Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system for in-situ monitoring of lubricant oil quality. The sensor system consists of a sensing element located in-situ in contact with lubricant oil. The sensor is corrodable and upon deterioration of the oil the sensor corrodes and eventually the circuit will break. Current flow through the circuit is monitored by conventional power supply and measuring devices and upon breaking of the sensor, an indication is provided to the driver of a motor vehicle indicating that oil is to be changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved sensor for use in-situ in an electrical circuit which sensor corrodes as a result of deterioration of the oil and provides a changing electrical current due to increased resistance resulting from said corrosion. The sensor preferably is a ceramic tube havign a first layer of electrolessly deposited nickel thereon with a second layer of electrolitically plated lead. Leads are attached to the ends of the tube and the sensor can then be employed in-situ in oil to, as a result of its corroding and change in resistivity, measure deteriorating oil quality.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a methjod for charging a rechargeable battery. In this method, the open voltage of the battery is measured and the number of cells estimated. The state of charge of the battery is then tested by supplying a controllably varying charging current to the battery and testing for evolution of gas. If no gas is evolved, the battery is charged until the voltage equals the estimated number of cells multiplied by a voltage which is characteristic of the battery. The foregoing steps are repeated alternately until gas evolution occurs. The true number of cells is then determined and the battery is charged at any charge rate until the voltage equals the true number of cells multiplied by a predetermined voltage. The battery is then charged at that voltage until the charge current decreases to a predetermined low value followed by charging at that predetermined current at any voltage for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Nickel electrodes having selenium and/or tellurium electrochemically deposited thereon are disclosed. The nickel electrodes of this invention may be employed in primary or secondary alkaline batteries, and said electrodes exhibit improved currents and charges (i.e. with respect to pure nickel electrodes) when said electrodes are employed in primary or secondary batteries.

Abstract: A process is described for the electrochemical synthesis of organic carbonates, such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate, useful as industrial solvents for polymers and resins, which comprises electrolyzing a liquid medium containing a nonfluoride halide-containing electrolyte and a paraffinic monohydric or 1,2-dihydric alcohol. The non-fluoride halide-containing electrolyte is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 10 weight percent of the alcohol used, and the electrolysis is conducted by passing a direct current through the liquid medium at a temperature below its boiling point and under a carbon monoxide atmosphere at a pressure of about 1 to 350 atmospheres.

Abstract: Electrodes of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, chromium and alloys thereof having a conductive coating of selenium and/or tellurium, in oxidized form, are suitable for use as oxygen electrodes and have enhanced catalytic activity for oxygen evolution in neutral, acidic and alkaline media.

Abstract: Metal electrodes having a conductive coating comprising one or more elements of the platinum group, in metallic or oxidized form, together with selenium in oxidized form have enhanced catalytic activity for oxygen evolution in both acidic and alkaline media.

Abstract: A process is described for the electrochemical reduction of organic disulfides in the presence of halide ion to form the corresponding thiols, which comprises using a stable solid cathode selected from the group consisting of the disulfides and diselenides of titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, niobium and zirconium, wherein the cathode does not undergo substantial disintegration during the reduction.The organic thiol products are useful as intermediates in the manufacture of organic pigments, as polymerization activators and as polymerization modifiers in the manufacture of rubber.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing organic disulfides, useful as accelerators in vulcanization and as anti-oxidants for synthetic rubber latexes, which comprises reacting an organic sulfonyl halide with a mercaptan in a ratio of at least about 5 moles of mercaptan per mole of sulfonyl halide, wherein by-product sulfinic acid is not formed in the final product.