Abstract: Electrochemical cells (10), such as fuel cells (12) and fuel reformers (14), with rotating elements or electrodes (34, 24) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28, 50) and Circular Couette Flows (58) in fluids such as electrolytes and fuels are disclosed.

Abstract: Steam, partial oxidation and pyrolytic fuel reformers (14 or 90) with rotating cylindrical surfaces (18, 24 or 92, 96) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28 or 98) and Circular Couette Flows (58, 99) for extracting hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels such as methane (CH4), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), octane (C8H18), kerosene (C12H26) and gasoline and hydrogen-containing fuels such as ammonia (NH3) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) are disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells (100, 500, 600) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries (102), flow cells (502) and fuel cells (602) with a cylindrical rotating ion-permeable filter (120, 414, 520, 620) that generates Taylor Vortex Flows (144, 146, 404, 544, 546, 664, 666) and Circular Couette Flows (148, 150, 568, 570, 668, 670) in thixotropic catholytes and anolytes between a cylindrical current collector (106, 506, 606, 108, 508, 608) and the filter (120, 414, 520, 620) are disclosed.

Abstract: A cross-flow electrochemical cell for producing electricity is disclosed that incorporates means for cross-flow pumping of electrolyte through both anode and cathode electrodes in the same direction to achieve markedly higher discharging and charging currents. Cross-flow pumping enabling use of thick mesh electrodes comprising scaffolds impregnated with high-surface-area metal nanoparticles and having high porosity are also taught.

Abstract: Direct reaction fuel cells (10) with cross-flow of an electrolyte mixture through thick, porous electrodes (12, 18) that contain a mixture of catalyst particles and that rotate to generate Taylor Vortex Flows (54) and Circular Couette Flows (56) in electrolyte chambers (24) are disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells (10), such as fuel cells (12) and fuel reformers (14), with rotating elements or electrodes (34, 24) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28, 50) and Circular Couette Flows (58) in fluids such as electrolytes and fuels are disclosed.

Abstract: Direct reaction fuel cells (10) and fuel cell batteries (200) with rotating electrodes (18) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (54) and Circular Couette Flows (56) in electrolyte chambers (24) are disclosed.

Abstract: Dynamic accelerated reaction batteries (10, 100, 200) with rotating electrodes (14x, 20x, 104x, 106x,) or rotating membranes (208) or fuel cells (412C, 412D) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (54, 122, 228, 454) and Circular Couette Flows (56, 124, 230) in electrolyte chambers (38x, 126x, 206, 438x) are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for measuring properties of an optical component, such as a progressive, multifocal ophthalmic spectacle lens comprises a design having a set of concentric circles, means for recording images of the design directly and through the optical component in a computer memory, means for superimposing the images to form a moiré-effect pattern and a method for analyzing the pattern to measure a property (e.g., powers) of the optical component that includes a comparison of a portion of the pattern generated with the component with a portion of a pattern generated by a master component.

Abstract: An energy absorbing support formed of a composite coil defining a core and a tubular sheath with the sheath being formed of a material having a higher elastic yield strain limit than that of the core. The coil defines a first portion and a second portion with a support of the coil disposed intermediate the first and second portions. Structure is provided for applying a preselected preload to the coil. The coil materials are preselected to maintain elastic and damping characteristics at cryogenic temperatures, such as below -150.degree. F. The support is adapted for use in rigorous environments such as encountered in the space shuttle and the like, and provides lightweight, long life, resilient support of critical elements, such as piping and the like, therein.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite laminate capable of exposure to high temperature differentials without damage, consisting of an inner ceramic layer, an outer metal layer and an intermediate interface layer of a low modulus metallic low density structure having a high melting point. The ceramic layer is secured to the low modulus structure directly or through an intermediate ceramic-metal composite, and the outer metal layer is brazed to the intermediate low modulus layer. Thermal strains caused by a temperature differential between the inner and outer layers are taken up without harmful effect by the intermediate low modulus layer.

Abstract: An automatic weapon incorporating a retarded blow back, a cartridge and bolt centering assembly, light weight and minimum component construction, simplicity in disassembly, easily detachable barrel, unique belted ammunition feed system, disposable ammunition box, a guide buffering assembly, muzzle brake, remote firing capability, front sight charging system and a bulkhead recoil absorbing arrangement.

Abstract: A fluid filter and a method for making it. The filter comprises a one-piece container having one open surface, a pleated filter element fitting in the container, and a cover fitting over the container's open surface. A trough in the container receives and positions three side edges of the filter element, and a mating channel in the cover receives and positions the element's remaining side edge. Fluid tight seals secure the four edges of the filter element in the trough and channel and secure the cover to the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous and controlled filter device that filters gases and liquids while maintaining a low differential pressure across the filter element. The device automatically advances clean filter medium into the filter seat or window when the differential pressure rises to a predetermined level replacing dirty filter medium with clean filter medium. The advance of the filter medium is effected by a fluid pressure operated expansible device cooperating with an indexing device for positioning the filter medium as a function of the pressure differential extending thereacross. The indexing device may include a ratchet structure for positively positioning preselected portions of the filter medium across the flow passage through which the fluid being filtered is passed.

Abstract: A thin perforate, helically wound welded edge tubing is used as a filter core for a roving wound filter. The slightly roughened external edges of the spirally formed welded joint greatly adds to the ability of securing the fiber roving to the tube and prevents relative slippage therebetween. Also, the invention comprehends an apparatus for, and a method of making the helically seamed tube by first drawing a sheet metal from a supply and raising two lateral edges thereof to form flanges. The material can be guided in a helical path by engaging the inside of the flanges so that the trailing edge abuts the leading edge. The abutted edges are heated so that the flanges themselves provide the filler for a weld on the exterior surface thereof. Drive rollers are provided to move the welded tube from the welding area and to torque the tube to prevent edge separation prior to the cooling of the weld.

Abstract: This invention comtemplates a new and novel filtering device that comprises a plurality of parallel filter elements with means within the device for backflushing two or more of the filter elements without removing the elements from the device and while the device is being operated onstream and filtering. The backflushed fluid used to clean the elements is isolated from the primary fluid stream and discharged from the device.

Abstract: A panel is provided having two metallic sheets separated by an insulating core, in which a portion of each of the metallic sheets extends beyond the insulating core to form sheet ends, a unitary metallic member is joined to one of the sheet's ends, and insulating means are provided to both thermally and electrically insulate the sheet ends from each other. The unitary metalic member has a joining surface including a flange designed to be fastened to a corresponding flange of a like panel end structure to form a joint which is recessed with respect to the metallic sheets, and which maintains thermal and electrical insulation between the two metallic sheets of each panel.

Abstract: The specification describes a molten carbonate fuel cell electric energy source incorporating a novel pair of electrodes comprising a pair of permeable thin metallic films painted on a magnesia electrolyte matrix and a plurality of fiber metal wicks flocked onto the films. During operation, the molten carbonate electrolyte permeates the wicks, which extend into the gas manifolds, to provide very large surface areas for three-phase fuel cell reactions covered by thin films of electrolyte supplied by large reservoirs in the wicks to minimize cell overvoltage.In addition to the preferred embodiment, a process for fabricating fuel cells and electrochemical electrodes is described. Also, applications to other types of fuel cells, batteries and electrochemical systems are described.

Abstract: An amusement device for use in simulating some of the essential competitive features of the Oriental martial arts such as karate, jujitsu and aikido is described. The preferred embodiment comprises a pair of identical pictures of combatants -one picture for each participant. The picture of each combatant camouflages a series of 10 lights, each light being located at a key attack/defense point on the combatant's body. At the start, one of these ten lights is turned on and the participants each try to hit their light to turn it off. The first "hit" causes both first lights to extinguish and a second light in each series to illuminate. The player to make the first "hit" gets a scoring credit for that "hit." The participants strike at the second light and so on as the 10 lights are sequenced in a pseudo-random order. The game continues for a predetermined period and at the end a winner is determined by comparing the number of "hits" made by the players.

Abstract: A bowling scoring system having a single computation means for computing scores bowled on any of a plurality of lanes and which (1) includes an error correction system; (2) computes anew at the end of each frame a team total score which will reflect any corrections made to bowlers' scores, including all pinfall actually earned by bowlers on a team and will be for a discrete team frame whether or not all bowlers on the team are bowling in the same frame; (3) is adapted to be selectively conditioned to score league bowling on all lanes, open bowling on all lanes, or league bowling on some lanes and open bowling on other lanes; (4) includes logic which anticipates the nature of a subsequent readout and conditions the readout device for the readout in advance of the operation; (5) incorporates a separate center for readout for each lane to be scored; and (6) is formed of a number of electronic registers fabricated primarily of semiconductor components.