Abstract: An improved process for producing biphenylene sulfide comprising reacting difluorobiphenyl with an alkali metal sulfide in a polar organic compound. The resulting polymer has a high melting point and fiber composites formed therefrom have excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: A pressure relief panel assembly including a single rupture panel is provided. The rupture panel includes a domed portion connected to a peripheral flat flange portion and has at least one slit formed therein defining a hinged blow-out part. The hinged blow-out part is connected to the remaining part of the rupture panel by an unslit hinge area and a plurality of rupture tabs.

Abstract: A process for improving the properties of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon polymer by reducing the molecular weight thereof and thereby reducing the melt viscosity while retaining the characteristics which provide luster to fibers produced from the polymer is provided. In accordance with the process, the polymer is melted and reacted with both a free radical initiator for lowering the molecular weight and melt viscosity of the polymer by chain scission and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking shortened polymer chains.

Abstract: An endodontic post has an elongated cylindrical outer surface. One and only one groove having a pitch angle in a range of from about 35.degree. to about 55.degree. is disposed in the cylindrical outer surface. The groove performs three functions. It vents air and/or cement as the post is placed in a prepared post space. It aids in retaining the post in place within the post space after the cement is set. It also acts as a thread so that the post can be unthreaded and removed from the post space if necessary. The dimensions of the groove are such that an ungrooved area of the outer cylindrical surface is substantially greater than a grooved area thereof.

Abstract: An additive for reducing the water loss and improving other properties of well treating fluids in high temperature subterranean environments and well treating fluids including the additive are provided. The additive comprises a mixture of a water soluble polymer and an organic compound, the water soluble polymer being comprised of N-vinyl lactam monomers, or vinyl-containing sulfonate monomers, or both. The organic compound can be selected from lignites, tannins, asphaltic materials, derivatives thereof and mixtures of such dispersants.

Abstract: Olefinic polymer exhibiting high environmental stress crack resistance are produced by contacting the olefin charge stock in a single reactor with a compatible mix of two transition metal catalyst systems. One component of the catalyst system comprises chromium oxide supported on an aluminophosphate material. Hydrogen can be used as adjuvant for the hexavalent chromium component of the catalyst mixture. The second catalyst component consists essentially of a beta-stabilized tetrahydrocarbyl zirconium compound supported on inorganic support material. The catalysts can be premixed before use in the reactor, or can be added to the reactor separately. A suitable cocatalyst can be utilized.

Abstract: A system for passing long fan-folded documents and corresponding copy paper through a reproducing apparatus and including a collapsible, upright stand which carries a pair of copy paper roll supporting elements, a pair of paper guide plates pivotally and detachably connected to the top of the stand, and a guide bar for guiding copy paper from a roll on the stand to the guide plates. The system further includes an improved, two-part feed tray detachably mounted on the reproducing apparatus. Each part is selectively positionable on the reproducing apparatus to facilitate containment of a fan-folded document to be reproduced. Each feed tray part includes a base plate having a downwardly extending strap to locate the tray on the reproducing machine, and at least one upwardly projecting stop rib spaced from a paper discharge slot at the front side of each tray part, and acting as an indexing abutment for contacting and positioning the fan-folded document in the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially feeding diskettes from a feed magazine alternately into one of two alternately used drop chutes. Each drop chute sequentially feeds received diskettes into a disk drive subassembly which drives the disk in rotation for purposes of testing or software placement thereon. After completion of testing or the like in the respective one of the disk drive subassemblies, the diskette is automatically released, and gravitates down to a sorting location where bin loading subassemblies load the diskettes into a selected one of a plurality of bins.

Abstract: A guitar control system using multiple string processing channels for developing pitch and peak signals for a multiple of string vibrations. Pitch data is multiplexed into a microprocessor along with the peak data and the programmed microprocessor outputs processed sound information on an address/data buss. Midi input/output, analog input/output and counter circuitry are interactively connected with the data buss, and final audio processing is derived from the analog output.

Abstract: A damming and barrier-forming device which includes a porous, biodegradable elongated fabric tube closable at one or both ends, and having a diameter of from four inches to two feet and a length of at least four feet. The elongated fabric tube, which can typically be constructed of burlap, is filled with earth after one end has been closed, and the earth-filled tube is then laid in a desired configuration adjacent or around a shrub or plant which is to be nourished and sustained by water impounded behind, or within, the damming and barrier-forming device. A method is described for using the damming and barrier-forming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining the QRS complex of ECG signals to detect minute late potentials. The system functions to filter the QRS signals bi-directionally, and further separately processes the two filtered signals through selected window functions before summation. The summed signal is then passed through a smoothing function to produce an output signal of ideal phase that delineates any late potentials within the QRS complex.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a pultruded thermoplastic composite body having at least two integral sections of different cross-sectional shapes. This is produced by a method and/or in an apparatus wherein an elongated body of reinforced thermoplastic material is pulled through a plurality of dies and the plurality of dies are operated independently of each other so that any combination of the dies can be selected to operate on the elongated body for imparting to at least a portion of the body the cross-sectional shape of the selected one or ones of the dies.

Abstract: This invention is a device that fits on the bottom of units such as portable police scanners, walkie-talkies, and police radios. The stabilizer, as it is called, attaches securely to the bottom of the radio unit. The stabilizer is made in two layers. The top layer is securely attached to the radio unit. The bottom layer of the stabilizer is made in two pieces. Both pieces are attached to the top layer with rivets or other pivoting fasteners. The bottom layer, called legs, is pivoted into approximately a 45.degree. angle from the top layer. This is used to give the radio unit a broader base to stand on; therefore, it will not tip over easily.

Abstract: A telephone test instrument permits voice communications with and monitoring of a telephone circuit to be tested. The instrument includes a microprocessor used in controlling various functions of the instrument. The microprocessor and other circuits of the instrument are energized from a connected telephone circuit and/or an internal energy supply which is automatically recharged from the telephone circuit. The microprocessor continually checks the voltage of the internal energy supply and automatically turns off a loudspeaker of the instrument, or prevents it from being turned on, if the voltage is too low. The instrument includes circuitry which, in combination with the microprocessor, measures loop current or line voltage while the instrument is connected for making voice communications with the telephone circuit. When the loudspeaker within the instrument is energized, the earpiece receiver remains active.

Abstract: A tamper resistant trailer hitch. The trailer hitch includes a body with a hitch ball receiving cavity therein and a conventional coupling mechanism. The hitch may be locked in a coupled position on the hitch ball or in an uncoupled position in which the ball receiving cavity is covered to provide tamper resistance. In a first embodiment, a side opening coupling configuration is used with the cover mounted on a rotating locking ring. In a second embodiment, a pivoting locking plate is mounted on the lower side of the hitch. In a third embodiment, a sliding locking plate is mounted on the lower side of the hitch.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a stiff annular case and a resilient annular seal. The seal has a peripheral rim connected to a peripheral edge of the case and a peripheral rim extending radially from the case for resiliently radially sealing against a first surface, such as a shaft or shaft housing, spaced radially from the case. An intermediate rim extends axially from the body of the seal relative to the seal and case for resiliently axially sealing against a second surface, such as the outside surface of an antifriction bearing, located axially adjacent the case and extending between the first surface and the case. The peripheral edge of the case to which the seal is connected may be skewed at an obtuse angle relative to a radial flange of the case. The seal extends radially outward from the case in one embodiment and radially inward from the case in another embodiment.

Abstract: A reformer optimization system including the injection of non-reactive gas into hydrogen recycle gas for increasing hydrogen flow through a recycle compressor. Non-reactive gas is injected into hydrogen-rich gas fed to the compressor at least as early as the hydrogen-rich gas enters the compressor. The quantity of hydrogen is monitored, and the quantity of non-reactive gas injected is controlled in response to the hydrogen quantity. By maintaining a substantially constant molecular weight of the hydrogen gas, hydrogen content thereof is increased. The non-reactive gas is preferably at least one of a group comprising nitrogen, ethane and propane.