Abstract: A composite superconductor having an interior component of multiple filaments of superconducting Bi-2223 sheathed in a Ag or Ag alloy material, and a RE, TI or Hg based superconductor surrounding the interior component.

Abstract: A vehicle support apparatus includes lower and upper parallel plates connected by plural telescoping vertical supports. The upper plate is adapted to receive an elevated vehicle wheel and provide support therefor. Locking pins are spring-biased to a locked position wherein each pin is inserted in one of plural pairs of aligned apertures disposed in a spaced manner in a telescoping vertical support to maintain the telescoping members in fixed relative position. The vehicle is first lifted by a jack and the apparatus positioned so as to place one of the vehicle's wheels on the upper plate to support the vehicle. The jack is then removed from the vehicle, placed between the spaced, parallel lower and upper plates, and the upper plate and vehicle wheel are further raised using the jack, with the telescoping vertical support locked at the desired height either manually or automatically by the locking pins.

Abstract: A quick disconnect electrical connector resistant to vibration-induced disconnect includes a male connector and a female connector each having opposing segments of flexible thread which inter-engage when the male and female are assembled. The thread segments of the female connector are on a flexible wall which deflects to permit mating engagement when the two connectors are pushed together. The male and female connectors are keyed together when assembled to prevent rotation; and the flexible thread segments engage to prevent unintentional disconnect.

Abstract: A biaxially textured face-centered cubic metal article having grain boundaries with misorientation angles greater than about 8° limited to less than about 1%. A laminate article is also disclosed having a metal substrate first rolled to at least about 95% thickness reduction followed by a first annealing at a temperature less than about 375° C. Then a second rolling operation of not greater than about 6% thickness reduction is provided, followed by a second annealing at a temperature greater than about 400° C. A method of forming the metal and laminate articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing diamond or diamond like films in which a negative bias is established on a substrate with an electrically conductive surface in a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition system. The atmosphere that is subjected to microwave energy includes a source of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. The negative bias is maintained on the substrate through both the nucleation and growth phase of the film until the film is continuous. Biases between −100V and −200 are preferred. Carbon sources may be one or more of CH4, C2H2 other hydrocarbons and fullerenes.

Abstract: Embodiments of industrial data signal connectors are disclosed. A male connector assembly includes a rigid core mold partially encompassing the housing of male data signal connectors such as the RJ45 and USB connectors, and a flexible overmold for protection and strain relief. Assemblies for the corresponding female RJ45 and USB connectors suitable for industrial applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel high-purity polymer dispersant and sludge conditioner added to the feedwater entering the secondary side of a nuclear steam generator for minimizing the accumulation of metal-oxide deposits within the nuclear steam generator during the continuing operation of the generator is disclosed. The high-purity polymer is selected from a group consisting of acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, acrylate polymer, methacrylate polymer, copolymers, and terpolymers, acrylate/acrylamide copolymer, acrylate/methacrylate copolymer, terpolymers, and mixtures thereof. Methods of making and applying the polymer dispersant and sludge conditioner are described. Means for removing the metal oxides and polymer from the blowdown stream are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) element formed in a cantilever configuration is used in a highly sensitive, ultra-small sensor for measuring acceleration, shock, vibration and static pressure over a wide dynamic range. The cantilever UNCD element may be used in combination with a single anode, with measurements made either optically or by capacitance. In another embodiment, the cantilever UNCD element is disposed between two anodes, with DC voltages applied to the two anodes. With a small AC modulated voltage applied to the UNCD cantilever element and because of the symmetry of the applied voltage and the anode-cathode gap distance in the Fowler-Nordheim equation, any change in the anode voltage ratio V1/N2 required to maintain a specified current ratio precisely matches any displacement of the UNCD cantilever element from equilibrium. By measuring changes in the anode voltage ratio required to maintain a specified current ratio, the deflection of the UNCD cantilever can be precisely determined.

Abstract: A structural insulated panel for building construction includes a planar, rigid insulating core such as of lightweight plastic foam having opposed surfaces to which are bonded respective plastic impregnated paper (PIP) sheets. Disposed symmetrically either on the inner surfaces of the PIP sheets, and thus within the panel's insulating foam core, or on the outer surfaces of the PIP sheets are spaced reinforcing strips. The reinforcing strips may be flat or formed, such as in the shape of a channel, may be of metal, gypsum composites, or wood, and are provided with an adhesive coating for bonding to the insulating foam core and a PIP sheet. The spaced metal strips increase the panel's bending strength and serve as an attachment base for internal and external finished faces, while the PIP sheets provide the panel with high tensile strength. The adhesive coating on the metal reinforcing strips further increases panel strength.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-metal element or a metal or an alloy thereof from a halide or mixtures thereof. The halide or mixtures thereof are contacted with a stream of liquid alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof in sufficient quantity to convert the halide to the non-metal or the metal or alloy and to maintain the temperature of the reactants at a temperature lower than the lesser of the boiling point of the alkali or alkaline earth metal at atmospheric pressure or the sintering temperature of the produced non-metal or metal or alloy. A continuous method is disclosed, particularly applicable to titanium.

Abstract: A field-attachable structure for an in-line electrical connector which converts the connector for industrial applications includes a premolded connector body molded to the male portion of a compression seal. The premolded connector body receives a cable in a central opening and it receives the in-line connector, after field attachment to the cable, in a receptacle formed in the molded body. A clip locks the in-line connector to the connector body. A compression nut mates to the male portion to form a seal with the cable, and a coupling nut on the connector body is adapted to screw onto exterior threads of a mating connector.

Abstract: A foldable implement frame and hitch for attachment to a draft vehicle with a three-point hitch, including a support frame carrying field wheels and dedicated transport wheels, motors for moving the transport support wheels between a stored position and a transport position, a main frame having two telescoping frame members, the outer one of the frame members being supported upon the support frame and the inner one of the frame members carrying on the other end thereof a hitch for connection to the three-point hitch. Two wing frames are pivotally mounted on the support frame with two wing motors connected between the support frame and the wing frames for assisting in moving the wing frames between the extended working positions. Wing wheel assemblies mounted on the outer ends of the wing frames and each including a support wheel, wing wheel lift motors mounted on the wing frame and connected to a wing support wheel for moving it between a working position and a transport position.

Abstract: A bulk superconductor having a thickness of not less than about 100 microns is carried by a polycrystalline textured substrate having misorientation angles at the surface thereof not greater than about 15°; the bulk superconductor may have a thickness of not less than about 100 microns and a surface area of not less than about 50 cm2. The textured substrate may have a thickness not less than about 10 microns and misorientation angles at the surface thereof not greater than about 15°. Also disclosed is a process of manufacturing the bulk superconductor and the polycrystalline biaxially textured substrate material.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking bales of hay into large bundles such as, for example, three bales high and seven bales wide, positions bands about the stacked array to provide a tightly bound, compressed stack of bales. The stacking apparatus compresses the stacked bales during banding with a greater force applied to the same facing portions of the bales as applied during formation of the bales to form a solid, rigid, self-supporting large bundle made up of small bales. Parallel spaced compression zones extending inwardly are formed in the upper and lower rows of bales in the least compressed portion of the bales for receiving the bands which are applied without high tension so as not to damage the hay in holding the bundle of hay bales together.

Abstract: A paper roll holder for rotatably supporting a paper towel roll having a core with open ends. The holder includes a support structure having first and second attachment portions and two hubs insertable into the core of the paper towel roll for holding the paper towel roll. Each hub is rotatably coupled to an associated attachment portion of the support structure, each hub having a body having an axis and a resilient compressible sidewall having a maximum at rest diameter. The sidewall being radially compressible from the at rest position to a plurality of smaller diameters, whereby the sidewall is insertable into the open end of a plurality of differently sized cores. The paper roll holder can be placed in the housing of a paper towel dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a manually operated stopper extractor device arranged to engage a bottle of carbonated liquid to remove the stopper. The extractor device includes a frame arranged to be centered about the neck of the bottle and a side support housing which encloses an actuation lever coupled to an extraction yoke. The yoke is operable between a disengaged and engaged position with the stopper. When the lever is in a compressed actuated position, the yoke engages the stopper and moves the stopper upwardly to remove the stopper from the bottle.

Abstract: Application-ready pesticide compositions having enhanced pesticidal efficacy and methods for formulating such compositions are described. Pesticide concentrates are diluted with water purified to have a total dissolved solids content of 1 to about 100 ppm. The resulting application-ready pesticide compositions can be formulated at less than label-specified concentrations and/or applied at less than label-specified volume per area rates without loss of pesticidal efficacy. The application-ready compositions can be substantially free of adjuvants, or they can be optimized using polymer or ammonia based adjuvants to improve dosage transfer. Novel aqueous diluents comprising such adjuvants and low TDS water are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balanced pendulum mechanism that is useful in devices such as vacuum pumps, compressors, engines and blowers. The mechanism includes a pair of toroidal shaped cylinders originating from the centerline of a central axis, with each cylinder structurally arranged to receive and cooperate with a plunger attached to a pendulum arm that is pivotally anchored to the central axis. The pendulum arms are linked to connecting rods mounted to the crankshaft to complete the pendulum mechanism which is operable with or without lubrication.