Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.

Abstract: Process for distillatively separating a liquid mixture containing at least two miscible volatile components having different boiling points using low-grade heat and, if necessary, low-grade cooling. Distillation is carried out at a pressure sufficiently low to cause the mixture at the bottom of the distillation column to boil below the temperature of the low-grade heat supplied and condensation of at least a portion of the vapor fraction is carried out at a pressure which permits using available cooling liquid. Condensed liquid is returned as reflux to the distillation column at a temperature and pressure essentially equal to the temperature and pressure prevailing near the top of the column. The progressive increase of vapor recompression in the system makes it possible to provide an increasing proportion of the energy to the system in the form of electrical energy, up to the total energy requirement.

Abstract: A vehicle suitable for delivering a xenobiotic to a mammalian host to beneficially alter the pharmacodynamics (e.g., plasma kinetics, chemotherapeutic effectiveness, toxicity, oral absorption, tissue distribution, metabolism and the like) of the xenobiotic. The delivery vehicle is in the form of microreservoirs formed of a phospholipid constituent and a phospholipid-immiscible constituent. Xenobiotic binding agents and release agents may be added. Methods for preparing the microreservoirs containing the xenobiotic and for administering a xenobiotic to beneficially alter its pharmacodynamics are disclosed.

Abstract: Screen printing stencils are prepared by afixing to a printing screen substrate an indicia-defining, ultraviolet-sensitive film and cross-linking the film by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The coating compositions used to form the film comprise copolyacrylate/polyurethane block copolymers, in which the copolyacrylate blocks are copolymers of at least one hydroxy-containing acrylate and at least one acrylate or methacrylate which may be partially substituted with bromine, ultraviolet initiators and cross-linking monomers. Screen printing stencils are provided which are compatible with both water-based and oil-based inks. The disclosed screen printing stencils are used in improved screen-printing methods.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing heavy metals as sulfides from aqueous liquids. The aqueous liquid is introduced into a circulating liquid loop wherein there are established a mixing zone, a controlled precipitation initiating zone, a crystal growing zone and a crystal settling zone. The aqueous feed liquid containing H.sub.2 S dissolved therein and at a pH below that at which the sulfide is precipitated is mixed in the loop with a pH-adjusting liquid; and the degree of supersaturation with respect to the metal sulfide is maintained within the controlled precipitation initiating and crystal growing zones in the metastable condition so that the growth rate of the metal sulfide crystals remains greater than under uncontrolled conditions vis-a-vis the nucleation rate to effect the production of metal sulfide crystals of a character which makes it possible to separate them through clarification and filtration.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate in which the oleophilic imaging areas are formed as a thin cross-linked block copolymer film adhered to the hydrophilic surface of a backing plate. The block copolymer comprises blocks of copolyacrylate and polyurethane wherein the copolyacrylate blocks are a copolymer of a hydroxy-containing acrylate and a second acrylate component comprising one or more esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or mixtures thereof and the polyurethane blocks are formed of polyoxybutylene as the prepolymer component. In forming the printing plate the block copolymer is deposited as a thin film containing an ultraviolet initiator and a cross linking promoter and the cross-linked imaging areas are formed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering a precious metal, either as pure metal or in alloyed form, from a bimetallic material in which the precious metal is mechanically bonded to a base material comprising at least one base metal, e.g., copper, brass or bronze. The base material is leached off with an ammoniacal solution of an ammonium salt, preferably ammonium carbonate, using a leaching liquid containing reactive oxygen. The base metal or metals are recovered as metal compounds by thermally decomposing the resulting pregnant leach liquor; and the ammonia and ammonium salt are reconstituted for recycling. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for recovering karat gold from filled gold scrap.

Abstract: A thrust bearing/coupling component for use in scroll-type apparatus which may be a compressor, expander, fluid pump or vacuum pump. The resulting apparatus is particularly suited for use as auxiliary equipment in automotive power systems. The component of this invention comprises rotating or oscillating load carrying members, preferably ball bearings, confined within facing indentations cut in the orbiting scroll member end plate surface and an associated surface in a member stationary with respect to the orbiting scroll member. The thrust bearing/coupling component couples the stationary and orbiting scroll members in a predetermined angular relationship and it may be used to carry either expansive or compressive axial loads on the scroll members to achieve efficient radial sealing of the moving scroll fluid pockets while controlling surface wearing so that the scroll apparatus may be operated for an extended period of time without servicing.

Abstract: Screen printing stencils are prepared by affixing to a printing screen substrate an indicia-defining, ultraviolet-sensitive film and cross-linking the film by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The coating compositions used to form the film comprise copolyacrylate/polyurethane block copolymers, in which the copolyacrylate blocks are copolymers of at least one hydroxy-containing acrylate and at least one acrylate or methacrylate which may be partially substituted with bromine, ultraviolet initiators and cross-linking monomers. Screen printing stencils are provided which are compatible with both water-based and oil-based inks. The disclosed screen printing stencils are used in improved screen-printing methods.

Abstract: In an integral storage collector solar heating system, water heated in a conventional hot water heater is first preheated in an integral storage collector. The storage collector includes a heat storing medium, preferably clean water, in a storage tank. Water to be heated is forced by line pressure through heat exchange pipes immersed in the heat storing water. The heat of fusion of the storing water prevents freezing of the line water. To preclude excessive pressure in the heat storage tank with high temperatures of the heat storing water, a heat pipe is provided to act as a large heat leak at about the vaporization temperature of the water. Also, a pressure relief valve is provided. The system avoids freezing and contamination of the water and does not require temperature control circuitry or a pump.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate in which the oleophilic imaging areas are formed as a thin cross-linked block copolymer film adhered to the hydrophilic surface of a backing plate. The block copolymer comprises blocks of copolylacrylate and polyurethane wherein the copolyacrylate blocks are a copolymer of a hydroxy-containing acrylate and a second acrylate component comprising one or more esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or mixtures thereof and the polyurethane blocks are formed of polyoxybutylene as the prepolymer component. In forming the printing plate the block copolymer is deposited as a thin film containing an ultraviolet initiator and a cross linking promoter and the cross-linked imaging areas are formed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the angular velocity and speed of a rotating shaft comprises charge storage elements for storing charge. The charge storage elements are capable of being coupled to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis at an angular speed or velocity related to the speed or velocity of the shaft. A charging brush and discharging brush are positioned relative to the charge storage elements so that the charging brush can charge the charge storage elements at a first predetermined angular position of the latter about the axis and the discharging brush can discharge the charge from the charge storage elements at a second predetermined angular position of the latter about the axis.

Abstract: A swim fin which achieves increased efficiency by increasing drive (forward propulsive thrust) and decreasing effort (resistance to vertical motion) to provide a greater drive-to-effort ratio. The blade of the fin which is pivotally mounted to the foot section along a pivot line aft of the leading edge of the blade, has a reversible effective streamlining camber. These features in combination with a large open flow passage defined between the toe portion and blade make possible the attainment of efficient propulsion through vertical motion of the legs of the wearer of the swim fins.

Abstract: Screen printing stencils are prepared by affixing to a printing screen substrate an indicia-defining, ultraviolet-sensitive film and cross-linking the film by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The coating compositions used to form the film comprise copolyacrylate/polyurethane block copolymers, in which the copolyacrylate blocks are copolymers of at least one hydroxy-containing acrylate and at least one acrylate or methacrylate which may be partially substituted with bromine, ultraviolet initiators and cross-linking monomers. Screen printing stencils are provided which are compatible with both water-based and oil-based inks. The disclosed screen printing stencils are used in improved screen-printing methods.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transporting coal in finely divided form in a coal/liquid slurry. Liquid carbon dioxide, which can be formed by burning coal at the coal source point and liquefying the resulting gaseous carbon dioxide, serves as the slurry liquid. The slurry is pumped through a slurry pipeline to the coal use point under conditions of temperature and pressure to maintain the carbon dioxide in liquefied form. Subsequent to deslurrying, the coal-free carbon dioxide can be liquefied and returned through a liquid pipeline to the coal source point for reuse. The use of liquid carbon dioxide as a slurry medium is also applicable to transporting other finely divided solids such as ores and the like.

Abstract: Axial compliance/sealing means are provided for scroll-type apparatus. These means comprise seal elements associated with the involute wraps which are urged by an axial force to make sealing contact with the end plates of the opposing scroll members. A two-sided channel open to the centerline of the apparatus is cut in the contacting end of each wrap; and within the channel is positioned a seal element for making sealing contact with the surface of the end plate of the opposing or complementary scroll member. The seal element is compressively loaded toward the back of the channel and axially loaded toward the opposing end plate.

Abstract: Refractory tubings, either in amorphous, polycrystalline or single crystal form, are made by moving a preformed tubing of a refractory material and a heated zone relative to each other, the heating zone providing sufficient heat to melt through the tubing and form a molten ring which is continuously advanced through the tubing. The heat source may be located externally or internally of the tubing wall or in both positions. The tubings may be formed as single crystals by using appropriate seeds; and by controlling the rate of movement of the tubing sections on either side of the molten ring the wall thickness and diameter of the final tubing may be adjusted.

Abstract: Peripherally-driven scroll apparatus. The orbiting scroll member is attached through radially-compliant linking means to eccentrics mounted on three equally spaced crankshafts to accommodate differential thermal expansion without the generation of any appreciable elastic forces to increase bearing loads. Means are provided to prevent axial deflections in the stationary scroll members while permitting their supports to be designed and constructed for strength rather than stiffness. The apparatus may be staged and employed as a compressor or expander.

Abstract: A liquid immersible scroll pump in which all of the pump components including electric motor drive means are contained within a housing and through which the liquid is pumped at a controlled predetermined pressure. Hydraulic pressure within the pump provides sufficient axial force on the scroll members to enhance radial sealing as well as the tangential sealing of the flanks of the scroll wraps. The pump is particularly suited for low-cost mass production and may be used as a fuel pump, either immersed in the fuel tank of an automobile or mounted outside the tank, to provide fuel under pressure through a line to the engine.

Abstract: A lubricant for forming a ferrous metal blank into a preselected configuration by warm- or hot-forming procedures. The lubricant is an alkali-modified borate glass containing a minor mole percent of an alkali metal oxide, preferably sodium oxide. The glass is formed in situ on the surface to be lubricated by depositing on the surface a glass-forming mixture of a source of boron oxide and an alkali metal borate and then heating the mixture to form the glass.