Abstract: A power system for use in converting solar energy into useful and stored energy available as output power capable of operating diverse types of power-driven units, such as electric generators, air conditioners, etc. The power system includes solar heat collector means, motor means a compressor system and power storage means. The solar collector system utilizes the sun's rays to heat a liquid medium, such as a refrigerant and convert it into a gas, with the expanded gas being delivered to large motor means. The large motor means is used in part to operate a power-driven unit and in part to drive a substantially smaller motor means operable to pressurize a compressor gas in accordance with the principle of hydraulic pressurization. The combination of the large and small motor means allows the pressure of the solar heated medium to greatly magnify the pressure developed on the compressor gas, which is transferred to the power storage system.

Abstract: A trap for insects such as ants is described which fits over the insect hill or mound and traps both emerging and returning members of the insect community. The trap is provided with a unique cover which prevents winged members of the community from flying out of the trap to establish nests and reproduce elsewhere. Provision is also made in the trap for drainage so that water does not accumulate and destroy the effectiveness of the trap.

Abstract: A device and method are described for measuring and evaluating mechanical properties such as microhardness of a material. The present invention conveniently incorporates commercially available hardness testing equipment but modifies it to permit continuous evaluation and measurement of the displacement of the stylus used to indent the sample being tested. By simultaneously monitoring displacement, load applied to the stylus and time values relating to the mechanical properties of the material such as wear, fatigue and tensile strength are obtained.

Abstract: The invention discloses processes for preparing matched sizes of electric furnace feed materials. With the matched sizes, components of the feed mixture do not separate inside the furnace and this decreases the electric energy for smelting. Preparation of matched sizes of materials is made possible by low-temperature agglomeration followed by drying to indurate the agglomerates. Fuel requirements for induration are substantially reduced, and environmental problems associated with high-temperature agglomeration are eliminated. Phospahte ores can be agglomerated and simultaneously the ores are upgraded by increasing the P.sub.2 O.sub.5 content. Unbeneficiated phosphate ores heretofore considered unsuited for smelting can be used as phosphate sources for the production of phosphorus. A combustible gas consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is generated when ores are smelted. Processes are disclosed for cleaning the gas to permit it to be burned in a facility for the cogeneration of electric energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining purified water from wet sludges and slurries of solid materials by treating these materials with a clathrate forming agent at a temperature above the freezing point of water to form a solid clathrate and dewatered solid material. The clathrate and solid material are then separated and the clathrate decomposed to give purified water and clathrate forming agent.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovering solid wastes containing elemental phosphorus. The wastes may cause serious environmental problems at phosphorus furnaces because elemental phosphorus is toxic to marine animals. Recovery of the wastes was considered for the following.1. At phosphorus furnace plants making phosphoric acid as one of the products, when the objective is to produce only high-quality phosphoric acid.2. At phosphorus furnace plants making elemental phosphorus as a final product, and the objective is to provide only high-quality phosphorus.3. At plant sites where neither phosphoric acid nor phosphorus is produced.The processes include recycling the wastes to phosphorus furnaces. All of the phosphoric acid produced in 1 can be highly concentrated with low impurities content. In 2, all the low-quality phosphorus is recycled to the phosphorus furnaces and all the produce is high grade. In 3, phosphorus furnaces are not available at the plant site and recycling the solid wastes is impractical.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovering solid wastes containing elemental phosphorus. The wastes may cause serious environmental problems at phosphorus furnaces because elemental phosphorus is toxic to marine animals. Recovery of the wastes was considered for the following.1 At phosphorus furnace plants making phosphoric acid as one of the products, when the objective is to produce only high-quality phosphoric acid.2. At phosphorus furnace plants making elemental phosphorus as a final product, and the objective is to produce only high-quality phosphorus.3. At plant sites where neither phosphoric acid nor phosphorus is produced.The processes include recycling the wastes to phosphorus furnaces. All of the phosphoric acid produced in 1 can be highly concentrated with low impurities content. In 2, all the low-quality phosphorus is recycled to the phosphorus furnaces and all the product is high grade. In 3, phosphorus furnaces are not available at the plant site and recycling the solid wastes is impractical.

Abstract: Processes and compositions of matter are disclosed for the production of liquid fertilizers wherein wastewater from a phosphorus smelting furnace is incorporated in liquid fertilizer processes. The wastewater replaces water evaporated and the wastewater dissolves fertilizer salts. A serious water pollution problem is avoided when wastewater is incorporated in liquid fertilizers. The invention discloses a process for making orthophosphate suspension fertilizer wherein impure phosphoric acid is neutralized in the condensing system, water from the condensing system is bled off, and a suspending clay is added to produce orthophosphate suspension fertilizer. In this process, phosphorus sludge made at phosphorus furnaces is used to produce suspension fertilizer, and wastewater from phosphate smelting furnaces is recovered. New compositions of matter are disclosed.

Abstract: Fluorine in phosphate ores is present as the mineral fluorapatite. When the ores are digested with sulfuric acid a slurry is formed which can be filtered to make wet-process phosphoric acid. But fluorine compounds are discharged into the surrounding air during digestion and filtration. The fluorine-containing air is scrubbed with water to prevent air pollution. Scrubber water is cooled in ponds and is recycled to the scrubber. However, fluorine compounds are emitted from the cooling ponds and cause air pollution. In the present invention, processes are disclosed for treating fluorine-containing gases without use of cooling ponds thereby eliminating the air pollution problem. A facility is provided for treating fluorine-containing gases wherein fluosilicic acid or fluosilicate salts are converted to a fluoride salt by the addition of an alkaline substance. A slightly acidic scrubber water is concentrated in an absorption tower.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovering solid wastes containing elemental phosphorus. The wastes may cause serious environmental problems at phosphorus furnaces because elemental phosphorus is toxic to marine animals. Recovery of the wastes was considered for the following.1. At phosphorus furnace plants making phosphoric acid as one of the products, when the objective is to produce only high-quality phosphoric acid.2. At phosphorus furnace plants making elemental phosphorus as a final product, and the objective is to produce only high-quality phosphorus.3. At plant sites where neither phosphoric acid nor phosphorus is produced.The processes include recycling the wastes to phosphorus furnaces. All of the phosphorus acid produced in 1 can be highly concentrated with low impurities content. In 2, all the low-quality phosphorus is recycled to the phosphorus furnaces and all the product is high grade. In 3, phosphorus furnaces are not available at the plant site and recycling the solid wastes is impractical.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for controlling the respective phased rotation relative to one another of two rotating shafts. The device of the invention finds particular application with respect to automotive engines and sequential operations associated therewith. The rotational displacement, for example, of a cam shaft used to control the opening and closing of engine valves can be controlled with respect to the phasing of rotation of the crankshaft of an engine. The invention finds particular application with regard to a unique, cam actuated valve lifter. In addition, such functions as fuel injection, ignition timing and other sequential operations in an internal combustion engine can be controlled relative, for example, to the rotation crankshaft.

Abstract: Processes and compositions of matter are disclosed for the production of liquid fertilizers wherein wastewater from a phosphorus smelting furnace is incorporated in liquid fertilizer processes. The wastewater replaces water evaporated and the wastewater dissolves fertilizer salts. A serious water pollution problem is avoided when wastewater is incorporated in liquid fertilizers. The invention discloses a process for making orthophosphate suspension fertilizer wherein impure phosphoric acid is neutralized in the condensing system, water from the condensing system is bled off, and a suspending clay is added to produce orthophosphate suspension fertilizer. In this process, phosphorus sludge made at phosphorus furnaces is used to produce suspension fertilizer, and wastewater from phosphate smelting furnaces is recovered. New compositions of matter are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is described for controllably ventilating garments such as protective suits and jackets, especially garments which are worn by the occupants or operators of moving vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and some aircraft. Vents are provided in the front of the garment for controllably admitting air into the garment by means of flaps or other devices which cover the vents and which can incrementally be removed to control the amount of air entering the garment. Additional vents are provided at the back and sides of the garment to allow the exiting of air and prevent billowing of the garment due to air being trapped inside. The various vents which are provided in the garment are covered with air permeable material such as mesh which advantageously is stretchable to provide greater flexibility to the garment both while it is being worn and to facilitate putting on and taking off.

Abstract: A device is described for cutting and extracting packing from around a shaft such as a valve stem whereby compression of the handles of the device causes an elongated cutter to penetrate and cut the packing material. The device is characterized by having a cutting head which partially encircles the shaft and which can be exchanged for other, similar shaped cutting heads having elongated cutters of different dimensions for use in cutting and removing packing of varying size.

Abstract: A method and device are described for preparing an endodontic filler for a root canal whereby the minimum diameter of the prepared root canal is determined and a filler for the root canal formed exterior to the canal so that it has a terminal diameter which corresponds to the minimum diameter of the prepared root canal and a shape which is appropriate for adaptation to the configuration of the canal. The invention further includes a gauge for forming the endodontic root canal filler and which comprises a unitary member having a plurality of calibrated, elongated, tapered cavities one of which is adapted to receive an elongated instrument which has the terminal diameter corresponding to the minimum diameter of the root canal. A second calibrated cavity has an appropriate form to receive the elongated instrument or a filler material and a linear scale corresponding to calibration on the first cavity.

Abstract: A micropositioning stage is described which may be monolithic and which comprises a first structure which is mounted coplanar with and concentrically within a second structure. Both structures consist essentially of frames and pivoting lever arms which respond to linear force from piezoelectric transducers to move an object mounted on a platform in two different directions one of which may be at right angles to the other. The invention is particularly characterized by permitting biaxial movement of an object in a planar, essentially flat unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is monolithic in the sense that it is a single unitary structure except for the piezoelectric transducer elements.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for storing and automatically retrieving a plurality of recording discs such as floppy discs. A plurality of recording discs are vertically disposed in a cartridge which is adapted to be held on a horizontally movable carriage which positions the cartridge under the drive mechanism for receiving and recording or playing back information from the disc. The carriage holding the cartridge permits positioning of the cartridge in increments under the drive mechanism so that a particular recording disc can be inserted upward into the drive mechanism and retrieved from the mechanism. A device is disposed directly below the cartridge for pushing a particular recording disc upward out of the cartridge. Additional devices are disposed above the cartridge for engaging the disc as it is pushed upward and inserting it into the drive mechanism and returning it to the cartridge.

Abstract: A compact, easily installable light detector unit is provided to automatically correct malfunction in film feed in projection devices of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,576. Light is projected through the perforation apertures in the film and conducted to light sensing a element by means of a fiber optic pipe. The mechanism which corrects malfunctions in film feed is activated only when such correction is required.

Abstract: A device is described for determining the weight of objects being moved or loaded either individually or cumulatively. The device of the invention is particularly adapted for use with loaders such as the knuckle boom loader used for moving logs, poles and beams. An advantage of the invention is that it can be employed in conjunction with current models of loaders without requiring extensive modification of the loader device and can quickly and easily be removed when not needed. In one embodiment of the invention, heel means are provided for assisting in the moving and simultaneous weighing of large irregularly shaped objects such as logs and poles.