Abstract: A process for preparing polymers and copolymers based on vinyl chloride by mass polymerization of a monomer composition based on vinyl chloride, comprising carrying out at least part of the polymerization reaction in a polymerization zone defined by an essentially spherical wall by effecting in the said polymerization zone a controlled and regulated circulation of the polymerization reaction mixture by means of a rotated blade-type turbine assembly, where the said blades pass by in the vicinity of the said wall over 10% to 60% of its surface, the reaction mixture being caused by the centrifugal force of said rotated blade-type turbine assembly to perform an at least partially ascending movement over at least part of the spherical wall and falling back, essentially under the action of gravity in the central part of the spherical polymerization zone, thus ensuring intensive mixing without dead space.

Abstract: An alarm means including a digital microcomputer having a memory programmed for storing a look-up table defining an alarm envlope which, above a predetermined altitude, is based on a relationship between altitude and ground-closure rate which is independent of ground velocity, and below said predetermined altitude, is based on a relationship between altitude and ground-closure rate which is dependent on ground velocity.

Abstract: The improvement in a process for the preparation of latexes of homo- and co-polymers of vinyl chloride, with particles having a mean diameter between 0.2 and 0.8 .mu.m and containing at least one organosoluble polymerization initiator, by polymerization in microsuspension of the corresponding monomer or monomers, according to which a fine dispersion of the monomer or monomers is formed in an aqueous medium containing at least one anionic emulsifying agent or at least one anionic emulsifying agent and at least one nonionic emulsifying agent, in the presence of 0.004 to 0.16% by weight; in relation to the weight of the monomer or monomers, of said initiator expressed as active oxygen and then the thus formed reaction medium is subjected to polymerization at the desired polymerization temperature (.theta..sub.1); the improvement comprising adding to the aqueous medium 2,6-ditert.

Abstract: Polyester amides and polyether thioether ester amides of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is a polyamide sequence,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different and each represents a linear or branched C.sub.2 to C.sub.98 alkyl radical,m is an integer between 1 and 50, andn is one or greater; and the process of making such amides by reacting specific diols with a dicarboxylic polyamide having terminal acid functional groups.

Abstract: Two-component polyurethanes without inclusion of gas are described, whose hydroxylated component contains a zeolitic dehydrating agent which corresponds to the following formula in its anhydrous form: ##EQU1##

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of substantially spherical particles of at least one metal compound of Group II of the Periodic Table, comprising dissolving such compound in a solvent therefor to form a solution and introducing the solution into a non-solvent medium; said non-solvent medium consisting essentially of at least two liquids that are non-solvents for said compound, at least one of said non-solvents being immiscible with the solvent solution and at least one of said non-solvents being miscible with said solvent solution.

Abstract: A basic refractory shape resulting from firing a batch consisting essentially of a magnesite and a zirconia; said batch containing for each 100 percent by weight thereof about 3 to 20 percent by weight of coarse zirconia having a particle size of 150-mesh Tyler, or greater, and 0 to 20 percent by weight of fine zirconia having a particle size of finer than 150-mesh Tyler and a slide gate assembly comprising at least one such shape.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench comprising a handle, a stationary outer jaw member integrally formed with the handle and having at least one outer face and a support surface for a moveable jaw, and a moveable jaw member riding on the support surface and continuously supported thereby during its entire range of movement, the moveable jaw member having an inner face parallel to the stationary outer face whereby the turning of a nut placed between the stationary outer face and the moveable inner face creates a force a part of which is applied to the moveable jaw member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the moveable jaw member thereby forcing the moveable jaw member against the support surface.

Abstract: An improved drill bit guide which enables a prosthesis fixture to be attached to the femoral cortex of a resected femur with the use of drill bits or fixation pins passing through the fixture and through the femoral cortex more quickly and accurately than has been possible previously.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vinyl chloride copolymer consisting essentially of the copolymerization reaction product of a vinyl chloride monomer composition and at least one polyfunctional compound; said polyfunctional compound being an alkadiene of the formula:CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--(CH.sub.2).sub.x --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2in which x is a whole number from 1 to 25; said copolymer containing, in moles, from 99 to 99.99% of said monomer composition based on vinyl chloride and correspondingly from 0.01 to 1% of said polyfunctional compound and the process of making such copolymer.

Abstract: A refractory mix for forming low thermal conductivity refractory shapes comprising about 50 to 90% by weight of magnesite, about 10 to 50% by weight spinel or about 7 to 35% by weight of an alumina-bearing material, and about 1 to 10% by weight of a nonsiliceous void-forming material.

Abstract: A process for preparing vinyl chloride homopolymer or copolymer latexes, comprising carrying out the polymerization of a monomer composition in a reaction medium in emulsion or in microsuspension and continuously condensing a vapor fraction of said monomer composition and continuously refluxing said condensed vapor fraction into said reaction medium, degassing the resultant polymer, and carrying out the polymerization under agitation by means of a paddle agitator with a rotating shaft having at least one paddle and at least one deflector with the speed gredient between said at least one paddle and said at least one deflector being between 5 and 50 s.sup.-1 ; the peripheral rotational speed of the agitator is maintained in the range of about 1.1 to 2.1 meters/second for about 50% to 100% of the duration of the polymerization period preceding the beginning of reflux (P.sub.1) and the period which separates the end of reflux from the beginning of degassing (P.sub.3), and at a speed in the range of about 0.

Abstract: A polyamide powder consisting essentially of elementary porous particles having a "gypsum rose" structure and a process for preparing a polyamide powder comprising polymerizing by anionic polymerization lactam in a solvent medium in the presence of a catalyst, an activator, and at least one amide; one of which is N,N'-alkylene bisamide; said polymerization being initiated with said lactam and said amide used in an amount such that the solvent is in the supersaturated state at the polymerization initiation temperature.

Abstract: A method for calcination of a calcium carbonate material comprising heating the calcium carbonate material to a temperature and for a time sufficient to calcine the material to the degree desired while in the presence of a catalyst; said catalyst comprising at least one fused salt having the formulaMCO.sub.3.CaCO.sub.3.CaO.H.sub.2 O.sub.x,wherein M is an alkali metal and x is 0 to 1 and formed by fusing MCO.sub.3 and CaCO.sub.3 in a molar ratio of about 1:2 to 2:1, and a blend adapted to be heated to CaO comprising a calcium carbonate material and at least one such fused salt.

Abstract: A communications system for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system such as in a hotel/motel system between a central processor and a room and the room and appliances within the room wherein frequency shift key modulation of a high frequency signal is used for communication between the central processor and the rooms and amplitude shift key modulation of a low frequency signal is utilized for communication within the room between the in-room controller and appliances within the room. In addition, the system also utilizes a serial interface input/output card in the central processor which detects the quality of the signal coming from each room in regard to frequency, signal level and deviation and stores those signals for maintenance purposes. Also, the system provides for long distance interrogation of the central processor over telephone lines so that the hotel/motel operating system may be reviewed from a remote distance.

Abstract: A stable homogeneous composition in the form of a microemulsion suitable for making rigid foams comprising a halogenated polyhydroxylated compound, a halogenated alkane, and a surfactant in an amount sufficient to maintain a stable microemulsion.

Abstract: An improved thrust bearing shoe and method for making same is provided. The bearing shoe includes a surface having an optimum one-dimensional curved profile maximized as to load carrying capacity in accordance with predetermined relationships for the dimensions of the shoe. The curved profile may be cycloidal, truncated cycloidal, cubic or quadratic in shape depending on the dimensions of the shoe.

Abstract: A piloted rotary two-way "on-off" valve which will couple hydraulic fluid from the valve input to the valve output in the "on" position and then move to the "off" position where it will maintain the pressure on the down stream side while enabling the pressure on the upstream side to be removed.

Abstract: A diesel particulate trap formed from silicon carbide cermet foam with associated hardware to retain the foam in a particular configuration. Several pieces of the foam, in the shape of "doughnuts", are stacked on top of each other. The stack of foam doughnuts is assembled in a container designed to allow diesel exhaust to flow radially inward through the doughnuts and exit through the center. Ceramic felt gaskets are interposed between the doughnuts and between each of the end doughnuts and steel end plates. These gaskets serve as buffers and allow for different thermal expansion properties of the steel and silicon carbide cermet foam. The silicon carbide is conducting and has resistance and when current is passed through the foam doughnuts, they become hot enough to burn the collected particulate.