Patents Represented by Attorney L. Lee Humphries
  • Patent number: 4000978
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally recombining gases comprising a first (heating) chamber in which the gases to be combined are initially heated to a temperature above the threshold for thermal combination or recombination, a second (reaction) chamber is formed to provide for mixing of previously reacted gases with the gases delivered from the first chamber, and a temperature control means responsive to the temperature in the second chamber for controlling the temperature to which the gases are initially heated in the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1977
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: James O. Henrie
  • Patent number: 3999935
    Abstract: Simultaneous ignition of a multi-burner compact steam generator is accomplished through use of a pilot flame that is established in each of the individual burner elements. A hot gas ignition source is generated in a preburner plenum chamber by sparking a fuel/oxidizer mixture. A combustion wave resulting from gases generated within the plenum is distributed to each of the individual main burners through a multiplicity of conduits to ignite a pilot fuel source which is independently fed into each of the burner elements thus providing a pilot flame for subsequent main stage ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Leon Stabinsky, James F. Kelly
  • Patent number: 3999209
    Abstract: An MOS device and a method for making such device where an insulating layer over the gate region is formed at critical temperatures results in hardening the device against high energy particle and electromagnetic radiation effects. A layer of chromium on top of the gate insulating layer is used to enhance the hardening, and diffusion of a portion of the chromium layer into the insulating layer maintains a high degree of control over ionization damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1970
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Y. Wrigley, Raymond A. Kjar
  • Patent number: 3997363
    Abstract: A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positioned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventor: Richard C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 3996005
    Abstract: Small amounts of NO.sub.2 and O.sub.3 in air are determined by utilizing the reactions of these gases with solid alkali metal halides to produce halogen, and the reaction of NO.sub.2 with various salts such as PbI.sub.2 to produce NO; halogens produced from the reaction may be measured by the use of an electrolytic cell, the output of which is dependent on the halogen concentration of the gas contacting one electrode thereof, while the NO concentration may be determined by the chemiluminescence technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Leo E. Topol
  • Patent number: 3989949
    Abstract: Liquid oxygen-compatible water washable substantially biodegradable dye penetrant composition having excellent sensitivity and high stability, for use in non-destructive dye penetrant inspection particularly of parts or mechanical components which are later placed in contact with liquid oxygen, such composition consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of certain ethoxylated linear alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, and an average of from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide, and a nonflammable liquid halocarbon which is volatile at room temperature, e.g. 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando G. Molina
  • Patent number: 3988171
    Abstract: A bonded electrical contact and method for a thermoelectric element. A thin layer of a ductile diffusion barrier, which is non-poisonous to thermoelectric materials, such as iron, tungsten, molybdenum, or niobium, is disposed between the thermoelectric material and a contacting shoe, such as stainless steel, which has poisonous alloy constituents. The thermal expansion coefficient of the diffusion barrier, which does not match that of the thermoelectric material, is overridden by that of the shoe, whose coefficient does correspond with that of such high expansion thermoelectrics as the telluriden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Norman C. Miller, Richard C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 3987152
    Abstract: A stable unsubstituted sulfonium salt and method of isolating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Karl O. Christe
  • Patent number: 3982425
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system is disclosed having a skate remotely controlled from a main console for positioning an ultrasonic transducer. A transmission line is used to couple drive pulses from the main control console to the transducer. Each drive pulse is generated at the console by timing means for firing a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) to discharge a precharged capacitor into the line, and for firing a second SCR to shunt discharge current from the capacitor to ground. The line is terminated at its input end by its characteristic impedance. The length of the line may be changed without requiring any change at the transducer or the pulse generating circuit, except that the size of the precharged capacitor may be varied to assure delivery of a pulse of desired amplitude to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. McLain
  • Patent number: 3981185
    Abstract: Postemulsifiable dye penetrant inspection system and method employing substantially biodegradable dye penetrant compositions and emulsifiers, for use in non-destructive testing of objects to locate voids and defects therein, the dye penetrant composition consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, and a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of certain straight chain, primary, aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohols, particularly biodegradable surfactants comprised of the nonionic condensation products of linear primary aliphatic alcohols having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, preferably in the form of a mixture thereof, or in the form of certain ethoxylated secondary alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, such surfactants and the resultant dye penetrants having limited water solubility and normally requiring
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando G. Molina
  • Patent number: 3978398
    Abstract: A method for nondestructive magnetic particle inspection of an object or part, especially parts having complex configurations, for detection of defects and metallurgical conditions therein, by placing a novel magnetic recording medium in the form of a magnetizable preferably putty-like material on the surface of the object, magnetizing the object and such putty-like material in contact with the object, and recording on such magnetizable putty-like material, magnetic indications of such defects and metallurgical conditions, removing the so-magnetized putty-like material from the object, placing a viewing device on the area of the magnetized putty-like material previously in contact with the object, such device preferably being one containing a suspension of weakly magnetic crystals in a transparent liquid vehicle, and having a transparent portion to permit viewing such suspension, and viewing through such device the outlines and indications of the defects and metallurgical conditions in the object, produced by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1973
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando G. Molina
  • Patent number: 3977830
    Abstract: Sulphur dioxide is reacted with silver nitrite at room temperature to release nitrogen dioxide in a known ratio and the nitrogen dioxide may, then, be measured as an indication of the presence and amount of sulphur dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Leo E. Topol
  • Patent number: 3976753
    Abstract: Triazanium perchlorate monohydrate is disclosed as a new composition of matter, together with a method of snythesizing such salts by amination of hydrazines by hydroxylamine-O-methylsulfonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Louis R. Grant
  • Patent number: 3975634
    Abstract: A water washable substantially biodegradable dye penetrant composition having good sensitivity and high stability, for use in non-destructive testing of objects to locate voids and defects therein, said composition consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, and a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of certain straight chain, primary, aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohols, particularly the biodegradable surfactants comprised of the nonionic condensation products of linear primary aliphatic alcohols having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, preferably in the form of a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando G. Molina
  • Patent number: 3973552
    Abstract: A cyclic method of storing and recovering thermal energy utilizing a particulate bed of a decomposable heat storage material selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, and barium. The bed of heat storage material is confined within a container adjacent a water-permeable wall of the container. Thermal energy of chemical decomposition is stored by heating the bed of selected hydroxide to a temperature within the range of from 300.degree. to 900.degree.C and above the decomposition temperature of the selected hydroxide for a time sufficient to decompose at least a part of the selected hydroxide to form the corresponding oxide and water vapor. The water vapor is withdrawn by passing a carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Ervin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3970030
    Abstract: An internal thrust reverser duct is utilized in a waterjet pump design which comprises a center pintle body concentric with an outer housing forming an annular passage thereby downstream of an inducer. To divert the flow upstream of the nozzle plane in this configuration passage, a simple device that does not cause a significant loss in efficiency is required. A nozzle plate is axially moved closer to the pintle which simultaneously diverts the flow into an annularly exposed volute positioned upstream of the movable nozzle. The flow is diverted symmetrically and uniformly into the internal reversing duct. The velocity head is not lost in either of the flow that enters the volute or the flow that continues to pass through the movable nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Maynard L. Stangeland
  • Patent number: 3970531
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for concurrently decreasing the cyanide and heavy metal content of an aqueous solution, such as a waste water.The apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell provided with separate cathode and anode compartments. Each of the compartments contains a bed of electrically conductive particles. The compartments are separated by an electronically nonconductive foraminous member.In accordance with the method, an aqueous solution containing cyanide ion and at least one heavy metal in soluble form is passed sequentially through the beds of electrically conductive particles contained in each of two compartments of an electrochemical cell. A direct electric current is passed between the two compartments making one compartment cathodic and the other anodic. The heavy metal is deposited upon the particles in the cathodic compartment and the cyanide is oxidized in the anodic compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Howard L. Recht
  • Patent number: 3970253
    Abstract: This device is essentially a butterfly type valve which acts as a flow constriction by rotating a disc body with its planar axis parallel to or at right angles to fluid flow through a channel. The disc body has an additional capability of extending sectors from the body beyond the original boundary or peripheral edge of the body, thereby increasing the restriction of the flow area surrounding the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Burkes, William H. Miller
  • Patent number: 3969139
    Abstract: An improved lithium electrode structure comprises an alloy of lithium and silicon in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium electrode of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: San-Cheng Lai
  • Patent number: 3963542
    Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator system employing fluorocarbons as the primary binder and fuel and oxidizing salt wherein the oxidizing power resides in the cation to provide ozidizer-compatible combustion products. The thermal output may be tailored by adding small quantities of boron or carbon fuels and the composition of the combustion products may be tailored by varying the ratio of the fluorocarbon to the oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1973
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Pilipovich