Abstract: A method and apparatus for x-ray measurement of certain properties of a solid material. In distinction to known methods and apparatus, this invention employs a specific fiber-optic bundle configuration, termed a reorganizer, itself known for other uses, for coherently transmitting visible light originating from the scintillation of diffracted x-radiation from the solid material gathered along a substantially one dimensional linear arc, to a two-dimensional photo-sensor array. The two-dimensional photodetector array, with its many closely packed light sensitive pixels, is employed to process the information contained in the diffracted radiation and present the information in the form of a conventional x-ray diffraction spectrum. By this arrangement, the angular range of the combined detector faces may be increased without loss of angular resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for x-ray measurement of certain properties of a solid material. In distinction to known methods and apparatus, this invention employs a specific fiber-optic bundle configuration, termed a reorganizer, itself known for other uses, for coherently transmitting visible light originating from the scintillation of diffracted x-radiation from the solid material gathered along a substantially one dimensional linear arc, to a two-dimensional photo-sensor array. The two-dimensional photodetector array, with its many closely packed light sensitive pixels, is employed to process the information contained in the diffracted radiation and present the information in the form of a conventional x-ray diffraction spectrum. By this arrangement, the angular range of the combined detector faces may be increased without loss of angular resolution.

Abstract: An accurate, real-time method for monitoring and analyzing crystalline specimens having polycrystalline platings. The method is capable of individual or simultaneous analysis of any combination of the following: 1) composition of the substrate and plating (even when the plating and substrate having common elements); 2) analysis of thickness of the plating(s); 3) analysis of the depth of the plating(s), e.g., the thickness of any overlay; 4) analysis of the crystalline phase depth simultaneous with phase composition; 5) the preferred crystalline orientation; 6) the strain in the substrate; and (7) crystallinity and grain size. The apparatus is similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,458 issued to Ruud, with the apparatus of this invention having the several detectors placed on different arcs and/or radial distances from the specimen surface under investigation.

Abstract: A paint striping cart is provided with a parallelogram linkage oscillatable in a horizontal plane. The forward arm of the linkage carries a downwardly directed nozzle which sprays paint in a fan or web, i.e., in a plane. The parallelogram linkage is actuated by a handle and linkage assembly on the cart, the action being such that the nozzle may be swung to any lateral position, within a range of about 60 degrees with respect to the cart longitudinal axis (being its direction of travel) on either side of the cart. In operation, the cart is positioned between a pair of parked cars on a parking lot. So long as neither of the two cars overlies a worn or faded paint line between the cars, the nozzle can be positioned over the worn line and fresh paint discharged from the nozzle to renew the line as the cart is pushed or pulled along a straight path.

Abstract: A die construction for forming integral hinges (60) for a blow molded carrying case. An edge of the main cavity of a lower die (12) of a blow molding die pair is provided at one peripheral wall portion (40) with sloping channels (38). A core pin (32) extends across and spans the sloping channels. The upper die (10) is provided at one peripheral portion with semi-cylindrical recesses (22) coaxial with the core pin and of the same length as the width of the sloping channel. A heated parison (46, 48) is placed (FIG. 1) between the two dies. With die closing and with the introduction of pressurized air (52) into the parison, the parison is deformed. At the same time, the pressurized air also causes one of the plastic parison sheets (46) of the parison to deform into the semi-cylindrical recess, and the other parison sheet (48) to deform into the sloping channel and also around the core pin. The two parison sheets fuse together around the core pin upon complete closing of the two dies (FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the production of agglomerated pellets from a polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE) resin powder. Such agglomerated pellets are commonly used in molding apparatus. The pellets of this invention exhibit better and more consistent flowability and higher, more consistent bulk density than those made by previously known apparatus and methods. The apparatus includes a tilted, heated polygonal tube provided at its discharge end with an apertured plate.

Abstract: It is often important to measure the phase composition and residual stress resultant from many materials processing procedures. For example, the carburization and heat treatment of steel components where the phase content of austenite versus ferrite or martensite, and residual stress are important characteristics with respect to the ultimate performance of the component. The x-ray diffraction techniques are used extensively to measure both of these characteristics of steel parts. However, the procedures for these measurements are time consuming and must be performed sequentially with any x-ray instrument except that of the present invention. This invention describes a method and apparatus that is able to perform the measurement of retained austenite and residual stress simultaneously. The advantages that the invention offers include very short measurement times and measurement of the characteristics in exactly the same spot of a sample at the same time.

Abstract: A joint for connecting a tip member to the end of a rod or shaft. The joint is particularly useful for joining a rod end to a tip member of a material which is not easily brazed, cemented or otherwise adhesively joined together. In the specific example described, a ceramic tip is jointed to the end of a metal rod, such as in a plug, a globe, or sliding stem valve. A cavity in the interior of the tip member has a narrowed opening at its top which terminates at a flat surface of the tip member. A pair of wedge members, each of about 180 degrees annular extent, and the headed bolt end are all located in the cavity, with the wedge members oppositely positioned around bolt head. The bolt head and wedge members have complementary tapers so that motion of the bolt away from the tip member cavity causes the wedge members to move radially away from each other and preferably contact the side wall of the cavity, with the cavity being partially closed by an annular overhang through which the bolt shank passes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety control device for operator-presence controls, particularly for lawnmowers.The device disclosed comprises a movable control lever (20) linked to a deadman handle (28) by a pin (36) which is movable relative to a guide slot (44). The guide slot (44) has one or more recesses (46,48) which receive the pin (36) to prevent movement along the slot.When the pin (36) is in recess (46), the control lever (20) is locked into an inoperative position. Conversely, when the pin (36) is in recess (48) the control lever (20) is locked into an operative position. The control lever (20) and the deadman handle (28) are biased to assume respective inoperative positions when released.

Abstract: An extrusion die for forming honeycomb type structures, such as filters. In a typical prior art extrusion die, the feed holes are circular in cross section throughout their length and feed into respective intersecting discharge slot portions. There is an abrupt change in cross section area and shape, from circular to cross shaped, at the entrance to the discharge slots. This construction results in flow inhibiting land portions at the entrance to the discharge slot portions. Such a construction causes bending forces or moments on these flow obstructing entrance portions of the discharge slots and also subjects them to increased abrasive wear whenever the material being extruded contains ceramic or other hard particles. By this invention, the feed holes are uniformly tapered from an annular or polygonal transverse cross section at their input ends to a (conventional) cross shape at their outlet ends where by feed the discharge slots.

Abstract: A security system including a security lock which can be programmed by the use of a master key to recognize specified slave keys. The system may include apparatus for digitizing a characteristic such as the thumb print, voice pattern, or retinal image of the holder of a slave key so that it is operable only by the key holder himself. The system is applicable inter alia to the protection of motor cars, the control of access to buildings and enclosures, and the restriction of operation of apparatus to authorized personnel.

Abstract: An ice rink formed from a shallow container having flotation elements on its bottom. The container is filled with water to such an extent that when frozen, the resultant ice layer will be suitable for ice skating. The bottom of the container may be provided with a refrigerant coil to freeze the water in the container. The specific gravity of the rink is less than unity to permit is use in a swimming pool.

Abstract: A self-plugging blind rivet comprises a tubular shell shank having a preformed radially enlarged head at one end a region of increased diameter and hardness at the tail end, adjacent the head of the stem. The rivet is formed by compressing the stem and a plain cylindrical shell in a die having a portion of enlarged bore diameter at the tail end region, whereby the shell is expanded into the enlarged bore portion with resulting work hardening.

Abstract: A rigid mini-monolith structure formed by extrusion from a die. Such structures are useful as catalyst supports for treating exhaust gases from automobile. The structure is in the shape of a right circular cylinder with a plurality of internal cells extending along the substrate and an opening on both ends. In order to provide maximum crushing strength of the structure, as well as permitting uniform intercell wall thickness at the downstream face of the extrusion die which forms the structure, the majority of the cells are formed in the transverse cross section of a truncated (circular) sector and have the property that they each possess the same hydraulic diameter, although not all are of the same transverse cross sectional shape. The invention also is defined by a novel extrusion die formed by a plurality of concentric, collared tubes provided with longitudinally running slots in the tubes and notches on the collars, the tubes being radially spaced from each other.

Abstract: A molding for a UPVC sealed unit double glazed window or door comprises core and adaptor sections which may be assembled together to provide L, T or Z cross sections, in which the adaptor sections are provided with tongues which are longitudinally slidably insertable in grooves formed in the core section and are laterally retained therein. Profiled glazing strips have an angled tongue for insertion and retention within a groove of a core section by the presence of the glazing and sealing gaskets.

Abstract: In a power-operated valve in which the pressure of a working fluid is used to control the opening and closing of the valve member in dependence on the condition of an integral power-operated bleed valve, a compensation passage being formed in the valve member to permit working fluid to close the valve when the bleed valve is closed, the compensation passage is formed in that area of the valve member which is bounded by the valve seating and which also defines the cross-sectional area of the inlet chamber, whereby the closing force on the valve member is proportional to the area of the valve housing, thus enhancing the sensitivity of the valve. In a preferred embodiment, a filter is incorporated in the valve member to filter the working fluid to the compensation passage without filtering the bulk of fluid passing through the valve.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of charge of a motor vehicle battery 1 in which a stabilization load 2 is applied to the battery 1 after the engine is switched off to accelerate the stabilization of the charge distribution within the battery 1. The stabilization load 2 is applied until the terminal voltage of the battery 1 reaches a level corresponding to a predicted value of the state of charge of the battery 1. After a pre-determined delay of 8 hours or less, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is measured and the state of charge derived therefrom.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided in which two header tanks (11,12) are structurally connected together by two spaced apart casing members (15,16) therebeing a number of fluid conduits (13) to provide a fluid transfer connection therebetween. Each of the header tanks (11,12) includes a plate member (18) a side wall member (19) which defines in combination with the plate member (18) a fluid manifold each end of which is closed by a respective end cap (20A,20B,21A,21B). Each of the end caps (20A, 20B,21A,21B) includes means (25) used during assembly as an assembly aid. A further feature of the invention is the use of extruded material for several of the structural components.