Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fueled internal combustion engine is described herein, which utilizes an inert gas, such as argon, as a working fluid to increase the efficiency of the engine, eliminate pollution, and facilitate operation of a closed cycle energy system. In a system where sunlight or other intermittent energy source is available to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, the oxygen and inert gas are taken into a diesel engine into which hydrogen is injected and ignited. The exhaust is cooled so that it contains only water and the inert gas. The inert gas in the exhaust is returned to the engine for use with fresh oxygen, while the water in the exhaust is returned to the intermittent energy source for reconversion to hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A parabolic reflector is supported so that it can track the sun. The support for this reflector comprises an azimuth frame supported on two wheels and a central pivotal point which are positioned in a substantially triangular configuration. The two wheels rotate on tracks. On top of the azimuth frame, there is provided an elevation frame. The elevation frame includes curved rails which define a portion of an arc and extend vertically. The reflector rides on wheels captured within the curved rails. The wheels of the azimuth frame are driven by an azimuth actuator. The reflector structure is counterbalanced about its elevation axis by a pendulum cable system which is driven by a motor to change elevation. At the focal point of the parabolic reflector, a heat engine or receiver is mounted independently on the reflector. Suitable means are provided for moving the reflector about its two axes in order to track the sun.

Abstract: A cyclic process for the solar photolysis of water includes a first stage in which water is reduced in the presence of a Eu.sup.+2 photo-oxidizable reagent producing hydrogen and spent oxidized Eu.sup.+3 reagent. The spent reagent (Eu.sup.+3) is reduced by means of a transition metal ligand complex reductant, *RuL.sup.+3 in a photoexcited state, such as a ruthenium pyridyl complex. Due to competing reactions between the photolysis and regeneration products, the photo-oxidation reaction must be separated from the regeneration in space and time by supporting the reagent and/or the reductant on solid supports and utilizing pH, wavelength and flow control to maximize hydrogen and oxygen production.

Abstract: A combuster is provided for utilizing a combustible mixture containing fuel and air, to heat a load fluid such as water or air, in a manner that minimizes the formation of nitrogen oxide. The combustible mixture passes through a small diameter tube where the mixture is heated to its combustion temperature, while the load fluid flows past the outside of the tube to receive heat. The tube is of a diameter small enough that the combustible mixture cannot form a flame, and yet is not subject to wall quench, so that combustion occurs, but at a temperature less than under free flame conditions. Most of the heat required for heating the combustible mixture to its combustion temperature, is obtained from heat flow through the walls of the pipe to the mixture.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel cell is described which includes a pair of electrodes formed by open-ended, ion-exchange hollow fibers, each having a layer of metal catalyst deposited on the inner surface thereof and large surface area current collectors such as braided metal mesh in contact with the metal catalyst layer. A fuel cell results when the electrodes are immersed in electrolyte and electrically connected. As hydrogen and oxygen flow through the bore of the fibers oxidation and reduction reactions develop an electrical potential. Since the hollow fiber configuration provides large electrode area per unit volume and intimate contact between fuel and oxidizer at the interface, and due to the low internal resistance of the electrolyte, high power densities can be obtained.

Abstract: Use of shallow pools of liquid to collect low-temperature solar generated thermal energy on a large scale for commercial use becomes economically feasible when use is made of efficient means to keep the liquid in the pond clean, prevent evaporation, prevent air convection and prevent convective circulation of the liquid. Narrow elongated trenches, grouped together over a wide area, can be formed by bulldozer type equipment. Each trench is lined with a heat-absorbing black liner. The liquid in the bottom of each trench, used to absorb the solar energy, may be a brine solution or plain water, depending on the means used to remove the thermal energy from the pond. The heat-absorbing liquid is kept separate from the thermal energy removing fluid by means such as clear polyethylene material. The covering for the pond may be a fluid or solid. If the covering is a fluid, fire fighting foam, continuously generated, or siloons are used to keep the surface covering clean and insulated.

Abstract: Nitramine propellants absent a pressure exponent shift in the burning rate curves are prepared by matching the burning rate of a selected nitramine or combination of nitramines within 10% of burning rate of a plasticized active binder so as to smooth out the break point appearance in the burning rate curve.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system characterized by an improved concentrator for directing incident rays of solar energy on parallel vacuum-jacketed receivers or absorbers including a plurality of individually mounted reflector modules of a common asymmetrical triangular cross-sectional configuration supported for independent reorientation and defining a plurality of asymmetric vee-trough concentrators.

Abstract: An improved flow-through electrolytic hygrometer is provided which utilizes a long lasting oxidation-resistant, hollow fiber formed of a persulfonic acid substituted polytetrafluoroethylene having closely spaced noble metal electrodes in contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the fiber. The fiber is disposed within a chamber such that the moisture-bearing gas passes in contact with at least one surface of the fiber. The electrodes are connected in series to a DC voltage supply and an ammeter. As the gas passes through the chamber, moisture absorbed into the wall of the fiber is electrolyzed to hydrogen and oxygen by the closely spaced electrodes. The amount of electricity required for electrolysis is proportional to the absorbed moisture and is observed on the ammeter.

Abstract: A closed cycle refrigeration (CCR) system is disclosed for providing cooling at different temperatures to different parts of a maser. The CCR includes a first station for cooling the maser's parts, except the amplifier portion, to 4.5.degree. K. The CCR further includes means with a 3.0.degree. K station for cooling the maser's amplifier to 3.0.degree. K and, thereby, increases the maser's gain and/or bandwidth by a significant factor. The means which provide the 3.0.degree. K cooling include a pressure regulator, heat exchangers, an expansion valve, and a vacuum pump, which coact to cause helium, provided from a compressor, to liquefy and thereafter expand so as to vaporize. The heat of vaporization for the helium is provided by the maser amplifier, which is thereby cooled to 3.0.degree. K.

Abstract: Cermet compositions having high temperature oxidation resistance, high hardness and high abrasion and wear resistance, and particularly adapted for production of high temperature resistant cermet insulator bodies, comprising a sintered body of particles of a high temperature resistant metal or metal alloy, preferably molybdenum or tungsten particles, dispersed in and bonded to a solid solution formed of aluminum oxide and silicon nitride, and particularly a ternary solid solution formed of a mixture of aluminum oxide, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride. Also disclosed are novel ceramic compositions comprising a sintered solid solution of aluminum oxide, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride.The cermet compositions are designed particularly to provide high temperature resistant refractory coatings on metal substrates, preferably molybdenum or tungsten substrates.

Abstract: A fixed, linear, ground-based primary reflector having an extended curved-sawtooth contoured surface covered with a metallized polymeric reflecting material, reflects solar energy to a movably supported collector that is kept at the concentrated line focus of the reflector primary. The primary reflector may be constructed by a process utilizing well-known freeway paving machinery. The solar energy absorber is preferably a fluid-transporting pipe. Efficient utilization leading to high temperatures from the reflected solar energy is obtained by cylindrical shaped secondary reflectors that direct off-angle energy to the absorber pipe. To obtain higher temperature levels, refocusing secondary reflectors, that cause a series of discrete spots of highly concentrated solar energy to fall on the fluid-transporting pipe, are utilized. A seriatim arrangement of cylindrical secondary reflector stages and spot-forming reflector stages produces a high temperature solar energy collection system of greater efficiency.

Abstract: A method of adhering bone to the surface of a rigid substrate such as a metal or resin prosthesis using an improved surgical bone cement. The bone cement has mechanical properties more nearly matched to those of animal bone and thermal curing characteristics which result in less traumatization of body tissues and comprises a dispersion of short high modulus graphite fibers within a bonder composition including polymer dissolved in reactive monomer such as polymethylmethacrylate dissolved in methylmethacrylate monomer.

Abstract: A motion-restraining device for dissipating at a controlled rate the force of a moving body. The device is characterized by a drive shaft adapted to be driven in rotation by a moving body connected thereto through a tape wound about a reel mounted on the drive shaft, oscillatable mass, a crankshaft connected with the drive shaft, and an elongated pitman link having one end pivotally connected to the crankshaft and the opposite end thereof connected with the mass through an energy dissipating linkage including a shuttle disposed within a slot and guided thereby for rectilinear motion between a pair of spaced impact surfaces so configured that reaction forces applied at impact of the shuttle with the impact surfaces include oppositely projected force components angularly related to the direction of the applied impact forces, whereby a cancellation of components of reaction forces is achieved.

Abstract: A system for accurately determining the exposure density required for x-ray photography of a particular area of interest is provided. The light received from an x-ray image intensifier is applied to a beam splitting mirror which divides the light between a motion picture film camera and a television film camera. Between the beam splitter and the motion picture film camera, there is positioned another light beam splitter to direct some of the light at a mask having an opening which encloses only the image area of interest. Behind that opening there is positioned a photomultiplier intensity sensor for determining the exposure required and varying x-ray beam intensity accordingly.

Abstract: A durable antistatic coating is achieved on polymethylmethacrylate plastic without affecting its optical clarity by applying to the surface of the plastic a low molecular weight solvent having a high electron affinity and a high dipole moment such as acentonitrile or nitromethane alone or in the presence of photopolymerizable monomer. The treated polymethylmethacrylate plastic can then dissipate most of the induced electrostatic charge and retains its optical clarity. The antistatic behavior persists after washing, rubbing and vacuum treatment.

Abstract: A solar heat collection system is provided by utilizing a line-focusing device that is effectively a cylindrically curved concentrator within a protected environment formed by a transparent inflatable casing. A target, such as a fluid or gas carrying conduit is positioned within or near the casing containing the concentrator, at the line focus of the concentrator. The casing can be inflated at the site of use by a low pressure air supply to form a unitary light-weight structure. When deflated, the collector, including casing, concentrator and target, is readily transportable.A system constructed from a plurality of such line-focusing devices can be used either at ground level or on rooftops. A system may advantageously utilize a plurality of parallel aligned heat absorbing rigid conduits as targets, each conduit supporting an inflatable concentrator and casing.

Abstract: A suspended mass is shaped by melting all or a selected portion of the mass and applying acoustic energy in varying amounts to different portions of the mass. In one technique for forming an optical waveguide slug, a mass of oval section is suspended and only a portion along the middle of the cross-section is heated to a largely fluid consistency. Acoustic energy is applied to opposite edges of the oval mass to press the unheated opposite edge portions together so as to form bulges at the middle of the mass. In another technique for forming a ribbon of silicon for constructing solar cells, a cylindrical thread of silicon is drawn from a molten mass of silicon, and acoustic energy is applied to opposite sides of the molten thread to flatten it into a ribbon.

Abstract: A tracking three-dimensional solar energy concentrator is provided by a stretched aluminized polymeric membrane supported by a hoop, the polymeric membrane being formed to a desired curvature by differential loading. The loading on the polymeric membrane determines its curvature. The loading can be varied by utilizing a plastic membrane that has a non-uniform radial distribution of thickness with uniform differential pressure or by applying a non-uniform differential pressure on a membrane having uniform thickness. Reflector membranes having a non-uniform radial distribution of thickness can be obtained by selective spraying of a dissolved plastic such as Krylon on the underside of the aluminized membrane. A non-uniform differential pressure is obtained by using a uniform differential pressure in combination with localized electrostatic or magnetic pressure.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system including a plurality of energy receivers supported in suspension by an array of radially extending booms above a field of heliostats which serves to reflect a plurality of beams of solar energy toward said receivers. Each of said receivers is characterized by a curved target surface substantially totally illuminated by the reflected beam. A network of interconnected conduits for conducting a working fluid along a tortuous path in juxtaposition with the target surface of each receiver, whereby the working fluid is heated for converting radiant energy to heat, and a network of conduits for collecting and conducting heated working fluid away from the receivers.