Abstract: Overlay protection plate apparatus and method are provided to protect partially embedded light fixture supports for airport inset lights for runways, taxiways, or other aircraft ground traffic areas. The overlay protection plate apparatus and method provide protection against paving material entering the light fixture support during airport paving operations. Novel plate locating means and method locate the position of the overlay protection plate after the airport paving operations have covered over the overlay protection plate. Novel plate withdrawal means remove the covered overlay protection plate together with the pavement cover in substantially one piece over the overlay protection plate.

Abstract: Decontamination laundering facilities and methods are disclosed including a washer area, a filtering area automatically monitoring and controlling cleaning fluid quality discharged to the environment, a clean area, automatic monitoring and controlling air quality in the washer area, in the filtering area, in the clean area, and as discharged to the outside environment, and apparatus and methods for automatically timing waste water sampling, exhaust air sampling, and containment area air sampling. Automatic timing includes controlling and actuating the date and time of day for taking a sample and the duration of the timing cycle, and relay means for closing and opening various circuits connected electrically to timer contacts for energizing components of the waste water sampling, exhaust air sampling, and containment area air sampling.

Abstract: A novel membrane preparation process via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) deposits a film on a microporous ceramic support at a low temperature (300.degree. to 550.degree. C.) with organic metallic compounds as precursors and then converts the film into porous oxide at a higher temperature (350.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., preferably 450.degree. C. to 600.degree. C.) to increase its permeability and stability at a given process application temperature. The novel membrane is used for gas separations at an elevated temperature (300.degree. C. to 800.degree. C.). The novel membrane can be used as a catalytic membrane reactor which selectively removes one of the reaction products, thereby enhancing the conversion of the reaction. The ultrafiltration membrane provides gaseous mixtures separation media having high permeance and superior hydrogen selectivity.

Abstract: A data link interface and method are disclosed for controlling signal communications including providing an interface for converting or extending signal communications media in a half-duplex data link between at least two devices or networks and arbitrating the direction of data flow without regard to number of start bits, data bits, or stop bits; without regard to baud rates lower than selected baud rate; or without regard to protocol of the devices on the network.

Abstract: The disclosed packaging invention provides gentle article handling to protect the integrity of thin film wrapping. A turnable roll-off wrapping table tilts and discharges the wrapped article in combination with means for lowering the height of a roll-off article platform or holder on the table as it is tilted such that wrapped article discharge is performed at a reduced discharge height. The reduced wrapped article discharge height is low enough to discharge a large wrapped bale of silage gently to the ground. In one aspect, the large wrapped bale is discharged at a height of less than about 20 inches and at a specified discharge tilt angle from the vertical of about 47 degrees, plus or minus about 5 degrees.Rollers positioned on a front end of the turnable roll-off wrapping table and at least one profile hinge, connected to the rear end of the wrapping table and at its other end to the chassis frame, lower the rear end of a wrapping platform as the wrapping platform extends and tilts along the chassis frame.

Abstract: A polymer-coated carbon is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder-like silicon to oxygen bonding. Carbon fiber or fabric coated with aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced thermal protection and oxidative stability. The aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated carbon preferably includes a non-linear, ladder-like aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated carbon such as provided by polyphenyl-siloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.

Abstract: An extensible conveyor apparatus and method for a continuous haulage system include a continuous conveyor belt for carrying coal or ore discharged from a continuous miner, a top slider for supporting the coal-carrying or ore-carrying continuous conveyor belt, a bottom belt return, and a slider holding frame for holding the top slider, wherein the slider holding frame is provided by a plurality of floor-supported frame members held in position by belt tension, the slider holding frame being capable of rapid and nimble extendable, retractable construction in the mine. Rails connect and hold adjacent frame members in position by press-fit attachment of the rails to the frame members. The rails preferably are quickly rotatable to change the top wearing surface. A top slider for supporting the mined-material-carrying belt is composed of a material which is lightweight, flame-resistant, and quickly replaceable in an underground mine.

Abstract: This invention consists of a method and means for laundering clothing contaminated with asbestos fibers and/or with lead, herein called the contaminants. The method and means employed by this invention decontaminates the clothing in an environmentally contained, controlled and safe facility. The facility and the method described in association therewith permits contaminated clothing to be brought into the containment area, laundered and dried within the same contained, environmentally controlled, safe area. Clean clothing is then removed for further sorting, repairs, folding, counting and storing operations in another separated room of the facility. The facility and the method described in association therewith protect the health of the laundry operator and prevent the contaminants from being released into the atmosphere by the process itself. It also prevents contaminants from being carried from the interior of the facility by the person conducting the laundry operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for providing, and continuously monitoring and controlling, a tapered temperature profile in solid metal first heated to a specified initial temperature. Temperatures are monitored at a plurality of locations along the length of the metal and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning a portion to a heating source through physical movementIn one aspect, apparatus and process continuously monitor and control a tapered temperature profile in a billet of aluminum alloy through a first step of rapid heating in a single-zone electric induction furnace to a temperature sufficient to bring the billet to its cold end set point while not exceeding its maximum skin temperature. The temperatures of the billet are monitored at its die end and its ram end and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning the billet to the induction furnace to reduce the heat in the ram end relative to the die end.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for separating bacteria includes passing a bacteria-containing liquid through a plural-coated-sintered inorganic membrane on a larger pore size inorganic ceramic support. By plural-coated-sintered is meant at least two sintered coatings of substantially similar pore size. The membrane on a ceramic support preferably includes a porous double-coated sintered ceramic oxide membrane on an alpha-alumina support.

Abstract: The present invention includes mulching apparatus and method for comminuting solid organic vegetation material including a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a power-driven, rotatable shaft mounted in said housing, a fan blade assembly driven by said shaft for propelling said solid material between said inlet opening and said outlet opening, a flinger assembly of flexible flinger bars rotatably driven by said shaft, each flinger bar comprising a substantially rigid bar member movably affixed pivotally on said flinger assembly and having a substantial inertial mass sufficient for reducing clogging. In one aspect, protective channel means are adapted to reduce clogging of said solid material and form a protective channel for flinger movement through said channel whereby said movably affixed flinger bar member is disposed to stand out radially from said rotatably driven flinger assembly while flexibly traversing through the channel.

Abstract: The present invention includes process and apparatus for continuously monitoring or detecting a liquid element or compound in another, different liquid including introducing a gas into a first liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the first liquid, introducing a second liquid element or compound into the first liquid to form a combination liquid, introducing a gas into the combination liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the combination liquid, and comparing gas bubble formation in the first liquid with gas bubble formation in the combination liquid to determine the amount of the second liquid in the combination liquid. The present invention further includes controlling or adjusting the amount of the second liquid contained in the first liquid in response to the monitoring and detecting determination of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the ceramic filtration of contaminants from water-based cleaners by passing a feed solution of water-based cleaner and contaminants through a metal oxide membrane on ceramic support.

Abstract: A pulse dampener for use in a pumping system including a reciprocating pump comprising a body having a cavity formed therein and a cover for sealed connection with the body. A diaphragm is secured between the body and the cover for sealing the cavity from said cover. The cover includes an inlet and outlet and the cover and the diaphragm cooperate to define a liquid flow path through the pulse dampener. The body also includes a gas inlet means for receiving gas into a chamber defined by the cavity and the diaphragm. A gas is supplied into the chamber such as to provide a smooth flow through the pumping system. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for separating pyrogens includes passing a pyrogen-containing liquid through a zirconium oxide membrane on a ceramic support. The membrane on ceramic support preferably includes a porous sintered zircondium oxide membrane on alpha-alumina support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying aluminum and lithium including recovering aluminum and lithium through layered electrolysis through a lithium transport cell to form purified lithium metal and residual aluminum and purifying the residual aluminum through a second stage layered electrolysis through a second stage lithium transport cell to form purified aluminum metal. In one aspect, the process provides the second stage step for purifying the residual aluminum by chlorinating the residual aluminum to form a purified aluminum.In one aspect, layered electrolysis is provided by a three-layered electrolysis cell including an end layer of molten aluminum-lithium alloy, a middle layer of molten salt electrolyte, and an opposite end layer of molten lithium.

Abstract: A process for treating spent potlining from the electrolytic smelting of aluminum in cryolite includes incinerating the potlining to combust carbonaceous material to form an ash at a temperature low enough to maintain low fluorine vapor pressures, admixing siliceous material with the potlining either before of after the ash-forming stage, and heating the ash and siliceous material to form a glassy residue.The residue formed by the process of the present invention produces a spent potlining suitable for landfill characterized by a low leachability of fluorine in water.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and method for lubricating and cooling a workpiece, dies or ironing rings, and punch at the interface between the workpiece and such dies or ironing rings and punch in forming a workpiece into a hollow closed end cylindrical article.A lubricant liquid phase is injected into a coolant liquid phase to form a "dispersion" prior to application to the metal-tool interface. Providing the lubricant as a dispersion in the coolant liquid phase rather than as an emulsion provides several advantages. The quantity of lubricant and the time of lubricant injection can be varied to control lubricity and, thus, friction. The invention makes it possible to achieve differential friction in the ironing process by having higher lubricity on the ironing die (low friction) and lower lubricity on the punch surface (high friction). Lubricities and cooling are controllable for the specific metal forming process employed to produce closed end hollow body containers.

Abstract: The invention includes process and apparatus for removing pollutants from a gas including fluidizing a bed of particles in a container, introducing a gas containing pollutant into the bed, removing the pollutant through deposition on the particles, controlling temperatures in the container by injecting coolant fluid through a coolant nozzle, and reducing clogging or fouling on the coolant nozzle. The process and apparatus includes controlling temperatures in the container within narrowly specified ranges of temperatures and providing a constant pressure of coolant fluid and constant pressure of purge gas to the coolant nozzle such that interchangeable selection made between the coolant fluid and purge gas in a time period sufficiently short provides accurate temperature control and reduces clogging or fouling on the coolant nozzle.

Abstract: A method of electrolytically producing lithium includes providing an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The compartments are separated by a porous electrically nonconductive membrane which will be wetted by the electrolyte and permit migration of lithium ions therethrough. Lithium carbonate is introduced into the anode compartment and produces delivery of lithium ions from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment where such ions are converted into lithium metal. The membrane is preferably a non-glass oxide membrane such as a magnesium oxide membrane. The membrane serves to resist undesired backflow of the lithium from the cathode compartment through the membrane into the anode compartment. Undesired communication between the anode and cathode is further resisted by separating the air spaces thereover. This may be accomplished by applying an inert gas purge and a positive pressure in the cathode compartment.