Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate for curing thereon to form an ablative coating. The composition comprises a reactive mixture of epoxy and polysulfide resins, an amine curing agent, refractory fibers and inorganic materials serving as a source of one or more Lewis acids and being capable of forming a glassy reaction product when exposed to heat. When applied to a substrate, the solvent-free composition cures to a tightly adhering, flexible coating capable of providing thermal protection in a very high-temperature, erosive environment.

Abstract: A novel cassette storage and feeder mechanism for a tape winding machine, comprising (a) storage chute for storing a plurality of empty cassettes randomly disposed in one or the other of first and second predetermined orientations, (b) a gate for discharging cassettes one at a time from said storage chute, (c) cassette orienter for causing each discharged cassette disposed in said first orientation to be shifted to said second orientation, and (d) a feeder for carrying cassettes away from said cassette orienter and supplying them one at a time to a tape loading station on the tape winding machine with the uniform desired orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting device comprises a pair of J-shaped bearers spaced apart by a detachable tie member. The bearers are provided with mounting plates whereby the front and rear wheel hubs on one side of a vehicle may be secured to the bearers, with the arcuate portion of the bearers resting on the ground beneath the vehicle and the straight portion of the bearers near vertical. The bearers are configured to permit the vehicle to be rotated sideways through more than 90 degrees, swinging the vehicle's center of gravity past its apex and above or nearly above the straight portion of the bearers with the straight section horizontal. In this position, the vehicle is stable, with its underside conveniently situated for inspection, maintenance, or display.

Abstract: A novel process for treating IC wafers or chips so as to inhibit corrosion after aluminum etching. The process involves passivating the wafers or chips by displacing reactive gaseous species adsorbed on the wafers or chips with a gaseous species that is substantially inert and hence will not corrode aluminum layers on the IC wafers or chips.

Abstract: A signal decoding system for use in a quadraphonic type sound reproducing system is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a multiband expander is used to control the steering of the four information signals decoded from the two input signals. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the difference between the rear and front signals is used to enhance virtual sound images to one side of a listener.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for converting an input signal to a digital output signal at a preselected sampling rate with an increase in dynamic range without aliasing. The preferred embodiment utilizes a converter for producing a low resolution digital signal at a higher frequency and an averaging digital filter arrangement for increasing the resolution at the preselected sampling rate. The device is easily capable of producing digital output signals of at least 17 bits at any frequency such as 48 KHz.

Abstract: A machine for loading magnetic tape into cassettes is provided which comprises a splicing block assembly mounted on a pivotally mounted support and comprising two splicing blocks, one fixed to the support and the second pivotally mounted to the support, means for rotating the second block relative to the first block so that either of two tape-receiving tracks on the first block may be aligned with a single tape receiving track on the first block, means for rotating the support between a first tape winding position and a second tape splicing position, and a splicer for splicing abutting tape ends on the splicing block assembly when the support is in the second tape splicing position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluorescent immunoassay utilizes total internal reflection at the interface between a solid phase and a liquid phase of lower index of refraction to produce an evanescent wave in the liquid phase. The solid phase is arranged and illuminated so as to provide multiple total internal reflections at the interface. In a preferred embodiment, the solid phase is in the form of an optical fiber to which is immobilized a component of the complex formed in the immunochemical reaction. A fluorophore is attached to another component of the complex. The fluorescent labelled component may be either the complement to or an analog of the immobilized component, depending on whether competitive or sandwich assays are to be performed. In the case of competitive assays, the labelled component is preferably pre-loaded to the immobilized component in a controlled concentration. The fiber (and the attached constituent of the assay) is immersed in the liquid phase sample.

Abstract: A single piece carbon fiber composite article suitable for use as a hot-press mold is has an inner volume of chopped fiber and an outer volume of continuous carbon fiber all in a common graphite support matrix. The article is assembled by winding continuous carbon fiber around a mandrel formed of chopped carbon fiber in a matrix of carbon, impregnating the interstice in the winding and mandrel with graphite precursor material. The precursor material is converted to graphite, creating a common matrix between the internal mandrel and the external windings. The internal volume is machinable to form a graphite mold cavity, and has essentially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the external volume.

Abstract: A method for separating carboxylic acids from mixtures with non-acids by an extractive distillation method using a lactam with a 5- or 6-membered ring, preferably N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, as an extractant to extract the acids from the mixture with non-acids, followed by separating the extracted acids from the extractant by rectification.

Abstract: A novel seal for a magnetic particle brake or clutch of the type having a rotatable shaft made of a non-magnetic material. The seal comprises (a) one or more permanent magnets adapted to be mounted in close proximity to but not engaging the adjacent surface of the rotatable shaft or a movable member that is exposed to the magnetic particles, and (b) means for mounting the one or more magnets and protecting them from excessive external magnetic fields.

Abstract: An improved door having a door nose and a door mounting component which attach to the door panel in a manner which minimizes fastener exposure on the outer surface of the door and reduces cost of assembly.

Abstract: An improved magnetic core element for use in an electrodynamic rotary machine, and the method of making such a core element are disclosed. The core element, either a stator or rotor depending upon the design of the machine, is provided with a slot distribution such that when the rotor rotates with respect to the stator and a balanced energy field is provided therebetween, at least the lowest generated harmonics, will be substantially zero.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for operating a fluidized bed chemical processing unit of the type having steam generating coils, so as to reduce the occurrence of thermally-induced stresses in the coils and thereby extend the useful life of the coils.The invention involves causing the tube wall temperature of a coil being brought into service to be lowered from bed temperature prior to initiating water flow in the coil, so as to decrease the thermal shock temperature gradient and thereby reduce the magnitude of thermally-induced stress in the coil.The invention utilizes a base coil in addition to the steam generating coil that is being cycled, and a pair of steam drums which operate at a pressure differential. The method involves generating saturated steam in the base coil and superheating the saturated steam in the coil being brought on line. Steam is directed from one drum to the other in a predetermined manner so as to provide proper temperature control of the coil being cycled.

Abstract: An improved cartridge-holding magazine is provided for powder-actuated fastener driving tools. The magazine is in the form of a flat strip having a series of cartridge-receiving holes and grooves surrounding the holes for receiving an end extension of a chamber-defining portion of a fastener driving tool so as to properly locate the cartridges in the chamber. The grooves define sleeve portions in the strip which cooperate with the surrounding surface of the side wall of the cartridge chamber to prevent the side wall of a cartridge casing from rupturing or fracturing, especially near the rim of the cartridge, when the cartridge is fired, with the result that after ignition the gases expand axially into the chamber to propel the fastener driving striker so as to drive a fastener into a workpiece with maximum utilization of the energy of combustion.

Abstract: A solar cell fabrication procedure is described in which a hydrogen ion passivation step is used to form, inter alia, an altered silicon substrate surface layer to which immersion plated nickel will not readily adhere. The altered surface layer is formed by shadow casting an ion beam in a pattern corresponding to the desired front surface interelectrode configuration.

Abstract: An assay apparatus and methods employing total internal fluorescence to define a thin observed volume of a multi-phase suspension from which the suspended phase, because of its size and shape, is substantially excluded. Observations of the fluorescence of a known quantity of fluorescent material introduced into a known volume of the sample containing the observed volume permits quantitation of the volumes of the suspended and suspending phases.

Abstract: A dilution bottle for mixing a sample material with a sterile diluent solution. The bottle comprises side wall portions of synthetic polymeric material formed around the central axis of the bottle, a bottom wall of polymeric material closing off one end of the bottle, and the opposite end of the bottle including an opening. At least one side wall portion of the bottle is formed with one or more concave protrusions extending into the interior of the bottle, the protrusions being dimensioned so as not to obstruct the introduction of insertion means along said axis. The bottle also includes means for sealing the opening of the bottle so as to maintain aseptic conditions within the bottle.

Abstract: A solar heating and cooling system is disclosed which provides substantially consistent levels of temperature within a preselected range in an air space of an enclosed structure. The system includes a first store which functions as a heat source and a second store which functions as a heat sink. A variable feed fan is used for transmitting air through the first store and into the air space when the level of the sensed temperature within the air space drops below the preselected range. A second variable speed fan is used for transmitting air through the second store and into the air space when the level of the sensed temperature within the air space rises above the preselected range. Both fans are used to transfer heat from the warm store to the cool store when the warm store overheats. Energy may be purchased on an as needed basis or at off peak periods in anticipation of need.