Abstract: A metal casting mold formed of a ceramic material. The mold is reusable and is formed of a crystalline ceramic whose coefficient of thermal expansion (in the range 0.degree. to 1000.degree. C.) is between about 0 and 15.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C./ The mold interior surface includes at least one projection extending towards the mold cavity. The projection is provided with a release (draft) angle of about 6.degree., tapering away from the base of the projection. Upon pouring, the molten metal surrounds at least a portion of the projection. Upon cooling within the mold, shrinkage of the metal casting against the tapered sides of the projection forces the casting along the projection, toward the latter's tapered end and away from the mold interior surface and thus partially out of the mold cavity. A method of making the ceramic mold of this invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power assisted steering system which utilizes a brushless electric motor having a rotor and a wound stator. The rotor is directly connected to the steering shaft 12 rotated by a driver of the vehicle, and is formed by a number of permanent magnets secured in respective recesses on the steering shaft. The controller 17 associated with the steering system is arranged to switch off the motor 15 above a pre-determined vehicle speed.

Abstract: Photomultiplier dynodes (D.sub.1, D.sub.2 . . . ) each comprise two spaced planes (D.sub.11 and D.sub.12) made up elementary laminations having a cross-section in the form of an isosceles triangle which is symmetrically disposed relative to the inlet window of the photomultiplier tube. The laminations in the two consecutive planes of a single dynode stage are offset relative to each other to constitute a baffle, and are disposed in such a manner that electrons leaving the first plane pass through the second plane without striking the laminations thereof. The distance Z.sub.1 between two dynode stages is large relative to the distance Z.sub.O between the two planes of a single dynode, and is chosen as a function of the electric field in such a manner that the secondary electrons from the upstream stage strike a limited number of the laminations in the downstream stage with a concentrated distribution.

Abstract: Aromatized reconstituted tobacco is prepared from tobacco particles by extracting the particles with water to form an extract containing between 5 and 20 g/l of sugar, fermenting the extract with a yeast of the genera kluyveromyces, saccharomyces or candida, forming sheets from the extracted particles, and incorporating the fermented extract into those sheets.

Abstract: A duck house for Wood Ducks is formed of two double walled, half cylindrical sections and a double wall bowl. Each cylindrical half section carries hinge elements on its sides to enable the front section to be opened about either side edge thereof for inspection and cleaning. The other or rear section is readily attached to either a wooden post, a tree, a barn, or a metal post. Each section is formed of plastics by conventional blow molding equipment and exhibits thermal insulation properties to produce slower changes in interior temperature than changes in ambient temperature. The shape and dimensions of the house are such as to display resistance to predators. The interior of the front section is provided with steps to permit duckling egress from the house.

Abstract: An arrangement for opposing the formation of eddies and diminishing the deposition of sediment at the junction of a branch channel with a main, water carrying channel. The upstream corner of the intersection of the channels is provided with a deflector to divert some of the main channel water into the branch channel. The deflector is in the form of a curved, vertically disposed wall extending the full depth of the water.

Abstract: The method comprises the determination of at least one signature (2a) of the response to an impulse shock of a sound reference coating or covering, and a plurality (2b-2i) of signatures of the response of an impulse shock to a covering having sample defects in order to establish reference signatures. The covering to be controlled is subjected at a plurality of test points (Pi) to at least one impulse shock test in order to determine the corresponding measurement signatures (MSi). A comparison of the measurement signatures with the reference signatures makes is possible to identify defects by resemblance criteria. Application to the control of coatings of traffic roads such as motorways for motor vehicles and runways for aircraft.

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: There is disclosed apparatus for repairing pipes buried underground such as sewer pipes, comprising a cylindrical packing device which is capable of being inflated by compressed air and has pipes for the supply of sealing material, leading to the outside of the packing device between the inflatable end portions. The packing device has a hose extending over its whole length and made of elastic material such as rubber, which is of smaller wall thickness or greater ability to expand in the region of the two ends, which are closed by means of rigid end pieces, than in its central region.

Abstract: To remove solvents such as alcohol from bulk material the solvent-laden bulk material is intensively loosened mechanically into a virtual fluidized bed through which a liquid in gaseous phase such as steam is passed so that the solvent having a lower boiling point than water is expelled from the bulk material and is evacuated with excess steam while at least part of the steam condenses on the particles of the bulk material which thereby is humidified. The solvent expelled from the bulk material is separated from the steam and can be used again. The treatment is carried out in a closed vessel in which the bulk material and the steam are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A dental-porcelain color matching system comprises a plurality of dental-porcelain beads arranged in a closely spaced manner on a common support so that their colors vary in an ordered manner. The beads are carried at the ends of arms which are either flexible or pivotable on a main trunk of the support so that a bead to be located against a patent's natural tooth for color comparison therewith can be moved away from other beads on the support to avoid color interference therefrom. Additional beads provided have varying translucent enamels on opaque porcelain bases to allow the color, translucency and depth of enamel of a patient's teeth to be gauged. The beads also vary in shape from that of an unworn natural incisor tooth with a ridged cutting edge to that of a worn incisor tooth with a smooth cutting edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting grooves on the edges of an already formed road. Each of a plurality of toothed cutting wheels revolves about a substantially vertical driving shaft. Simultaneously, each cutting wheel (attached to a respective rotary shaft) revolves about its own longitudinal and substantially horizontal axis. The apparatus is moved along a road, near an edge thereof, thus giving rise to one linear motion and two rotary motions. Sequentially, each cutting wheel enters an edge of the road from a region beyond the road edge, due to a slight tilt of the plane which contains the cutting wheel rotary shafts. The resultant grooves are deepest at the road edges and then gradually diminish to zero depth, the grooves being arcuate and parallel to each other. With the plane containing the cutting wheel shafts completely horizontal, the apparatus can cut rain drainage grooves in a raised marking strip on the road or can remove bumps from the road.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmid vector for cloning and expression of a protein in a microorganism, which comprises at least one structural gene which codes the synthesis of the said protein and elements which ensure the expression of the said structural gene in a microorganism, and wherein the promotion of the structural gene is ensured by the expression promotor of the .beta.-glucosidase gene in yeasts.The present invention also relates to microorganisms transformed by the said vectors, in particular a transformed strain of S. cerevisiae, a fermentation process using the said vectors, and the enzymes prepared by the said process, in particular .beta.-glucosidase.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone comprising a vertical-axis separating chamber having an upper cylindrical portion and a lower, coaxial conically-tapering portion has: a tangential inlet at its upper end for a suspension to be classified; an upper, axial outlet for the overflow containing finer particles separated in the hydrocyclone in use; a lower axial outlet for the underflow containing coarser particles; and a hollow spigot surrounding the upper outlet and projecting into the separating chamber. The separation of coarse particles from the overflow is improved by the provision of an extension tube extending coaxially from the spigot into the separating chamber.

Abstract: A drawer construction including a drawer front and a drawer frame, wherein the drawer front is a unitary, hollow, blow-molded thermoplastic member and the drawer frame is of sheet metal. The drawer frame is defined by a bottom wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The front of the bottom wall is bent upwardly ninety degrees, and the free edge of this bent portion is gripped by spaced, downwardly extending tabs, the latter being integral with the drawer front. Similarly, the front portions of the drawer frame side walls are bent inwardly ninety degrees and each upper free edge portion thereof is gripped by a respective tab integral with the drawer frame. The drawer front and drawer frame are held together in correct relationship by fasteners extending from the drawer frame into the rear wall portion of the drawer front.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding a honeycombshaped structure having rectangular channels. The die is formed of a hard, rigid material, preferably metal, and includes a body plate and an abutting face plate. The outlet face of the body plate is brazed to the inlet face of the face plate. The body plate has a plurality of slightly staggered primary feed holes, the outlet ends of each communicating with an associated feed reservoir, the latter each defined by a recess or depression in the inlet surface of the face plate. Each feed reservoir communicates with the inlet ends of three associated secondary feed holes. The outlet surface of the face plate integrally carries a plurality of intersecting slot segments defining rectangular pins. The outlet end of each secondary feed hole communicates with and feeds an associated intersection of groove segments.

Abstract: An inlet manifold 7 for both banks of cylinders of a V-configuration internal combustion engine has two different lengths of tuned inlet passage between a plenum 14 and an inlet valve 3. A first length extends from an opening 13a in one face (in this case the upper) of the plenum 14. A second length extends the first length when valve 13 closes the opening 13a, passes along passage 16 around the side of the plenum remote from the cylinder 2, and communicates with the other face (in this case the lower) via an opening 18. It is possible to construct such a manifold in three parts: a plastics moulding 10 defining the plenum 14; two metal pressings 8, 9 which engage each other; and a third metal pressing 11. Such a construction can be cheaper and lighter than hitherto.