Abstract: An apparatus for casting magnesium based alloy containing dispersed magnesium intermetallic phases comprises scraping means and shielding means to form a semi-closed chamber around a casting nozzle. Gas supply means is provided for supplying inert gas to the chamber.

Abstract: A reaction mechanism for use in a vacuum brake booster (10). A lever (86) transfers a reaction force from a first plunge (64) into a second plunger (110) to provide an operator with an indication of the output force being produced in response to an input force. A resilient member (118) urges a first connecting member (116) into engagement with the lever (86). When a predetermined input force is applied, the reaction force overcomes the resilient member (118) and thereafter allows the input force to be directly transmitted through a second connecting member (122) and added to the output force.

Abstract: A housing and stowage mechanism for a terminal key board and data display. A rectangular housing mounted vertically on a wall has a front face hinged along the lower edge for opening to a horizontal position. A keyboard is mounted on the upper portion of the housing face interiorly of the housing. A data display panel is pivotally suspended from the lower edge of the keyboard. A mechanism activated by the front face engages the lower edge of the display panel and elevates the panel to an angle inclined for convenient viewing when the front face is lowered to a horizontal position.

Abstract: The master cylinder (10) comprises a housing (12) having a longitudinal bore (14), an end (24) enclosed by a bearing member (18) which retains a sleeve member (20) within the bore (14), a reservoir (70) mounted on the housing (12) and a pair of pistons (30, 40) slidably received within the bore (14), one piston (30) extending through the end (24) of the sleeve member (20). The one piston (30) has a reduced diameter end (32) which provides seating for a fast fill valving mechanism (110). The fast fill valving mechanism (110) comprises a fast fill seal (120) having a flexible arm (122) engaging an interior surface of the sleeve member (20) and the sleeve member (20) having longitudinal grooves (22) adjacent the arm (122), a fast fill spring member (140) trapped between the fast fill seal (120) and a land member (130), the land member (130) having pockets (132) covered by the fast fill spring member (140) and the pockets (132) communicating with passages (133) in the land member (130).

Abstract: The invention is an improved anti-lock braking system in which the conventional brake switch operable in response to movement of the brake pedal is utilized by the electronic control of the anti-lock brake system to generate a control signal. The isolation and build valves of one hydraulic circuit are energized in response to the control signal to connect a wheel cylinder to the booster of the braking system.

Abstract: A flame retardant polyamide is prepared and used to make a flame retardant carpet. The polyamide fiber has incorporated therein 0.01 to 2.9 weight percent zinc, 0.002 to 0.58 weight percent molybdenum, and 0.05 to 1.3 weight percent chlorine, and is made from a masterbatch containing 1 to 20 percent of the polyamide in the extruded fiber.

Abstract: A proportioning valve assembly (10, 130) in a housing (12) is pressure responsive to control the flow of fluid to a wheel brake cylinder. The proportioning valve assembly (10, 130) includes a movable retainer (50) coupled with a differential piston (30) for movement therewith, a stationary retainer (70) mounted by the housing (12) and surrounding a second piston (80) having an enlarged diameter portion (88) that defines with an end (11, 16) of the housing (12) a chamber (90). The second piston (80) has a poppet (84) extending into an interior opening (54) of the movable retainer (50), the movable retainer (50) supporting a seal (56) disposed about the extension (82) of the second piston (80). The seal (56) is positioned for closing an opening (73) of the stationary retainer (70) through which the second piston (80) extends.

Abstract: In an electric printed circuit board assembly a printed circuit board (1) has a cut-out (2) along an edge for receiving an edge loaded multi-contact electrical connector (3) the connector having a part which lies along the surface opposite to that engaged by the contacts and end grooves (6, 7) for receiving the end edge parts (8, 9) of the cut-out having inwardly directed detents (13) for engaging recesses (16) of the board and affording snap-in planar loading of the connector to the board.

Abstract: Alcoholic beverages may be passed through a reverse osmosis system to form a permeate and a retentate. The permeate will comprise mainly alcohol and water and will be removed as will a minor portion of the retentate which is recovered as product. The major portion of the retentate is recycled back to the reverse osmosis system to admix with fresh beverage and added water. The product will comprise a beverage containing a lower alcoholic content than was possessed by the fresh beverage. The semipermeable membrane which is utilized in the reverse osmosis process will possess a chloride ion rejection rate greater than about 80% at 400 pounds per square inch net pressure.

Abstract: The electric power assistance actuating mechanism comprises an input member (12) connected to a sun gear (14) of a planetary gear mechanism (20), with a sleeve member (55) slidably disposed about the input member (12) and keyed for rotation therewith. A carrier member (25) of the planetary gear mechanism (20) includes a flexible plunger (70) which extends radially inwardly to engage a helical slot (61) of predetermined length in the sleeve member (55), the sleeve member (55) disposed between two springs (57) which effect a central or neutral position of the sleeve member (55) on the input member (12) when the flexible plunger (70) is not disposed in the helical slot (61). The sleeve member (55) has a connecting link (59) with a position sensor (60) which operates responsively to axial displacement of the sleeve member (55). An electric motor (40) has a worm gear (33) connected to the outer periphery of a ring gear (19) of the planetary gear mechanism (20).

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a V.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, Zr, Ti, Hf, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0-5 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a distinctive microstructure which is at least about 50% composed of a generally spherical, intermetallic O-phase.Particles composed of the alloys of the invention can be heated in a vacuum and compacted to form a consolidated metal article have high strength and good ductility at both room temperature and at elevated temperatures of about 350.degree. C. The consolidated article is composed of an aluminum solid solution phase containing a substantially uniform distribution of dispersed intermetallic phase precipitates therein.

Abstract: Carbon fluoride and metal are co-deposited from an electroless plating bath onto a suitable solid, forming a thin surface layer having low surface energy and good lubricity. Carbon fluoride particles having an average size from 0.2 to 8 .mu.m are dispersed in an aqueous solution using 0.5 to 2 volume percent of surfactants comprising a nonionic surfactant having an HLB number of 10 to 20, optionally including up to a maximum 20% of a cationic surfactant based on the amount of nonionic surfactant used. Sufficient presuspended carbon fluoride particles are combined with an electroless metal plating bath to provide 1-50 grams of carbon fluoride per liter of the bath.

Abstract: A compressed air system includes an air compressor the inlet of which is communicated to the vehicle engine turbocharger. The outlet of the air compressor is communicated through an air dryer to a storage reservoir. A governor is responsive to the pressure level in the reservoir to generate an unloading signal unloading the air compressor when the pressure in the reservoir attains a predetermined value. The unloading signal is also communicated through a control valve to purge the air dryer during compressor unloading. The control valve closes communication between the governor and the air dryer to trap a predetermined pressure level in the purge volume of the air dryer to prevent the air dryer from purging to atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, a predetermined air pressure level is maintained in the purge volume, so that the outlet of the turbocharger can never be communicated to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A partially-transparent, noble-metal protective overcoat is provided to a front-surface silver reflector. The overcoat, preferably of gold, may be applied by vacuum-deposition or electrodeposition. Optimum overcoat thickness is the minimum required to protect the reflector in the environment of its intended use. The overcoated reflector of this invention is particularly well suited for the surface of a laser pump cavity.

Abstract: A multi-layer luminescent screen includes a luminescent crystalline sublayer and a faceted overlayer. The faceted overlayer causes the emission from the screen of a greater fraction of the luminescence than would otherwise be the case. The screens, which are typically cathodoluminescent, find application in computer displays, lithography, and flying spot scanners.

Abstract: A single crystal of rare-earth-doped lanthanum beryllate, whose crystal orientation is suitably chosen, provides a laser medium whose index of refraction is substantially independent of temperature. A laser using such a crystal as the laser medium displays little or no thermal lensing, thus permitting high power operation without wavefront distortion.

Abstract: The brake assembly (10, 110, 210) comprises a caliper housing (14, 114, 214) having a bore (26, 226) with a first piston (30, 230) slidably received therein. The first piston (30, 230) includes a recess (34, 234) receiving the head (52, 252) of a longitudinally extending rod (50, 250), the head (52) displaced from a surface (35) of the recess (34) by a resilient mechanism (37). The piston (30, 230) has a first seal (40, 240) disposed thereabout. The longitudinally extending rod (50) has an end (54) with a second seal (60) disposed thereabout, the end (54) received slidably within a tube (70) having a flange (72). The flange (72) of the tube (70) has a first spring (80, 180) located thereabout, the first spring (80, 180) biasing tube (70) away from a second piston (90) positioned about the tube (70) and rod (50 ).

Abstract: A mixture of CFC-113 and CFC-123 and/or CFC-123a where CFC-123 or CFC-123a is a significant portion of the total composition has been found to result in improved blowing agent performance in phenol-formaldehyde foams compared to CFC-113.The use of CFC-123 (or CFC-123a, or both), in combination with CFC-113 improves resole resin solubility and mixed ingredient solution stability, prior to foaming. In addition, because of the lower molecular weight of CFC-123 (or CFC-123a) compared to CFC-113 better blowing agent efficiency will be realized per unit weight. Also, the lower boiling points of CFC-123 and CFC-123a as compared to CFC-113 results in a more ready conversion of dissolved blowing agent to released gaseous blowing agent by the exothermic phenolic resin polymerization. And because of the lower molecular weight and lower boiling point factors, a lower density foam is realized.

Abstract: A solenoid control valve for use in adaptive braking systems has a unique armature for reducing the operating times of the valve. When the solenoid is energized, the armature moves towards a plunger mechanism which operates to open a ball valve in the inlet of the solenoid control valve. When the solenoid is de-energized, a first spring bias means operates to close the ball valve stopping the flow of the fluid from the source to a hydraulic means. The unique armature has at least one axially extending passageway from one end surface to the other and in addition has a circular groove intersecting the passageway on the top surface of the armature abutting the plunger to provide a relief means to reduce surface adhesion.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol of molecular weight over 500,000 (i.e. 1,500,000 to 2,500,000) is spun as a dilute solution (2-15%) in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as glycerin. The resultant gel fiber is extracted with a volatile solvent such as methanol and dried. Upon stretching at one or more stages during the process, fibers of tenacity above 10 g/denier and modulus above 200 g/denier (e.g. 18 and 450, respectively) are produced.