Abstract: A solar heat storage system including in combination a liquid vessel for storing solar energy and solar heat collection means comprising a network of serially connected conductive conduits arranged in a serpentine fashion and coupled to a source of antifreeze in a closed loop, said plurality of conduits lying below street level and covered by a layer of blacktop.

Abstract: Corona discharge reactions are efficiently conducted by passing a reactant gas through a corona discharge gap in which pulsed electrical energy is dissipated to accelerate electrons to a productive energy level, and eliminating gas ions from the gap to minimize non-productive energizing of the ions prior to additional corona discharge. In one preferred practice of the process a selective ion neutralization potential is applied to eliminate the non-productive gas ions between corona pulses. In other preferred practices, a reactant gas which is exposed to corona is removed from the corona zone after limited exposure to corona to permit recombination of the heavy gas ions prior to additional exposure to corona and/or an ion neutralizing component is added to the reactant gas stream.

Abstract: A Galvanic Cell assembly including a safety switch which comprises an active member and an insulating member. The switch is disposed between the metallic container and the metallic cover plate of the cell. The active member is an electrically conductive spring member having an inclined deformable section with a centrally located opening.

Abstract: A corona generator having a high voltage, high frequency power supply wherein a plurality of transient commutated silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's) are driven in series. The use of series connected unmatched SCR's without associated voltage equalization means increases the duration of the reverse commutation pulse and hence, permits higher switching frequency.

Abstract: The Galvanic Cell assembly incorporates an integral safety pressure switch comprising an active member and an insulating member. The active member is an electrically conductive invertible spring member having an inclined deformable first section, a curved second section and a centrally disposed opening. The cell container may be dished inwardly to provide additional room for the switch and to provide added deflection under pressure for operating the switch.

Abstract: Corona induced chemical reactions are conducted in a corona discharge zone in which narrow high voltage pulses are applied along with a relatively low voltage bias potential. It is found that for many corona discharge reactions, such as the conversion of oxygen to ozone, the present method increases the electrical efficiency of the reaction.

Abstract: A bathing cap having an outer protective water impervious covering and a detachable inner framework for providing a pressurized seal about the head of the wearer along a line conforming substantially to the hairline. The inner framework is composed of a plurality of substantially rigid but pliable strips, two of which form a primary seal about the head of the wearer with the remaining strips forming a support for maintaining such primary seal. The two strips forming the primary seal consist of a first strip arranged about the forehead and a second extending around the nape of the neck.

Abstract: A cathode contact member is disposed at the interface between the molded tubular cathode shell and the interior side walls of the metallic container in an alkaline round cell, the contact member being at least partially embedded in the tubular cathode shell and making permanent electrical connection with the metallic container.

Abstract: Battery dispenser including a flat, circular molded plastic casing comprising co-fitting upper and lower casing halves defining an enclosure with the upper casing half being rotatable and including a series of openings in its top wall for insertion of a voltmeter probe to contact the upper terminal surface of each one of a plurality of small, miniature button cell batteries held in the lower casing half in a spaced apart, circular row arrangement, the upper casing half further including a discharge outlet which circumscribes one of the series of openings and which is normally closed by a cover cap attached to the top wall by an integral flexible hinge. A conductor element is positioned internal of the enclosure in the form of a circular ring with branch elements extending therefrom in contact with the lower terminal surface of each battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for the detection of changes in surface tension of a liquid by introducing an inert gas under pressure into the liquid to form an inert gas-liquid mixture, decompressing the mixture to provide bubbles which increase in size and generate sounds and measuring the sound intensity of the sound generated by the decompression of the gas-liquid mixture. Inasmuch as the addition of pollutants to water changes the surface tension characteristics of the water, the present invention is applicable to the monitoring of water for the detection of pollutants.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use in a non-aqueous battery system of an electrolyte comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent of nitrobenzene or a substituted nitrobenzene compound.

Abstract: An alkaline cell is described wherein at least a pair of flat electrode elements of opposite polarity having a porous separator containing the alkaline electrolyte interposed therebetween are arranged in the form of a conventional electrode stack assembly, and wherein the electrode assembly is enclosed within a sealed, liquid-impervious plastic film envelope having a positive, negative and a third terminal connection in the walls thereof, each terminal connection comprising flat internal and external current collectors disposed adjacent to the inner and outer sides respectively of the walls overlying openings therein, the collectors being tightly adhered to the respective sides of the walls by thin layers of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte. Means are provided for making electrical connection between the current collectors through the openings in the walls of the envelope.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for testing materials for levels of agents that are toxic and/or inhibitory to microorganisms involving (a) the mixing of a sample of said material with a liquid medium containing microorganisms, said medium being capable of supporting growth of said microorganisms; (b) the impregnating of the resulting liquid mixture into a porous inert support mass capable of permitting oxygen transfer from ambient gas enveloping said mass to said mixture impregnated into it; (c) the incubating of said mixture impregnated into said mass for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to promote bacterial growth therein in the absence of toxic or inhibitory agents; (d) the removing of the incubated mixture from said inert support mass and filtering same through an open pore filter; and (e) the observing of the degree of turbidity, or lack of it, in the resulting filtrate.

Abstract: A flat alkaline cell is described wherein an electrode assembly including at least a pair of flat electrode elements of opposite polarity having a porous separator containing an alkaline electrolyte interposed therebetween and a current collector disposed adjacent to and in electrical connection with one of the pair of electrode elements at one end of the electrode assembly, are enclosed within a sealed, liquid impervious plastic film envelope having an opening in one wall thereof which exposes at least a portion of the current collector for making external electrical connection therewith, and wherein a layer of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte, tightly adheres and seals together the current collector and the wall of the envelope at least around the periphery of the opening. The exposed portion of the current collector constitutes a first terminal connection to which a wire lead or the like may be attached.

Abstract: Primary electric current-producing dry cell comprising a zinc anode, a cathode composed of a polycarbonfluoride compound (CF.sub.x).sub.n and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte.

Abstract: Primary dry cell comprising a metal anode cup having a cathode mix therein, separated from the side wall of the anode cup by a porous, ionically permeable separator, and having an open end which is gas-tightly sealed by a closure including a vent, wherein a gas-venting passageway is provided around the cathode mix comprising a longitudinal groove in the side wall of the anode cup communicating with the void space defined between the cathode mix and the seal closure.

Abstract: In a direct current machine having plural brushes arranged for sliding engagement over the surface of the commutator assembly along separate paths; wherein the commutator assembly comprises a multiple number of commutator bars with each bar having a current transfer surface divided into conducting and nonconducting sections, each section being located in one of the separate paths, and with the sections of adjacent commutator bars so arranged to provide a checkerboard pattern of conducting and nonconducting sections over the commutator assembly surface. The brushes are interconnected to the machine load through a predetermined circuit network which controls the short circuit current.

Abstract: Helium and helium base gas mixtures such as helium-hydrogen; helium-oxygen and helium-carbon dioxide have been found to improve weld penetration when used with presently available lasers to weld most steels.