Abstract: An aerial surveying method to determine ground contour utilizes a rotating laser beam to establish a horizontal reference plane to which all contour measurements are referred. A stacked-array optical sensor, suspended below the aircraft, is utilized to measure the relative height of the aircraft with respect to the reference plane. A survey track along the ground for the aircraft is determined and the position of the aircraft along the track is continuously measured. The aircraft is flown continuously along the track and repeated altitude measurements of the aircraft are continuously made. The relative height of the aircraft with respect to the laser beam, the altitude of the aircraft above the ground and the position of the aircraft along the survey track are correlated to determine the ground contours.

Abstract: An automatic four-point probe mechanism, containing various sensors, motors, and precision machine parts necessary to accurately and repeatedly lower a four-point resistivity head onto a semi-conductor slice surface is ideally suited for operator independent measurements of semi-conductor resistivity. The automatic four-point probe finds application in quality assurance incoming-outgoing inspections, materials process control, epitaxial in-process control, diffusion in-process control, thin-film process control, and similar applications. In the preferred embodiment, all torsional forces are eliminated from the probe head, thus avoiding scratch damage to the semi-conductor surface and providing for uniform depth penetration of the probe into the semi-conductor surface and great repeatability of test readings.

Abstract: Raw coal containing sulfur impurities and water is ground in a vapor-tight extraction zone in contact with a combustible sulfur solvent at an elevated temperature. An extraction mixture slurry is formed which includes a liquid component comprising the solvent and sulfur impurities and a solid component comprising the comminuted, extracted coal. The liquid and solid components of the slurry are separated. At least a portion of the liquid component is preferably treated to separate sulfur. The liquid component is recycled to the extraction zone.If the solid slurry component has an undesirably high pyrite content, it is then reacted with a reagent to decompose the pyrites to water-soluble sulfur compounds and the reaction mixture is washed with water.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for the extraction of broadhead and field point arrowheads from objects in which they are embedded by removing the shaft from the arrowheads, securing the extractor tool directly onto an embedded arrowhead, and applying pressure so as to draw the arrowhead directly out of the object in which it is embedded.

Abstract: A new article of manufacture consisting of a metal crystal which is macrocrystalline, unicrystalline and columnar. The crystal consists of a single prime particle bounded by at least two sets of distinguishable (hkl) planes specific to the metal which are determined by the internal crystal structure. The crystal orientation is such that another (hkl) plane specific to the metal is perpendicular to the long axis of the crystal. The sets of planes define a plurality of parallel, non-coplanar macroscopic facets, which microscopically are crystallographic step-growth surfaces.A process for producing a product metal from a solution of metal values is disclosed. Crystals of the product metal in a pregnant solution of the metal values are supplied with electrons to preferentially reduce product metal ions in the locus of the crystals to product metal.

Abstract: A vacuum-chuck having no expensive, complex rotary unions in the vacuum lines maintains its vacuum by maintaining the surfaces which rotate with respect to each other in intimate contact with a glabrous, self-lubricating element. The vacuum is communicated to said revolving surfaces through openings in said element.

Abstract: In forming foundation piers in the earth, a slurry of earth support material such as bentonite clay is mixed under high shear mixing conditions and introduced into the hole as drilling thereof progresses to provide lateral support for the side walls of the hole. Plastic concrete is then injected into the hole, displacing the slurry upwardly until the hole is filled with concrete to the desired level.The slurry may be recovered for reuse in drilling and forming another foundation pier.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing and disposing of a single surgical blade. The cartridge is specially adapted for machine loading of the blade. The cartridge includes an elongate open-top box with means for receiving and positioning the blade in a curved position to accept the mating boss of a scalpel handle. The box also includes means for stripping a used blade from the scalpel handle and retaining it within the box for disposal. A cover member for the open top of the box is provided. The cover member has downwardly projecting positioning studs which cooperate with mating recesses in the side walls of the box to position the cover on the open top of the box.

Abstract: An improved drivehead for an automatic swimming pool cleaning system includes a circular wheel member mounted for free rotation around a platform member. The platform member carries a water jet nozzle which urges the wheel member into rolling contact with and along the sides of the pool. A flexible water supply hose connects the platform member to a pressurized pool water inlet. The water jet nozzle and supply hose cooperate, when the drivehead encounters an obstruction, to cause the platform member to rotate within the outer wheel member to move the drivehead around the obstruction.

Abstract: A new article of manufacture consisting of a crystal of copper which is macrocrystalline, unicrystalline, columnar and consists of a single prime particle bounded by at least two sets of distinguishable planes which are determined by the internal crystal structure. These planes are cube faces, i.e., (100) type planes in the crystal and define surface facets which are parallel, non-coplanar, crystallographic step-growth surfaces. The crystal orientation is such that a (110) plane is perpendicular to the long axis of the crystal with a (111) plane lying perpendicular to the smallest cross-section thereof.

Abstract: Hydroponic nutrient solution is fed to a growing bed by means of a pump withdrawing liquid nutrient solution from a supply reservoir located below the bed. The nutrient solution is rapidly drained from the bed when the pump is de-energized through a dump valve having no moving parts which bypasses the solution draining from the bed directly into the supply reservoir. The dump valve consists of a hollow body having at least one drain aperture. A stream of nutrient solution under pressure passes through a nozzle in the inlet of the valve body and is discharged into the outlet of the valve body. When the pump is de-energized, a major portion of the solution draining from the growing bed passes through the aperture and drains directly into the reservoir.