Abstract: A method of measuring mean particle size and/or standard deviation of particles involves illuminating a suspension of the particles with three beams of radiation of wavelengths R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 and measuring the beam intensities passing through the suspension. The results are compared with those of the liquid medium free of particles and attenuation ratios of the beams at wavelengths R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 and at R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are compared with previously calculated values for these ratios.This comparison enables the desired parameters to be obtained easily; preferably by using a spectrophotometer in which two or more optical densities at two or more wavelengths are compared simultaneously.The method is of particular use for aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide pigment using wavelengths R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 of 480 to 520 nanometers, R.sub.2 of 600 to 800 nanometers and R.sub.3 of 400 to 480 nanometers and not greater than (R.sub.1 -40) nanometers.

Abstract: SO.sub.2 is absorbed from hot flue gas by spray drying a Ca(OH).sub.2 -containing suspension in the flue gas. Fly ash is left in the flue gas which is to be treated in the spray absorption process, and the powder which is produced by the spray absorption process and which consequently contains the fly ash and partly reacted Ca(OH).sub.2 is partially recycled. Operation is controlled to obtain a temperature of the flue gas after the treatment which is 8.degree.-20.degree. C. above the saturation temperature of the flue gas at this stage. The process leads to optimum use of the Ca(OH).sub.2 used as absorbent and of the neutralization power inherent in the fly ash. Problems due to sedimentation of the absorbant before its atomization are avoided.

Abstract: Solvent extraction of metallic mineral values from aqueous acidic solutions is improved by introducing a fine dispersion of air bubbles into the acid-extractant mixture to cause solid material normally occurring at the phase interface to float to the surface. This improved process is particularly applicable to the extraction of uranium from wet process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A vehicle winch detachably connected to a vehicle comprises a line drum, a motor and a driving unit detachably connected to each other in order to be manually moved as separate units to a place at a distance from the vehicle and at that place be detachably connected to each other again. The motor is separated from and lacks connections with the vehicle when the winch is working at a distance therefrom.

Abstract: The apparatus can deal with graphs obtained as a computer output and comprises recording means controlled by a computing unit in response to the generation of each point of the graphs for recording in a memory an indication of its location in the graphs, addressing means for addressing said recording means so as to record the subsequent location indications being recorded adjacent and in the same order of the representation of the points made by said displaying or plotting means, and shifting means conditioned by said addressing means when the recording of a point is addressed for causing the shifting in said memory of the indications of all points following said recorded point in said order. The graph so recorded is plotted under the control of means which reads said memory in sequence. The memory is organized in cells, each one adapted to receive at least one of a group of points of a predetermined subarea of the plot.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a hub and a homokinetic joint comprising a first tripod element connected to the hub and defining three trunnions on which are mounted three part-spherical rollers and a second element connected to a transmission shaft and defining three raceways in which the rollers carried by the tripod element are received. The hub defines a cavity in which is received at least partly this tripod element which constitutes a distinct part and is connected to the wall of this cavity by an auxiliary homokinetic coupling. The latter is capable of operating at a given angle which is added to the normal pivoting or break angle of the joint and consequently increases the maximum break angle of the joint.

Abstract: The homokinetic transmission device is placed between a driving shaft and a driven shaft comprising two adjacent articulated joints. The articulated joints comprise a common intermediate member and are generally homokinetic and at least one of the joints is slidable. The arrangement of the two joints is adapted to permit a relative radial displacement between the two shafts. If h and l are the respective distances between the centers of the two adjacent tripod joints and the center of gravity of the transmission device interconnecting the two shafts, and .rho..sup.2 and Io/m, where Io represents the inertia of an intermediate member about an axis perpendicular to its general axis and to the direction of lateral displacement of said member and intersecting the center of gravity G, and where m represents the mass of the intermediate member, the following conditions are at least roughly satisfied:h.times.l=.rho..sup.2.

Abstract: Mercury is removed from a stream of hot waste gases by atomizing an aqueous liquid into the hot waste gases in the presence of fly ash suspended in the gas stream. Subsequently the fly ash is separated from the gas stream. A substantial part of the mercury originally present in the gas stream is absorbed or adsorbed by the fly ash so that the stream of the waste gas can safely be discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An injectable thixotropic material for use as insulating material, characterized in that it comprises a mixture of 250-1500 parts by weight of water, 5-70 parts by weight of binder, 1-10 parts by weight anionic or cationic wetting agent, 10-100 parts by weight of mineral wool, 30-300 parts by weight of expanded vermiculite, optionally 1-10 parts by weight of ammonia, and optionally a difficulty fusible ballast material.

Abstract: A rotating brush provided with a flexible plastic brush shaft is placed in contact with the front of a vehicle in a vehicle washing apparatus. The combined action of the rotation of the brush and the flex of the plastic brush shaft causes the brush to walk along the front of the vehicle and to turn the front corner of the vehicle and pass along the side of the vehicle. In a similar manner, the brush can be made to turn the rear corner of the vehicle thus enabling the brush to wash the front, side and rear surfaces of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cold recapping method using a rubber bonding composition on each of a group of tires and a precured tread strip wrapped around each tire has each tire mounted on a rim and enclosed in a flexible curing envelope which extends radially inwardly over the sidewalls of the tire. The group of tires is assembled in side by side relationship with the envelopes held between the sidewalls of adjacent tires.

Abstract: A lightweight insulative, structural concrete is produced from a cement mix containing lightweight aggregates having precisely defined physical and chemical properties. These aggregates are very low in density and very high in amorphous SiO.sub.2 content. The concrete product produced using the mix of this invention has a unique combination of high structural strength (up to 3400 psi, 28-day compressive), low density (50 to 110 pounds per cubic foot) and high thermal resistance (R) values (up to 3.16/inch). Such a product is just as strong, one half the weight, and 36 times more insulative than ordinary hard rock concrete.

Abstract: An automatic elevator latch is connected to the elevator of a drilling rig for automatically clamping the drill stem or pipe of the drilling rig. The automatic elevator latch includes a pair of arms connected to the elevator for closing the elevator. The arms are responsive to the operation of a pair of air pots, each of which includes a plunger which moves one of the arms forward on each side of the elevator to close the elevator. The air pots are in turn responsive to a compressed air system which is operated by the derrickman to automatically close the elevator. As a result, the automatic elevator latch of the present invention enables the derrickman to quickly, efficiently and safely close the elevator of a drilling rig.

Abstract: An angular position transducer for a rotating member comprising a notched disc connected to said member, an opto-electronic pair for sensing the angular position of said disc and a supporting shell for said pair which is fixable on the support of the rotating member coaxially to said member. The disc is fixable directly to the rotating member at a predetermined position with respect to the shell, and comprises a thin flexible lamina guided on its periphery by a guiding element adjacent to the notches. The flexibility of the lamina compensates for any disalignment and axial displacement of the rotating member. The position signal is periodic and is sent to the terminals of a reference resistor. A control circuit modifies the value of the resistor in order to stabilize the peak value of the position signal within predetermined narrow tolerance limits.

Abstract: N-methylbleomycins represented by the general formula ##STR1## which are useful as antitumor agents and bactericides; a method of preparing the same; and intermediate products in the preparation thereof.

Abstract: An all-metal flat package for microcircuits is described which has a copper bottom and a stainless steel frame. Beryllia substrates carrying power chips can readily be soldered into the package which has good heat transfer characteristics.

Abstract: An all-metal flat package for microcircuits is described which has a molybdenum bottom and a Kovar frame. Large 96% alumina substrates carrying heat dissipating microcircuits can readily be soldered into the package which has good transfer characteristics.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printing machine of the type which includes a carriage moving in a direction parallel to the line of typing and a needle printing head, which can move on the carriage perpendicular to its direction of movement to advance and retract the head with respect to that on which printing is effected. The cartridge is supported by the carriage and includes a container having a cover, a base and a series of inner walls which bound an opening to house the needle printing head. The cartridge comprises two arms to guide out a portion of an inked ribbon near the head. The container arranges the ribbon in loose folds and supports a pair of rollers for the single directional feed of the ribbon. A tensioning unit in the cartridge includes a roller borne by a coupling having two ends housed and guided in corresponding slots of the base and of the cover, substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the head in relation of the carriage.

Abstract: A method of converting lignocellulosic materials into various useful products, the method being controlled to produce the different products in accordance with the demand for them in the market. All of the original lignocellulosic material is used in this method. An important product obtained from this method is lumber engineered and dimensioned in accordance with the demand, and having predetermined characteristics.