Abstract: An improved electrolytic-catalytic-electrochemical series potential cell for immersion in the fuel tank of diesel and gasoline engines to effect fuel modification prior to combustion, conducive to improved combustion with attendant increased fuel efficiency and reduced deletereous emissions, using a cylindrical zinc anode carrying a tightly wound helical noble metal (preferably silver-surfaced) winding, the terminal turns of which are rendered resilient to clip over and establish spring contact with the transverse ends of the anode cylinder to insure continuous electrochemical series potential generation irrespective of wear in use and resulting gaps developed between the winding and the cylindrical anode. Preferred metals for optimum cell operation for each of diesel and gasoline fuels are presented.

Abstract: An energy-conserving photvoltaic- or solar-rechargeable power source for commercial or industrial battery-operated products is provided, enabling a high degree of reliability of continued operation through a method involving the use of a backup battery or other backup d.c. voltage source which is automatically and instantaneously selected when the rechargeable cell falls below a predetermined lower threshold voltage. As the rechargeable cell receives charge from the solar cell, the circuit automatically switches back to it as the primary power source when an upper threshold voltage is reached. Moreover, the initial connecting of the rechargeable cell to power the product is ensured upon the turn-on of the product, even if not fully charged (though above the lower threshold voltage), conserving the backup source. More general applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel cartridge for conventional shot gun and other weapons, suitable for training and other applications, and containing a thin-walled ball encapsulating a substance to be ejected upon the ball hitting the target, provided with a folded fan enclosure for the ball and its holder within the cartridge which, upon expulsion of the ball-holder-fan unit upon firing, causes the ball to separate and continue to the target, while the folded fan segments spring open in free flight into an air-resistant disc and then pinwheel with the holder harmlessly to the ground within a short distance of the gun.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming thin uniform micron range and submicron range aberration-resistant and hole-free high-temperature thermally stable metal oxide coatings upon metal, insulating and other substrates, involving the application of a polymer metal complex precursor solution to the substrate and appropriate firing for oxidation of the metal and the coating while burning off all traces of the polymer.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymer (and the polymer formed thereby) for passivation, resist and bonding uses, for example, that is thermally stable at relatively high temperatures in excess of 400.degree. C., but is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. The process includes forming a heteroatom ring polymer that includes a chain formed of a large number of closed aromatic rings such as polyimide groups. According to the present teaching, intervening moieties, (that is, chemical groupings) in the form of open ring precursors of the aromatic rings, such as polyamic acid groups are introduced between the successive closed aromatic rings, which destroy and/or delimit the colinear character and the coplanar character typical of the successive aromatic rings, thus rendering the aromatic rings sensitive to structural change by electromagnetic radiation exposure, and soluble in common organic solvents, but with the exposed HRP insoluble in resist developers.

Abstract: A novel multi-slug bullet or round is provided that, through the use of flat-faced abutting end walls of successive cylindrical slugs, tightly packed above the powder charge in the cartridge casing, and appropriate fast-burning powder charge tailored to the weight of the multiple slugs, achieves multiple-hit stopping power within self-defense ranges and the like with greatly reduced penetration and thus minimal chance of lethality or collateral damage. With a single firing, multiple hits over a controlled area are achieved, materially lessening the requirement for precise aiming, reducing the amount of ammunition and the number of firings required in use, and reducing recoil, while eliminating ricochet effects.

Abstract: A method for forming a high T.sub.c metal oxide superconductor in the form of a hollow fiber. The method includes the steps of: forming a polymer-metal complex precursor; filling a decomposable hollow fiber mold with the precursor; and heating the filled mold to decompose the mold and convert the precursor to a metal oxide superconductor in the form of a hollow fiber. Ag-doped metal oxide superconductor structures can also be produced by the above method.

Abstract: A method and electrolytic catalytic cell that chemically modifies the structure of hydrocarbon fuels in which the cell is immersed, by electrochemical series potential, electrolytic cell and catalytic action of preferably a noble metal cathode and zinc anodic elements movably continually contacting and circulating the fuel, giving rise to evenness in ignition and completion of combustion with elimination of noxious by-products largely by combination with the hydroxyl ions formed by the catalytic action. Preferred helical-cathode and anode cell structures and other types of hydroxyl ion generators are described for scavenging also in post-combustion exhausts including industrial effluents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for telephone line multiplex channeling of toll-quality voice and modem-encoded digital data from telecommunication devices (FAX, computers, displays, printers, etc.) involving variably sample-compression of digitally converted voice signals within successive time frames, and filling the resulting unoccupied time within each such frame with the modem-encoded digital data, and preferably with guard band signals separating the voice and modem-encoded digital data within each frame.

Abstract: A catalyst system for the polymerization of alpha-olefins comprising:(a) a solid precursor comprising the reaction product of (i) a halogenated vanadium compound wherein the vanadium has a valence of 2 to 5; (ii) a magnesium compound; and (iii) an inside electron donor wherein the molar ratio of inside electron donor to vanadium compound is in the range of about 0.2:1 to about 2:1; the atomic ratio of magnesium to vanadium is in the range of about 3:1 to about 40:1; and the reaction product (A) is a solid having a surface area greater than about 10 square meters per gram or (B) is adsorbed on the surface of an inorganic support having a surface area greater than about 10 square meters per gram;(b) a hydrocarbyl aluminum cocatalyst wherein the atomic ratio of aluminum to vanadium is in the range of about 2:1 to about 300:1; and(c) an outside electron donor wherein the molar ratio of outside electron donor to aluminum is in the range of about 0.02:1 to about 1:1.

Abstract: A novel method of and apparatus for voice communication and transparent, non-interfering, automatic digital data exchange between appropriately equipped telephone terminals having cooperative digital signal processing and visual display equipment, using special recognition signal protocol triggering signals and providing modem capability for FAX, printer, microprocessor, answer machines and the like for providing extended services using in-band signalling sensible by users and machines. Such method is useful both with ordinary telephone exchanges and ISDN type exchanges.

Abstract: An improved mains outlet and method of operating the same that automatically and safely distinguishes between the conditions of human or animal contact with the outlet terminals and contact with appliances such as light bulbs and consumer products, to prevent any substantial voltage or power from being drawn in the former case and automatically applies substantially full mains voltage when the appliance is connected to the outlet, including appliances presenting inductive loads. Use with ground fault detector systems is also feasible.

Abstract: New Method of buffering silicon and similar semiconductor wafers with appropriate metal oxide layers which, in turn, have been found to be excellent substrates for MOS depositions without interaction with the semiconductor surface, and novel buffered wafers produced thereby.

Abstract: A novel magnetic workpiece clamping block carrying resilient magnetized plastic surfacing over its complete clamp-engaging surface and of dimensions larger than the clamp to enable ready adjustment of different block areas held to the clamp, all without separation therebetween; and increased magnetic holding to the clamp during clamping with and cushioning of the workpiece on the other surface of the block during clamping.

Abstract: A method and electrolytic catalytic cell that chemically modifies the structure of hydrocarbon fuels in which the cell is immersed, by the electrolytic, electromotive catalytic action of preferably platinum cathodic and zinc anodic elements movably continually contacting and circulating the fuel, giving rise to evenness in ignition and completion of combustion with elimination of noxious by-products largely by combination with the hydroxyl ions formed by the catalytic action.

Abstract: A method of fabricating stone-simulated articles including facings for substrates, involving roller-flattening mixtures of preferably polyester resins, curing agent, polyester-dispersed pigments, fumed silica (and other) filler and aluminum trihydrate filler into flat stone-pattern-simulating surfaces or slabs, maintaining the same sufficiently cool (as by refrigeration) to prevent curing until it is desired to use the same, and then applying to, and rolling over a substrate to be covered or faced, or otherwise forming the same into the desired article, and permitting to cure under the action of said curing agent, with the resulting product containing the stone-simulated pattern throughout.

Abstract: Process for producing metal oxide superconductor (MOS)-polymer (P) composites by (i) mixing a monomer and initiator with MOS followed by in-situ polymerization of the monomer, (ii) mixing MOS with a polymer solution followed by removal of solvent, (iii) blending MOS with a molten polymer and processing the MOS-P composite obtained by processes (i), (ii), or (iii) by extrusion or molding, and (iv) mixing MOS with monomers or prepolymers with or without catalysts to give MOS-P composite through reaction-processing, the polymers being one of all thermoplastic and thermoset resins, thermoplastic elastomers, or elastomers, the last with or without crosslinks.

Abstract: Methods of labeling and novel labels for needle syringes and medication vials are provided, involving fool-proof transfer of medication information labels peelable from the vial and applied as a syringe label tag or flag remote from the syringe barrel calibrations and in no way impeding physical syringe operation.

Abstract: A novel suction catheter assembly received and removably stopper-sealed within an outer sheath holder adapted to be mounted in a fixed location to obviate inadvertent discharge of fluids after use and accidental slipping onto the floor and similar present-day mishaps.

Abstract: An improved mains outlet and method of operating the same that automatically and safely distinguishes between the conditions of human or animal contact with the outlet terminals and contact with appliances such as light bulbs and consumer products, to prevent any substantial voltage or power from being drawn in the former case and automatically applies substantially full mains voltage when the appliance is connected to the outlet.