Abstract: An electronically tuned, optically pumped, transition metal based, solid-state laser is disclosed. Tuning is achieved by using resonant reflecting means comprising an output mirror, a mirror located between the output mirror and the source of laser light, a polarizer located in the light path between the two mirrors, and an electronically tuned, voltage controlled, variable, liquid crystal waveplate for receiving light passing through the polarizer. The components of the resonant reflecting means are selected to have a longitudinal mode that is anti-resonant with the optical cavity of the laser.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, a grid and multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The grid can be printed on a front web. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. The display produced by the special process can be used to form an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, toy, box, wrapper and other packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically maintaining the length of a laser cavity in a laser system in an optimum single length mode regardless of changes of frequency in the dispersive optics feedback, by sensing a group of pointing directions of a laser beam over a determined range of operating conditions, determining the average pointing position of the laser system for the group of sensed pointing directions and adjusting the length of the laser cavity to conform the pointing direction of the laser system to the average pointing direction.

Abstract: A flooring product (10) comprises a wood panel having an L-shaped surround (18) the base of which is located below the wood panel. A plurality of parallel aluminium battens (20) are connected to the base of the panel. These battens comprise a groove (30). In use two flooring products (10,50) having similar joint arrangements are secured together by locating the base of the surround (18) of each product in the groove (30) in the elongate members of the other product. The connection can not be disengaged unless one of the flooring products (10,50) is tilted relative to the other.

Abstract: A feedback circuit, comprising: means for producing from a laser light output a feedback signal which is representative of the noise and frequency dependent output intensity of the laser light output; means for applying a phase shift to the feedback signal; means for converting the feedback signal to a level signal which is representative of the noise in the laser light output; amplifying means for amplifying the phase shifted feedback signal as a function of the level signal to produce a current gain signal; and means for superimposing the current gain signal on the current flowing through the laser diode.

Abstract: A catalytic cracking process is provided for cost effectively separating and stripping hydrocarbon from catalyst while limiting the occurrence of undesired catalytic overcracking and thermal cracking reactions. The process includes the steps of contacting feed with catalyst, grossly separating the larger coked catalyst particles from the hydrocarbon, disengaging the smaller coked catalyst fines from the hydrocarbon, removing volatile hydrocarbon from the grossly separated and disengaged catalyst, and recycling the volatile hydrocarbon back to the gross separating step. The disengager step includes the steps of dampening the flow of grossly separated hydrocarbon and internally cyclone separating the smaller catalyst fines from the hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed in front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes. The special display can be used to provide an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, or toy.

Abstract: A high performance, environmentally compatible railroad grease effectively lubricates railroad tracks and wheels of railway cars in compliance with environmental rules and regulations. Advantageously, the novel railroad grease is safe for plant life and animals as well as for fish in underground aquifers and nearby streams. The railroad grease desirably comprises a special adhesive polymer and an extreme pressure, anti-wear additive package, preferably a food grade additive package, comprising carbonates combined with sulfates or phosphates.

Abstract: A high performance cruise missile grease is provided that performs well at extremely cold temperatures and moderately elevated temperatures, as well as under normal operation conditions. The high performance grease comprises: a lithium soap thickener, a synthetic base oil blend of polyalphaolefin and extreme pressure antiwear additives and inhibitors comprising dithiocarbamates, phosphates, and hydroxides.

Abstract: The invention reduces cracking catalyst fines in decanted oil by mixing the decanted oil (DCO) containing cracking catalyst fines with asphaltene and then treating the DCO-asphaltene mixture with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in an extraction unit or in a multi-stage deasphalting unit.

Abstract: The invention reduces cracking catalyst fines in decanted oil by mixing the decanted oil (DCO) containing cracking catalyst fines with a resid oil and then treating the DCO-resid mixture with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in an extraction unit or in a multi-stage deasphalting unit.

Abstract: The invention reduces cracking catalyst fines in decanted oil by mixing the decanted oil (DCO) containing cracking catalyst fines with asphaltene and then treating the DCO-asphaltene mixture with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in an extraction unit or in a multi-stage deasphalting unit.

Abstract: A food preparation process is provided in which food service personnel are signaled when cooked pizza or other food is conveyed out of an oven.

Abstract: A catalytic cracking apparatus is provided for cost-effectively separating and stripping hydrocarbon from catalyst while limiting the occurrence of undesired catalytic overcracking and thermal cracking reactions. The apparatus includes a reactor, a combined gross separator and catalyst stripping vessel, and a disengaging vessel. The combined vessel is positioned to quickly separate catalyst from reactor products, reduce catalytic overcracking and strip volatile hydrocarbon from coked catalyst in one unitary vessel. The disengager is designed to dampen the flow of grossly separated hydrocarbon, substantially separate catalyst fines from the grossly separated hydrocarbon, and convey the catalyst fines to the combined gross separation and catalyst stripping vessel.

Abstract: Volatile compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) which contaminate a soil can be removed--without incineration--by a process which generally involves: (1) introducing the contaminated soil into a vessel, (2) heating the soil to a temperature greater than about 300.degree. F., but less than 600.degree. F., preferably in the presence of an inert gas, (3) drawing a vacuum on the vessel to such a degree as to cause the contaminant to flash to a contaminant vapor and (4) condensing the contaminate vapor to a liquid and (5) disposing of said liquid.

Abstract: A credit card reader extender comprising an elongate generally rectangular body having a top side, a bottom side, a central portion and two end portions. The central portion has a generally rectangular opening therethrough extending from the bottom side to the top side and is adapted to be received over and to fit closely around a card reader of a card reading machine. The card reader is generally elongate and has a slot therein extending downwardly from the top side thereof into the card reader and longitudinally parallel to an elongate axis thereof. The end portions of the body each have a slot extending downwardly from the top side thereof into the body end portion and longitudinally parallel to an elongate axis of the body and in alignment and in registry with the slot in the card reader.

Abstract: A high performance lubricating grease effectively lubricates and protects caster rollers and bearings in steel mills and other metal processing mills. The high performance grease has excellent extreme pressure and antiwear qualities and is economical, nontoxic and safe. The high performance gease can comprise a base oil, a calcium soap thickener, extreme pressure wear-resistant additives comprising tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, and a water-resistant high performance polymer.

Abstract: An ebullated bed reactor into which is introduced a mixture of a gaseous substance, such as hydrogen-rich gases, and a liquid substance, such as vacuum reduced crude or resid, beneath a grid plate disposed in the reactor. Bubble cap risers extend through the grid plate uniformly transmit this gaseous and liquid substance mixture to a catalyst bed disposed above the grid plate. The grid plate is connected to an inner wall of the reactor so that a leakage path might be formed between the grid plate and the support ring of the reactor wall. A skirt is disposed beneath the grid plate to maintain a portion of the gaseous substance in a specific area beneath the grid plate to allow proper distribution of the gaseous flow through the bubble cap riser assemblies. Thus, the portion of the gaseous substance which is maintained beneath the grid plate is prevented from escaping into the reactor via any space which may appear in the grid plate and outside the area which is surrounded by the skirt.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed in front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes. The special display can be used to provide an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, or toy.