Abstract: A process for preparing thermoformable laminate structure comprising foamed thermoplastic sheet having a fabric adhesively bonded to one surface thereof.

Abstract: A twin-sheet thermoformable laminate structure is provided which has two layers of foamed thermoplastic material. A coating of a fabric impregnated with an acrylic resin having a softening temperature greater than 75.degree. C. is applied to at least the outer surface of each layer of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A permeable asphaltic concrete composition comprising a gradated mixture of aggregate rock which is skip-gradated. A 25 millimeter thick layer of the asphaltic concrete composition has a permeability to accommodate at least 40 centimeters per hour of rainfall. Such asphaltic concrete compositions are useful as a base for vertically-draining artificial turf systems.

Abstract: A laminated, spray-suppression device having service properties over a wide range of use temperatures includes a non-woven nylon fabric core layer to inhibit stress cracks originating at low temperatures in an embrittled, grass-like low density polyethylene or polypropylene layer on one side of the core layer from propagating through to a high density polyethylene backing layer on the other side of the core layer.

Abstract: Elastomeric polyurethanes, e.g. as prepared by reacting diisocyanate-capped, essentially linear polyester or polyether and polyol suitable for cross-linking thereof, are inhibited against undesired hardening in use or storage by including in the polyurethane-forming reactant mixture a plasticizing composition composed of carboxylate having a 200-1,000 molecular weight and at least two monocyclic aryl radicals per molecule and, based on the weight of said carboxylate, 0.1-5% glycol having a 62-500 molecular weight.

Abstract: Structure for mounting a spray-suppression side skirt adjacent a vehicle wheel which forcibly holds the skirt against displacement in operative position perpendicular to the roadway during movement of the vehicle, yet will accommodate guided movement of the skirt to a clearance position to permit access to the vehicle wheel or to accommodate the wheel striking the skirt during turning of the wheels.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for severing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes comprised of thermoplastic material which membranes are arranged in the form of a bundle and also sealing the bores of the membranes in an essentially fluid-tight manner. The severing and sealing of essentially all of the hollow fiber membranes in the bundle can readily be accomplished without any significant decrease in membrane performance or strength. The severing and sealing of the hollow fiber membranes is accomplished by passing a heated member through the bundle in a path transverse to the orientation of the hollow fiber membranes wherein the temperature of the heated member is above the melt temperature of the hollow fiber membranes. Advantageously, the hollow fiber membranes which are severed in accordance with this invention can have a significant void volume and may be anisotropic with a thin, dense skin.

Abstract: In apparatus containing a bundle of tubes such as permeators, a tubular spacer substantially surrounds a tube sheet in which tubes are embedded for at least a portion of the lateral surface of the tube sheet. The tubular spacer serves to position the tube sheet within the apparatus. The tube sheet has at least one rise region intermediate a face and an expanded zone having larger cross-sectional dimensions than the corresponding dimensions of the face, and the rise region is adapted to abut the tubular spacer. The tube sheet can have sufficient length along the orientation of the tubes in order to ensure a fluid tight relationship between tubes and the tube sheet, and the amount of material to form the tube sheet can be reduced, thereby minimizing the effect of differential expansions.

Abstract: A method of removably covering a smooth, rigid surface such as a floor, with a large section of heavy duty, artificial turf which involves pulling it across the surface while supported on a pneumatic cushion to minimize frictional drag and then relieving the cushion after the section is in place to allow it to settle onto the surface. The installation in use comprises such turf supported within its periphery on the pneumatic cushion in contactless overlying relationship above the rigid surface. The apparatus comprises powered rollers for supporting a roll of the turf, rope-like members for attachment to the roll along its leading margin, winches for pulling such rope-like members and a blower for developing the air cushion between the turf and rigid surface.

Abstract: A laminated, spray-suppression device having service properties over a wide range of use temperatures includes a non-woven nylon fabric core layer to inhibit stress cracks originating at low temperatures in an embrittled, grass-like low density polyethylene or polypropylene layer on one side of the core layer from propagating through to a high density polyethylene backing layer on the other side of the core layer.

Abstract: A vortex-shedding flowmeter comprising two stationary vortex-shedding cross-members (i.e., bluff bodies) disposed transversely to a stream of fluid. Each cross-member has a bluff face with sharp Karman vortex generating edges with independently selected edge to edge widths d of from 10 to 40% of the inside width of the conduit through which the fluid flows and lengths 1 of from 0.3 to 2.0d. The second cross-member is disposed downstream of the first cross-member a distance of from 4 to 15 times the width d of the first cross-member. Any sensor may be used in any location provided it or they sense the Karman vortices generated by co-action of the two cross-members. This flowmeter provides strong signals with a high signal to noise ratio and high Strouhal number.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus for producing an output in response to a predetermined condition comprising bistable means (4) having a set input, a reset input and an output; trigger means (2, 6) for applying a first train of pulses (.phi..sub.1) to one of the inputs of the bistable means and for applying a second train of pulses of the same frequency as and different phase to the first train of pulses to the other input of the bistable means in response to a predetermined condition: and an output device (8) responsive to oscillation of the bistable means between its stable states.

Abstract: A pilot-operated back pressure regulator of simplified design and construction having a balanced valve plug attached to a diaphragm actuator and secured to the regulator body by bolts for ready simultaneous removal of the plug and actuator. The diaphragm divides the actuator into two cavities; a spring cavity acting to close the valve plug and pressure balancing cavity. A pilot valve is in communication with the inlet pressure to the regulator body, the spring cavity and an exhaust to regulate the inlet pressure to flex the diaphragm. In a preferred embodiment O-ring seals are located between (a) the valve plug and the valve seat, (b) the valve plug and its guide, and (c) the valve plug guide and the regulator body.

Abstract: The housing of a reed switch, actuatable by magnetic flux, is supported at the ends by grommets fitting snugly inside an aluminum sleeve. The switch terminals extend from the housing adjacent a closed end of the sleeve, have lead wires soldered to them and are in an embedment of silicone rubber. A cable having electric lines projects into an open end of the sleeve. After passing through an insulating spacer plate the wires are soldered to the cable lines. The portion of the sleeve between the open end and the adjacent grommet is filled with a silicone rubber embedment. The sleeve is positioned in a bore in a mounting body and adjacent a side of the body is a float responsive magnet.

Abstract: A housing has an internal opening or cavity within which is a body. Both the opening and body have a relatively large cylindrical median portion and two smaller cylindrical end portions. Three annular diaphragms interconnect the housing and the body and divide that portion of the remaining opening between the two into four gas pressure chambers. The two end chambers are connected through respective ports in the body to pressures representing commanded value and actual value respectively. The two central chambers are connected through respective ports in the body to pressures representing negative feedback and positive feedback respectively. A fifth port communicating with the negative feedback chamber serves as an output pressure port.

Abstract: A multistage catalytic reactor of unitized internal construction whereby the vertical support columns for the division plates and the catalyst support grids comprise a unitized structure from the top to the bottom of the reactor and are fixedly attached at their respective ends to the top and bottom of the reactor. The reactor further includes horizontal beams for support of a catalyst support grid or mesh, at least some of said beams being mounted for movement relative to said vertical columns through windows or openings in at least a portion of said columns. The beams are of such length that they either (i) span as a chord across the reactor or (ii) at least one end of the beam abuts a vertical column with sufficient clearance to allow for expansion. At each junction between a beam and a window in a vertical column as well as where a beam end abuts a vertical column, the beam is supported on a rocker means affixed to the column so that the beam is free to move as it expands and contracts.

Abstract: A catalytic material for oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide at any temperature above 300.degree. C., comprising a catalyst which at reaction conditions is a melt including sulfatized vanadium ions as the active catalytic component and two different promoters and which is dispersed in an inert porous carrier.The first promoter comprises cesium ions, optionally in combination with ions of another alkali metal such as sodium, potassium or rubidium, known to promote vanadium catalysts. The second promoter comprises ions of a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, yttrium or lanthanum, which does not promote formation of inactive V.sup.4 species and the oxide of which has a heat of formation greater than 100 kcal per oxygen atom and is at least partly soluble in the heavily sulfatized environment of the melt.

Abstract: A fiber bed separator and method are provided for separating liquids from gases using cylindrical fiber bed elements disposed in a non-vertical position, preferably at an angle of from 0.degree. to 75.degree. from horizontal, and particularly disposed in a substantially horizontal position. The fiber bed is of fiber of at least 5 micron mean diameter packed to a bed voidage of from about 85 to 98%, the fiber diameter and bed voidage being selected such that at design bed velocity and liquid loading the fiber bed is not flooded and the residual saturation of the fiber bed against gas drag (R.sub.v) on the liquid collected is less than the residual saturation of said bed against gravity drainage (R.sub.g). The gas stream containing the liquid flows from the hollow core of the cylindrical element radially through the fiber bed such that the gas and the collected liquid phase flow radially outwardly through said fiber bed and the liquid drains downwardly around the outer circumference of the fiber bed.

Abstract: A filter bed separator for separation of liquid or solid particulates from gas streams and/or for washing of accumulated solids from the filter bed. Each separator contains one or more cylindrical filter bed elements, each comprising a non-matting bed of filter material defining a hollow cylindrical filter bed element having a hollow core, with the filter bed terminating at the walls of a gas inlet duct. The gas inlet duct comprises one or more ducts disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the cylindrical element with the walls of the duct extending from outside the housing of the separator to the inner circumference of the filter bed.

Abstract: Removal of molten slag from combustion chambers for combustion of combustible gases containing entrained slag-forming particulates, is frequently a problem since the slag tends to solidify in the tap-hole resulting in bridging and eventual pluggage of the tap-hole. This invention eliminates this problem by providing a dam around the periphery of the tap-hole of sufficient height to maintain a pool of molten slag on the inclined bottom of the combustion chamber to a depth whereby said slag pool is an effective heat sink to maintain the molten slag in flowable condition, and by providing in the dam at least one inclined drain trough which over-hangs the tap-hole a sufficient distance to minimize contact of draining slag with the walls of the tap-hole.