Abstract: In an orthophotograph recorder, a three dimensional optical model of a terrain produced by a stereo pair of aerial transparencies is projected onto an imaging plate. The optical model is scanned by an optically produced reference point while the height of the viewing plate is manually adjusted by the operator to maintain the reference on the apparent ground level of the terrain. The scanning motion of the reference point, as well as the height of the imaging plate, is digitally encoded and formatted into data blocks. Each block of digital data represents an individual scan line on the optical model, and is characterized by a starting coordinate and incremental coordinate data. This data format minimizes storage requirements and permits editing of individual scan lines. The encoded data are scaled and stored on magnetic tape to be used to control exposure of a photosensitive sheet in an orthophotograph printer. The printer comprises a light projector located above a platen carrying the photosensitive sheet.

Abstract: A lock-out control logic circuit for a feedback inverter system, which senses the load current in each load switching element of the inverter system and utilizes the sensed current through the presently conducting load switching element to inhibit the next firing of the presently non-conducting load switching element. Current transformers are inserted in series with each switching element and coupled to a CMOS logic circuit which inhibits the firing pulse to a non-conducting load switching element in the event a current conduction condition is sensed.

Abstract: Nickel-copper alloy is plated on a metal substrate by electrodeposition of the alloy from an acetate electrolyte solution.

Abstract: Individual components of mixtures of plastic materials are separated by flotation employing sodium silicate as a wetting agent and fatty amines as promoters.

Abstract: Tungsten is extracted from hot springs tungsten ores by means of a process comprising (1) calcining the ore, (2) quenching the calcined ore in aqueous alkaline solution and (3) treating the resulting slurry at elevated temperature and pressure to extract the tungsten values from the ore.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system is disclosed for measuring the amount of carbon monoxide or similar oxidizable gases present in a gas phase mixture wherein the gas phase mixture is brought into contact with a liquid electrolyte through a gas-permeable measuring electrode. The improved electrode is formed of a porous membrane of chemically-inert non-wettable material, on one side of which a layer of gold is specially deposited for contact with an electrolyte of a substantially pure aqueous solution of perchloric acid. An electrical readout system is connected to the electrode for deriving a signal from the resulting oxidation current, which corresponds to a quantitative measure of the oxidation of the gas at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Abstract: A portable hard rock crusher unit especially useful for low clearance underground mines. Material to be crushed is horizontally fed to the rotary crusher jaws. A curved convergent material flow-path is employed between two crusher jaws. The outer member of the crusher is a substantially stationary outer curved concave jaw and its inner jaw member is a cylindrical element mounted to give eccentric motion on a shaft. The inner member may freely rotate on its eccentric or it may also be rotatably driven. Material fed between the inner and outer jaw members of the crusher encounters a progressively narrower opening as it is crushed and moved by the peristaltic pumping action caused by the eccentric motion of the movable inner crusher element acting against the outer stationary jaw.

Abstract: A system for the continuous dielectrophoretic separation of mixtures of particulate and granular materials by passing the materials through a divergent electric field created in a fluid dielectric medium by applying a voltage to an electrode configuration including a rotatable cylindrical-shaped electrode having a non-uniform conductor surface and a stationary perforate electrode spaced therefrom to define a contact zone. The particles having dielectric constants lower than that of the fluid medium are collected through the perforate electrode while those particles having dielectric constants higher than that of the fluid medium are attached to and separated by the rotatable electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-destructively testing concrete comprises a tri-wheel platform having a transducer mounted adjacent each wheel and mechanically coupled to the concrete to be responsive to vibration. An aperture is formed in the center of the platform equispaced from the three transducers. Vibrations are imparted to the concrete that emanate outwardly toward the transducers by manually striking the concrete through the center aperture with a rubber tipped impact rod. The transducers generate electrical signals responsive to the amplitudes of detected vibrations which are a function of the structural continuity of the concrete. Electronic circuitry monitors the outputs of the transducers and makes comparisons of the signals to determine whether a flaw exists in the concrete within the region bounded by the three transducers.

Abstract: A vibrating wire stress meter. The wire is highly tensioned diametrically across the sides of a hollow metallic cylinder and held there by two anchor tubes. A wedge and platen assembly in turn hold this cylinder in a rock borehole such that small stress changes in the surrounding rock cause the diameter of the cylinder to slightly change. This cylinder variation is transmitted to and measured by the preloaded wire by noting variations in its frequency or period of vibration. To cause the wire to vibrate a coil, magnet, and yoke are used as a plural pole electromagnetic plucker.Clamping of the wire is accomplished by highly tensioning the wire between two opposite hollow tubes that are seated in opposite aligned countersunk holes of the cylinder and then extruding the steel tubes around the wire. The wire extends through holes of those hollow tubes as well as the aligned holes in the cylinder walls which are diametrically opposite each other.

Abstract: A long-lived electrode is produced, for use in the electrowinning of metals, by electrodepositing a coating onto the electrode substrate. The coating has a uniform grain size and structure which is controlled by superimposing alternating current onto direct current during electrodeposition.

Abstract: A method of agglomerating fine ore powders. The invention is used to agglomerate extremely fine flue dust particles in a collection bin and process them before sending the resultant agglomeration to storage or a further processing location. From its collection bin, the dust particles are discharged by gravity upon a lower rapidly rotating smooth horizontal disc. The bin discharge is offset slightly from the disc's center so that the particles are subjected to centrifugal force to move them to the disc's outer periphery. At the point where the particles are discharged on the disc, a liquid binder, like water, is sprayed on the particles to cause them to begin to agglomerate. After being sprayed, the wetted particles are agglomerated under the influence of centrifugal and tangential forces. A scraper may be used to aid in pushing the particles towards the disc's raised outer edge.

Abstract: A coal mine ventilation system which insures proper ventilation near the working area. The basic system employs a mining machine on which is mounted a panel on a movable frame, a conventional line curtain fixed to the mine floor and roof and located adjacent to the panel, and an air control fluid spray system. Fluid sprays may be mounted on the machine on the opposite the panel to promote airflow towards the mining face. Additional sprays may be mounted on the machine panel to provide an effective barrier between that panel and the fixed line curtain.

Abstract: Hydrosulfides of sodium, potassium, calcium, barium and strontium are prepared by reaction of the oxide or hydroxide of the metal with sulfur in aqueous medium at elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing calcium sulfate scale deposits from surfaces, such as reverse osmosis membranes and electrodialysis stacks, wherein the surface to be cleaned is contacted by an aqueous solution comprising a chelating agent, a soluble carbonate and a fluorocarbon surfactant.

Abstract: An infrared radiation measuring pyrometer whose output is used to calculate both particle and gas temperatures from an explosion or fire. Preferably four infrared wavelength measurements are made to compute the particle temperature and two infrared wavelength measurements to compute the gas temperature. Especially constructed to operate in an explosion environment, the invention allows the simultaneous and continuous measurements for both particle and gas temperatures. Planck's Law is used to relate the radiation emitted from the particles and/or gas to the wavelengths observed, the emissivity of the object at that wavelength, and the temperature of the particles and/or gas. For each specific wavelength detected at the pyrometer there is an output voltage which can be related to the flame radiation.

Abstract: An articulated shaft assembly particularly useful in forming a flexible drill for drilling vertical holes in a mine shaft roof employs interengaging shaft sections whose opposed ends form a ball and socket mating surface connection with a plurality of driving members interposed between opposed spherical surfaces and with the driving members locking the shaft in axial alignment for torque transmission in one direction while permitting torque transmission in the other direction with the shafts angularly misaligned.

Abstract: Nickel, cobalt and manganese are recovered from deep sea nodules by leaching with sulfurous acid. In addition, selective extraction of nickel and cobalt from copper is achieved by suitable adjustment of process variables such as leaching time and volume and concentration of acid.

Abstract: A method for the production of a rare-earth-silicon alloy useful as an additive in the production of various ferrous metals. The process comprises the bringing together and reaction of one or more rare-earth metal compounds, an elemental silicon source and an elemental aluminum source in the presence of calcium oxide. High recoveries of the rare-earth metals are found, little rare-earth metal being lost to the slag produced from the reaction.

Abstract: A conventional electric arc furnace is provided with an outlet in a sidewall of the furnace, the inner and outer ends of which are positioned such that the outer end of the outlet is higher than the inner end of the outlet. The outer end of the outlet communicates directly with a graphite electrode having a hollow interior leading from the sidewall of the electric arc furnace to an electroslag furnace positioned below the electric arc furnace. After an initial charge of ore in the electric arc furnace is brought to the molten state with the slag floating on top of the molten metal, the level of molten metal is maintained above the inner end of the slanted outlet and caused to flow through the slanted outlet and hollow graphite electrode to the electroslag furnace. In the electroslag furnace, the molten metal solidifies on a movable base plate positioned at the bottom of the furnace which is slowly withdrawn out of the bottom of the electroslag furnace, thereby continuously forming the desired steel ingot.