Abstract: Granulated coals or cokes derived from coal, in sizes up to about 3/4 inch and containing ash matter with an initial deformation temperature below about 2,300.degree.F, are fed to a slow fluidized bed comprising relatively large particles of coke intermingled with roughly spherical ash agglomerates, maintained at about 1,900.degree.F to about 2,450.degree.F, and supplied with a gasification medium, for example, steam mixed with oxygen or air. A fast fluidized bed of coke fines is superimposed above the slow bed and is contiguous therewith. Gasification products are discharged together with relatively fine particles of coke, which are collected and returned to the fast bed. Ash agglomerates are withdrawn from the bottom of the slow bed via a standpipe leading to a slagging grate. Combustion of coke fines in a forehearth beneath the slagging grate creates slagging temperatures therein and at the grate. Molten slag falls through a taphole and into a pool of water, from which slag frit and water are discharged.

Abstract: A disposable instrument for Neisseria gonorrhoeae making use of an oxidase reagent impregnated in a dry pledget that is activated by being wetted at the time of the test comprising a flexible transparent tube surrounding a frangible ampul containing a wetting fluid to activate the reagent and the pledget, both held in a reaction chamber within the tube by a restriction in the tube and a swab held separated from the pledget by the restriction until a test specimen has been collected thereon. After the specimen has been collected, the swab is reinserted in the tube, forced past the restriction and into contact with the pledget. The frangible ampul is broken by squeezing the flexible tube, and the instrument may be sealed with a cap as the test proceeds.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae in females including a container and operative elements sealed therein. The test makes use of a dry pledget impregnated with reactant chemicals that is adapted to be activated upon being wetted. The test kit includes a stem fitted with an end swab upon which a specimen is collected by probing the patient, a reaction chamber cooperatively arranged with respect to the swab, and a frangible container for holding a wetting fluid adapted to activate the pledget when the test is to be run. The reaction chamber serves the dual function of providing a protective cover for the swab as the specimen is being collected thereon as well as holding the pledget in position for engagement with the specimen to complete the test. A protective skirt surrounds the stem above the swab to ensure the accuracy of the test by preventing such bacteria as pseudomonas which are also present in areas near where the specimen is collected.

Abstract: A ring laser for penetrating electromagnetic radiation such as X or gamma rays, using a pumping beam supplied by a primary lightwave or infrared laser. A member made of active material is illuminated by the beam, which has symmetry of revolution around its axis and whose electric lines of force are circles centered on the said axis. The pumping beam is conveyed by a mirror toward the end of a circular metal channel having a semi-toroidal cross-section and containing the active member, the mirror being formed with an aperture near the axis and transmitting the X or gamma rays emitted by the active member after they have been propagated along the end of the channel. The active member may be made of a substance which can undergo thermonuclear fusion by absorbing X or gamma rays. The active substance may also be a boron hydride or a boronate.

Abstract: An open top rectangular box sheet dispensing device fitted with spring follower for housing individual and separate memorandum sheets which are stacked within the device and are confined at the top sheet and at the rear wall surface by retaining elements located at the top and rear corners of the box housing to overlap the top of the stacked sheets. The sheets are each formed with recessed portions at each side of the sheet adjacent the back edge which fits under the retaining elements of open box dispenser and the box dispenser is provided with vertical guiding elements which fit into these recesses to maintain the sides of the sheets within proper alignment, thereby adapting easy filling of the dispenser while permitting writing over the entire sheet.

Abstract: A rail trackway fitted with braking devices which are arranged along predetermined intervals and comprise elastically deformable braking bodies adapted for use in warehouses and at loading stations for transshipment.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plasma torch capable of an output speed of at least 100 m/s, a fine powder distributor, and a substrate holder which can be heated electrically and cooled by water, which is at an adjustable distance from the torch, and which is movable in two transverse directions at adjustable speeds. The method consists in starting from ceramic having a low roughness CLA and from powder having a narrow granulometric distribution over an average value of at most 10 .mu.m, and projecting the melted powder onto the substrates kept at a regulated temperature and subjected to the said transverse movements.

Abstract: A time division digital switching network comprises first multiplexing means in which first-order digital data channels transmitting words consisting of a given number of bits and having first rates which are different from but multiples of one another undergo a first multiplexing converting them into a second-order digital data channels having a second predetermined rate. Thereafter there are provided second multiplexing means in which the second-order digital channels undergo a second multiplexing converting them into third-order digital data channels having a third predetermined rate. In a digital switching unit having at least one buffer store, the first-order-channel words multiplexed into the third-order channels are grouped at an address whose first part depends upon the second-order channel they occupy in the third-order channel and whose second part depends upon the first-order channel they occupy in the second-order channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transmission of visual information, comprising: a longitudinal row of spaced apart pictures, each picture containing separated animated figures in a frame depicting separated illuminated phases of a movement of the animated figures along a vehicle pathway, and a stroboscopic illumination means mounted in a fixed relation to the frame to sequentially illuminate each picture, variable control switch means energizes the stroboscopic illumination means to turn on illumination independently of moving in the vehicle along the vehicle pathway, and is adjustable for flashing periodically on and off at a rate between about 80 cycles per second and 100 cycles per second, the light pulses which illuminate each picture having a duration which is approximately a tenth of the viewing period for the selected picture of the moving viewer in said vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit sensitive to the ratio of the values of two voltages of fixed polarities and possibly variable magnitudes, including two identical voltage dividers respectively fed from one and the other of said voltages and a third divider fed from a constant amplitude alternative voltage source. Each divider consists of a constant resistance and of a variable voltage sensitive resistance. The relative positions of the constant and variable resistances are the same in the two first dividers and are reversed in the third one; the latter is biassed by a voltage derived from at least one of the voltages to be compared. From the voltages received at the mid-points of the two first dividers, a resulting voltage is derived, the value of which has a simple relation to the ratio of the compared voltages.

Abstract: An electrical connector device comprising a number of H-shaped electrical conductor connecting elements each having four equipotential connection arms so as to embody two rows of connecting pins disposed parallel to one another and perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis. The connecting elements are secured to a solid insulating member in which their central parts are embedded.

Abstract: A carrier bead is disclosed having a core and at least an outer coating of polytetrafluoroethylene or fluorinated ethylene propylene. Use of these fluoropolymers as carrier coatings results in extremely long carrier life and overcomes problems that have heretofore plagued the commercialization of a magnetic brush development system for a plain paper electrostatic copying apparatus.

Abstract: Improvement to video-telephone systems allowing a called subscriber to have at his disposal on his television receiver screen, before he takes off his handset, information about the person who has initiated the call. Each subscriber station has a handset, a television camera, a television receiver and a character generator and is connected to a switching network by a telephone line, an incoming video line and an outgoing video line. Means are provided in the calling station for connecting to the outgoing video line the character generator when the calling subscriber takes down the handset and the television camera when video signals are detected on the incoming video line and in the called station for supplying with current the television receiver when ringing tone signals are detected on the telephone line.

Abstract: An arrangement of modular elements comprising a balance beam having a narrow top rail and trapezoidal base with steep sides giving the illusion of shallowness adapted by connecting means to be used together with one or more cylindrical pedestals each having a well and a recessed disc seated in said well which serves to carry a message and acts as the target or destination of a child walking the rail along a roughened strip longitudinally extending the length thereof, the child sensing the strip by the sense of touch through the bottom of his feet.

Abstract: A mobile storage and transport unit for use in a shelf storage system. Each unit comprises a first part consisting of a four sided frame in which rollers are housed with their axes of rotation above the frame and a second part which is adapted for receiving and carrying the goods to be stored and is detachably supported on the first part. The frame of the first part comprises two profile cross members, each of them being equipped with a first, protruding member extending towards the outside of the frame in a direction parallel to the frame, and with a second protruding member arranged on the opposite side of said first member on said profile member and extending upwardly inclined towards the inside of the frame.

Abstract: A sound pick-up and reproducing system, comprising a first and a second pair of directional microphones respectively disposed at a first and a second given distance from the sonic scene to be transmitted, said second distance being greater than said first distance, said four microphones being closely coupled; the system is characterized in that the spacing between the microphones of the second pair is substantially less than that between the microphones of the first pair, and in that the angular divergence between the sound pick-up axes of the second pair is substantially less than the angular divergence between the sound pick-up axes of the first pair of microphones.

Abstract: A process for preparing fusible, crosslinkable resinous intermediates of polyaddition and polycondensation resins consisting essentially of continuously proportioning and feeding a resin precursor composition in solid and liquid form, in a mixing and kneading machine, intensively mixing the resin precursor composition in both the longitudinal and transversal directions and simultaneously heating said composition, thereby plasticizing and homogenizing the same below the temperature of cross-linking and hardening and at a temperature of 50.degree.-90.degree. C during a brief average dwell time in the mixing chamber of said machine which will prevent excessive stiffening of the mixture in the form of a pasty mass to thereby plug the machine, continuously expelling the plasticized intermediate resin mix at a temperature of 50.degree. to 90.degree. C in the form of a pasty mass through a hollow die with twin conical outlet heated to a temperature of not more than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for welding of steel pipe to a pressure vessel comprising the steps of cutting an opening in the wall of the pressure vessel, joining a connection member which consists of a thickened rim or lenticularly shaped disc, aligning the disc with a bore at a right angle to a tangential plane of the outer surface of the connection member, and welding in two specific areas whereby said first weld at the rim of said forged disc to the wall of said pressure vessel has greater strength against notch breaking at the thicker portion and the second welding at the opening of the wall of said pressure vessel provides a smooth transition.