Abstract: A winding machine for manufacturing transformer cores includes a ribbon-dispensing assembly which travels in a predetermined path about a stationary mandrel to deposit successive layers of ribbon upon the mandrel under controlled tension while applying transverse pressure to the peripheral surface of the winding to press air from between the layers. In the preferred embodiment, a counterbalanced rotating track engages the ribbon-dispensing assembly as it travels around the mandrel. The ribbon dispensing assembly is preferably transported by a chain drive.

Abstract: A tamper-proof closure arrangement for a container includes a shrinkable seal applied to seal receiving surfaces of the container and closure cap such that the seal is applied internally of the closure cap without removing the closure cap. In a preferred embodiment, the seal surfaces comprise three-dimensional surfaces formed on the container neck and on the closure cap internally of a skirt portion of the cap. The seal is visible through the closure cap such that any attempt at removing the cap irreversibly damages or deforms the seal to provide a visual indication of tampering.

Abstract: A tamper-proof closure arrangement for a container includes in one embodiment a seal applied to seal receiving surfaces of the container and closure cap such that the seal is applied internally of the closure cap without removing the closure cap and is irreversibly damaged by any attempt to remove the closure cap, the seal being visible through the closure cap to provide a visual indication of tampering. In an alternative embodiment, the seal is fixed internally of a disposable cap which is mounted on an associated container to overlie a reusable closure cap. The seal is visually observable through the disposable cap and is formed in contacting relation against a three-dimensional surface on the reusable cap such that any attempt at removing the disposable cap irreversibly damages or deforms the seal to provide a visual indication of tampering.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accurately measuring breakdown or fracture pressure by placing a variable volume device in immediate communication with a test interval formed in a borehole extending through an underground formation. Expansion of the variable volume device increases pressure in the test interval to the fracture pressure of the formation. The fracture pressure may be accurately measured by monitoring pressure in the test interval, expansion of the variable volume device then preferably being terminated in order to minimize the extent of fracture within the formation.

Abstract: A preconditioning beam is used to excite gas particles preferentially along a channel between two electrodes in a laser chamber. The preconditioning beam may be an electron beam or a laser beam. An electrical discharge between the electrodes is conducted along the channel by the excited gas particles to form a gas embedded plasma pinch. Depending on the profile of the discharge, the pinch may be stable or collapsing. The pinch emits vacuum ultraviolet radiation which photodissociates molecules of the photolytic laser medium confined by the chamber. The dissociation creates a population inversion, initiating lasing activity. A resonator system reflects the developing laser pulse back and forth through the chamber to stimulate further emissions and facilitate pulse amplification. The developed pulse is transmitted by appropriate means.

Abstract: A method and means for accelerating charged particle beams having very high current densities to relativistic energies, as, for example, embodied in a betatron capable of carrying a current of many tens of kiloamperes at energies up to at least 300 Mev. The basic principle underlying the present invention is the containment of a beam of charged particles, more particularly a beam of electrons, by a magnetic field directed along the beam. As the strength of the magnetic field is increased as a function of time the beam of electrons becomes compressed in the direction transverse to the beam into a region of high charge density. The electrons may then be accelerated along the direction of the magnetic field to form an ultra-relativistic beam. At such high energies the beam tends to be stable and the containing magnetic field is no longer necessary. The magnetic field may therefore be permitted to decay.

Abstract: A multi-stage system is disclosed for removing particles from a gaseous medium and comprises an upstream precipitating stage of spaced corona discharging wires between parallel collecting plates, followed by a downstream precipitating stage having one or more electrically charges shells with flat sides generally parallel to collecting side plates for providing a uniform electric field in the medium carrying space, the sides of the shell having openings through which ions generated in the interior pass into the gaseous medium. A corona discharge apparatus inside the shell produces the ions at predictable, generally uniformly spaced locations. Alternative embodiments of the system include another stage located ahead of the upstream stage for removing the larger particles in the gaseous medium which can comprise a gravitational precipitator, a cyclone separator, a low voltage electrostatic precipitator or a low voltage ion beam generator.

Abstract: An a.c. Resonance Transformer for operating at a predetermined frequency. The transformer comprises a resonant .pi.-type or T-type stage. The .pi.-type stage includes three series connected four-terminal networks. The first of the networks and the third of the networks includes a shunt reactor of a first type. The second of the networks includes two series connected second type reactors and a first type reactor shunt connected to the junction between the second type reactors. The reactors in the second of the networks are sized so that when an input signal of a predetermined frequency is applied to the input of the first of the networks, a 180.degree. phase shift is provided between the phase angle of the input and output voltage vectors of the second of the networks and so that a zero input impedance is provided when the output is short circuited.

Abstract: A multi-stage system is disclosed for removing particles from a gaseous medium and comprises an upstream precipitating stage of spaced corona discharging wires between parallel collecting plates, followed by a downstream precipitating stage having one or more electrically charged shells with flat sides generally parallel to collecting side plates for providing a uniform electric field in the medium carrying space, the sides of the shell having openings through which ions generated in the interior pass into the gaseous medium. A corona discharge apparatus inside the shell produces the ions at predictable, generally uniformly spaced locations. Alternative embodiments of the system include another stage located ahead of the upstream stage for removing the larger particles in the gaseous medium which can comprise a gravitational precipitator, a cyclone separator, a low voltage electrostatic precipitator or a low voltage ion beam generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in converting heat to electrical energy and comprises a plurality of capacitors which have a temperature dependent capacitance. Heat is used to decrease the dielectric constant in the capacitors causing charge to expand from the capacitors into an associated circuit and do electrical work. The invention also includes reeds which are caused to vibrate by the flow of vapor carrying heat between stages. These reeds serve as thermal switches which pulse heat at the proper frequency and phase through a large number of stacked capacitors. The efficiency of the apparatus is optimized by operating the individual capacitors through cycles approximating Carnot cycles.

Abstract: An improved collector structure is disclosed which is adapted for use in electrostatic precipitators to increase the efficiency of operation by increasing the electric field uniformity in the device and by reducing the power consumption without appreciably increasing reentrainment of the precipitated particles during operation. The collector is provided with an insulating material of the type which has an electrical relaxation time, .rho..epsilon., that is preferably greater than that associated with the particle current in the gas near the collector electrode, a triboelectric rank that is as low as possible if the collector electrode is negatively charged or as high as possible if the collector electrode is positively charged with respect to the opposite electrode and a thickness and resistivity such that the voltage drop across the insulation does not exceed about 5 to 10% of the applied voltage between the oppositely charged electrodes of the precipitator.

Abstract: A gaseous laser medium is photodissociated into an upper laser state by vacuum ultraviolet light from an electrically excited noble gas mixed with the laser medium. A gaseous laser medium, such as cyanogen bromide, is preferably resonantly excited by photodissociation by such vacuum ultraviolet light. CN particles in the B state undergo laser transition to the X state, producing radiation at about 4000A. Alternatively or additionally, a gaseous laser medium is excited to produce molecules, such as halogen molecules, particularly Br.sub.2, in an upper laser state whence they undergo transition by laser action to a weakly bound lower laser state that is rapidly depopulated.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which are particularly efficient in removing small as well as large particles. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. A source of ions is provided by bombardment of the effluent gas stream with electrons. A strong electric field established between the electrodes creates at least one region of ions having only one polarity and moves these ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. In the region having ions of one sign, these ions rapidly charge the particles, especially small sized particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which offer improved efficiency in removing particles of all sizes. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. Ions of one sign enter the effluent gas stream from a thermionic ion emitter. A strong electric field is established between the electrodes to move the ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. These ions of one sign rapidly charge the particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.