Abstract: Unburned particulate matter is removed from a combustion gas stream by adding a conditioning agent to modify the resistivity of the particulate matter and passing the conditioned combustion gas stream through an electrostatic precipitator whose precipitating elements are energized with an intermittent applied voltage. The addition of conditioning agent and the precipitating voltage signal are mutually optimized. A controller receives measurement signals from sensors that monitor the total flow rate of particulate matter in the gas stream before the electrostatic precipitation treatment, and the concentration of particulate matter in the gas stream after the treatment. Performance of the system may be optimized according to selected combinations of variables.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing and measuring chemical reactions includes a reaction test apparatus having reaction wells wherein reactants are controllably mixed, and exposure apparatus which receives and positions the reaction test apparatus adjacent a photographic film. Each of the reaction wells includes at least two reaction chambers, arranged in a side by side fashion. All but the final reaction chamber have upwardly sloping sides, so that liquid placed in one reaction chamber can flow to the next reaction chamber when the apparatus is tilted. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction wells are supported in a plate that is structurally integral with the wells but separates the wells from each other. The test plate is retained in the exposure apparatus, and liquid is controllably flowed from one reaction chamber to the next by tilting the exposure apparatus.

Abstract: Signals produced by brain activity are measured by each sensor of an array of magnetic and/or electrical sensors external to but proximate to the head (or other portion of the body) of a subject. The measurements obtained simultaneously from all of the sensors are combined in a manner to permit selective measurement of the electrical activity from a specified location within the body, or alternatively, to permit the location in the body producing a particular type of response to be identified. The instantaneous measurement of each sensor is scaled by a weighting coefficient for that sensor, and the products added over all of the sensors. The weighting coefficients are calculated from a mathematical model of the brain that includes information on the shape of the potential source, the extent or type of source activity, the electrical and magnetic properties of the media, and the locations and orientations of the sources and the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ultrasonic measurements of compliant material specimens includes a pair of facing but spaced apart ultrasonic transducers between which the specimen is placed, and which transmits signals into the specimen and receives signals from the specimen, a structure which presses the transducers against the opposite surfaces of the specimen with a reproducibly controllable force so that the same compressive force may be applied for successive measurements, a gauge that measures the separation of the two transducers, and a controller which drives the transmitting transducer and receives the signals from the receiving transducer. The apparatus permits the determination of comparable ultrasonic properties for different points on one specimen, and the determination of comparable properties of a number of specimens, by making the measurements under identical conditions.

Abstract: A photovoltaic converter includes a photovoltaic cell and an enclosure around the cell with a reflective inner surface that reflects light to the cell. An aperture through the wall of the enclosure has a size smaller than the size of the photovaltaic cell. Light enters the enclosure through the aperture and falls upon the cell. Some light is reflected or not absorbed by the cell. This light is re-reflected back to the cell by the reflective inner surface of the enclosure. The small size of the aperture minimizes the escape of reflected light back out of the enclosure.

Abstract: A compact ellipsometric apparatus is constructed using as a building block a tri-beam ellipsometric sensor having a monochromatic source of polarized light with a diverging beam of sufficient divergence that three analyzers and associated light detectors may be placed into the beam side by side so that they each receive light reflected from a surface under study at the same angle of reflection. Pairs of these sensors are used together, with one of each pair having in the optical path a quarter wave plate matched to the monochromatic light wavelength and the other of the pair having no quarter wave plate, but with the light wavelength and angle of incidence being the same for each pair. A variety of measurements are made by constructing apparatus using one or more pairs of these basic sensors, the pairs of sensors varying from each other in the light wavelength of the source and the angle of incidence of the polarized beam of light to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously and progressively forming components from fiber-containing composite material workpieces having a deformable matrix introduces transverse bends into a workpiece that moves through the apparatus in a longitudinal or travel direction. Transverse bending of the composite material is accomplished in a kinematically admissible manner to avoid misalignment or failure of the composite material. A net bending deformation is introduced at a free transverse edge as the composite workpiece moves in a longitudinal direction, by pairs of compound roller elements between which the workpiece passes as it moves through the apparatus. the net deformation introduced at the free transverse edge is moved and distributed through the composite material workpiece during successive passes through the forming machinery, to form the final shaped component.

Abstract: A cast composite material is prepared from a modified aluminum-containing matrix and reinforcement particles mixed into the matrix. From about 15 to about 130, preferably from about 20 to about 50, parts per million of an element, preferably beryllium, that forms a more stable oxide than magnesium oxide is included in the matrix alloy. The stable-oxide-forming element reduces the amount and thickness of the aluminum oxide and other oxides formed at the surface of the melt, which otherwise may be mixed into the melt to cause microstructural irregularities in the matrix of the cast composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-developable photosensitive resin composition capable of hot melt molding, which comprises:(i) a water soluble or water dispersible polyvinyl alcohol prepared by saponifying a copolymer which is obtained from copolymerizing 0 to 20 mol % of a monomer not having an ionic group (hereinafter referred to as "nonionic monomer"), 0 to 10 mol % of an ionic group-containing monomer (hereinafter referred to as "ionic monomer") and the remaining amount of a vinyl ester in the presence of a thiolic acid wherein the total content of the ionic monomer and nonionic monomer is 0.1 to 20 mol %; said polyvinyl alcohol having a terminal mercapto group, a saponification degree of the vinyl ester unit of 50 to 70 mol %, and a hot melt flow starting temperature of 60.degree. to 130.degree. C.(ii) a polymerizable monomer, and(iii) a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A vacuum-tight, nonmetallic hollow article is fabricated from composite material of fibers in a resin matrix. The article has a closed end, and is laid up from sheets of the composite material and end pieces to form the closed end. The layers are mechanically worked and debulked repeatedly during layup between the addition of successive layers, to remove irregularities that can cause vacuum leaks. The joints between the sheets applied to the sidewalls and the end pieces are mechanically worked to effect a vacuum-tight seal, and the joints are staggered as between succeeding layers for strength and integrity. The laid up and debulked piece is finally cured.

Abstract: The weight fractions of the phases of a composite material working specimen are determined nondestructively by first performing a sufficient number of nondestructive and destructive calibration measurements on the properties of calibration specimens. The information learned from the calibration specimens is used in combination with nondestructive measurements of the working specimen to determine the fractions of the phases therein, without damaging the working specimen. In one version of this approach, ultrasonic measurements are used to determine fractions of the fiber and matrix in a nonmetallic composite material.

Abstract: A fuel system adjustment tool includes an elongated shaft and a rotatable rod disposed within the shaft. At one end of the rod is a drive that operably fits to an adjustment point on a carburetor. At the other end is a rotatable knob that produces a tactile engagement or clicking sensation at selected degrees of rotation, preferably every 180 degrees of rotation. The engagement is produced by a collar having a notch therein on the end of the shaft, and spring loaded balls in recesses on the interior of the knob. As the knob is rotated, one of the balls falls into the notch at the selected degree of rotation, but is releasable from the notch upon further rotation.

Abstract: Ores containing mineral values are separated into two slurries, one having primarily fine particles and gangue and the other having primarily coarse particles. The slurry having fine particles and gangue is adjusted to a solids content of less than about 15 percent, as necessary, and then conditioned by the addition of appropriate promoter reagents, a flotation collector, and a froth modifier. The gangue, containing a disproportionate share of impurities, is floated in a column flotation cell wherein the fine particulates are not mechanically agitated, and removed. The remaining fine particulate underflow, containing a disproportionate share of the minearl values, is then processed directly, or combined with the slurry containing the coarse particulate to yield a flow having reduced impurity content and increased recovery of the mineral values.

Abstract: A mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic extractants is used to separate phosphate values from impurities found in phosphoric acid. In one approach, impurities are removed from phosphoric acid and the phosphate values are recovered, by introducing polyphosphates and ammonium ions into the impure acid, and contacting the impure acid with a mixture of low and high molecular weight alcohols, one of which is hydrophilic and the other hydrophobic, in a single stage. The phosphate values segregate to the high molecular weight alcohol fraction, and the impurities segregate to the low molecular weight alcohol fraction. After separation of the alcohol solutions, the phosphate values and the impurities are separated from their respective extractant solutions, and the alcohols recirculated. Polyphosphates and ammonia are preferably provided by reacting a portion of the original feed acid with ammonia at elevated temperature in a pipe reactor.

Abstract: A self contained cryogenic cooler, requiring only electricity to operate, maintains apparatus therein at cryogenic temperatures without introducing liquefied gas, and with a minimum of mechanical vibration. The cooler includes an elongated cylindrical insulated container with an end plate, the container having a vacuum conduction barrier and a heat shield radiative barrier so that the heat flow through the walls is small. The interior of the container and the apparatus are cooled by a mechanical cooler that achieves intermediately low temperatures, and a helium gas expansion cooler providing the final stage of cooling to below about 5K. The mechanical cooler is supported from the end plate on a first support, and the expansion cooler and apparatus are supported from the end plate on a second support independent of the first support, so that minimal vibration from the mechanical cooler is introduced into the apparatus.

Abstract: A nickel-containing ore is leached with sulfuric acid to dissolve nickel and associated metallic values into the sulfuric acid to form a leachate, the sulfuric acid further containing a source of the monovalent cations sodium, potassium or ammonium to suppress solubilization of aluminum ions in the ore. The leaching process is conducted at elevated temperatures of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., and at elevated pressures. In such leaching process, the monovalent cations are present in the leaching liquid prior to the initiation of leaching, to achieve an aluminum content of the leachate of less than about 0.5 grams per liter.

Abstract: A sailboat includes a fixed keel whose lateral profile is adjustable to create lift that counteracts the leeward drift of the boat when sailing upwind. The keel structure supports side panels that are selectively deflected outwardly to form an airfoil. Deflection of the panels is accomplished by the inflation of bladders positioned between the fixed structure and the inner surface of the panels. As the bladders inflate, the forward and aft ends of the panels pivot on hinge supports to the fixed structure, and the length of the panels increases to accommodate the deflection. With the panel on one side of the keel displaced, the keel becomes a lifting body that generates a force acting to force the sailboat in the upwind direction, thereby counteracting the leeward drift caused by the wind acting on the sails.

Abstract: A pin grid array package includes an electrically insulating, moisture impervious base having a plurality of bores therethrough, electrically conducting pins extending through the bores, metallic collars wedged between the pins and the bores adjacent the bottom side of the base, an electrically conducting trace formed of a silver-2 percent platinum alloy extending from each pin to the location for attachment of an electrical device, and a melted eutectic bond between the metal of the conducting path and the head of the pin at the top side of the base.