Abstract: The invention has especial utility for providing completely safe hermetic sealing of actuators extending into highly sensitive or isolative process equipment, such as that using atomic radiation. The invention uses a general principle taught by the inventor's prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,052. The actuator is hermetically sealed by the aid of a flexible diaphragm, and the diaphragm is made safe by pressure compensation. A sealing liquid confined on the outside of the hermetic diaphragm applies the same pressure to the outside face of the diaphragm as is applied by the process atmosphere to the inside face of the diaphragm. According to the embodiment illustrated in that patent, a diaphragm (actually a bellows) entirely separate from the actuator was exposed to the process atmosphere to apply its pressure to the sealing liquid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of photoreactors are disclosed which have at least two irradiation chambers with a window therebetween. Ultraviolet radiation is introduced into one of the chambers at a side opposite the window so that it passes through that chamber, through the window and into the other chamber. The fluid medium to be purified is passed through the chambers and subjected to the radiation while in the chambers. The flow of the medium is through the chambers in series. The chambers are optimized in depth with respect to efficiency in terms of the flow-dose rate. In a two chamber photoreactor traversed by parallel radiation the maximum is at a total absorption of about 70 percent and at an absorption of about 27 percent in the chamber immediately adjacent to the radiation source. In an annular two chamber photoreactor with an elongate radiation source extending along the axis thereof the corresponding data are 45 to 65 percent and 16 to 25 percent, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for erecting and stabilizing of a gyro vertical, comprising a disc arranged on the gyro housing and perpendicular to the gyro axis, said disc being driven in the same sense as the gyro rotor but at a reduced rate as compared thereto, and having at least one guideway, in which a mass is movably guided, the guideway being arranged such that the disc with the mass is balanced with respect to the gyro axis, when the mass abuts the rear end, with respect to the rotary movement, of the guideway, and that the movement of the mass in the guideway causes an erecting torque, when the gyro spin axis deviates from the vertical direction observed.

Abstract: Virgin ore in granular form is enriched by air flotation classification separating at least a large part of the gangue. Suspension of the ore is effected immediately as supplied to the inlet section of the classification trough by copious upward flow of air from the air-diffusing floor plates after which separation is accomplished as the suspension flows through the trough. An adjustable gate in the partition which separates the inlet section of the plenum from the classifier section is adjusted to maintain a relatively very high pressure and consequent copious air flow as compared with the pressure of the plenum from which air is supplied in more moderate quantities to the diffuser floor of the classification trough downstream of the partition. The trough is free of any obstruction that would impede the flow of gangue to its discharge end. Flotation air is supplied to the plenum only at the inlet section and a bleeder valve regulates the total flow to the air-diffusing floor plates of the apparatus.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic tray of unitary construction is provided for holding loaded ice cream cones while resting on a supporting surface without the tray tipping regardless of how few or how many cones up to capacity are in the tray. The tray has a plurality of sockets, e.g., three, for holding the cones, the sockets being defined by a rigid hemi-conical surface and a planar sidewall which gives imperceptibly upon insertion of the cone. The defined sockets hold the cones at a slight angle from the vertical position so that the cones extend upwardly and inwardly over the tray such that the center of gravity of the combined tray and ice cream cone or cones is always close to the center of gravity of the tray, thereby greatly increasing stability and permitting the tray to be quite small and light in weight.

Abstract: A target seeker on the missile looks at the hot spot behind the jet engine of the airplane to be intercepted and continuously produces signals representing, respectively, the rate of change of the distance between the two and the angular distance between the longitudinal axis of the missile and the optical axis of the target seeker. An approach sensor on the missile produces a signal representing the distance between the two. Initially, the rate of change signal is used to guide the missile, in a conventional manner by the laws of proportional navigation. Depending upon the embodiment, after angular distance signal exceeds predetermined thresholds, or after the distance between the two is below predetermined thresholds, the angular distance signal is used in conjunction with other signals, or alone, in the guidance of the missile.