Abstract: A TIG weld produced from a rapidly solidified dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloy exhibits attributes of the alloy's microstructure extant prior to formation of the weld. TIG welding power is adjusted to minimize energy input into the weld. An arc gas contacts the weld to maximize rapid quenching thereof, while a second gas contacts the undersurface of the weld so that the undersurface of the weld is quenched. Cooling of the weld is further enhanced by a trailing gas selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof. The weld is shot peened to homogenize the weldment and heat effected zone, and induce residual compressive stresses and cold working therein.

Abstract: A TIG weld produced from a rapidly solidified dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloy exhibits attributes of the alloy's microstructure extant prior to formation of the weld. TIG welding power is adjusted to minimize energy input into the weld. An arc gas contacts the weld to maximize rapid quenching thereof, while a second gas contacts the undersurface of the weld so that the undersurface of the weld is quenched. Cooling of the weld is further enhanced by a trailing gas selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A magnetic metallic glass alloy exhibits, in combination, high saturation induction and low magnetic anisotropy energy. The alloy has a composition described by the formula Fe.sub.a Co.sub.b B.sub.c Si.sub.d C.sub.e, where "a"-"e" are in atom percent, "a" ranges from about 72 to about 84, "b" ranges from about 2 to about 8, "c" ranges from about 11 to about 16, "d" ranges from about 1 to about 4, and "e" ranges from 0 to about 4, with up to about 1 atom percent of Mn being optionally present. Such an alloy is especially suited for use in large magnetic cores associated with pulse power applications requiring high magnetization rates. Examples of such applications include high power pulse sources for linear induction particle accelerators, induction modules for coupling energy from the pulse source to the beam of these accelerators, magnetic switches in power generators in inertial confinement fusion research, magnetic modulators for driving excimer lasers, and the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating a mixed frequency light beam, particularly a laser light beam, into its different frequency components by impinging it on a first surface of an optical slab which reflects one component but transmits another, and re-directing the reflected component via a roof prism to a second surface of the slab which is adjacent to and positioned 90.degree. to the first surface, to obtain a reflected beam which is co-directional with the mixed beam, but stripped of the transmitted component.

Abstract: This application relates to a catalyst and a process using this catalyst to convert or destroy organic compounds including organohalogen compounds. A preferred catalyst contains as catalytic components titania, vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide and at least one noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and rhodium, characterized in that the vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide and noble metals are uniformly dispersed on the titania. The process of this invention comprises contacting the gas stream, which contains organohalogen compounds and other organic compounds, at a temperature of about 200.degree. to about 500.degree. C. with the catalyst described above in the presence of an oxidizing agent and water. The oxidizing agent can be oxygen or air.

Abstract: Electroless deposition of copper from solution onto a substrate, particularly a polymeric laminate for use in electronic circuitry, is accomplished by first treating said substrate with a stilbene-based fluorescent brightener to sensitize said substrate and thereafter contacting said substrate with an electroless copper plating solution.

Abstract: Natural gas is stored in a closed vessel under a pressure of about 1400 to 4500 kPa using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent. The deliverable volume of natural gas from a vessel packed with carbon molecular sieve particles is increased by impregnating a polymer precursor of the carbon molecular sieve with additional monomers and polymerizing the monomers before carbonizing the precursor.

Abstract: Natural gas is stored in a closed vessel under a pressure of about 1400 to 4500 kPa using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent. The deliverable volume of natural gas from a vessel packed with carbon molecular sieve particles is increased by raising the density of the polymer precursor of the carbon molecular sieve through adjustment of the conditions for suspension polymerization of vinylidene chloride.

Abstract: A sensor for use in an optic system to detect current conditions in an environment. The sensor has a crystal member with a first waveguide extending from a top surface and a second waveguide extending from a bottom surface of a core member. Polarized light waves from a source are simultaneously communicated to the first and second waveguides. A first pressure is communicated to the top surface of the crystal member and an unknown pressure corresponding to the pressure of the environment is communicated to the bottom surface of the crystal member. The first pressure and the unknown pressure develop a pressure differential which acts on the crystal member to deform the first and second waveguides. The deformation of the first and second waveguides modifies the polarized light waves to create first and second output waves which are communicated to an optical interface where differences therebetween are extracted.

Abstract: A control circuit for synchronizing the speed of a plurality of engines of an aircraft. The control circuit includes first and second counters for counting pulses in a reference pulse train and an engine speed pulse train over a predetermined time interval and third and fourth counters for determining the time between the last pulse of the reference pulse train counted during the predetermined time interval and the end of that time interval and the time between the last pulse of the engine speed pulse train counted during the predetermined time interval. The frequencies of the reference pulse train and speed pulse train in conjunction with inputs from the first, second, third and fourth counters are used to compute an average phase difference between the reference and speed pulse trains over the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A control for an electropneumatic braking system applies a step function to a electronically operated proportional modulator to improve transient response. The current is controlled by a treadle operated signal generator operated by the vehicle operator and by actual feedback braking pressure as generated by a pressure sensor which senses braking pressure. The system includes a master controller which receives and processes information from the operator operated treadle operated signal generator and transmits desired pressure signals to wheel controllers which independently control each wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Thermal imaging apparatus including a non-linear optomechanical scanner receiving light from a scene and directing it onto an image plane, the scanner defining a non-linear scan velocity in the image plane, a SPRITE detector disposed in the image plane and including first and second spaced contacts and apparatus for applying a bias voltage across said contacts, and apparatus for varying the bias voltage across the contacts as a function of the non-linear scan velocity, thereby to compensate for the non-linearity of the optomechanical scanner.

Abstract: A sinter-reactive lanthanum chromite powder is prepared from the lanthanum chromite precursor LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3 (Adsorbate). The powder is crystalline, has the formula LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper and mixtures thereof and x ranges from about 0.02 to 0.2, and sinters to densities higher than about 95% of theoretical density at temperature as low as 1400.degree. C. in oxidizing atmospheres. Sintering to such high density at temperatures in the vicinity of 1400.degree. C. makes the powder particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of constructing a fuel cell includes a sintering technique that improves the structure and performance of the fuel cell elements. The method includes furnishing a fuel cell core comprising trilayers of anode, cathode, and interconnect layers, and trilayers of anode, cathode, and electrolyte layers. Each of the layers has a mixture of the respective anode, cathode, or interconnect ceramic material mixed with processing aid materials including a binder and a plasticizer, and, in the case of the interconnect mixture, optionally a flux. This partially fabricated fuel cell core is sintered to form a monolithic structure, the step of sintering being performed by heating the core at a heating rate of greater than about 40.degree. C. per minute to a sintering temperature of from about 1550.degree. to about 1600.degree. C., maintaining the core at the sintering temperature for a time of from about 5 to about 20 minutes, and cooling the sintered structure.

Abstract: An air dryer for compressed air braking systems includes a desiccant canister which is provided with a double helix insert which cooperates with the walls of the canister to define a pair of intertwined, serpentine, pneumatically isolated flow paths. The flow paths extend through the canister between the end walls and are filled with a desiccant material. A single center line valve mechanism is provided to switch between the flow paths so that one of the flow paths is purged at the same time that the other flow path is pressurized.

Abstract: Vinyl ether terminated ester oligomers having a range of molecular weights are prepared by reacting a vinyl ether terminated polybasic ester with a polyol in the presence of a catalyst. Continual removal of a hydroxy monovinyl ether avoids formation compounds containing acetal moieties. Alternatively, a polybasic ester is chain extended with a polyol with continual removal of the alcohol by-product. Then, the terminal ester moieties are end capped with a monohydroxy vinyl ether. The oligomers have application in coatings and the like.

Abstract: Novel gel-forming compositions are used in a process for molding ceramic compositions. Gel-forming compositions, such as agar, are improved with a gel-enhancing agent, e.g. polyethyleneimine. The novel gel-forming compositions improved the ceramic molding process and/or the ceramic products formed therefrom.

Abstract: Metallic glasses having high permeability, low coercivity, low ac core loss, low exciting power, and high thermal stability are disclosed. The metallic glasses are substantially completely glassy and consist essentially of about 71 to 79 atom percent iron, about 1 to 6 atom percent of at least one member selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, titanum, zirconium and hafnium, about 12 to 24 atom percent boron, about 1 to 8 atom percent silicon, 0 to about 2 atom percent carbon, plus incidental impurities, the total of boron, silicon and carbon present ranging from about 18 to 28 atom percent. The alloy is heat treated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to achieve stress relief without inducing precipitation of discrete particles therein. Such a metallic glass alloy is especially suited for use in devices requiring high response to weak magnetic fields, such as ground fault interruptors and current/potential transformers.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum based alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a M.sub.b Si.sub.c R.sub.d, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Mo, Cr, Mn, Nb, Ta, and W; R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Y; "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom %; "b" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom %; "c" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom %; "d" ranges from 3.0 to 0.3 atom % and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio [Fe+M]:Si ranges from about 2.0:1 to 5.0:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:M ranges from about 16:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits improved elevated temperature strength due to the rare earth element additions without an increase in the volume fraction of dispersed intermetallic phase precipitates therein.

Abstract: A electrically conductive polyaniline particle comprising a substituted or unsubstituted polyaniline doped with two or more dopants, at least one of said dopants predominating at or near the surface of said particles and at least one other dopant predominating at or near the core of said particle.