Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes (9) arranged in a membrane module (4) by providing, from within the module, by means (10) other than gas passing through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that the bubbles move past the surfaces of the membranes (9) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. The membranes (9) are arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween. The bubbles also produce vibration and rubbing together of the membranes to further assist removal of fouling materials.

Abstract: A micro fuel cell array and method of making is disclosed for providing electrical power to an electrical load upon flow of a first and a second gas. The micro fuel cell array comprises an array of the fuel cell elements each comprising a first electrode element surrounded by a second electrode element with an electrolyte interposed therebetween. The array is drawn for miniaturizing the array and for electrically interconnecting the second electrode elements to form a second fuel cell electrode for connection to the electrical load. The first fuel cell elements are interconnected by a first electrode element for connection to the electrical load.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amperometric electrochemical cell having a first insulating substrate carrying a first electrode, a second insulting substrate carrying a second electrode, said electrodes being disposed to face each other and spaced apart by less than 500 &mgr;m, and defining a sample reservoir therebetween, and wherein at least one, and preferably both, insulating substrates and the electrode carried thereon include an electromagnetic radiation transmissive portion in registration with said reservoir. The walls of the electrochemical cell may be formed from a thin metallic portion on a transparent substrate. Such cells are useful in providing visual confirmation of the validity of the electrochemical measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor comprising a first capacitor plate element covered with a spacing material selected for forming a capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor plate element and the spacing material is encased with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are inserted within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate. The spacing material is replaced with a dielectric material to form the capacitor thereby.

Abstract: An improved gas burner for a gas burner assembly and method of making is disclosed comprising a porous burner element extending between a first and a second end. The porous burner element comprises a sintered matrix of metallic fibers. A first end cap is formed from a rigid metallic material and is secured to the first end of the porous burner element. A second end cap comprises a sintered matrix of metallic fibers. The second end cap is secured to the second end of the porous burner element solely by the metallic fibers of the porous burner element bonding with the metallic fibers of the second end cap. In another embodiment of the invention, the porous burner element has a plurality of pleats for increasing the surface area of the porous burner element.

Abstract: The invention relates to fine metallic alloy fibers and the process of making the fine metallic alloy fiber comprising the steps of forming a first and a second metallic alloy component into a composite having a physical configuration suitable for a drawing process. The composite is drawn to provide a fine composite fiber formed from the first and second metallic alloy components. A portion of one of the first and second alloy components is removed to provide a proper volumetric relationship between the first and second metallic alloy components for producing a desired metallic alloy. The fine composite fiber is heated for converting the remainder of the first and second metallic alloy components into the desired metallic alloy to provide the fine metallic alloy fiber.

Abstract: The process for making fine metallic mesh is disclosed comprising the steps of cladding an array of metallic wires with an array cladding material to provide an array cladding. The array cladding is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameters of each of the metallic wires for producing a clad array of fine metallic fibers within the array cladding. The array cladding is fashioned into a mesh by weaving, braiding, crocheting and the like thereby forming a series of bends in the clad array for reducing interaction between adjacent portions of the array cladding. The array cladding material is removed for producing fine metallic mesh from the array of the fine metallic fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor adapted for electrical connection to a power source having an electrical contact means (3). The sensor has a first insulating substrate (1) carrying a first electrode (2) and a second insulating substrate (7) carrying a second electrode (6). The electrodes are disposed to face each other in spaced apart relationship, sandwiching a spacer (4) therebetween. A first cut-out portion extends through the first insulating substrate (1) and a spacer (4) to expose a first contact area (23) on the second insulating substrate (7). This permits the electrical contact means (31) to effect electrical connection with the first contact (23) which in turn is in electrically conductive connection with the second electrode (6). A similar contact arrangement may be disposed on the opposite side of the sensor.

Abstract: Oleophobic and hydrophobic filters for filter venting applications are made by forming a polydimethylsiloxane coating on the surface of a filtration substrate. The filters have high water penetration pressures and high air permeabilities. The coatings are formed by polymerizing vinyl terminated siloxane with a crosslinker such as hydrosilicone in the presence of a catalyst. Alternatively, the coatings can be formed by heat curing after exposing the substrate to methyl silicone and crosslinking at high temperature.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making fine metallic alloy fibers from a metallic alloy wire having plural alloy components and encompassed by a cladding material. Preferably, the cladding material is tightened about the metallic alloy wire in the presence of an inert atmosphere. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof to provide a drawn cladding encompassing a fine metallic alloy fiber. The cladding material is removed for providing the fine metallic alloy fiber. A portion of the cladding material diffuses into the fine metallic alloy fiber. The cladding material may be selected for providing a fine metallic alloy fiber formed from a new alloy material and/or providing a fine metallic alloy fiber having surface properties in accordance with the properties of the selected cladding material.

Abstract: An improved seal and method of making is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a filter mounting. The improved seal comprises a bonding pad formed from a sintered matrix of randomly oriented metallic fiber. The bonding pad is disposed between the filter element and the filter mounting. A mechanical fastener coacts between the filter element and the filter mounting for compressing the bonding pad to provide a seal between the filter element and the filter mounting. The bonding pad may be heated to create a frangible seal.

Abstract: A method for estimating the concentration of a reduced (or oxidised) form of a redox species in a liquid comprises contacting an area of a first electrode (2) with a sample (5) of the liquid, contacting the sample (5) with a second electrode (2) spaced apart from the first (2), applying a potential between the electrodes while the electrodes are sufficiently closely spaced that reaction products formed at each electrode diffuse to the other electrode while the potential is applied, measuring or estimating a value indicative of the change in current as a function of time and a value indicative of the steady state current, and determining from said volume, said current as a function of time, and said steady state current the concentration of reduced (or oxidised) form of the species in the liquid sample.

Abstract: A chemical process is disclosed for extracting copper or iron (M). The copper or iron is exposed to a leaching solution comprised of a metal salt (m) such that the copper or iron (M) is solvated and the metal ion (m) is reduced according to the reaction 2m+3(aq)+M(s)→2m+2(aq)+M+2(aq). An electrolytic cell has an anion exchange membrane separating an anode chamber from a cathode chamber. The leaching solution with the solvated copper or iron is placed into the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell. A second solution comprising a reduced state metal salt m+2 of the salt in the leaching solution is then added to the electrolytic cell anode chamber. A voltage is applied to reduce and deposit the copper Cu+2 or iron Fe+2 at the cathode and to oxidize the metal m+2 at the anode. The oxidized metal m+2 in the anode chamber is then recycled as leaching solution for solvating copper or iron.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for continuously sintering a web material with a sintering furnace. An input refractory drive unrolls a refractory material from an input refractory roll and feeds the refractory material upon a furnace conveyor of the furnace. An output refractory drive removes the refractory material from the furnace and rolls the refractory material onto an output refractory roll. An input media drive unrolls the media material from an input media roll and feeds the media material onto the refractory material. An output media drive removes the media material from the refractory material and rolls the media material onto an output media roll. A hanging sensor senses the catenary hang of the media material from the input media roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a thermoelectric device for generating an electrical voltage when elevated in temperature. The apparatus comprises an array of a multiplicity of thermoelectric elements with each of the thermoelectric elements comprising a first metal component surrounded by a second metal component with a dielectric material interposed therebetween. A first connector interconnects the first metal components to form a first thermoelectric terminal. A second connector interconnects the second metal components to form a second thermoelectric terminal. A junction connector forms a multiplicity of thermoelectric junctions between the first metal components and the second metal components.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor having a first capacitor plate element covered with a spacing material selected for forming a capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor plate element and the spacing material is encased with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are inserted within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate. The spacing material is replaced with a dielectric material to form the capacitor thereby.

Abstract: The process of bonding a first workpiece to a second workpiece is disclosed comprising the steps of fabricating a sintered bonding pad formed from a matrix of randomly oriented metallic fibers. The bonding pad is interposed between the first and the second workpiece and the first and second workpieces are biased into engagement with the bonding pad. Heat is applied to the first workpiece to the second workpiece for transforming substantially all of the metallic fibers into a liquid for bonding the first workpiece to the second workpiece.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a reduced (or oxidised) form of a redox species in an electrochemical cell of the kind comprising a working electrode and a counter electrode spaced from the working electrode by a predetermined distance, said method comprising the steps of: (1) applying an electric potential difference between the electrodes; (2) selecting the potential of the working electrode such that the rate of electro-oxidation of the reduced form (or electro-reduction of the oxidised form) of the species is diffusion controlled, (3) selecting the spacing between the working electrode and the counter electrode so that reaction products from the counter electrode arrive at the working electrode; (4) determining current as a function of time after application of the potential and prior to achievement of a steady state; (5) estimating the magnitude of the steady state current, and (6) obtaining from the change in current with time and the magnitude of the steady state current, a value indicati