Abstract: Methods and systems for computationally solving problems are disclosed. A problem can be specified using a computing device. The problem can include at least an initial state and a plurality of operators. Each operator of the plurality of operators can be configured to transform an input state to an output state. The computing device can set a current state of the problem to the initial state. The computing device can generate a display of at least the current state and at least one operator of the plurality of operators. The computing device can receive an input specifying a first operator of the plurality of operators. After receiving the input, the computing device can use the first operator to transform the current state to a transformed state. The computing device can store the transformed state.

Abstract: A method of modeling complex surface models using a network of intersecting non-uniform rational B-spline curves. Topological information of the curve network and interpolating surfaces to the network of curves are automatically generated. Different levels of continuity between surface patches are enforced. Surface patches of three and four sides and positional, tangent or curvature continuity between the patches are provided. Using a constrained minimization process, arbitrary, non-uniform B-spline curves may be used to manipulate the shape of the surfaces interpolating the curve network without violating the continuity conditions enforced during the generation of the surface patches allowing for very complex three-dimensional shapes to be modeled using the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for making polymers from at least one tertiary amino-containing monomer and at least one vinyl-functional monomer, while controlling residual monomers and avoiding production of Michael addition adducts. The process employs one or more of the following steps to avoid such adducts, maintaining at least one tertiary amino-containing monomer and at least one vinyl-functional monomer separate until the polymerization reaction, maintaining the at least one tertiary amino-containing monomer and at least one vinyl-functional monomer free of water until the polymerization reaction, and employing high temperatures for the polymerization reaction. The polymers are useful in personal care products, fabric detergent, hand dishwashing detergent, oil well treating chemicals, fire-fighting foam, agricultural chemicals, flocculants, coagulants, and household cleaners.

Abstract: A method of computer generation of a curve through points includes accepting positions of the points, accepting a geometric continuity condition for at least one of the points, constructing the curve through the points, the curve obeying the geometric continuity condition, and storing the constructed curve in a memory.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a poly(dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate) comprising polymerizing dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate in water and in the presence of sufficient acid to form a solution having a pH of less than 6. The polymer is made in an aqueous medium and with a free radical initiator. The polymer is useful as a foam booster in a variety of formulations and applications.

Abstract: A sprayable or solid biodegradable wax carrier for insect pheromones and a method for constant release rate of the pheromone from the biodegradable wax. A composition comprising a pheromone and paraffin wax formulated as an aqueous emulsion or a solid suitable for application to a surface of a tree or crop for mating disruption of insect pests. Pheromone is released by diffusion or by partitioning from the biodegradable wax carrier or by pheromone exposure due to the biodegradable wax carrier degradation.

Abstract: A stable aqueous emulsion comprising:(1) between about 20 and about 50% weight percent synthetic polymer solids, said solids comprising a copolymer or a terpolymer derived from:(a) between about 60 and about 90 mole percent of a vinyl ester, optionally including vinyl alcohol derived from said vinyl ester;(b) between about 10 and about 40 mole percent of one or more water soluble monomers; and(c) between about 0 and about 10 mole percent of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group containing between 1 and 20 carbon atoms;(2) between about 0.5 and about 5.0 weight percent of one or more surfactants or protective colloids; and(3) the balance water;wherein said aqueous emulsion has a viscosity of less than 1000 cps at 25.degree. C. and wherein said emulsion can provide adhesive properties and a process for producing the emulsion is provided. The emulsion is particularly suited for use as a wallpaper prepaste adhesive.

Abstract: A wallcovering material comprising a substrate having a water remoistenable adhesive on at least one of its surfaces, said adhesive being derived from a stable aqueous emulsion comprising:(1) between about 20 and about 50 weight percent synthetic polymer solids, said solids comprising a copolymer or a terpolymer derived from:(a) between about 60 and about 90 mole percent of a vinyl ester, optionally including vinyl alcohol derived from said vinyl ester;(b) between about 10 and about 40 mole percent of one or more water soluble monomers; and(c) between about 0 and about 10 mole percent of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group containing between 1 and 20 carbon atoms;(2) between about 0.5 and about 5.0 weight percent of one or more surfactants or protective colloids; and(3) the balance water;wherein said aqueous emulsion has a viscosity of less than 1000 cps at 25.degree. C. and the process for producing the wallcovering is provided.

Abstract: In an X-ray system in which a source directs X-radiation through a subject to a receptor which produces a secondary planar light image, the light image is projected on the planar input face of a light intensifier after passing through the scanning aperture of a moving mask substantially at the plane of the projected light image. Preferably the system includes a moving X-ray mask with a scanning aperture between the source and receptor and means driving the X-ray and light masks in synchronism with their apertures optically superimposed.

Abstract: In an X-ray system with a rotating disk having sector slits transmitting fan shaped X-ray beams from a source through a subject to the image area of an X-ray receptor an improved ratio S/P of X-rays (S) scattered from the subject to primary rays (P) forming a true image of the subject at the image area is realized if the dimensions of the system fall within the following ranges of dimensionless ratios:(1) DW/RL is less than 0.5;(2) D/L is greater than 0.15;(3) LS*N/WD is greater than 0.15 and less than 0.6 whereinD is the distance of the disk from the X-ray source,W is the width of the X-ray image area spanned by the narrow beams,R is the radius of the disk,L is the distance between the X-ray source and the receptor.S* is the radially outermost slit width in the X-ray beam, andN is the number of slits whose beams simultaneously intersect the outer edge of the image area.

Abstract: Scatter is reduced in an X-ray system by a relatively large light- or X-radiation-opaque mask rotating on a first axis and carrying smaller, radiation-opaque masks rotating off the first axis. The smaller masks have elongate radiation windows which are held parallel to each other and to a fixed plane through the first axis by translative drive and driven wheels on the larger and smaller masks coupled by a flexible linkage belt.

Abstract: An X-ray system includes an X-ray receptor producing on its area a light image with a finite range of intensities. Two or more video tubes scan the same area of the image to generate corresponding electrical output signals, each tube having a bias electrode controlled by a variable voltage source so that one tube generates output signals whose amplitude corresponds to one portion of the range of light intensities at the image area and the output signals of the other tube correspond to a different range portion of the image area light intensities.

Abstract: An X-ray system radiates through a subject to an X-ray receptor secondarily emitting a light image includes a moving X-ray mask with X-ray windows between the source and receptor. An electro-optical camera tube views the light image, and the mask includes means for adjusting the width of the windows.

Abstract: X-ray apparatus has a scintillation screen showing a light image in an area viewed by two or more video camera tubes. The tubes receive a projection of the light image in two different ranges of light intensities and generate electrical signals corresponding to the light intensities. The signals are combined to reconstruct the image. Alternatively two or more camera tubes view different portions of the image area generating multiple signal outputs which are reconstructed in a single, continuous display.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing electrically generated heat includes a sealed container holding a bed of fusible heat storage medium, such as an alkali metal hydroxide composition, and having an expansion space above the bed of material to accommodate the medium in its liquid phase. A generally horizontal main electric heating unit is located in the bottom portion of the container for heating the fusible medium above its melting point. A first vertical electric heater is provided in the bed of material in thermal contact with the main heating unit and has its active heating portion extends upwardly from the main heating unit only to the height of the heat storage medium in solid phase. A second vertical electric heater is located in the container in thermal contact with the first vertical heater with the active heating portion of the second heater extending only from the height of the fusible medium in solid phase to the height of the medium in the expanded liquid phase.

Abstract: A flameless combustion burner and method for operating the device. The burner includes an ignition zone with a starting device, a catalyst zone, and a plenum. To obtain flameless combustion, a fuel and a combustion supporting gas is introducted into the ignition zone from the plenum and a flame is initiated by means of the starting device. The products of combustion flow over the catalyst to heat it to a temperature where it can initiate flameless combustion. Then the flow of either the fuel or the combustion supporting gas or both is momentarily stopped and the flame is extinguished. The flow is then resumed while the catalyst is still hot and flameless combustion will start in the catalyst zone. The products of combustion are withdrawn from the catalyst zone and the heat is utilized in the burner.

Abstract: A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a heat storage-heat exchange system in a more efficient manner is described. The method comprises the steps of passing a heating fluid through a bed of heat storage medium to heat and create a hotter portion of the medium, passing a fluid to be heated through the medium counter-current to the heating fluid to create a cooler portion of the medium, and passing a fluid from within the system through an intermediate portion of the heat storage medium between the hotter and cooler portions to steepen the temperature gradient between the hotter portion and the cooler portion.

Abstract: A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.