Abstract: A process for making acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile copolymer, comprising polymerizing a mixture of acrylonitrile monomer and methacrylonitrile monomer in which the rate of addition of the comonomers is set by the rate of polymerization so that the concentration of unreacted acrylonitrile monomer and unreacted methacrylonitrile monomer is low and the polymerization process is in a starved condition.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds and for extracting oxygen from a gas containing N.sub.2 O, NO, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, or SO.sub.3 is described. The process is characterized by the use of mixed metal oxide materials having a perovskite structure represented by the formula:A.sub.s A'.sub.t B.sub.u B'.sub.v B".sub.w O.sub.xwherein A represents a lanthanide or Y, or a mixture thereof; A' represents an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof; B represents Fe; B' represents Cr or Ti, or a mixture thereof; and B" represents Mn, Co, Vi, Ni or Cu, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a fluid bed vinyl acetate (VAM) catalyst comprising impregnating a support comprising a mixture of substantially inert microspheroidal particles with a solution comprising a halide-free metal salt of Pd and M, wherein M comprises Ba, Au, La, Nb, Ce, Zn, Pb, Ca, Sr, Sb or mixtures thereof, reducing the metal salts to form a deposit of Pd and M on the support surface and impregnating the support with at least one halide-free alkali metal salt. At least 50% of the particles used for the microspheroidal support have a particle size below 100 microns, preferably below 60 microns.

Abstract: A stackable storing and dispensing apparatus for reels of wire includes a pallet structure having reinforced corners posts with selected corner posts including complimentary engageable members mounted to the upper and lower ends of the corner posts and extending between selected corner posts. The complimentary engageable members mounted to the ends of the corner posts are structurally arranged to provide nesting and stacking of the dispensing apparatus when one pallet structure is positioned on top of another pallet structure. The dispensing apparatus includes a restraining member which locks the vertically orientated reels of wire within the pallet structure and which is movable to an open position which permits removal of the reels of wire from the apparatus.

Abstract: A three-dimensional substrate material for use in constructing battery electrodes comprises a sintered matrix material selected from the group consisting of reticulated metal foams, conductive fibers and metal powder compacts, and a porous covering layer of a polymeric mesh material, flexible metal screen or metal fibers, bonded to at least one surface of the matrix material to retain the sintered matrix material substantially within the planar surface of the surface of matrix material during spiral-wounding of the chemically loaded matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention uses a high energy x-ray, neutron, or gamma source for monitoring the interface between a molten and solidified crystalline phase while in a furnace in a casting process. The radiation can also be used to determine the quality and orientation of the crystals in the crystalline phase. The invention uses the distinctive diffraction patterns produced by crystalline and amorphous phases to locate the interface.

Abstract: Compression refrigeration apparatus for removing heat from a heat load using a falling film evaporator, operated with an azeotropic refrigerant and utilizing a spray tree distribution system that distributes a refrigerant film on a heat exchange surface by spraying liquid refrigerant onto a surface and allowing the refrigerant to drip onto the primary heat exchange surface. The apparatus allows for efficient recovery of lubricant deposited in the evaporator without redistributing the lubricant within the evaporator. In an alternative embodiment, liquid refrigerant is sprayed onto a mesh screen where it drips onto the primary heat exchange surface.

Abstract: Multiple ply labels include removable single ply portions for use in facilitating package shipment operations. Two-ply and a three-ply embodiments are disclosed with release material being applied to portions of a second or bottom ply which are overlain by tab portions of a first or top ply having adhesive applied to the underside of the tab portions and around the periphery of the top and bottom plies to adhere the plies to one another to assemble the labels. The tab portions are preferably formed by die cuts; however, lines of weakness created for example by creasing or lines of perforations can be used to make the tab portions readily separable from the top ply. Card portions are also formed by lines of perforations or other lines of weakness in the top ply with the card portions being formed clear of any adhesive coating such that they are free of adhesive for filing, mailing or other applications related to the package shipment operations.

Abstract: A rail car truck has a pair of longitudinally spaced wheelsets and a pair of laterally spaced side frames which extend between and are supported by the wheelsets. A bolster extends between the side frames to support the rail car vehicle body. There is a brace which is connected to the side frames to control relative longitudinal movement therebetween. The brace includes a pair of struts which are diagonally connected to the side frame on opposite sides of the centerline thereof. The struts intersect generally centrally of the side frames and there is a clamp assembly for attaching the struts together. The clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp plates, each having a channel formed and adapted to receive a strut. Each clamp plate is welded to a strut and there are fasteners which attach the facing surfaces of the clamp plates directly to each other. The clamp plates are welded one to another. The clamp assembly inhibits relative movement between the struts in a generally horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the temperature of an engine based on a temperature control signal generated by an electronic control module of the engine. The electronic control module is coupled to a plurality of sensors configured to detect a plurality of engine component parameters and is configured to generate the temperature control signal related to an optimum engine temperature calculated using at least one output signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus includes a controller coupled to the electronic control module and to an engine temperature sensor. The controller generates an output signal based on the temperature control signal received from the electronic control module and on a signal proportional to the actual engine temperature received from the engine temperature sensor.

Abstract: A paperboard tray packaging machine is adapted to handle the tray blanks and product to be packaged as both move continually in a downstream direction. The blanks are stored in an auxiliary magazine alongside the main magazine and are transferred from one to the other individually so each tray blank can be printed, at least on the blank end walls that cannot be conveniently printed in the machine itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of forming interference anti-reflective, abrasion resistant and easy to clean coatings on plastic articles by improved microwave plasma modification to obtain a coating with stable layer thickness and a refractive index as low as 1.29-1.35, which is formed from organic silicon compounds.

Abstract: A polymeric composite structure having a polymeric shell layer with a finish-side and a non-finish side and a cross-linked thermosetting polymeric backing layer and method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The cross-linked thermosetting polymeric backing layer is simultaneously molded to conform to the shape of and bonded directly to essentially the entire non-finish side of the polymeric shell layer. The method includes forming the polymeric shell having a finish-side and non-finish side into a suitable shape, placing the shell into a mold, and introducing an uncured blended mixture of unsaturated thermosetting polymeric backing material and cross-linking promoter into the mold to force the backing material to directly coat the non-finish side of the shell.

Abstract: A rail car truck side frame has an upper compression member and a lower tension member, with these members being joined by integral end walls which slant upwardly and outwardly from the tension member toward the compression member. To protect the side frame from the elements of car progressors, there is a car progressor contact extending forwardly from the lower outward portion of each end wall of the side frame. The contact is formed and adapted to be contacted by and protect the side frame from the pusher of a car progressor. The car progressor contact may either be cast into the side frame or it may be a separate welded element. When the side frame is used in a frame brace truck, the car progressor contact may extend outwardly from the bracket which is attached to the side frame and supports the cross braces of the truck.

Abstract: A 3-frequency heterodyne laser interferometer and a method for measuring length and other physical quantifies by using the interferometer are disclosed. The 3-frequency heterodyne laser interferometer includes; a 3-frequency laser oscillating means; a beam splitter for separating the output laser beams of the oscillating means into reference beams and comparison beams to measure the counted value of secondary beat frequencies; a polarizing beam splitter; first and second corner cubic prisms; first and second polarizer; first and second beam detectors; first and second amplifiers, first and second band pass filters; a 2-channel counter; and a length displaying means.

Abstract: A portable batting cage having a backstop, two extended wings, a top and wheels is disclosed, the wings being pivotally mounted onto the backstop to allow adjustment to different relative angles. An extended tongue is provided to counterbalance the extended length of the wings, the wings being longer than the backstop. The top is non-rigid to allow for multiple positioning of the wings.