Abstract: A reagent and a method for using the reagent for treating a solid material disposed in a liquid medium and having an oxygen-controlled surface condition. The reagent includes a liquid hydrocarbon, a reducing material and an activator material. The liquid hydrocarbon has a specific gravity different from the specific gravity of the liquid medium. The reducing material is present in an amount sufficient to establish a reducing environment around the solid material for breaking the oxygen control on the surface of the solid material. The activator material is present in an amount sufficient to establish an electrostatic charge on the solid material after the oxygen-controlled surface condition has been broken. A more specific feature of the invention is directed to the method of flotation of extremely fine bituminous coal having an oxygen-controlled surface condition. The reagent is useful in froth flotation processes and in bath flotation and separation processes.

Abstract: A dust and soot collector surrounds a top portion of a stack or duct. Sprays of water are directed across a path of a gas flow exiting the stack. The water removes particles of dust and soot from the gas. A slush is created which falls into a peripheral trough and is removed.

Abstract: A wire or other core is enclosed by two concentric extruded layers, at least one of which is of crystallizable polymeric material, by extruding the layers in succession around but spaced from the core. The first and second layers are brought into thermal and mechanical engagement with each other before the first contacts the core, and the relative thermal capacities of the parts and the temperatures of the layers as they are brought into engagement are such that as the second layer cools and increases in strength and the first layer is heated by thermal transfer from the second layer and decreases in strength, a region of least overall yield strength is formed at a position where the temperature of at least one of the parts (being made of a crystallizable polymeric material) is at a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystalline melting point.

Abstract: A method of fitting an electrical connector housing to an electrical contact comprises feeding a chain of connector housings linked end to end in the direction of their length towards a fitting station and, at said fitting station, effecting relative lengthwise movement between the leading housing of the chain and a contact in such a direction as to cause the leading housing to be fitted on to the contact.

Abstract: An axial piston pump is provided for producing two output streams that can be regulated independently of each other with respect to size and pressure.

Abstract: Enthalpy is recovered from hot industrial effluents by converting a working fluid into a foam in a flashing unit and using the foam to propel a turbine located within or at the output of the flashing unit. For liquid effluents the effluent itself serves as the working fluid. For gaseous effluents a liquid is heated by the gas and then the liquid is used as the working fluid. If the effluents contain undesirable levels of pollutants working fluid is cleaned before it is flashed. The specification discloses both impulse and reactive turbines which the foam can propel.

Abstract: Apparatus for precise positioning of a movable stage such as a microscope stage including a light source and a self-scanning array of photodiodes for receiving light from the light source. An opaque shade is adapted to be moved with the shade and block at least a portion of the light which otherwise would impinge on the self-scanning photodiode array. The self-scanning photodiode array is adapted to emit an electrical signal proportional to the number of photodiodes on which light impinges. A digital comparator is adapted receive this signal in digitized form and compare the same with a positioning program digital input. In the event of a difference a responsive signal is emitted to a bi-directional motor drive which effects corrective movement of the stage. The apparatus may also function as a tachometer.

Abstract: The specification discloses a single point mooring and fender suitable for large ocean going vessels. A dolphin is surrounded by a ring which is connected to the dolphin by a plurality of extensible resilient members adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of a hull moving against the fender.

Abstract: The disclosed invention pertains to an autoclave apparatus for receiving parts to be bonded or cured which includes a removable cover on the end of a pressure vessel having radiant heat means that directs heat directly onto the surface of a product to effect a bonding or curing temperature without substantially heating the pressure vessel and its parts.

Abstract: A mould handling, cleaning and preparation apparatus is provided having a bridge movable over a work area, a trolley running lengthwise of the bridge and carrying suspended therefrom a vertical guide frame with an inner telescoping lift column carry tongs at the lower end, a secondary guide frame with a vertically movable cleaning column and rotatable cleaning head is mounted on one side of the main guide frame and a spray head guide rail and vertically moving spray head are mounted on the opposite side of the guide frame.

Abstract: The trap top and bottom portions are reeved with an operator line such that the operator above water may by taking in line pull the top portion down onto the bottom portion and enclose the bait and attendant marine life therein preliminary to raising the closed trap out of the water. In addition, a second float is attached to the top portion. The second float has sufficient buoyancy to hold the top portion in the raised position, but insufficient buoyancy to lift the entire trap. The second float is connected to the top portion through a timed release device of pre-selected duration. The timed release may be a soluble link with a known rate of solubility in water and of a thickness selected to last in the water for the length of time desired.

Abstract: A hydraulically inflatable roll for flat rolled products is formed with a constant cross section internal fluid channel spaced uniformly from its working surface and extending spirally from end to end of the roll. The channel is connected through an end of the roll to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and also to a pressure transducer which in turn is connected to a display device. A proximity trigger is associated with an end of the roll so as to signal the start and the end of the circumferential travel of the channel past the contact line between roll and work when the roll is rotated, and the pressure exerted on that moving area in that interval is continuously measured and transmitted to the display device. Means are also disclosed for using that signal to control gauge and shape of the rolled product.

Abstract: A thin cadmium-telluride semiconductor film for use in solar cells is grown epitaxially on a second semiconductor film, typically tellurium, which may be epitaxial on a substrate semiconductor, typically single-crystal cadmium-telluride. The second semiconductor has a lower resistance to layered cleaving than the desired semiconductor. Application of a strain to the sandwich causes the desired thin CdTe layer to peel off by fracture along the plane of the second semiconductor.

Abstract: A miniature self-powered four wheel drive vehicle is disclosed which will climb grades of about 50.degree.. The vehicle is powered by a small electric motor positioned over the front wheel axle and having its center of mass in front of the axle, and a AA battery located behind and perpendicular to the motor. A propeller shaft extends the length of the vehicle and has a crown gear which engages a pinion on the motor drive shaft and two worm gears each of which engages a spur gear on the front and rear axles. Traction and climbing characteristics are enhanced by overscale tires having highly pronounced treads. An optional 1.5 light bulb and light distributor simulates headlights.

Abstract: In an overhead electric transmission system in which an overhead conductor includes at least one optical fibre constituting part of an optical communication system, there is provided, at a tower along the system, an electrically conductive rod supported by and electrically insulated by an insulator from the cross-arm of the tower but electrically connected to earth through the primary winding of a step-down voltage transformer. The rod is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to a group of overhead electric conductors suspended from the cross-arm by an insulator. The surface area of the metal rod and its position with respect to the group of current-carrying conductors of the system are such that electrical power for regenerators or other ancillary equipment of the optical communication system is provided across the secondary winding of the transformer, thereby affording simple and inexpensive means of providing such power.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting tube banks in a shell and tube heat exchanger comprises a tube sheet co-extensive with the ends of a pair of adjoining tube banks into which tube sheet a plurality of aligned U-bends are fitted at their ends. The U-bends are positioned to connect each tube end in one bank with its mirror image tube end in the adjoining bank.

Abstract: A vertical rolling mill is disclosed wherein a means for driving the mill rolls is comprised of a rigid vertical spindle having universal joints and couplings at either end which is detachably connected to the mill roll at its lower end and connected to a splined driving member at its upper end. The splined driving member consists of two parts. First, a hollow sleeve is mounted vertically in a drive case on the mill frame. The sleeve is supported within the frame through top and bottom antifriction bearings. It has internal splines at the lower end of its bore and an internal shoulder above the spline end. Second, a vertical shaft with an external spline and collar is inserted into the sleeve. The vertical shaft engages the internal spline of the sleeve and is supported by its collar which rests on the internal shoulder in the sleeve. Thus, the top frame, rather than the mill roll bearing, supports the weight of the spindle, joints and pod coupling.