound into the device until the hair is contained by the cylinder formed by the coils. The hair springs against the device, friction holding it in place. The device may then become a means to attach other ornaments which hang from the coil as additional adornments for the hair. Additionally, the coil itself may itself be decorated on the outside surface.

Abstract: Two or more (preferably three) simple single-chamber crucibles contain molten metal and are successively fed hydrocarbon feed to produce hydrogen, then fed oxygen-containing gas to produce CO, then fed hydrocarbon again, etc. Their operation is controlled by a swing valving sequence which connects the crucibles to a hydrogen header when they are producing hydrogen and to a CO header when they are producing CO, and possibly to a vent (or to the CO header) during the transition between H.sub.2 production and CO production (see FIG. 2). Each crucible (FIGS. 3, 4) preferably is in a pressure-tight steel housing, uses segmented refractories for simplicity in construction and reduction of thermal expansion effects and has an inlet lance (sparging tube) for feeding hydrocarbon and an outlet which emits product gases. Both inlet and outlet are preferably located in the head of each crucible. Swing valves are preferably located downstream of product heat-exchangers for lower temperature operation.

Abstract: In an improved molten metal hydrogen generation bath, baffles form a draft tube or chimney-effect near the center of the bath. Flow through the chimney is aided by maintaining a temperature differential favoring convection and, optionally, a differential pressure between the portions of the bath on either side of the baffle-chimney arrangement. Feed is added to the feed zone and oxygen is added to the oxidation zone, emitting H.sub.2 from the feed zone and CO from the oxidation zone. Baffles may be made simply of brick work or high temperature metal and can fit into existing refractory-lined molten metal vessels. Products can be mixed as syngas feed for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additionally, the Boudouard endothermic reaction (CO.sub.2 +C.fwdarw.2CO) can be used to control temperatures by injecting CO in place of oxygen.

Abstract: A plural-zone molten metal iron gasifier for converting feeds containing hydrogen and carbon, such as propane, solvent deasphalted pitch, etc., into substantially pure hydrogen and CO/CO.sub.2 streams under pressure by incorporating carbo into the molten metal in a first zone or vessel, then circulating the molten metal into contact with an oxygen-containing gas in a second zone or vessel. Preferably hydrogen is primarily produced in a third zone or vessel, and carbon oxides in a second zone or vessel. A one-meter diameter vessel can produce 20 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen at a pressure in the range 2 to 50 atm from methane using this invention.

Abstract: A thin elongated metal tube of a diameter less than the diameter of a inlet aperture within the top of a fuel tank and opening upwardly therefrom has a closed lower end inserted within the aperture. The metal tube is supported by a radially enlarged collar on the periphery of the metal tube intermediate of its ends, having a diameter in excess of the diameter of the fuel inlet aperture. Purge gas distribution openings are provided within the lower opposite end of the metal tube to distribute purge gas interiorly of the fuel storage tank. The weight of the distribution nozzle is set to balance axially upward lift forces developed during inert gas pressurization of the tank to prevent overpressurization and rupture of the tank when the gas pressurization of the tank reaches a predetermined level less than that causing rupture of the tank.

Abstract: In an improved molten metal hydrogen generation bath, baffles form a draft tube or chimney-effect near the center of the bath. Flow through the chimney is aided by maintaining a temperature differential favoring convection and, optionally, a differential pressure between the portions of the bath on either side of the baffle-chimney arrangement. Feed is added to the feed zone and oxygen is added to the oxidation zone, emitting H.sub.2 from the feed zone and CO from the oxidation zone. Baffles may be made simply of brick work or high temperature metal and can fit into existing refractory-lined molten metal vessels. Products can be mixed as syngas feed for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additionally, the Boudouard endothermic reaction (CO.sub.2 +C .fwdarw. 2CO) can be used to control temperatures by injecting CO in place of oxygen.

Abstract: A wrap around valance system physically mounted to the top of a convenience store interior wall system, beneath the ceiling, is formed of end abutting, horizontally aligned, standard size interchangeable illuminated and non-illuminated modules of fabricated sheet metal formed with open front windows slidably mounting respectively, color display photo panels and color graphic decor panels. The non-illuminated modules have at least two sets of top and bottom facing open ended horizontal slots so that a color graphic display card may be superimposed over the color graphic decor panel to display temporary or seasonal information. A continuous wiring system is formed within the end to end coupled modules with electrical junction boxes mounted, respectively to opposite end walls of each illuminated module leading to a fluorescent lamp mounted internally of the illuminated module housings for backlighting of the photo panels.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic cracking of gas oils with an additional nickel and vanadium metals-containing heavy feedstock. Included is regeneration of the catalyst by burning off coke.

Abstract: A pair of horizontally-spaced vertically upright facing channel members are fixably mounted to an underlying horizontal support. An elongated planar base member has longitudinally spaced holes receiving the vertically upright facing channel members and rests on the horizontal support. Brackets affixed to the inside faces of the channel members mount an elongated planar cap member may be identical to and the mirror image of the planar base member at a vertically spaced position above the base member, being slidably lowered on the channel members, through the longitudinally spaced holes therein. A first endless loop sign is positioned in an axially upright position with its edges in vertical grooves near the peripheries of the base and cap members and sandwiched therebetween to form a first visual display.

Abstract: A two dimensional display unit with an electrically controlled fluid and a method of manufacturing it. A layer of liquid crystal whose birefringence is electrically controlled is disposed between two thin glass plates which bear transparent electrodes and are connected together by metal studs regularly spaced apart over the whole useful surface so as to maintain a gap of constant thickness, the cell thus constituted being illuminated by parallel light and placed between crossed polarizer and analyzer. The invention applies to displaying various images at a low cost.

Abstract: A fixed pad thrust bearing for a turbomachine comprises a ring of sector-shaped pads separated by grooves and facing a thrust collar integral with the rotor of the turbomachine within a thrust bearing cage integral with the rotor. The ring bears on a deformable ring. Each pad is fed with oil via a space formed in the wall of the cage and facing an orifice in a bore in the pad. A front surface of each pad facing the collar is inclined relative to the rear surface of the ring. Each pad is further formed with a groove communicating with the aforementioned bore but not reaching as far as the inner and outer edges of the pad, being disposed adjacent the leading edge of the pad. The oil is recovered centrifugally from the outer edge of the collar. In this way, virtually all the power consumed by the oil goes towards providing the hydrodynamic supporting force, minimizing the shearing losses between the fixed and moving parts within the thrust bearing cage.

Abstract: A primary pilot relief valve senses a predetermined tank pressure of a fluid pressure source and connects that source to one sealed chamber on one side of an actuating piston fixed to, but fluid isolated from, the main poppet which is maintained in valve closed position within a main valve body also open to the fluid pressure source, by fluid pressure acting within another chamber on the opposite side of the actuating piston, which, being isolated from the pressure changes which occur as the main valve opens, can rapidly modulate the fluid flow. A secondary pilot relief valve controls the pressure in the one chamber if the fluid source pressure drops below a predetermined lower pressure from that initiating primary pilot valve operation as a result of source pressure drop due to opening of the main valve poppet caused by failure of the primary pilot valve, to thereby control the tank pressure at a lower but acceptable level.