Abstract: A fuel-lean mixture burns in rows of flame ports each located between a pair of rows of flame ports burning a fuel-rich mixture. The fuel-rich flames support and stabilize the fuel-lean flames to stabilize combustion and to avoid flame liftoff and noise. The fuel-lean flames reduce the temperature of the overall flame, and thereby reduce the production of No.sub.x compounds produced by the burner. Stepwise and proportional burner control techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: A rack for electroplating contains a plurality of windows for receiving an article to be electroplated. The rack is rotatably mounted to a frame connected to a cathode of a power supply. A portion of the border of each window is made of a conductive article which is connected to the cathode via the frame. Mesh screens flank each side of the windows, retaining the article within its borders. A series of non-conductive drive gears rotate the rack, moving the article to different contact points along the window. During electroplating, the movement of the article insures that the entire surface of the article is plated, thereby avoiding rack marks. The window's conductive elements divert metal ions away from the edge of the article, thereby offsetting the natural buildup of ions along the edge and increasing surface uniformity.

Abstract: A PTC device has two electrodes affixed to opposed surfaces. The electrodes consist of a metal foil having a conductive layer on their surfaces that contact the PTC material. The conductive layer has a thermal coefficient of expansion intermediate between the thermal coefficients of expansion of the metal foil and the PTC material. The intermediate value of the thermal coefficient of expansion of the conductive layer prevents peeling of the electrodes off the PTC element due to the variation of the temperature of the PTC device resulting from repeated voltage applications. In addition, improved adhesion of the electrodes to the PTC material reduces resistance changes after repeated temperature cycling.

Abstract: A water heater with reduced nitrogen oxides output utilizing NO.sub.x reducing water conduits to cool a laminar flame and thereby reduce production of nitrogen oxides, The water heater has a partially aerated burner using a partially premixed combustion method to produce the laminar flame wherein a plurality of NO.sub.x reducing water conduits are disposed above the partially aerated burner in such a manner that water is supplied from a cold water conduit or a hot water conduit of the water heater into the plurality of NO.sub.x reducing water conduits through a water introducing portion by means of branching or serial connections. The water absorbs heat while flowing through the plurality of NO.sub.x reducing water conduits and is returned to the cold water conduit or the hot water conduit through a water receiving portion by means of and branching or serial connections.

Abstract: Polymer particles having a small particle diameter and a narrow particle diameter distribution are obtained by a continuous polymerization method which does not accompany an increase of cohering products attaching to an inner face of a reaction vessel and an air-bubble invasion and, in which stirring of a material solution for polymerization is easy. An emulsion polymerization reaction or a suspension polymerization reaction is carried out by supplying a material solution for polymerization continuously to a clearance between coaxial double cylinders, which have stretched toward a direction crossing a horizontal plane, from the end side of the cylinders, by rotating at least one of the double cylinders round the axis and thereby, causing Taylor vortices. The polymer particles thus-formed are obtained by through the other end side of the double cylinders to the outside.

Abstract: An automatic drain device in an air compressor system includes an electrode sensor in a liquid collection cell. An electronic control detects an electrical change in the electrode sensor resulting from contact with liquid in the liquid collection cell and energizes a drain valve for a predetermined time effective to drain the liquid collection cell. A cycle timer triggers the energization of the drain valve when the electrode sensor fails to provide the required electrical change for a predetermined cycle time. Test inputs permit driving the electronic control to simulate sensing of liquid, and also permit energization of the drain valve without involving the remainder of the electronic control.

Abstract: A magnetically anisotropic magnet substrate is coated with at least one layer of nickel plating followed by a chromate layer. The chromate top layer improves the corrosion resistance of the coated magnet substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the layer of nickel plating includes a first layer of a non-bright nickel plating followed by a second layer of a semi-bright nickel plating. One embodiment adds a copper under-layer below the nickel plating.

Abstract: A fuel transfer tube is capable of being used reliably for transferring alcohol, gasoline, or the mixure thereof. The fuel transfer tube has a polyamide resin layer containing metaxylene group, thickness of which is 0.3mm or less, and a polyolefin resin layer. The tube is formed by simultaneous extrusion method.

Abstract: The CHLORELLA cell wall is disrupted by forming partially high- and low-pressure portions at high density in an aqueous suspension of CHLORELLA cells, instantaneously shifting the CHLORELLA cells in the aqueous suspension from a high-pressure state to a low-pressure state by interaction of the movement, dissipation and growth of these high- and low-pressure portions and the flowing of the aqueous suspension, and rupturing the CHLORELLA cells by their rapid expansion upon the shift.

Abstract: There is obtained with greater efficiency a powder coating having an average particle diameter smaller and a particle size distribution range narrower than those currently made by conventional methods.

Abstract: Copper oxide is added to molten copper to produce an extra-low-oxygen copper having an oxygen concentration of at most 0.5 ppm. In some embodiments, the copper oxide is added as a powder introduced into the melt with a blowing gas. In other embodiments, the molten copper is in contact with graphite during deoxidation and the addition of copper oxide.

Abstract: A heat sensitive color developing material containing an electron donating color forming organic compound, a heat activating compound, and a color developer. These materials have excellent heat sensitivity in which color can be developed rapidly and can be produced and easily used.