Abstract: A method of treating a solid carbonaceous material comprising essentially lignite or bituminous or subbituminous coal to provide therefrom finely dispersed solid particles substantially free of ash and sulfur, by mixing the solid material with a liquid aqueous alkaline solution comprising essentially a sodium, potassium, or ammonium hydroxide, hydrosulfide, or carbonate, or a plurality thereof; dissolving the material by heating the resulting mixture to a temperature in the range of about 125.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing layers of materials onto substrates by magnetically enhanced cathodic sputtering; typically comprising an enclosure having atmospheric sealing means between the atmosphere inside and the atmosphere outside the enclosure, vacuum pump means connected to the enclosure to reduce the pressure inside relative to the atmospheric pressure outside the enclosure, a cathode within the enclosure comprising a frame of substantially symmetric shape about a centrally disposed centerplane, a plurality of magnets supported in the frame and positioned with the neutral axis of each magnet substantially in the centerplane, and at least one target plate supported on the frame on each side of the centerplane, insulation means between the frame and the enclosure, means for connecting an electrical potential difference between the frame and the enclosure, and means in and supported by the enclosure for supporting and conveying the substrates on opposite sides of, and parallel to, the target plates from a pos

Abstract: A method of, and bolt for, supporting a structure such as a mine or tunnel roof or side wall or the like.

Abstract: Fine particles of a solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type are treated to reduce their content of undesired constituents at least including sulfur or ash or both. The treatment comprises forming a mixture of the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous leaching solution, containing one or more cations selected from Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table, which is effective to dissolve the undesired constituents. The mixture is exposed to temperatures in the range of about 150.degree. to 375.degree. C under a pressure of at least the autogeneous steam pressure until the solution has dissolved the undesired constituents of the fuel to such an extent that the undesired constituent content of the fuel particles has been reduced to less than a desired limit.

Abstract: A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type that comprises mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.70 (typically 0.10 to 0.35) by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 (typically 0.08 to 0.20) by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 (typically 2 to 5) by weight; heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150.degree. to 375.degree. C (typically 175.degree. to 300.degree. C) in such a manner as to improve the usefulness of the fuel particles; and cooling to below about 100.degree. C. The cooled mixture either is dried or filtered to separate the fuel particles from the solution, the particles then being washed and dried.

Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed system, typically as a combustor system for power or steam generation by burning high-sulfur coal, which comprises forming an entrained fluidized bed in a first space region containg a first solid bed particle component, such as a hematite ore containing over 90% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation pulses to a region wherein either a pulse or a substance in the region is adversely affected by the presence of more than a given power density therein. A laser pulse is split into a plurality of portions and each portion is directed along a path of different length to provide in rapid succession a plurality of pulses each having less than the given power density. Each pulse is caused to arrive at the region at an angle differing by at least its divergence angle from the arrival angle of every other pulse (or, if at a smaller angle from another pulse, with opposite polarization therefrom) and at a time enough later than the arrival time of the preceding pulse that the total power density in the region at any instant is less than the given power density. Thus, the effective total power density of the radiation directed through the region may exceed the given power density without adversely affecting any pulse or substance in the region.

Abstract: A method of producing X-rays by directing radiant energy from a laser onto a target. Conversion efficiency of at least about 3 percent is obtained by providing the radiant energy in a low-power precursor pulse of approximately uniform effective intensity focused onto the surface of the target for about 1 to 30 nanoseconds so as to generate an expanding unconfined coronal plasma having less than normal solid density throughout and comprising a low-density (underdense) region wherein the plasma frequency is less than the laser radiation frequency and a higher-density (overdense) region wherein the plasma frequency is greater than the laser radiation frequency and, about 1 to 30 nanoseconds after the precursor pulse strikes the target, a higher-power main pulse focused onto the plasma for about 10.sup.

Abstract: A method of extracting a substantial proportion of the pyritic, organic, and sulfate sulfur compounds and ash present in a solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type comprising mixing the fuel with an aqueous alkaline solution containing a sodium, calcium, or ammonium carbonate, hydroxide, sulfide, or hydrosulfide, or a plurality thereof, heating the resulting mixture to at least about 125.degree. C at a pressure of at least about 25 psig to leach out the sulfur compounds and ash, separating the easily removable leached out materials from the remainder of the fuel, and washing said remainder of the fuel. The concentration of alkali in the solution typically is about 1 to 35 percent by weight, and the mixture typically is heated for at least about 5 minutes at about 350.degree. C, about 1 hour at 300.degree. C, about 2 hours at 250.degree. C, about 4 hours at 200.degree. C, about 10 hours at about 125.degree.

Abstract: A combination water electrolyzer and fuel cell for selectively storing and supplying energy while in a substantially fixed position, typically comprising a pan held in a substantially horizontal position, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) held within the pan at elevated temperature, means communicating with a supply of hydrogen and forming a container for the hydrogen within the pan, a thin nonporous corrosion resistant hydrogen diffusion negative electrode (e.g., PdAg) having a porous support positioned within the pan and having one surface on contact with the electrolyte and an opposite surface communicating with the hydrogen, means communicating with a supply of oxygen and furnishing the oxygen to a region contiguous with the exposed surface of the electrolyte, a thin porous corrosion resistant positive electrode (e.g.

Abstract: Methods of conveying solid particles via an elongate tube from a supplying region at one pressure to a receiving region at a substantially different pressure. Movable sealing zones, comprising mixtures of solid particles and liquid, contact the inner wall of the tube and are carried along with the particles when forced by a ram from the tube into the receiving region. While the particles and sealing zones are being conveyed into the tube, a gate or an auger at the receiving region may substantially seal it from the tube. Typically the sealing zones are formed as thin disks or annular layers of fine coal particles and oil, where discrete coal charges are fed into a gasifier unit.

Abstract: Methods of conveying solid particles via an elongate tube from a supplying region at one pressure to a receiving region at a substantially different pressure. Movable sealing zones, comprising mixtures of solid particles and liquid, contact the inner wall of the tube and are carried along with the particles when forced by a ram from the tube into the receiving region. While the particles and sealing zones are being conveyed into the tube, a gate or an auger at the receiving region may substantially seal it from the tube. Typically the sealing zones are formed as thin disks or annular layers of fine coal particles and oil where discrete coal charges are fed into a gasifier unit.

Abstract: A joint of beam and column-type members comprising essentially concrete of the type wherein intersecting elongate members of reinforcing steel or the like, confined with supporting members in the form of reinforcing hoops, stirrup-ties, supplementary crossties, or the like in the joint region, provide sufficient strength and ductility in the joint to withstand satisfactorily a predetermined amount of reversed flexure. A special concrete mix is prepared with fibers having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 20 million psi substantially uniformly distributed therein with an average spacing between fibers of up to about 0.3 inch and in a quantity sufficient to provide at least a predetermined flexural strength, and the joint is formed with said concrete mix and such intersecting elongate members, the number of said supporting members in the joint region being less than are required to provide said sufficient strength and ductility with concrete not containing any such fibers.

Abstract: A device for attaching to substantially solid living bone tissue, comprising a body member having an outer surface shaped to fit approximately into an empty space in the tissue and having pores into which the tissue can grow to strengthen the bond between the device and the tissue, and adjustable means for expanding the body member against the tissue to an extent such as to provide a compressive stress capable of maintaining a snug and stable fit and of enhancing the growth of the tissue into the pores in the body member. The expanding means is adjustable to provide a stress between the tissue and the body member in the range of about 150 to 750 psi, typically 150 to 350 psi.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reacting coal with hydrogen to provide hydrocarbon products. In a container having an anode and a cathode spaced therefrom, an electric potential about 200 to 1000 volts more positive than the potential at the cathode is applied to the anode to provide an electric arc at a current density of about 0.01 to 100 amperes per square centimeter in a reaction zone between them comprising hydrogen at a pressure of about 10 to 500 millimeters of mercury, and thus to maintain a plasma therein. A magnetic field of about 100 to 1000 gauss is provided approximately perpendicular to the arc. Hydrogen is directed into contact with the anode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to ionize a substantial portion of the hydrogen positively, while coal is directed either in a slurry or as a fine powder, into contact with the cathode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to charge a substantial portion of the coal with a negative potential.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing a beam of optical radiation toward a selected location and modulating the intensity thereof at the location by directing the beam over a path that includes a Bragg grating, and selectively modifying the angle between the direction at which the beam enters the Bragg grating and a direction of Bragg incidence of the grating by applying an electric or acoustic field to change the index of refraction in a portion of the path. An electric field may be applied either by interdigital electrodes at the grating, to change the Bragg angle thereof, or by electrodes at different angles across an earlier portion of the path, to change the direction at which the beam enters the grating. An acoustic field may be applied in an analogous manner. Useful for modulating and switching in planar wave guides and bulk material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing a radiation pulse from a laser to a target or other selected location and preventing undesired earlier radiation from the laser having less than a selected intensity from reaching the selected location.A beam splitter directs a major portion of the radiation pulse energy along a longer main path to a predetermined region and continuing on toward the selected location, and directs a minor portion along a shorter secondary path to the predetermined region. A reflective surface on a transparent support in the predetermined region prevents energy having less than the selected intensity from continuing on toward the selected location.

Abstract: A method of making a two-phase material comprising a mix of concrete and fibers of a material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 20 million psi substantially uniformly distributed therein with an average spacing between fibers of up to about 0.3 inch. The flexural strengths are measured for a plurality of substantially different average bond areas of the fibers per unit area in planes normal to tensile stress in test specimens of the two-phase material, and the fibers are provided and distributed in such quantity in the bulk mix that the average bond area of the fibers intersecting planes normal to the stress at known regions of highest tensile stress is sufficient to provide at least a preselected flexural strength in such regions.

Abstract: A digitizer comprising electromechanical and optical components arranged to provide a precision metrology aid for sensing, displaying, recording, and ultimately "playing back" the coordinate values of selected features or locations of all or parts of two dimensional contours taken from drawings, pictures, and other two dimensional media. Data pertaining to a third dimension may also be entered into the digitizer. Precision is achieved from a combination of factors including the inherent rigidness of the structure, built-in mechanical force control, and the inclusion of apparatus for the elimination of input vantage point parallex.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a metal billet during an extrusion process where at least two lubrication systems are used. Each of the lubrication systems has a different viscosity and the systems can be of the same material or two different material compositions. A solid-lubrication system immediately adjacent to the billet functions primarily as a die lubricant while a liquid-lubrication system immediately adjacent the container is pressurized by the advance of a sealed ram in contact with the billet. The liquid lubrication system forms a thin film of pressurized liquid lubricant adjacent the container wall and substantially reduces or virtually eliminates friction thereupon during extrusion of the billet under hydrostatic or quasi-hydrostatic conditions.