Abstract: A refrigerant storage apparatus including one or more holding tanks for containing refrigerant, and a float control device capable of preventing further access of refrigerant to the holding tanks when a certain predetermined level of refrigerant has been reached within the holding tanks.

Abstract: A process for making an article comprising a substrate, a first coating on the surface of said substrate of a thin, hard coated metal compound, and a second coating on the surface of said first coat of a thin uniform conformal polymeric material.

Abstract: A retorting apparatus including a vertical kiln and a plurality of tubes for delivering rock to the top of the kiln and removal of processed rock from the bottom of the kiln so that the rock descends through the kiln as a moving bed. Distributors are provided for delivering gas to the kiln to effect heating of the rock and to disturb the rock particles during their descent. The distributors are constructed and disposed to deliver gas uniformly to the kiln and to withstand and overcome adverse conditions resulting from heat and from the descending rock. The rock delivery tubes are geometrically sized, spaced and positioned so as to deliver the shale uniformly into the kiln and form symmetrically disposed generally vertical paths, or "rock chimneys", through the descending shale which offer least resistance to upward flow of gas. When retorting oil shale, a delineated collection chamber near the top of the kiln collects gas and entrained oil mist rising through the kiln.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing electrosurgery with an ultra-sharp electrode composed of a refractory alloy, said electrode having a blunt end and a tip end, and a method for forming the ultra-sharp electrode by rotating about its axis a vertically held cylindrical rod composed of a refractory alloy and repeatedly withdrawing and replacing the rod into a pool of molten oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A medical device made from a material capable of being implanted in living tissue or transcutaneously inserted therein or of long term in-dwelling therein, which exhibits persistent antimicrobial activity in use, and containing a body of a synthetic or naturally occurring material having side surfaces and being capable of being swelled by penetration of a swelling agent and which has been subjected to such a swelling agent which contains completely dissolved therein at least one antimicrobial agent as a solute, the surfaces being contacted by such swelling agent for a sufficient period of time to promote swelling of the matrix of a body of material and thereby permit diffusion and migration of the solution containing the selected antimicrobial agent solute into the interstitial spaces of the body of material at the molecular level by the action of the swelling agent within the body of material, and the solvent being capable of being removed from the solute in the body of material by evaporation and after remo

Abstract: Failsafe apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow from syringes. One or more syringes are positioned so that the piston of each syringe is caused to be precisely displaced to thereby safely deliver medicament from the syringe to a patient. To effect movement of each piston, a rack is provided, either as a part of the piston or secured thereto, and longitudinal movement of each rack is effected by rotating an associated pinion gear that is connected with a pulse-driven, stepper motor utilized in a power-efficient electromechanical configuration, with the operation of the stepper motor being accomplished through dual-redundant state machines controlled by a pre-programmed memory unit, and with the apparatus being repeatedly subjected to a plurality of error checks and data integrity verifications to assure continued proper operation.

Abstract: A basketball net-attaching device for generally tubular netting with upper generally loop-shaped net strings or cords, the device having an annular rim-engaging portion of a diameter corresponding to that of the standard rim of a basketball goal, the member being of inverted channel-shaped configuration and detachably secured over the rim or hoop, and is notched for attaching the upper net strings to the device. The device is preferably mounted with the aid of a lifting tool which has a generally hook-shaped end and can advance the device upwardly through the center of the rim and then draw the annular rim-engaging portion downwardly into engagement with the rim so that the netting hangs downwardly from the rim.

Abstract: A superior method and magnetron sputtering cathode apparatus in which some of the flux lines forming the closed-loop magnetic tunnel are made to change their curvature from convex to slightly concave within a region of the tunnel intersecting the sputtering target volume, and over a substantial fraction of the tunnel width. The improved field shape reduces the tendency of the eroded area of the target to become narrower as erosion progresses, and thereby allows more complete consumption of the target.