Abstract: A biomass gasification method and apparatus employs a rectangular design and linear injection of feedstock to allow compact modular design to accommodate a wide variety of energy demands with a single-size production unit which can be stacked with others for different energy output demands. The method and construction make use of a long and narrow grate in combination with an air supply system and producer gas return system which uses a down-draft technique to restrict and control by-products and to improve the efficiency of the energy conversion system.

Abstract: Hypertension in mammals can be treated by administering an effective amount of an aminoalkyl phenyl sulfide having the formula ##STR1## wherein (C.sub.n H.sub.2n)=a linear or branched alkyl chain of 10 carbons or less (n=1-10);R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,=H, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, or I;R.sub.6 R.sub.7 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl;and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The hypotensive potential of the compounds may be evaluated by oxygenation with dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

Abstract: A method of recovering by distillation the separate components of a hydrocarbon gas mixture comprising ethylene, ethane, propylene and propane which comprises separating the ethylene as an overhead from an ethane, propylene and propane bottom in a first distillation tower at from about 500 to about 650 psia, separating ethane as an overhead from a propylene and propane bottom in a second distillation tower at from about 390 to about 520 psia, and separating propylene as an overhead from a propane bottom in a third distillation tower at from about 100 to about 170 psia is disclosed.A method of separating ethylene and ethane from propylene and propane in a first distillation tower at from about 400 to about 600 psia, separating the overhead product from the first tower in a second tower at from about 600 to about 700 psia to produce ethylene and ethane products, and separating a propylene/propane mixture in a third tower at from about 100 to about 170 psia is disclosed.

Abstract: Alcohol substantially free of water is produced by a process comprising extracting an aqueous alcohol solution with an organic solvent system containing an extractant for said alcohol thereby forming an organic solvent-alcohol phase and an aqueous phase, and vacuum distilling said organic solvent-alcohol phase thereby obtaining the product alcohol substantially free of water.

Abstract: A multi-position waveguide switch including a cylindrical housing supporting radially extending waveguides, a switching assembly composed of a stack of disks each having input and output ports interconnected by waveguide sections, and a mechanism for selectively translating the stack of disks to selected axial positions within the cylindrical housing such that a selected disk is in alignment and communication with certain predetermined ports of the radially extending waveguides. By selective axial translation of the disk assembly, a selected disk may be interposed between the radially extending waveguide supported by the housing to provide a selected routing path for microwave energy to the waveguides supported by the housing and through the selected disk.

Abstract: A lightweight inexpensive fiberglass antenna dish is disclosed, as well as a method for the manufacture thereof. The dish may be formed by spraying chopped fiberglass and epoxy binder onto the glazed surface of a parabolic mold. An aperture formed on the focal axis of the antenna dish, either at the time of molding or at a later time, accommodates a heavy wall structural tube which extends along the focal axis half-way towards the focal point and which is secured to the dish. Rods secured between the dish surface and the distal end of the tube form triangular shapes in cross-section which rigidify the dish element. The feed unit, such as a horn, is attached to the distal end of the tube and the transmission lines therefore can pass through the tube itself.

Abstract: A spiral Fresnel reflector is formed by plotting a predetermined developed spiral on a flat sheet of reflecting material, cutting the flat sheet of reflecting material along the developed spiral and winding up the developed spiral until the spiral arms focus reflective light at a focal area. The developed spiral can have either a positive or a negative focal length.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the method and apparatus, the oxidant is loaded upon a support bed and is continuously regenerated by an ozone generator located upstream from the support bed. The ozone generator has a capacity less than the peak load requirement for the oxidant but fully regenerates the oxidant during low load periods. An ozone detector is located downstream from the support bed and includes a control circuit for selectively deactivating the ozone generator when the ozone downstream from the support bed exceeds a predetermined level. The support bed is composed of inert or adsorbing granular material. In a second embodiment, an aqueous solution containing a water soluble oxidant is applied to the support bed and is rinsed out following a purification cycle. The rinsed oxidant is replaced by fresh oxidant from a reservoir and the rinsed, spent oxidant is regenerated in an electrolytic or chemical regenerator and returned to the oxidant reservoir.

Abstract: An electronic device for use in aiding the instruction of musical students. The device is comprised of a metronome and a plurality of tone generators, all under the control of a microprocessor computer. Input devices for the system take the form of a musical keyboard and a microphone. The metronome produces an audible regularly repeated sound in the loudspeaker of the device and causes a visual display of a plurality of indicator lights to be lit simultaneously. Pitch error information is displayed on a plurality of indicator lights which indicate musical sharp, flat or correct pitch. The tone generators produce tones in the loudspeaker under the control of the program in the microprocessor. The device has the capability of interacting with the student to exchange musical responses which each is capable of understanding and judging.

Abstract: Heat is transferred from a first body to a second body and thereby provides power by carrying a thermodynamic fluid comprising a dispersion of a particulate solid in a gas around a thermodynamic cycle or cycles involving the expansion and contraction of the said thermodynamic fluid. Reverse cycles are used to provide refrigeration.

Abstract: A numerical optical processor which utilizes a holographic content-addressable memory is disclosed. The holographic memory stores relationships between various inputs and system outputs in the form of a plurality of truth tables in a digital format. One or more digital input words are processed by the numerical optical processor to produce digital outputs wherein the input words are modified by the contents of the holographic memory.Two configurations of the numerical optical processor are disclosed. The first system is based on an EXCLUSIVE OR operation performed holographically on binary arrays. The second system performs an operation which is equivalent to two levels of logic: a NAND and OR followed by another OR operation. Various specific embodiments of the two configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: Molecules are tritiated by depositing molecules of a substance to be tritiated on a supporting substrate in a vacuum chamber, and then subjecting the substance to low pressures of tritium gas. In a second embodiment of the invention, a substance is tritiated by placing the same near, but not in the path of, an electron beam which traverses a chamber; admitting tritium gas into the chamber; and subjecting the tritium to the electron beam thereby generating vibrationally excited tritium gas molecules which collide and react with the substance thus incorporating tritium atoms into the substance.

Abstract: A novel method for the measurement of the Thiele-Small small-signal parameters of a moving-coil electromagnetic transducer driver is disclosed. The technique is based on a time domain analysis of the transient response of a loudspeaker voice coil circuit to a current step of excitation. By sampling the damped sinusoidal transient generated by such an excitation, the loud-speaker parameters can be calculated from a linear predictive analysis of the recorded data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stripping entrained organic vapor and solid particulate matter from a pyrolytic off-gas stream is disclosed. The off-gas is introduced at the top of a conical chamber having a variable speed "squirrel cage" rotor at its top. The wet, dirty, off-gas is drawn into the rotor from below and impinged upon the chamber walls which causes part of the organic vapor to condense and flow to the chamber bottom, thereby cleaning the chamber walls. A portion of the impinged gas is recirculated through the rotor while the remainder exits at the chamber bottom. The ratio of recycled gas to through gas is controlled by the speed of the rotor. Heating and cooling coils on the chamber walls are operable to control the rate of condensation.

Abstract: A microwave energy transmission system for coupling a stationary waveguide to a rotating waveguide including a transition coupling assembly comprising a plurality of equal length transmission lines having their opposite ends terminating in annular patterns defining equidistantly, circumferentially spaced regions of maximum coupling, and a pair of rotatable horns having flared apertures sweeping circular paths in gapped registry with the annular patterns and spanning, at any instant, a plurality of said regions.

Abstract: A feed system for a geodesic Luneberg lens antenna system is disclosed, in which sequential cyclical scanning of a plurality of feed sectors of the lens from one transmitter/receiver is achieved with a minimum of dead time between successive scans.

Abstract: A method of making a low voltage field device utilizing a preferentially etched unidirectionally solidified composite as the substrate. In the process, the composite is etched so that the electrically conducting rod-like or fiber phase protrudes above the matrix phase. The tip of the exposed fiber phase may be processed further to provide a rounded or needle-like geometry. Next, a layer of insulating material is deposited in a direction approximately parallel to the axes of the fibers to cause the formation of cone-like deposits of insulating material on the fiber tips which shadow the deposit on the matrix around the fibers and produce conical holes in the layer of insulating material about the fibers. Then, an electrically conductive film is deposited in approximately the same direction to produce on the insulating layer a cellular grid having openings corresponding in number and distribution to the fiber sites. Lastly, the cones of insulating material are removed from the fibers.

Abstract: A circuit for use in connection with a meter for measuring the voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) along a transmission line wherein forward and reflected voltages in the transmission line are coupled off and detected by two respective diodes. Calibration of the two diode detected forward and reverse voltages occurs in a series of resistor-diode combinations before they are fed onto the base and collector, respectively, of a transistor. A meter connected between the collector and emitter of the transistor measures the voltage drop across the transistor and this value is proportional to the voltage standing-wave ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicles which are moved through a conduit by air and includes a processing system positioned in the conduit for collecting, storage and dispatching the vehicles in which an air pump is positioned in parallel with the processing system having its suction connected to the conduit upstream of the system and its discharge connected to the conduit downstream of the system. Valve means are connected to the conduit for reducing the tendency of the vehicles in the processing system to move upstream towards the pump suction. The valve means alternates the pressure in a portion of the processing system between less than atmospheric and at least atmospheric. One form of the valve means may include an air blocking vehicle stop movable into and out of the conduit and a valve connected between the conduit and the atmosphere upstream of the vehicle stop which is open and closed in synchronism with the vehicle stop.

Abstract: Molecules are tritiated by depositing molecules of a substance to be tritiated on a supporting substrate in a vacuum chamber, and then subjecting the substance to low pressures of tritium gas. In a second embodiment of the invention, a substance is tritiated by placing the same near, but not in the path of, an electron beam which traverses a chamber; admitting tritium gas into the chamber; and subjecting the tritium to the electron beam thereby generating vibrationally excited tritium gas molecules which collide and react with the substance thus incorporating tritium atoms into the substance.