Abstract: A double-handed, robot end effector or gripper which can be used for moving nd positioning machine parts. The gripper is elongate and symmetric about its longitudinal axis, having a first and a second set of hands extending in each of the two transverse directions. Each hand has a removable finger and is positioned about an accurately repeatable midpoint. The hands are mounted on and are moved about the longitudinal plane by a ball screw which is rotated by either an electric motor or an air driven motor through gears located at one end.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring transactions on a high speed interface us and for selectively storing information about such transactions together with the time of such transaction and the state of the automaton. The apparatus comprises two parallel memories for respectively storing a regular table and a default table, and a memory selector for choosing between the table data of the two memories. A bus trap stores data information obtained from the bus and compares the stored information with a stored data template. A transition detector receives control signals from the bus and generates clock signals used by other system elements upon the detection of a transition. A hash coder utilizes a hash key together with state information to generate an address for entering the regular table memory. A state latch stores an address provided by the memory selector for the default table.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acoustic scintillation liquid flow measurement. Measurement is carried out by acoustic beams transmitted perpendicular to the direction the component of liquid flow to be measured, with both phase and amplitude measurements being made to enable generation of accurate speed of flow indications which are indicative of liquid flow through a broad area being monitored as opposed to a single point therein. In one realization of this invention, a pair of projectors are mounted on one side of the flow area, such as a channel to be monitored, and a pair of receivers are mounted on the other side of the flow area with pulsed acoustic signals from each of the projectors being transmitted in separate parallel paths through the liquid, such as water, to the receivers.

Abstract: A method of making superalloy scrap friable in order to allow greater recovery of metal values therein is disclosed whereby the scrap is treated with zinc vapor. After exposure to the zinc vapor, the metal scrap becomes friable so that it can be easily crushed. Thereafter, the metal values, particular of cobalt and nickel, can be easily recovered. The process can be made continuous by recovering and reusing the excess zinc vapor used in the treatment.

Abstract: A tracking system for measuring at least the spatial coordinates of a target and possibly the angular orientation of the target. A collimated beam is directed to the target and a mirror attached to the target reflects this beam back to a tracking point. Photosensors attached to the tracking or target point provide error signals to a servo system which controls optics at the tracking or target points to provide the direction necessary to accomplish the coincidence of the beams. An interferometer interferes the source beam with the beam that has travelled twice between the tracking and target points in order to measure the separation. By measuring the directions of the beams relative to structure attached to the tracking and target points, the target point can be located in spatial coordinates and additionally the orientation of the target structure can be determined.

Abstract: A rotatable end deflector for an abrasive water jet drill is provided. The end deflector includes two wear resistant plates which direct portions of the water jet in opposite forward directions. Preferably, the abrasive water jet drill includes a source of high pressure water and a high pressure water outlet from which a stream of water is expelled. A venturi device is provided adjacent the water outlet for creating a vacuum. A feed device feeds an abrasive particular material to the venturi device so that the abrasive material is entrained in the stream of water. Thereafter, the stream of water is collimated in a rotating tube which produces a rotating cylindrical water jet which is then deflected before it impinges on the rock to drill the rock. The abrasive material is preferably sand and the tube including the deflector is easily replaceable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism useful to retain a bi-positionable part in one of its positions so as to prevent inadvertent return of the part to its other position. The unit includes gripping jaws having an open position or status to receive the part in its to-be-retained position, plus weight-influenced members and elements to close the jaws to secure the part. The release or unlock mode of the unit is capable of being remotely effectuated by movement of the part in an over-run phase so as to actuate the jaws to release position for freeing the part. The unit is so constructed as to be compact, self-contained and easy to operate and maintain.

Abstract: An improved electrode assembly is disclosed for use in electrolytic cells for producing metal by the electrolysis of a molten-salt electrolyte. The electrode assembly includes at least one anode and cathode disposed within an electrolytic cell in a spaced-relationship to thereby define an inter-electrode space and an effective electrolyte bath area. The parallel, opposed sides of the anode and cathode defining the inter-electrode space of the improved electrode assembly have an offset, sawtooth pattern of triangular peaks and valleys to thereby increase the effective electrode surface area and to facilitate the rapid, effective removal of gas produced during electrolysis from the anode and from the inter-electrode, electrolyte bath area. To further facilitate the removal of such gases, the anode of the present invention includes a uniformly distributed plurality of gas evacuation apertures therethrough.

Abstract: A thermoregulated magnetic susceptibility sensor assembly for well-logging or the like is disclosed. The assembly includes a sensing solenoid and a non-metallic container for the sensing solenoid. Located in the container and spaced from the sensing solenoid are a plurality of heaters. These heaters are uniformly positioned about the sensing solenoid and a heat transfer material is located between the heaters and the sensing solenoid. The heat transfer material conducts the heat from the heaters to the sensing solenoid in a substantially uniform manner so that the sensing solenoid is maintained at a uniform temperature. Preferably, temperature sensors are provided to control the heat output of the heaters to maintain the sensing solenoid at the desired uniform temperature. To minimize heat transfer to the heaters from the external environment, a layer of insulation is provided around the heaters.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring particle sizes between 5 and 50 microns in size and between 10 and 4,000 ppm in concentration prior to dilution of the sample, and upwards to at least 50,000 ppm with dilution of the sample. It is comprised of a laser light source, a square or rectangular sample cell and a photodetector which feeds data to some form of digital processor. The laser light is polarized and the return scattered light is polarized in the same plane. This device functions on the principle that particles in a light beam are capable of scattering the radiation in that beam and that the scattered radiation can be correlated to the physical properties of the scattering particles, specifically size and number.

Abstract: An in-line system is provided for treating acid mine drainage which basically comprises the combination of a jet pump (or pumps) and a static mixer. The jet pump entrains air into the acid waste water using a Venturi effect so as to provide aeration of the waste water while further aeration is provided by the helical vanes of the static mixer. A neutralizing agent is injected into the suction chamber of the jet pump and the static mixer is formed by plural sections offset by 90 degrees.

Abstract: To identify the composition of a metal alloy, sparks generated from the alloy are optically observed and spectrographically analyzed. The spectrographic data, in the form of a full-spectrum plot of intensity versus wavelength, provide the "signature" of the metal alloy. This signature can be compared with similar plots for alloys of known composition to establish the unknown composition by a positive match with a known alloy. An alternative method is to form intensity ratios for pairs of predetermined wavelengths within the observed spectrum and to then compare the values of such ratios with similar values for known alloy compositions, thereby to positively identify the unknown alloy composition.

Abstract: A battery charger of the type which provides a constant current charge for charging batteries which may be used to charge batteries having a wide range of voltages and capacities. The charging circuit of the constant current battery charger of the present invention includes a conventional voltage source, three terminal regulators, fast and float charging rate resistors, a resistive divider for sensing battery voltage and integrated circuit means for providing drive current for a switching relay and for providing hysteresis. The circuit provides ready and complete adjustability of voltage range, fast and float current ranges and switching hysteresis range wherein these ranges are defined by linear relationships and may be changed by substituting passive components such as resistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which avoids the expense and danger of previous methods used to discover gas contained in geological formations to be mined. Specifically, it has been found that increasing gas contents of evaporite samples emit increasing levels of sound when dissolved in water. By recording the sounds given off by small grab samples taken from within the mine and from the specific formation to be mined, the volume of gas in the sample can be ascertained and gas liberation during mining operations may be predicted. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a sample; placing it into water and placing the water and sample into a sound-proof chamber; recording the acoustic emissions given off as the sample dissolves; using the recorded acoustic emissions to determine the presence and volume of gas in the sample; and predicting the volume of gas in the evaporite formation to be mined.

Abstract: In the operation of the present invention, a compacted porous medium is provided with a supply of the desired liquid and is subjected to centrifugal force until the measurement of the flow rate of liquid through the medium is substantially constant. The apparatus comprises: the porous medium in a container and an arrangement of reservoirs which supply liquid to the medium and collect liquid coming out of the medium while maintaining constant pressures at the inflow and outflow ends of the medium. The use of this invention entails measurements of the flow rate of liquid through the medium and conditions of liquid in the medium for the purpose of determine the liquid conductivity.

Abstract: An end deflector for an abrasive water jet slot cutter is provided. The end deflector includes two wear resistant plates which direct portions of the water jet upwardly and downwardly. Preferably, the abrasive water jet slot cutter includes a source of high pressure water and a high pressure water outlet from which a stream of water is expelled. A venturi device is provided adjacent the water outlet for creating a vacuum. A feed device feeds an abrasive particular material to the venturi device so that the abrasive material is entrained in the stream of water. Thereafter, the stream of water is collimated in a tube which produces a cylindrical water jet which is then deflected before it impinges on the rock to mine the rock. The abrasive material is preferably sand and the tube including the deflector is easily replaceable.

Abstract: A method for increasing the magnetization of pyrite-containing pulverized coal comprises heating the coal in an atmosphere of inert gas, desirably nitrogen, containing 3 to 60 torr, preferably 12 to 16 torr, partial pressure of air to a temperature in the range 390.degree. to 455.degree. C., desirably 400.degree. to 410.degree. C., for a time sufficient, preferably 2 minutes to 2 hours, for converting enough pyrite to magnetite to allow separation of at least 50% by weight of the pyrite from the coal in a low-strength magnetic field. The sulfur content of coal treated in accordance with this method can be reduced by subjecting the treated coal to a low-strength magnetic field for moving at least 50% by weight of the pyrite from the coal although a smaller fraction, about 5 to 25%, of the pyrite is actually converted to magnetite.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided for a process which combines at compatible cell geometries and current densities, the electrowinning of a metallic element from an electrolyte with an anodic, electrochemical reaction using a cationic permselective membrane between half-cells to keep the reactions separate. The cell is operated by introducing a metal salt into a catholytic compartment, introducing a compatible electrochemical solution into an anolytic compartment, wherein both of said salt and said electrochemical solution are in an electrolysis cell having a cathode electrode and an anode electrode, and applying an electromotive force across said electrodes whereby an oxidation electrochemical reaction occurs at the anode while the metal of said metal salt is deposited at said cathode.

Abstract: A process for forming chlorine gas from ferric chloride powders comprising pelletizing the ferric chloride and reacting the pellets with oxygen gas at a temperature in the range of 650.degree. to 800.degree. C.

Abstract: Aluminum, magnesium, or their alloys are soldered by means of a tin-lead system following initial application of a thin coating of nickel-copper alloy.