Abstract: Disclosed are methods of converting organic materials to dense bodies of homogeneous amorphous carbon or graphite. The organic material is converted by pyrolysis to an amorphous plastic carbon precursor which is then comminuted. The plastic carbon precursor particles are pressed into a monolithic body without the use of any binder material and the precursor body converted to carbon or graphite by application of heat at controlled rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic valving system for shutting off liquid flow into a container when the level of liquid within the container is above a predetermined level, and for permitting liquid flow when the liquid is below the predetermined level. A liquid is positioned within the container at the predetermined level, and a pressure responsive shutoff valve is fluidly connected in series between a source of liquid under pressure and the interior of the container. The shutoff valve has communication with the fluid sensor and is operative to shut off liquid flow into the container in response to a pressure variation received from the sensor upon the level of liquid within the container rising above the predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic launch apparatus which employs separable telescoping tubes. The open ends of the tubes are provided with valves which automatically close upon separation of the tubes to trap operating gas in the tubes at the moment of separation.

Abstract: A fluid-powered control system of a type employing redundant control channels and multiple fluid signal amplifiers. Each fluid amplifier has two fluid outlets having communication with respective portions of a movable, force summing structure but having no communication with the other amplifiers. A respective, differential pressure monitoring device is connected between a source of fluid under pressure and each fluid amplifier and is operative to shut off fluid flow to the respective, associated, fluid amplifier upon the occurrence, across the outlets of the fluid amplifier, of a differential pressure exceeding a predetermined level.

Abstract: A regenerative laser device having remotely located optical components. A resonant cavity having a plurality of transverse modes is defined at one end by a highly reflective retrodirective member and at the other end by a retrodirective member formed of a converging lens and a highly transmissive mirror. A body of laser material is located within the resonant cavity, and there are provided means for exciting the material to create a loop gain of the device that is substantially equal to unity. A collimating lens receives light transmitted through the mirror. An energy source supplies additional energy into the resonant cavity through the collimating lens and mirror to increase the radiation, in at least one of the transverse modes, in the resonant cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for causing relative movement of first and second structures about a pivot axis is disclosed wherein a rotatable, elongated member has first and second portions which respectively extend from the pivot axis toward the first and second structures. The second portion of the member extends rotatably within a housing which is also rotatable with respect to the second structure. The axis of rotation of the member second portion within the housing is skewed from the axis or rotation of its first portion relative to the first structure by an angle .theta. and is also skewed by an equal angle from the axis of rotation of the housing relative to the second structure. Simultaneous rotation of the housing and member in opposite rotational directions produces arcuate movement of the member first portion and the first structure, about the pivot axis, relative to the second structure.

Abstract: A self steering vehicle for a transportation system including a roadway having a pair of elongated parallel tracks whose shape in cross-section is domed or convex and preferably having a pair of guide flanges positioned outwardly of the tracks, the vehicle having wheels provided with resilient track-engaging means, such as pneumatic tires, and driving means for propelling the vehicle over the roadway. The wheels of the vehicle tend to follow the tracks because of the deformation of the tires if they tend to move laterally off the center portions of the tracks, and the guide flanges engage the tires, upon the wheels having moved off the tracks because of the imposition of excessive side loads on the vehicle, to turn the wheels back onto the tracks.

Abstract: A power controller for transmitting alternating current from a power input circuit to a load, the controller being a master silicon controlled rectifier, hereinafter the "master rectifier," and a slave silicon controlled rectifier, hereinafter the "slave rectifier," connectible in parallel with the load across the input circuit, a capacitor chargeable during positive half cycles for discharging at the zero voltage crossover between half cycles of positive and negative input voltage to render the master capacitor conductive and a second capacitor chargeable When the master controlled rectifier is conductive whose discharge renders the slave rectifier conductive at the instant of zero voltage crossover between half cycles of negative and positive input voltage.

Abstract: A switching system for a transportation system of the type employing a guideway and vehicles adapted to travel along the guideway. A guideway junction is provided having a first end communicating with a first portion of the guideway and having a bifurcated, second end communicating with second and third, mutually diverging portions of the guideway. A movable guide rail is positioned adjacent the first end of the junction and pivotable between first and second positions for initially guiding a vehicle in a respective one of two directions upon the vehicle entering the junction from the junction first end. A fixed, guiding .[.means.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.is positioned between the movable guide rail and the second guideway portion and is operable to guide a vehicle through the junction and onto the second guideway portion upon the vehicle being initially guided by the movable guide rail while the movable guide rail is in its first position; and another fixed, guiding .[.means.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.