Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell having an electrode with a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cell also includes a mass flow field for directing fluid to and away from the electrode. An additional gas diffusion layer is disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the flow field. This increases the diffusion resistance of the fluid. The electrochemical cell of the present invention is particularly useful in a process for electrochemically converting anhydrous hydrogen halide to essentially dry halogen gas, where it is necessary to control and increase limiting current. It is also possible to use the additional gas diffusion layer in an aqueous process electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a miniature 1XN electromechanical optical switch which has an array of the end sections of output optical fibers, an end section of an input optical fiber and an actuator to effect a relative movement of the input optical fiber end section with respect to the output optical fiber end sections to form an optical path between the input optical fiber and a selected output optical fiber. An alignment controller controls the relative movement by the actuator through an electric current. The alignment controller effects a coarse alignment between the input optical fiber end section and the end section of the selected output optical fiber dependent upon the proportionality between the relative movement amount and the amount of electric current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PEM fuel cell comprising at least one strip meane (8) which itself comprises at least 2, and a maximum of 10,000-surfaced individual cells each comprising an electrode layer (10-12, 13-15) applied on both sides of a membrane made of a polymeric solid electrolyte, the individual cells being incorporated in series and being made of plates (21, 22) of non-conductive material, which serve as heat exchangers and as fuel gas supply device, which are contacted on both sides on the strip membrane (8, 16) and separate outwardly-directed conductive structures (23, 24) for voltage derivation.

Abstract: A placket sewing machine is provided for attaching a placket patch to a fabric part of a garment. The placket patch and fabric part are positioned in overlying relation to form a multiple layer placket assembly. The placket patch has a leading end for being fed together with the fabric part through the sewing machine, and a trailing end. A sewing head is mounted above the base of the machine, and includes at least one reciprocating sewing needle. The sewing head is operatively connected to a motor for actuating the sewing needle. A controller controls operation of the sewing motor. A throat plate supports the overlaid placket patch and fabric part on the working surface of the machine base in an area of the sewing needle. The throat plate includes a side extension a located outside of the area of the sewing needle.

Abstract: A rigid concrete slab for conveying vehicular or railroad traffic which is provided with functional longitudinal beams that extend or protrude downward from the underside of the slab and are fully and continuously supported by the underlying material. The attached beams enhance, strengthen and stabilize both longitudinally and transversely. Friction and suction, or interface adhesion, between the beams and the underlying material in which it rests causes the beams to act as anchors thereby further resisting displacement or distortion of the slab.

Abstract: An electrical ground connector assembly for providing a fast, secure, moisture-resistant ground connection without using special tools. The electrical ground connector assembly includes a ground rod and a cap having an tapered rod chamber for the ground rod. The cap also includes at least one wire hole adjacent the tapered rod chamber at the bottom of the cap for receiving a ground wire. The wire hole is preferably at an angle of approximately six degrees with respect to the tapered rod chamber and merges with or intersects the rod chamber. In installation, the ground wire is inserted into the wire hole through the bottom of the cap. The upper end of the ground rod is forced into the rod cavity of the cap by any suitable manner, such as hammering the cap down over the ground rod. As the upper end of the ground rod reaches the end of the rod cavity and the ground wire extending into the cavity, it contacts and wedges itself into mechanical and electrical contact therewith.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring return loss in an optical fiber component. Radiation of a predetermined wavelength, e.g. from a laser, is launched into an optical fiber component, preferably through an optical fiber having a polarization control loop and the radiation reflected and the direct radiation are subjected to phase modification. An amplitude of the frequency component of the detected signal at the frequency imposed by phase modulation is measured and is used as the basis for evaluating the return loss.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the manufacture of fully dense, finely divided, spherical particles of copper I oxide with controlled particle size distribution. The invention is further directed to a method for the manufacture of finely divided, spherical particles of copper I oxide with controlled particle size distribution.

Abstract: A self-centering steady of the closed type includes a housing (H), an actuator (14), a center gripping arm (11) and a pair of side gripping arms (12, 13) intended to grip a workpiece (P) under the action of the actuator (14). The actuator is provided with cam surfaces (31, 32) for engaging the side gripping arms (12, 13) in order to cause the workpiece engagement and/or disengagement movements. Each side gripping arm (12, 13) is connected to the actuator (14) and is slidably received in a rotating element (26) provided in the steady housing (H). The center gripping arm (11) is slidably received in a slide guide (G) provided in the steady housing (H). The rotating elements (26) together with the side gripping arms (12, 13) and with the center gripping arm (11) form a closed structure which prevents dust and scraps from entering the steady housing (H), both with the gripping arms (11, 12, 13) in the retracted and in the extended positions.

Abstract: Internal porosity is created in dense SiO.sub.2 particles by heating a mixture of the particles with B.sub.2 O.sub.3 above the melting point of both mixture components. Resulting SiO.sub.2 particles have altered morphology, internal porosity, and a negative thermal expansion coefficient when heated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scratch resistant polymer composition having a polymer that includes a copolyetherester elastomer, said polymer having a hardness of from 25D to 82D, and a fluorosurfactant having a nonionic organic head and a tail of the formula CF.sub.3 --(CF.sub.2).sub.x --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2, where x is an integer from 3 to 15.

Abstract: A jet for treating a yarn with a fluid has a flow control plate having a first and a second flow control opening. The flow control openings are located in the plate such that when the plate is mounted between the jet body and the manifold body, at least one, but preferably both, of the flow control openings in the plate at least partially overlap the inlet end of one (or both) of the fluid supply channels, thereby to modify the fluid flow area presented to the manifold by the fluid supply channel(s).

Abstract: The machine for the machining of sheet-like articles (12) has a toolholder (90) fitted with a milling cutter (92). Said toolholder can be positioned in the direction of the arrow (x). The clamping device (10) capable of being moved in and counter to the direction of the arrow (y) has clamps (20, 22, 24), of which the first clamp (20) and second clamp (22) are provided with a centering pin (41, 41'). The article (12) to be machined has centering holes which are arranged at the corner points of a right-angled isosceles triangle, the lateral side length of which corresponds to the spacing of the centering pins (41, 41'). The article (12) to be machined can thereby be inserted into the clamping device (10) in two positions rotated through 90.degree. relative to one another. In order, after machining in one direction, to rotate the article (12) through 90.degree.

Abstract: A coating composition containing about 40-90% by weight of film forming binder and 10-60% by weight of an organic liquid carrier;wherein the binder contains about(a) 50-90% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a dispersed acrylic polymer having(i) a core of gelled polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers which is not soluble in the organic liquid carrier and having amine functional groups and having chemically grafted thereto(ii) substantially linear stabilizer polymeric components that are soluble in the organic liquid carrier and comprise polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers and have a weight average molecular weight of about 1,000-20,000 determined by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) using polystyrene as the standard;wherein the monomers of the core and the stabilizer polymeric components are individually selected from the following group of monomers of alkyl (meth)acrylates, wherein the alkyl groups have 1-12 carbon atoms, hydroxy alkyl (meth)acrylate, wherein the alkyl grou

Abstract: This invention relates to flame retardants for synthetic resin compositions. It is a composition comprising:(A) about 30 to about 70 wt. percent of a synthetic resin which is,(1) about 30 to about 70 wt. percent of a first resin which is polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide or polystyrene, or copolymers of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and(2) about 30 to about 70 wt. percent of a second resin which is polyethylene terephthalate, or nylon 6,6, or blends or mixtures thereof,wherein the wt. percentages of (A)(1) and (A)(2) total 100% as between (A)(1) and (A)(2),(B) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of(1) about 20 to about 45 wt. percent of melamine pyrophosphate, or(2) about 15 to about 30 wt. percent of melamine pyrophosphate and up to about 10 wt. percent charring catalyst; or(3) about 15 to about 30 wt. percent of melamine pyrophosphate, up to about 10 wt. percent charring catalyst, and up to about 10 wt. percent of a char former, or(4) about 20 to about 40 wt.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing an alkyd, urethane or unsaturated polyester resin, and an ester of an unsaturated acid and a fluorinated alcohol wherein the cured coating has an advancing hexadecane contact angle of at least about 40 degrees and durable improved oil and water repellency is disclosed.

Abstract: New ethylene/acid copolymer ionomers which contain both (meth)acrylic acid and certain dicarboxylic acid monomers are described. The polymers may be melt processed as readily as ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid dipolymer ionomers, in contrast to ethylene/acid copolymer ionomers containing only dicarboxylic acid monomer derived in-chain acid units. Polymers with typical levels of (meth)acrylic acid and low levels of diacid provide ionomers comparable to existing ionomers, but which have adhesive and polymer blend compatibilizing characteristics, while polymers with higher levels of diacid will exhibit properties which depend on in-chain diacid derived units.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive for use as a shoe last adhesive, particularly one in a form for use in a direct through feed adhesive dispensing system, made from a melt-blend of a copolymer of ethylene and carboxylic acid, a synthetic wax such as a Fischer-Tropsch wax, and an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid wax having a melt index of at least about 5000 dg/min.