Abstract: In order to provide a flexible oxide superconducting cable which is reduced in AC loss, tape-shaped superconducting wires covered with a stabilizing metal are wound on a flexible former. The superconducting wires are preferably laid on the former at a bending strain of not more than 0.2%. In laying on the former, a number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on a core member in a side-by-side manner, to form a first layer. A prescribed number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on top of the first layer in a side-by-side manner, to form a second layer. The former may be made of a metal, plastic, reinforced plastic, polymer, or a composite and provides flexibility to the superconducting wires and the cable formed therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating an azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fracture in unconsolidated and weakly cemented soils and sediments using active resistivity to monitor and control the fracture initiation and propagation. Separate or overlapping treatment walls and containment barriers can be created by controlling and monitoring the propagation of fractures in the subsurface. A fracture fluid is injected into a well bore to initiate and propagate a vertical azimuth controlled fracture. The fracture fluid is energized to conduct electrical current while the fracture propagates through the ground. A series of electrical resistivity monitors measure the electrical conductivity of the fracture fluid in real time against the background conductivity of the formation.

Abstract: A cationic fibrous acetate salt of boehmite alumina produced by providing a slurry of water and basic aluminum acetate, stirring the slurry to ensure substantially complete mixing thereof, reacting the slurry in a vessel for a time, temperature, and stirring rate sufficient to produce a fibrous cationic acetate salt of boehmite alumina having a zeta potential of greater than about 25 and a weight ratio of aluminum to acetate of less than about 4.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of bare wire conductor. The conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a pay out accumulator for accumulating a portion of the conductors during replacement of spent pay out reels. At least one extrusion process arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective conductor as it passes through its respective extrusion process. A cooling and/or curing trough through which water is flowed cools and/or cures the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling and/or curing trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up reel arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.

Abstract: An exercise device for specific isolation and development of abdominal, pelvic, shoulder, forearm and buttock muscle groups comprises a deformable spring-resistance which is closely retained against the user's lower abdominal and upper leg region. When the device is used in a horizontal position the user kneels on the frame and grasps the frame with the hands and performs a pelvic thrusting motion against the resistance means by use of the above-stated muscle groups.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are described for the removal of light metals; sodium, lithium, calcium and magnesium, from virgin aluminum tapped from a Hall Heroult reduction cell using LiF-modified or LiF+MgF2 electrolyte. The method is performed in a crucible or at a station intermediate between the cells and furnaces in a cast house. Fine particulate aluminum fluoride and/or sodium aluminum tetrafluoride are transported by a gas or gas mixture into the molten aluminum in a manner such that the light metals are preferentially removed or their concentration substantially lowered through: a) the axle of a specially designed spinning impeller; b) partially through the axle of a specially designed spinning impeller and partially through one or more pipes equipped with dispersers for dispersing into the molten metal flow close to the spinning impeller; or c) through one or more pipes equipped with dispersers for dispersing into the molten metal flow close to the impeller fastened to a solid axle.

Abstract: A packing material unit for liquid-gas contact apparatus which has a first plurality and a second plurality of loops (15) being at a first angle (loop 15) or a second angle (loops 15′ and 15″), respectively, the second angle being the opposite of the first angle, with the first loops and the second loops alternating, and an interior support for maintaining the loops of at their respective angles. The loops have an interior point and an exterior point, and an interior support connects the interior points. There is also an exterior ring (25) for connecting the exterior points of the loops. The loops, interior support, and exterior ring also have a plurality of protuberances (35, 65, 95).

Abstract: Pieces (21) are cut out from a lay-up (20) built up from plies of superposed flexible sheets of material, and the lay-up is then packaged in full inside a covering (70) without separating the cutout pieces from the scrap. The lay-up can thus be transferred from a cutting installation to a workshop for assembling the pieces, and information relating to the layout or layouts of the cutout pieces can be transmitted therewith.

Abstract: An electrical cable with a stranded central conductor encircled by insulation including a material which provides self-sealing properties to the cable present at least between the adjacent edges of the stranded conductor and the insulation. Preferably, the material is a polymeric material which is flowable at a temperature at least as low as 25° C. and has a 100 gram needle penetration value greater than 100 tenths of a millimeter at 25° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a payoff device particularly suited for coiled wire which is packaged without a reel. The device includes a clamp assembly rotatably supported at one end by a frame which may be affixed to a truck or other vehicle. The clamp assembly has a mandrel featuring a plurality of clamp pads connected to a main rotatable shaft by a scissors linkage which may be stationary or may push the pads in a radial direction against the interior surface of the coiled wire. Two end plates support the coil laterally and one of the end plates is removable so that the coil can be placed on the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is supported by a frame whose upper portion is rotatable such that the payoff direction can be changed. The device also includes a brake and a stop pin to prevent unwanted rotation of the clamp assembly and a locating pin to prevent the unwanted rotation of the upper portion of the support frame.

Abstract: A rigid protective laminate is formed of at least nine layers of Kevlar fabric bonded together by internal layers of Surlyn which has been subjected to sufficient heat and pressure to cause the Surlyn to flow into and encapsulate the yarn of the Kevlar fabric. External Surlyn layers on the sides and edges protect the outermost fabric layers from moisture and provide a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of protecting animals including humans against ionizing radiation by injecting the animals with a polymer having the approximate formula H(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, where n varies between 4 and 13. Particularly, it is found that polyethylene glycol (molecular weight between 200 and 600), polyethyleneglycolmonoethylether (molecular weight between 200 and 600), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (molecular weight up to 10,000) when injected into standard experimental animals, such as mice, protects them from the lethal effect of ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A method for machining a thin workpiece to equalize machining induced stresses within the workpiece. The method produces a thin workpiece on which the machining lines intersect on the workpiece's machined surface. The method includes passing the workpiece under a fly cutter while at the same time rotating the workpiece.