Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to a precision capillary discharge switch to deliver a predetermined power across a gap at the ends of electrodes enclosed in a containment envelop with a fluid media therein. A method of calibration is used to assign specific operating and arc triggering voltages based on a given gap dimension, ionization properties of the fluid or gas media and pressure within the containment envelope. The ends of the electrodes at the calibrated gap include tip geometry designed to reliably transfer power across the gap when the desired operating voltage range is reached.

Abstract: A process is described for producing sodium-based chemicals from a brine containing sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate by heating the brine to evaporate water and drive off carbon dioxide and obtain a solution that will crystallize sodium sesquicarbonate, cooling the solution, precipitating sodium sesquicarbonate crystals and separating a first mother liquor from the sesquicarbonate crystals. The first mother liquor is then cooled to a lower temperature to precipitate sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals, the decahydrate crystals are separated from a second mother liquor and the decahydrate crystals are recovered for use in the manufacture of sodium-containing chemicals, such as sodium carbonate monohydrate, anhydrous sodium carbonate or soda ash.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical switch which reduces arcing by utilizing slidably mating members. In addition the switch provides large area gold contacts. Because of the above characteristics the invention provides a switch that can handle high and low current and allows dry current switching. In addition the inventive switch provides a switch which closes an alternative circuit to indicate that the normal circuit is open.

Abstract: This application discloses herbicidal 1-arylpyrazoles, compositions containing them, methods of preparing them, and methods for controlling undesired plant growth by preemergent or postemergent application of the herbicidal compositions to the locus where control is desired. The herbicidal compounds have the following generic structure: ##STR1## in which Ar is ##STR2## R is chlorine, cyano, or nitro; R.sup.1 is a group --C(O)CR.sup.11 R.sup.12 --O--R.sup.13 in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are independently hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.13 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylmethyl, or alkylaminosulfonyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or a group --C(O)CR.sup.11 R.sup.12 --O--R.sup.13 ; R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 are independently hydrogen or halogen; R.sup.5 is halogen or haloalkyl; R.sup.8 is halogen; R.sup.9 is haloalkyl; R.sup.10 is hydrogen, halogen, or a group --NR.sup.14 R.sup.15 in which R.sup.14 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.

Abstract: A process for purifying a peroxygen compound in an aqueous solution of a peroxygen-stable acid or salt of the acid, comprising contacting the aqueous solution at a pH of about 0.5 to 4 with a chelating ion exchange resin and separating the product as a purified aqueous solution, or optionally as a solid.

Abstract: The invention provides a harvester or other such vehicle with front wheel, and front and rear wheel steering. Steering, at various times, is only provided by the front wheels and at other times provided by the front and rear wheels. For four wheel vehicles, this is called two wheel and four wheel steering.

Abstract: A down hole well tool for use in operating another well tool against the resistance of incompressible well bore fluid. The down hole tool includes a pressure chamber that communicates through an adjustable pressure relief valve with the well bore fluids beneath the tool, so that when the pressure of said fluids exceeds the relief valve setting the valve opens and allows said fluids to pass into the chamber, thereby lowering the fluid pressure beneath the tool and facilitating its downward movement to actuate the other well tool.

Abstract: A steritort with a single spiral which allows the automatic loading of several rows of containers, the simulation of a rotary retort, and an indexed unloading of the containers by a push rod.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead tieback connector actuated solely by axial motion to achieve connection to and disconnection from the wellhead. The connector includes interconnected inner and outer bodies, a split lock ring surrounding the inner body, and an energizing mandrel for non-rotary axial movement to expand the lock ring into engagement with a wellhead component.

Abstract: A water dispersible polymeric film-forming particulate composition for use in coating pharmaceuticals and foods or the like, produced by freeze-drying an aqueous solution of water-soluble cellulose acetate as the film-forming polymer, a plasticizer, and optionally a pigment, is described. The product mixes readily with water to form an aqueous dispersion which is applied in the conventional manner to solid pharmaceutical forms.

Abstract: A process for the production of aryl triazolinones of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkyl;X is independently halogen, lower alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, NHSO.sub.2 R', --N(SO.sub.2 R').sub.2, --N(R'(SO.sub.2 R' where R' is lower alkyl, and n is an integer from 0 to 3;which comprises treating, in a tert-butanol medium, an aryl hydrazine of the formula ##STR2## sequentially with (i) a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 aldehyde, (ii) a cyanate and weak organic acid, and (iii) a hypochlorite, a salt thereof, or a halogen.

Abstract: A device for blending and conveying materials which comprises an elongated trough having an inlet end, a discharge end, and two spaced apart side walls; an apparatus for vibrating the trough; a first blending apparatus connected to the trough between the inlet end and the discharge end including a first lift located adjacent one of the side walls for elevating a first proportion of materials and a second lift located adjacent the other side wall for elevating a second proportion of materials, wherein each lift comprises a ramp connected to a generally horizontal platform; and first and second diverters connected to the first and second lifts, respectively, for folding the first and second proportions of materials over onto a third proportion of materials being conveyed along the trough between the first and second lifts.

Abstract: This application discloses herbicidal .beta.-pyrazolylacrylic acids, compositions containing them, methods of preparing them, and methods for controlling undesired plant growth by preemergent or postemergent application of the herbicidal compositions to the locus where control is desired. The herbicidal compounds have the formula ##STR1## in which X is chlorine or fluorine, X.sup.1 is hydrogen, chlorine, or fluorine, X.sup.2 is chlorine, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, or ethoxy, and X.sup.3 is hydrogen, chlorine, or fluorine; M is --CH--, --CF--, or --CCl--; and R.sup.1 is --CH.dbd.C(--R.sup.2)--C(.dbd.O)--Z--[S(O).sub.2 ].sub.n --R.sup.3 in which R.sup.2 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenylmethyl optionally substituted with one or more of chlorine, bromine, fluorine, or methyl; Z is --O--, --S-- or --NR.sup.4 ; and n is 0 or 1; provided that when Z is --O-- or --S--, n is 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for peroxygen bleaching of high yield pulp in which sodium carbonate replaces sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The process employs a chelating agent as a substitute for the silicate normally required so that the process can operate as a closed cycle system.

Abstract: A water dispersible film-forming particulate composition for use in coating pharmaceuticals and foods or the like, produced by freeze-drying an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer, a plasticizer, and optionally a pigment, is described. The product mixes readily with water to form an aqueous dispersion which is applied in the conventional manner to solid pharmaceutical forms.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which functions in two distinct yet interrelated modes. In a modeling mode the system provides a customized multi-body model, wherein problem specific functions are created for analysis of complex real-world machines. A preprocessor facilitates the multi-body model description and a symbolic generator then generates model specific code in FORTRAN of some other convenient computer language. The model code is portable and self contained. In a numerical simulation mode actual multi-body system data are combined with the model code, whereby the system is manageable by a user not necessarily familiar with the modeling techniques, but familiar with the multi-body system modeled. Simulation operations by the system produce outputs descriptive of the multi-body system without redundancy, which outputs may then be utilized by the user through a post processor to compute further quantities of interest and to apply visualization to interpret results.

Abstract: A cartridge-carrier is disclosed for maintaining at least one filled and sealed, plastic container within at least two segments which are joined together to define a tubular cartridge having at least one container supporting plate therein for receiving a body of said at least one sealed container and thereafter closing at least the two segments for encompassing at least one container within a tubular cartridge which is then moved into a cylindrical carrier that enables the containers to be processed within a reel and spiral sterilization system.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting from water damage the electric motor which drives the cog rake bar screen of a waste water treatment plant. A shell of air impermeable material surrounds the motor and has an opening at the shell bottom to drain water. Various arrangements and devices prevent water or debris from entering the opening.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which operates to collect high resolution three-dimensional surface mesh data from mechanical components which are used for component evaluation. The system includes a multidimensionally movable fixture mount for holding the mechanical components. A structured light pattern emitting projector is provided together with an image sensing camera for detecting impingement of the light pattern on the mechanical component and for generating the surface data. A set of software tools analyzes the data to provide numerical or quantitative component analysis and further presents the data in display form to allow intuitive or qualitative analysis for product and process improvement.

Abstract: A stabilizing agent for dry mix food products in powder form, the individual particles of which consist essentially of microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and maltodextrin.