Abstract: An electrically initiated igniter having good resistance to accidental looltage triggering is disclosed. The igniter comprises a layer of pyrotechnic mixture packed between two initiating electrodes, advantage being taken of the dielectric properties of a selected component of the mixture to provide a high d.c. resistance between the electrodes, which d.c. resistance so limits the current flow through the layer, resulting from an applied electrical stimulus, as to prevent firing of the mixture at all applied voltages which are less than that at which dielectric breakdown of the layer occurs. When fired, the combustion proceeds without shattering and the igniter is particularly suitable for igniting materials requiring non-brisant initiation.

Abstract: A portable stereo audio apparatus consists of a pair of speaker cabinets each containing a loudspeaker and a main cabinet containing electric devices such as amplifiers and a radio receiver. The speaker cabinets and the main cabinet are in the form of rectangular boxes. The speaker cabinets have half the width of the main cabinet and are normally set on the main cabinet. The speaker cabinets are hinged at their lower outer edge to each upper outer edge of the main cabinet so that when the audio apparatus is used as a stereophonic system the speaker cabinets are rotated about the hinges and located at both side of the main cabinet. The speaker cabinets have the edge diagonally opposite the lower outer edge, i.e., the upper inner edge, so formed as to provide gripping means when the speaker cabinets are rotated about the hinges and located on top of the main cabinet that enable the apparatus to be gripped by one hand and toted about.

Abstract: A football receiving target for practicing place-kicking and improving kicking skills at various distances. The target includes a vertically disposed rim structure, a net secured to the rim, and a pocket sewn in the net to receive footballs. The perimeter of the pocket opening is outlined with a pair of vertical straps and a horizontal strap to simulate the uprights and cross bar of a football goal post. A pair of removable auxiliary straps extend from the rim to the horizontal strap to limit the area of the pocket opening for practicing place kicks at different distances.

Abstract: An inverter has a bipolar transistor and a field-effect transistor. The base gate electrodes are connected to the inverter input, and the collector and source electrodes are connected to the inverter output. The transistors are in series between supply rails. The lower of two possible input voltage levels causes the bipolar transistor to be switched OFF and the field-effect transistor to be switched ON, and the higher possible input voltage level causes the bipolar transistor to be switched ON and the field-effect transistor to be switched OFF. Base current level control is provided for discharging parasitic capacitance across the bipolar transistor when the latter is switched ON.

Abstract: The device comprises a driving mechanism, disconnectable coupling means, a otor in which is conveyed a toxic gas, and an annular seal clamped between stationary knife-edges on the rotor and movable knife-edges associated with a movable annular support unit. A closure control element consisting of an annular jack causes the annular support unit to move between an inactive position and an active position and conversely. A second control element consisting of a resilient washer applies a complementary force to the annular support unit under the action of withdrawal of the driving mechanism.

Abstract: A display cell comprises a liquid-crystal film interposed between two groups of electrodes to which is applied a set of low-frequency voltages in order to produce an optical state "0" at desired points and a set of high-frequency voltages in order to produce an optical state "1" at other predetermined points. In the composite excitation applied to each zone, the low-frequency fraction of excitation exceeds the high-frequency fraction in the "0" display zones and the high-frequency fraction exceeds the low-frequency fraction in the "1" display zones.

Abstract: The fabrication of a charge-coupled device consists in forming an insulating layer in the form of a periodic series of insulating steps, in depositing a metallic layer on alternate steps so as to form electrodes, in implanting regions doped with a type opposite to the substrate into the surface of the semiconductor by directing an ion beam through the insulating steps of small thickness which are transparent to the beam, and in connecting each electrode to a control line.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for preventing a jam of the entrance sizing aperture into a cooling chamber aligned to receive the extrudate derived from an extrusion process apparatus. More specifically, the jam preventing device includes a circular shaped cutter blade pivotally mounted at a point offset from its center and upon detection of an outsized extrudate, driven to sever the extrudate entering the cooling chamber from that already directed therein, to prevent the outsized extrudate from being drawn into the sizing aperture or being driven therein by extruder pressure. The cutter blade is rotatably driven to achieve an extremely rapid cut of the extrudate and includes a cutter support disc whereby the cutter blade may be secured thereto in at least two positions so that a new cutting edge may be presented to the extrudate. Further, the rotating motion of the cutter blade effects a self sharpening action of its cutting edge.

Abstract: A spring loading system achieves substantially zero-rate by winding an unstressed, say flat, spring strip onto a former of constant curvature so as to pass from the unstressed state through a region of predetermined shape to conform with the former. The net energy expended/released in winding/unwinding the strip is directly related to the amount of strip wound onto/off the former, whatever the total length of strip wound. The system is coupled to a driven member by an inextensible string wound on the former in opposition to the spring which is held in tension by the torque exerted on the former by the wound spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a rolled product from a continuously cast blank provides a continuous casting in a groove in a wheel which groove is closed over part of its length by a metal ribbon and the length of closed groove is adjustable to obtain, for the product being produced, the optimum characteristics of the blank at emergence from the groove for a given wheel speed.

Abstract: A process of and apparatus for non-destructive eddy current testing involves the suppression of displayed lobes corresponding to fault parameters to be eliminated from the display. Elimination circuits are provided for operating on the measurement signal to remove the undesirable parameters from the signal by compensation of the effects produced by the parameters at different frequencies.

Abstract: There is disclosed an input/output controller for an information processing system comprising a main memory, a central processing unit, a peripheral controller and a plurality of peripheral units coupled to the central processing unit. In particular, the input/output controller comprises a plurality of physical channels disposed between the peripheral controller and the central processing unit, a plurality of logical channels for transmitting information with the central processing unit, and each uniquely associated with one of the peripheral units. The main memory stores a first table including a physical channel entry containing informaton relative to the plurality of physical channels and a second table including a logical channel entry containing information relative to the plurality of peripheral units.

Abstract: A portable running rope device for practicing running an obstacle course having a supporting framework for supporting a plurality of criss-crossing ropes forming a latticework of running ropes which define spaces in which a runner is to place his feet during use. The framework includes a plurality of cross members with flexible ends to support the latticework of running ropes where the flexible ends yield to prevent injury in case the runner trips during practice.

Abstract: A stack formed by layers of bidimensional fabrics or layers of parallel threads extending alternately from one layer to the next in a first direction and a second direction is sewn in parallel lines by means of a thread which extends in a third direction. The layers are stacked on a support of pyrolyzable material, the stack and the support being sewn by means of the thread which extends in the third direction. The assembly thus obtained is subjected to a temperature between 800.degree. C and 1200.degree. C in a stream of gaseous hydrocarbon in order to pyrolyze the material which constitutes the support and to deposit pyrolytic carbon on the threads which form the three-dimensional fabric.

Abstract: The shock-absorbing device consists of a plate, a cylindrical ring or an annular ring in which circular holes are formed in uniformly spaced relation so that the same cross-section of constituent material is present in all directions of application of forces during the shock impact.

Abstract: A method for processing porous materials with at least one water-insoluble polymerizable compound and the products obtained, said method comprising the following steps in successive order: impregnating a porous material, especially one consisting essentially of a hydraulic binder and a granular or fibrous filler, with said compound; fully covering the thus impregnated material with an aqueous solution of a salt which precipitates when contacted with the hydraulic binder; and polymerizing the compound in the impregnated material while covered with the saline solution.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one compartment grid formed by tube elements of small height placed in juxtaposed relation and each traversed axially by one pin of the bundle. The tube elements are rigidly fixed to each other at successive points in the grid and relatively displaced along the height of the pins so as to be distributed in at least one helix.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle of good stability and high manoeuvreability is disclosed. The vehicle is hydraulically driven and skid-steerable by rotation upon one only, transverse pair of wheels, herein called the pivot wheels, all other wheels being allowed to slide laterally into each new position; and is provided with automatic loading means operative upon the pivot wheels to ensure that ground pressure at these two wheels is always greater, under all drive conditions, than at any other of the wheels. The wheels are articulated to the vehicle frame to absorb irregularities in terrain and provision is also made for adjusting the fore and aft angle of the frame with respect to the wheels for hill climbing or descending.

Abstract: A water-cooled reactor comprises an outer containment vessel and an internal pressure vessel provided with a top closure cap, a pool structure having a bottom orifice located above the pressure vessel and a second orifice providing a communication with a leak-tight compartment for the storage of fuel assembly containers, means for lifting and transferring the pressure vessel cap to and from a storage well, means for lifting and transferring the fuel assemblies to the storage compartment.

Abstract: A set of cylindrical shells is interposed between the main vessel wall of an integrated sodium-cooled fast reactor and the primary core containment vessel so as to form a siphon having two downwardly directed branches. One branch opens into the intervessel zone which is separated from the primary vessel by a shell. The other branch which is nearest the main vessel wall is supplied with part of the cold sodium which has been withdrawn from the intervessel zone by means of pumps and reinjected into the bottom of the reactor core.