Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of intermediates useful in the processing of mineral sands and related materials characterized in that the process comprises:(a) dissolving a metal fluoride or metal chloride compound in an organic solvent; and either(b)(i) adding an ammonium fluoride to the metal fluoride or metal chloride compound dissolved in the organic solvent in step (a) to precipitate an ammonium fluorometallate from the organic solvent; and(ii) dissolving the ammonium fluorometallate from step (b)(i) in water and adding an alkali fluoride or an alkali chloride or an alkali nitrate to produce an alkali fluorometallate and an ammonium fluoride or an ammonium chloride or an ammonium nitrate; or(c) optionally adding the metal fluoride compound dissolved in the organic solvent in step (a) to an alkali fluoride dissolved in water or in aqueous hydrogen fluoride to produce an alkali fluorometallate directly.

Abstract: A linkage assembly includes a first link connected at a first point to a translation mechanism attached to a support structure. The translation mechanism is arranged to allow the first point of the first link to translate along a substantially straight axis. A second link is pivotally connected at a first point to the support structure, and at a second point to the first link. A second point of the first link travels on or near an arc of substantially constant finite radius when the first link pivots with respect to the second link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating bulge wave noise from data recorded by seismic streamers is provided. The apparatus includes a marine seismic streamer having a seismic detector and an accelerometer. The accelerometer is secured between the lead-in section and the seismic detector. Intra-shot and inter-shot accelerometer and seismic detector signals are recorded. The method utilizes inter-shot and an intra-shot adaptive processing loops. The inter-shot adaptive processing loop derives inter-shot complex weights from inter-shot accelerometer signals and inter-shot seismic detector signals. The intra-shot adaptive processing loop models bulge wave noise in the intra-shot seismic detector signals by combining the inter-shot complex weights with intra-shot accelerometer signals. Bulge wave noise attenuation is achieved by subtracting the intra-shot bulge wave noise model from the intra-shot seismic detector signals.

Abstract: Three-dimensional measurement of a surface of an object under inspection is performed by projecting a light pattern upon the surface, having a periodic, smoothly varying light intensity in the X direction and having a non-changeable intensity in the Y direction in the manner of a grid, and thereafter electronically producing a pair of stereo images of the surface so illuminated by a pair of CCD arrays; measuring the parallax phase offsets between correlated corresponding homologous points in the stereo images, and converting the resulting parallax data to an array of Z-depth data, indicative of the shape of the surface of the object.

Abstract: A motor operated lock wherein the motor is translated when the motor shaft rotates, the motor shaft acting as the bolt of the lock and engaging or disengaging the door to lock or unlock the door. The motor is located on a fixed platform and is moved by the cooperation of a nut affixed to the platform and a threaded portion of the motor shaft. The assembly can be located inside or exterior the wall and can be adapted for easy removal. The motor direction and travel limits are controlled by appropriate electrical circuitry.

Abstract: A system for selectively loading the lowermost segment of a shingled stack of limp material segments, where each segment includes one or more adjacent layers of said limp material, and wherein adjacent segments of said stack are laterally offset along a reference axis. The system includes a substantially planar surface adapted to support the shingled stack thereon, in a position so that the leading edge of the lowermost segment is adjacent to a reference point along the reference axis. A selectively operable extractor transports the lowermost segment in the direction of the reference axis and away from the stack. The extractor includes one or more sets of hinged jaws positioned for movement in the direction of the reference axis between the reference point and a point displaced from the reference point along the reference axis. The sets of jaws are adapted to selectively grip a portion of the leading edge of the lowermost segment when that leading edge is adjacent to the reference point.

Abstract: A limp material handling system includes a manipulating apparatus for selectively manipulating one or more layers of limp material on a support table. Folding is accomplished by lifting a curvilinear region of the material, reshaping that lifted region as desired, and lowering that lifted region to a curvilinear region on the support table. A seamed article assembly system incorporates the manipulating apparatus, a seam joining apparatus and a multiple parallel endless belt system for tactile presentation of the limp material to the seam joining apparatus. An optical sensing system provides information representative of the position of the limp material being handled. A programmable computer, or controller, coordinates and controls the operation of the manipulating apparatus, seam joining apparatus, belt assembly, and optical sensing system to provide automatic assembly of seamed articles.

Abstract: A propeller grinding device and method employs two endless grinding belts which are transported past a grinding station to finish the front and back surfaces. A propeller blank is inserted between the belts and the belts are distorted by platens, each of which includes a plurality of independent platen vanes. Two cams selectively bear upon two camming surfaces of the vanes and move the vanes into desired positions corresponding to the surface contours to be formed on the front and back surfaces of the propeller blades. The cams are rotated as the blade is moved. They also may be moved along the camming surfaces. Additionally, the cams and platens may be moved parallel to the direction of cam rotation with respect to the belts. SUBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to grinding devices and, more particularly, to a grinder having an endless grinding belt capable of grinding contours, such as the airfoil shape of a propeller.

Abstract: Mechanism modeling kit in which flat simulations of machine elements may be assembled into demonstration working units, some elements being pivotable relative to others on loosely tightened grommets.