Abstract: An electric heater plate is disclosed which is formed on one surface of a sheet of tempered glass. The one surface of the tempered glass sheet has a plurality of thin lines of a silver ceramic material bonded thereto, the thin lines extending in a generally parallel but spaced apart relationship across the sheet of glass. Left hand and right hand end portions of the plurality of thin lines are interconnected by a thin interconnection strip of a silver ceramic material. A small terminal area of silver ceramic material is also associated with each of the interconnection strips located at opposite ends of the plurality of thin lines. A termination area is also bonded to the one surface of the sheet of tempered glass at a position spaced from the left hand and right hand interconnection strips. A thin copper strip is bonded to each of the terminal areas and the termination area associated with the left hand or the right hand interconnection strip to electrically interconnect the same.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for preventing the cracking of ceramic bodies during a hot pressing operation. The method is accomplished by applying a relatively thin layer of a release material to surfaces of the ceramic body which are to be load reaction surfaces during the hot pressing operation. A relatively thick layer of the release material is applied to surfaces of the ceramic body which are not to be load reaction surfaces during the hot pressing operation.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon nitride article is set forth. An article having silicon particles therein is formed in a manner which provides a degree of porosity for the article. The silicon particles of the article are reactable with nitrogen to form silicon nitride. The article is heated to a temperature below a significant reaction temperature at which nitrogen gas reacts with the silicon particles at a measurable rate. The article is surrounded with an atmosphere containing nitrogen gas. A reaction zone is established on at least a portion of the surface area of the article. The reaction zone has a temperature above the significant reaction temperature whereby the silicon particles in the reaction zone are reacted at a measurable rate with the nitrogen gas to form silicon nitride. The reaction zone is moved in a controlled manner from the surface of the article into the interior of the article whereby the article is progressively nitrided inwardly into its bulk from the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for moving an object which is floatable on a cushion of gas from a first station to a second station. A porous table over which the object is moved is divided into a plurality of zones of gas flow. Contiguous gas zones can have the same amount of gas flowing therethrough thereby to define areas of gas flow. The areas of gas flow are never larger than the object being moved thereover. The areas of gas flow have different amounts of gas flow with the largest occuring at the first station and the lowest at the second station. When an object is placed at the first station, it is supported on areas having two different amounts of gas flow. This causes the object to tip front end downwardly in the area of lowest gas flow and thereby be moved over the porous table member eventually to the second station. The specification also teaches a method for moving an object from any one of a plurality of first stations to a single second station.

Abstract: A method of protecting an aluminum braking surface is disclosed. A brake lining associated with the surface is formed of a brake lining material which includes as a part of the composition an additive of sodium fluoride or cryolite. When a brake system composed of the braking surface and the brake lining are subjected to repeated braking actions, the additive of the brake lining reacts with a surface layer of the aluminum braking surface to form a tenacious, wear resistant layer thereon. The additive, upon further braking actions serves to maintain the wear resistant layer as fresh aluminum is exposed during normal wear of the braking surface over its useful life.

Abstract: This specification teaches a battery structure of lightweight construction. Such a battery is particularly useful as the power source for a space satellite. The battery structure includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a plurality of non-strengthened cell walls which contact other nonstrengthened cell walls when the cells are in an assembled condition. Each cell also has strengthened cell walls which do not contact any other cell walls when the cells are in an assembled condition. Structurally strengthened end plates are located at opposite ends of the assembled cells to provide support for any nonstrengthened cell walls of the cells coming in contact therewith. Structure is provided for holding the structurally strengthened end plates and cells in an assembled condition. By strengthening only exposed walls, a lightweight battery construction is achieved.

Abstract: A method of making laminated windshields is disclosed. Brackets of glass of oblong shape are cut from a continuous glass ribbon manufactured by a "Float" process in such a manner that the brackets have drawlines associated therewith running across the shorter dimension of the bracket. The brackets are cut, formed into pairs, bent as pairs, and laminated as pairs to produce completed windshields which have the drawlines of the glass aligned vertically, i.e., in the direction from the top to the bottom of the finished windshield. This orientation of the glass reduces the drawline distortion observable when the windshield is in place in the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a hermetically sealed alkali metal battery container. Two opposed outer metallic casings each having an open end and a closed end are hermetically sealed to a ceramic ring which supports an inner casing of a solid alkali ion-conductive material. The hermetic seal is accomplished by means of a pressure accepting shoulder formed on one of the casings and a metal pressure sleeve which acts on the shoulder to draw the open ends of each of the casings into sealing engagement respectively with upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic ring.

Abstract: A method of making a duo density article of silicon nitride is disclosed. A first element is formed by hot pressing silicon nitride particles. The general shape of a second element is formed by injection molding silicon metal particles and a binder and subsequently burning out the binder. The second element is nitrided in a nitriding operation. Facing surface areas of the first element and the second element are bonded together by applying heat to both elements and pressure to one of the elements while the other element is held in a fixed position.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion. Briefly, the method includes the steps of adjusting the pH of the oil-in-water emulsion to a pH in the range of 6 to 10. At least one part per million of a cation selected from Fe+2, Fe+3, Al+3, Cu+1 and Cu+2 is added to the oil-in-water emulsion. Thereafter, the oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a dissolvable iron electrode, the electrode being dissolvable by transmitting an electric current thereto. Sufficient electric current is transmitted through the electrode to develop a ferrous ion/oil weight ratio of at least 0.02. After treatment by the dissolvable electrode, the oil-in-water emulsion is held until the emulsion breaks.

Abstract: This application discloses a secondary fuel cell having improved electrode zones. Each cell has two electrode zones each containing a pair of electrode structures. A first such electrode structure in each zone is more efficient in operation during discharge of the fuel cell. Electrical structure is provided so that the first electrode structures are utilized during charging of the fuel cell and the second electrode structures are utilized during discharge of the fuel cell. The size and configuration of each of the electrode structures is a variable depending upon the particular cycle the fuel cell is to be subjected to in operation.

Abstract: A receiver dryer for a refrigeration system is disclosed. A receiver dryer body is formed in an extrusion operation. The body contains structure defining at least a pair of passageways and structure for mounting a desiccant containing device between such passageways. End caps are provided for closing top and bottom ends of the body. These end caps contact opposite ends of the desiccant containing device whereby the desiccant containing device forms a barrier between the pair of passageways. Fitting members are provided which are connectable to the passageways through the end caps to permit flow of a fluid through the device. The fluid enters a first fitting and proceeds through a first passageway into a compartment on one side of the desiccant containing device. The fluid flows through the desiccant containing device into a second compartment and is removed from the second compartment by flowing out through the second fitting member.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon carbide article is disclosd. Selected weight percentages of silicon carbide particles, graphite particles, if desired, and a thermosetting binder are mixed together and molded into an article by molding techniques which operate on the basis that the thermosetting binder forms a continuous medium about all the particles supported therein. The molded article is heated in the absence of oxygen and the thermosetting binder breaks down to form a low density, vitreous carbon phase. The article is heated in the absence of oxygen to a selected temperature at which the article is maintained for a period of time in a gaseous environment consisting of nitrogen preferably with a small amount of hydrogen therein. The hydrogen-nitrogen treatment is effective to cleanse the article and insure that there is an adequate pore structure through the article for a later siliciding operation to be carried out thereon.

Abstract: A method of forming a slip cast article is disclosed. The slip cast article is formed in a casting volume of a forming mold which has a portion thereof formed of a dissolvable organic material which has binder properties. A casting slip is cast into the casting volume. The vehicle of the casting slip is drawn off to a level which provides a consolidated casting in the casting volume containing sufficient vehicle that the casting is resistant to shrinkage. The consolidated casting and the organic mold portion are placed in a solvent for the mold portion so that it may be dissolved. The solvent for the mold portion is one which is miscible with the vehicle of the casting slip. The consolidated casting is maintained in the solvent after the organic mold portion has been dissolved so that the dissolved organic material previously forming the mold portion may penetrate into the consolidated casting.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a stabilized rhenium catalyst in which the rhenium does not volatilize away from a catalyst substrate when oxidized to its higher valence state. The rhenium is protected by having sufficient refractory oxide available on the catalyst substrate to trap any higher oxide of rhenium developed when the rhenium is oxidized.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a hermetically sealed alkali metal battery container. Two opposed outer metallic casings are hermetically sealed to a ceramic ring which supports an inner casing of a solid alkali ion-conductive material. The hermetic seal is accomplished by means of annular ridges on metal rings associated with the two outer casings and a pair of washers interposed between the annular ridges and respective top and bottom surfaces of the ceramic ring.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a structure for containing an alkali metal battery. A closed metal housing includes a flange having an opening therethrough. An electronically and ionically insulating ceramic member is bonded to an exterior surface of the metal housing and encircles the opening through the flange thereby to define a passageway which is an extension of the opening. An electrically insulating, cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer has an interior volume and an exterior surface area. The cation-permeable barrier is bonded to the ceramic member in such a manner that the interior volume of the metal housing, the passageway defined by the ceramic member and the interior volume of the cation-permeable barrier form a first closed electrode reaction zone.

Abstract: A method of painting an article with powder paint is disclosed. A first spray zone is established for applying an undercoat of paint on the article. The article is moved through the first spray zone and then the powder paint is fused thereon. A second spray zone is established for applying a topcoat of paint on the article. The article is moved through the second zone of powder paint and then the coating is fused thereon. The overspray from the second spray zone is collected and used as the powder paint in the first spray zone.

Abstract: A locking structure for a pair of matable electrical connectors is disclosed. The locking structure includes a double ramp member formed on one of the connectors and a pair of cantilever beams formed on the other connector. The cantilever beams have cam locking surfaces and cam releasing surfaces thereon which coact with the double ramp member of the other connector to permit mating and unmating of the connectors. During mating of the connectors, the cantilever beams ride up the double ramp member to provide the forces required to ensure proper mating of the connectors. During unmating of the connectors, the cam releasing surfaces of the cantilever beams permit spreading of the cantilever beams and movement around the double ramp member so that the connectors are easily unmated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for widening the range of air-fuel ratios over which three-way catalysts having an oxygen storage capacity are operative. Three-way catalysts are operative when new both in oxidizing at least 80% of the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and in reducing 80% of the oxides of nitrogen contained in an exhaust gas stream delivered to the catalysts from an engine. In general, the method is conducted by supplying to the engine to be burned therein an air-fuel mixture in which the fuel to air ratio is varied from a rich condition in which more fuel is present than air to burn it to a lean condition in which less fuel is present than air to burn it. The air-fuel ratio is displaced equal amounts to the rich and to the lean sides from a stoichiometric condition.