Abstract: Membrane forming polymers are converted to hydrophilic polymeric membranes by (a) grafting a polyoxyethylene chain to a membrane forming polymer structure and thereafter forming a membrane; (b) coating a membrane with a polymer to which a polyoxyethylene chain has been grafted; or (c) grafting in situ a polyoxyethylene chain to a formed membrane polymer.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting access flooring over a permanent surface is comprised of a plurality of supporting pedestals. Each pedestal carries an upper panel support plate and each plate has a plurality of precisely dimensioned indexing members rigidly fastened thereto, one of said members being precisely positioned adjacent each corner of the plate. Each of the floor panels is provided with a precisely dimensioned indexing member receiving aperture on the underside thereof adjacent each corner of the panel. Upon aligning and securing a small number of the pedestals over the permanent surface over which the access flooring is to be mounted, and mounting flooring panels on the aligned and affixed pedestals by firmly engaging the indexing members into the indexing member receiving apertures in the panels, the remainder of the pedestals and floor panels are self-aligned for easy mounting over the remainder of said permanent surface.

Abstract: A submersible vessel, such as a barge, has a plurality of ballast compartments, each of which communicates with the exterior of the vessel through a separate riser, each terminating in an elongate vertical opening in the hull of the vessel. A vertically movable gate is positioned over said openings. At its uppermost limit of travel, the gate provides a conduit into the bottom portion of said openings so that water may be drawn into the ballast compartments through the risers in response to suction applied to the ballast compartments, thereby submerging the vessel. To raise the vessel, the gate is lowered to uncover the uppermost portion of said openings. Positive air pressure is applied to the ballast compartments to move the water upwardly through the risers and out of the vessel over the top of the gate.

Abstract: A system for processing coal to produce methanol, alcohol-slurry coal for transport, electric power and urea. Raw coal is graded. The downgraded fraction is gasified, producing steam and synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is converted to methanol which is then used to slurry upgraded coal for transport or to produce electric power. The steam output of the gasifier drives an oxygen generator to produce oxygen for the gasifier, when the synthesis gas is used to produce methanol, and also drives an electric power turbine. Natural gas may be used to maximize methanol production. Urea is a by-product.

Abstract: Techniques for preparing stable conjugates of protein-D-GL which can then be isolated in pure form are disclosed, using hen egg ovalbumin (OVA) as a prototype protein, and conjugation and purification methods are described which involve (1) application of a coupling method employing m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS) as the coupling reagent, and (2) introduction of biotin moieties into D-GL molecules to allow application of avidinbiotin system for affinity chromatographic purification of conjugates. These methods are applicable to the preparation of D-GL conjugates of insulin and Ragweed Antigen E and are of general applicability.

Abstract: This invention relates to the electrochemical machining of integrally formed prosthetic heart valve structures in which both the structural integrity of the valve and the blood flow through the valve is improved as a result of the integral formation of the valve structure. In particular, such heart valves comprise a ring and a pendant structure, such as a strut, for supporting the opening and closing of a discoid valve occluder. Integral formation of the strut with the ring permits the cross-sectional shape of the strut to be machined without overheating and distortion to conform to a teardrop shape having favorable fluid-dynamic characteristics thereby improving the flow of blood through the valve across the strut. The integral formation of the strut with the ring further results in the elimination of the weld fillet between the strut and the ring, thereby permitting the height of the ring to be reduced, which further improves the fluid dynamic characteristics of the valve.

Abstract: Efficiency of internal combustion engine performance, i.e. improved mileage per gallon, and improved performance, e.g. lower exhaust temperature, is increased by the addition of carotenoids, beta-carotene in particular, to diesel fuel before use, and the combustion of coal is improved, i.e. higher BTU/lb results, sulfur in emission from such coal combustion is reduced, and sulfur in ash is increased, by the addition of squalene, squalane, carotenoids, beta-carotene in particular, hemoglobin and chlorophyll to the coal before burning.

Abstract: A method of constructing a trumpet or other brass instrument is disclosed wherein a zone of increased taper is formed on the cylindrical inner surface of the mouthpipe to provide an improved air column between the mouthpiece and valve sections of the instrument. The zone of increased taper is critically positioned along the length of the mouthpipe to coincide with the pressure maximum points of selected notes in the upper octave of the normal playing range of the instrument to yield a chromatic scale that is nominally true to desired pitch.

Abstract: A chemical heat pump system is disclosed for use in heating and cooling structures such as residences or commercial buildings. The system is particularly adapted to utilizing solar energy, but also increases the efficiency of other forms of thermal energy when solar energy is not available. When solar energy is not available for relatively short periods of time, the heat storage capacity of the chemical heat pump is utilized to heat the structure, as during nighttime hours. The design also permits home heating from solar energy when the sun is shining. The entire system may be conveniently rooftop located. In order to facilitate installation on existing structures, the absorber and vaporizer portions of the system may each be designed as flat, thin wall, thin pan vessels which materially increase the surface area available for heat transfer.

Abstract: A level detection system utilizing backscattered radiation in which a radiation source is vertically arranged between two radiation detectors along the exterior of a tank, the system automatically moving up or down along the height of the tank in response to radiation received by the detectors to indicate the level of material within the tank. Variations in wall thickness of the tank are automatically compensated for by comparing the electronic signals produced by the two detectors and using the differential signal to drive the system.

Abstract: A batch of raisins in which moldy raisins are mixed with sound ones is immersed in a hot water bath, causing the moldy raisins to assume a mushy and sticky texture while leaving the texture of the sound raisins substantially unaffected. The batch of raisins is then dropped onto a laterally inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt moves the raisins over a framework which is rapidly moved up and down to slap the underside of the belt, causing the raisins to bounce up and down on the continuously moving conveyor. The sound raisins, which have retained their firm texture, are bounced substantially higher than the moldy raisins, and thus, bounce down off the side of the conveyor as they move along the length of the conveyor. Because of their mushy texture, the moldy raisins do not bounce as high as the sound ones and therefore do not as readily bounce downward off the conveyor. Instead, they are carried along and off the end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved mowing machine of the type which includes a bed knife, a cylindrical rotary knife which, in turn, comprises a plurality of generally elliptical discs mounted parallel to each other on a shaft, and means for rotating the cylindrical knife construction in peripheral contact with the bed knife, the improvement comprising ears formed on the discs extending oppositely outwardly from the plane of the discs at the respective ends of the major axes of the respective elliptical discs, the discs have formed therein a rectangular aperture which fits around a square shaft such that when the aperture rests against the shaft the discs are parallel to each other at an angle of 30 to 50 degrees, and further comprising supporting bars extending outwardly along the major axes of the discs and wherein the discs are specially constructed having a relatively unhardened center section and hardened surface sections on the respective planar surfaces of the discs such that the disc knives are self-sharpening is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus adjusts the angular orientation of a moving carriage carrying a type font in a true font, stop-to-print, moving head high speed printer. This rotational adjustment provides a simple but accurate paper thickness adjustment which simplifies the printer construction and increases its reliability.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp is connected across an inductor and in series with a solid state switching device and a resistor, and this combination is connected across a rectified AC voltage source. This switching device is controlled by a monostabile multivibrator, the input of which is connected to the output of a comparator amplifier sensing the difference between the voltage drop across the above-mentioned resistor and a voltage which may be selected to vary light intensity. The secondary winding of a step-up transformer connected to a capacitive discharge device is placed in series with the lamp. Control circuitry is provided to apply a large ignition voltage to the lamp while preventing damage to the switching device by simultaneously holding it in its conductive state. A diode rectifier provides an alternate current path across the secondary winding to prevent the inductance of the secondary winding from affecting normal lamp operation.

Abstract: In a swimming pool having an electrically powered pump for circulating water, a portion of the water in the swimming pool is directed into a chamber in communication with the pool, so that the level of the water in the chamber is the same as the level of the water in the pool. The circuit supplying electrical current to the pump includes a switch mounted in the chamber. A float supported by the water in the chamber is mechanically connected to the switch in such manner that the switch permits current to flow to the pump, when the float is supported at or above a predetermined level. A drop in the level of water in the pool causes a corresponding drop in the level of water in the chamber, so that the float falls and actuates the switch causing the pump to be disconnected from its power supply.

Abstract: A one-piece, plastic molded, roller skate chassis, including foot plate, trucks, and wheel axles. Each truck, which provides for turning in a conventional manner, includes a cylindrical torsional member, inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the foot plate, and a shank attached at one end to the torsion member and at the opposite end to a cylindrical shaft which receives the axle of the roller skate. The plastic from which the present chassis is molded is tough and durable, and yet sufficiently flexible and resilient to allow turning. Also disclosed is an adjustable two-piece skate chassis in which each mating member is on a one-piece, molded plastic molded construction.