Abstract: Apparatus for opening a cassette, of the type which carries a sheet of X-ray film, to allow the film to move into processing equipment, without requiring a darkroom. The apparatus includes a lighttight housing containing inclined guides for receiving the cassette, and pins at the bottom of the space between the guides, that can engage latches on the cassette to open it. The cassette is forced against the pins by a cover on the housing, which pushes on the cassette as the cover approaches its fully closed position, so the pins unlatch the cassette which opens to allow the film sheet to drop out.

Abstract: The sensitivity to moisture of polystyrene sulfonate coatings on piezoelectric crystals in moisture detectors is unstable in the presence of acid gases. The sensitivity of these coated crystals can be stabilized by contacting the polymer with an acid gas.

Abstract: Mixtures of 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methoxy-3-methylurea with 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide or 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide exhibit surprisingly high solubility in suitable solvents. This solution synergism is believed to be the result of molecular complexing of 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methoxy-3-methylurea with 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide or with 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide.

Abstract: An intimate blend of a melt-fabricable tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin and graphite reinforcing fibers is obtained by intimately blending the resin and fibers in a mixture of water and a selected water-miscible organic solvent. Composites molded from the blend have high flexural modulus and tensile strength, and outstanding resistance to creep.

Abstract: Fungal mycelia are grown in a medium wherein the phosphate level is only slightly above the level which will limit growth, which results in a slightly lower content of ribonucleic acid in the mycelia but which results in the cells being much more amenable to removal of ribonucleic acid by simple means such as thermal shock.

Abstract: Fluid-carrying tubes for a heat exchanger are provided with internal longitudinal fins formed separately from the tube itself. One form utilizes individual elongated V-shaped strips biased radially outwardly by an annular sheet metal spring, with the tips of the fins brazed to the inner surface of the tube wall. Second and third embodiments utilize a one-piece corrugated sheet metal cylinder rather than individual strips, but with adjacent fins being almost completely severed from each other to provide sharp edge contact between the tips of the fins and the tube wall for optimum brazing. Either the fins or tube inner wall is clad with a lower-melting point material which permits furnace brazing of the fin tips to the tube wall. All three forms have longitudinally spaced holes and slots to enhance heat exchange by inducing transverse fluid flow through the fins and to allow liquid levels to equalize.

Abstract: A freshly slaughtered and skinned meat carcass has its skinned surface covered with a shroud consisting of a rectangular cloth composed of a blend of cotton and polyester fibers and held in place by skewers to cause the shroud to fit tightly against the skinned surface. The shroud is saturated with an aqueous saline solution when applied, and the fully wetted shroud is allowed to lose its moisture in the chilling room as the carcass loses its body heat.

Abstract: Esters of poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol are prepared by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in a reaction mixture which contains, in addition to the tetrahydrofuran, and acylium ion precursor such as acetic anhydride, a polymeric catalyst which contains sulfonic acid groups and, optionally, a carboxylic acid such as acetic acid.

Abstract: An artificial heart comprising at least one blood circulating pump having a transparent housing divided into two chambers by a diaphragm. One of the chambers is a hydraulic chamber having an inlet valve and an outlet valve which are connected to the circulatory system; the other chamber is a pneumatic chamber provided with a nipple for the intake and discharge of gas. The pump's pneumatic chamber has a transparent conductive coating, for example, of gold, applied onto the internal wall of said pneumatic chamber. Said coating and the surface of the blood circulating in the hydraulic chamber make up a capacitor whose capacity varies due to changes in the volume of the hydraulic chamber. Said capacitor serves as a blood volume transducer. The artificial heart includes a system for controlling the supply of gas to and the discharge of gas from the pneumatic chamber of said pump. The control system comprises an element which is sensitive to variations in the blood volume. Said sensitive element is an RC bridge.

Abstract: A vehicle differential control wherein the two axles and wheels thereon are influential in controlling the differential. Thus, speed sensors are on the two axles and link mechanisms connect the sensors to a valve unit which controls the flow of fluid to the differential and thus controls the operation of the differential and the subsequent speed of the respective axles. Also, the wheels on the axles are steerable wheels, and there is interconnecting mechanism between the wheels and the differential control mechanism so that when the wheels are steered the control mechanism is actuated to again influence the operation of the differential and thus rotate the respective axles accordingly. As such, there is a steering compensated differential controlled device which is both torque and speed sensed, and there is a wheel steering position compensated device which also influences the operation of the differential. The system is such that it assures traction control of all drive wheels at all times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for tracking and/or guidance of a vehicle or projectile using a correlation arrangement for comparing representations from a sensor mounted on the vehicle or projectile with a reference representation, the correlation being carried out by comparing portions of the representations and like portions of the reference representation to derive position coordinates for each of said portions and to evaluate from said position coordinates compensation signals for rotational misalignment and/or changes of scale as between the reference and subsequent representations.

Abstract: A flexible double-layer polypropylene laminate consisting of a bioriented film consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene with an atactic polypropylene content of less than 6% by weight and an intrinsic viscosity (standard ASTM D 1601) of from 1.5 to 3.0 dl/g, adhesively bonded with a non-oriented film consisting essentially of a mixture of isotactic polypropylene and atactic polypropylene, the latter in an amount of from 15 to 30% by weight of the total weight of the said mixture, the isotactic polypropylene of said mixture having an intrinsic viscosity (standard ASTM D 1601) of from 1.0 to 1.5 dl/g and the atactic polypropylene of said mixture having a density (standard ASTM D 1505) of from 0.855 to 0.865 g/cm.sup.3 and a viscosity at 160.degree. C. of from 3,000 to 10,000 cps.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for the simultaneous resection of soft tissues and their suturing with metal staples comprises an anvil and a staple branches, hinge-connected and having longitudinal jaws situated one opposite the other. A longitudinal row of grooves is made on the jaw of the anvil branch for clinching the ends of staples, while slots for the staples with staple tappets placed therein are provided on the jaw of the staple branch opposite said grooves. A plank with a wedge bevel on its end intended for interaction with the staple tappets when ejecting the staples is situated in the slot of the staple branch, and is longitudinally movable therealong. Rotation shafts are set along each branch with needles set perpendicularly to them, intended for grasping the soft tissue.

Abstract: In a container assembly for an exhaust emission control catalyst for internal combustion engines, of the kind comprising a cylindrical substrate body carrying the catalyst and mounted within a sheet metal casing with the interposition of a compressible cushioning layer of refractory material, an open-seam sheet metal shroud of variable circumference is used to enclose the compressible layer and to compress it prior to, or simultaneously with, endwise insertion into the casing. The shroud or the casing may have elongated ribs pressed in it, the ribs tapering at their ends to facilitate entry.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting the fundamental frequency from a complex audio wave form and for producing a pulse representation of said fundamental frequency includes a low pass filter having a frequency response characteristic which tends to exclude harmonics together with a control circuit including amplifier means, peak detector means and voltage to current converter means for supplying a control signal to the low pass filter thereby to vary the cutoff frequency of the filter and to maintain substantially constant amplitude of the fundmental wave form together with voltage comparator means for comparing the peaks of an alternating current quantity dependent upon the output of said filter with a direct current quantity proportional to the output of the filter, said comparator means thereby producing a pulse per cycle of said fundamental frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a working unit adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, particularly an underground cable laying machine, said unit comprising an assembly support provided with at least one guide, a tool-holder chassis mounted to slide on the guide, drive means mounted on the tool-holder chassis and adapted to provoke the displacement of the tool-holder chassis along the whole of said guide, locking means adapted mechanically to lock the tool-holder chassis at all points of its path with respect to the guide.

Abstract: This invention relates to new photopolymerizable compositions. More particularly, this invention pertains to photopolymerizable compositions containing photodissociable initiators in combination with selected sensitizers derived from aryl ketones and p-dialkylaminoarylaldehydes that absorb in the visible region of the spectrum.

Abstract: The core of a bowden cable controlling an automobile choke or the like is connected to the rear end of a rod longitudinally displaceable in a guide mounted in the automobile dashboard with the front end of the rod carrying a control knob that normally projects from the dashboard. The rod normally is moved forwardly to operate the choke from an intermediate position with its rear end bearing on inwardly projecting portions of laterally elastically deflectable fingers formed integrally with the guide. If the control knob is forcibly depressed the rear end will deflect the portions and fingers laterally and allow the control knob to move against the dashboard out of harm's way.

Abstract: A fiber comprising poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) containing distributed substantially throughout its whole interior finely divided cross-linked, phosphorus-containing resin deposits in an amount sufficient to provide at least 0.4% by weight of phosphorus, based on total weight of fiber. Fabrics of the fiber, as well as the fiber itself, have good flame resistance properties.

Abstract: A high temperature ultrasonic transducer is described in which a piezoelectric crystal is held in contact with an acoustical diaphragm by a spring which also electrically couples the back face of the crystal to an electrical signal source. An oil film between the diaphragm and crystal provides an acoustical coupling. Air is used to insulate the spring electrical connection from the wall of the transducer.