Abstract: Apparatus including an assembly associated with a downhole tool and configured to thermally isolate a thermally sensitive component. Components of the assembly include a thermal housing; a chassis interior to the thermal housing; at least one thermally sensitive component mounted on the chassis; and a thermal isolation support connecting the chassis to the tool. The thermal isolation support comprises an elongated thermal isolator having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the thermal isolator connected to the tool at the first end and connected to the chassis at the second end, and a heat sink thermally coupled to the elongated thermal isolator at the second end. The second end of the elongated thermal isolator may comprise the only points of thermal coupling between the heat sink and the components other than the heat sink.

Abstract: A superconducting conductor assembly using high temperature materials. A double-walled tubular structure has at least one helical strip of superconductive material on the inner wall of the inside tube. Brittle, non-ductile superconducting materials may be used. A coolant, typically liquid nitrogen, is circulated between the tubes to maintain the superconductor below the critical temperature of the superconductor. A buffer layer is preferably included between tube wall and superconductor. A plurality of alternating layers of buffer and superconductor may be used.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the direction of traffic flow wherein a plurality of rotationally mounted levers have a free end extending upwardly from the road surface. The levers are provided with removable spikes which rotate therewith to damage tires when the levers are rotated in one direction. The free end of each lever is provided with a rotationally mounted low friction contact member which contacts the adjacent surface of the tire and moves along the surface thereof. Envelopment of the free end of the lever by the tire and the coerced rotation thereof in the wrong direction do not occur. As a result, the failure of the corresponding spike to damage a tire when the vehicle is moving in the wrong direction is thereby avoided.

Abstract: Metallic insulation for superconducting magnets to provide coil to coil and pancake insulation. Exemplary metal alloys and an anodization coating for such insulation are identified and may be selectively removed to provide shunt current paths. The coating for such insulation may be selectively removed to provide shunt current paths when the coil experiences a quench condition to preclude coil damage. Various applications of metallic insulation to superconducting coils are discussed.

Abstract: A non-contact measurement system for determining the contour of an electrically conductive surface relative to a fixed reference point comprising a support arm journaled at one end to a bearing providing a fixed reference point and adapted to extend toward a conductive surface having a contour to be determined and a non-contact probe coupled to the support arm by a precision lead screw driven by a stepper motor which moves the probe either toward or away from the surface and which generates an electrical signal indicative of its axial position from an initial reference position. Control circuitry coupled to the stepper motor is operable to direct the stepper motor to extend the probe toward the surface until it reaches a predetermined distance from the surface.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine is disclosed with means to provide auxillary pumping of air directly into the cylinder. The piston head is provided with a sliding valve which is self-acting for injecting air into the cylinder during the intake stroke, and to inject air into the cylinder during a portion of the expansion stroke. An air pumping chamber is formed between the lower portion of the piston and the cylinder carries a self-acting sliding valve which controls the flow of air into the pumping chamber.