Abstract: An improved constant-output atomizer (30) includes a body (38) which has a generally frustoconical expansion nozzle (36) for producing an air jet when a supply of pressurized air is connected to the nozzle upstream of the throat of the nozzle. A liquid feed line (40) supplies liquid to be atomized by the air jet, and the body includes a groove (42) which opens into the diffuser section of the nozzle downstream of the throat for conducting liquid from the feed line to the nozzle. The groove extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle, and radially with respect thereto; and it has a depth approximately equal to half the axial length of the nozzle. Liquid, conducted by capillary action in the groove to the nozzle, is atomized into a fine mist by the air jet in the nozzle; and the groove eliminates fluctuations in spray order.

Abstract: A ring seal (11) adapted for installation in an annular recess (13) between a housing (15) and a rotating or reciprocating shaft (17). The seal (11) consists of a resilient ring cup member (19) having a ring wedge member (21) inserted in the center recess (25) of the cup member (19) to wedge the opposing lips (29) and (31) of the the cup member (19) outwardly into a sealing relationship. A spring (23) maintains the force against the wedge member (29).

Abstract: An occlusive device is disclosed for surgical implant to occlude the lumen of an internal organ. The device includes a cuff A having a backing collar (10) and two isolated cuff chambers B and C. The fluid pressure of chamber B is regulated by a pump/valve reservoir unit E. Chamber C is unregulated in pressure but its fluid volume is adjusted by removing or adding fluid to a septum/reservoir D by means of a hypodermic needle. Pressure changes are transmitted between the two cuff chambers via faying surfaces (12) and (14) which are sufficiently large in contact area and thin as to transmit pressure generally without attenuation. By adjusting the fluid volume of septum D, the operating pressure of the device may be adjusted to accommodate tubular organs of different diameter sizes as well as to compensate for changes in the organ following implant without re-operation.

Abstract: An improved process for heating a material (20) within a fused silica ampoule by radiation through the wall of the ampoule (16), while simultaneously passing a cooling gas (22) around the ampoule, the radiation having passed through a screen (18) of fused silica so as to remove those components capable of directly heating the silica, thereby increasing the temperature of the material within the ampoule above the strain point of the ampoule, while maintaining the exterior of the ampoule cool enough to prevent rupturing the amp

Abstract: A control system for a permanent-magnet motor (10) driven by a multiphase line-commutated inverter (12) is provided with integrators (24) for integrating the back EMF of each phase of the motor for use in generating system control signals for an inverter gate logic (30) using a sync and firing angle (.alpha.) control generator (26) connected to the outputs of the integrators. A precision full-wave rectifier (16) provides a speed control feedback signal to a phase-delay rectifier (14) via a gain and loop compensation circuit (20) and to the integrators for adaptive control of the attenuation of low frequencies by the integrators as a function of motor speed, whereby as the motor speed increases, the attenuation of low frequency components by the integrators is increased to offset the gain of the integrators to spurious low frequencies. While the attenuation may be a continuous linear function of speed, a switch (Q.sub.1) is employed to provide a step change in attenuation at 40% of speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for levitating a specimen of material in a containerless environment at a stable nodal position independent of gravity which includes providing an elongated levitation tube 10 having contoured interior in the form of convergent section 12, constriction 15 and divergent section 14 wherein the levitation node 16 is created. Gas flow control means 30, 54 controls flow to prevent separation of flow from the interior walls in the region of specimen 18. Apparatus 64, 66, provides for levitating and heating the specimen 18 simultaneously by combustion of a suitable gas mixture combined with an inert gas 74.

Abstract: A structural array and electrical rotary joint for transmitting an electrical power between large space structures having relative rotational movement therebetween is disclosed as including large support framework structures A and B which rotate relative to one another about a common axis of rotation X. A rotary interface joint 14 is defined between the structures A and B. A cylindrical hub member C is carried by the structure A and a cylindrical hub member is carried by support structure B with hub member C being received concentrically within hub member D for relative rotation. Tension connecting cables connect hub member C and hub member D with their associated outer structures A and B whereby relative rotational movement between structures A and B is transmitted to the cylindrical hub members for unitary motion therewith.

Abstract: An X-ray telescope system comprises a tubular mount having a collecting region at one axial end for receiving X-rays from a remote source, and a detector region remote from the one axial end. A soft X-ray/XUV subsystem associated with the collecting region directs only relatively soft, near on-axis X-rays/XUV radiation incident on a first portion of the collecting region into a first detector sensitive to relatively soft X-rays/XUV radiation. A hard X-ray subsystem associated with the collecting region directs only relatively hard near on-axis X-rays incident on a second portion of the collecting region into a second detector sensitive to relatively hard X-rays.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for carrying out a moving wall type electrophoresis process for separation of cellular particles. The Apparatus includes a water-tight housing (10) containing an electrolytic buffer solution. A separation chamber (12) in the housing is defined by spaced opposed moving walls (14 and 16) and spaced opposed side walls (18 and 20). Substrate assemblies (26 and 32), which support the moving wall include vacuum ports (60) for positively sealing the moving walls against the substrate walls. A plurality of suction conduits (62) communicate with the suction ports and are arranged in the form of valleys in a grid plate (64). Raised land portion of the grid plate support the substrate walls against deformation inwardly under suction. Cooling chamber (70) carried on the back side of plate (64).

Abstract: An electrophoresis device is disclosed for separating cellular particles of a sample substance into fractionated streams of different cellular species wherein the device includes a casing 10 having a distribution chamber A, separation chamber B, and collection chamber C. The electrode chambers 34 are separated from the separation chamber interior 16 by means of passages 50 and 48 such that flow variations and membrane variations around the slotted portion 34a of the electrode chamber do not enduce flow perturbations into the laminar buffer curtain flowing in the separation chamber.The cellular particles of the sample are separated under the influence of the electrical field and the separation chamber 16 and separated into streams of different cellular species. The streams of separated cells enter a partition array 52 in the collection chamber C and are fractionated and collected therein.

Abstract: Plasticized elastomer is securely bonded to a metal surface by interposing between the adhesive-coated metal surface and the elastomer a sheet of material obtained by combining adhesive with a portion of the elastomer that has been treated to remove plasticizers therefrom and heating the assembly in a mold under pressure. The sheet material is made up by dissolving a portion of the plasticized elastomer in an organic solvent, casting the solution, exposing it to a vacuum to remove the solvent and plasticizers, dissolving the de-plasticized material in liquid adhesive and casting and drying the resulting liquid.

Abstract: A torque control for an electromechanical torquing device of a type wherein there occurs variable clearance between a rotor and field. A Hall effect device senses the field present, which would vary as a function of spacing between field and rotor, and the output of the Hall effect device controls the power applied to the field so as to provide a well-defined field and thus a controlled torque to the rotor which is well-defined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray system for a multi-ingredient ablative material wherein a nozzle A is utilized for suppressing overspray. The nozzle includes a cylindrical inlet (12) which converges at (12a) to a restricted throat (13). A curved juncture (15) between cylidrical inlet (12) and convergent portion (12c) having a predetermined radius of curvature affords unrestricted and uninterrupted flow of the ablative material. A divergent bell-shaped chamber (14) and adjustable nozzle exit B is utilized which provides a highly effective spray pattern in suppressing overspray to an acceptable level and producing a homogeneous jet of material that adheres well to the substrate.

Abstract: Dye fading during archival storage of developed color photographic film (17) is retarded by placing the film in a sealed, opaque vault (10), introducing a dry, pressurized inert gas into the vault while the latter is vented, and sealing the vault after the air within the vault has been purged and replaced by the inert gas. Preferably, the gas is nitrogen; and the vault is stored at a temperature below room temperature to preserve the color photographic emulsions on the film contained within the vault. For short-term storage, sodium thiocyanate pads (36) charged with water are placed within the vault. For long term storage, the interior of the vault is kept at a low relative humidity.

Abstract: A biocentrifuge (10) is provided as part of a bioresearch centrifuge system (1) for subjecting caged animals to long term centrifugal forces that create gravity conditions aboard orbiting spacecraft. The centrifuge comprises a generally circular, rotatably mounted frame carrying a plurality of removable and replaceable cages (40) for the animal specimens. Pairs of opposing cages may be removed from the frame while it is rotating, by means of a cage exchanger (20) which rotates concentrically within the centrifuge and the speed of which is controlled independently of the frame speed. An image rotator (17) is provided for selective observation of the rotating animals. The system further includes a waste conveyor system (70), a food supply system (80) and a water supply system (90) for each cage for creating a life sustaining environment so that the animals can live in the rotating centrifuge for extended periods.

Abstract: A power control circuit for an induction motor wherein a servo loop is used to control power input by controlling the power factor of motor operation, and wherein the power factor is measured by summing the voltage and current derived square wave signals.

Abstract: Containerless high temperature calorimeter apparatus is disclosed for measuring high temperature thermophysical properties of materials which includes a unique containerless heating apparatus wherein the specimen is suspended and heated by electron bombardment.

Abstract: An improved solar concentrator characterized by a plurality of elongated supporting members arranged in substantial horizontal parallelism with the axis thereof intersecting a common curve and a tensioned sheet of flexible reflective material disposed in engaging relation with the supporting members for imparting to the tensioned sheet a catenary configuration.