Abstract: The present invention provides a facile method of oil removal from an oil-water emulsion containing suspended solid particulates. In general, the method utilizes a volatile solvent which is liquefied under pressure and forms a two-phase system when in contact with the emulsion.

Abstract: In a pulsed radio frequency plasma deposition process the pulse repetition frequency is matched to the gas exchange rate. This is achieved by using a pulse width of 50 to 500 microseconds and a pulse repetition rate corresponding to the time within which gas is exchanged in the reaction region.

Abstract: Metal contacts and interconnections for semiconductor integrated circuits are fabricated through the deposition of a sandwich structure of metal. The bottom layer of a refractory metal prevents aluminum spiking into silicon; the top layer of refractory metal or alloy serves to reduce hillocking of the middle layer of conductive material. The upper layer of refractory metal at the location of the contact pads is etched off to improve bonding during packaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for converting a feedstock comprising ethylene and/or acetylene to a product comprising liquid hydrocarbons. The process comprises maintaining said feedstock at a temperature in the range of about 700.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. for about 100 to about 1000 milliseconds to provide for said conversion. In one embodiment, the feedstock further comprises hydrogen. In another embodiment the feedstock comprises the product made by the process comprising heating a gaseous mixture comprising (i) hydrogen and (ii) natural gas and/or at least one light hydrocarbon at a temperature of at least about 1250.degree. C. for an effective period of time to provide said feedstock. In still another embodiment, the feedstock further comprises natural gas and/or at least one light hydrocarbon in addition to said ethylene and/or acetylene.

Abstract: Vibrator seismic sources are operated concurrently to reduce the time required for acquiring the data for a seismic survey. Separate seismic records are produced for each of the concurrently operated vibrator seismic sources. Frequency sweeping pilot signals are generated for each of the separate vibrator seismic sources concurrently in a sequence of at least four sweeps. The pilot signals for each vibrator source have a plurality of separate phase angles during the sweeps. The seismic signals produced by the concurrently operated vibrator seismic sources are detected for each of the sweeps. The detected seismic signals are correlated separately with each of the corresponding pilot signals which were used to drive the vibrator seismic sources that produced the detected seismic signal. The correlating process produces first and second separate correlated records for each of the sweeps.

Abstract: In a compressor for controlling the dynamic range of audio signals which comprises an operational amplifier and a gain-controlled amplifier connected in inverse parallel with the operational amplifier, the signal applied to a rectifier for producing the control signal for the gain-controlled amplifier is given an exponential waveform. This can be achieved by the use of two diodes connected in inverse parallel.

Abstract: A bag for containing articles and method of making same are provided wherein such bag comprises a body portion having an access of a particular peripheral outline and a device for closing and opening the access, and the device comprises a hook and loop fastener for closing the entire extent of the peripheral outline with the fastener being adapted to be closed solely by urging a pair of cooperating portions thereof in pressure contact and being adapted to be opened by pulling the cooperating portions out of contact.

Abstract: Reusable, launderable, sterilizable medical barrier fabric tightly woven from 100% polyester fiber constructed of polyester yarn of from 50 to 150 denier, the sum of the ends and picks of at least 100 per linear inch, is treated with a flame-resistant, water repellent, antimicrobial finish. Medical garments, wraps and like sterilizable articles constructed of this fabric retain their desirable properties after repeated institutional launderings and/or steam sterilizations.

Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous reactant comprising methane or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products is disclosed which comprises: (1) contacting said gaseous reactant with an oxidative coupling catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form an intermediate product comprising ethane, ethylene or a mixture thereof, said catalyst being characterized by a melting point above said reaction temperature; and (2) pyrolyzing said intermediate product at a temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form said higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products using exothermic heat generated by the formation of said intermediate product. Novel oxidative-coupling catalysts having melting points above about 900.degree. C. are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-closing valve, having means to discharge a predetermined volume of water for each cycle of operation, is disclosed. The valve includes the arrangement of timing means which determines the elapsed time for its operational cycle, a one-way valve means to expel air from the metering chamber during the actuating cycle of the valve, and air metering means which replaces air entering the mixing chamber at a constant uniform rate, all of which cooperate with the valving means to discharge a predetermined volume of water.

Abstract: Weftless and single wire tire bead assemblies are disclosed where at least one of the termination ends of the weftless layer or of the single wire bead are mechanically deformed or heat treated. Tire bead assemblies are disclosed where a cushion or wedge means is positioned either between the termination end and the body of the bead assemblies are positioned adjacent the termination ends and the body of the bead assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a photoprocessing system for receiving film and processing it into the final prints. The system particularly includes modifications to the film printer for encoding identification numbers onto the roll of prints which can key sets of prints to the respective film. Also, a film advance system is disclosed wherein the film is stopped during the printing process to allow a bar code to be read from each film of a roll of films. Additionally, an automated packaging machine is disclosed wherein the prints from a roll of prints are cut apart by a continuously running knife system. A film accumulator for cutting apart and stacking sections of film after it has been printed is disclosed, as is a batch management computer system for maintaining a file of information pertaining to the film, order envelope and print processing taking place.

Abstract: A freight brake control valve device having an improved quick service function provided by suppressing premature cut off operation of the quick service limiting valve. In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by connecting the quick service volume pressure to the underside of the quick service limiting valve piston during preliminary quick service to counteract the pressure pulse on the opposite side of the piston that occurs during the transition between the preliminary and secondary stages of quick service. In a second embodiment, pressure is created at the underside of the quick service limiting valve piston by dashpot action of the piston itself.

Abstract: Inside the hermetic shell of a scroll compressor, a normally closed solenoid valve seats against the back side of a stationary scroll plate to close a discharge opening through the plate. A coil circuit that actuates the valve has an electrical resistance that increases with temperature. The temperature dependent resistance allows the coil circuit to also function as a discharge temperature sensor. Should the discharge gas over-heat, the compressor motor and the valve are de-energized in response to the resistance exceeding a predetermined limit. The closed valve prevents backflow from rapidly reversing the rotational direction of the compressor, which can be extremely noisy and damaging to the compressor. Both the valve and the compressor motor are energized at the same time, regardless of the compressor's direction of rotation.

Abstract: A glazing system enabling the utilization of two chemically incompatible sealing materials in the same glazing system is disclosed. The glazing system includes a frame member secured to a building to support the glazing structure. Generally the frame member defines a ribbon window opening in the building. A pair of resilient polymeric gasket strips are coupled with the frame member and positioned such that they are parallel with one another and at a desired distance apart. A channel for receiving glass is formed in each of the gaskets. The channels oppose one another to receive the horizontal edges of the glass. A plurality of mullions are positioned substantially perpendicular to the gaskets and are coupled with the frame member in the ribbon window opening. A plurality of glass lites are positioned in the glass channels and nest on the mullions. A member may project from each mullion and is sandwiched between adjacent glass lites to form a gap between adjacent glass lites.

Abstract: High surface area open microporous, partially crystalline, partially amorphous, solid ceramic materials containing silicon carbide with or without silica with or without carbon may be prepared by controlled pyrolysis of (RSiO.sub.1.5).sub.n gels in an inert atmosphere. The silica and carbon content, surface area, and pore size and distribution may be altered by optional subsequent processing steps to selectively remove carbon and/or silica.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger in which the various plates from which it is fabricated are brazed together in a stacked assembly comprised of flow plates and heat transfer plates arranged in alternating relationship. The heat exchanger has inlets and outlets for two fluids with passage networks extending between the inlets and outlets and turbulator members are located in each flow cavity formed between adjacent surfaces of the heat transfer and flow plates. The turbulator members are interchangeably positionable between each pair of adjacent flow and heat transfer plates and are selectable from a plurality of differently configured turbulator members. Plate sizes, shapes and openings therein are standardized to provide a basic heat exchanger system which can be fabricated in easily modified embodiments to meet various and diverse heat exchange requirements.

Abstract: A method of electrodepositing a doped compound semiconductor film including tellurium and a metal selected from Group IIB of the Period Table of Elements by adding an effective concentration of dopant ions to the electrolyte bath. Cadmium telluride, mercury cadmium telluride and zinc cadmium telluride may be doped with copper, silver and gold. The conductivity type of the electrodeposited doped layers may be changed by a heat treatment. Thin film photovoltaic cells incorporating the doped layer to form a heterojunction with a semiconductor layer of the opposite conductivity type show substantial improvements in open circuit voltage, fill factor and efficiency over similar devices employing undoped electrodeposited layers.