Abstract: A rotary power device for use in conjunction with tensioning mechanism of safety devices for the protection of passengers in vehicles and the like. The preferred embodiment disclosed is used for tensioning safety belts of a vehicle passenger restraint system in response to predetermined experienced deceleration such as occur in an accident situation. The rotary power device includes a rotary piston guided in a helically wound guide track such that the piston moves both rotatably and axially in response to compressed gas forces against a pressure face which extends in a plane containing the axis of rotation of the piston. A coupling bushing arrangement is interposed between the piston and the rotating shaft accommodating the safety belt, with axial movement of the piston with respect to the bushing and shaft, and with rotatable locking of the piston and shaft.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aqueous alkali metal polysilicate solution having an SiO.sub.2 : alkali metal oxide mole ratio of 2.5 - 5.5 : 1 and a silica content of 16 - 23% by weight which comprises contacting a tetraalkoxysilane of the formula Si(OR).sub.4 wherein each R is independently a straight or branched-chain alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution at a temperature between room temperature and the boiling point of the reaction mixture and at a temperature up to 100.degree.C. distilling over alcohol formed by the reaction of the silane with the alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a heat-insulating roof construction is provided by laying a layer of heat-insulating panels on a roof substructure and overlying sealing sheets of synthetic resin material on the heat-insulating panels. Fillets or narrow strips of foam material are inserted between butt edges of adjoining heat-insulating panels for joining the panels to the substructure and joining the sealing sheets to the panels.

Abstract: Copolymers of vinyl chloride and maleic or fumaric acid diester, which have good workability, are improved by incorporating therein an organic peroxide as a cross-linking agent. Products formed from the resin, which can be foamed articles, have improved thermal stability.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bis-(bromomethyl)-tetrachlorobenzene which comprises contacting a bis-(chloromethyl)-tetrachlorobenzene with a bromide of an element of the first to the third group of the Periodic Table, preferably in a solvent of the bis-(chloromethyl)-tetrachlorobenzene which solvent is a non-solvent for the bis-(bromomethyl)-tetrachlorobenzene being prepared; a stabilized polymeric composition comprising a polymer and a bis-(bromomethyl)-tetrachlorobenzene, preferably containing additionally a compound of antimony or boron.

Abstract: Butyric acid esters of the formula: ##EQU1## wherein each R is alkyl, alkyl having an alkoxy substituent, or cycloalkyl, and the R's are the same. The esters are prepared by contacting an allyl halide with carbon monoxide, an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is as above, and an alkali alcoholate of the same alcohol, in the presence of a catalyst for the reaction at a pH of 10-14. The esters are useful as solvents for polymers and as plasticizers.

Abstract: A retaining ring which may be utilized in hollow charge projectiles having a ring-shaped member and resilient tongues bent out of the plane of the ring member and having one end joined to the ring member. The resilient tongues extend approximately in the peripheral direction of the ring member and successive tongues are bent toward different sides of the ring member.

Abstract: Solid acetyltartaric acid esters that have fluidity in the pulverized form. These esters are obtained from partial glycerides of mixtures of saturated C.sub.14 -C.sub.22 fatty acids having a monoglyceride content of 57 to 63% by weight, and iodine values of below 5 and contain 0.91 to 1.8 moles of tartaric acid and 1.8 to 3.4 moles of acetic acid bound to tartaric acid, per mole of partial glyceride. Also, processes for producing these unique acid esters are disclosed.

Abstract: A copolymer of 1,2-dimethoxy ethylene and a cyclic compound having an oxygen atom as a component of the chain, said copolymer having the formula: ##EQU1## wherein Y is a straight bond or --CH.sub.2 --O--, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen or alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, n and m an integers n + m = 10 to 1,000; a process for such copolymers which comprises contacting 1,2 dimethoxy ethylene under copolymerization conditions with a cyclic organic compound having oxygen in the ring, said compound selected from the group consisting of .beta.-lactones and cyclic six-membered ring carbonates in the presence of an initiator in an amount between 0.1 and 10 mole percent based upon said 1,2-dimethoxyethylene and said cyclic organic compound, which initiator is of the group of halogen containing organoaluminum compounds having the formulaAl(R).sub.a X.sub.bWhereinR is a saturated aliphatic radical of from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or phenyl,X is chlorine or bromine,a + b are each 1, 1.

Abstract: In a process of producing an alkyl ester of a substituted or unsubstituted arylacetic acid wherein a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic halogen methyl compound is reacted with carbon monoxide and an alcohol having an alkoxy group the same as that of said ester, the improvement which comprises carrying out said reaction in a basic reaction medium in the presence as catalyst of:A. cobalt salt, metal or metal alloy and a sulfur compound, orB. a metal carbonyl compound.

Abstract: An electromagnetic generator for a projectile having a magnetic core, a coil system, a race duct and an element moveable in the race duct relative to the magnetic core for altering the magnetic field. An ignitable charge is provided for generating propellant gases which propellant gases cause at least initial movement of the element in the race duct.

Abstract: Vinyl chloride copolymers of vinyl chloride and a comonomer of the formula ##EQU1## wherein Z contains an alkenyl group and X and Y are H or other substituents. The copolymers can be cross linked to form shaped articles of improved elongation and tenacity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alcohol-free alkali or alkaline earth metal alcoholates dissolved in inert solvent which comprises contacting at least an equimolar amount of an alkali or alkaline earth metal dissolved in an inert solvent with an alcohol at an elevated pressure and at a temperature of at least that at which crystal alcohol splits off from the corresponding alkali or alkaline earth metal alcoholate and below the temperature at which said alcoholate decomposes under the prevailing pressures.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fuze, especially for projectiles, having a piezoelectric element which converts the mechanical shockwave produced upon impact on a target into an output signal for igniting a detonator. A control circuit is provided for generating an output signal and a threshold switching circuit is provided for receiving the outputs of the control circuit and the piezoelectric element as a superimposed signal for establishing a connection between a power source and a detonator of the fuze when the threshold value of the threshold circuit is exceeded.

Abstract: Polyvinylchloride inhibited against release of hydrogen chloride at elevated temperature is produced by polymerizing vinyl chloride in a reaction medium having finely divided calcium carbonate dispersed therein.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy source having a piezoelectric transducer mounted in a housing and a movable piston arranged in the housing to bias the transducer to provide a desired electrical output. The piston exerts pressure on the transducer in response to a pyrotechnic charge and is locked in a predetermined biasing position by a locking arrangement such that a constantly effective pressure is exerted on the transducer.

Abstract: A frame element, especially for window and door construction, which is formed as a composite member with a hollow metallic profile member covered by a sheath of synthetic resinous material. The sheath includes mounting lugs and grooves for directly supporting window or door members. The hollow metal profile is provided with outer flanges formed as extensions of side walls of the member, which flanges serve to provide a rigid support base for supporting the loads applied to the frame element by way of the sheath. Interlocking groove and strip connections are provided on the sheath and the profile member at the corners formed respectively between the outer flanges and the immediately adjacent joining side wall of the profile member. These interlocking groove and strip connections assure an elastic, resilient seating of the plastic sheath against the outer confines of the profile member over the entire surface of the profile member.

Abstract: Improvement in the catalytic hydrofluorination of halogenated hydrocarbons by carying out the hydrofluorination with a catalyst which is 0.1 to 20 wt. % bismuth, 35 to 66 wt. % fluorine, 24 to 42 wt. % aluminum, and the remainder oxygen. A preferred catalyst also contains manganese.

Abstract: Alkali metal hydrides, obtained by reacting alkali metals in liquid form with hydrogen in the presence of alkali metal hydrides, are obtained in coarsely crystalline form by continuously introducing into the reaction vessel containing constantly agitated alkali metal hydride only so much alkali metal in liquid form which corresponds stoichiometrically to the amount of hydrogen reacted and maintaining the unreacted metal concentration at 3 weight percent or less of the pre-introduced metal hydride present. In preferred aspect, the pre-introduced metal hydride is agitated by mixing means at a circumferential velocity of 0.5 to 2 meters/second and maintained at 250.degree.-310.degree.C., to yield hydride crystals in the range of 100 to 1000 microns. The hydride thus obtained may be ground in an inert hydrocarbon mixture to a finer particle material still having a relatively low surface area and recovered as a stabilized, non-sticking, non-self ignitable alkali metal hydride product.

Abstract: A compound having the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R is hydrogen, a C.sub.1-6 alkyl, a C.sub.1-6 chloroalkyl, a phenyl or an alkyl-substituted phenyl radical, a process for preparing such compound by contacting tetrachlorisophthalic acid dinitrile with hydrazine or a hydrazine derivative of the formulaH.sub.2 N--NHRin which R has the previously ascribed significance.