Abstract: The performance of a permselective cation transporting membrane is improved by making the membrane a three or more layer structure in which the layer having the best hydroxyl (OH) ion rejection characteristic is in the interior of the membrane. The OH ion rejection layer, which typically has sulfonamide or carboxylic functional groups, is covered by a cation transporting layer having sulfonate functional groups to which the cathode electrode is attached by bonding or otherwise. This keeps the high caustic concentrations present at the membrane-electrode interface away from the sulfonamide, etc. rejection layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber position sensor wherein a first member is rotationally movable with respect to a second member. A generally rod-shaped fiber optic cable is provided having two elongated portions in close axial alignment. The interface surfaces of the two portions have equal face angles of approximately 30-35 degrees from the longitudinal axis. One of the cable portions is secured to the first member and the other cable portion is secured to the second member.

Abstract: Shunt currents which flow between the electrodes of adjacent cells through the moving conductive fluid and the fluid pool in the manifold of a bipolar cell assembly are minimized by introducing the conductive fluid at the top of an elongated outlet manifold. This results in cascaded flow which interrupts the current path. Shunt currents between the fluid manifold walls of the conductive bipolar elements in the series connected electrochemical cell assemblies are minimized by insulating the manifold walls with insulating, elastomeric sealing grommets. This prevents current flow between the manifold walls through the electrically conductive fluid in the manifold and provides an edgeseal between bipolar plates.

Abstract: A visual display system and method for use in converting calligraphic symbology information into raster scanned symbology. The system simultaneously generates and displays calligraphic and raster matrix imagery utilizing the same set of software instructions. The imagery is displayed upon a single, hybrid calligraphic/raster matrix display or separate raster matrix and calligraphic displays. A programmable calligraphic symbology generator utilizes digital stroking techniques that successively generates addressing for a matrix arrayed memory and determines the attributes of both the raster matrix generated and calligraphic generated symbology. The information is stored in a single or a plurality of matrix arrayed memories according to desired symbol attributes and system performance.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic halogen evolving electrode for electrochemical systems, such as an electrolysis cell for the generation of chlorine. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and bonded to, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is an alloy of ruthenium oxide and manganese oxide.

Abstract: A bipolar current collector-separator for electrochemical cells consists of a molded aggregate of electro-conductive graphite and a thermoplastic fluoropolymer particles reinforced with carbon fibers to increase the strength and maintain high electrical conductivity. The graphite and the thermoplastic fluoropolymer are combined in weight ratio ranging from 2.5:1 to 16:1. The carbon fibers may constitute from 10 to 80 weight percent of the conductive graphite. The bulk resistivity of such a molded bipolar current collector is less than 4.times.10.sup.-3 ohm inches (.sigma. in.) It has excellent corrosion resistance to a variety of feed stocks such as brine, aqueous HCl, water, etc. and to various electrolysis products, such as caustic, chlorine, hydrogen, etc.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic halogen evolving electrode for electrochemical systems, such as an electrolysis cell for the generation of chlorine. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and bonded to, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is an alloy of ruthenium oxide and manganese oxide.

Abstract: A mass rate of flow meter including a housing and an inner assembly with a swirl generator, a rotor, and a restrained reaction turbine. The rotor includes tapered passages. Each tapered passage includes a converging inlet section and a diverging outlet section for imparting uniform velocity to the fluid stream. The inner housing forms a double labyrinth seal between the rotor and the housing and another double labyrinth seal between the turbine and the housing.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic oxygen evolving electrode for such electrochemical systems as electrolysis cells and oxygen concentration cells. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and in electrical contact with, a cation exchange membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is a ternary platinum group reduced metal oxide alone or in combination with platinum group metals and/or platinum group metal oxides or mixtures of the foregoing having at least one valve metal component such as titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum, and tungsten.

Abstract: A frequency control utilizing a reference oscillator and a signal controlled oscillator is disclosed. The frequency control maintains the frequency of an output signal at the same frequency as the reference oscillator if there is no signal present at a frequency control input. A signal at the frequency control input causes the frequency of the output signal to be varied accordingly. The frequency control contains a feedback loop which compares the output of the signal controlled oscillator with the fixed frequency of the output of the reference frequency oscillator. The frequency control of the present invention has particular applicability as a frequency control for parallel-connected AC systems.

Abstract: A mass rate of flow meter with a first magnet and sensing coil for detecting the passage of an unrestrained rotor past the sensing coil. The position of a restrained turbine reactor is sensed by locating an axially extending magnetic flux linkage near the periphery of the turbine with an extension that is disposed in an axially overlapping relationship with a magnet that extends from the periphery of the rotor. The axial overlap produces a radial air gap that is relatively insensitive to the effects of mechanical vibration and thermal expansion.

Abstract: An HCl electrolyzer utilizing a membrane with catalytic electrodes physically bonded to the surfaces of the membrane is provided with an electron current conducting structure which comprises an array of individual current conducting elements contacting the electrode. The cell is operated at high temperatures (60.degree.-90.degree. C.) to take advantage of the reduction of electrode overpotential at these temperatures but with low feed acid concentrations (.ltoreq.9M) to minimize hydrogen chloride in the chlorine, i.e, HCl vapor pressure is below 0.1 atmospheres--76 Torr. There is also a large decrease in membrane resistance as temperature is increased. Simultaneously O.sub.2 evolution is suppressed to maintain O.sub.2 content in the chlorine at 0.1% or less.

Abstract: A phase lock loop commutation position control and method for a drive system for a DC field motor having a rotor and a plurality of stator windings is disclosed. Electric power is supplied to the stator windings in accordance with gating signals. The gating signals are generated in accordance with timing signals, which are provided in response to a clocking signal. A position signal is furnished as a function of the position of the rotor with respect to a preselected stator position. An error signal is generated proportionally to the phase difference between a preselected timing signal and the position signal. The clocking signal is produced as a function of the error signal. The invention also can include a shift signal produced as a function of the rotation of the rotor. The shift signal is added to the error signal effectively to cause the preselected timing signal to be advanced with respect to the position signal.

Abstract: A method of making substantially oxide-free metal alloys is described. The alloys are made by a hot alkaline reduction of compounds of at least two metals, such as the halides of the metals dissolved in an aqueous medium containing a reducing agent. The dissolved metal compounds containing a first reducing agent are added to a second reducing agent, in a alkaline medium, and the substantially oxide-free, finely-divided alloy precipitates from solution. The alloy has a unique X-ray diffraction pattern indicating that it is a true alloy with no metal oxides present. In a preferred embodiment, ruthenium and platinum chlorides are dissolved in water containing a dissolved reducing agent. This solution is added to a second reducing agent in an alkaline medium at elevated temperatures, and a finely-divided black precipitate of a true alloy of ruthenium and platinum forms. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows a distorted ruthenium structure having platinum in solid solution.

Abstract: A mass rate of flow meter with a first magnet and a sensing coil assembly for detecting the passage of an unrestrained rotor past the sensing coil assembly. The sensing coil assembly includes a coil wound on a copper coil form that provides phase shifts to start signals from the sensing coil assembly at low speeds to compensate phase shifts that are produced in a second coil assembly that generates stop pulses.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic oxygen evolving electrode for electrochemical systems, such as an electrolysis cell for the generation of oxygen. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and bonded to, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is an alloy of ruthenium oxide and manganese oxide.

Abstract: A lubrication system for the spline connection and generator bearing of a high speed aircraft generator which utilizes a split ring seal and quad o-ring is disclosed. The split ring seal retards lubricant flow so that there is an accumulation in the area of the splined connection which prevents wear of the splines. The retardation also forces oil to a bearing lubrication hole.

Abstract: A mass rate of flow meter including an unrestrained rotor and a restrained turbine and including a magnetic coupling for generating signals in a sensing coil when a predetermined point on the rotor passes a predetermined point on the turbine. A sensing means includes a sensing coil that is in a magnetic circuit with the magnetic means and a series bucking coil that is electrically in series with the sensing coil but magnetically isolated from the magnet means. A copper sheet formed as a shorted turn is disposed between the sensing and bucking coils. A mass rate of flow meter with this structure provides signals that are relatively insensitive to electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A halogen, such as chlorine, is generated in an electrolysis cell in which at least one of the cell electrodes is bonded to the surface of a solid but porous membrane which separates the cell into anode and cathode chambers. A pressurized aqueous metal halide such as brine is electrolyzed at the anode to produce chlorine. Brine anolyte and sodium ions are hydraulically transported across the porous membrane to produce caustic (NaOH) at the cathode. By bonding at least one gas permeable, porous electrode to the hydraulically permeable membrane, the cell voltage for electrolysis of brine is considerably lower than that required for asbestos diaphragm cells, while achieving high cathodic current efficiencies by minimizing back migration of caustic to the anode.

Abstract: A densitometer of the vibrator type is disclosed wherein a spring mass system is immersed in a liquid whose density is to be determined. The system includes a pair of coaxial cylindrical masses in the form of fluid couplers having spaces which are open to the liquid. A torsion spring connects both cylindrical masses through mechanically stiff coupling means. The coupling means include a pair of high impedance transducers positioned at the shear interfaces normal to the common axis of the system, so as to take substantially the full torsional shear load between the spring and the cylindrical fluid couplers without contributing to the spring effect. The compliance of the torsion spring allows oscillatory motion of the spring mass system around its axis. An output signal having a high signal-to-noise ratio is provided at the natural resonant system frequency.