Abstract: An apparatus to separate hair into units of three for braiding, producing several such units in one application, comprises a handle and a platform affixed thereto having an upper shelf and anchor. The anchor has comb-like teeth for fixing the device to the hair of the subject. The upper shelf prevents tangling of unbraided hair above the device. A blade fixed perperdicularly to the platform has a plurality of teeth separated by notches of alternating depths which receive strands of hair. A lower shelf affixed at an angle to the blade acts as a support for the separated hair strands and prevents tangling. The width between braids may be varied by providing teeth of different widths on the blade.

Abstract: A cooling machine, useful for air conditioning, refrigeration, ice production, or the like, based on the ammonia absorption thermodynamic cycle, and operated by a heat source of relatively low temperature, as for example a set of solar heat collectors, wherein the generator of said cooling machine comprises a first vessel through which said ammonia solution is circulated and is subject to separation of ammonia from water in the solution by raising its temperature through heat exchange relationship with a stream of a hot liquid, heated in the set of solar collectors; and a second vessel coaxially disposed surrounding said first vessel, whereby the walls of said first and second vessels define an annular hot water circulation chamber; said first vessel having a plurality of staggered series of heat transfer fins of predetermined dimensions so as to optimize the heat transfer from said hot liquid to the ammonia solution in said generator.

Abstract: A cover for protecting vehicles or structures from the damaging impact of hailstones or other falling objects. The cover includes a plurality of energy-absorbing rods disposed parallel and closely adjacent to one another along their long dimensions. The rods are substantially circular in cross section and made of a resilient material. The rods are held in their relative positions by an enclosing means, which may be two flexible sheaths made of a textile. The first and second sheaths are fastened together between and along the long dimensions of the rods, and at the perimeters of the sheaths, so as to enclose and hold the rods, forming the assembled cover. This construction allows the cover to be rolled up for easy storage. The cover has fastening means, such as flanges for tie downs, for attaching the cover to a vehicle to be protected.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed process for catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock where the hydrocarbon feedstock, particularly a feedstock with a high content of basic nitrogen compounds, and a catalyst circulate in the tubular zone co-currently from the top to the bottom, where the catalyst, which is under equilibrium conditions at 150.degree. C., and a pressure of 5 mbar, adsorbs less than 250 micromols, and preferably less than 50 micromols, of pyridine/g, and whose pyridine retention, after heating at 350.degree. C. under vacuum, does not exceed 20%, and preferably not 10%, of the amount adsorbed at 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A modified or bridged asphalt composition. The composition can be obtained by treating at least one asphalt base with an acid-derived compound having at least two functional groups capable, respectively, of being grafted onto one or more sites located on two or more different aromatic entities of the asphalt base, so as to link said entities by bridging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing steel bars wherein at least four individual bars are rolled at the same time from a single billet, thus increasing the production capacity of a given rolling mill operating at a predetermined velocity and designed to produce only one or two bars at the same time and without requiring tension relieving stations between the slitting box and the finishing rolling stands as in the prior art. The problems of uniform quality of final bars are solved by preforming the outermost elements of a multi-stranded stock with different shape and/or cross section as compared to the inner elements of said multi-stranded stock. An apparatus for separation of the individual elements of the multi-stranded bar is provided wherein the elements are separated at several stages starting with the two outermost elements in the first stage and continuing in the same order until the center elements are separated in the last stage.

Abstract: Method of continuously casting steel slabs and the like wherein a layer of melting powder is maintained at the top portion of the casting mold with sufficient thickness so as to provide an increased thermal insulation to the liquid layers of steel and slag, whereby the formation of a solidified slag rim in the mold is eliminated and the surface quality of the steel products is considerably improved. The melting powder addition according to the invention also reduces the number of break-outs and consequently considerably increases the availability and productivity of the caster.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device to a wall or other smooth stationary object. The present invention consists of a tether, a means for attaching the tether to the flotation device, an anchoring means, and a means for adjusting the length of the tether. The anchoring means comprises a handle, a face having a plurality of small suction cups, and a hole for passage of the tether in adjustable engagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for crushing and fine grinding of solid particulate materials, e.g. clinkers used in cement, utilizing a conventional ball mill. More particularly, the invention involves use of such a ball mill in the primary crushing of the material (which use is advantageously limited to the preliminary crushing operation requiring minimum energy consumption), and of a jet mill in the final crushing (conventionally done in a ball mill also). The jet mill is incorporated in a secondary independent grinding circuit which grinds the material to the required fineness value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus which permits the conversion of fractions of petroleum hydrocarbons. The claimed invention provides for the conversion of at least one light hydrocarbon fraction, as well as a heavier hydrocarbon feedstock. The inventive process takes place at a high temperature and in the presence of a dilute fluidized phase of heat-transfer particles. The process comprises contacting the light-hydrocarbon feedstock and then the heavier feedstock, in a sequential manner with catalytic or noncatalytic heat-transfer particles in a continuous flow reactor. The process further provides for separating and stripping, to separate at least 90 percent of the particles which are regenerated before recycling.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous replacement of a first catalyst by a second catalyst which first catalyst is circulating as a moving bed of solid particles in a hydrocarbon treating unit, which unit comprises at least one processing reactor. The first catalyst is withdrawn downstream of the reactor, or of each reactor, in the direction of catalyst circulation. The second catalyst is simultaneously injected upstream of the reactor or of each reactor. The bulk density of the material withdrawn downstream of the reactor, or of each reactor, is measured continuously. The withdrawal of the first catalyst and the injection of the second catalyst into the reactor concerned are interrupted when the bulk density so measured is equal to that of the second catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of petroleum hydrocarbons in the presence of catalyst particles in a fluidized phase in an essentially upflow or downflow tubular reaction zone. The process includes at least one stage of steam cracking of at least one light hydrocarbon fraction and a stage of catalytic cracking of at least one heavy hydrocarbon fraction. The steam cracking is carried out by contacting the light hydrocarbons and a quantity of steam equal to at least 20 percent by weight in a fluidized bed of the catalyst particles, the resulting temperature ranging from 650.degree. to 850.degree. C. The catalytic cracking of the heavy hydrocarbons is carried out by injection of the effluents from the upstream section of the reaction zone into the catalyst suspension in such a way that the temperature of the mixture ranges from 500.degree. to 650.degree. C. and is then reduced to a temperature ranging 475.degree. to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: A tire cure control system and method characterized by a computer-based data acquisition and process control unit that uses non-invasive, direct cure measurements to adjust the length of cure so that all cured articles such as tires will be cured to the same extent in the minimum amount of time, thereby to maximize production while providing uniformly cured products. The unit generally includes at least one microwave probe, although preferably multiple microwave probes, placed in the mold and a processor to process probe data and to initiate a control action principally initiating a mold opening sequence at the optimal time. Initiation of the mold opening sequence at least in part is based upon a measurement of the time rate of change of the attenuation of microwave energy caused by the curing rubber compound in the mold.

Abstract: An automotive antenna system for receiving FM broadcast band radio signals includes a conformal antenna and a glazing panel having an electrically conductive coating. A conductive trace integrated with a front windshield panel, for example, forms an active slot antenna which is connected by a coaxial cable to the automobile's FM radio receiver. A transparent conductive layer is applied over a substantial portion of the rear window opening which is typically dimensioned such that it would otherwise be resonant within the FM broadcast band and parasitically coupled to the active antenna, which would cause the active antenna to have an undesirable directional pattern. The transparent layer has a sufficiently high conductivity and is applied over a sufficiently large portion of the resonant window opening to substantially reduce or eliminate resonances within the FM broadcast band.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing a tapered airsleeve has a bladder curing chamber into which a rigid tapered sleeve cartridge is inserted to form the airsleeve thereon. The bladder curing chamber is formed by a rigid bladder support tube positioned between upper and lower plates and joined by strain rods. A straight cylindrical bladder is positioned within the bladder support tube and the ends are sealed by flipping them from the inside of the bladder support tube 180.degree. over each end of the tube for sealing the curing chamber. The hollow tapered sleeve mold or cartridge is inserted into the bladder curing chamber and will be dimensionally similar to the airsleeve to be molded therein. A preshaped uncured green sleeve is positioned over the tapered sleeve cartridge before inserting it into the curing chamber. The straight cylindrical bladder is inflated and expands radially outwardly causing the uncured sleeve to conform against the tapered sleeve cartridge.

Abstract: A vibration damping device includes axially spaced first and second end members adapted to be mounted on spaced apart structures. An intermediate member is mounted within an open end of the second end member. A center member consisting of a rigid tube having a hollow bore and a lower piston is connected to the first end member and extends through the interior of the intermediate member. The tube forms an annular orifice which extends about a rigid electrode rod which extends through the rigid tube and which is also connected to the first end member and piston but electrically isolated therefrom. A pair of elastomeric sleeves extend between the intermediate member and first end member and between the intermediate member and the piston to form a pair of fluid chambers communicating with the orifice and adapted to contain an electrorheological fluid. Each of the sleeves has a rolling lobe with circular centers and different radii of curvature.

Abstract: A portable machine for testing on site the uniformity of a tire or other components of a tire/wheel assembly. A compact rigid frame has a base formed by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse frame members for supporting the machine on a planar surface. A box-like subframe is mounted on the base and supports a mounting plate for the tire/wheel assembly. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on a pair of slide rods extending upwardly from the subframe. A road wheel and drive motor are mounted on the base, with the motor being mounted within the subframe and the load wheel being located beneath the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate. An air spring raises and lowers the mounting plate for placement and removal of a tire/wheel assembly thereon. A loading mechanism applies a force on the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate to forceably move a tire into contact with the road wheel, and is measurable by a first load cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the pneumatic transport of friable particulate solid material through a transport pipe by means of a carrier gas circulating in a loop comprising the transport pipe and a carrier gas recycle conduit. A value of kinetic energy of the carrier gas is determined at a location proximal to a point of introduction of the material into the transport pipe. This value is compared with a kinetic energy set point to produce a first control signal which controls venting of carrier gas from the loop. A value of flow rate of the carrier gas in the loop is determined and compared with a comparison signal based on the first control signal to produce a second control signal. The second control signal is used to control the flow rate of the carrier gas through the carrier gas loop.

Abstract: In method and apparatus for producing iron and steel from iron cores largely composed of iron oxides, wherein a direct reduction process is used to produce a solid particulate intermediate product, generally known as sponge Iron or Direct Reduced Iron (DRI); pneumatically conveying large iron-bearing particles, such as pelletized iron ore or particularly DRI, in a closed transport pipe, eg. from the reduction reactor of the direct reduction process to the metallurgical furnaces where liquid iron or steel are produced, for example electric arc furnaces, induction furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, etc. or to a briquetting press to form DRI briquettes, or simply to a silo or storage bin, or in general to a subsequent processing step for said DRI. When the carrier gas is recirculated for reuse, surprisingly air can be a preferred source of such gas, especially for reactive hot DRI.