Abstract: Contaminants in an aqueous stream are oxidized with minimal use of an added oxidant by diffusing the oxidant through a fixed porous element followed by cyclical photolytic treatment of the stream with at least two different wavelengths of light. The porous element is preferably formed in one piece of a durable sintered ceramic material. The photolytic treatment preferably involves the sequential use of ultraviolet light having two different wavelengths, by which complementary oxidizing reactions occur within the stream being decontaminated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing and recovering metal nitrides from their ferrometal alloys and nickel metal alloys. Exemplary steps of the process involve niobium nitride prepared from ferroniobium alloys (FeNb) which are first hydrided to provide a friable, comminutable product which is then nitrided under conditions which form distinct phases of iron nitride and niobium nitride respectively.

Abstract: An integrated reactor is capable of mixing, reacting, and/or sparging two or more fluids. The reactor is preferably formed of a porous element and a housing formed of at least two inlets and an outlet. A catalyst may be incorporated into the porous element.

Abstract: A camouflage covering is provided which includes an underlying layer of lightweight porous material such as a nylon mesh. Elongated strips are attached at one of their ends to the underlying layer of material. The strips have various emissivity values which are arranged in patterns which avoid having strips of the same emissivity value adjacent one another. The strips tend to disrupt both the shape and the brightness of an underlying object's infrared emission. Also, the strips tend to absorb the radiation being emitted from the underlying object. In one embodiment, the loosely hanging strips attached to the underlying layer form a personal infrared camouflage garment which protects a user from detection by infrared detection devices. To prevent prolonged contact between the person wearing the garment and the underlying layer, a plurality of insulating devices can be used such as an insulated helmet or shoulder pad. Securement devices are also provided to secure the underlying layer to the person.

Abstract: A microwave switch provides a random selection drive for selectively one or more reeds which are movable by an actuator to electrically bridge across a pair or pairs of microwave connector contacts. The preferred embodiment of the drive employs at least two actuators, normally three, in the form of cantilevered leaf springs, which are mounted at different levels or parallel plane in a drive body. Respective ones of the actuators are displaced by the rocking action of a wobble plate or rocker movable by repelling and attraction forces provided by a series of spaced magnetic coils spacedly mounted on the drive body. Integral pusher arms of various lengths extend from the bottom of the wobble plate with their distal ends terminating variously at the same different levels in which the leaf springs extend.

Abstract: A control for a spa and swimming pool pump and heater assembly with diverter valves, includes a selectively actuable pump and spa heater actuator or relay having a first latching circuit, and having a separate first unlatching switch or relay contact, a selectively actuable pump and pool heater actuator or relay having a second latching circuit including the first unlatching switch or relay contact, and having a second unlatching switch or relay contact in the first latching circuit. The control also includes a diverter valve actuator in parallel to one of the pump and spa heater actuator or relay and pump and pool heater actuator or relay.

Abstract: A multi-axis optical projector comprises an optical yoke having two spaced-apart primary objective lenses and optical paths for transmitting either backlight or front light from light sources to a target object disposed between the primary objective lenses and from the target object to a secondary objective lens focussing on an eyepiece which may be a video camera. The projector is used, for example in a tool presetting or tool measuring system, for viewing of a specimen, such as a cutting tool, to measure tool profile and to identify tool surface defects such as cracks, chips, wear patterns and coating abnormalities.

Abstract: A rotary face valve for beverage filling machines provides a housing assembly defining a closed chamber. The stationary valving surface is provided open to the chamber, and a valve rotor is journaled in the chamber in engagement with the stationary valve surface. The chamber is pressurized to a pressure closely approaching the pressure of the beverage being valved so that a low differential pressure exists between the chamber and the port through which the beverage flows. This minimizes the tendency to encounter leakage. The rotor is supported by a shaft which is journaled in spaced bearings so that eccentric force applied to the operating shaft is absorbed by the bearings and is not transmitted to the rotor. Further, the rotor is connected to the operating shaft with sufficient freedom to ensure that the rotor properly engages the valve surface in a uniform manner.

Abstract: A portable air filter system is described for use in the home, offices, or other areas where it is desired to remove airborne particulate matter from the air. The air filter system includes an enclosure having an air inlet and outlet areas, removable air filter which is grounded, a fan for moving air from the inlet to the outlet through the filter, and an ionizer for supplying negative ions to the air exiting through the outlet. The filter includes electrostatically charged fibrous material in a removable cartridge.

Abstract: A box for storing and shipping empty collapsible tubes in upright honeycombed column form, having a body of continuous sides and ends, having a lip at the top and bottom that engages snaps in a groove on top and bottom lids. When disassembled, the box body can be folded flat and the lids nested.

Abstract: Lead free shotshell pellets are disclosed which consist essentially of an alloy of iron and 30 to 46% by weight of tungsten. The shotshells may include a plurality of pellet sizes, and the pellets may be coated substantially uniformly with a polymeric coating, resin, or lubricant.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system for determining the location of stering centers on low-observability aircraft or other vehicles has an antenna that moves along a linear track relative to the stationary unit under test. When the scan is complete, the system produces an image of the aircraft showing the scattering centers. The system may then superimpose graphics representing the outline of the unit under test on the image. The operator may use the graphics to correlate the scattering centers in the image with corresponding areas of the aircraft.

Abstract: A rigid-flex printed circuit board having a rigid section and a flexible section extending from the rigid section is disclosed. The rigid-flex printed circuit board is capable of withstanding high temperatures experienced in high volume production environments utilizing infrared reflow ovens by providing spacers and covers for protecting the flexible section from high temperatures. A process for assembling components and devices on the rigid-flex printed circuit board in a high volume production environment utilizing infrared reflow ovens is also disclosed.

Abstract: A barrel serves as a reservoir in which a treatment fluid is to be contained and within which barrel is a slideable plunger. A connector at one end of the barrel is receptive to attachment of a cannula. Another connector is located at the other end of the barrel. A housing has a coupling attachable to that other connector. On the housing is a detachable fitting receptive of a hose which delivers air under pressure. Included in the housing is an adjustable air pressure regulator in an air flow path between the detachable fitting and the coupling with the regulator being selectively adjustable to control the flow of the air in that path. Associated with the irrigator is a container for the treatment fluid and which includes a pump sealingly attachable to the one end of the barrel for delivering the fluid into the reservoir in response to movement of the barrel.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an optical sensing device and method are provided for processing with extremely low energy requirements. Spontaneous emissions from an excited optical gain medium generate a propagating waveform. Either a spatial modulator or the pattern under investigation modulates the optical wavefront generated by the fluorescing gain medium to impose a first spatial pattern thereon. When the first spatial pattern imposed on the wavefront has duality with another spatial pattern imposed by the other of the pattern under investigation or the SLM, light is directed back along pathways through a cavity defined by the gain medium, a reflector, the SLM, and the object under investigation to induce stimulated emission and eventually resonance in the cavity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring strain in structural joints has one or more optical ibers embedded in the joint between the structural members. The joint may be fastened using fasteners such as rivets or bonded using an adhesive. Strain on the joined members is transmitted to the fiber, deforming it. An optical reflectometer connected to one end of the fiber injects an optical signal into the fiber and detects the reflection of the signal. The time period between injection of the signal and detection of the reflection is used to localize the area of stress along the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting changes in the structural strength of bonded joint. Changes in one or more dielectric properties of the bonding adhesive, such as resistance and capacitance, are monitored by a microdielectrometer. A change in a bond dielectric measurement is indicative of a moisture intrusion in the bond and a corresponding weakening of the structural integrity of the bond. A warning or indication of the bond degradation is provided in response to such changes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an optical processing device and method are provided for processing with extremely low energy requirements. Spontaneous emissions from an excited optical gain medium generate a waveform that propagates within a cavity defined by the gain medium and a reflective device. A first spatial modulating element is disposed in the cavity in the path of the generated wavefront to impose a first spatial pattern thereon. A second spatial modulating element also is disposed in the cavity and imposes a second spatial pattern on the perturbed wavefront carrying the first pattern. When the first and second imposed spatial patterns have dual spatial pattterns, light is directed back along pathways through the cavity to induce stimulated emission and eventually resonance in the cavity.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system having one or more anode elements made of a suitable anodic material that corrodes preferentially with respect to the structure being protected. The resistance of each anode wire is continuously or periodically monitored. The presence of moisture between an anode and the structure being monitored creates a current path and causes galvanic corrosion. The anode wire will begin to corrode, but the structural members will remain uncorroded until the anode has been completely consumed. The monitoring system uses the rate of change in anode resistance to extrapolate a prediction of the time remaining before the structure being protected begins to corrode.