Abstract: A closed loop apparatus for spraying coolant against the back of a radiation target. The coolant is circulated through a closed loop with a bubble of inert gas being maintained around the spray. Mesh material is disposed between the bubble and the surface of the liquid coolant which is below the bubble at a predetermined level. In a second embodiment no inert gas is used, the bubble consisting of vapor produced when the coolant is sprayed against the target.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery protection system is provided wherein each cell has its own individual protective circuit. The protective circuits each comprise a solid state comparator unit and a high current switching device such as a relay. The comparator units each continuously monitor the associated cell and when the cell voltage either exceeds a predetermined "high" level or falls below a predetermined "low" level, the relay is actuated whereby a bypass circuit is completed across the cell thereby effectively removing the cell from the series of cells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical tissue macerating and removal tool having a rotating rod with a cutting member at one end and disposed in a tube which itself is disposed coaxially in an extension of the tool handle. A frusto-conical member extends into the extension at the cutter member end of the rotating rod with its small end engaging the tube. The portion of the frusto-conical member outside of the extension forms a tissue engaging member and may be cut-off at an angle to the axis of the rod to form a tissue engaging edge. Apertures are provided in the extension adjacent the frusto-conical member so that treatment fluid supplied in the annular space between the tube and the extension may flow to the operative site.

Abstract: Oil shale formations are retorted in-situ and gaseous hydrocarbon products recovered by drilling two or more wells into an oil shale formation underneath the surface of the ground; fracturing a region of said oil shale formation by directing a high energy laser beam into one of said wells and focussing said laser beam onto said region of said oil shale formation from a laser optical system; forcing a compressed gas into said well through which said laser beam was directed at the site of said fracture which supports combustion in the flame front ignited by said laser beam in the fractured region of said oil shale, thereby retorting said oil shale; and recovering gaseous hydrocarbon products which permeate through said fractured oil shale from one of said wells through which the laser beam was not directed.

Abstract: Triazine compounds and cross-linked polymer compositions are made by heating aromatic nitriles to a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree.0 C. to about 700.degree. C., and preferably in the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst or mixture of catalysts selected from one or more of the following groups: (A) organic sulfonic and sulfinic acids, (B) organic phosphonic and phosphinic acids, and (C) metallic acetylacetonates, at a pressure in the range of from about atmospheric pressure to about 10,000 p.s.i., and preferably in the range of from about 200 p.s.i. to about 750 p.s.i.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a continuous, thin film of stoichiometric metal hydride such as titanium dihydride, titanium dideuteride, or titanium ditritide on a substrate which may be of metal, glass or the like. The substrate is first cleaned, both chemically and by off-sputtering in a vacuum chamber. In an ultra-high vacuum system vapor deposition by a sublimator or vaporizer first coats a cooled shroud disposed around the substrate with a thin film of hydride forming metal which getters any contaminant gas molecules. A shutter is then opened to allow hydride forming metal to be deposited as a film or coating on the substrate.After the hydride forming metal coating is formed, a deuterium or other hydrogen isotopes are bled into the vacuum system and diffused into the metal film or coating to form a hydride of metal film. Higher substrate temperatures and pressures may be used if various parameters are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: A fuel combustor comprises a chamber with air and fuel inlets and a combination gas outlet. The fuel is supplied to a vaporization zone and fuel and air are mixed in a pair of mixing chambers each exemplified by a swirl can and the resultant mixture is directed into a combustion zone within the combustor. Combustion products are exhausted, for example, into a turbine inlet.Heat pipe means, in this case comprising a pair of heat pipes for each swirl can, are arranged each pipe with one end portion substantially in the combustion zone and the other end portion in the vaporization zone of its appropriate mixing chamber. By use of the heat pipe means some of the heat of combustion is carried back upstream into the swirl cans, to vaporize the fuel as it enters the vaporization zone in the swirl can, thereby improving vaporization and fuel mixing. Fewer pollutants are formed and complete combustion is assisted because of the improved fuel vaporization and better mixing.

Abstract: A spatial filtered Q-switched laser system is disclosed having means to prevent ionization of air in close proximity to the aperture of the spatial filter. A compound lens system having an astigmatic focus is disposed between the laser and the spatial filter for defocusing the light beam emanating from the laser in the vicinity of the aperture of the spatial filter to an intensity below that which produces ionization of air. The preferred construction of the compound lens system as viewed from the laser comprises a cylindrical lens and a pair of positive lenses.

Abstract: A corneal seal device is provided which, when placed in an incision in the eye, permits the insertion of a surgical tool or instrument through the device into the eye.The device includes a seal chamber which opens into a tube which is adapted to be sutured to the eye and serves as an entry passage for a tool. A sealable aperture in the chamber permits passage of the tool through the chamber into the tube and hence into the eye. The chamber includes inlet ports adapted to be connected to a regulated source of irrigation fluid which provides a safe intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Circuitry for maintaining an arc or spark across a spark gap for a desired length of time is disclosed. A high-voltage, direct-current (dc) source is connected in series with a secondary winding of a high voltage, step-up transformer or coil and a spark gap such as a spark plug for example. The high-voltage source may be on continuously or may be turned on and off by a control circuit such as a solid state switch which is, in turn, responsive to a timing device such as a set of ignition contact points or a magnetic pulse generator operating in synchronism with a spark ignition engine. The timing device also provides signals to a current switching circuit which interrupts current flow through a primary winding of the high-voltage coil at the prescribed time that a spark is desired at the spark gap.The control circuit may, if desired, include both a switch and a multivibrator if the timer is of the pulse-generating magnetic type.

Abstract: The invention relates to laminate structures and specifically to essentially anisotropic fiber composite laminates wherein metal foils are selectively disposed within the laminate to produce increased resistance to high velocity impact, fracture, surface erosion, and other stresses within the laminate.

Abstract: Gels are formed from silica powders and hydrochloric acid. The gels can then be impregnated into a polymeric foam and the resultant sheet material can then be used in applications where the transport of chloride ions is desired. Specifically disclosed is the utilization of the sheet in electrically rechargable redox flow cells which find application in bulk power storage systems.

Abstract: Advantage is taken of the current-exponential voltage characteristic of a diode over a certain range whereby the incremental impedance across the diode is inversely proportional to the current through the diode. Accordingly, a divider circuit employs a bias current through the diode proportional to the desired denominator and applies an incremental current to the diode proportional to the numerator. As a result, the incremental voltage across the diode is proportional to the quotient.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bulk energy storage system including an electrically rechargeable reduction-oxidation (REDOX) cell divided into two compartments by a membrane, each compartment containing an electrode. An anode fluid is directed through the first compartment at the same time that a cathode fluid is directed through the second compartment, thereby causing the electrode in the first compartment to have a negative potential while the electrode in the second compartment has a positive potential. The electrodes are inert with respect to the anode and cathode fluids used and the membrane is substantially impermeable to all except select ions of both the anode and cathode fluid, whether the cell is fully charged or in a state of discharge.Means are provided for circulating the anode and cathode fluids and the electrodes are connected to an intermittent or non-continuous electrical source, which when operating, supplies current to a load as well as to the cell to recharge it.

Abstract: An apertured casting is made by first forming a duplicate in the shape of the finished casting, positioning refractory metal bodies such as wires in the duplicate at points corresponding to apertures or passageways in finished products, forming a ceramic coating on the duplicate, removing the duplicate material, firing the ceramic in a vacuum or inert atmosphere, vacuum casting the metal in the ceramic form, removing the ceramic form, heating the cast object in an atmospheric furnace to oxidize the refractory metal bodies and then leaching the oxidized refractory bodies from the casting with a molten caustic agent or acid solution.

Abstract: Sections are cut from a SiC platelet such that the sections have a-faces parallel to the c-axis of the SiC platelet. The sections serve as substrates for the growth of SiC layers by attaching the substrates to a body which is then placed in a chamber and the chamber evacuated. Hydrogen is then admitted, and the body on which the substrates are mounted is heated to produce a temperature profile such that the subsequent admission of a carbon containing chlorosilane gas or a mixture of a chlorosilane gas and a hydrocarbon gas will cause free silicon to be deposited at one end of the body while SiC crystals grow on the substrates which are in a preferred temperature range. Dopant gases, either p-type or n-type, can be admitted with the chlorosilane or hydrocarbon gas to produce the desired type of semiconductor.