Abstract: Shunt currents can be eliminated in electrochemical devices by introducing nulling currents via auxiliary electrodes. In electrochemical devices including those having a circulating electrolyte, such electrodes are designed to have a generally annular shape in order to provide a substantially uniform current density profile along a common electrolyte carrying manifold. The uniform current density profile allows for the elimination of these harmful shunt currents with a minimum of power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of minimizing shunt currents in electrochemical devices which have a plurality of cells connected, at least in part, in series and which have a common electrolyte which is fed to at least two of the cells as a shared electrolyte from a common manifold via individual inlet channels, whereby an electrical electrolytic conductive bypass path is created around such cells and through said shared electrolyte, resulting in undesirable shunt currents. This method involves providing electrolyte tunnels which connect the individual inlet channels and applying a protective current through said electrolyte tunnels and thus through said shared electrolyte, the protective current being of a magnitude which effectively at least reduces said shunt currents. Thus, a single protective current may be applied such that shunt currents are minimized, and preferably are totally eliminated.

Abstract: A pressure relief mechanism seated within a wall of a pressure vessel features a novel flexible seal. The vessel pressure acts against both a spring and an internal valve pressure created by the flexible seal. The pressure relief mechanism can be designed to release over a wide range of critical vessel pressures due to the combination of the resistive spring force and the resistive internal pressure.

Abstract: A feed nozzle for a liquid fuel or fluid coker feed nozzle for a reactor comprises an outer nozzle shroud with a removable, refractory ceramic fiber wrapped feed nozzle coaxially affixed within the shroud by the coacting of flanges on the outer ends of said shroud and said feed nozzle. A novel method of assembling the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grid consisting of an electronically conducting base material coated with a metal which can alloy with lithium is used in a lithium organic electrolyte cell containing dioxolane as at least one component of the electrolyte. The alloy will retard a reaction between the dioxolane and the grid base material in order to minimize the decomposition of the dioxolane within the cell.

Abstract: The invention features an electrochemical cell having two fluid-containing compartments separated by a nonselective microporous membrane. Select ions which would normally pass through the membrane under the influence of an ionic field, are prevented from passing through the membrane by a polyelectrolyte which has migrated through the compartment fluid to the membrane. The polyelectrolyte acts as an ionic barrier to the passage of select ions, thus effectively increasing the ion-selective capability of the membrane and, hence, the coulombic efficiency of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silicon carbide whisker recovery from a mixture of silicon carbide whiskers and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles. The invention involves shredding the mixture down to a specified size, dispersing the mixture in water to form an aqueous mixture, mixing in an effective amount of flocculating agent, agitating the aqueous mixture, mixing the aqueous mixture with an immiscible organic liquid, agitating the resulting water-organic liquid mixture, allowing settling of the aqueous mixture and organic liquid so as to establish two liquid phases, separating the two liquid phases into an organic liquid phase and an aqueous phase and, lastly, performing a solid-liquid separation on the aqueous phase, thereby obtaining from the aqueous phase the desired silicon carbide whiskers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the setting of a valve (particularly a safety valve mounted on a vessel) comprising a valve member biassed towards a valve seat, employs a pulling device which is engaged with the valve member and operated to apply a tractive force opposed to the bias which is just sufficient to separate the valve member from the valve seat. The pulling device is preferably operated by a hydraulic or pneumatic pump. The hydraulic or pneumatic pressure which is just sufficient to separate the valve member from the valve seat is indicated by a suitable gauge and is proportional to the tractive force. The sum of the tractive force and the force acting on the valve from inside the vessel and which can be calculated from the internal pressure indicated on a pressure gauge communicating with the interior of the vessel is indicative of the setting of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a cathode, comprising:(a) forming cathode structure of a predetermined shape with a mixture comprising:(i) about 50 to about 100% by weight of one or more ammonium metal chalcogen compounds and complexes, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Nb, Mo, Ta, and W, and wherein said chalcogen is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and Se; and(ii) about 50 to about 0% by weight of a binder; and(b) thermally decomposing and thereby activating said cathode structure at a temperature of about 200.degree. to about 500.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for producing an immobilized protein composite, particularly using enzyme and non-enzyme proteins, comprising selecting at least a first protein which is rich in cysteine and/or cystine amino acid residues, and a second protein which is poor in cysteine and/or cystine amino acid residues. These two proteins are deposited on an inorganic support and maintained at a pH and temperature for sufficient time to facilitate the copolymerization of the two proteins.

Abstract: A method and reagents are disclosed for minimizing interference from halide ions in ion-selective electrode analysis. A reagent consisting of a mixture of a metal and a chelating agent is introduced to the fluid sample being analyzed. This reagent forms soluble complexes with halide ions in the fluid sample, thus minimizing their effects.

Abstract: The presence of antibodies (Ab) and antigens (Ag) in a liquid is detected by mixing the liquid with two different particulate reagents which mutually agglutinate but whose agglutination is inhibited by the particular Ab or Ag under assay. By detecting the extent of agglutination, the presence or absence of the Ab or Ag can be confirmed. By measuring the extent of agglutination or non-agglutination quantitatively, an amount of Ab or Ag can be determined. The particulate reagents preferably comprise latex.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regenerating a degenerated curve, which curve has approximately degenerated exponentially. The apparatus, in part, comprises a sampler for sampling in a real time sense the points on the degenerated curve, a memory for storing the obtained samples, and an arithmetic unit for determining the points on a regenerated curve.

Abstract: Substituted hydantoin drugs (for example phenytoin) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs (for example nortriptyline) are assayed by mixing them with a fluorescent labelled compound and antibodies, and measuring the fluorescence of the mixture. The assay does not necessitate any separation step and may be effected by continuous-flow techniques.

Abstract: A flow-through test cell is disclosed which features an electrical conductor disposed in non-contacting adjacency with an ionic sensing electrode and a porous liquid junction for improving signal-to-noise ratio. The electrical conductor provides a low-impedance path through the fluid which effectively neutralizes signal distortion due to impedance variations in the air-segmented, continuously flowing stream. The electrical conductor includes distended sections which fixedly position such conductor in the ionic test cell, whereby shorting contact with said ionic sensing electrode and said porous liquid junction element is prevented.

Abstract: A dilutor/dispenser system wherein a marker, e.g., an air bubble, is introduced at the probe inlet prior to each aspiration cycle, so as to be displaced along the probe system during such cycle. The location of the marker is detected at the end of the aspiration cycle, to indicate whether an appropriate liquid volume has been aspirated. The aspirated liquid, along with the marker and a predetermined volume of diluent, is subsequently dispensed. An alarm may be activated, if an improper volume has been aspirated.

Abstract: A metering apparatus is adaptable either as a dispenser or a sampler, the surface of the aspirating probe being coated with a thin film of liquid immiscible with the liquids to be aspirated. The thin immiscible film prevents contamination between segments of successively aspirated liquids and, also, their respective sources. Further, segments of the immiscible liquid can be aspirated between successive liquid segments, to maintain such liquid segments discrete.

Abstract: The invention is for an improved security system for a postage meter, which features an ascending register lockout. Most commercial postage meters contain ascending and descending registers which keep an accounting of the meter's use. The lockout for the ascending register is disposed in combination with, but functions independently from, a descending register lockout also located within the postage meter. Both lockout devices use a locking comb arrangement to sense when a postage value lockout position is reached by their respective register wheels. The descending register lockout provides a pivoting cam to block a shutter bar window when a descending register lockout condition is sensed. The ascending register lockout system provides a slide bar for blocking the shutter bar window when an ascending register lockout condition is sensed.

Abstract: An optical detection system for a weighing scale includes an apparatus for generating a moire fringe. Unlike prior moire-type systems, however, the present scale is constructed with a substantially rigid tare, so that movement of the moire is limited to only a portion of one fringe line. Movement of the tare, and the pan carrying the load, are visually not apparent. Response time is greatly enhanced by the inventive system and accuracy is improved due to minimized hysteresis loss. The invention detects an optical shifting of the fringe line, rather than a counting of a number of fringe lines as with prior highly deflective scale systems.

Abstract: A remote postage meter charging system using a third generation electronic postage meter. Like one of its predecessors, the present postage meter of this inventive system is built around a microcomputer set. This advanced computerized meter comprises a working memory which contains seed numbers for generating postage funding combinations. The remote postage meter charging system has the capability of adding variable amounts of postage into the postage meter.