Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an optical analog quantity proportional to ##EQU1## Input light (a.sub.4) of intensity proportional to a.sub.n is directed (21,31) to the input end of an nth optical module comprising a modulator (22) whose output light intensity is responsive to an electrical potential difference across it and a beam combiner (23). While the light is passing through the modulator (22), a potential difference (24) is applied across it such that the intensity of the output light from the modulator (22) is proportional to a.sub.n x, and this light (a.sub.4 x) is directed, through the beam combiner (23), to the output end of the optical module. Input light (a.sub.3) of intensity proportional to a.sub.n-1 is directed (25), via the beam combiner (23), to the output end of the optical module, to combine with the light from the modulator (22) so that the intensity of the output light (32) from the nth optical module is proportional to a.sub.n x+a.sub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an optical analog quantity proportional to ##EQU1## Input light (a.sub.4) of intensity proportional to a.sub.n is directed (21,31) to the input end of an nth optical module comprising a modulator (22) whose output light intensity is responsive to an electrical potential difference across it and a beam combiner (23). While the light is passing through the modulator (22), a potential difference (24) is applied across it such that the intensity of the output light from the modulator (22) is proportional to a.sub.n x, and this light (a.sub.4 x) is directed, through the beam combiner (23), to the output end of the optical module. Input light (a.sub.3) of intensity proportional to a.sub.n-1 is directed (25), via the beam combiner (23), to the output end of the optical module, to combine with the light from the modulator (22) so that the intensity of the output light (32) from the nth optical module is proportional to a.sub.n x+a.sub.

Abstract: Room-temperature-curable, non-emissive, flame retardant coating compositions.

Abstract: Dual Microcapsules are disclosed. The outer membrane encapsulates a liquid having one or more smaller microcapsules (Mini-Microcapsules) suspended therein. The Mini-Microcapsules contain a conjugate or a reaction product of a Drug which diffuses into the liquid in which Mini-Microcapsules are suspended. The suspending liquid contains an enzyme which reacts with Drug complex or reaction product to regenerate or release the Drug. The drug diffuses through the outer membrane into a host.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of particles in a gas using an electrode disposed within but electrically insulated from an electrically-conductive conduit member, a current measuring device and means for maintaining the conduit member and the electrode at substantially the same potential. Flow of gas containing charged particles along the conduit induces a current passing from the electrode through the current measuring device. If the concentration of particles in the gas becomes excessive, the current measuring device activates a warning device or takes other action to prevent damage to any gas-consuming device attached to the apparatus. The apparatus might include an optional ionizer upstream of the electrode to charge the particles in the gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for thermochemically converting a carbohydrate material into ethanol wherein the carbohydrate material and a metal salt are reacted at elevated temperature to form an intermediate carbohydrate complex salt and/or a lactate metal salt which then is pyrolyzed in the presence of water into ethanol. Preferred carbohydrate materials for the process are various sugars and the metal salt preferably is a metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate. The intermediate complex and/or lactate salt may be separated from its aqueous reaction mixture prior to its pyrolysis to reduce the ultimate separation of ethanol from water. Alternatively, the metal of the metal salt may be one whose carbonate decomposes to metal oxide and carbon dioxide during the pyrolysis step of the process to generate said metal salt in situ.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing patterns of materials, as for color printing. A support member (30) has groups of surface areas (40A,40B, etc.) with each surface area in a given group (e.g. 40A) facing generally in a direction different from that faced by the surface areas in any other group (e.g. 40B, etc.), and an energy-modifiable material (41A,41B, etc.) adjacent to the surface areas in each group. Energy (A,B,C) is directed onto the material adjacent to the surface areas in each group in such manner as to substantially modify some of the material without substantially modifying the material adjacent to the surface areas of the other groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fluorinating the surface of a polymeric solid for improving a surface property of such solid while substantially maintaining the bulk physical properties of said solid. This method comprises contacting the polymeric solid with dilute fluorine gas at a temperature not substantially above about room temperature and at a pressure not substantially above about 1 atmosphere for a time adequate to partially fluorinate said solid surface by forming stable fluorocarbon groups wherein the ratio of --CF.sub.2 -- groups to --CHF-- groups is not substantially above about 1:1, the proportion of oxygen-providing groups presend during said fluorination being restricted to an amount whereby substantially no oxidation of said surface occurs.

Abstract: A compound internal combustion engine having an efficiency materially higher than that of an engine operating on the conventional Otto or Diesel cycle. This is accomplished by using the heat of the exhaust gases to compress air, with or without the addition of fuel, which is then injected into the cylinder or cylinders of the engine just prior to ignition. In this manner, less heat is rejected from the overall cycle with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of the unused heat energy in the exhaust gases is used in a unidirectional energy converter to compress air or an air/fuel mixture which is then injected into the cylinders of the engine. The engine, whether it should operate on the Otto or Diesel cycle, does not compress gas on the upstroke of the piston until the compressed gas from the unidirectional energy converter is injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: A turbocharger for internal combustion engines comprising a unidirectional energy converter having a closed, continuous loop passageway containing a plurality of freely-movable, unrestrained bodies which travel around the passageway in one direction only. In one region of the passageway, successive bodies are propelled in one direction around the passageway by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. In another region of the passageway, the kinetic energy of the propelled bodies is used to compress a gas, which can be mixed with fuel. This compressed gas is then forced into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine; whereupon the bodies are again propelled around the passageway to repeat the cycle. The exhaust gases and air or an air/fuel mixture are exhausted and introduced in an expansion space in the converter through substantially immediately adjacent ports.

Abstract: A compound internal combustion engine having an efficiency materially higher than that of an engine operating on the conventional Otto or Diesel cycle. This is accomplished by using the heat of the exhaust gases to compress air, with or without the addition of fuel, which is then injected into the cylinder or cylinders of the engine just prior to ignition. In this manner, less heat is rejected from the overall cycle with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of the unused heat energy in the exhaust gases is used in a unidirectional energy converter to compress air or an air/fuel mixture which is then injected into the cylinders of the engine. The exhaust gases and air or the air/fuel mixture are exhausted and introduced in an expansion space in the converter through substantially immediately adjacent ports.

Abstract: A turbocharger for internal combustion engines comprising a unidirectional energy converter having a closed, continuous loop passageway containing a plurality of freely-movable, unrestrained bodies which travel around the passageway in one direction only. In one region of the passageway, successive bodies are propelled in one direction around the passageway by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. In another region of the passageway, the kinetic energy of the propelled bodies is used to compress a gas, which can be mixed with fuel. This compressed gas is then forced into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine; whereupon the bodies are again propelled around the passageway to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing X-rays (11) to an object (12) in air. A lens (13) directs energy (14) from a laser (27) onto a target (15) to produce X-rays (11) of a selected spectrum and intensity. A substantially fluid-tight first enclosure (16) around the target (15) has a pressure therein substantially below atmospheric pressure. An adjacent substantially fluid-tight second enclosure (18) contains helium (24) at about atmospheric pressure. A wall (19) has an opening (20) large enough to permit X-rays (11) to pass through and yet small enough that gas (21) can be evacuated from the first enclosure (16) at least as fast as it enters through the opening (20) at the desired pressure. Intermediate enclosures (34, 34') at logarithmically increasing air pressures have similar openings (20', 20") in line with the opening (20) and a transparent portion (36) in the near wall (35) of the second enclosure (18).

Abstract: Mineral charge particles of silica or alumina are grafted with a hydrolysis product from a di- or trialkoxysilane whose functional group is compatible with an organic phase into which said grafted particles are ultimately incorporated. The grafted particles are separated from the aqueous hydrolysis medium by spray-drying. The organic phase comprising the grafted mineral particles is used to provide coatings with abrasion resistant properties.

Abstract: This manufacturing process consists in forming a passivation layer on manganese pigments and thereafter mixing the latter with a resin to form a paint. This paint is electrically conductive since the passivation layer is based on chromate, Mn/Fe phosphate or Zn phosphate. These pigments preferably have a degree of purity equal to or greater than 99.9%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure of flexible tensile members which requires only two arrays of said members for obtaining lateral stiffness of said structure, the ends of each member being attached to contour elements and the members of each array having opposite curvatures for forming an axisymmetric geodesic network which is a section of a surface of revolution. The members of both arrays are prestressed and said network is geometrically arranged to be torque-balanced within said contour elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatic spinning of textile fibers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a twister electrode and a rapid spinning ground electrode, more particularly, a spinning ground electrode having an insulated tip which is tapered and fluted so as to positively drive or rotate the yarn tail extending from the twister electrode.

Abstract: High-strength aluminum alloys and other hot-short-sensitive alloys can be extruded at rapid rates through a cooled, double reduction die (3) without hot-short cracking or scoring caused by die pickup. A primary reduction die (4) has a long, cooled primary land (5) and is followed by a secondary reduction die (6). A metal billet (15) may be extruded through the primary die (4) at about the solidus temperature of its lowest melting phase, then cooled as it passes through the primary die land (5) to reduce or maintain the temperature below the solidus temperature and, finally, the primary extrusion is reduced in cross section in the secondary die (6) by about 2-50%. The temperature, the back pressure caused by the second reduction, and the low friction through the primary land (5) contribute to eliminate hot-short cracks and minimize serious pickup scoring at surprising rates of at least about 18 meters per minute (60 ft/min) for 2024 aluminum rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting a carbohydrate or lactic acid feedstock into an ethanol product in the presence of a metal salt at a reaction temperature ranging from about 250.degree. to about 400.degree. C. The improvement comprises establishing a reaction mixture of said feedstock, said metal salt, water, and an organic solvent. The organic solvent has a boiling point above about 150.degree. C., is stable at the reaction temperature, and solvates said feedstock. The solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an ether, a tertiary amine, an amine oxide, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, and a sulfoxide.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for obtaining fluorescence laser EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure). A lens (12) directs a pulse of radiant energy (13) onto a metal target (15) to produce X-rays (16). A baffle (17) directs the X-rays (16) onto a spectral-dispersive monochromator (18) which directs the spectrally-resolved X-rays (16R) therefrom onto a sample (11). Fluorescence X-rays (27) from the sample (11) strike a phosphor (26) on a grid (19). Emitted light (21) from the phosphor (26) corresponds spatially to the spectral resolution of the X-rays (16R). Emitted light intensity at a point along the spatial distribution corresponds to the absorption characteristics of the sample (11) at a particular wavelength of the incoming X-rays (16R). An imaging lens (20) directs the emitted light (21) onto photographic film or an array detector (22).