Abstract: A burn wound-adherent dressing material comprising a complex of gelatin and a water-soluble resin material such as polyethylenimine. The dressing material may be in the form of a preformed film or in the form of an aqueous coating which sets to a gel and dries to a continuous wound-adherent film in situ.

Abstract: The specification describes a method and an apparatus for detecting and quantitatively assessing wear of a machine having ferromagnetic components subjected to wear during operation resulting in the production of ferromagnetic particulate wear debris, and a lubrication system utilizing a lubricating fluid, in which the wear debris becomes entrained, for lubricating the components. The method comprises the steps of passing a sample stream of the lubricating fluid at a predetermined rate of flow axially through the core of an inductance coil of a sample oscillator for producing a time varying signal which deviates from a predetermined value in proportion to the mass of ferromagnetic material contained in the fluid passing through the core, monitoring the rate of change of signal and activating an indicator when the rate of change of the signal exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low cost bulk explosive storage container constructed in such a way that simple on-site modifications, specifically the attachment of a metal liner and the addition of a fluid will transform the carrying container into a directed energy demolition device.

Abstract: A microwave microstrip/slotline frequency-halving circuit configuration is disclosed in which the frequency division is based on the principle of parametric subharmonic generation. The circuit comprises a subharmonic resonator formed partially by the overlap of an open-circuited microstrip line on one side of a dielectric substrate and a short-circuited slotline in the ground-plane on the other side of the substrate. The resonator is completed by a pair of varactor diodes symmetrically placed in holes in the dielectric substrate so as to form connections between the end of the microstrip line and the two sides of the slotline below. An input signal at frequency 2f entering via the microstrip line results in the propagation of a signal at frequency f in the output slotline.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a process and apparatus for reducing the concentration of dissolved contaminant in a contaminated liquid, with specific application to the regeneration of contaminated electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolyte is removed from the cell under vacuum and mixed with a washing liquid e.g. water and clean electrolyte. The mixed electrolyte is returned to the cell and the process repeated until the contaminant concentration in the washing liquid and electrolyte are substantially the same.

Abstract: A digital data transmission system eliminates the need for coaxial cable or twisted pairs as a means to eliminate noise, interference or cross talk problems. The system utilizes a multi-conductor cable having a plurality of lays of insulated conductors surrounded by an electrically conductive shield. The shield serves as a common ground and one conductor in each lay provides a reference line for that lay. Data is transmitted over lines in at least one lay, the lines for transmitting data being terminated at each cable end by their characteristic impedances with respect to the shield.

Abstract: A system for connecting an annular, rigid component to an opening in a flexible sheet material is disclosed. The system includes a boss molded around the opening in the sheet material and a groove around the component, sized to accommodate the boss. An annular keeper engages the boss circumferentially under hoop stress and compresses the boss against the component. A ledge on the component engages the keeper to retain it in operating position. In preferred embodiments, installation is assisted with a tapered face leading to the ledge, to produce elastic deformation of the keeper to the extent that it will pass over the boss and then snap back once past the ledge.

Abstract: A compact lightweight flexible omnidirectional broadband UHF antenna of the fat monopole type is disclosed. The antenna comprises a braided copper sleeve molded inside a truncated cone of neoprene rubber. The antenna is suitable for vehicle or mast mounting. When mast mounted, the antenna may be associated with ground plane rods, each of which is mounted to a common support by means of a pivot with yieldable protuberances. The protuberances yield to the plane face of the support and will, therefore, enter recesses provided in the support in the rotational path of the protuberances. When the protuberances enter the recesses, the associated ground plane rod is locked in either an operational or a storage position.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus to prevent a battery or any one cell of a multi-celled battery from undergoing voltage reversals by disconnecting the battery from a load when the battery or one cell falls below predetermined reference potential levels. Means are provided for comparing the potential levels and disconnecting the load when the decreased potential levels are detected.

Abstract: A fibre optic magnetic sensor is disclosed. The sensor has a thin-walled cylindrical barrel with a mid-section which is elastically radially deformable. A single mode optical fibre is wound about the mid section of the barrel. A magnetostrictive element is located within the center of the barrel and secured to both ends of the barrel. Changes in the external magnetic field in the vicinity of the sensor cause changes in the length of the magnetostrictive element and consequently cause axial forces to be applied to the end of the barrel. The mid-portion of the barrel deforms radially, thus inducing a strain in the optical fibre from which the external magnetic field strength may be deduced.

Abstract: A Long Term Current Demand Control System which can be used in corrosion research is disclosed. The system is used to potentiostatically control several cathodes at several different set potentials. All cathodes can be placed in the same test tank and draw current from a single anode.

Abstract: A coiled rope providing a securely coiled rope structure which, when forcefully uncoiled, gives rapid yet controlled deployment of the rope, and a method of so coiling the rope. The rope is wound about a central core member in sequential, adjacent, planar circular layers of approximately similar diameter, each layer consisting of a plurality of coils of rope of increasing size commencing from the central core member. Adjacent coils of rope in each layer and adjacent layers of rope are releasably adhered to each other by contact cement so that the rope will remain securely coiled in storage or until required for use, and then permit rapid yet controlled uncoiling of the rope. Such a coiled rope is useful in providing controlled pay out of rope, for example, between life rafts being air dropped to survivors in the sea, the rope being payed out sequentially coil by coil and layer by layer.

Abstract: A viscometer for measuring the viscosity of volatile liquids or liquids that are easily contaminated in the air, is disclosed. The viscometer is of the capillary type and includes a U-shaped tube with a capillary adjacent the bight in one arm and a collector adjacent the bight in the other arm. In addition, the arm containing the capillary has two bulbs in series above the capillary and a stopcock adjacent the upper end. The other arm is equipped with a reservoir for a liquid sample to be tested, a branch passage adjacent the top and a plug valve for closing off the arm below the branch passage. The two arms are joined by a bypass above the reservoir and the bulbs. A stopcock is included in the bypass.

Abstract: A continuity detecting apparatus for testing the continuity of conductors in damaged cables, comprises at least two test cables, each having a proximal end and distal end. The distal end of each test cable is adapted to be electrically connected to a respective end of a conductor to be tested. The apparatus includes a detector adapted to provide an output signal in response to an input signal exceeding a predetermined threshold level, a device for connecting the proximal end of at least one of the cables to a signal source and the proximal end of another of the remaining cables to the detector, and an indicator responsive to the output signal for providing an indication of current flow through a conductor connected between the distal ends of the one and the other cables.

Abstract: The specification describes a case for use with a hand-portable chemical agent detector for continuously monitoring an atmosphere for the presence of predetermined chemical agents. The detector having means for ionizing air samples and providing at an output terminal electrical signals representative of the mobility spectrum of ionized chemical vapors produced by the ionizing means. The case comprises means defining a chamber in the case for supporting and removably enclosing the detector, means for communicating ambient atmosphere to the chamber, electrical circuit means in the case, the circuit means being adapted to be detachably connected to the detector output terminal when the detector is positioned in the chamber and being responsive to the electrical signals for producing an alarm signal when the signals detect a chemical agent concentration in the atmosphere exceeding a predetermined concentration level, and alarm means responsive to the alarm signal.

Abstract: A laminar flow element for use in a cylindrical fluid flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid through that passage to a constant volume flow rate. The element comprises a body portion having a cylindrical peripheral surface of predetermined length and predetermined diameter, with the surface defining with the passage an annular, tubular fluid passageway. Locating portions are provided extending from the element for engagement with at least one surface in the cylindrical passage for maintaining the peripheral surface concentrically disposed within the cylindrical passage. The length and diameter of the element are dimensioned so that the flow is laminar under all operating conditions, and therefore the volume rate of flow of fluid through the passage is linearly proportional to the pressure drop along the annular passage.

Abstract: A low cost easily installed and reliable weather seal for the nozzle throat of a solid propellant rocket motor which uses an aft end ignition system. The igniter cartridge, known per se, which is located in the throat of the rocket motor is provided with an elastomeric O-ring in the base of the cartridge thus sealing the gap between it and the inside surface of the exit cone of the nozzle. This structure not only provides an effective weatherseal but also provides a convenient means of positively retaining the igniter cartridge in place.

Abstract: A mechanical thruster for positively separating two releasably joined components under a controlled time delay. The thruster is particularly useful for mechanically opening canisters containing survival kits as they are being dropped from an airplane to a target. The thruster comprises an adjustable mechanical timing means which is actuated when a pin is pulled from it. After a predetermined time delay, the timing means actuates a plunger mechanically associated with it, which plunger dislodges a locking piston. This locking piston in locking position mechanically holds a thruster body about a barrel of the device. Once the locking piston is displaced, the thruster body is propelled away from the barrel.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a surgical dressing, particularly useful for the protection of wounds during the healing process. The dressing comprises a blend of gelatin and chitosan in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to 1:3 and a compatible plasticizer in an amount of 0-40% w/w based on the combined weight of gelatin and chitosan.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell to word buffer for use in a digital TV display radar system in which radar pulse returns are digitized by an analog to digital converter to form pixel data, polar coordinates of the pulse returns are converted to their equivalent X, Y cartesian coordinates by a coordinate converter and the pixel data are stored in an X, Y refresh memory array in accordance with their X, Y coordinates for use in refreshing a TV display. The cell to word buffer allows large offsets in high resolution radar scan converters. The cell to word buffer memory means is located intermediate the coordinate converter and refresh memory for temporarily storing, for each Y location, a plurality of groups of adjacent pixel data and their associated X addresses and for transferring each group of pixel data to its appropriate location in the refresh memory when each group in the buffer memory is filled with pixel data.