Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated nitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tube arrangement for a tube-type heat exchanger. The tube arrangement provides for the location of the tubes in the upper portion of the drum defining the combustion chamber of the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, four heat exchange tubes are provided, with two of the tubes disposed such that the axial center line of the tube lies across the horizontal center line of the heat exchanger drum, and with two tubes disposed entirely above the horizontal center line of the drum.

Abstract: A process for the one step esterification of aldehydes and alcohols comprises the steps of combining an aldehyde with an alcohol, in the presence of oxygen and in contact with a catalyst having the general formulaPdTe.sub.a Zn.sub.d E.sub.ewhereE is one or more metals from the group consisting of group IA, IIA, IVA, VIIB or VIII metals, As or Sb; anda, d and e are from about 0 to 3 with the proviso that at least d or e.noteq.0.

Abstract: A method of making a sanitaryware article with a light transmitting panel. A sheet of light-transmitting plastic is formed into the shape of a article of sanitaryware which has a sump. A mask is applied to a portion of the plastic sheet and the remaining portions are covered with a coating which makes the areas opaque. The mask is removed and a rigid panel of a light transmitting plastic is bonded to the light transmitting area of the shell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising (1) dehydrocyclization of 2-methylglutaronitrile over Pt or Pd based catalysts to make a mixture containing 3-methylpyridine and lesser amounts of 3-methylpiperidine and (2) reacting such a mixture with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 over certain oxide catalysts containing P, V and Mo to obtain 3-cyanopyridine.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the water stress condition of an agricultural crop growing in a field includes sensors for sensing environmental and crop conditions, such as air temperature, crop canopy temperature and relative humidity, and for generating signals indicative of the sensed conditions, a microprocessor for receiving the generated signals and for calculating a crop water stress index from the signals and a visual display for displaying, in the field, the calculated index. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted in a pistollike, hand held housing and the microprocessor, display and a keyboard control are carried by a second housing. The microprocessor compares one or more of the sensed conditions to reasonable value limits and rejects a set of measurements containing values beyond the limits. Crop-specific data needed to calculate water stress indices for a particular crop are stored in a programmable, read only memory.

Abstract: A continual type quick service valve adapted to be independently mounted on a railway car to provide local, supplemental venting of the car brake pipe pressure, as long as the brake pipe pressure continues to be reduced externally. This quick service venting of the brake pipe pressure is achieved utilizing a single piston actuated exhaust valve that is either cyclically-operated between open and closed states or is held open continuously depending upon the degree of brake application in effect. By selective tuning, the open duration of the exhaust valve can be made to exceed the duration the exhaust valve is closed during each cycle of operation or to remain open for the duration of the external brake pipe pressure reduction to achieve high operating efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.

Abstract: A product display and dispensing unit comprises a plurality of juxtaposed compartments made from body members and side panels. Keys are provided on the body members and engage complementary slots on the side panels. Each slot accommodates two keys, one key of a comaprtment located at either side of the panels. The lid comprises a plate member having a handle and an upper lip which engages dowels in the side panels.

Abstract: A silver base electrical contact material is described which contains a dispersion of particles consisting of cadmium oxide and nickel. The nickel particles are surrounded by a continuous adherent coating of nickel oxide which eliminates the detrimental reaction which would otherwise occur between nickel and cadmium oxide. The invention contact materials have improved lives and are fabricated by any one of several different powder metallurgy techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the ammoxidation of paraffins having 3-5 C atoms using a complex metal oxide catalyst having the ingredients and the proportions which are represented by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m P.sub.n A.sub.a B.sub.b C.sub.c T.sub.t O.sub.xwhereA is one or more of W, Wn, Mo, B and Ge;B is one or more of Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Te, Pb and As;C is one or more of an alkali metal and TlT is one or more of Ca, Sr and Baand where m is greater than 1 and up to 10; n is greater than zero and up to 10, a is 0-10; b is 0-3; c is 0-1; t is 0-1; a is equal to or less than m; b is equal to or less than m; n is equal to or less than m; and wherein the antimony has an average valency higher than +3 and the vanadium has an average valency lower than +5, and the catalyst and how to make the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for forming foam, useful in mixing with concrete at a batching plant, includes the steps:a) supplying a synthetic resinous foaming agent, in liquid form,b) combining the foaming agent with water, to form a liquid mix, and pressurizing the mix,c) adding pressurized air to the mix,d) sub-dividing the mix into droplets, in a confined flowing stream,e) reducing the stream confinement,f) whereby the droplets expand as a foam.

Abstract: An integrated electronic control arrangement is disclosed in the illustrative environment of a gas-fired furnace. The control incororates a self-test feature which shuts down the furnace and displays a diagnostic fault code in the event of any one of a number of possible sensed faults. Self-testing occurs automatically before an attempt at ignition and during furnace operation. The self-test may also be initiated manually at any time the furnace is not operating. The control accepts digital information on daily temperature setback, weekend temperature setback and vacation setback in any one of several preset schedules and preset setback increments. The control has a multipurpose display for selectively showing component indicative failure codes, temperature setback schedules, time of day, and day of the week.

Abstract: A stacked plate heat exchanger is disclosed which includes heat exchange plates arranged in stacked relation, each of the plates including a peripheral flange. Each plate includes two types of flow openings, one type being formed as part of a depression therein, the other being substantially coplanar with the plate surface. The flow openings within the depressions adjoin the coplanar flow openings of the plate positioned immediately therebelow. Additional projections and depressions are formed between the flow openings of each plate to support it against similar projections and depressions formed in adjacent plates. A turbulator is positioned between and helps support each adjoining pair of heat exchange plates. Fluid is introduced to the heat exchanger by means of a nozzle having a base portion locked between a top plate and one of the heat exchange plates.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of C.sub.3 to C.sub.4 paraffins with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalysts containing V, Sb, W and certain optional elements.

Abstract: A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.

Abstract: A circuit for deriving a temperature-independent square-wave signal from a measurement signal which consists of a DC component and an AC component and which is taken across a magneto-resistor exposed to an alternating magnetic field. The circuit has a controllable impedance, a timing section with a relatively long time constant, and operational amplifiers with FET inputs.

Abstract: A low-profile railway car retarder having a pair of braking bars disposed parallel and on opposite sides of a track rail and having an upper and lower pivotal lever carrying a respective one of the pairs of braking bars. A pneumatic motor pivotally connected to the outer extremities of the upper and lower levers, and the height of the pivotal connection of the upper lever is substantially at the same level as the track rail so that a humped railway vehicle is permitted to freely pass through the car retarder. The pneumatic motor lifts the upper lever and depresses the lower lever to move the pair of braking bars to a closed braking position wherein pressure is supplied to the pneumatic motor so that the pair of braking bars engage the opposite side of the wheels of a traversing vehicle at a relatively high point to exert a greater amount of retardation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for making a trim molding for attachment to a vehicle includes the steps of forming a film with a predetermined radius of curvature and securing the film to the surface of a mold. The steps include injecting a polymeric material into the mold and forming a base member having an arcuate portion adjacent the arcuate portion of the film and bonding the film to the base member.

Abstract: In a compressor of the hermetic, scroll-type, a motor engaging drive shaft having a net axial thrust load determined by the pressure of compressed fluid acting upon the opposing ends of the shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft includes a first end in the discharge pressure portion providing a first plan view area and a second end in the suction pressure portion having a circular, eccentrically disposed cavity with a second plan view area. The shaft has an axial bore for communicating refrigerant at discharge pressure through the shaft between the respective ends such that refrigerant at discharge pressure acts in opposite directions upon both of the respective plan view areas to balance the net thrust load of the shaft.