Abstract: This invention involves a MIG welding method for aluminum alloys to prevent the formation and deposition of black powder on or around the weldment's bead. By using pure aluminum wire or aluminum alloy wire containing less than 2.5 wt% the base of alloying components as the consumable electrode wire and using aluminum alloy wire as the filler wire 3, the consumable electrode wire 2 and the filler wire 3 are fed into the a metal bath under a certain weight ratio, so that the alloy composition of the molten metal bath is equivalent to that of the base of the black powder on the both sides of the weldment's bead can be is avoided.

Abstract: A portable air quality indication unit senses and indicates at least the ambient concentration of aerosols and particulates, the ambient concentration of a gas such as CO, the ambient temperature and the relative humidity, and displays the same. The gas concentration level and particulates concentration level are provided as good or satisfactory, bad or unsatisfactory, or fair/good, i.e., marginal depending on the relation of the detected level to the predetermined threshold level values of gas concentration, and particulates concentration. Temperature and relative humidity can be displayed on liquid crystal displays. A microprocessor circuit within the unit assumes a low-power standby mode, in which the gas and particulates sensor means are sampled at a relatively low rate, when the particulates level and gas concentration level are below their respective TLVs.

Abstract: A controlled orifice for a hydraulic pressure control valve has a plunger and a conic orifice seat. The plunger has a head which forms a stagnation zone, and a rim with surfaces that define a sharp edge, these surfaces making an angle of at least 30 degrees with the conic bore orifice seat. A conic back surface extends to the plunger stem. The sharp edge of the rim forms a small annular vena contracta so that the regions where rapid flow is experienced are kept as small as possible. This reduces undesirable Bernoulli forces.

Abstract: A side-looking reflector attachment has a helical thread on the borescope or endoscope the reflector attachment can be rotated to any angular position by drawing the housing distally to move a retaining pin in the housing out of engagement with a recess in a threaded retaining ring. The housing and the mirror can be rotated to align the mirror with the probe imager. Then, the housing is released and the retaining pin then enters a recess at a new position. This arrangement renders the side looking attachment interchangeable from one probe to another.

Abstract: The process permits virtual interaction between a user, and a data support, and generates in an electronic box a sequence of digits arranged according to a pseudorandom logic by the expedient of a pseudorandom generator. The user introduces into the electronic box by the expedient of a data input element a succession of data representative of the user's choices and replies to a test suggesting replies proposed by the data support. The succession of user data is transformed in a succession of digits interpretable in relation to the sequence of digits coming from the generator and the successions thus obtained are interpreted in relation to each other. The process reproduces at the electronic box the result of this comparison in the form of sensory signals.

Abstract: A high density rapid access data storage device employs a volume of field-oriented bacteriorhodopsin in a polymer medium, and contained in a vessel that can be accurately displace in three dimensions. X-axis and Y-axis laser illumination systems each converge a beam in the respective direction at a location at which a particular bit cell is to have a "1" or "0" recorded or is to be interrogated. Both laser systems are pulsed on at one wavelength to write a "1" or at a second wavelength to write a "0". After writing, a cleaning step is carried out by actuating the laser systems non-simultaneously at the other of the wavelengths to remove any undesired photochemistry from adjacent bit cells. A read cycle involves actuating two or four lasers, and then discriminating the "1" or "0" state from the electrical signal generated by the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a cradle for converting a portable bandsaw into an upright table saw. The saw includes a casing, a pair of spaced apart pulleys mounted in opposed housings on the casing for rotatably supporting an endless saw blade, and a trigger guard attached to the back of the casing behind the motor housing. The stand includes a horizontally disposed base plate, a vertically disposed pedestal and a short, narrow facing piece mounted on the base plate, so that the L-shaped trigger guard, when placed in an upright position, will snugly fit, remaining upright, and a bracket situated near the top of the pedestal which serves to retain the upper portion of the bandsaw. A trigger actuating means is mounted on the pedestal for holding the trigger of a saw suspended in the cradle in either an on or an off position.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and lifting a load that includes a pair of spaced-apart, L-shaped forks. The horizontal leg of each fork contains a series of longitudinally-extended grooves formed in the load contacting top surface thereof. The grooves reduce the load contacting area of the top surfaces by about 40 percent thereby increasing the frictional forces acting between the load and the forks.

Abstract: An electronic interval timer in which a cylindrical shell having five rows of LEDs mounted at spaced intervals from top to bottom, formed every 72.degree. about the circumference simulates an hourglass timer. Timer and control circuits are connected to select a desired time interval and to illuminate the LEDs and turn off successive rings in proportion to the time remaining in the selected interval at any given time after actuation. An audible buzzer is also provided as are interrupt and reset capabilities.

Abstract: A compound for producing sintered parts in an injection molding process and the molding process used to form the parts. The compound contains materials that allow the parts to be formed at lower temperatures and higher production rates when compared to more conventional processes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for regulating the conditioning of a gaseous flow that includes hearing the gas to a desired level and saturating it with a liquid at a reduced pressure and mixing the saturated gas with a second non-saturated gas in proportion to attain a desired conditioning.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis plate, made of a thermoelastic martensitic alloy whose transformation temperatures are:martensitic transformation temperature Ms below 10.degree. C.;austenitic transformation temperature As above 15.degree. C.,the cross-over from the martensitic temperature to the austenitic temperature bringing about a shortening of the length of the plate, characterized in that it is educated to take a rectilinear shape at a temperature below the martensitic transformation temperature Ms of the material of which the plate is made, and an undulated shape at a temperature above the austenitic transformation temperature as of the said material.

Abstract: A wheelchair formed from a pair of handle pipes, seat pipes, front pipes, rear pipes and two pairs of front and rear cross pipes. The main body of the wheelchair can be folded simultaneously in a front-to-rear, a left-to-right, and up-and-down directions by pivoting the seat pipes toward the handle pipes. Steps are formed in a double-door fashion and are installed, movable in the front-rear direction so that the steps can be storable inside the wheelchair main body, when folded. Foldable and detachable arms are also mounted so as to be folded with the main body.

Abstract: The Glc6PD genome of Leuconostoc mesenteroides is isolated. Oligonucleotides complementary to sequences upstream and downstream to the Glc6PD genome are prepared and used to amplify the genome by the polymerase chain reaction. The amplified gene is isolated and cloned into pUC19. The recombinant plasmid expresses the gene in E. coli.

Abstract: An electro hydraulic servo valve has a pair of oppositely polarized magnets mounted in the surface of the spool of the valve to be controlled. A Hall effect sensor is mounted in the housing adjacent the magnets to precisely measure the position of the spool relative to the housing. The magnets and transducer are mounted on the longitudinal centerline of the spool to eliminate the spurious signals, due to temperature, vibrations, shock, hydraulic supply pressure and back pressure. The strength and spacing of the magnets and air gap are chosen to provide a linear output signal over the range of displacement desired and to provide the accuracy of location necessary for the particular configuration.

Abstract: A small, compact motion detector alarm is sensitive to low frequency vibration (20 to 250 Hz) and emits an alarm sound when this vibration is detected. A piezoelectric transducer element serves as a low frequency sensor and also produces an alarm sound near its resonance, nominally 5 KHz. When low frequency vibrations occur, a detector formed of a amplifier and a current comparator actuates a one-shot which turns on an oscillator circuit to drive the transducer. A time out circuit disables the one-shot for a few seconds after the alarm has sounded, so that the device can return to its standby state. The alarm can be made to emit in the human audible range or in the ultrasonic range, which will be effective with pets but will not disturb humans.

Abstract: There is disclosed a traction enhancing device for a wheeled agricultural tractor, in which a flexible frame comprises a circular band, to which are welded a series of spade holders. The frame is bolted to the rim of the wheel by spacers, so that the frame is in non-contacting relationship with the tire. The spade holders are fabricated from flat stock of high strength spring-like steel, formed into a semicircles, and have outer tubular anchors. These anchors encircle a plurality of wire ropes that lie in mutual end-to-end relationship and described a circle that is concentric with the wheel. A series of spade assemblies are rigidly fastened on the wire ropes. The wire ropes are preloaded, and can be rotated within the anchors so that the spades assemblies alternate between a ground-engaging position and a ground-avoiding position. The spades each include lugs that slice into the strong subsurface layers of the soil, and provide a significant degree of traction improvement as the wheel turns.

Abstract: A solder preform containing a series of islands that are joined together in a matrix by bridging bands. Each band has a reduced cross-sectional area in its midregion. In one form of this invention, at least some of the islands contain pin receiving holes formed therein and solder tabs that are arranged to frictionally engage a pin that is passed into the hole to prevent the preform from being misaligned or dislodged from the pins and which at the time of bonding, prewets the pins to promote flowing of solder to the pins from the islands to form a superior solder joint.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus to predict accurately volcanic eruptions or the occurrence of earthquakes without the use of a seismometer or an incline level meter. The apparatus includes a neutron sensor, a counter and a displaying device to indicate an integrated count number or changes in count number of neutrons radiated from the earth's magma with the prediction being performed on basis of the changing count or integrated count number for a given period of time.