Abstract: Irradiated nuclear fuel is separated from the protective metal sheath in which it is enclosed by treating the sheath with an embrittling agent which effects embrittlement of the sheath, breaking up the sheath and separating the nuclear fuel material from the embrittled and broken-up sheath.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of an object, e.g. for interaction with a computer graphic display, has a number of light emitting diodes in an endless array, and a lesser number of light detecting devices for providing electrical signals in response to momentary and successive energization of the light emitting diodes. The signals are electronically processed to provide cartesian co-ordinates. This apparatus provides high resolution with a minimum number of light detecting devices and enables too large objects and malfunctions to be readily detected.

Abstract: A battery sensor for measuring the state of charge, temperature and electrolyte level of a battery. The state of charge is determined by a concentration cell. The concentration cell comprises an ionic fluid of known concentration separated from the electrolyte by an ionically porous plug. When a first electrode is placed in the electrolyte and a second electrode is placed in the fluid, a voltage, which is a function of the difference in the concentration of each, is generated so that a state of charge of the electrolyte may be determined. Temperature determination is made by positioning thermistors above the electrolyte thereby measuring the gas temperature over the aqueous electrolyte. By positioning one of the thermistors in contact with a catalyst for recombining the gaseous hydrogen, produced by a fully charged battery, with oxygen, sensing means are established for indicating an overcharge situation.

Abstract: An eaves trough shield is disclosed which is used to prevent the clogging of a downspout of an eaves trough. The trough shield portion is formed from a plurality of spaced fingers sloped over the downspout opening. At one end, the fingers are attached to a bridge-plate located at the top of the trough near the downspout of the trough. At the other end, the fingers are attached to a bottom plate which rests in the bottom of the trough away from the downspout. Flanges located at each side of the bridge-plate are used to secure the trough shield to the trough. When debris enters along the trough, it is moved to the trough shield by the action of water in the trough and deposited on the fingers. Later, after the debris has dried, it is blown off of the shield and out of the trough by the wind.

Abstract: A concentrate for dilution with water to obtain a fountain solution for lithographic printing comprises a lithographic desensitizing material dissolved in a vehicle liquid comprising an organic solvent liquid optionally in admixture with water. Preferred desensitizing materials are organo substituted ammonium salts of desensitizing acids and a preferred organic solvent liquid is isopropyl alcohol. The fountain solution obtained on dilution of the concentrate may be used with printing machines having integrated damping/inking equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides: a fuel composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a coal-liquid fuel mixture and 0.02 to 1.0 part by weight of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, ditoluylidene sorbitol, tribenzylidene sorbitol, tritoluylidene sorbitol and hydrogenated castor oil; and a fuel composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a coal-liquid fuel mixture, 0.02 to 1.0 part by weight of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, ditoluylidene sorbitol, tribenzylidene sorbitol, tritoluylidene sorbitol and hydrogenated castor oil, and 1 to 10 parts by weight of water. The composition shows high stability over a prolonged period of time, preventing the separation into layers of the components.

Abstract: The invention resides in one embodiment in a multiple effect method of and apparatus for drying a solid material containing a vaporizable material which comprises establishing at least first and second fluidized beds containing the solid material in which in at least the first fluidized bed the fluidizing medium is the vaporizable material in vapor form and in which the fluidized beds are heated indirectly, such that vaporizable material is removed from the solid material, the vaporizable material removed from the solid material in the first fluidized bed being used to provide the indirect heating of the second fluidized bed.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with fractionation of proteins, in particular with fractionation of immunoglobulin containing solutions, such as blood plasma, by continuous flow electrophoresis.Hitherto, such solutions have been fractionated by ethanol precipitation methods (e.g. the Cohn Method). Such methods separate the IgG component of immunoglobulins but cannot separate the useful IgM component. In the invention, the solutions are fractionated by continuous flow electrophoresis at a pH of between 7 and 8.4 and an electrical conductivity of between 1 and 2 mScm.sup.-1, thereby giving rise to fractions containing particular combinations of immunoglobulin components (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE) with potentially valuable properties.

Abstract: A shear machine for irradiated nuclear fuel elements has a replaceable shear assembly comprising a fuel element support block, a shear blade support and two clamp members which hold the fuel element to be sheared in contact with the support block. A first clamp member contacts the fuel element remote from the shear blade and a second clamp member contacts the fuel element adjacent the shear blade and is advanced towards the support block during shearing to compensate for any compression of the fuel element caused by the shear blade.

Abstract: A device for seizing a bag from a pack of bags provided with two jaws movable towards each other, said jaws having a sharp edge, and a pushing device for pushing said jaws against the outermost bag of said pack of bags, said jaws grip the bag and remove it from the pack of bags.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer suitable for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a resiliently compressible assembly which emits noise while being compressed or expanded and a microphone for detecting the noise thus produced thereby to permit of the control of alarm or signal means.The device is particularly designed to give warning of cessation of breathing movements of infants while asleep with the objective of reducing the incidence of so called "cot deaths".

Abstract: A portable accelerometer unit is described for measuring deviations or excursions from a datum due to an applied load or force. The portable accelerometer unit includes an accelerometer device mounted by suspension means in a housing, and is operable to generate an output signal in response to the applied load. An electrical circuit is also provided connectible to the accelerometer device to receive the output signal therefrom. This circuit includes at least one operational amplifier stage containing an operational amplifier. This amplifier has two input terminals and an output terminal. One of the input terminals is connected through a first variable resistance to a power supply. The other input terminal is connected to the accelerometer to receive the output signal therefrom. This other input terminal also has a feedback circuit operatively connected to it. The feedback circuit is controlled by a second variable resistance, whereby to effect zeroing of an accelerometer output signal due to gravity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically laying block units, such as bricks or concrete blocks, to form a wall-like structure. The block units are successively positioned beneath a gripping head which picks up each block unit and deposits it on a table which is mounted for lateral movement and for movement normal to this lateral movement. After each block is placed on the table, the latter is shifted laterally a block length until a course of block units is formed, after which the table is shifted a block height in the direction normal to the course. Then a second course of block units is formed against the first course of units. These operations are continued until a wall-like structure of predetermined dimensions is formed.

Abstract: A powder coating composition for forming multi layer coatings comprising:(1) at least one of finely divided thermosetting addition copolymers having a glass transition temperature of 35.degree. to 75.degree. C. and comprising as comonomers a wt. % of a hardness imparting monomer and b wt. % of a softness imparting monomer based on the copolymer wherein a+b.ltoreq.60, b.ltoreq.a and b.ltoreq.20, and(2) at least one of finely divided thermosetting resinous materials having incompatibility or low compatibility with the copolymer and a substantially greater surface tension than the copolymer when melted at the same temperature and substantially differing from the copolymer in composite parameter.

Abstract: A mining machine haulage transmission includes an overload protection arrangement comprising a torque sensing device which monitors the torque transmitted and brings about decoupling of one or more clutches to disconnect the transmission output from its input, in the event that the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined threshold.In one preferred arrangement, the torque sensing device produces electrical output signals dependent upon the transmitted torque to control operation of the clutch or clutches. In an alternative arrangement or in addition, a source of motive power is connectible to operate the clutch or clutches and control means are provided, responsive to the torque sensing device, to control connection of the power source to the clutch or clutches so as to bring about decoupling in the event of a torque overload.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping profiles in the surface of a moulded semiplastic body (4) comprises a comparatively fine wire (1) extending between the free ends of a plurality of these supporting members such as needle-like supporting members (2,3) which determine the profile shape. The wire is zigzagged in such way that each individual wire portion extending between two adjacent supporting members is oblique in relation to the direction of relative movement between said body and the profile shaping apparatus itself. The apparatus produces extremely distinct profiles with good smoothness of the body surfaces. The apparatus is primarily used for shaping profiles in building units made from a body of lightweight or aerated concrete, while the body is still uncured and semiplastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for the installation of a defroster of the resistive type on the rear window of a completely assembled motor vehicle. The defroster comprises heating conductors in the form of thin pre-glued strips of solid copper or copper alloy applied to the inside surface of the rear window in a first direction with two spaced apart connecting conductors in the traverse direction. The apparatus is used for applying the various parallel heating conductors to the inside surface of the window. It comprises a guide member temporarily retained against the inside surface of the rear window, and a carrier having a head which receives and applies the strips of pre-glued copper conductor to the rear window, a base adapted to roll along the guiding edge defined by the guide member, and an upright shaft for supporting the head affixed, adjustable distance away from the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for setting up tools, work pieces and similar (11, 12, 19) on a rotatable spindle (10) by means of a clamp bushing comprising a double walled sleeve (2, 3) which is closed at both ends and which has at one end a fixed radially outwards directed collar (5) and at the opposite end means (6-9) for axially securing the tools or similar (11, 12, 19) on the clamp bushing, and in which the bushing is formed with means (16, 17) for providing a pressure in a recess (4) formed between the outer wall (2) and the inner wall (3) of the bushing and for releasing the pressure from said recess.

Abstract: A temperature control system is provided which includes a control unit for controlling the start of a climatization procedure in a building. The system includes a pulse generator which times the operations of the control unit and an equivalent electrical circuit which controls the operations of the control unit. The latter simulates thermal properties of the building during temperature conditioning operations, i.e., heating or cooling, and receives respective voltages representative of the inside air temperature and the temperature outside of the building. The discharging, charging or equilization of voltages on condensors contained within the equivalent electrical circuit are used to determine the time for conditioning the temperature of the building after the conditioning system has been out of service for a given period of time and thus in the calculation of the correct instant for starting the conditioning procedure by the control unit.