Abstract: A static, flow-conditioner apparatus comprising a series of closely spaced shearing edges which contact and condition liquid flowing thereby. The edges are advantageously carried on propellor-shaped articles and mounted on an axial shaft in conduit forming a confined liquid flow space. It is advantageous to modify flow patterns by changes in edge configuration and flow patterns within spaces between closely packed group of the shearing edge-bearing members. Particularly, utility is found in reducing the asphaltene "particles" or "globules" in heavy fuel oil to extremely small size so they are readily burned in a boiler with reduced particulates in the stack effluent.

Abstract: Space and shelving problems in dressing room lockers are alleviated by provision of a locker insert having a shelf-bearing support structure and novel shelves affixed to the support structure and extending laterally across a portion of the width of said locker. The support structure comprises vertical support means adapted to fit close to on locker wall and a lateral rod support member extending horizontally above, and laterally beyond, said shelves. The horizontal support bears against an opposite locker wall and forms a clothes-hanging rod.

Abstract: Extracorporeal apparatus for selective removal of pathogenic factors, i.e. antigens, from blood by circulating the blood through hollow fibers which, exterior to the lumen are in proximity to antibodies, i.e. proteins having strong biospecific activity for the pathogenic factors. In some situations, the antibody is segregated in a liquid medium outside the hollow fiber to improve mass transfer and the antigen penetrates the ultrafilter wall of the fiber to join the antibody.

Abstract: Unfavorable interaction is prevented between (a) electroconductive particle fillers and (b) organic resin binders of the type which are normally instable with respect to viscosity when aged in contact with said fillers. Moreover, electroconductivity degradation is also avoided. In a preferred mode of the invention, the particle surface is treated with a coating of an interfacial pacifying agent such as a tetravalent tin compound which both enhances the electroconductive performance of the particles and also is sufficiently compatible with the resin binder to migrate into the binder sufficiently to avoid undue gelling of the binder by particle-borne contamination or residues of such contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for drying coated surfaces, e.g. inked surfaces, with improved efficiency. The apparatus comprises an air-directing baffle which has vortex-inducing means, e.g. grooves or slots therein. The slots are arranged substantially perpendicular to the general direction of flow of drying gas through a drying zone formed by the baffle and the surface being dried. The vortices provide both (1) improved drying efficiency at the interface between coated surface and drying gas and (2) effective dissipation of kinetic energy from the drying gas as it traverses the drying zone. Less energy is required to exhaust spent drying gas from the drying zone while effectively preventing the gas from escaping into the environment. In dual-drier systems, fed by centrally located air nozzles, means is provided to avoid an asperating effect which tends to suck the web toward the apparatus.

Abstract: Communications Systems particularly suited for manipulating stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), or similar tunable laser amplification effects, to acheive improved means for selecting an optical signal from many such signals carried on a single fiber. This disclosure also describes means for producing a tunable, spectrally-narrow line to power this laser amplification. The disclosure also describes an improved polarization-sweeping device which allows the system to handle variable polarization of signals, when necessary. It also discloses other subsystems and apparatus facilitating the optimum signal-tapping process, including heterodyning procedures, a low-band-width channel-indentification means, and a new laser, all particularly useful in the system described. The laser is also useful in other systems where a tunable, spectrally narrow, stable source is required.

Abstract: An improved flexible magnetic recording medium of the flexible disk type characterized by the use of effective quantities of magnetite to enhance the recording mediums, physical properties, conductivity and opacity. Superior magnetic recording performance is exhibited by such disks.

Abstract: An improved assay for measuring the quantity of Beta-lactam antibiotics, particularly valuable for measuring penicillin in milk. The assay includes the covalent-attachment of a penicillin to a penicillin-binding-protein bound to a matrix, the highly selective attachment of an antibody to such a conjugate, and the detection and measurement of the quantity of resulting antibody-complex material as a direct measure of the amount of penicillin in the milk being tested.

Abstract: A kit comprising materials for sealing leaks in low-pressure gas lines. The kit contains, (a) optionally, a container of corrosion-resistant primer composition; and (b) a special laminated tape comprising a ply of rubber such as neoprene and a ply of pressure-sensitive conformable polyer-based adhesive material based on, e.g., ethylene-propylene rubber, and (c) a seal restraining fabric impregnated with a curable resin such as moisture-curable polyurethane which is characterized by good shelf life and a controlled curing speed when subjected to moisture. The tape of the invention also relates to the novel protective patch structures which are formed by use of the kit material.

Abstract: A process for formation of a silica filler product comprising the steps of subjecting fluidized silicon powder to combustion at a temperature of about 3000.degree. K. and quenching the combustion products to form a silica powder characterized by a large proportion of discrete, non-agglomerated primary particles.

Abstract: A water-emulsification apparatus comprising a conduit and, within the conduit, a series of perforated plates of holes of varying shapes or sizes forming means to effect different shearing action on an oil/water mixture and means for pumping the oil/water mixture therethrough. The conduit system is conveniently constructed so that oil-water mixtures of different characteristics can be directed to flow through different sequences of a perforated plates, thereby achieving an emulsion of desired characteristics.

Abstract: An improved procedure for manufacture of optical replication products comprising the use of a thin amorphous coating of carbon as a protective coating which also facilitates release during replication, between master and replication members. Particular attention is given to controlling the compressive forces of the carbon layer to provide good mechanical coatings on suitable optical surfaces. Thereafter, the replicated members may themselves be coated with the carbon as a protective coating only or for further use as a release-promoting "submasters".

Abstract: A multi-digit, mixed-base or mixed-radix counter of the type used in digital computing devices wherein the value of each digit of the counter is stored in two parts: a first part being the normal numerical value except in certain exceptional cases; and a second part which is zero except in the exceptional cases in which it is a binary one. The exceptional case is when the value to be represented by the counter digit is a terminal digit value, i.e., a maximum digit value when the counter is incrementing or zero value when the counter is decrementing. In the case of a decrementing counter where the normal terminal digit value is a zero, each zero value is replaced with the corresponding maximum digit value for that digit in the first part of the counter, but the second part of the counter identifies in which (if any) of the digits of the first part of the counter such a substitution has been made.

Abstract: Improved compound gripper device particularly useful with laboratory glassware and suitable for use with low or high gripping forces. When gripping forces are high, external gripper member is displaced into a resilient gripping pad which pad is of the type which provides the high-friction gripping force. On release of the gripping force, the external member is released and serves as a means to provide positive displacement of the object being held from the resilient, high-friction, gripping element.

Abstract: In a robotic system for efficient serialization of processing a number of samples by a robotic manipulator through an identical sequence of processing steps with a plurality of the samples being processed through the sequence at a given time, such that they must share the services of the manipulator, the improvement wherein a computer control means 92 operates a schedule-control feature which forms means both(a) to relate (1) the time within said sequence required to carry out all said steps which do not require the robotic manipulator (22) to (2) the time within said sequence which does require the robotic manipulator and the minimum number of processing spaces (305) for samples in non-robotic-manipulated time steps; and(b) to provide a priority of action for manipulator such that the sample which is both ready for further processing and most advanced in the sequence is given priority for further completion when said manipulator (22) is available for said further processing.

Abstract: An improved silver-coated copper-based powder which is characterized by extraordinary stability, in terms of electroconductivity, when the powder is utilized with organic resin to form electroconductive compositions. The powder is made by subjecting it to an intensive heat treatment after the silver is coated thereon.

Abstract: Extracorporeal apparatus for selective removal of pathogenic factors, i.e. antigens, from blood by circulating the blood through hollow fibers which, exterior to the lumen are in proximity to antibodies, i.e. proteins having strong biospecific activity for the pathogenic factors. In some situations, the antibody is segregated in a liquid medium outside the hollow fiber to improve mass transfer and the antigen penetrates the ultrafilter wall of the fiber to join the antibody.

Abstract: An improved system for evaporating liquid to obtain solid residue where by small quantities of a solid are recovered from a first liquid medium and dissolved in another liquid medium. The invention comprises a receptacle for holding the liquid to be treated and structure which localizes entry of an evaporating, or carrier, gas along the wall of the receptacle as it moves downwardly and into contact with the material to be treated. Such localization of inlet gas also provides a relatively quiescent central zone in the receptacle through which exiting gas, carrying evaporated liquid, can be removed without disturbing the flow of inlet gas.

Abstract: Transparent glass sheets comprising thereon titanium-nitride as the principal solar screening layer for reducing transmission of near infrared and, thereover, a layer of tin oxide of about 300 to 800 angstroms thick. The tin oxide layer serves to protect the titanium nitride from oxidation during high-temperature processing procedures, increases the abrasion-resistance, and at roughly the midpoint of the 300 to 800 angstrom range, is useful in reducing the color and visible reflectivity properties of some titanium nitride films. In practice, some of the tin oxide, that is not required for physical protection of the TiN or visual effect, can be positioned between the nitride and the glass substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus constructed such that it may control various other equipment for the performance of various work tasks, even other equipment yet to be designed for work tasks yet to be designed. The improvement in the apparatus feature a call-back control procedure which is activatable from device intelligence to ensure that a specific robotic device can be "called-back", i.e. reactivated, to perform some specific action without the necessity of there being a code entry in the sequence intelligence of the central computer system enabling the specific action. The apparatus comprises a central computer control means comprising (1) a dictionary storage means for tagging and storing command-specific parameters for a specific work tasks and that specific robot module to which each of the parameters belongs and (2) sequencing means to schedule said work-tasks for a plurality of said modules. The module also can be activated for the task without use of the sequencing means, e.g.