Abstract: A warning is generated when a computer simulation controller is determined to have insufficient charge to permit use through an upcoming simulation sequence. Thus, responsive to a computer simulation having a first context and a computer simulation controller having a first voltage, a human-perceptible indication of low voltage is presented, whereas if the computer simulation has a second context typically requiring less input than the first context, no indication is presented if the controller has the same first voltage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a training system for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). An IED training system can include an inert explosive component that can resemble a large round, rocket propelled grenade (RPG), or the like. Various triggers can activate visual and/or audio devices in response to triggering the system, such as by a motion sensor or trainer action.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for simulating a chemical process across multiple computers in communication with each other. The system and method operate by receiving input representing parameters for the chemical process to be simulated. The chemical process is partitioned into a plurality of sections based on said parameters. Each partitioned section is assigned to a computer having simulation programs. The operation of each simulation program is scheduled on each computer so that the chemical process is accurately simulated. The operation of at least one simulation program is initiated. Process data representing materials in the chemical process is transmitted from one remote computer to a second remote computer. Information representing the status of the chemical process simulation is output.

Abstract: A noncollinear pumped solid state Raman laser or amplifier has a pump laser that transversely or noncollinearly pumps a solid state Raman gain material, with an intensity sufficient to produce a stimulated Raman laser output beam. The pump beam and the Raman beam are noncollinear when the Raman beam travels completely across the pump beam within the Raman gain material, or where the Raman beam completely separates physically, at some location in the pumped Raman gain material, from a virtual beam, which is collinear to the pump beam axis, and which has the same entrance spot size and beam divergence as the Raman beam. The device enhances the pump laser beam spatial homogenization to improve the wavefront smoothness and propagation performance from the pump beam to the Raman beam.

Abstract: A noncollinear pumped solid state Raman laser or amplifier has a pump laser that transversely or noncollinearly pumps a solid state Raman gain material, with an intensity sufficient to produce a stimulated Raman laser output beam. The pump beam and the Raman beam are noncollinear when the Raman beam travels completely across the pump beam within the Raman gain material, or where the Raman beam completely separates physically, at some location in the pumped Raman gain material, from a virtual beam, which is collinear to the pump beam axis, and which has the same entrance spot size and beam divergence as the Raman beam. The device enhances the pump laser beam spatial homogenization to improve the wavefront smoothness and propagation performance from the pump beam to the Raman beam.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, a useful powder is disclosed that has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles have an average diameter greater than 180 .mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53 .mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53 .mu.m to 180 .mu.m. A powder with slow recrystallization rates, as evidenced by non-overlapping endothermic and exothermic peaks in their differential scanning calorimetry characteristics for scan rates of on the order of 10.degree. C. to 20.degree. C.

Abstract: The properties of (meth)acrylic ester/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer webs, such as films and nonwovens, are improved by blending the ester/acid copolymer with a modified polyolefin, such as an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and/or a styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and a polyether block amide copolymer. The copolymer blend provides a polymeric material which is useful for making personal care products such as diapers and feminine pads in that it can be made water-soluble in alkaline solutions while exhibiting other properties which are necessary for adequate product performance. Such materials are also useful for packaging products, such as film for plastic bags and the like.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering (SLS) machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, the powder has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles has an average diameter greater than 180.mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53.mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53.mu.m to 180.mu.m. When the powder is a semicrystalline synthetic resin having a number average molecular weight in the range from about 30,000 to 500,000; a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.

Abstract: This method teaches how to recover and reuse a powder of a thermally degradable material which is used in a selective laser sintering (SLS) process. To recycle such a laser-sinterable powder successfully in a SLS machine it is protected against degradation by cooling the hot bed while layer-upon-layer (layer-wise) of powder is being sintered, seriatim, to form successive slices fused together to form an article of arbitrary shape (part). The process requires maintaining the powder which has more than 80% of the number of particles <53 .mu.m as a quiescent bed which is nevertheless porous enough to permit flowing a cooling gas downwardly through the bed without disrupting its surface. Since each slice is formed at the surface, and the part, as it is formed, is supported in a well-insulated bed, the powder adjacent the slice is at a much higher temperature than powder in the rest of the bed, which, but for the cooling gas, would get overheated.

Abstract: The properties of (meth)acrylic ester/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer webs, such as films and nonwovens, are improved by blending the ester/acid copolymer with a modified polyolefin, such as an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and/or a styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and a polyether block amide copolymer. The copolymer blend provides a polymeric material which is useful for making personal care products such as diapers and feminine pads in that it can be made water-soluble in alkaline solutions while exhibiting other properties which are necessary for adequate product performance. Such materials are also useful for packaging products, such as film for plastic bags and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinker sytems for polyurethanes and a process for producing such polyurethane products. The polyurethanes are prepared by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an organic compound having active Zerewitinoff hydrogen atoms, e.g., a polyol with an alkoxylated diethyltoluenediamine crosslinker. Improved properties can be achieved, such as, higher load-bearing at equivalent density; higher tear; and higher elongation.

Abstract: A method is described for producing dispersions of polyurea and the like in polyols of increased stability by polymerizing an amine and an isocyanate in the presence of an aminoalcohol, typically an aminopolyol, having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A and A' are individually connective atoms which may be same or different, and are selected from the group consisting of carbon and oxygen or combinations thereof with hydrogen atoms or the like satisfying the valences; B is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, NR, R being alkyl or aryl, or CR', R' being hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; D is a member selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein a has a value of one to four; X is a member selected from the group consisting of OH, NH.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinker systems for polyurethane foams and a process for producing such foams. The polyurethanes are prepared by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an organic compound having active Zerewitenoff hydrogen atoms, e.g., a polyol with an alkoxylated aromatic diamine crosslinker and an acetylenic glycol. Improved properties can be achieved, such as, higher load-bearing at equivalent foam density; higher tear; higher elongation and higher air flow.

Abstract: Novel polyols, useful in, for example, reaction injection molding, high resiliency foams and the preparation of polymer/polyols, characterized by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A and A', which may be the same or different, are connective atoms--carbon, oxygen or combinations thereof with hydrogen atoms or the like satisfying the valences; B is nitrogen (N) or CR, R being hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or the like; Q is 0, CH.sub.2 O, C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O, C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O, or C.sub.4 H.sub.8 O; D is an oxyalkylene or ##STR2## X and X', which may be the same or different, are OH, NH.sub.2 or H; Z is OH; n and d are integers of 0 to 10 and the sum of n and d does not exceed 10; s is 0 or 1, and m is an integer of at least about 16, with the proviso that when B is N and either n or d is zero, X and X' are other than H, provide processing advantages and are highly compatible with low molecular weight extenders such as ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Novel polyols, useful in, for example, reaction injection molding, high resiliency foams and the preparation of polymer/polyols, characterized by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A and A', which may be the same or different, are connective atoms--carbon, oxygen or combinations thereof with hydrogen atoms or the like satisfying the valences; B is nitrogen (N) or CR, R being hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or the like; Q is 0, CH.sub.2 O, C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O, C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O, or C.sub.4 H.sub.8 O; D is an oxyalkylene or ##STR2## X and X', which may be the same or different, are OH, NH.sub.2 or H; Z is OH; n and d are integers of 0 to 10 and the sum of n and d does not exceed 10; s is 0 or 1, and m is an integer of at least about 16, with the proviso that when B is N and either n or d is zero, X and X' are other than H, provide processing advantages and are highly compatible with low molecular weight extenders such as ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Connected branch polyols comprising a core segment having a defined molecular weight, one core branch unit directly connected to each end of the core segment, at least one additional branch unit at each end connected directly or indirectly to each core branch unit, and linear polymer segments connected to the branch units are utilized in preparing a wide spectrum of polymer/polyols characterized by superior dispersion stability and viscosity to solids content relationship, the polymer/polyols in turn being employed to prepare polyurethanes having superior performance in flame retardancy tests.

Abstract: Novel polyols, useful in, for example, reaction injection molding, high resiliency foams and the preparation of polymer/polyols, characterized by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A and A', which may be the same or different, are conductive atoms - carbon, oxygen or combinations thereof with hydrogen atoms or the like satisfying the valences; B is nitrogen (N) or CR, R being hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or the like; Q is 0, CH.sub.2 O, C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O, C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O, or C.sub.4 H.sub.8 O; D is an oxyalkylene or ##STR2## X and X', which may be the same or different, are OH, NH.sub.2 or H; Z is OH; n and d are integers of 0 to 10 and the sum of n and d does not exceed 10; s is 0 or 1, and m is an integer of at least about 16, with the proviso that when B is N and either n or d is zero, X and X' are other than H, provide processing advantages and are highly compatible with low molecular weight extenders such as ethylene glycol.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with producing glycols of the formulaHOCHRCH.sub.2 OHfrom hydrolysis, in a homogeneous liquid phase mixture, of an alkylene carbonate of the formula ##STR1## in which R is either hydrogen or methyl. This is accomplished by using an amount of water in excess of stoichiometry and using potassium carbonate as the preferred catalyst. The reaction is effected under a carbon dioxide pressure of at least 80 psig and the reaction temperature is desirably between about 85.degree. C. and 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The load carrying vehicle includes a vehicle framework supported by road wheels, and railroad wheels are mounted on the framework and are movable up and down with respect to the framework for engaging the rails of a railroad track for supporting the vehicle from a railroad track. A load support framework is rotatably mounted on the vehicle framework about an upwardly extending axis, and a dump body is pivotally mounted on the load support framework about a horizontal axis, so that the dump body can be rotated and tilted with respect to the vehicle framework to dump its load at various positions about the vehicle.