Abstract: A centrifugal fan having a plurality of formed vortex generators fixed onto the outer wall of an annular member leading into the air inlet for the fan-wheel to cause mixing of the slower air discharged from the wheel and the skin friction air current created by the wheel.

Abstract: A method of dissolving impure uranium tetrafluoride in a hot state in a nitric acid solution in the presence of an aluminum compound. For the purpose of obtaining a uranyl nitrate solution which can easily be separated from the solid phase formed during treatment, the dissolving is carried out in two stages at an appropriate temperature. The first stage comprises introducing quantities of nitric acid and of the aluminum compound which are insufficient to dissolve the impure uranium tetrafluoride completely, and keeping the resultant suspension agitated for a period of at least 0.5 hour. The second stage comprises introducing quantities of nitric acid and of the aluminum compound which are at least sufficient to dissolve the uranium not dissolved in the first stage, while keeping the suspension agitated.

Abstract: A laminate and a method for its preparation comprising a polyimide foam, a fire-resistant, heat-activated adhesive overlaying a skin on the foam and a polyimide film adhered to the skin, with the laminate being prepared by contacting a foam in contact with the adhesive and film under heat and pressure to simultaneously form a skin on one surface of the foam and bond the polyimide film through the adhesive to the skin.

Abstract: A process for the production of aluminum trihydroxide having a controlled median diameter of less than 4 microns, with a unimodal distribution and minimum deviation. The process comprises grinding aluminum trihydroxide until the aluminum trihydroxide has a specific BET surface area of at least 8 m.sup.2 /g, adding the ground aluminum trihydroxide to a sodium aluminate solution, and then decomposing the solution to precipitate aluminum trihydroxide having the required median diameter.

Abstract: An arrangement for positioning selected compliant seals adjacent the inlet and outlet of a work piece treatment chamber. A plurality of variously dimensioned compliant seals corresponding to work pieces of differing sizes are retained on respective inlet and outlet seal carrier members which, in turn, are mounted adjacent the respective treatment chamber openings. Means are provided to permit the movement and indexing of the carrier members such that any one of the compliant seals may be positioned in operative relationship adjacent the treatment chamber. One such means includes circular carrier members mounting for rotational motion on a shaft. The compliant seals being spaced generally around the perimeter of the carrier member and being selectively positioned by the rotation of the member. Alternatively, a linear carrier member mounted for straight-line movement relative to the treatment chamber openings is contemplated.

Abstract: A specially contoured cavity or recess for the precise alignment and retention of a uniform cylindrical level vial in Polycast plastic level instruments or other hand tools. The recess is accurately oriented with respect to tool measuring surfaces during the Polycast molding process. The contoured cavity or recess is dimensioned to tightly receive the level vials thereby accurately indexing the vial in relation to the measuring surfaces. The retention recess has a semi-cylindrical contour and a vial receiving opening defined between a pair of opposed ridges. The ridges include a sloped vial receiving forward surface and extend inwardly into the receiving opening a selected dimension to permit entry and retention of the level vial.

Abstract: A balancing system for use in for example a motorcycle engine to balance forces generated by a piston and connecting rod arrangement connected to a crankshaft. The crankshaft supports a first gear meshing with a second internal gear supported by an intermediate member such that the intermediate member rotates in the same direction as the crankshaft. The intermediate member supports a third external gear driving one or more balance shafts. In a single balance shaft arrangement, the external gear drives the balance shaft directly. In a twin balance shaft arrangement, the external gear drives one of the balance shafts directly and drives the other balance shaft via a further gear supported by a further intermediate member.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a vehicle parked in a selected location to prevent its theft. The apparatus includes a stanchion supporting a pivotally mounted bumper engaging arm. The arm includes a portion projecting outwardly of the stanchion toward the vehicle when the vehicle is to be locked in place. In this position of the arm, an extension on the end of the arm extends upwardly to fit behind the vehicle bumper for thereby preventing movement of the vehicle away from the stanchion. A drive is provided for driving the arm between an inoperative position and an operative position for securing the vehicle. A coin operated arrangement is employed for energizing the drive after the vehicle is moved into position adjacent the stanchion.

Abstract: A video display system is provided for a video game or the like including a computer, a CRT, and mechanism for displaying images on the CRT under control of the computer. An image memory receives image data from the computer for subsequent display on the CRT. A mechanism causes the image data to be written into the image memory in one of two selectable modes, namely, left to right or right to left. Another mechanism causes the image data to be read from the memory for subsequent display on said CRT in one of two modes, namely, top to bottom or bottom to top. A mechanism controls the selection of the writing and reading modes wherein the image displayed on the CRT may be normal or inverted when viewed from a fixed position.

Abstract: An ink composition for use in ink jet printing to print images on a substrate, the composition being formulated to include, as the resin component, a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer having a molar ratio of styrene to acrylic acid ranging from about 1 to about 4, a soluble dye, a solvent system including a lower alkanol and a lower aliphatic ketone, and, optionally, an evaporation retardant. The composition of the invention has a pH in the range of 1 to about 7 and contains less than about 5% water for use in printing on a variety of substrates.

Abstract: For adaptation to grinding or cutting precise or minute parts, a grinding and/or cutting endless belt is made of grindstone comprising electrodeposited abrasive grains.

Abstract: A selective chlorination method of a mixture of simple or complex metallic oxides, comprising at least one of the elements to be used, iron, aluminum, titanium and silicon, as well as the impurities accompanying said elements, said method consisting of a grinding, a calcination, a placing in suspension in a bath of melted salts of the mixture of said metallic oxides and of their impurities and of an introduction of chlorinating agents into said bath maintained at a temperature which assures the volatility of at least one of the metallic chlorides formed; characterized by the fact that, in order to selectively extract the metallic chlorides formed from the bath, specific chlorinating mixtures are introduced into this bath by successive steps, said mixtures having increasing chlorinating power, and the introduction is in a number at the most equal to the usuable elements to be chlorinated.

Abstract: A polyimide and a process for its preparation wherein the polyimide is prepared from reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated butadiene-nitrile copolymer. The polyimides of the invention are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained leak detection apparatus is provided which is particularly adapted for detecting a relatively small leak in a large fluid storage tank having a fill pipe. The apparatus comprises an air-tight chamber containing a liquid; a slope tube communicating between the liquid in the chamber and the atmosphere, wherein at least a portion of the slope tube extends along the outer surface of the chamber; a source of compressed gas in gaseous communication with the chamber; and a tube for communicating gas between the chamber and the fill pipe of the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material are continuously formed into cylinders by a tubular forming mandrel on which the blanks are folded, seamed and thereafter transferred onto final forming mandrels. Subsequently, the blanks and the final mandrels are heated to shrink the blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. In forming containers, means are provided to place bottom blanks on the product mandrels prior to the loading of the cylinders thereon so as to shrink the cylinders to sidewall shapes overlying the bottom blanks. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming. Further, the bottom seam of the container may be reinforced by ironing after shrink forming.

Abstract: A pitch measuring device for measuring the deviation of one line or plane from a referenced line or plane. The device comprises a pitch vial including a cavity containing a liquid and a bubble hermetically sealed therein. Indicia, pre-calibrated to the axis of the vial body, are applied to the vial body to provide a visual display of the amount of pitch of a measured surface by reference to bubble position in the vial cavity in relation to the body indicia. The vial cavity is symmetrically disposed about the vial axis with a larger radius at one end than at the other of the vial to provide pre-selected bubble orientation in response to selected pitch conditions.

Abstract: The invention concerns the production of steels which have an isotropic structure, are very well adapted to cold forming particularly by pressing and which have a very low silicon content.The method comprises taking a deoxidated liquid steel with a low silicon content and placing in it a cored wire containing a divided material, which is a mixture of silico-calcium and granular calcium in a specific quantity and specific proportions.The method is applicable to non-alloyed or slightly alloyed steels and is particularly suitable for a continuous casting installation.