Abstract: To increase the sturdiness and precision of a double-edged milling cutter having a single cutting tip, the cutting tip is inserted in a recess of a milling cutter body, with the recess being constituted by two spaced-apart opposite sidewalls. One sidewall is designed as a rigid sidewall. By way of a cavity extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the milling cutter body, the thickness of the other sidewall is locally reduced across the entire width thereof, so that it is "elastic". The cutting tip is fixed between the two sidewalls by means of a mounting screw.

Abstract: A method for evaluating constituents of a sample of substantially undiluted anti-coagulated whole blood is provided which includes the steps of a) providing a sample chamber; b) admixing a sensible colorant with the sample of whole blood; c) inserting the admixed sample into the sample chamber; d) quiescently holding the admixed sample for a period until rouleaux and lacunae form within the sample; and e) evaluating a target constituent disposed within the lacunae.

Abstract: The effluent gas stream from anaerobic waste water treatment digesters is treated to remove trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants. The chemical equation involved relies on the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen to form water plus elemental sulfur. The removal system includes a variable control line for adding air to the effluent gas stream; a filter for removing solids, entrained liquids and bacteria from the oxygen-enriched gas stream; a blower for directing the filtered gas stream into a potassium promoted activated carbon bed wherein the above chemical reaction takes place; and sensors for measuring the content of oxygen and hydrogen sulfide at the entrance and exit of the activated carbon bed. When the hydrogen sulfide content of the exiting gas stream exceeds a predetermined level, the amount of air added to the gas stream is increased until the predetermined level of hydrogen sulfide is achieved in the exiting gas stream.

Abstract: High speed machining of parts is greatly enhanced when the axial alignment between the machining tool, its tool holder assembly, and a tool driver assembly can be precisely maintained, preferably within about one ten thousandths of an inch, in order to achieve the utmost in machining precision in the parts being machined. In order to maintain this desired degree of alignment, the machining tool is mounted in an angularly adjustable holder assembly which mates with a complementary socket that forms a part of the tool driver assembly. The tool holder assembly can also be used to move the tool radially sideways in a rectilinear fashion relative to the tool driver assembly, if desired. The tool holder assembly, besides being able to adjust the alignment of the tool relative to the tool driver assembly, is also operative to securely clamp the tool to the tool driver assembly.

Abstract: Centrifuged material layer volumes are measured and quantified during centrifugation of the material layers. The material layers are differentially highlighted, preferably by means of one or more fluorescent dyes or stains which are admixed with the sample being analyzed. This kinetic quantification procedure is particularly useful in performing differential blood cell and platelet counts. The blood sample is centrifuged while being subjected to a strobed light source. At least one photometric cell layer compaction measurement is made in conjunction with the light flashes so as to record a degree of cell layer compaction as the sample is being centrifuged. In certain cases, after several successive cell layer compaction readings are derived, a compaction curve is identified and the ultimate degree of cell layer compaction is calculated from the derived compaction curve prior to the achievement of the ultimate degree of cell layer compaction.

Abstract: A sample of anticoagulated whole blood contained in a transparent tube is centrifuged so as to gravimetrically separate the various blood cell and other components by specific gravity. The tube may contain an insert or float which serves to elongate certain of the separated component layers. The various component layers may be periodically measured during the centrifugation step by a linear image dissector which can detect differential fluorescence in the several component layers. The blood component layers are caused to fluoresce by flashes of light which are directed toward the blood sample tube as the latter is being centrifuged. The gravimetric separation and quantification of blood sample constituent layers are thus both performed while the sample remains in the centrifuge.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell device with an internal water management and transfer system includes a plurality of adjacently arranged proton exchange membrane assemblies including a proton exchange membrane component; a pair of porous anode and cathode catalyst layers situated on either side of the proton exchange membrane; and porous plate assemblies interposed between and in contact with each of the adjacent proton exchange membrane assemblies. Oxidant gas is supplied to oxidant gas supply channels, and fuel gas to fuel gas supply channels formed in the porous plate assemblies for distribution to the cathode and anode catalyst layers, respectively. A water coolant circulating system is formed in each of the porous plate assemblies and causes each of the porous plate assemblies to become saturated with coolant water. The reactant flow fields are pressurized to a pressure which exceeds the coolant water circulating pressure by a selected .DELTA.

Abstract: A fuel gas selective oxidizer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a series of repeating components, each of which includes a plurality of separate selective oxidizer gas passages and a plurality of adjacent coolant passages. The selective oxidizer gas and coolant passages are preferably formed by corrugated metal sheets which are interposed between planar metal sheets. One of the planar metal sheets forms a common wall between the selective oxidizer gas passages and the coolant passages so as to provide enhanced heat transfer between the reformate gas in the selective oxidizer gas passages and the coolant. Each of the components includes a first outer planar metal sheet, a medial planar metal sheet, and a second outer planar metal sheet. Each of the planar metal sheets is separated from the next by the corrugated metal gas and coolant passage sheets.

Abstract: A craft, such as an aircraft, landcraft, watercraft, space craft, or the like, is provided with a power transfer system which ensures an uninterrupted supply of electrical power to on board electrical equipment during normal switching from one power supply to another i.e., switching which is not due to system failure, which switching may be initiated either manually by the pilot, or automatically by the system. The power transfer system can be used with separate DC power sources, and includes a split bus assembly which ensures a continuous electrical equipment supply from a first operating power source until after a second different power source has been energized and begun to supply operating power to the electrical equipment in question. Once the second power supply is brought on line, the first power supply can be shut down. The system can be used when switching between different on board power supplies or when switching between on board and external power supplies.

Abstract: Solid polymer membrane fuel cell product water which forms on the oxidant side of the membrane is removed from the active area of the cells in a fuel cell power plant by being absorbed into and wicked away from the active area by a porous carbon body which contacts the membrane. The carbon body may be an oxidant reactant flow field plate. The pores in the carbon body are partially filled with metal oxide granules which impart increased wettability and water absorption capacity to the carbon body.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: Centrifuged anticoagulated blood samples are analyzed under magnification in a centrifuge tube containing a layer-elongating insert, which tube is placed on a calibrated slide. The slide includes a slot in which the tube is placed. A calibrated scale is disposed adjacent to the slot for use in measuring various blood sample parameters, such as hematocrit, platelet count, and the like. Anemia and/or low platelet counts are indicative of potentially serious complications of malaria. Their detection will prompt a physician to consider the liklihood of serious illness due to malaria. The presence or absence of blood-borne parasites can also be determined using the procedures of this invention. Thus the device allows a blood sample to be analyzed for malarial parasites, and also allows measurement of hematicrit and platelet counts.

Abstract: The gas stream which is produced in and emanates from landfills, anaerobic digesters and other waste gas streams, is treated to produce a purified gas which is essentially a hydrocarbon such as methane and which can be used as the fuel source in a fuel cell power plant. The gas stream passes through a simplified purification system which removes essentially all of the sulfur compounds, hydrogen sulfide, and halogen compounds from the gas stream. The resultant gas stream can be used to power a fuel cell power plant which produces electricity, or as a hydrocarbon fuel gas for other applications.

Abstract: Ammonia which is found in fuel cell fuel gases is removed therefrom by passing the fuel gas stream through a scrubber bed of porous carbon pellets containing phosphoric acid. The ammonia reacts with the phosphoric acid in the scrubber bed to form ammonium phosphate compounds which remain in the scrubber bed. The ammonia content of the fuel gas stream is thus lowered to a concentration of about one ppm or less. By maintaining the temperature of the fuel gas stream passing through the scrubber bed in a range of about 400.degree. F. to about 450.degree. F. sufficient phosphoric acid will also be evaporated from the scrubber bed to replace acid electrolyte lost during operation of the power plant. Adjustments in the temperature of the fuel gas flowing through the scrubber may be made in order to match electrolyte losses which occur during different operating phases of the power plant.

Abstract: A transparent capillary tube containing a blood sample, a float, an anticoagulant plus other reagents, is centrifuged in a centrifuge so as to cause the various blood sample constituents such as cells and the like to gravimetrically separate out in the tube. The blood sample is drawn into the tube which already contains the float and reagents. In order to ensure proper mixing of the blood and the reagents in the tube, the tube is periodically centrifuged in opposite directions so that the various formed components in the blood and the float will gravitate first toward one end of the tube and then toward the opposite end of the tube. The tube will preferably be contained in a cassette which is removably positioned on the centrifuge platen.

Abstract: A transparent capillary tube is held in a cassette-type container during blood drawing and blood testing procedures. The cassette protects the capillary tube against breakage; allows the placement of patient and blood sample testing information labels thereon; and allows technicians to draw and test blood samples without having to come into direct contact with the capillary tube, or the blood. Once the blood sample is drawn into the capillary tube, the cassette can be used in the performance of kinetic gravimetric blood cell counts.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: Sulfur and sulfur compounds are removed from a gas stream, such as a hydrocarbon fuel gas stream so as to render the gas stream suitable for use in a fuel cell power plant. Natural gas and recycled hydrogen enters the hydrodesulfurizer assembly at a temperature of about 120.degree. F. The gas stream is heated to a temperature of about 625.degree. F. whereupon it enters a desulfurizing bed formed from a mixture of platinum catalyst deposited on alumina pellets, and a pelletized zinc oxide hydrogen sulfide absorbent. The gas is cooled to an exit temperature of about 525.degree.F. as it passes through the desulfurizer bed. The desulfurizer bed is combined with a shift converter which reduces carbon monoxide in the desulfurized gas stream after the latter has passed through a steam reformer bed.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the sub-assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow return manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly.