Abstract: A model display case, which may be decorated to be simulative of a building, includes a base having a raised support surface providing a "floor" in which an electrically powered rotating turntable is centrally positioned. A clear cover is mounted over the base and includes a raised extension in which a plurality of lights are mounted to provide illumination of the case. The lights are screened from view from the outside of the case by reflectors extending from the extension and screen-covered vents are preferably provided to allow for dissipation of heat produced by the lights from the interior of the case to the outside environment.

Abstract: Shed-forming devices for weaving mechanisms which create three positions of the warp threads in a Jacquard loom. The shed-forming devices include moveable spindle catches capable of being vertically displaced by knives driven in oppositely reciprocally oscillating motion. Each shed-forming device includes four moveable spindle catches which are adapted to be displaced in pairs by the knives. A first spindle catch of each pair is adapted to be supported by a second spindle catch of each pair. Each shed-forming device also includes five pulleys which are vertically aligned and are connected to the catches by funicular elements such that the five pulleys may be separated from each other in a variable manner depending upon the position of the four spindle catches.

Abstract: The device for implementing the method comprises a receptacle (3) whose internal profile has the shape of an asymmetric cone (3d) inside which is arranged a blade (5b) of an agitator (5) to agitate with a slow motion the bath of refrigerating liquid contained in the receptacle (3), an orifice (3i) being provided at the bottom of the cone (3d) and communicating with a pipe (3j) wherein is rotationally driven an Archimedean screw (6b) of an extractor device (6) to evacuate continuously the solid particles.

Abstract: A cutting unit for pipes which includes a laser beam which is reflected by a series of mirrors positioned adjacent the circumference of a pipe and wherein the mirrors are mounted on the ends of movable arms pivotally connected to one another and wherein one of the arms rotates around a pipe to be cut and the other arm serves as an optical and mechanical connection between a laser source and the arm which rotates.

Abstract: High purity silica is obtained by the reaction of impure by-product waste silica with hydrogen fluoride preferably in the presence of water or sulfuric acid, producing silicon tetrafluoride gas and a mother liquor. The silicon tetrafluoride is separated from the mother liquor, which retains the impurities originally contained within the impure silica. The silicon tetrafluoride gas is contacted with high-purity water, in a clean environment, to form a slurry of high purity silica and high-purity hydrofluosilicic acid (FSA). A portion of the silica is filtered from the slurry and washed producing a high purity silica product. The rest of the silica-FSA slurry is preferably reacted with ammonia to form a slurry of ammonium fluoride and silica. The silica is separated from the ammonium fluoride and preferably washed and calcined to remove any remaining ammonium fluoride, leaving additional high purity silica product.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) in a fossil fuel (e.g. coal) combustion flue gas has a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) treatment stage followed by a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) treatment stage. The level of NO.sub.x produced by a power plant, particularly a coal fired power plant, varies depending upon the plant load. A set predetermined non-zero amount of first nitrogenous treatment agent is constantly introduced for the SNCR stage during all periods of plant operation. Additional first nitrogenous treatment agent is introduced for the SNCR stage only during periods of relatively higher NO.sub.x production, such as during peak load periods. A second nitrogenous treatment agent is added for the SCR stage up to the maximum SCR NO.sub.x reducing capability of the SCR stage based upon the total amount of NO.sub.x present in the flue gas, subject to limitations on the amount of allowable ammonia slip exiting the plant. Once the total amount of NO.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new synchronized optical method for measuring surface pressure on rotating objects such as propellers or other rotating objects. The technique is based on the phenomenon of oxygen quenching of luminescence coatings and synchronized optical imaging. A surface coating, referred to as a pressure sensitive paint (PSP), is formed by mixing photo-luminescence molecules in an oxygen permeable polymer. The luminescence excited by an appropriate light source decreases as the oxygen concentration rises due to quenching. As a result, the luminescence intensity of light emitted from the coating varies as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen. A digital camera measures the luminescence intensity distribution over the object and the pressure distribution can be computed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a portable test pattern illuminator for illuminating a reference image so that the color and tonal range of a camera focussed on the reference image can be balanced to enable the camera to produce a faithful reproduction of objects in a light source having similar characteristics of the general type having a screen with an opening; means for supporting a reference image object in said opening; and a light diffuser panel for transmitting light from a source to the reference object. The improvement consists wherein the reference object is supported by the means for supporting the reference object in parallel relation to the surface of the light diffuser panel.

Abstract: A cleaning method for removing oils, grease, machining debris and like substances from machine parts and other objects includes a wash tank containing a wash solution, rinse tanks for rinsing the washed objects, and an oil separator containing a concentrated detergent solution for separating oil and detergent in the used wash solution from each other. The separated detergent is returned to the wash tank for further parts cleaning, and the separated oil may be reused for machining purposes. The apparatus automatically maintains the liquid in the wash tank and rinse tanks in an effective condition to satisfactorily clean oily objects.

Abstract: An applicator for applying surface relief three-dimensional seals or medallions to containers which includes a rotatable transfer ring having a plurality of seal retaining receivers therein formed therein in which plungers are reciprocally mounted. A vaccuum header is associated with the ring so as to create reduced pressure in the receivers for removing seals from a carrier tape and retaining the seals within the receivers as the transfer ring is indexed to align the seals with containers being conveyed relative to the applicator. An activator is provided for urging the plungers from the receivers to thereby apply the seals retained therein against aligned containers.

Abstract: A heavy duty, earth-working implement including an elongated handle having a wedge-shaped head mounted thereto which extends upwardly from a cutting blade along a continuously curved back surface which functions as a fulcrum to assist in prying rocks and other earth buried debris, which fulcrum terminates in a ledge which is aligned with the cutting block of the head so that a driving tool may be used to strike the ledge to thereby facilitate penetration of the cutting blade of the tool.

Abstract: A method and system for the determination of the pH of a fluid by measuring the pH of the fluid and thereafter correcting the pH based upon the determination of measured and/or adjusted values of at least one other parameter, such as PO.sub.2 and PCO.sub.2, which relate to the fluid.

Abstract: A diaphragm mounting system for flat acoustic planar magnetic and electrostatic transducers which incorporates opposing frame sections, each of which defines a clamping or peripheral surface area and an internal or central area through which acoustic waves may pass from the diaphragm. The diaphragm is first placed on one frame section with zero plus tension. The second frame section includes a protruding ridge extending substantially along an inner edge of the central area which ridge defines a border for a sound producing area of the diaphragm. During assembly of the two frame sections, the ridge engages the diaphragm to place predetermined tension on the diaphragm as the sections are joined. In one embodiment, the profile of the ridge is shaped to provide predetermined biaxial tension in a diaphragm of generally rectangular shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for producing an illusion of weightlessness. An enclosed room having walls, a floor and a ceiling defining an interior is provided. A plurality of visually polarized objects are rigidly secured to the walls, ceiling or floor to indicate an up and down direction. A user is secured into a cushioned user support member mounted in the enclosed room and rotated into the supine posture. The room is then rotated into alignment with the user's body. The room containing a rich variety of visually polarized objects having recognizable tops and bottoms still appears upright when the room and person in the support member are both rotated at an angle of 90.degree. from the upright position. The gravity sense organs in the inner ear (otolith organs) which normally indicate when the head is erect, are not powerful enough in most people to overcome the strong contradictory visual information.

Abstract: Cellulose films useful as wound and bum dressings are prepared from a solution of cellulose produced by Acetobacter xylinum in a stirred tank. The materials of this invention comprise a film of microbially produced cellulose, particularly cellulose produced from the culture of Acetobacter xylinum in a stirred tank. The film is made by dissolving the cellulose in a solvent system comprising dimethylacetamide and lithium chloride, casting the resulting solution onto a flat surface and regenerating the film in a gelation bath. Humectant is incorporated into the film by solvent exchange. The film is then sterilized and packaged for long term storage. These films are strong and elastic having mechanical properties superior to plant derived cellulose membranes and similar to that of the human skin and are useful as wound dressings.

Abstract: A buoyant aquatic life-saving assembly including a portable waist belt having a plurality of storage pouches in which rescue gear is stored and from which the gear may be released during emergencies. At least one storage pouch houses an inflatable life belt designed to encircle an individual during water rescue and which incorporates a lift harness and a second pouch contains a throw line adapted to allow both fixed anchoring of the rescue gear or casting of the inflatable life belt. In a preferred embodiment, one or more storage pouches are on the buoyant waist encircling belt for storing additional rescue equipment.