Abstract: Turbine for the analysis of samples by nuclear magnetic resonance. It comprises a rotor (7) having a spherical central core (8), whereof a cavity (9) contains the solid sample to be analyzed. Two conical surfaces are provided on either side of the central core (8) for rolling on two conical surfaces (13) of the stator. Blades are driven by a flow of compressed gas. This arrangement makes it possible to move the rotor (7) very rapidly, while respecting a constant ratio of the nutation and precession rotation speeds.

Abstract: In the present invention, a superconductor is produced by the steps of wrapping a plurality of layers of metal sheets around a support to form a composite structure. The sheets are pure transition metals-13 niobium, titanium, zirconium, or vanadium, for example--alternate sheets being formed of different transition metals. The support may be composed of any ductile metal. The resulting composite structure is mechanically reduced sufficiently so that each transition metal sheet is less than 1000 .ANG. thick. In the course of reduction, the composite is subjected to sufficient temperatures for sufficient times such that the transition metal layers are partially reacted to form a ductile superconducting material between the transition metal layers. Approximately one half by volume of the transition metal layers remain unreacted. These unreacted layers afford efficient flux pinning within the composite when the layers are reduced to the <1000 .ANG. final size.

Abstract: A Pockels effect electric field sensor includes, as a sensitive element, a crystal with electro-optic properties traversed by a luminous beam with specific polarization and propagation directions. The crystal is cut into the shape of an ellipsoid (14) and has a crystallographic symmetry being either uniaxial 622, 422 or 42m or cubic 43m or 23, the three perpendicular axes of the ellipsoid being orientated along three trirectangular crystallographic axes with the highest symmetry of the crystal.

Abstract: In a machine such as a press having at least one heating platen and one cooling platen, it is proposed to place between the said platens a variable heat conduction device (22a), when the operation of the machine requires a phase of heating the part without the application of pressure, followed by a phase of cooling the part under pressure. This device (22a) has two thermally conductive plates (32a, 34a), normally separated by a space under vacuum (52a) under the action of at least one deformable member (36a), which can be elastic or plastic. The application of the pressure passes the device (22a) from a thermally insulating state to a thermally conductive state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fracturing hard deposits such as urinary and biliary calculi and arteriosclerotic plaque in the human body. An elongate guide member having an apertured hollow adjacent its distal end is inserted within the body with the distal end positioned adjacent the target. A working fluid is supplied to the hollow, and an electric spark is discharged within the hollow from an external energy source for generating pulse waves in the working fluid. The resulting pulse waves express working fluid from the hollow to impinge on the target. Makeup fluid is supplied and the spark repeated. The method and apparatus also may be advantageously employed for dilating narrowing in hollow internal structure in the body.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive superparamagnetic liquid colloids and methods for making and using them are described. The magnetic liquid colloids contain magnetic particles coated with conductive, organio-metallic compund, which impart the magnetic and conductive characteristics to the fluid. The coated magnetic particles are dispersed in a carrier fluid that gives the fluid viscosity, flow and vapor pressure properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical instrument having a pair of opposed jaw members, at least one of which jaw members is moveable with respect to the other jaw member. A cutting and/or cauterizing heat source such as a hot wire element and/or laser transmission fiber is carried on at least one of the jaw members.

Abstract: An optically clear aqueous conditioning shampoo and a process for preparing the same. The composition according to the invention comprises the combination of an anionic base detergent selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and a cationic surface active conditioning agent whereby the conditioning agent is combined with the anionic shampoo base in an amount sufficient to avoid incompatibility and precipitation of the cationic and anionic components.

Abstract: A Type II superconducting filament is formed by surrounding a Type II superconducting alloy ingot with layers of a fine grain Type II superconducting alloy sheet, a barrier layer and a copper extrusion can. The composite is then reduced to a filament by hot and cold working.

Abstract: An angioplasty syringe has a half-threaded surface which engages a threaded hydraulic plunger for generating balloon inflating pressure. The threaded nut is part of a component having a cam which engages a cam is part of a pistol trigger. The cam positively raises and closes the threaded surface depending upon the trigger position.

Abstract: A front end structure of a booster rocket for a launcher is disclosed. The front end structure comprises a curved support arm mechanically connecting a front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, and an aerodynamic protection cover mounted onto the front end of the booster rocket and surrounding the support arm without being rigidly mechanically connected to the support arm.

Abstract: An optical biprobe for observing a flow in any direction in a diphasic emulsion is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the optical biprobe comprises a support which is capable of rotating about a first axis on which is mounted a hollow member for intruding into the emulsion. At least two optical fibers are mounted in the support such that the optical fibers extrude from the hollow member and are fixed at a predetermined distance from one another. The hollow member is pivotally about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Completing the biprobe is an actuator for controlling the pivoting of the hollow member about the second axis.

Abstract: In order to interconnect two subassemblies (12, 14), which must be rapidly disengaged, use is made of a mechanism having two rods (36, 44) arranged end to end and which are normally linked in rotation and translation by unlockable connecting means (56, 64). A first (36) of these rods is mounted in a cylinder (14) connected to a first subassembly and has an operating head (38) accessible from the outside of the cylinder. The second rod (44) has a thread (50) screwed onto the second subassembly (12). This arrangement makes it possible to easily fit the mechanism by actuating the operating head (38). A piston (20) mounted in the cylinder (14) controls the unlocking of the connecting means.

Abstract: A multi-purpose component with integrated optics includes an optical light guide (12) formed on one face of a substrate (10) made of a double refracting material having neutral axes orientated so that one electromagnetic wave extending into the guide (12) is split up into two waves having polarizations perpendicular to each other and along the neutral axes. A power source (18) applies an electric filed perpendicular to the optical light guide (12) and uniformly along the guide (12). Two rectilinear polarizers (20, 22) with polarization directions (d1, d2) parallel to each other are each disposed at one extremity of the guide (12). The component also includes focussing means (24, 26, 28, 30). The component has particular utility for tuneable optical filtering and optical telecommunications.

Abstract: A laser having a volume of less than 1 cubic centimeter comprises a semiconductor constructed to permit the emission of a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation upon the application of an electron beam to one of its surfaces, and an electron bombardment pumping device for applying the electron beam. The electron bombardment device includes at least one microdot emissive cathode cold electron source having a volume less than 1 cm.sup.3. In a preferred embodiment the laser comprises a plurality of electron bombardment devices formed into a matrix or row of microdot cathodes. A focusing device is provided for focusing the electron beams onto a plurality of excitement strips corresponding to a plurality of semiconductors.

Abstract: An improved piano which offers improved repetitive playing characteristics, a clearly distinguishable set off pressure, and an improved player touch, enabling the player to better control the strength and sound quality produced. The piano action includes biasing means which causes a different moment of force on the hammer butt depending on the position of the hammber butt as it rotates from the rest position to the string striking position. A piano made in accordance with the present invention includes an improved bridge and soundboard arrangement at an upper end of an upright piano's plate comprising a bridge rail connected to a soundboard; a suspension bridge supported along a first edge portion of the bridge rail and supported along a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion by the plate; and a bridge bearing in contact with the suspension bridge and arranged to bear against the strings to transfer vibrations from the strings to the soundboard.

Abstract: A device for continuously grinding the edges of moving metal foil comprises a stationary support on which a mobile support can slide perpendicular to the strip. The mobile support comprises a pivoting arm, the ends of which are provided with a roller for guiding the strip, lower and upper dressing rollers, an upstream tool holder, with at least one tool for dressing the edge and a downstream tool holder for chamfering the edge. The mobile support is brought into contact with the edge of the strip by the application of an adjustable pressure to the guide.

Abstract: A method of producing a malt beverage in which wort prepared from malt and ceral adjuncts is boiled in a kettle for a period of time. Thereafter, a quantity of previously extracted (spent) hops is added to the boiling kettle.

Abstract: A screw head is provided with ribs on some of the driver engageable surfaces. The rib is slanted outwardly from the screw axis by a small angle between 1.degree. and 10.degree..

Abstract: An assembly of parts forming an angle between facing surfaces of the parts and a process for producing an assembly is described. The parts (2, 4) are provided with contact elements or pads (6, 8, 10, 12) for connection to one another by means of a relatively low melting point metallic soldering material. The surface of each of the pads is wettable by the low melting point metallic material in the molten state, while areas surrounding the pads are not wettable. The contact pads of one of the parts are covered with flat coils or wafers (10, 12) of the low melting point metallic material. The wafers have the same thickness, but different volumes. The contact pads of the other part are placed on the corresponding wafers. The wafers' thickness, volumes, and spacing are chosen so that when the wafers are heated to the molten state and form truncated spherical drops due to surface tension, the parts form between them a predetermined angle. The invention has particular application to the manufacture of mirrors.