Abstract: A process for recovering nickel from spent electroless nickel plating solutions by adjusting the pH of the solution to 10-10.5 with sodium hydroxide, adding ammonium hydroxide to obtain a pH of 11 of the solution, and heating the solution at 40.degree.-50.degree. C. while subjecting the solution to electrolysis to deposit nickel from the spent solution and separating the deposited nickel such that the spent solution may be safely discharged as effluent.

Abstract: A dielectric insert 10 for securing a plurality of electrical connector retention clips 29. The insert 10 includes passages 15 having therein retention clip shoulder housings 17 and an abutment 21 which define a cavity 23 within which a retention clip 29 can be removably mounted. The insert 10 is an integral body molded of a dielectric material. A means for molding the insert 10 through the use of a core pin 53 and a bushing 61 is also disclosed. This insert 10 and the means for molding it are adapted to either the pin contact 33 or the socket contact 43 used in electrical connectors 77 and 77'.

Abstract: An igniter plug having a center electrode and annular electrode with an air gap therebetween is provided having a nickel coating on the tungsten electrode and a portion of the supporting pin therefor, and a collar situate within a portion of the annular electrode to retain a ceramic sleeve within the air gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming brush contacts from spools of wire and holders for angular ended wire segments cut from said wires, has a wire feeding means for feeding spools thereof independently of each other, a cutting device for cutting segments from the wires and feeding the segments to a common collection point where the segments are loaded into the holders provided, and a crimping device for crimping the holder to retain the wires therein without causing flaring of the exposed ends. A checking station is provided to determine whether each brush contact contains the requisite number of wire segments and ejection means to eject defective contacts. The completed contacts are collected in such a manner as to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: An activated solid electrolyte oxygen gas sensing element with increased voltage output, shortened switching time and reduced internal resistance, the sensing element having inner and outer conductive catalyst electrodes thereon, is produced by subjecting the outer surface with the outer electrode to a nonoxidizing atmosphere and applying a direct current to the element while the same is at an elevated temperature, the current being applied with the outer electrode as an anode.

Abstract: An antirotational means to prevent rotation of contacts retained in a dielectric insert during wire wrapping of the noncircular terminals attached thereto comprises a template 31 secured to the grommet of the assembly, the template having a plurality of apertures 35 therein and a plurality of grooves 37 therein cooperating with the apertures 35, and a plurality of locking elements 33 having lugs 41 thereon and a bore 43 therethrough, with the locking elements matable with the apertures of the template while the noncircular terminals 21 extend through the bore 43 to prevent rotation of the terminal 21 and contact 7, retained with a dielectric insert 3, during wire wrapping of the terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly that is readily coupled or uncoupled is provided with means for retarding premature uncoupling thereof. The connector assembly comprises a first shell 100 having a flange 140 thereabout and bosses 111 on the periphery thereof adjacent the flange, and a coupling nut 300 that has stop members 311 on the inner wall thereof. A spring 500 is situate between the flange 140 of the first shell 100 and the end wall 305 of the coupling nut, with the stop members preventing rotational movement of the spring 500 relative to the coupling nut 300, while the bosses 111 retard movement of the spring 500 relative to the first shell 100.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly, wherein contacts contained therein are shielded from electromagnetic interference. A coupling nut 300 unites a first metal shell 100 having a flange 140 thereabout, with the flange 140 having a first groove 180 formed in the face thereof, and a cooperating groove 190 formed about the periphery of the front section of the shell 100, and a second metal shell 200 having an end wall 220. A metal to metal contact is assured between the flange 140 of the first shell 100 and the end wall 220 of the second shell by means of a resilient metal strap 500 positioned with said grooves, with the leg portion 510 in first groove 180 in contact with the end wall 220 and the stem portion 520 situated in cooperating groove 190 contacting the front section of the first shell 100 and front section of the second shell 200. The strap 500 is preferably formed with grooves 530 therein, adjacent grooves 530 extending from opposite sides of the strap to give the strap 500 a sinuous shape.

Abstract: A sealing grommet for sealing the wires extending from contacts, retained in a dielectric insert of an electrical connector assembly, to protect the contacts from moisture. The sealing grommet 19 has a plurality of axial passages 33 therethrough which communicate with axial bores 7 in the dielectric insert 3 which contains the contacts 5, and wires 27 pass through the passages 33. First sealing webs 37 and second sealing webs 39 extend inwardly from wall 35 towards the axis of the passages 33 and provide a moisture seal for contacts 5 contained within the insert 3 while providing for use of wires of varying diameters in a single grommet.

Abstract: A temperature compensated resistive oxygen sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. On the surface of the sensor there are disposed in spaced relation three electrodes. One electrode and a portion of a second electrode is completely covered by a layer of a resistive material which is sensitive to changes in temperature. Another layer of resistive material which is sensitive to both changes in temperature and changes in the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas to which it is exposed covers the first resistive layer as well as the third electrode and the remaining portion of the second electrode. It is also a feature of the present invention that these layers are applied by shielding part of the surface of the sensor and applying the first layer by a hot thin-layer technique and by removing the shield and applying the second layer also by a hot thin-layer technique.

Abstract: A temperature compensated oxygen sensor has a generally cylindrical first insulator with an axial bore extending therethrough which is counterbored at one end. A second cylindrical insulator is retained in the bore in the first insulator either by a radial inwardly directed flange on the second end of the first insulator or by a radial outwardly directed flange on one end of the second insulator which seats in the counterbore of the first insulator. A titania resistor and a compensating resistor are mounted on the second end of the second insulator by leads extending through longitudinal bores in a second cylindrical insulator and into the counterbore in the first insulator. The leads are connected to terminals which are retained in the counterbore either by a chemical bonding agent or by a third cylindrical insulator through which the terminals extend. The third insulator can be secured either by mechanical means and/or by a chemical bonding agent including a glass preform.

Abstract: The helical compression spring which completes the electrical circuit between the interior surface of a tubular ion conductive solid electrolyte gas sensing element closed at one end, and an electrical terminal retained in spaced relation to the open end of the sensing element is close wound adjacent the end exposed to temperatures which would cause open coils of the spring to relax and has a compressed length sufficient to maintain a preselected minimum force against the terminal and sensing element over the full range of operating temperatures to which the sensor is exposed. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, this spring is provided with a closely wound portion at each end so that the sensor can be assembled by inserting the spring either end first.

Abstract: An activated oxygen gas sensor element having an increased voltage output under rich gas conditions, short switching response and reduced internal resistance is produced by chemically treating the inner conductive catalyst electrode of the sensor element with an inorganic acid or acid salt and current activating the outer conductive catalyst electrode by applying a direct current to the sensor element, with the outer electrode as a cathode, while the outer electrode is at an elevated temperature and in the presence of a neutral or inert atmosphere. Air may be used as the atmosphere in contact with the outer electrode during the current activation provided that the sensor is subjected to a subsequent reheating step to provide the desired results.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte oxygen gas sensor element 1 comprises an electrolyte body 3 having electrodes 7 and 11 on the outer and inner surfaces 5 and 9 thereof, with the inner surface 9 having a protective means 13 thereon to protect the same from contact with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases so as to provide a substantially zero oxygen reference for the inner surface. The protective means 13 can comprise a coating, or a packing within a tubular electrolyte body, of carbon or a metal which forms an oxide that is stable at the operating temperature of the oxygen sensor element.

Abstract: An activated oxygen gas sensor element having an increased voltage output under rich gas conditions, short switching response and reduced internal resistance is produced by chemically treating the inner conductive catalyst electrode of the sensor element with an inorganic acid or acid salt and current activating the outer conductive catalyst electrode by applying a direct current to the sensor element, with the outer electrode as an anode, while the outer electrode is at an elevated temperature and in the presence of a nonoxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A wide range combustion mixture air/fuel ratio sensor in which an electrochemical cell supplies hydrogen gas to a palladium sensor element at a rate regulated by the output of a Wheatstone bridge circuit incorporating the sensor element. This generated hydrogen gas combines with any oxygen present in the exhaust gas through catalytic action and also maintains the level of absorbed hydrogen, and therefore the electrical resistance of the palladium sensor element, at a preselected value. The magnitude of the current applied to the electrochemical cell necessary to maintain this balance is a measure of the combustion mixture air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte oxygen sensing device, and a method for making the same, wherein an electrolyte wafer is sealed within a ceramic insulator by the shrinkage of the ceramic insulator when it is fired. The wafer is formed from an electrolytic material and is fired. The vitrified wafer is placed in a recess in the unfired ceramic insulator and the insulator is then fired, with the resulting shrinkage of the insulator material sealing the wafer in place.