Abstract: A method for synthesis of ammonia includes compressing a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in a multi-stage (50, 56 and 57) centrifugal compressor. The synthesis gas is compressed to a pressure of from about 800 to 900 psia in the first stage (50) of the compressor, and withdrawn therefrom and subjected to cooling and dehydration by contact with liquid ammonia in a dehydrator (54). The cooled, dehydrated synthesis gas is then returned to the compressor and introduced into the second stage (56) thereof. Because of this interstage cooling and dehydration, compressor speed may be reduced and significant savings in power consumption are attained because of the favorable effect of the dehydrator (54) on the last two stages (56, 57) of the compressor. Additional power saving is realized because refrigeration requirements for the synthesis loop are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rigid reactive cord such as a detonating cord (10) that includes a core (38) of an energetic material and a rigid non-metal sheath (40) disposed about the core. The cord (10) is sufficiently rigid so that it can be inserted through a material to be fractured or through passages formed therein. A method of using the rigid reactive cord for the removal of combustion residue from boiler tubes is also presented.

Abstract: An oxidizer package for a propellant system for a motor in which the oxidizer is separated from fuel grain, the oxidizer package comprising oxidizer material and an ignition system therefor in a wrapping or sealing material. A hybrid rocket comprising oxidizer material and fuel grain, the oxidizer material being separated from the fuel grain and being in the form of a single package or plurality of packages of oxidizer material and an ignition system therefor, said packages generally conforming to the shape of the rocket. A grid of a pyrotechnic material. A propulsion system for a hybrid rocket comprising oxidizer material in a matrix, mesh, wool, foamed metal or wires of structural or pyrotechnic material.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor having electrolyte, at least two electrodes and an electrolyte reservoir in a housing. The sensor has a hydrophobic gas communication means between said electrodes, electrolyte reservoir and ambient atmosphere. An electrochemical sensor having hydrophobic communication means mounted between electrodes and extending down to the electrolyte reservoir of the electrochemical sensor. Either embodiment of the sensor can provide oxygen for operation of the sensor and a balance of pressure, without interfering or poisonous gases.

Abstract: An automatic door opener (10) for opening or closing a door (28) includes a motor (14) driving a drive shaft (50) and an opener arm (18) connected to the door (28) and being responsive to rotation of the drive shaft (50) for moving the door (28) to an open or closed position. A clutch (46) operable to disengage the drive shaft (50) from the opener arm (18) is provided in the event of the door (28) engaging an obstacle, electric power being unavailable, or the door being fully open or fully closed. The door opener (10) may also include a brake (48) for selectively preventing movement of the door (28). Various embodiments of the invention are provided, including an electromagnetic clutch (80) and an electromagnetic brake (114).

Abstract: A wiper allows controlled passage of water through at least one blade of the wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper comprises first and second substantially parallel wiper blades (26, 28), each having wiping faces (26c, 28c) in contact with a surface S and defining therebetween a channel (30). The blades (26, 28) have formations thereon, such as notches (34,36) dimensioned and configured to permit passage of water through first blade (26) to the channel (30) when the first blade (26) is moving in a first direction and to prevent passage of water through notches (34) when the first blade is moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second blade (28) formations, e.g., notches (34) permit water to pass through the formations when the second blade (28) is moving in the second direction and to prevent passage of water therethrough when the second blade is moving in the first direction. Water trapped within channel (30) will then be diverted out the ends of the channel.

Abstract: A door release device (10) includes a pivot bar (40) on which a push plate (44) and an actuator (48) are mounted. The actuator (48) is aligned with a door latch handle (20) and the fixed end of pivot bar (40) is pivotable about a pivot pin (42) carried in its associated mounting bracket (28b). The active end of the pivot bar (40) is freed to move within its associated mounting bracket (28a) by removal of the pivot pin (42) associated with bracket (28a). The door release device (10) is used by pushing on push plate (44) or pivot bar (40) to advance actuator (48) against door latch handle (20) to open the door. A method for securing door release device (10) to a door (12) includes securing the mounting brackets (28a, 28b) to door (12) with one end of pivot bar (40) positioned to align actuator (48) with door latch handle (20), and removing the pivot pin (42) from the mounting bracket adjacent to door latch handle (20).

Abstract: The performance and stability of thick film electroluminescent displays is enhanced by a non-porous layer inserted between the thick film dielectric layer and thin film phosphor structures in these displays. The inserted layer facilitates increased luminance, increased energy efficiency and improved operating stability.

Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for detection of a gas in an atmosphere containing the gas. The sensor has a housing having an electrochemical gas sensor with an electrolyte and at least two electrodes, one electrode being a gas sensing electrode. The housing has an orifice between the sensing electrode and the atmosphere for transmission of gas from the atmosphere to the sensing electrode, the orifice being protected by a hydrophobic membrane, and connected to at least two radial channels extending from the orifice. Each of the radial channels is connected to a common channel, such that gas communication from the atmosphere through the orifice to the sensing electrode is through the common channel and the radial channels, in addition to the covering membrane if the membrane is gas permeable.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a needle member (10) and a blunting member (26), the needle member (10) containing a needle cannula (12), the needle cannula (12) having a puncture tip (14) and having a needle passageway therethrough. The blunting member (26) contains a blunting probe (28) having a blunt end (28a). The needle cannula (12) and the blunting probe (28) are disposed telescopically one within the other without obstructing flow through the needle passageway, and are movable between a sharpened configuration in which the puncture tip (14) of the needle cannula (12) is exposed and a blunted configuration in which the blunt end (28a) of the blunting probe (28) extends beyond the puncture tip (14) to blunt the needle assembly. The assembly may be combined with an accessory device (such as a catheter hub, guide wire, etc.) to produce an apparatus that is lockable in a blunted configuration and that can be released by the associated accessory, or may be configured to be released by manual manipulation.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of sulphur trioxide, solutions of sulphuric acid, or organic derivatives thereof, using organic compounds and/or supercritical fluids, and catalyst. The process comprises the steps of passing a mixture of SO2 and an oxygen-containing gas over an activated carbon catalyst at a temperature of at least 15° C. and preferably at a pressure of 1-200 atmospheres, and stripping the activated carbon with either (i) a liquid organic compound selected from the group consisting of ketones, ethers, decalin, tetrahydrofurans, sulpholanes, glymes and formamides and which is non-reactive with sulphur trioxide or sulphuric acid, or (ii) a liquid organic compound capable of forming organic sulphates or sulphonates by reaction with sulphur trioxide or sulphuric acid. The process may be used to obtain sulphuric acid, or organic sulphates or sulphonates.

Abstract: An initiator (14c) for a secondary explosive receptor charge is provided by forming a length of detonating cord (14) into a helical coil containing a plurality of windings with a cutoff barrier provided by, e.g., a separating rib (46) between adjacent windings. The adjacent windings may be not more than about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) apart. The detonating cord (14) may be wound about a spindle (16) which may optionally provide the separating rib (46). The coil may be a tapered coil which may define a taper angle of e.g., from about 2 to 4 degrees. Alternatively, the coil may be a cylindrical coil, or the cord may be configured in a planar spiral. Optionally, the detonating cord in the helical coil may have a core of explosive material with a loading of less than 15 grains per foot of the cord, e.g., less than 12 grains per foot of the cord, or a loading in the range of from 8 to 12 grains per foot of the cord. The coil may consume about six inches of the cord.

Abstract: An explosive charge such as a cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) includes an explosive charge (14, 114, 214) having a first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) with discrete bodies (118, 218) of a second material embedded therein. In some embodiments, discrete bodies may comprise explosive material and the first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) may be more sensitive to initiation than the explosive material of the discrete bodies (118, 218). In a separate aspect of the invention, the discrete bodies may have a minimum dimension of at least 1 millimeter or, optionally, 1.6 millimeter, regardless of the explosive properties of the material therein. In a particular embodiment, discrete bodies may be shaped as cylindrical pellets rounded at at least one end. The cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) may be produced by melting the first explosive, disposing discrete bodies therein and cooling the molten material to solid form.

Abstract: An emulsifier comprising at least one ester of a polyhydric composition and a mono-or poly-basic organic acid, the polyhydric composition preferably comprising a sorbitol and/or sorbitan derivative and the acid PIBSA.

Abstract: A method for carrying out sequential reactions, e.g., sequential biochemical reactions, and a rotary thermocycling apparatus especially adapted for conducting such reactions, for example, polymerase chain reactions, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of stations, e.g., four stations, for receiving biochemical samples in flat-bottomed containers. Heating means are provided to independently control the temperature of each station, transport means are provided to move the containers from one station to another in a predetermined sequence, and at least one station has a spray unit to spray liquid reagents into a container at that station. The method includes sequentially cycling a sample through predetermined temperature changes and spraying the sample with at least one reagent.

Abstract: A pump (10) comprises a pair of bladders (28,30) attached to respective opposite sides of a flexure plate (32) for pumping fluid by alternately compressing and expanding the bladders. Each bladder has at least one input connector (22, 34) with a one-way valve (38) therein and at least one output connector (24, 36) with a one-way valve (40) therein, in order to provide one-way flow of fluid through each of the bladders. The pump (10) is positioned to be acted upon by a moving liquid, such as natural wave action of a body of water, for example, by being connected to floating objects on the surface. The moving liquid causes the flexure plate (32) to bend in an undulate manner, first in one direction and then in the other. This bending action causes fluid to be alternately drawn into and expelled from the bladders as the bladders are alternately expanded and compressed.

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a fluid transfer system of the type having a standard threaded cannula and a fluid container. The needle holder includes an actuation mechanism for detachably mounting a cannula to the holder, the actuation mechanism including pivotable threaded halves and an actuator operably associated therewith. In a cannula-mounting position, facing surfaces on the threaded halves cooperate to define a threaded passageway for engaging the cannula. Upon operation of the actuator, the threaded halves pivot to a retracted position to disengage from the cannula.