Abstract: An alloy of thorium and a Group VIII transition metal is oxidized, for example in air, and subsequently reduced, for example with hydrogen gas, to produce a high surface area catalyst containing thorium oxide and one or more Group VIII transition metals. The catalyst thus produced may be used as such or may be further treated to enhance its activity.

Abstract: A borehole packer used with the water infusion system to control the movement of methane gas in an underground coal mine. A non-sparking plastic pipe or mandrel is mounted in each of a series of previously drilled generally horizontal boreholes. Normally this pipe is sealed by an encircling packer in the form of an expandable envelope. The mandrel and envelope are put in each borehole to a depth of about 110 to 185 feet with about 15 feet near the end away from the borehole entrance being opened. The flexible expandable envelope extends along almost all of the length of the hollow mandrel. In the volume between the outer surface of the mandrel and the envelope a hardenable fluid grout under pressure is pumped. As the grout fills this cavity the packer's flexible surface expands within the borehole until it forms a tight seal therewith. Because the grout is in an initial fluid state, it is flowable when forced into the packer and it can flow around irregular borehole surfaces.

Abstract: A self-contained, closed circuit breathing apparatus having a balanced breathing resistance system is provided by an apparatus comprising an inhalation conduit and an exhalation conduit, a mouth connection communicating with said conduits for making connection with the mouth of the operator, an inhalation check valve and an exhalation check valve on either side of said mouth connection providing uni-directional flow through said inhalation and exhalation conduits, respectively, a chemical canister connected across said inhalation and exhalation conduits, a pre-canister storage container communicating with said exhalation conduit, said pre-canister storage container being provided with a uni-directional impedance component comprised of a resistance means for allowing one part of the exhaled air during exhalation to pass into the pre-canister storage container and the remainder to pass through said chemical canister into a post-canister storage container and a uni-directional check valve permitting essentially

Abstract: An improved discriminating circuit breaker system for use with an electrically grounded direct current power distribution system. A three-tier safeguard system is provided to insure proper operation of the breaker should a fault occur. The basic components include the electrically operated circuit breaker and a control circuit therefor. The control circuit sends a control signal to the breaker to operate it depending on whether a illegitimate load is detected on the power distribution system. This detection process utilizes: a pilot wire through which any control signal flows; an alternating current (a.c) signal generator to superimpose such a signal on the transmission line; a current detector to sense the a.c. level and produce a control signal if its current value exceeds a maximum level; a voltage detector to sense the voltage level of the a.c.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for clarifying slimes. This method comprises the steps of treating a slime with a unique flocculant and separating the clarified slime from the aggregated floccules. The flocculant is a stabilized aqueous-base magnetic colloid that contains colloidal magnetic particles and at least one surfactant, such as dodecylamine. The magnetic colloid becomes unstable and the magnetic particles thereof irreversibly flocculate when the magnetic colloid is sufficiently diluted.

Abstract: A conventional sputtering chamber is modified to include two elongated hollow tubes which accommodate an elongated workpiece in the form of a tube or strip, of lesser diameter, during a sputter-coating operation. During the sputtering operation, the workpiece is simultaneously rotated and moved back and forth beneath at least one sputtering target to receive a uniform coating thereon.

Abstract: Highly active catalysts, suitable for use in hydrogenation and other reactions, are prepared from an alloy of one or more of the Group VIII transition metals with a Group IIA metal, a Group IVB metal, or an actinide. The alloy is ground to the desired particle size and is thereafter reacted with a gas, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen, to form an intimate physical admixture of the Group VIII metal or its corresponding carbide with the oxide of other metal.

Abstract: Lithium is recovered from low-grade ores, such as clays, by addition of CaO or CaCO.sub.3 and chlorination with H.sub.2 O-HCl vapor to convert the lithium to soluble LiCl.

Abstract: A method for the separation of bismuth from a complex chloride solution obtained by leaching with chloride reagents ores containing bismuth and high concentrations of other metals comprising adding to said complex chloride solution at least a stoichiometric amount of a precipitating agent selected from the group consisting of hexamminecobalt (III) salts and hexamminechromium (III) salts soluble in said solution to precipitate said bismuth as a hexamminecobalt (III) bismuth salt or a hexamminechromium (III) bismuth salt and separating said precipitate from said solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of electroplating a platinum-rhodium alloy coating of predetermined composition and predetermined thickness on a metal substrate. The composition is substantially uniform throughout the electrodeposited coating. The process includes the steps of electrolytically dissolving an anode made of platinum or rhodium into a molten cyanide bath to prepare separately a platinum bath and a rhodium bath, forming a mixed bath having a predetermined ratio of platinum to rhodium from the separate platinum and rhodium baths, and electroplating platinum and rhodium onto a metal substrate, using a predetermined electrical charge and alternating a platinum anode with a rhodium anode, while monitoring and controlling the deposition potential of the metal substrate. This coating substantially corresponds in composition to the composition of the mixed bath. The process is carried out in a dry, inert gas environment.

Abstract: A passive explosion barrier is provided for use in mining operations in suppressing mine explosions. The barrier basically comprises a receptacle or tub which contains an explosion suppressing substance, such as water, and is mounted on a frame adjacent to the roof of the mine. The tub includes a pair of integral support lips at the front and rear edges thereof which are beveled at the sides and which constitute the sole support for the tub. In operation, wind from an explosion will cause the lip disposed toward the explosion to distort and curve inwards and disengage from the frame so that the tub falls, pivoting about the other lip. In an alternative embodiment, the sides of the tub are more flexible than the lips of the tub, and distortion of the sides in response to wind forces causes disengagement of the lip facing the explosion.

Abstract: A self-recocking actuation device. One possible use for it is in conjunction with a pneumatic fire protection system. This invention employs the process known as occlusion to store large amounts of gas in a small volume. Metal hydrides in a chamber are used to store hydrogen in the disclosed preferred embodiment. Upon the application of heat--from a heat source like a resistance heater--the charged metal hydride releases its hydrogen (H.sub.2) in a chamber having only one exit opening which empties into a sealed bellows. This bellows contacts a piston located in another chamber wherein a biased resetting spring is provided to normally maintain the piston in contact with the bellows. As the pressure from the H.sub.2 gas builds up, it overcomes the biased spring to move it and the piston along with an associated pin or other actuator.

Abstract: A slideboard for underground mine face ventilation which acts as an extension of a line brattice. When used, the slideboard is advanced towards the working face of the mine to provide an inlet for clean air and an outlet for exhausting gases laden with dust particles. The slideboard has a frame supported on and slideable with respect to the ground as it is advanced along with a continuous mining machine. At the upper portion of the slideboard frame are a series of halflooped hoses which provide a flexible seal with the roof. The main supporting frame is rigid and is formed by a series of vertical and horizontal members whose narrower edges face into the air stream to reduce air friction and increase rigidity. Near the center of the slideboard a rib strut and outrigger provide lateral support and a sliding surface and pivot point. The base of the slideboard is trapezoidal for structural reinforcement; and a plywood gusset in the panel place provides additional reinforcement.

Abstract: A sample mount assembly for use with an X-ray diffractometer. The assembly includes a holder with an opening extending therethrough, an insert to fit into the holder through its opening, a substrate filter layer, and the exposed sample layer mounted on the filter. The holder's opening is larger at its lower surface than at its upper surface such, that the insert which is shaped as a four side truncated pyramid, can be placed into the holder from its lower surface but not through its upper surface opening. The layer filter with its mounted sample layer is sandwiched between the insert and holder to allow the sample to be exposed to incident X-rays through the holder's upper surface. Plastic tape or some other securing mechanism is used to secure the holder to the insert at the holder's lower surface. The result is a mount that allows easy installation and removal with automatic sample changers for X-ray diffraction of the membranes with no vertical offset and a flat, even, sample upper surface.

Abstract: Lead is electrowon from aqueous phosphorus-containing fluosilicic acid solution by deposition on a lead cathode, employing an anode comprising a titanium substrate and an electrodeposited lead oxide coating having a uniform, dense grain size and structure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for extracting uranium values from a uranium-containing carbonaceous ore such as lignite. This process includes the step of treating the ore with an aqueous leach solution containing a water-soluble ferric salt.

Abstract: A needle valve placed in series with the hydraulic drill feed motor, and responsive to fluid flow in the hydrualic system subject to the operation of a pressure relief valve therein, causes the thrust to increase and the feed rate to decrease as the drill enters a difficult drilling material, a proportional flow divider interposed between the pressurized hydraulic fluid source and the hydraulic drill rotation motor and the hydraulic feed motor splits the flow and maintains a fixed proportion between the flows to the two motors to cause the rotational motor to slow down as the feed motor slows down. A pressure compensated flow control valve bypassing the proportional flow divider to the drill rotation motor insures a fixed amount of fluid flow to the rotational motor regardless of the difficulty of material being drilled to maintain a minimal rotational speed of the drill rotation motor.

Abstract: The injection of an ammonium sulfite or bisulfite solution increases the permeability of an uranium ore bed that has suffered permeability losses during the in-situ mining of uranium with an alkaline leach solution containing a peroxide or dissolved oxygen oxidant. Such an injection recovers much of the lost formation permeability, thus decreasing costs and effort required to put needed restoration solutions or further leach solutions through the ore bed. In addition, uranium contamination of the ground water normally occurring after cessation of leaching is significantly lowered by such injection.

Abstract: An auger construction is provided which reduces the surface noise radiated by the auger and serves to at least partially isolate the auger from the remainder of the machine. The auger construction comprises an inner shaft and outer concentric shafts, the latter carrying the helical cutting blade and generally corresponding to the shaft of a conventional auger. An elongated annulus of noise and vibration dampening material is disposed between the inner and outer shafts. Preferably, the outer shaft is isolated from the machine by further noise dampening material disposed between the mounting flange and the proximate end of that shaft and between the free end of the inner shaft and the end of the hose in the outer shaft. A bore in the inner shaft is also filled with noise dampening material. A number of arrangements are disclosed for fixing the two shafts together so as to prevent rotational slippage therebetween.

Abstract: A device used as a combined scrubber and water droplet eliminator which may be employed in removing particulate from air, especially in conjunction with an underground mining machine. The scrubber is made of a fibrous bed material and is rotatable by a motor forming part of a bed assembly. Adjacent to the rotatable bed are water sprays directed to spray towards and on the bed as it rotates. A suitable air movement device, such as a fan, draws dust-laden and water drop-laden air to the rotating bed. The air goes through the bed and the dust and water particles impact the bed's rotating wetted fibers and are forced radially directly outward. The bed's rotation takes place against the inlet portion of a stationary bell mouth assembly. An air seal caused by the air pressure differential seals the rotating bed to the inside surface of the assembly.