Abstract: A computerized, automatic, portable general earthquake observation system is disclosed. The system includes a microprocessor and associated computer program stored in program memory, which control other components of the system through a computer bus. Input channels for receiving signals from sensors are connected to a signal conditioning module which is selectively coupled to an analog-to-digital conversion module, both under control of the microprocessor. A pre-event data memory module stores the digitized signals sent along a separate data bus by the analog-to-digital conversion module. Data stored in data memory module is analyzed by the microprocessor for information regarding disposition of data which includes archival storage on an internal data recorder using the data bus or transmission to desired external recorder using various possible modems. The microprocessor is also connected to an external time reference module, an automatic calibration module, and an operator interface module.

Abstract: A method of coating a metal substrate with a ternary or greater alloy of a redetermined composition is disclosed. Initially, a first and second metals are electrodeposited on the substrate using an aqueous electrolyte. At least one metal powder is simultaneously mixed in the electrolyte as the first and second metals are electrodeposited so that a portion of the metal powder is occluded in the electrodeposited metal coating. The rate of occlusion of the metal powder is controlled by the volume percent of the metal powder in the electrolyte. Finally, the metal coating and substrate are heat treated to diffuse the occluded metal powder in the coating and to form the desired alloy coating. A plurality of metal powders can be mixed in the electrolyte according to the present method. In addition, a diffusion barrier coating can be initially provided on the metal substrate. The method is particularly useful with iron-based metals such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A mine roof bolt and a method of measuring the strain in mine roof bolts of this type are disclosed. According to the method, a flat portion on the head of the mine roof bolt is first machined. Next, a hole is drilled radially through the bolt at a predetermined distance from the bolt head. After installation of the mine roof bolt and loading, the strain of the mine roof bolt is measured by generating an ultrasonic pulse at the flat portion. The time of travel of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the hole is measured. This time of travel is a function of the distance from the flat portion to the hole and increases as the bolt is loaded. Consequently, the time measurement is correlated to the strain in the bolt. Compensation for various factors affecting the travel time are also provided.

Abstract: A rock detachment evaluation device (10) having an energy transducer unit 1) for sensing vibrations imparted to a subject rock (172) for converting the sensed vibrations into electrical signals, a low band pass filter unit (12) for receiving the electrical signal and transmitting only a low frequency segment thereof, a high band pass filter unit (13) for receiving the electrical signals and for transmitting only a high frequency segment thereof, a comparison unit (14) for receiving the low frequency and high frequency signals and for determining the difference in power between the signals, and a display unit (16) for displaying indicia of the difference, which provides a quantitative measure of rock detachment.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (10) is useful for monitoring stress changes and stress fields in a medium (12) having a borehole (14) defined therein. The pressure sensor uses piston assemblies (22, 24, 26) to transmit pressure changes to gages (84) via a fluid in a fluid line (78). The piston assemblies can be spaced apart angularly and longitudinally of the borehole to monitor a plurality of locations (16, 18 and 20), and are angularly movable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A compact, portable pulverizing apparatus having a plurality of beater-bars (14) rotatably mounted to a plurality of support rods (16). The support rods (16) are eccentrically disposed about the periphery of two support disks (17). The support disks (17) are driven by a drive shaft (19) that connects to a power unit (13). The beater-bars (14) are supported about a sole plate (22) having an opening (23) disposed therethrough to allow the beater-bars (14) to contact the material to be pulverized. Handles (24) are connected to the sole plate (22) to allow it to be moved about as desired.

Abstract: Lithium chloride is separated from its mixtures with calcium chloride by preferentially dissolving the lithium chloride in tetrahydrofuran. The separation is achieved since the lithium chloride is soluble in tetrahydrofuran, while the calcium chloride is not. The process is particularly applicable to geothermal brines.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first thin crystalline metal to a second thin metal ch as metallic glass is disclosed. Initially, the metallic glass is coated with a thin thermal barrier layer. Next, the first metal is heated to a temperature sufficient for diffusion bonding. Finally, the metallic glass is maintained at ambient temperature as the metallic glass is diffusion bonded to the crystalline metal. The thermal barrier layer prevents the metallic glass from reaching a phase transition temperature during the diffusion bonding. Consequently, a composite product having a base layer of crystalline metal and an outer layer of metallic glass is produced. Preferably, the diffusion bonding is produced by evacuated roll-bonding and the coating is attached to the metallic glass by electroplating. A plurality of metallic glass layers and crystalline metal layers can be bonded together to produce a sandwiched composite product.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus provides range or other data as determined by the setting of a control or selection knob therefor. The encoding apparatus is intended for use with an instrument providing an output voltage representative of data within a range, and providing output signals indicative of the setting for the range control or selection switch of the instrument. The encoding device is adapted to fit externally of the instrument chassis and is mounted between the range selecting knob and the chassis. The encoding apparatus is non-invasive, requiring no connection to or modification of the internal components of the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method for improving the high temperature properties of 42 to 70 percent by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 containing alumina refractories by adding thereto a soluble metal compound and firing to at least 1450.degree. C. for a time sufficient to convert the soluble metal compound to a refractory oxide or phase and for the refractory oxide or phase to react with the non-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 constituents of the refractory for preventing or reducing the presence or effect of detrimental compounds or phases on the high temperature properties of the refractory. The resulting relatively low Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 content, porous, alumina refractory includes within its pores from 1 to 10% by weight of a refractory oxide or phase and is characterized by high temperature property values substantially greater than the corresponding values for the same refractory body without said refractory oxide or phase in its pores.

Abstract: Titanium is extracted from perovskite ores or concentrates by reaction of e perovskite ores or concentrates with sulfuric acid to form a sulfated residue, dissolving the sulfated residue in water or dilute acid, removing the precipitated calcium sulfate, and recovering the titanium in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A float valve assembly, integral with a water supply system, responds to changes in a predetermined water level inside a test bore to regulate water flow through the float valve into the bore to maintain this water level. The float valve assembly can be positioned at different depths below ground level by suspension at the lower end of a premarked flexible hose (16) hanging freely inside the test bore. The float valve housing (1) is open at its lower end (3), so that water around it in the test bore can raise the float (8) within to throttle the water flowing down through a reducer (13) at the end of the hose and directly above the float. After an initial transient stage, the water in the test bore percolates away from the bore through the soil around it at a steady rate, measured to obtain the steady state percolation rate at that site at the selected depth.

Abstract: A plugging factor (PF) monitor unit is provided for measuring the quality of the prefiltered feed water supplied to the membrane of a membrane-type desalting plant in accordance with a standard PF test. Samples from sample point selector booster pump unit are selectively diverted to the monitor after being pumped to the required pressure level. A filter membrane holder assembly receives test membranes from a continuous supply and clamps a test membrane in place so that the sample water flows therethrough to a filtrate tank used in measuring out a predetermined standard volume. A control unit controls supplying of the sample water to the monitor unit as well as discharging of the filtrate from the tank such that the time taken to measure out the standard volume is determined at two spaced time periods in accordance with the standard test. Provision is made for preventing breakage of the membrane during testing.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for the desorption of precious metals such as gold nd silver. The precious metal complexes are loaded on activated carbon particles that are packed into a hollow, cylindrical graphite container and the container is connected as the anode of an electrolytic cell. The electrolyte is a suitable alkaline solution and the cathode can be graphite, antimony or copper. Upon the application of an electric current, the precious metal complexes are desorbed and reduced to precious metals on the cathode.

Abstract: The magnetic susceptibility well-logging unit with single power supply thermoregulation system provides power from a single surface power supply over a well-logging cable to an integrated circuit voltage regulator system downhole. This voltage regulator system supplies regulated voltages to a temperature control system and also to a Maxwell bridge sensing unit which includes the solenoid of a magnetic susceptibility probe. The temperature control system is provided with power from the voltage regulator system and operates to permit one of several predetermined temperatures to be chosen, and then operates to maintain the solenoid of a magnetic susceptibility probe at this chosen temperature. The temperature control system responds to a temperature sensor mounted upon the probe solenoid to cause resistance heaters concentrically spaced from the probe solenoid to maintain the chosen temperature.

Abstract: Non-incendive explosive charge for use in flammable atmospheres includes a layer of damp salt as quenching material surrounding a charge enclosed in an inner housing. An outer housing is strong and pliable, being formed of reinforced rubbery material, to resist rough handling yet to be sufficiently pliable to conform to irregular boulder surfaces. The outer housing is pancake-shaped to provide increased contact area and stability. The relatively flat shape further permits insertion of the charge in crevices between boulders.

Abstract: A combined headpiece, light source, and protective face shield. The orienion of the emitted light beam from the light source remains the same whether the face shield is in a down protective position or a raised unprotective position for the user's face. This allows the user to use both hands while at the same time having the beam directed forward to illuminate the environment. A hinge and bracket assembly joining the face shield to the light source allow the source to maintain its desired orientation. A flexible power supply lamp cord rigidly attached to the headpiece supplies a retaining force to the lamp and its attached hinged bracket to act to maintain it in its moved position. Although this invention has application to many different types of end uses, its preferred embodiment was primarily designed and constructed for use by miner's underground.

Abstract: A universal ripper miner used to cut, collect, and transfer material from an underground mine working face. The cutter head has a single large cutting bit attached to its periphery and moves in an arcuate cutting motion in a cycle less than 270.degree.. At each cutting cycle the bit's depth of material penetration is initially zero, increases to its maximum depth at about midway, and decreases to zero depth as it exits. Drive members, such as hydraulically actuated pistons, provide for this movement of the head/bit. Constructed as part of the cutting head adjacent to the bit, a hopper-type member with a partially opened upper section acts to continuously collect and transfer cut material from the mine face. A mechanically or gravity actuated door is at the end of this hopper member remote from the cutting head allows the cut material to be transferred to a lower conventional material handling system.

Abstract: Lead is recovered from sulfide ores which contain lead by leaching the ore with fluosilicic acid to form elemental sulfur and lead fluosilicate, and then subjecting the lead fluosilicate to electrolysis to produce lead and fluosilicic acid.

Abstract: A self-actuating gas/liquid separator which depends on the counterbalancing f the liquid in a closed container in excess of a certain height and the vacuum gas pressure for its actuation and operation. Primarily this invention was directed to the separation of water and methane gas after they are discharged from an inclined coal mine drainage bore hole. Basically, there are two inclined coaxial conduits, one inside the other, with the inner smaller conduit providing the path for the movement of the gas and the outer larger conduit the path for the liquid. Attached to the larger conduit, near its end remote from the source of gas and liquid to be separated, is a third conduit with a U-shaped section and a one-way liquid passing check valve. Liquids drain into the first and third conduits and the second conduit is operably subjected to a vacuum generating source.