Abstract: A focused radiation collimator for collimating radiation emitted from a radiation point source located at a substantially known focal distance from the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed collimator, the collimator is formed by at least two collimator layer groups, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the collimator layer groups have a plurality of layer group passages arranged there through in a predetermined pattern which is unique to the layer group but which, with the passages of the other collimator layer group in the aligned stack, additively form a plurality of collimator through channels which are substantially aimed at the radiation point source. Each collimating layer group is formed by at least two substantially identical radiation absorbing layers, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A method for forming composite articles, particularly ceramic articles, from particles or fibers mixed in a thermally activated reactant gas stream. The particles or fibers are codeposited with material produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto a heated substrate until the desired thickness of composite is obtained. Removal of the substrate yields a near-net shaped codeposited composite article having a chemical vapor deposition produced matrix with particles or fibers embedded therein in a generally uniform distribution. The method provides high deposition rates, and the composite articles produced may have enhanced strength, thermal shock resistance, and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A convective dryer for drying a moving coated web has at least one module arranged on one side of the path of web travel. The module includes a housing subdivided into a first chamber opening towards the path of web travel and a second adjacent enclosed chamber. Mutually spaced nozzle assemblies extend laterally across the path of web travel within the first chamber. The nozzle assemblies are connected by a supply duct to air heating and recirculating components in the second chamber. The supply duct gradually diverges in width from a narrow inlet section communicating with the second chamber to a widened delivery end communicating with the nozzle assemblies at the approximate center of the path of web travel.

Abstract: A miniature heat exchanger. A small housing provides a heat exchanger surface, contains a spray shower head. A cooling fluid enters through a base plate and is sprayed through holes in the shower head on to the underside of the cooling surface. The heated coolant exists through exit holes in the nozzle and out a coolant outlet in the base plate. The device may also be used as a heater to provide temperature control to localized areas or large surfaces.

Abstract: In a doctoring apparatus, blade edge loading is controlled along the sides of the surface being doctored.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrity-enhanced thermoelectric devices and methods of their preparation. Such devices have the following characteristics: (1) there is, on average, no greater than about 10% incidence of function loss (failure) of the device on application to the device of a substantial impact or distortion force or corrosion exposure, and (2) the device have at least about 85% of the thermal performance of thermoelectric devices without integrity enhancement (i.e., thermal conductivity across the integrity-enhanced devices is significantly less than 0.0021 Cal-Cm/Cm.sup.2 Sec .degree.C., and is less than or equal to about 0.0015 Cal-Cm/Cm.sup.2 Sec .degree.C.; empirically expressed as maintenance of at least a 40.degree. C. temperature differential over the intra-plate distance which is about 3/16 to about 1/4 of an inch.).

Abstract: An articulated arm comprising at least one compact Coude optics system simulating a shoulder joint. In this Coude optics system, two mirrors rotate on one gimbal axis and the other two mirror pivot on the other gimbal axis. The axis of the two gimbals intersect and light beams passing through the system effectively are turned at this point of intersection at a desired angle.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of ultrafine particles or atom clusters is disclosed. The ultrafine particles of size between about 10 to 1000 Angstroms are formed by the disruption of the crystal lattice or micrograin structure of the metal, alloy or intermetallic compound in one or both of two spaced electrodes by a high frequency, high voltage, high peak current discharge. The ultrafine particles are not subjected to fractionation as in evaporative processes and accordingly are remarkably predictable in both particle size, distribution of sizes and atomic composition, and also are readily transportable in carrier gases.

Abstract: A compact regenerative incinerator for incinerating an effluent includes a single vessel with two compartments separated by a partition. Each compartment includes an opening and a combustion chamber, and these are separated by a thermal storage medium. The incinerator also has a bypass system, which includes a bypass opening in the vessel and a bypass thermal storage medium separating the opening from the combustion chambers. Valving, which includes one or more flushed control valves, directs the effluent to flow into one of the compartment openings and directs the products of incineration to flow out of the other. The valving is also adapted to direct the effluent into the bypass opening while reversing the flow direction in the incinerator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming composite articles, particularly ceramic articles, from particles or fibers mixed in a thermally activated reactant gas stream. The particles or fibers are codeposited with material produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto a heated substrate until the desired thickness of composite is obtained. Removal of the substrate yields a near-net shaped codeposited composite article having a chemical vapor deposition produced matrix with particles or fibers embedded therein a generally uniform distribution. The method provides high deposition rates, and the composite articles produced may have enhanced strength, thermal shock resistance, and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Method and system for applying steam to a paper forming web for the purpose of heating the web to improve the quality of the paper, and withdrawing steam through the use of a vacuum opposite the steam shower, by the simultaneously controlled removal of steam at equally spaced increments by the use of a computer based control system. The computer based control system includes a selectively actuable stepper motor, to effectuate the simultaneous opening of both the steam valve and opposing withdrawal means valve. The system includes a coanda nozzle to cause steam to travel between the sheet and the adjacent surface of the apparatus in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the sheet and also includes steam impingement nozzles. The apparatus includes devices for creating, housing and providing a supply of steam and a supply of vacuum.

Abstract: In a pull through doctor blade transfer system, the blade ends are slotted at their working edges. The slots are arranged and configured to accept complimentarily shaped portions of a connecting link used to detachably connect the trailing end of a spent or worn blade to the leading end of a fresh blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a continuously moving web carrying a liquid, wherein the web is passed through a dryer in which the web is exposed to a recirculating flow of heated drying gas. Exhaust gas is diverted and discharged from the recirculating gas flow at a flow rate which is variable between maximum and minimum levels, and makeup gas is added to the recirculating gas flow at a flow rate which is also variable between maximum and minimum levels. A process variable is sensed and compared to a selected set point. A first of the aforesaid flow rates is adjusted to maintain the process variable at the selected set point, and a second of the aforesaid flow rates is adjusted in response to adjustments to the first flow rate in order to insure that the first flow rate remains between its maximum and minimum levels.

Abstract: A camera system in which microwave radiation from objects in a field-of-view is collected by an antenna having a beam direction which is a function of the beam frequency. The collected radiation is analyzed to produce an image of the objects in the field-of-view. In a simple embodiment of the invention a one dimensional image is produced. This one dimensional image can be converted to a two dimensional image by rotating the camera system or mounting the camera on a moving platform. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the microwave radiation collected by the antenna is converted into electronic acoustic signals which sets up a diffraction pattern in a Bragg cell to diffract a laser beam which is focused on a television camera to produce one dimensional image of the field-of-view. The antenna can be scanned to produce a two dimensional image. In another preferred embodiment an array of antennas and a multi-channel Bragg cell is used to produce a two dimensional real time image.

Abstract: A compact coude optics system comprising a two axis gimbal system. Two mirrors rotate on one gimbal axis and the other two mirrors pivot on the other gimbal axis. The axes of the two gimbals intersect and light beams passing through the system effectively are turned at this point of intersection at a desired angle.

Abstract: A telescope with a spherical primary mirror and movable lightweight secondary assembly which includes an optical, imaging component and at least one location component both of which components are attached to a pivot arm. The location component can be a microwave, radio frequency or acoustic location component. The optical component of this secondary assembly reflects a portion of focused light radiation from the primary mirror back to the primary mirror and thence through a hole in the secondary mirror to a coude' optics device at the center of curvature of the primary mirror. The coude' optics device in turn reflects the focused light radiation to an imaging detector housed in the outer structure of the telescope. A preferred embodiment of the present invention combines all three of these location systems with the optical imaging component.

Abstract: A steam shower apparatus and method including a supply of steam which is fed through a Coanda nozzle and along a path running adjacent one surface of the apparatus which is heated to a temperature in excess of 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit. The sheet to which the steam is to be applied runs adjacent this same surface of the machine, but in a direction opposite to the direction of the flow of steam. In one embodiment, the heated surface is located relative to the sheet so that an upstream edge of the apparatus is spaced from said sheet by a greater distance than is the downstream edge of the apparatus which preferably contacts the sheet to back pressure the steam between the apparatus and sheet. The flow of steam runs the entire length of this surface heating the sheet as it flows in the opposite direction. The apparatus may be divided into several sections so that the sheet may be profiled along certain regions which are defined by these sections.

Abstract: In a pull through doctor blade transfer system, blade edge loading is controlled along the sides of the surface being doctored to relieve loading forces and to achieve a gradual feathering of the blade during its initial application.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of ultrafine particles or atom clusters is disclosed. The ultrafine particles of size between about 10 to 1000 Angstroms are formed by the disruption of the crystal lattice or micrograin structure of the metal, alloy or intermetallic compound in one or both of two spaced electrodes by a high frequency, high voltage, high peak current discharge. The ultrafine particles are not subjected to fractionation as in evaporative processes and accordingly are remarkably predictable in both particle size, distribution of sizes and atomic composition, and also are readily transportable in carrier gases.

Abstract: A beam of radiation radiates in sequence an array of semi-conductor switches at an extremely rapid rate. Electron-hole pairs created by radiation permit the semiconductor switches to conduct electric current for a very brief period of time.