Abstract: Cellulose-containing materials such as wood fiber or vegetable fibers are permanently fused in a fast-acting process by subjecting the fibers to conditions producing a new state of fusion and chemical combining under intensive heating while excluding oxygen, and requiring little or no primary binder additives. This fused cellulose is reached by introducing cellulose materials having equilibrium moisture content from 2% to 50% (preferably 3% to 12%) into an oxygen-excluding reaction station having temperature in the range from 450.degree. F to 800.degree. F and wherein dielectric energy is applied in conjunction with high ambient temperature. The temperature is well beyond the normal cellulose carbonizing temperature and cellulose combustibility at temperatures of about 400.degree. F. Specific exposure of the materials to elevated temperature is accurately controlled to minimize possible carbonizing.

Abstract: Fluid-driven torsional operators for turning rotary valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves and the like and for turning similar devices which swing about a pivot axis, said torsional operators including an inflatable fluid-driven torsional actuator having an axially elongated, flexible, hollow, thin-walled elastic shell defining a fluid chamber with a plurality of inextensible flexible strands bonded to this thin-walled shell. These strands extend between the shell ends and are anchored to axially opposed coupling members which are fixed to and in fluid-tight sealing engagement with the opposite ends of the shell.

Abstract: A seismic land source for transmitting powerful seismic energy impulses into the earth comprising a dome-shaped bell within which is contained a substantially incompressible liquid and an air gun which can be fired for abruptly releasing pressurized gas into the liquid in the bell. A metal pan is positioned below the rim of the bell for engaging the surface of the earth below the bell and is mounted for downward movement with respect to the bell. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm extends across the bottom of the bell above the metal pan and extends upwardly beyond the bell rim between the rim and the pan. The diaphragm has a rounded shoulder portion with an upturned peripheral side wall portion extending upwardly around the exterior of the bell to an elevated level substantially above the bell rim, and the upper edge of the peripheral side wall of the diaphragm is clamped at said elevated level to a flange fixed to the outer surface of the bell.

Abstract: Management control terminal method and apparatus are provided in which the management control terminal as a whole is divided into two sections, namely, a custom application module (CAM) and a central master unit (CMU) which can be plugged together to form a CAM-CMU set having particular attributes uniquely adapted for conveniently performing a particular management function. The CMU contains local computing ability and local storage ability and can communicate with peripheral equipment and with a main centralized computer for updating the computer from time-to-time, and the CAM determines the nature of the CMU thereby converting the management control terminal as a whole into one which is especially adapted or customized for a particular application.

Abstract: A vehicle identification system, using microwave, in which every vehicle to be identified has an identification panel attached to its side, containing a very low level power drain tunnel diode transponder and a digital coder plus a small battery and a resonant frequency array. Interrogating transmitter-receivers are placed at designated ground stations. For verification purposes there is a resonant reflective array printed on the identification panel to reflect back a doppler offset signal emitted by the interrogating transmitter, thereby registering that a vehicle with an identification panel has passed, even if the transponder has failed. Unlike optical scanners used for freight car identifications, this system cannot be disrupted by dirt, ice and snow. Vehicles do not have to slow down to be interrogated, and the emitted field strength from this plate is so low that F.C.C. licensing is not required. The code stored in the panel is readily programmable, if desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for automatically loading film transparencies into pre-closed slide mounts either of plastic or of cardboard material and having an internal pocket for receiving the film transparency which is inserted through an openable region near one edge of the mount. In loading operation, wedge means temporarily spread the openable portion of the slide mount, defining a passageway for the film transparency to pass through into the mount, and then the two sides of the mount are allowed to spring back to their closed position after loading. Advantageously, the film transparency is cut off from the filmstrip before loading, with the freshly cut end of the strip serving as pushing means for pushing the film transparency into its mount, and thus low inertial forces are involved, because the individual cut transparency has only a small mass to be accelerated and moved.

Abstract: A tire chain having annular links and C-shaped links which are hooked into said annular links wherein one of the ends of the C-shaped link has a cross section which is decreased at the expense of its width thereby defining an introduction slot. The annular link has at least one narrowing whose shape corresponds to the shape of the end of the C-shaped link with the reduced cross section and retaining elements for the C-shaped link are provided in the narrowing. The retention elements are provided in the narrowings to prevent disconnection of the joined links.

Abstract: A filter type gas mask enclosed within a carrying case and cover comprising shock absorbing means extending from a filter head within the enclosure towards inner sidewalls of said cover and said carrying case at the area where said carrying case is connected to said cover. The filter head is held firmly within the carrying case and cover and the shock absorbing means absorb shocks in all directions. The shock absorbing means include a chin support which additionally functions to prevent direct contact between the body of the user of said mask and the filter and filter head of said mask.

Abstract: A thermal noise thermometer operating on the principle that the temperature of a resistor is related to the magnitude of the thermal noise signal produced in the resistor. The thermoseter comprises a temperature-sensing resistor, a shot noise source, means for selectively applying shot noise signals from the shot noise source to the resistor, a DC amplifier for amplifying the DC signal produced in the resistor, an AC amplifier for amplifying the AC signal produced in the resistor, and means for calculating the temperature to be measured from the output signal of the AC amplifier produced when the shot noise signal is applied to the resistor, the output signal of the AC amplifier produced when no shot noise signal is applied to the resistor, and the output signal of the DC amplifier.

Abstract: A method for electroforming and electrodischarge machining uses, an electrically conductive thermoplastic wax composition which can act as an electrode on which a metal article may be electroformed and as an electrode mount for the metal article to be electrodischarge machined. The electrically conductive thermoplastic wax composition comprises a thermoplastic wax material and very small spherical particles the surface of which have been treated to make them electrically conductive. The electrically conductive thermoplastic wax composition is easily separated from the metal articles formed by electroforming or electrodischarge machining (EDM) by heating to melting temperature and/or by use of a suitable solvent for the thermoplastic wax. In this way, the composition may readily be recovered for repeated reuse in another electroforming or EDM process, and accurately formed finished articles having intricate shapes and close tolerances can be produced.

Abstract: A process chromatograph including a column for separating fluid samples into their individual components, and a density-responsive detector connected to the column output to produce a pressure signal representing the concentration of the separated components. The column and associated elements are contained within a thermally-insulated housing the interior spaces of which are heated and maintained at a set-point temperature by a temperature regulating system. Heat energy is supplied by steam to one section of a two-section tubular heat-exchanger. A stream of air is caused to flow through the other section and into the housing interior, to transfer heat thereto. The rate of heat transfer is automatically controlled by a thermostatic control which continuously adjusts the flow of air through the heat exchanger so as to maintain the interior temperature at a desired set-point.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph having a pneumatic detector adapted to produce a component concentration measurement signal that is relatively unaffected by changes in carrier flow rate. The detector includes an orifice connected in the flow stream at the output end of the chromatographic column to produce a pressure signal responsive to density. This orifice signal also responds to flow rate of the fluid passing through the column. A capillary is connected in series with the orifice to produce a second flow-responsive pressure signal which is subtracted from the orifice signal in a way to effectively eliminate changes in the final measurement output signal due to changes in flow rate while leaving the signal variations due to changes in density, i.e. concentration.

Abstract: A protective case for an electrical instrument on a circuit board, arranged to mount the instrument upon a panel in an opening provided therein. The case is characterized by a housing having an end opening for introduction of the circuit board therein and a snap-in mounting structure for automatically and securely mounting a circuit board within the housing. The mounting structure includes means forming a ledge, provided for example by four corner platforms molded into the housing, for supporting one side of the circuit board. Two pairs of opposed resilient fingers, preferably molded integrally with the walls of the housing, extend with an inward cant along the path of the circuit board from opposite interior sides of the housing to be flexed outwardly by the edges of the circuit board as it is introduced into the housing.

Abstract: A simplified, compact, inexpensive portable self-balancing recorder to be used in the monitoring of data relating to pollution and/or environmental protection. The recorder is about 650 cubic centimeters in volume and weighs about 5 kilograms; it comprises a minimal number of constitutent components and may be operated without certain costly options (e.g. alarms and controls) if desired. The recorder uses printed circuit board circuitry to monitor and process input signals from the measuring points, and these components can conveniently and easily be removed from the recorder for adjustments or replacements. The recorder includes means for adjusting the ink pressure according to recording conditions and provides an inking system with an hermetically sealed pen point to prevent introduction of bubbles into the ink.

Abstract: A container such as a metal top can containing a liquid to be dispensed by perforating the can top has an annular metal top having a concentric opening sealed with an easily perforatable thin film material. The thin film material extends across adjacent to the undersurface of the annular metal top and is sandwiched between the container top and the can body at the rim in a usual rim bead crimping operation, which leaves a projecting edge portion of the thin film outside of the rim. This edge of the film is then melted away by a hot sleeve or by spinning the sealed can relative to a hot element. The thin film material, which may be a polyester plastic, is selected to be sufficiently strong to protect the container contents during normal handling yet is more readily perforatable than the container top itself would be.

Abstract: Connector method and apparatus for coupling together two systems or combinations of systems, for example, vessels such as pipes, conduits, chambers, tanks or the like to provide intercommunication between them while automatically excluding the environment from the system interiors during and after the coupling operation and while preventing any dilution of or loss of the fluid or vacuum within the respective system interiors. The connector apparatus of the present invention includes a male connector element, coupled to a first system, defining a conduit which communicates with the interior of this first system and having a nonplanar sealing surface which forms an apex. A female connector element is coupled to a second system and defines a conduit which communicates with the interior of this second system. The female connector element also has a sealing surface adapted to engage with the male sealing surface, and at least one of these sealing surfaces is deformable.

Abstract: Unauthorized duplication of recorded audible program material upon magnetic tape, commonly known as tape piracy, is prevented and rendered detectable by the present method and apparatus for preparing the program material. The method and apparatus prepare recorded audible program material by generating a high frequency modulated signal which varies in a predetermined manner over a selected spectrum of frequencies, and by recording the modulated signal together with the audible program material so that subsequent copying of the program material and modulated signal onto magnetic tape with conventional high frequency bias will produce on the copied tape detectable and identifiable interference signals arising between the modulated signal and the conventional recording bias. The modulated signal may sweep a range of frequencies at a rate which will produce an audible playback noise spoiling the copied tape, and the modulated signal can be coded to identify the origin of the program material.

Abstract: A control system of the type used in process control and comprising a controller which provides a control signal on a signal line, and a DC output circuit for converting the control signal on the signal line into a DC current output signal varying in a range of, e.g., 4 to 20 milliamperes, which is supplied to a current loop including one or more load devices. The control system is characterized by open circuit detecting means for detecting an open circuit condition in the load current loop by detecting the fall of the DC current output signal below a predetermined minimum value, and shorting means in the DC output circuit for shorting the signal line in response to detection of an open circuit condition. Level detecting means are provided for detecting the shorting of the signal line, and thus an indication of an open-circuited load condition may be supplied back to the controller without requiring added signal carrying lines.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for making hermetically sealed vacuum packages from two continuous webs of plastic packaging material supplied as roll stock. The lower web is formed into product receptacles, and the upper web is applied over the receptacles to serve as the top. The apparatus includes a single-station evacuate-and-seal head where the two webs are initially sealed together around the flanges of the receptacle. The resulting package is then evacuated through a slit in the lower web, and the evacuation slit is sealed off to complete the package. During evacuation, the upper web is shifted up to engage a heated plate to raise the web temperature to a level permitting forming of the plastic material. After final sealing, the spaces above and below the packages are sequentially vented to atmosphere so as to control the formation of the upper web to produce a crowned effect, wherein a portion of the product extends upwardly a small distance above the flanges of the package.

Abstract: An electronic process control system including a digital computer, a computer interface that is easily replaceable in order to change computer types; a logic module for grouping the computer and controller signals and converting between digital and analog representations; and a control unit interface for generating analog signals for a control unit in response to computer commands and adapting the analog control unit to communicate with a digital computer.