Abstract: Air-conditioning is carried out using a "hydrogen heat pump" driven by waste heat. The hydrogen heat pump includes at least two and preferably four units, wherein hydrogen passes between low-temperature and high-temperature porous metal hydride compacts, each unit having a pair of heat exchangers associated therewith.

Abstract: An improved micromethod for the quantitative determination of endotoxins with Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (L.A.L.) reagent is based on the discovery that if L.A.L. reagent and a sample containing microquantities of endotoxin are incubated in a capillary tube, a clot will be formed in the plug preventing any outflow of liquids when low hydrostatic pressure is applied. Increasing the pressure will eventually force out the clot plugging the capillary and the liquid will suddenly erupt giving a clear yes-no indication of the presence of endotoxin. The hydrostatic pressure indicated to cause this eruption is a relatively precise indication of the extent of clotting which, in turn, is indicative of the concentration of endotoxin in the liquid. A kit which can be used to perform this test is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving a soil structure by stabilization of aggregates and to the reagents used therefor. The reagents used are graft polymers obtained from crude lignosulfonate and monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl cyanide (acrylonitrile), vinyl acetate, hydrolized vinyl acetate and acrylamide or combinations thereof, at a pH range of between 2 and 6 in the presence of an initiator.The reagents obtained according to the invention are true solutions and are characterized by their low viscosity. They can be used in solution, emulsion or suspension either by spraying alone or admixed with fertilizers, pesticides or combined with the operation of planting and soil stabilization.The reagents can be easily manufactured, being stable for prolonged periods of time. They possess outstanding properties as soil conditioners.

Abstract: A transcutaneous pain reliever which utilizes a plurality of battery powered inductive energy generators, which are sequentially and individually activated, a clocking system which has means for automatically inhibiting pulsing of an energy generator until a previous energy generator has delivered its energy, and an antiadapt system to prevent a patient from becoming acclimated to the sensations. The invention also includes an energy absorption sensor which will indicate the amount of energy not absorbed by the electrodes, a bridged, transformerless battery charger which will permit the use of inexpensive low power diodes and a battery saver which may be used to permit excess energy to charge batteries.

Abstract: Polymers containing laterally substituted isocyanate groups, prepared from acyl azide monomers and at least one other vinyl monomer, and their preparation are provided. Utilization of the acyl azide monomers avoids the problems in handling and storage of the moisture sensitive and toxic isocyanate monomers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing spheres from molten material, such as glass, by allowing drops of the molten material to pass from one end to another of a column containing a liquid, such as a mixture of salts, the temperature of the column being so graduated that the drops harden during passage through the column. The column can be bifurcated at the lower end into legs provided with cooling cuffs for alternate use.

Abstract: A method for laying subsoil membranes includes dragging a hollow cutting blade through the soil at a predetermined depth, providing a supply of sheeting to the interior of the blade and feeding the sheeting from the interior of the blade through an opening therein. The hollow blade has a cutting edge, a rear edge and an upper section having an upwardly sloping front portion and a downwardly sloping rear portion connected by a center portion. The bottom portion of the blade slopes in an upward direction from its front to form a release angle. The sheet material is fed out of an opening in the rear of the blade.

Abstract: A method for the generation of gelatin-based stabilized foams by passing a stream of air or other gas through a composition of the gelatin, an anionic surface-active agent and a water soluble ferrous salt. The resulting foams have a relatively long life term.

Abstract: The method of converting clayey or silty soil into stable and solid underground columns or piles suitable for carrying a building structure, comprises first the drilling of bores of a diameter considerably smaller than the external diameter of the column or pile to be created, to a predetermined depth, and secondly directing a focused laser beam gradually across the entire surface of each bore by mechanical and optical means, in such a manner that each point of the bore surface is irradiated and heated at an intensity sufficient for converting the soil surrounding the bore into a solid permanent mass of a predetermined thickness measured from the bore surface, which mass retains its strength and is resistant to moisture and temperature.

Abstract: An hydraulic power transmission circuit comprises a high-pressure section and a low-pressure section, which together include (a) an internal or external combustion free-piston engine to each of whose pistons is attached one piston pump, the pump piston and the engine piston being rigidly connected for the purpose of joint axial motion; (b) at least one rotary motor or linear actuator adapted to be driven by the hydraulic fluid pressurized by the said piston pumps; (c) valve means for directing the hydraulic fluid to and from the motors or actuators; (d) a charge pump; (e) accumulator means for balancing the fluctuations of pressure and quantity of the hydraulic fluid; and (f) means for controlling the operation of the free-piston engine, said means comprising a rotary auxiliary hydraulic motor of the positive displacement type in the low-pressure section of the circuit, which motor is provided with transmission means for driving a rotary distributor at a number of revolutions governed by the frequency of the

Abstract: An imaging method involves a substrate having a coating which undergoes a photochemical conversion upon being irradiated to yield only products whose vapor pressure under the operative temperature is higher than that of the coating. In this way as a result of the selective vaporization of the coating the desired image is obtained. The new method has wide applications such as photography, production of microfilms, electrophotographic document duplication, production of master prints for offset printing, etc.

Abstract: A detector for detecting phase-asymmetry in connection with a three-phase rotary machine includes a sensor couplable to the machine for picking up a signal associated with the leakage field during rotation of the machine. Circuit means are also provided for amplifying characteristic components of the signal (i.e., components whose amplitudes greatly increase relative to other components when phase-asymmetry occurs) and for attenuating other components of the signal, particularly at frequencies around f and 3f where f is the line frequency. Converter means converts the output of the circuit means into a control voltage, and control means are responsive to increases in the control voltage above a predetermined level established in the absense of phase-asymmetry for producing an output signal indicative of phase-asymmetry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and a rig for, testing vertical foundation piles and foundations to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile and the settlement behavior of the foundation soil.