Abstract: A system for identifying and measuring stress at specific locations within a ferromagnetic material by the production and detection of Barkhausen noise during magnetization of the material. The method involves introducing into the material a time varying magnetic field component and a spatially-varying magnetic field component that in combination create a singular zero magnetic flux element within the material that "sweeps" from one position within the material to another and back. By time-gating the detected acoustic Barkhausen signal that results as this zero flux element moves within the material, the signal is isolated as having been generated at a specific depth within the specimen. Since the level of Barkhausen noise varies with stress, a tomographic mapping of stress is obtained for the interior of the ferromagnetic specimen. Through the use of a computer, a three dimensional map of stress in the ferromagnetic material is obtained.

Abstract: The invention of the present application relates to waterbeds (10). Waterbeds (10) usually have side rails (21) and often have a foot board (20) and/or head board (22). Together these form an enclosure (16) for containing the water-filled mattress (25). Padded rails (21) above the top edge (24) of the frame (16) prevent the hard wood edge from discomforting the occupants. Applicants provide a fabric cover (32) that slips over the padded rails (21) before they are installed. The fabric cover (32) has elastic bands (36) that hold the cover (32) snug to the padded rail (21) and which bands (36) jam between the top edge (24) of the frame (16) and the inside surface of the padded rail (21) when the padded rails (21) are installed.

Abstract: A festoon lamp holder has a base provided with recesses either side of probes. A cap permanently fits to the base to provide a water-tight seal with an electrical cable passing in use through the holder. Power is provided from the cable conductors via feed-throughs for a bulb. A globe surrounds the bulb and provided with seals forms a gas-tight chanber for the bulb.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to co-acting male and female fishing line connectors. The female member is an elongate body having an internal cavity. It is sized and shaped to receive internally a sphere. The sphere permits quick insertion or removal. The sphere is affixed to an elongate link which is apply clamped and positioned at an axial passage through the body, and further includes a second sphere on the link, the two spheres serving as clamps to hold and position the connective link at a desired location on the female member. The male member thus comprises the two spheres and connective link. Quick connection and disconnection is achieved, and axial pulling is handled readily by the equipment with rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the presence of certain elements or compounds within an object, wherein the object under examination contains both nuclei of a first type which exhibit nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclei of a second type which exhibit nuclear quadrupolar resonance. The apparatus and method involve subjecting the object to a magnetic field and to a radiation beam whose characteristics in the presence of a magnetic field and in the absence of a magnetic field can be measured. The radiation transmission and/or absorption "fingerprint" of a particular substance is experimentally determined and recorded in the presence of a magnetic field calculated to optimize a cross coupling between nuclei of the first (NMR) type and nuclei of the second (NQR) type. This reference is then utilized later as a basis on which to identify an unknown compound exhibiting the same radiation absorption and/or transmission characteristics in response to the same or similar magnetic field intensity.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising a light rail (40) and an adapter (10) for energizing the light rail (40). The light rail (40) is comprised of a substantially flat, thermoplastic, elongated track (46) enclosing two conductive strips (45) and (47) from which multiple pairs of oppositely polarized spades (41), (42), (43) and (44) project. Each pair of the multiple paired spades receives an illuminating lamp (not shown), except a pair energized by the adapter. The adapter (10) has a body (12) with a pair of spade receiving slots (22) and (24) dimensioned to receive therein the paired spades (42) and (43) of the rail to energize the same. A removable fuse (37) extends longitudinally across the body (12) of the adapter (10) to protect against circuit overload.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for removing sludge and reactive metallic deposits, primarily sodium, from a reaction vessel. The process involves circulating under an inert atmosphere a solvent which covers the reactive metal and which solvent removes sludge and other sediments in the vessel including greases, processed salts, etc. Preferably, the process is carried out at a slightly elevated temperature perhaps 120.degree. F. or more. Water or primary alcohols or a mix is added ratably to react with the reactive metal until it is completely removed. The discharge temperature is permitted to increase to perhaps 190.degree. F. and is preferably kept below 245.degree. F. to assure relatively easy handling of the solvent discharge. Recirculation is continued after cooling, sparging, settling to remove impurities picked up in the vessel and recirculation. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mercury cell is one method to make gas chlorine and sodium hydroxide from a sodium chloride feed. Cell operating voltage is lowered by adding a small amount of a polar polymer to the feed. The preferred additive is water soluble is polyacrylic acid in a range of up to about 10 ppm, preferably about 0.5 to about 1.0 ppm.

Abstract: A spark detection apparatus is set forth and incorporates a closed chamber for receiving a carrier gas flowing therethrough between inlets and outlets, and the carrier gas is exposed to a pair of electrodes forming a spark across the chamber and through the carrier gas. Compounds of interest interact with the spark. The spark forms a diffusion of electrons or alternately ions during the spark distributed thereafter. The chamber includes a detector electrode spaced from the spark. High mobility particles (primarily electrons) are observed almost instantaneously with the spark while low mobility ionic particles diffuse more slowly after the termination of the spark. Using an inert carrier gas, high energy metastable molecules are dispersed and give up energy over time after the spark. The output is obtained from the electrode during, immediately after, or after a long delay relative to the spark. Another alternate output is obtained from the observed spectra during the spark and after the spark.

Abstract: A total sulfur analyzer system is set forth. The system operates with gas, liquid or solid samples including free sulfur, and sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The sample is first combusted to provide products of combustion including SO.sub.2 and NO. The SO.sub.2 quantity is measured by exposure to a particular frequency of ultraviolet light to obtain fluorescence, the fluorescent photons being measured by a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The system preferably includes suitable elecronics connected to the PMT for providing data of measurements of sulfur.

Abstract: A surgical assistance device used by members of the surgical staff as an arm or hand rest, instrument platform or sterile cloth support.The surgical assistance device is comprised of two rectangular shaped platforms covered by a covering capable of being sterilized. The platforms are attached so that the first platform runs parallel to the patient-supporting surface of the surgical table. The second platform is attached to the first platform and is oriented to the first platform at other than a 180.degree. angle. The bottom surface of the first platform is attached to a mounting means for securing the surgical assistance device to the longitudinal support surface of a surgical table.

Abstract: In a process for removing propane from a mixed liquid hydrocarbon stream, the depropanizer bottoms from a depropanizer are utilized to reflux the de-ethanizer. The process includes flowing the mixed liquid hydrocarbon stream through a de-ethanizer for separating ethane from the hydrocarbon stream and flowing the de-ethanizer bottoms to a depropanizer for separating the propane. The depropanizer bottoms are used as reflux for the de-ethanizer allowing the overhead temperature to be within range of aerial cooling. Propane recovery of greater than 92% is achievable at these conditions.

Abstract: Fire retardation and wood preservation compositions having inorganic salts encapsulated by a water-based acrylic resin solution. The salts are carried by water into the wood or cellulose product to be treated. After the water evaporates, the inorganic salts are retained in the treated wood and not leached from or washed out of the wood product. The component compounds of the compositions are mixed in specific sequences to avoid coagulation of the mixture.

Abstract: A radial internal combustion engine comprises an engine housing and a plurality of piston-cylinder pairs arranged on the periphery of the housing. The piston-cylinder pairs are arranged in two rows, three cylinders in each row. A connecting rod connects each piston to the crankshaft axially disposed within the engine housing. The connecting rods terminate in an arcuate flange. The connecting rods in each row of cylinders lie in a common plane equally sharing the crankshaft journal bearing surface. Lubrication about the crankshaft journal is provided through an oil flow passage which extends through the crankshaft for lubricating the crankshaft journal an the valve train of the engine.