Abstract: The radial arm strike rail assembly is a system for measurement of bearings, directions, and stereophotography for geologic mapping, particularly where magnetic compasses are not appropriate. The radial arm, pivoting around a shaft axis, provides a reference direction determination for geologic mapping and bearing or direction determination. The centerable and levelable pedestal provide a base for the radial arm strike rail and the telescoping camera pedestal. The telescoping feature of the radial arm strike rail allows positioning the end of the rail for strike direction or bearing measurement with a goniometer.

Abstract: Continuous process for preparing titanium comprising fluorinating titanium ore, and reducing the formed alkaline earth fluotitanate with an alkaline earth metal in an induction slag reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively separating a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic mineral particles. A mineral pulp is prepared which includes minerals ground to a predetermined size. A bubble slurry is then prepared which includes a gas entrained in a liquid to form bubbles of a predetermined size. The mineral pulp and bubble slurry are simultaneously injected into the cell apparatus. The cell has an enclosed body with a feed receiving portion, a narrowed apex portion with an underflow discharge, and an intermediately disposed merger zone. A mineral pulp feed port extends into and is directed tangentially to the feed receiving portion in the mineral pulp feed zone. The bubble slurry feed port, disposed in the same direction as the mineral pulp feed port, extends into and is directed tangentially to the feed receiving portion in the bubble slurry zone.

Abstract: Method of sealing a cavity formed in a rock against the passage of fluids without fracturing the rock, by placing wadding in the cavity and adding a supply of expanding chemical grout to effect a seal upon hardening.

Abstract: The enhancement of rock fragmentation and rock excavation by neutralizing the rock surface charge with respect to the drilling, tunneling, cutting, grinding, or polishing fluid. Water-soluble, high-molecular-weight, nonionic polymers are employed to neutralize the surface charge on the rock, thereby promoting increased drilling, cutting, tunneling, grinding and polishing performance resulting in increases in drilling, tunneling, cutting, grinding and polishing penetration rate, extensions in bit, cutting tool, grinding media, and polishing tool life and dust suppression.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein standard shipborne navigational radar is used for the purpose of detecting oil-spills on the sea. A homogenous sea-return image is obtained by selectively reducing the sea-clutter, rain, and haze filters of the radar while selectively increasing the gain of the radar. Because oil-spills on the surface of the water minimize the backscatter of radar waves, the location of an oil-spill may be determined by identifying characteristic distortions in the form of zones of diminished sea-return in the homogenous sea-return image. A moving oil spill may be tracked with repeated observations.

Abstract: A method of increasing recovery of mineral and metals during in-situ chemical leaching of earth material by injection of a treating fluid which comprises cationic, organic polymers which are made up of long chain hydrocarbon molecules of very great molecular weight (in excess of 1000 and as great as 1,000,000). Maintaining clays in a flocculated state and preventing the formation of colloidal particles improves permeability during chemical leaching of clay bearing earth materials.

Abstract: A device for measuring rates of gases over a wide range of absolute pressures is provided which comprises a soapfilm generating chamber having a magnetically actuated, slidable cup which is used to form a soapfilm at the lower end of a flow metering tube, a flow metering tube having photoelectric or other flow measuring means, and a soapfilm trap with puncturing means which punctures the soapfilm after it has been made to travel the length of the flow metering tube by the flow of gas to be measured. The device of the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive means for measuring gas flow rates over a wide range of gas pressures, and the device can be used conveniently and accurately in taking measurements in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: A single or multiple phase directional harmonic overcurrent relay device suitable for simultaneously monitoring overcurrents at either of two harmonic frequencies in an electric power system is provided which comprises current and voltage input means, upper and lower harmonic current and voltage filters, a trip means which can enable an appropriate protective or diagnostic device when a condition of harmonic overcurrent exists, and a phase detection means which receives signals from the voltage and current filters and transmits a signal to the trip means only when the phase angle between the harmonic voltage and harmonic current is within a specified range. The two harmonics that are to be monitored simultaneously, such as the 5th and 7th harmonics, can be selected by means of a series of simple filter cards which can be inserted into a card cage in an apparatus housing the relay of the present invention.

Abstract: A ground based conductor motion sensing apparatus is provided for remotely sensing movement of electric power transmission lines, particularly as would occur during the wind induced condition known as galloping. The apparatus is comprised of a motion sensor and signal generating means which are placed underneath a transmission line and will sense changes in the electric field around the line due to excessive line motion. The detector then signals a remote station when a conditioning of galloping is sensed. The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous over the line mounted sensors of the prior art in that it is easier and less hazardous to install. The system can also be modified so that a signal will only be given when particular conditions, such as specific temperature range, large amplitude line motion, or excessive duration of the line motion, are occurring.

Abstract: A method of producing magnetite is disclosed which comprises culturing a microorganism designated GS-15 in the presence of organic matter and a ferric iron compound. Unlike prior art production of magnetite using magnetotactic bacteria, GS-15 is able to produce large amounts of ultrafine-grained magnetite extracellularly under anaerobic conditions, allowing for easy separation and recovery of the magnetite without the need for rigorous control over oxygen tensions in the culture medium. As a result, the method of the present invention can be used to mass produce magnetite efficiently using inexpensive means and materials.

Abstract: A method of processing manganese ore by adding the ore to an aqueous solution of acid and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to form a leach pulp. The leach pulp is agitated for a predetermined time period at predetermined temperatures. The leach pulp is then separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction containing solubilized metals. The solubilized metals are then recovered from the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A bucket wheel assembly for use in a flow measuring device is disclosed wh comprises a one-piece, lightweight molded plastic disk having a plurality of roughly conical cups connected to a central ring. The central ring is mounted on a shaft and the disk rotates in response to fluid pressure in order to generate a signal proportional to flow velocity. The bucket wheel is advantageous over prior art versions in that it is responsive only to the horizontal component of flow velocity, when rigidly held, and thus gives truer and more accurate information with regard to current flow, particularly when used in current meters measuring flowing streams and rivers.

Abstract: A wading rod for use in measuring depth and current flow velocity in streams, rivers, and the like is disclosed which comprises a base, a lightweight, non-metallic main rod extending from the base having gradations for measuring depth, a lightweight, non-metallic adjustable sliding rod having a locking means, a tailfin receiving means, a receiving means for a current meter, signal transmission means capable of transmitting a signal proportional to flow velocity from a current meter to a signal receiving means, said signal transmission means being disposed inside of said sliding rod, and a level indicator. The wading rod of the present invention is lighter, reads depth more accurately, is more convenient to use, and is more durable, accurate and versatile than prior art wading rods. This rod also operates in rivers of high specific electrical conductance, an improvement over prior art rods which tended to shunt out the meter signal when collecting velocity data in such rivers.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring in situ the diameter of a borehole in salt or other ft creeping rock types is provided so that changes in borehole structure can be detected. The gauge comprises a cylindrical body insertable lengthwise into a borehole and having an internal channel wherein sensors can be displaced outwardly when air is directed into the gauge, two air displacement sensors located in the channel having slotted keyways at their inner ends which form an orifice proportional to the distance between the sensors, a pneumatic device capable of providing a stream of air into the gauge body, and a flow meter for measuring air flow through the gauge body. The borehole diameter is determined by directing a stream of air into the gauge body and measuring the air flow which will be proportional to the distance between the sensors when displaced outwardly against the borehole walls. The gauge is advantageous in that it does not itself create artificial stresses or deformations in the borehole walls.

Abstract: Process of using supercritical fluid to selectively separate, purify and recover metal halides.

Abstract: A method of increasing the dissolution rate of titanium or titanium alloys in molten aluminum is disclosed which comprises placing a titanium rod into molten aluminum and applying ultrasonic energy to the rod. The ultrasonic energy enhances the dissolution of the titanium in aluminum, homogenizes the molten alloy, and breaks up particles such as TiAl.sub.3 which form into a layer at the surface of the melt. The application of ultrasonic energy increases the dissolution rate of solid titanium in molten aluminum, decreases the amount of time needed to achieve homogeneity, and results in a titanium-aluminum alloy with a reduction in grain size and improved properties.

Abstract: A current meter for measuring velocity in a moving fluid is disclosed which omprises a one-piece plastic bucket wheel retained by a yoke or other suspension device and a signal generating device comprised of fiber optic cables which make and break an infrared light path in order to generate a signal. The fiber optic cables are connected to a vertical shaft which rotates when the pressure of a moving fluid is applied to the bucket wheel, and the signal generated thereby is proportional to the velocity of the fluid. The current meter of the present invention is adapted to be used with a variety of support equipment, such as a wading rod, an ice rod, or a sounding cable with a hanger strap, and thus can be used to measure flow velocity in deep, shallow, slow, or swift streams, as well as in ice-covered rivers.

Abstract: A method for recovering sulfur from a solid sulfur-containing catalyst is disclosed which comprises contacting the catalyst with liquid anhydrous ammonia in order to leach the sulfur out of the catalyst, and form an ammonia-sulfur solution. The sulfur is recovered by separating the ammonia from the solution, preferably by evaporation. The catalyst used in this method is also rendered suitable for reuse. The principal utility of the invention is in the ultimate conversion of phosphogypsum, produced primarily in the fertilizer industry, into sulfur so that it can be recycled back into the industry.

Abstract: Process for obtaining increased yields of minerals from bedded ore desposits in the absence of natural confining beds, by confining the flow of leach solution to the mineralized zone through operation of wells comprising, (a) injecting ground water into the barren zones above and below the mineralized zone while simultaneously injecting leaching solution into the mineralized zone at a single injection well location, and (b) recovering ground water from barren zones while simultaneously recovering leaching solution from the mineralized zone at a single recovery well location.