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synthesis gas is compressed to a pressure of from about 800 to 900 psia in the first stage (50) of the compressor, and withdrawn therefrom and subjected to cooling and dehydration by contact with liquid ammonia in a dehydrator (54).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 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 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 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 liquid separator (10) for separating two immiscible liquids having different specific gravities, for example, a first liquid comprising water and a second liquid comprising oil. The liquid separator (10) has a housing (12) that defines a separation chamber (14) and liquid inlet (16), a first liquid outlet (18) and a second liquid outlet (20) mounted above the first liquid outlet (18). A float 26 is positioned within separation chamber 14 to translate in the vertical direction and has a specific gravity between that of the first and second liquids so that it floats at approximately the interface (28) between the two liquid phases (30 and 32). Valve closure devices (38 and 40) contact valve seats in the valves 46 and 56 of first and second liquid outlets (18 and 20) to control the flow of separated liquids from separation chamber 14 as determined by the level of the interface (28) and the length of the valve rods (34 and 36).

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite package system that provides sufficient protection and containment of eight explosive devices that contain 33 grams each (264 grams total) of RDX explosive or the equivalent thereof, such as HMX, HNS, etc., to qualify for a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classification of 1.4S. The composite package system of this invention comprises the combination of a prior art corrugated paper box in a wooden crate that meets DOT 4C1 requirements and that is lined with cement-fiber material.

Abstract: An explosive pipe cutter assembly (10, 10′) has a housing (20, 20′) which defines at its closed end a hemispherical shaped nose end (22, 22′) and contains a toroidal shaped charge (48) comprised of two half-charges (42). Toroidal shaped charge (48) has a seating surface (31) seated on a support shoulder (50, 50′) adjacent the closed end of the housing (20, 20′), and a trailing end which is engaged by a retaining ring (38) received in the open end (24, 24′) of the housing (20, 20′). Two juxtaposed half-liners (28) provide a liner having an apex (A) which is curved in longitudinal cross section to increase the mass of the metal formed into a penetrating jet by detonation of the shaped charge (48).

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.