Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the pouring of molten metals in a pressure-type furnace is provided. The furnace includes a reservoir for storing the molten metal, a first passage for supplying the metal to the reservoir, and a second passage for supplying the metal stored in the reservoir to a pouring chamber where they are poured into a mold. A gas having a predetermined pressure is supplied to a pressure chamber disposed above the reservoir. An output signal from a load cell is generated representative of the amount of the metal contained in the furnace. The output signals are processed in a sampling circuit to obtain a rate of variation signal representative of variations in the amount of the metal stored in the furnace. The rate of variation signal is compared in a comparator circuit with a reference value to generate a replenishment signal indicating that the molten metal is being replenished.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for producing highly uniform films of photosensitive materials (e.g., amorphous silicon) for electrophotography on large diameter cylindrical metal substrates (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) by plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The cylindrical substrate is rotatably mounted in a reaction chamber and serves as an electrode. A hollow metallic second electrode in the reaction chamber coaxially surrounds the substrate and is spaced apart therefrom. Hydrogen gas is first introduced into the inter-electrode space between the substrate and the second electrodes, and a high-frequency electric field is applied to the two electrodes to generate a glow discharge for plasma cleaning of the substrate surface. The hydrogen gas is then pumped out of the reaction chamber, and a reaction gas of monosilane (SiH.sub.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a weir having a given height is provided on the bottom of a molten metal pouring chamber in a pressure pouring furnace so as to surround the periphery of a pouring nozzle port provided on the bottom of the pouring chamber. The molten metal level in the pouring chamber is set to a prelevel corresponding almost to the height of the weir before pouring. The necessary shot pressure to yield a given pouring rate at the time of pouring is thereby adjusted to a smaller pressure than necessary in conventional furnaces, which reduces the lag time between the issuance of a pouring command and the commencement of the pouring operation, thus improving the pouring work efficiency and precision of the furnace.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for reducing the overall effective size of the goods storage and discharging system in an automatic vending machine. The solenoid and transmission mechanism of each goods discharging mechanism are so disposed that the discharging mechanisms of adjacent goods storage shelves may be arranged in a back-to-back relation with the solenoids and transmission mechanisms thereof laterally adjacent each other. The overall size of the vending machine may thus be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A blood sugar analyzing apparatus has a reaction cell which houses a fixed enzyme membrane sensor and a measuring electrode which receives a blood specimen which causes a chemical reaction between the blood specimen and said fixed enzyme membrane for measuring the blood sugar concentration in the specimen on the basis of a reaction current signal generated in the sensor by the chemical reaction. The analyzing apparatus has a microcomputer for calculating a conversion coefficient used for converting the reaction current into a blood sugar concentration value by introducing a standard solution having a known blood sugar concentration, for storing data representing the value of said conversion coefficient, for calculating a blood sugar concentration value of a test specimen based upon the stored conversion coefficient value and reaction current from the test specimen. A display and printer provide a read-out of the blood sugar concentration value obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the extent of slag deposit buildup in the channel of a channel induction furnace during operation. The method comprises measuring an initial temperature rise factor in the furnace at a time when no slag deposits are present, measuring a subsequent temperature rise factor in the furnace after the furnace has been in operation for a period of time, correcting the subsequent temperature rise factor for any changes in the operating temperature and power levels applied to the furnace which may have taken place between the time of the measurement of the initial temperature rise factor and the time of the measurement of the subsequent temperature rise factor, and determining a quantity which is indicative of the extent of slag deposit buildup in the channel from the difference between the initial and subsequent temperature rise factors.

Abstract: A wave-power generator assembly including a pair of one-way turbines symmetrically mounted on a common rotating shaft is provided. Because of the symmetrical arrangement of the one-way turbines, the rotating shaft and, therefore, bearings to rotatably support the rotating shaft are prevented from receiving excessive thrust forces. Thus, the present generator assembly may be presented to service for an extended period of time without requiring replacement of parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of a tubular wall includes a measurement of the intensities of the radiation beams passing through the wall and processing of the measured values in accordance with the method of least squares.

Abstract: A contact member for a switching device is formed by soldering a contact tip to a movable contact member. The movable member is formed from an age-hardenable copper alloy that has been subjected in series to solution treatment, half age-hardening, grinding and rust-prevention coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing stationary electromagnetic cores utilizes mild steel having a carbon content of up to 0.01% by weight and an impurity content of less than 0.31% by weight. Use of this material lowers the cost of manufacturing electromagnetic cores by shortening the drawing process and obviating the necessity for magnetic annealing.

Abstract: By detecting the instant of a selected zero-crossing of a received ultrasonic signal rather than relying on the instant the amplitude of that received signal exceeds a predetermined reference amplitude in excess of zero, a transit-time measuring instrument can be realized which is free from the measurement errors normally arising from acoustic signal attenuation in the medium through which it passes.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing the harmful material from electrical products such as capacitors prior to their disposal. Poly-chlorinated-biphenyl is removed from electrical products such as capacitors by thermal decomposition.

Abstract: By storing, along with each signal or bit controlling a step to be taken in a process sequence, an additional signal or bit to be applied to the gating terminal or pin of respective ones of a plurality of "and" gates, to the other input terminal of each of which is supplied its respective input signal from aprocess control element, such as a sensor, switch or valve (each such input signal indicating a changed condition in the process which requires a changed process control sequence) any sequence may be interrupted following any step in that sequence and a new sequence may be called up to make the needed correction or change in the process.

Abstract: An information processing system of the type having a plurality of stations interconnected via transmission lines. Each station is of the type which includes control devices, processing devices which respond to information sent thereto and which generate information to be sent to other processing devices at other stations, and communicating devices for transmitting and receiving information to and from the stations. In the information processing system, transmission and reception between two adjacent stations is independent of transmission and reception between any two other adjacent stations. A system is disclosed which prevents the stoppage of information transmission as a result of a build up of information at other than the given station. Apparatus is provided for detecting when a stagnation condition occurs and for temporarily increasing the length of the buffer registers in the communicating devices of the stations.

Abstract: A ceramic having non-linear voltage characteristics, comprising the product obtained on mixing (a) zinc oxide, as a principal component, and (b) (1) cobalt and (2) one of neodymium, samarium or dysprosium, either in an elemental form or as a compound thereof, each in an amount of 0.1 to 10 atomic % for the cobalt, neodymium, samarium and dysprosium, calculated as cobalt, neodymium, samarium and dysprosium as subcomponents, and calcining the mixture at a temperature of from about 1150.degree. to about 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: In an information processing system of the type having widely dispersed terminals tied together by a series communications link, common data which is of interest to all stations is collected and registered in a simplified manner. The common information, consisting of the status of each of the stations, is collected by any station sending out a search instruction as part of an information word. As the information word passes through each successive station, each respective station adds a status bit to the information word indicating the status thereof. When the new-completed information word returns to the originating station, the common data is registered and displayed. Also the common data is sent, along with a "register common data" instruction, to all other stations via the communication link. Upon receipt of such information and instruction, each station registers and displays the common data.

Abstract: Ceramics having nonlinear voltage characteristics comprising the product obtained on preparing a mixture of zinc oxide as a main component, and, as subcomponents, cobalt plus one of praseodymium or terbium, either in an elemental form or as a compound thereof, in an amount of from 0.1 to 8.0 atomic % for the cobalt, from 0.08 to 8.0 atomic % for the praseodymium and from 0.1 to 8.0 atomic % for the terbium, each calculated as cobalt, praseodymium and terbium, and calcining the mixture at a temperature in the range of from about 1150.degree. to about 1400.degree. C and a method for preparing the ceramics. An embodiment includes, as an additional subcomponent, lanthanum, either in an elemental form or as a compound in an amount of from 0.08 to 8.0 atomic %, calculated as lanthanum, with the zinc oxide, cobalt and praseodymium.

Abstract: In an information system of the type having widely dispersed terminals tied together in series by an information transmission line. Bypassing means is provided for bypassing a non-operating station so as not to disrupt said information transmission line, apparatus is provided for preventing any station from dispatching information destined for a non-operating station.

Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising (1) a generator cell having a fuel gas (hydrogen gas) chamber, an oxidizing gas (oxygen gas) chamber and an electrolyzing solution chamber, (2) a fuel gas circulating circuit for supplying fuel gas to the fuel gas chamber of said generator cell, (3) an oxidizing gas circulating circuit for supplying oxidizing gas to the oxidizing gas chamber of said generator cell, and (4) an electrolyte circulating circuit for supplying an electrolytic solution to said electrolyzing chamber, the improvement characterized in that a means for regulating the concentration of the electrolytic solution at a constant value is provided on said electrolyzing chamber and a means for removing the formed water from each of said gas chambers, a means for regulating simultaneously the gas pressures in both of said gas chambers, and a means for keeping constant the temperature of said electrolytic solution are provided on each of said gas chambers.

Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising (1) a generator cell having a fuel gas (hydrogen gas) chamber, an oxidizing gas (oxygen gas) chamber and an electrolyzing solution chamber, (2) a fuel gas circulating circuit for supplying fuel gas to the fuel gas chamber of said generator cell, (3) an oxidizing gas circulating circuit for supplying the oxidizing gas to the oxidizing gas chamber of said generator cell, and (4) an electrolyte circulating circuit for supplying an electrolytic solution to said electrolyzing chamber, the improvement characterized in that a means for regulating the concentration of the electrolytic solution at a constant value is provided on said electrolyzing chamber and a means for removing the formed water from each of said gas chambers, a means for regulating simultaneously the gas pressures in both of said gas chambers, and a means for keeping constant the temperature of said electrolytic solution are provided on each of said gas chambers.