Abstract: A multi-phase stepper motor having an annular permanent magnetic rotor and a plurality of matingly engageable stator phase assemblies around the rotor. Each of the phase assemblies comprises a pair of annular pole pieces including interleaved salient stator poles. The stator pole pieces in each pair are mated together in an opposed relationship to form an annular space between them to receive an energizing winding, and the winding for each pair is of a different phase. Depending upon the number of phase assemblies, the machine can operate in more than two phases. The diameter of the rotor is between about 55 percent and about 75 percent of the motor diameter, and approximately 40 percent more torque is produced than with equivalent sized conventional motors.

Abstract: A pressure reducer, especially adapted for the supply of very pure gas in the electronics industry, which comprises a final stage having an inlet, pressure-reducing means and a low-pressure outlet. A filter having a filtration threshold lower than a micron is interposed between the pressure-reducing means and the low pressure outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the ratio of incondensables in steam or other gaseous mixture. The mixture is led from a condenser through a transparent tube exposed to a light beam having a diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the tube, such that the beam is reflected by incondensable bubbles in the mixture but not by condensed droplets. A photoelectric sensor assembly is located in position to receive the light beam. The trajectory of the beam, and hence the signal from the sensor, is determined by whether the beam is intercepted by an incondensable bubble or a condensed droplet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for artificial fertilization in which an ovum or embryonic implant is inserted in the uterine cavity by means of tubing which communicates with the outside and passes through the uterine wall. The tubing comprises a flexible but relatively incompressible silicone elastomer tube having, and bulges are provided on the outer surface of the tube. In some embodiments the tube includes a spiral reenforcement of stainless steel wire.

Abstract: A device for delivering recorded auditory information to a human fetus in utero in a female. The device includes a playback device for translating recorded auditory information into corresponding electrical signals, a vibrating transducer for transducing said electrical signals into audible vibrations corresponding to said auditory information. The vibrating transducer is adapted to be positioned in substantially solid contact with the external surface of the abdominal area of the female carrying said fetus with substantially no free air space between the vibrating transducer and said external surface of said abdominal area so that vibrations of the vibrating transducer will vibrate the abdominal area of the female to cause auditory vibrations in the uterus of the female which can be heard by the fetus.

Abstract: An oxygen cutting device comprising two cutting oxygen jets conducted through passageways with a passageway therebetween for a carburizing flame ensuring a reheating at depth of the rough-cut kerf which is effected by the first cutting oxygen jet and is finished by the second cutting oxygen jet.

Abstract: The invention relates to the supply of superoxygenated air to a patient during a part of the inspiratory phase. An electrically controlled supply valve is opened as soon as the sensor of a detector receives a depression signal due to a start of inspiration. This produces a voltage which is compared with a reference voltage corresponding to the atmospheric pressure previously stored in a memory. The duration of the injection is counted and is proportional to the duration of the non-injection which is dependent on the duration of the expiratory phase.

Abstract: Inert liquid gas such as liquid nitrogen or liquid argon is used in vertical melting furnaces to prevent oxidation of the metal during holding periods. The method can be applied to any kind of metal. The use of inert liquid gas for the "blow-dow" of the furnace will flush art all existing furnace atmosphere and prevent oxidation. The casting recovery time may be reduced from about one hour to 15 minutes. Also the layers of oxide resulting from oxidation can be negated, allowing for fewer rejects, if any, during further surface treatment.

Abstract: In a steam generating boiler having a bottom wall supporting a char bed and sidewalls with ports through which air is admitted for combustion of combustible species in the char bed and emanating therefrom, combustion is improved by introducing an oxygen-containing gas into a lower central zone of the boiler, from at least one point remote from the sidewalls to thereby cause intimate mixing of the oxygen contained in the gas with the combustible species.

Abstract: The nozzle comprises an oxidizing outer heating ring and a carburizing inner heating ring surrounding the cutting jet. This nozzle is made in two parts respectively forming a unit (1) opf injectors and a cutting unit (2) in adjoining relation to each other in a transverse joint plane and in which are provided various passageways (4, 5). Grooves (7) are provided for putting the outer passageways (5) in communication with the inner passageways (4) so as to supply to the inner passageways (4) the required small quantity of oxygen for the inner heating ring from the oxy-fuel mixture supplied to the outer passageways (5).

Abstract: A training and device for a percussion instrument comprising a guide means of at least one ramp forming a slide guide attached to the percussion instrument. The ramp guides the musician's sticks in a sliding movement to and from the diaphragm of the percussion instrument while freeing the musician from constant attention to the position of the sticks.

Abstract: A linear freezer for cooling and/or chilling and/or crust freezing and/or freezing various products, said freezer using carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The freezer comprises means to balance the exhausted cold gas between the entry and exit openings and sucking means, to extract the exhausted cold gas at said both entry and exit openings, with no substantial variation of flowrate of the exhausted cold gas than that generated from the enclosure without said sucking means.

Abstract: A reaction column for the physical or chemical treatment of a solution in heterogeneous phase. Such a column operates under a pressure substantially equal to the height of charge in the column; its lower part is conical, the lining comprises a static component and, arranged within the cone, layers of inert materials of a size and density increasing from the top to the bottom; a free height being left between the top of the upper layer and the top of the column.

Abstract: The valve comprises a movable closure member and a seat in which the closure member is displaced relative to the seat for varying the gas flow through the valve. According to the invention, the process comprises causing the displacement of the movable closure member by means of a step-by-step motor as a function of the variation of the flow produced by each step according to the geometry of the valve, the type of flow employed and the pressure of the gas on the upstream and/or downstream side of the valve, and then producing a corresponding control signal for displacing in the desired direction the motor through the number of steps corresponding to the calculated flow, the displacement of the motor causing the correlative displacement of the movable closure member.

Abstract: According to the invention, ventilating air blown around and/or in the walls of a mould is cooled so as to maintain substantially constant, at least during predetermined periods of time, the temperature of the air around and/or in the walls of the mould, irrespective of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process for making a body suitable for use as an additive for incorporation in a plastic, which comprises the steps of forming a blend of glass-forming materials, converting the blend of glass-forming materials into a solidified porous form, and heating such solidified porous blended glass-forming materials to form an exterior glassy shell thereon; as well as a lightweight body made by such process, and an article of manufacture incorporating such body.

Abstract: Breathing apparatus for diving of the type comprising a breathing bag (13), a mouthpiece (30), inhaling and exhaling ducts (16 and 17) connected to the bag and to the mouthpiece these inhaling and exhaling ducts being respectively provided with inhaling and exhaling non return valves (18 and 19), and a so called "drainage" device. The apparatus further comprises a device (22) for measuring the volume of inhaled and exhaled gas. The draining device comprises a switching means (21) which, in so called "operating" position, is adapted to direct the flow towards the exhaling valve (19), and in so called "non operating" position is adapted to direct the exhaled flow towards an outlet drain (23).

Abstract: Process for lubricating a surface for the manufacture of a glass object, in which a layer of lubricant is periodically deposited on the surface.This layer of lubricant is produced with the aid of a source of heat such as an oxyfuel flame having a temperature higher than 2000.degree. K. through which there is injected during a given period of time a gaseous hydrocarbon or a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons comprising at least 15% of a constituent in respect of which the ratio fo the number oc carbon atoms to the number of hydrogen atoms C/H is higher than 0.75. The rate of injection of the hydrocarbon through the flame and the temperature of the latter are controlled in such manner as to obtain a porous layer of carbonaceous particles capable of burning in the air when they are deposited on the glass object when the latter is still hot.

Abstract: Process for protecting against oxidation and/or nitridation of a liquid metal stream flowing from the outlet orifice of a ladle or a distribution vessel, comprising surrounding the pouring stream with a tube substantially throughout the height of the stream and injecting a protective gas at least around the pouring stream so as to minimize the contact of the molten metal with the ambient air and avoid the dilution of the protective gas and the aspiration of ambient air. A device for carrying out the process includes two complementary semi-shells for surrounding the pouring stream and a hinge articulating the semi-shells for opening and closing the latter.

Abstract: Liquid argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide is poured onto the surface of a bath of molten metal in a furnace.According to the invention, liquefied gas is discharged onto the surface in an amount which ranges from about 0.025 to 0.060 lb/cu. in. of metal in the furnace, while a skirt is preferably set around the open end of said furnace.Oxygen concentration above the bath remains lower than about 3.0%, while hydrogen and nitrogen pick up are reduced.