Abstract: An interference filter or coating is provided in a predetermined pattern on a lamp envelope. The coating is comprised of alternating layers of high and low index of refraction materials applied to a vitreous outer surface of a lamp envelope. The coating may be geometrically symmetric or asymmetric, continuous or discontinuous with respect to the coating itself or the envelope to which it has been applied. The envelope can be masked prior to deposition of the coating so that removal of the mask leaves the filter in the desired pattern. The preferred process for forming the coating includes forming a boric oxide mask on a portion of the envelope, applying the coating over the mask and removing the coating from masked areas of the envelope by dissolving the mask in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A programmable data acquisition system including a plurality of input signal channels for receiving a respective input signal during a normal mode of operation is provided. Individual test circuits are used for selecting respective ones of the plurality of channels to receive predetermined reference signals during a test mode of operation while uninterruptedly providing the normal mode of operation in any remaining unselected channels in the data acquisition system. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter system, such as delta-sigma modulators and decimation filters having a selectable decimation ratio, allows for supplying quantized electrical signals at a predetermined rate. The A/D converter is responsive to any signals carried in the plurality of signal channels as selected by the individual test circuits. A control unit allows for supplying respective control signals to the test circuits and to the converter system.

Abstract: An in-situ thermal desorption system which combines thermal desorption and vacuum extraction to separate organic compounds from in place contaminated soils is disclosed. A "heating blanket" desorption unit is applied directly to the surface of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The heating blanket assembly comprises of four basic components: a surface heating element, a thermal insulating mat, a vacuum collection system, and a vapor barrier. The surface heater, when energized, initiates a thermal front which moves down through the soil by thermal diffusion. As the soil is heated, organic compounds and water vapor are desorbed and removed from the soil matrix. A vapor collection system including a blower is fitted to the vapor barrier to establish a slight negative pressure inside the modular heating blanket units.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a laser shock peening surface of the part which has been adhesively covered by tape having an ablative medium, preferably, a self adhering tape with an adhesive layer on one side of an ablative layer and a confinement medium without flowing a confinement curtain of fluid over the surface upon which the laser beam is firing. Continuous movement is provided between the part and the laser beam while continuously firing the laser beam, which repeatably pulses between relatively constant periods, on a laser shock peening surface of the part. Using a laser beam with sufficient power to vaporize the ablative medium so that the pulses form laser beam spots on the surface and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening process extending into the part from the surface.

Abstract: A lamp-to-light guide coupling arrangement includes an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprising an arc tube with an ionizable fill, and an excitation circuit for electrically exciting the ionizable fill to induce therein a light-producing arc discharge. The coupling arrangement further includes a coupling device comprising a generally tubular, hollow body that has an inlet end for receiving light from the arc discharge and a larger, outlet end. The coupling device further comprises an interiorly directed reflector on a surface of the hollow body for reflecting visible light. Such coupling device is shaped so as to receive light at one solid angle over an area of the inlet end and to transmit light at a smaller solid angle but over a larger area of the outlet end. The coupling device is preferably formed from dielectric material. The reflector preferably comprises a refractory optical interference filter.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a 3D connectivity-conserved grain-structured processing architecture uses connectable massively parallel processors. A 3D grain-structured processing architecture is provided. The 3D links of the grain-structured processing architecture provide direct local communication as well as global communication for voxel processing and analysis tasks. A novel transport naming scheme which is scalable in any three-dimension direction and the local/global communication protocol are disclosed. The 3D volumetric data set is first divided into a set of voxel sub-cubes. Each voxel subcube is processed by a processor element of the grain-structured processing architecture. Data discontinuity is produced after performing local operations in a massively parallel processors environment and requires replacing the resulted voxel data set in the overlap region for each voxel sub-cube.

Abstract: An extension is formed directly on an article by melting a compatible alloy preform within a ceramic mold, followed by cooling of the end under controlled conditions sufficient to cause an integral extension to solidify on the article. A ceramic mold is attached on the end of the article with a mold cavity that generally defines the shape of the extension to be formed. The mold may be formed in situ on a removable mandrel, or preformed and attached to the subject article. Extensions formed by the method of this invention have a microstructure that is continuous and compatible with that of the article. Such microstructures may include epitaxial growth of the extension from the microstructure of the article. The method establishes a temperature gradient within the article during solidification that may be further controlled by auxiliary heating and/or cooling of the article and/or extension during the practice of the method.

Abstract: An extension is formed directly on an article by melting a portion or end of the article having an attached integral mandrel within a ceramic mold, followed by cooling of the end under controlled conditions sufficient to cause an integral extension to solidify on the article. A ceramic mold is attached on the end of the article over the integral mandrel with a mold cavity that generally defines the shape of the extension to be formed. The mold may be formed in situ on the mandrel, or preformed and attached to the subject article over the mandrel. Extensions formed by the method of this invention have a microstructure that is continuous and compatible with that of the article. Such microstructures may include epitaxial growth of the extension from the microstructure of the article. The method establishes a temperature gradient within the article during solidification that may be further controlled by auxiliary heating and/or cooling of the article and/or extension during the practice of the method.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, high alkenyl content silicone resins of the general formula M.sub.y M.sup.vi.sub.z D.sub.a D.sup.vi.sub.b T.sub.c T.sup.vi.sub.d Q or M.sub.y M.sup.vi.sub.z D.sub.a D.sup.vi.sub.b T.sub.c T.sup.vi.sub.d are disclosed, their use in curable liquid injection molding compositions, a process for varying the cure properties of such compositions and articles of manufacture made thereby and therewith.

Abstract: A control rod tube and end plug are disposed in a weld chamber. A fixed welding torch with a tungsten electrode is disposed adjacent the weld area. A collet grips the tube and an inflatable seal seals the weld chamber. By rotating the collet, the tube and end plug are seal-welded to one another without loss of fusion, porosity or suck-back effects. The weld chamber is maintained under a positive pressure of between 5 to 10 psi gauge.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin film resistor comprises applying a tantalum nitride layer over a dielectric layer, applying a metallization layer over the tantalum nitride layer, and patterning the metallization layer with a first portion of the metallization layer situated apart from a second portion of the metallization layer and both the first and second portions being at least partially situated on the tantalum nitride layer. In one embodiment, after patterning the metallization layer, the resistance value between the first and second portions of the metallization layer is determined and compared to a predetermined resistance value, and at least one of the first and second portions is trimmed to obtain a modified resistance value between the first and second portions that is closer to the predetermined resistance value than the determined resistance value.

Abstract: A method of recovering dihydric phenol, particularly bisphenol-A, from compositions containing the reaction residue of bisphenol-A units which method comprises:a. granulating a bisphenol-A containing polymer;b. treating the particles with an alcohol, or any other organic swelling solvent miscible with water and easily distilled off from an aqueous solution, preferably a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alcohol for a time sufficient to swell the particles;c. contacting the swelled particles with a ammoniacal solution at a temperature of at least about 25.degree. C. depending on the swelling solvent employed in order to selectively sever the ester bonds of the bisphenol-A residue units;d. separating the liquid phase from the solid phase;e. distilling ammonia and swelling solvent from the liquid phase of d. above, thus obtaining an essentially aqueous solution with dissolved urea and partially precipitated bisphenol-A;f. adding sufficient water to the residue of e.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp is provided having a generally helically shaped lamp envelope wherein the two end segments of the lamp envelope extend radially inward from the pitch of the helix. The end segment extend into openings formed in a mounting cap member which is essentially dome-shaped at the center portion thereof. The mounting cap member can be constructed of two pieces each of which accepts one of the end segments of the lamp envelope. The mounting cap member is effective for reducing the amount of lamp envelope surface area that must be disposed within the housing of the lamp and is further beneficial in that light generated on the inside surface of the lamp can be reflected outward and more readily escape without losses due to multiple reflections or absorption.

Abstract: A highly filled flame retardant thermoplastic composition of at least one thermoplastic resin, at least about 20 percent by weight of an inorganic filler, and effective flame retarding amount of a metal acid pyrophosphate, and optionally, an impact modifier, an anti-drip agent and/or a second flame retardant.

Abstract: A spacer for a nuclear fuel bundle comprises a plurality of discrete, generally cylindrical ferrules, with each ferrule having a pair of circumferentially spaced fuel rod contacting portions along one side of the ferrule and three superposed openings in the ferrule along an opposite side thereof. A leaf spring having opposite end projecting portions and a central projecting portion is disposed between adjacent ferrules with the end projecting portions and the central portion disposed within the openings of the ferrule. The central portion includes a boss projecting inwardly for engagement against the fuel rod in one ferrule and the end projections contain bosses projecting inwardly and spaced from the fuel rod of the one ferrule. The end projections bear against an adjacent ferrule. The spring is captured between the two ferrules and contacts the ferrules at a plurality of laterally and vertically spaced contact points so that the spring is stabilized against flow-induced vibration.

Abstract: A single phase motor system and method for preventing excessive circulating currents in the motor. The motor has a power supply link including power switches responsive to a motor control signal for connecting the motor winding to a power supply in alternating on and off intervals. A current sensing circuit senses current in the power supply link during the on intervals. A current regulation circuit generates a current regulation signal representative of the difference between the sensed current and a peak regulated current level that is a function of desired motor speed and/or torque. An overcurrent circuit generates an overcurrent signal in response to the sensed current exceeding a maximum current level greater than the peak regulated current level. The motor also has a control circuit responsive to the current regulation signal for generating the motor control signal thereby to regulate current in the winding and control the motor speed and/or torque.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes a source of x-rays, a video camera which produces an image signal formed by x-ray attenuation values, and image signal processor and a video monitor for displaying the x-ray image. The system also has an automatic image control that includes a peak detector, an average brightness detector and a transfer function generator for the image processor. The peak detector receives the image signal and produces a video gain control signal for controlling the video camera in response to a comparison of a peak level of the image signal to a peak reference level. The average the brightness detector employs the image signal to produce a feedback signal which controls by the source of x-rays. The transfer function generator produces a histogram of intensity levels in the image signal which histogram forms a look-up table that is used by the image processor to transform the image signal into the adjusted image signal for display.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breaker accessories using slightly modified circuit breaker cases are described. Several of the accessories utilize a microswitch to provide remote indication of an auxiliary function. One modification of the circuit breaker case includes upstanding posts to capture and position the microswitch while a further modification utilizes the magnetic trip unit adjustment screw and a support plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling energization of an appliance motor are described. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may include a condition responsive switch secured within an appliance motor casing to control the energization of the appliance motor windings. In one mode of operation, the condition responsive switch substantially prevents energization of the motor windings if at least one attachment has not been substantially properly secured to the appliance, and the switch substantially properly secured to the appliance.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a laser shock peening surface of the part which has been adhesively covered by tape having an ablative medium, preferably a self adhering tape with an adhesive layer on one side of an ablative layer, while flowing a curtain of water over the surface upon which the laser beam is firing. Continuous movement is provided between the part and the laser beam while continuously firing the laser beam, which repeatably pulses between relatively constant periods, on a laser shock peening surface of the part. Using a laser beam with sufficient power to vaporize the ablative medium so that the pulses form laser beam spots on the surface and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening process extending into the part from the surface.