Abstract: Gelled ester compositions are provided. The gelled esters are obtained by mixing a suitable ester with one or more triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or mixtures thereof. Optionally, one or more diblock copolymers can be used in forming the gel compositions. In addition to gelled esters, gelled alcohols, gelled ethers, and gelled naturally-occurring fats and oils also are obtained by using one or more diblock copolymers, triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or mixtures thereof as a gelling agent. Butyl rubbers and alkyl galactomannan also can be used as a gelling agent. The gel compositions may be used to suspend various solids and/or liquids.

Abstract: A vital switch control circuit for a railroad switch machine includes a permanent magnet motor which is immune to stray or induced a.c. currents, and which is operable to either of two directions depending on the polarity of energy applied thereto. Switch-normal and switch-reverse contacts of a switch request relay logic circuit establish alternate positive and negative-current paths which are connected over a minimum number of line wires to a motor control contact arrangement and to a mechanically-interlocked, dual-coil, reversing contactor. The reversing contact is operable only above a specific d.c. voltage, therefore providing low-level d.c. immunity in case of grounding or cross-over conditions arising in the line wires. A reverse motor contact and a normal motor contact are used to alternately establish negative-current paths to the permanent magnet motor.