Abstract: A fast-freeze system comprises an insulating housing for a product conveyor of the vertical helix or spiral-type wherein the upper and lower loops (or tiers) respectively, of the helix discharge or receive the product, as the case may be, at product openings (or ports) in the housing; a multiple-spray nozzle array on a header receives a regulated supply of liquid nitrogen according to a preset freezing temperature through a modulating servo-valve control; the header subtends a restricted sector only of an upper conveyor tier for producing heat transfer by direct liquid nitrogen-to-product contact to establish a single very cold zone substantially in advance of the discharge port, and the exhaust nitrogen vapor is discharged by blower action through the product entrance port.

Abstract: A method for increasing density and strength in baked carbonaceous products such as carbon or graphiteelectrodes. A baked carbonaceous body is subjected to a conventional pitch impregnation, and is then coated with a thermosetting polymerizable composition, which composition is at least partially cured to provide an encasing shell of polymeric material. The shell-encased body containing impregnated pitch is thereafter subjected to carbonization by rebaking. During rebake, the shell is mechanically stable to temperatures above the softening and free flowing temperatures for the impregnant, whereby the shell (which is decomposed and carbonized as higher temperatures are attained) acts during initial stages of carbonization to retain the impregnant within the body. This results in larger quantities of coked impregnant remaining in the body with consequent higher apparent density and strength in the resultant product.

Abstract: Improved shunt connections for high current conducting carbon brushes for electrical rotating machinery utilize a tamping composition comprising finely divided granules composed of 85 to 97% by weight of graphite; and 15 to 3% by weight of a high temperature-stable resin such as polyaryl sulfone. After forming the tamped connection, a sealant is applied to the tamping composition. The sealant preferably comprises an aminofunctional silane, which improves the bond between the copper shunt and the tamping composition.

Abstract: A method and article produced thereby are disclosed wherein the method produces a multi-filament superconductor having an insulation capable of withstanding extended heat treatment. According to the invention, a plurality of superconductor forming rods and a plurality of rods of normally conductive material are packed into a can made of a ductile material such as copper and having its interior lined with a valve metal such as tantalum. This assembly is extruded and drawn to a desired size as is known in the art. The ductile metal exterior layer is then removed to expose the valve metal. The exposed valve metal is thereafter oxidized to form an insulating oxide.

Abstract: An elongated gate-type valve is pivotally mounted within vacuum coating apparatus of the multiple-chamber, in-line type, and is operated to vacuum seal an access slot interconnecting vacuum chambers. An actuator for opening and closing the slot valve is connected through transversely spaced thrust links, the actuator ends of which have guide wheels, respectively, that are movable within restraining guide channels for confining the actuator ends to linear, vertical movement. An increasingly large closing and sealing force is applied to the valve, especially during final closure thereof, due to an increasing mechanical advantage of the actuator and thrust link arrangement for valve closing.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel ethers of the formula:CF.sub.3 CH.sub.a X.sub.b --O--CF.sub.2 CH.sub.c F.sub.d Cl.sub.ewherein X is fluorine, chlorine or bromine, preferably fluorine, a is 1 or 2, b is 0 or 1, a plus b are 2, preferably both a and b being 1, c is 0 or 1, d is 0 to 2, e is 0 to 2, c plus d plus e are 3, preferably each of c, d, and e is 1, and a plus c are 1 or 2, preferably 2, with the proviso that when e is 1 or 2, X is fluorine or bromine, preferably fluorine. The compounds having less than eight fluorine atoms per molecule are useful as anesthetics, and all of the compounds are useful as solvents and dispersants for fluorinated materials. A highly preferred compound useful as an anesthetic is 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 1',1',2'-trifluoro-2'-chloroethyl ether.

Abstract: Anesthetic vaporizer of the flow-through type having a calibrated flow control valve unit for proportional distribution of the inlet gas between a vaporizing chamber and a main bypass passage to obtain a desired anesthetic concentration. A rotary, multiple-port valve with a multiplicity of laminar flow-type passages in parallel is operable in discrete steps for adding the anesthetic vapor from the chamber in predictable increments to a preset flow of the inlet gas for proportional gas division. An auxiliary gas bypass for temperature compensation has a cone-type valve with restricted opening controlled by a temperature responsive motor in the vaporizing chamber. A wick assembly in the anesthetic vaporizing chamber guides the chamber gas through a multiplicity of parallel passages formed by stacked sheets of absorbent and corrugated materials respectively, to obtain maximum vaporization of the anesthetic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for introducing addition agents into molten metal retained in a vessel include providing a wire comprised of a metallic sheath encapsulating powdered and/or solid addition agents, preheating the wire with a controlled electrical current while feeding the preheated wire into the molten metal such that the metal sheath and addition agents melt before the wire contacts a vessel wall and the addition agents homogeneously dissolve at a predetermined rate in the molten metal. Also, the addition agents may be selected so as to react with impurities such as oxygen, sulfur, etc. to enable the removal thereof from the molten metal.

Abstract: A ceramic crystal transducer is connected to a direct current supply in series with a pair of transistors. A pair of independent multivibrator oscillators are connected, each controlling one of the transistors. Each oscillator establishes a rectangular wave and is provided with a continuously adjustable resistor for controlling the output frequency of the corresponding oscillator. The one oscillator is constructed to produce a frequency and a voltage to excite the crystal at the order of the natural resonant frequency and to thereby produce an audio output signal. The second multivibrator oscillator selectively controls the second transistor to control the on/off or pulsing rate of the tone related audible signal. The crystal is pulsed at the output rate of the tone oscillator and vibrates at the fundamental frequency of the rectangular wave as well as harmonics to either side of such fundamental frequency to produce a full and pleasant sound.

Abstract: A coupling for use between two rotating shafts in a high-temperature, high-vacuum environment is described. The coupling includes a socket having two closed loop, axially spaced, interior bearing surfaces and a roller having two closed loop, axially spaced, exterior bearing surfaces for rolling contact with the interior bearing surfaces of the socket. The interior and exterior bearing surfaces make rolling contact at two radially opposed and axially spaced locations, and the second shaft is disposed at a desired angle with respect to the first shaft. Means are provided for preventing disengagement of the roller and shaft as they rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the shafts is constant as they rotate and the roller is sized so that it is easily removed from the socket when the axes of the shafts are approximately aligned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of carburizing and carbonitriding steel parts in the work chamber of a vestibule furnace with a substantially reduced consumption of carbon sources by exposing such parts to a gaseous carbon source such as natural gas while supplying an inert gas to the vestibule at a sufficient rate to control the entry of atmospheric decarburizing agents into the work chamber and to maintain the oxygen content in the vestibule at safe levels, below a minimum level required for supporting combustion or for allowing local puffs and explosions. The vestibule furnace may be of the batch or continuous type. In addition, the carbon potential of the atmosphere within the work chamber of the furnace is preferably continuously sensed and in response to such sensed carbon potential, the flow of natural gas to the work chamber is controlled so as to maintain the carbon potential at a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electron-beam apparatus for evaporating material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rotatable hearth on which the evaporant material can be placed and an electron-beam source which can be energized to evaporate the material. The apparatus is compact and durable because the electron beam source occupies a protected location which is closer to the rotational axis than is the hearth.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for transporting discrete workpieces between the outside and inside of a pressure sealable chamber, such as a chamber under vacuum. At least one pressure lock is attached to the chamber and separated therefrom by a gate valve. The lock includes a door with associated means for receiving supporting and transporting a workpiece or a workpiece carrier. Means for conveying the workpiece between the lock and the chamber, as well as means for receiving and supporting the carrier in the chamber are disclosed. The apparatus allows a carrier to be mounted on the open door so that the carrier is automatically transported into the lock as the door is closed. The lock is evacuated while the door and the gate are closed and then the gate is opened to allow the carrier to be conveyed into the chamber.

Abstract: An improved method is described for coating a substrate in a system in which an insulating layer is also formed on one portion of a conductive target plate which is bombarded with ions. One such system is a reactive sputtering system in which a predetermined partial pressure of a reactive gas is established between a reactive metal target plate and the substrate. The bombarding ions are formed in a glow discharge plasma which may be magnetically confined. In accordance with the invention, an ac potential is applied to the target plate in order to prevent arcing which is believed due to the dielectric breakdown of the insulating layer.

Abstract: Substrate transfer apparatus for a vacuum coating or processing system of the multiple compartment type, comprising a rectangular platform for carrying substrates to be coated, the platform being moveable through the compartments over and between supporting and guide rollers respectively, and having a gear rack on one side extending in the direction of motion, and driving means for the platform including an electric variable speed d.c. motor connected respectively, through individual one-way running clutches to a plurality of pinion gears, each pinion gear being independently biased for separately meshing with the rack, and limit switches positioned within the compartments and operable by the platform for controlling the electric motor.

Abstract: A ground adapter is used in conjunction with a C-clamp for providing a connection between a ground cable from, for example an electric arc welding machine, to a ground object such as a workpiece. The ground adapter and ground object are firmly retained in contact with one another by a conventional C-clamp. The ground adapter is comprised of a ground base which is designed to receive one or more electrical cables. A plurality of adjustable cowling members may be disposed about one pad or foot of the C-clamp and are releasably secured to the ground base. The location of cowling members on the ground base is adjustable which enables use of the ground adapter with C-clamps having pads of varying sizes.

Abstract: An electron beam heating system wherein the source of the electron beam is positioned in spaced offset relation to, and beneath the level of the target to be heated, and the beam is initially directed in the general direction of the target, and is subsequently deflected by transverse magnetic fields into a path of generally S-shape that extends between the heating source and the target.

Abstract: Automated pulmonary function testing apparatus includes a spirometer responsive to the breathing efforts of a patient for producing electrical signals which vary in accordance with volumes of breathed gas and central processing means for calculating one or more pulmonary function parameters associated with such volumes. Display means are adapted to visually display information supplied from the central processing means to an operator and/or a patient under test. In addition, keyboard means coupled to the central processing means are also provided such that upon operation of a particular key, tests may be selected and volumes or other calculated parameters may be visually displayed and/or printed on a permanent record medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing steel and other alloys by vacuum refining are disclosed. One preferred apparatus comprises a series of vacuum chambers, one containing an electron beam heating means, and a second containing a means for adding an alloying constituent. Apparatus for melting, transferring, and casting metals is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent panel capable of transmitting a desired proportion of visible radiation while reflecting a large proportion of incident solar radiation, and a method of preparing same, by sputtering an iron, nickel and chromium alloy to obtain a transparent metal film, and reactively sputtering the same or a similar alloy in the presence of oxygen. In one preferred embodiment, the metal film lies between the substrate and the metal oxide film which provides a continuous protective overlayer. In another preferred embodiment, the metal oxide film lies between the substrate and the metal film. The use of such panels can materially reduce the energy required for summer air conditioning when used for glazing in a building, vehicle or other structure.