Abstract: An improved system for and method of precisely controlling the temperature at a predetermined location at a preselected temperature selected from a range of temperatures is described. The preferred system for carrying out the preferred method includes a mixing valve for separating a fluid stream into first and second component streams and adjustable in response to a first contol signal so as to control the amount of separation of first and second component streams. The preferred system also includes a heater for heating the first compponent stream in response to a second control signal, a first evaporator for cooling the second component stream and a conduit for combining the heated and cooled component streams so as to provide a mixed stream to the predetermined location. The first and second control signals are provided as a function of the preselected temperature, the temperature of the heated first component stream, the temperature of the mixed stream and the temperature at said predetermined location.

Abstract: A real time analyzer is disclosed and is adapted to determine the frequency response of a frequency dependent system based on a statistical average of the real time input and output signals of the frequency dependent system, distinguishing between "valid" and "invalid" data as those terms are predefined, so that the response can be measured with any arbitrary input signal to the frequency dependent system.

Abstract: A carbonizable body is formed by infusing a plurality of preoxidized (preferably stabilized by known processing to have about 9 to 14 weight percent oxygen) polyacrylonitrile fibers in a polar liquid plasticizer, preferably water, capable of extracting a tarry leachate from the fibers. The infusion of the fibers in the plasticizer is continued for a sufficient time for a substantial amount of leachate to form on the surface of the fibers, and are then consolidated or diffusion-bonded to one another or other fibers, as by orienting the treated fibers in a mold and subjecting them to isostatic pressing at relatively low temperatures and pressure. Further processing of the consolidated fibers with appropriate heat treatment in an inert atmosphere will produce a carbonized bulk product with higher values of Young's modulus for the carbonized material than have been previously achieved at such carbonization temperatures.

Abstract: A carbonizable body is formed by infusing a plurality of preoxidized, preferably stabilized by known processing to have about 9 to 14 weight percent oxygen, polyacrylonitrile fibers in a polar liquid plasticizer, preferably water, capable of extracting a tarry leachate from the fibers. The infusion of the fibers in the plasticizer is continued for a sufficient time for a substantial amount of leachate to form on the surface of the fibers, and are then consolidated or diffusion-bonded to one another or other fibers, as by orienting the treated fibers in a mold and subjecting them to isostatic pressing at relatively low temperatures and pressure. Further processing of the consolidated fibers with appropriate heat treatment in an inert atmosphere will produce a carbonized bulk product with higher values of Young's modulus for the carbonized material than have been previously achieved at such carbonization temperatures.

Abstract: A carbonizable body is formed by infusing a plurality of preoxidized, preferably stabilized by known processing to have about 17 to 30 weight percent oxygen, fibers prepared from pitch, in a non-polar liquid plasticizer, typically quinoline, capable of extracting a tarry leachate from the fibers. The infusion of the fibers in the plasticizer is continued for a sufficient time for a substantial amount of leachate to form on the surface of the fibers. The treated fibers are then consolidated or diffusion-bonded to one another or other fibers, as by orienting the treated fibers in a mold and subjecting them to isostatic pressing at relatively low temperatures and pressure. Further processing of the consolidated fibers with appropriate heat treatment in an inert atmosphere will produce a carbonized bulk product with higher values of Young's modulus for the carbonized material than have been previously achieved at such carbonization temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid extractant, and a process and apparatus for using the extractant to separate an organic liquid from an aqueous mixture. The extractant comprises a first fluid solvent which is a gas in its near-critical or supercritical state and a cosolvent. A preferred first fluid solvent is near-critical liquid carbon dioxide. Preferred cosolvents are 2-ethyl hexanol for ethanol extraction, and hexanoic acid for acetic acid extraction. Organic compounds such as monohydric alcohols, monoacids, ketones, ethers, aldehydes and esters can be recovered from dilute aqueous solutions more economically than possible by prior art processes of distillation.

Abstract: A self-locking screw-nut assembly is provided characterized in that the screw (2) has one or more median threads (4) of reduced diameter, whereas the nut (1) is designed to be deformed locally by an external action at the level of these reduced diameter threads after tightening to the desired torque, so that the displaced metal fills the gap (7) left free between the inner thread of the nut (1) and said reduced diameter threads (4) of the screw (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of thermally decomposing wastes laden typically with organic solvents, other organic liquids and soluble organic materials, by first extracting such wastes in a pressure vessel using a fluid extractant in which the organics are soluble, thereby producing a fluid extract of the organics in the extractant fluid and a non-extracted residue of reduced BTU/lb value. The extractant fluid, typically propane, is preferably a gas at ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure but in the pressure vessel means is held to conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to render the extractant fluid a solvent for the organics. Means are provided for separating the residue from the organics extracted from the waste material, and the residue is burned typically in a solids incinerator. The fluid extract is separated into an extracted organics fraction and an extractant fraction, the latter being recycled for use in the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A poppet valve having novel seal means for use in a pneumatic fastener apparatus of the kind having a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylinder, a fastener-driving hammer attached to the cylinder, and means including the poppet valve for controlling the application of pressurized air to the piston so as to cause it to execute a work stroke. The seal means comprises an O-ring disposed in a circumferentially-extending groove formed in the outer surface of the poppet valve member and arranged to make a sealing engagement with an end edge surface of the cylinder. More than half of the cross-sectional area of the O-ring is disposed within the groove so that as the poppet valve is driven into closing relation with the cylinder, the O-ring seal is clamped between an annular circumferentially-extending surface of the poppet valve member and the annular end edge surface of the cylinder, thereby providing a secure seal along the full perimeter of the cylinder.

Abstract: A surgical microstapler is disclosed which does not require the use of a staple bending anvil that must be retracted after the staple is implanted. The surgical microstapler utilizes a stapler head comprising a staple magazine that consists of a series of staples attached to and supported by a plurality of frame members. The stables have a predetermined shape characterized by a spine portion and two opposite legs. The staples and frame members are formed as part of a sheet metal continuum and are joined by a plurality of tabs which coact with the frame members to hold the staples in proper spaced relationship within the magazine. The stapler head also comprises means for advancing the magazine so as to position its leading staple in a predetermined dispensing position in line with an ejection slot through which the staple is ejected and inserted into tissue, and staple driving means for implanting the leading staple.

Abstract: A device for and method of determining the thermal sensitivity of teeth and other nerve sensitive tissue is disclosed. The device comprises a portable probe for emitting a stream of pressurized fluid and a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the emitted fluid. The probe includes cooling means, preferably in the form of a vortex tube for cooling the pressurized fluid and heating means downstream of the cooling means for heating the cooled pressurized fluid. The probe is covered with a replaceable sleeve made of soft, resilient material and having soft, pliable end portion for engaging the surface of the tissue under test. A temperature sensor is disposed within the probe adjacent the end of the probe where the pressurized fluid is emitted for detecting the temperature of the emitted fluid. The temperature sensor and heating means are connected to the temperature controller.

Abstract: A self-locking nut is provided having, at its periphery, a number of longitudinal channels (3) with semi-circular section intended to cooperate with drive balls carried by an appropriate tightening tool, said balls causing, at the end of tightening, the formation of a circular groove (10) by forcing back the metal situated between the channels (3), which results in radial deformation of the inner threads of the nut (1) at the level of said groove (10).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for translating a first address field into a second address field so that data associated with the first address field can be conveniently stored in standard sized memory without the need for expensive hardware normally associated with translation tables and the like. Preferably, the translation can be provided with a simple multiplexor, and where certain conditions exist, the actual memory required to store the data can be reduced.

Abstract: A parametrically controlled active vibration isolation system comprises a damper having a servovalve fluidically coupling a load supporting actuator to an accumulator. The servovalve includes a variable orifice arrangement which regulates the flow therethrough of a hydraulic fluid in response to a command signal derived from response sensors. In this manner the damping coefficient is modulated so as to approximate a "sky-hook" damper.

Abstract: A power converter, particularly adapted for supplying high voltage power for a CRT, for converting an unregulated level of input power to a regulated level of output power is described. The power converter includes a self-excited sinusoidal power oscillator comprising a transformer which has a secondary winding that resonates at a resonating frequency in response to the input signal and a field effect transistor connected to operate as a Class C amplifier. The field effect transistor is connected so that both the drain and gate voltages can both be provided by the primary windings of the tranformer and oscillate at the resonant frequencies so that the positive peak gate voltage can be used to control the output of the power oscillator, which in turn controls the power output of the converter. The gate of the FET is connected to a control bus which in turn can be connected to controls for controlling the control signal in accordance with any one of a plurality of control conditions.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing silicon solar cells with efficiencies of between about 12.5% and about 16.0% is described, the method being characterized by forming a P/N junction adjacent the front surface of a silicon substrate, subjecting the front surface of the substrate to a selected plasma surface etch treatment, and then forming a polysilazane coating on the etched front surface by (a) first subjecting the substrate to an ammonia plasma treatment for a predetermined period of time so as to produce hydrogen implantation and (b) subjecting the subtrate to a silane and ammonia plasma treatment to obtain additional hydrogen implantation and formation of a polysilazane (hydrogenated silicon nitride) coating. The polysilazane coating is etched to form a grid electrode pattern. An aluminum coating is applied to the rear side of the substrate so as to form a back electrode. The aluminum coating is heated so as to alloy with the silicon substrate and thereby form an ohmic contact.

Abstract: A card cage for holding a plurality of printed circuit boards has aerodynamically designed card guides and air deflectors that are configured to direct air flow across components mounted on the printed circuit boards. The card cage has a substantially rectangular frame formed by a pair of side panels, a pair of upper cross members and a pair of lower cross members. A pair of upper card guides are mounted between the upper cross members and a pair of lower card guides are mounted between the lower cross members, the card guides being captively held in parallel relationship to the side panels. The inner facing surface of each card guide is provided with a U-shaped channel that is sized and shaped to slidably receive a printed circuit card. The sidewalls of each card guide taper inwardly from the inner facing surface to the outer facing surface to form a streamlined structure with a narrow head at the outer surface that provides minimum resistance to air flow through the card cage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved impulse circuit for delivering, from an electrical charge in a capacitor, an electrostatic spark discharge across an air gap to equipment under test. The circuit includes a gas gap in series combination between said air gap and the high energy side of the capacitor. Also included is a divider network, including resistors connected across the gaps so as to apportion voltages across the gaps upon application of the charge from the capacitor to the resistors so that initial electrical conduction through a first of the gaps leads to a spark discharge across the second gap, and the major flow of current from the capacitor passes first through the second gap and then through said already conducting first gap to produce said spark discharge across the first gap with current waveforms defined primarily by the firing characteristics of the second gap under conditions of overvoltage of the second gap.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical coupler is described for providing a quick-release mechanical and optical connection between a camera and the eyepiece of an endoscope or other optical instrument. The coupler comprises a hollow body member that is adapted to be screwed into the threaded aperture of a camera and is characterized by a center bore for transmitting images from the endoscope to the camera, and eyepiece clamping means attached to the hollow body member.In one embodiment, the eyepiece clamping means comprises a single clamping member defining a channel for receiving the eyepiece, and means rotatably connecting the clamping means to the hollow body so that rotation of the clamping member in one direction will cause the eyepiece to be clamped to the hollow body and rotation in a second opposite direction will unclamp the eyepiece from the hollow body.

Abstract: A variable illumination light fixture which permits the level of illumination of the light fixture to be adjusted not only by dimming or brightening the intensity of the light bulb itself, but also by simultaneously closing off or opening up the fixture's light bulb.