Abstract: A process is described for modifying the surface of polymers such as polyolefins and the like to improve the wetability by barrier and other coatings and to enhance interlayer adhesion by graft polymerization through initiation by electron-beam radiation, optionally with an added electron energy acceptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of controlling the generation of somewhat-to-highly viscous fluid fibers, droplets and combinations of the same, including hot melt adhesive and other fluids, that comprises, spraying a stream of such pressurized fluid through a fine orifice and along a predetermined direction in free flight, and simultaneously funneling a cone of pressurized air symmetrically about and against said stream, intersecting the same in its free flight below said orifice to control the nature, dimensions and pattern of the resulting fluid coating on surfaces disposed therebelow. Supplemental air controls are also providable for contouring and other effects.

Abstract: A method and electrolytic catalytic cell that chemically modifies the structure of hydrocarbon fuels in which the cell is immersed, by the electrolytic, electromotive catalytic action of preferably platinum cathodic and zinc anodic elements movably continually contacting and circulating the fuel, giving rise to evenness in ignition and completion of combustion with elimination of noxious by-products largely by combination with the hydroxyl ions formed by the catalytic action.

Abstract: A roof covering suitable for use on flat or shallow angle roofs is of sheet-like form and has at least one raised region (7) in the sheet, the raised region (7) merging into undulations (5) of the border (2) surrounding the raised region (7). The shape of the covering enables differential expansion and or contraction effects between the covering and a substrate (3) on which it is laid to be accommodated.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure-sensitive and displacement-sensitive sensor apparatus and method in which first electrode means comprising a thin resilient conductive inclined or arcuate plastic sheet having a plurality of resilient projections protruding from the inner surface of the sheet and with said projections pressure-deformable by application of pressure thereat from the outer surface of the sheet cooperates with a second relatively flat electrode facing and coextensive with the projections and separated from the same by a thin dielectric layer therebetween, the first electrode extending inclinedly or arcuately over the second electrode such that when force is applied to the resilient first electrode along said outer surface thereof, as by a portion of means such as a keyboard key contacting the same, it approaches the second electrode and dielectric layer through air in a fashion which causes the resilient deformable projections along the inclined or arcuate inner surface thereof to contact said dielectric lay

Abstract: Detection and quantitative measurement of the radioactive isotope of .sup.222 Rn, as encountered in air in habitats is accomplished in a passive detection system in which the radon at the test site is adsorbed into an adsorbent, e.g. activated charcoal, held in a vial made especially for liquid scintillation counting, and the radon is subsequently desorbed into a liquid scintillation desorbent placed in the same vial and the counting of the radon activity in the vial is accomplished by liquid scintillation techniques.

Abstract: A novel hot-melt and other viscous fluid and coating screen-printing method and apparatus in which a line of fluid is extruded against a predetermined region of a rotary screen opposite which a web is drawn to transfer the fluid extruded at said region through the screen pores, with large cross-section fluid extrusion sealed against the inner wall of the screen as the same rotates past said region, and with features of fluid pressure and screen heating synchronous and proportional to line speed, inerted inner screen cavity construction (and possible exterior inerting of the screen, and novel web drawing roller positioning, including web-movement rotation of the screen, and all accommodating high viscosty fluids and high web speeds.

Abstract: An improved vehicle or other object-tracking and location system, preferably, though not essentially, of national scope, wherein transponder or transceiver-equipped stolen or missing vehicles or other objects may be located and/or tracked, as by appropriately-equipped police direction-finding tracking vehicles, through homing-in on periodic transponder reply radio transmissions automatically activated by command activation signals broadcast on the same carrier frequency as the transponder reply signals and with encoded vehicle identification information that causes the intended vehicle transponder so to reply, and with provision for modifying the command signals to require an increased rate of periodic transponder reply signal transmission to assist homing-in on the selected vehicle.

Abstract: A novel preferably poppet-valve-controlled fluid applicator for extruding hot melt and other coating fluids and the like as fibers or filaments and/or droplets upon moving webs and other surfaces wherein the valve seat tip blocks or permits the flow of the fluid into a hollow nozzle insert communicating with, preferably, a needle-like nozzle tube spray extruder, with provision for adjustment to produce controlled fiber and/or droplet spray coatings, and preferably though optionally with air-shaping control of the coatings.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to facilitate disengagement of two mechanisms engaged with one another with a high stress therebetween, such as in rack locking arrangements used on offshore platforms. The first mechanism (e.g., a rack) is mobile in relation to the second mechanism (e.g., a pair of locking jaws) which serves as a locking mechanism for the first mechanism. The level of stress between the first and second mechanisms is measured, and the measurement is converted into an electrical control signal. This signal is used to control motor-driven force applying elements (e.g., pinions) in engagement with the first mechanism. The force applying elements are controlled in such a manner as to apply force to the first mechanism sufficient to offset the aforementioned stress between the first and second mechanisms, thereby permitting friction-free disengagement of the mechanisms.

Abstract: A cooling mechanism for power semiconductors comprises a metallic evaporator (1) filled with a heat-carrying fluid and designed to be brought into close contact with one face of a smeiconductor (2); at least one condenser constituted by a tube (5) whose inner wall bears a capillary structure, and which is closed at one end and extended at the other end by a conduit (7) of insulating material; and an envelope (8) enclosing the tube (5) and attached at the upper part of the conduit (7) so as to create a chamber (11) for the circulation of a cooling fluid, with the conduit (7) being connected to the evaporator (1) by an elastic piece (14). The pressure inside the assembly constituted by the evaporator (1), the condenser(s) (5) and the conduit (7) is lower than atmospheric pressure, and cooling is effected by an evaporation-condensation cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically inspecting objects and identifying or recognizing known and unknown portions thereof, including defects and the like, involving storing digital signal information representing an image of the desired predetermined object shapes to be learned by an image inspecting system and recognized during scanning of objects to be inspected, and modifying the stored digital signal information to create a fictitious image of the object shapes to be learned that incorporates acceptable size or dimension variations and the like in such objects such that during the inspecting of future objects, these acceptable variations will be ignored as defects or unknown elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of controlling the generation of somewhat-to-highly viscous fluid fibers, droplets and combinations of the same, including hot melt adhesive and other fluids, that comprises, spraying a stream of such pressurized fluid through a fine orifice and along a predetermined direction in free flight, and simultaneously funneling a cone of pressurized air symmetrically about and against said stream, intersecting the same in its free flight below said orifice to control the nature, dimensions and pattern of the resulting fluid coating on surface disposed therebelow. Supplemental air controls are also providable for contouring and other effects.

Abstract: Uniformity of hot melt coatings on thermally sensitive plastic and other webs is maintained by use of a silicone or other rubber-like web back-up roll the dimensional stability of which is maintained during hot melt coating of the webs by a heat-conducting idler roll directly contacting the back-up roll temperature and a heat transfer source for temperature deficiencies on the silicone roll surface, aiding constant nozzle-to-web spacing irrespective of temperature variations and line speeds. Provision is also made for the introduction of chilling, if required.

Abstract: A multi-axis Digital Signal Processor based servo controller system in which all servo and sensor interface boards are connected to a common backplane bus system enabling inter-board communication, with parallel processing using dual port memory and multiple DSP chips, and with each servo board having access to position data from other axis feedback sensors as well as their own, and a self-tuning control software architecture that uses the hardware architecture high speed to allow it to self-tune control constants to optimize performance.

Abstract: A novel combined hot melt and other fluid preferably slot nozzle-roller coater assembly and technique enabling elimination of streaks and other aberrations caused by undissolved particles or dust and the like in the fluid, and adapted for multi-fluid mixing, if desired.

Abstract: A novel finger-actuated bypass holder apparatus for ocular cortex fluid aspiration and refluxing and the like, in which the vacuum or suction is normally bypassed through an aperture in the holder which the surgeon may, at will, occlude or open with the finger to enable instantaneous application or removal of vacuum and fine control of aspiration, and with a forward proximal squeezable reflux chamber also finger-actuable at the operating site.

Abstract: A novel capacitive pressure-sensitive sensing technique and apparatus wherein an elastomeric conductive electrode carrying a two-dimensional array of projections is pressure-deformed against a fixed coextensive cooperative electrode to generate signals, such as tones and sounds in the application to musical instruments, or visual representations, corresponding to the dynamic pressures applied over the two-dimensional surface. A novel drum-like and other musical instruments embodying such novel capacitive sensing techniques and the like are described.

Abstract: A portable engine removal structure having integral frame and supporting members for holding the transaxle, engine, suspension and transmission systems as a unitary structure for facile removal from the vehicle and replacement therein.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with novel very fine, particulated colloidal platinum of the 15-25 Angstrom size range of unusual catalytic activity and particularly adapted for adsorption or other deposition upon carbon for use as fuel cell catalytic electrodes and the like and produced from platinum colloids and sols including complex platinum sulfite compounds and sols derived therefrom.