Abstract: A method is described for recovering palladium from spent catalytic colloidal palladium baths by dissolving the palladium to form a true solution followed by electrodeposition employing a nickel anode and a nickel or copper cathode.

Abstract: An exhaust system (3) for a vapor-phase axial deposition (VAD) system (5) is comprised of the serial combination of an exhaust tube (26), an outlet pipe (27), a soot collection chamber (32) and a discharge line (34). The exhaust tube (26) has a constricted central portion (48) and a flared intake (44) with a gradually turned back end (46).

Abstract: Articles such as substantially flat, electronic chips (10) are positioned in an array with surfaces (11) to be treated facing upward along a succession of specially selected tiers. Such tiers may preferably be horizontal rows (20-24) of top rims (19) of vertical suction tubes (18). A leading row (20) of such top rims (19) is at a first elevation and each succeeding row is parallel to, elevated above and offset horizontally from a preceding row in stepwise fashion. At least one nozzle (40) is provided for propelling a stream (52) of a treating medium upon and at an angle "H" to the surfaces (11) to be treated. Angle "H" is selected so the medium and any dislodged matter is deflected from the respective surfaces (11) without contacting other such surfaces (11) of chips (10) positioned for treatment in the array.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxy-hydrogen torch (10) comprised of a nozzle plate (16) captured between first and second outer members (12 and 14). Each outer member has a plenum (18) which open towards, and is separated by, the plate (16). The nozzle plate (16) has a plurality of spaced grooves (32--32) in one major surface (34) which are arranged in an interleaved relationship with the spaced grooves (36--36) on the opposite surface (38). The grooves (32 and 36) extend from an edge of the plate (16) to the respective plenums (18--18) in the outer members (12 and 14). Oxygen is directed into one plenum (18) and hydrogen urged into the other plenum. The gases pass through the respective grooves (32 and 36) to the surface (46) of the torch (10) for surface mixing and ignition.

Abstract: A cable pulling eye assembly comprises a spike (16) having an auger thread (18), a coaxially mounted shell (36) and an eye (31) with a threaded opening (34), which is mounted on a threaded rear section of the spike. The eye is rotated by a power tool to advance the auger into a bundle of wires (11) of a sheathed cable (10). The shell is subsequently crimped to further force the wires into the flute defined by the auger thread. A pulling steel cable is attached to the eye to draw the cable between telephone poles or through an underground conduit.

Abstract: A thermocompression bonding apparatus (10), which is particularly adapted to bond an array of miniaturized electrical leads (36) to a corresponding array of respectively aligned pads (33) of a metallized circuit, supported on a substrate (31), includes a specially constructed and internally heated bonding thermode (12) that is uniquely pin-coupled at an upper surface midpoint portion thereof to the lower end of a single support rod (54). The latter is resiliently supported at its upper end, preferably through the use of a plurality of coaxially mounted Belleville washers (77), within an oversized central bore of a three-plate support assembly (14). The latter is, in turn, adapted to be secured to a reciprocally driven member, such as a multipost-mounted platen (16), of the composite apparatus.

Abstract: A connector (13) having two banks of terminals (16 and 17) is seated in a nest (27) located in a terminal spreading apparatus. A first spreader (36-37) overlies the first bank of terminals (17). A printed circuit board (10) with edge contact pads (12) is advanced along ways (98 and 99) to engage a roller (107) which thrusts a slide (48) toward the nest and then upwardly to move a second spreader (41-42) to engage and spread the banks of terminals (16 and 17). The connector body (14) tilts in the nest (27) to distribute the terminal spreading forces between the two banks of terminals.

Abstract: An elongated metallic conductor is insulated with an inner layer of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride composition and an outer layer of a plasticized, irradiation cross-linked polyvinyl chloride composition. The outer layer has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate pulling in central office racks, has mechanical properties which are required for installation and use and, in a preferred embodiment, has a thickness which is substantially less than that of the inner layer. The layers are extruded in the same extruder crosshead that seemingly causes the outer layer to bond to the inner layer to facilitate stripping of the composite insulation from the conductor.

Abstract: A high speed capacitance test set (10 or 60), comprised of a digital test circuit portion (11 or 11') and a multi-pulse train generating portion (12 or 12'), is adapted to make exceedingly rapid, repetitive capacitance measurements, such as required when winding roll-type capacitors to a precisely ascertained final value of capacitance, determined on-the-fly.

Abstract: A process for recovering copper and copper oxide for spent ammoniacal etchant, electroless and copper persulfate bath fluids used in the manufacture of copper printed wiring boards such that the treated baths contain no ammonia. The spent solutions are placed in a cooking vessel having its inner surface made of titanium and the formaldehyde is added. The ingredients are then stirred while air is bubbled through the ingredients until thoroughly mixed after which the pH of the mixture is adjusted to between 12.0 and 14.0. The adjusted mixture is now heated to a temperature within the range of 200.degree.-210.degree. F. and air is bubbled through the heated mixture until copper and copper oxide precipitates form in the mixture. After the precipitates form the mixture is allowed to cool to permit the precipitates to settle to the bottom of the vessel and the mixture is decanted from the vessel. The copper and copper oxide precipitates are washed and then collected.

Abstract: A vapor-phase axial deposition system (5) for fabricating a lightguide soot boule (16). The system (5) is comprised of a short cylindrical housing (10) having end plates (26--26) affixed thereto. A starting member (58) is radially directed into the central portion of the housing (10) and a torch (12) is activated to direct a stream of glassy soot thereat. The member (58) is simultaneously rotated and withdrawn from the housing (10) as a cylindrical, porous, soot boule is formed on the end thereof. The housing (10) having a substantially two-dimensional character eliminates secondary gas flow within the housing (10) resulting in enhanced deposition rates and repeatability.

Abstract: A bar-type film resistor (40) is adjusted to a high degree of precision by longitudinally offset plunge cuts (41, 42 and 43) extending from alternately opposite edges (29, 49) into the resistive layer (13), by a trim cut (46) which extends from the most recently made plunge cut (43) longitudinally through the resistor (40), and by a shave cut (47) which is coextensive with the trim cut and preferably overlapping therewith. The trim cut (46) and any shave cut (47) are located at a predetermined distance from a reference edge (29). The most recently completed plunge cut extends from its starting edge (29) into the resistive layer (13) to distances greater than those at which the trim cut and the shave cut are to be located.

Abstract: A vacuum-type holder (10) for retaining fragile articles such as semiconductor wafers (16) during a manufacturing operation, such as an electrolytic treatment includes a vacuum-operated support (36) at each of the seats (23) which exerts a supporting force against the underside (32) of the wafer (16) which is opposite to and proportional to a vacuum generated holding force which urges the wafer against the seat. The supporting force, consequently, minimizes bending stresses to which the wafer (16) could otherwise be subjected.

Abstract: A tinned conductor is advanced through each of a plurality of successively smaller die openings in a drawing apparatus to reduce the diameter of the tinned conductor after which it is annealed. After the tinned conductor has been annealed, it is moved through the opening of a die which is slightly smaller than the final die opening in the drawing apparatus. This reconfigures any of the tin coating that may have reflowed during annealing and formed protrusions to remove any such protrusions and form an essentially smooth surface. As a result, the adhesion of a subsequently extruded plastic covering to the tinned conductor is controlled to be within a predetermined range and to be substantially uniform along the length of the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for insulating wires with pulp are disclosed wherein wires embedded in pulp ribbons supported upon an endless transfer belt are passed through radio-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by oscillators tuned to resonate at a high voltage level whenever a wire is not present and thereby energize a wire break alarm.

Abstract: Two elongated gripping members (12,12) cooperate to form a closed pressure chamber about a waxed billet (61). The gripping members are reciprocated relative to an extrusion station (13), such reciprocation first moving the pressure chamber toward and past the extrusion station so as to extrude the billet through a die (66) at the extrusion station, and then returning the gripping members, in separated condition, to their initial positions to permit the immediate loading of another billet between the gripping members. Also disclosed are various additional systems, e.g.

Abstract: A power operated tool (20) functions to cut and collect a multitude of precious metal contacts (11,11) from wire spring relays (10). The tool (20) includes a pair of jaws (31,32) that in the open position fit over several rows of contacts (11,11). When the tool (20) is energized, the jaws (31,32) are snapped shut thereby severing the contacts (11,11) from the relays (28). The jaws (31,32) in the closed engaged position define a closed chamber (41) having a port (44) for attachment to a vacuum source for sucking the severed contacts (11,11) into a collection vessel. The jaws (31,32) reopen following collection and the tool (20) is ready to cut the next set of spring contacts (11,11).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ring armature electroacoustic transducer adapted for use as the receiver for telephone sets and for other purposes. The exemplary embodiment comprises the following elements coaxial about a common vertical axis: (a) a cylindrical ring permanent magnet (15) of Fe-Cr-Co material, (b) an annular disc upper pole piece (20) seated on magnet 15 and having at its inner margin a downwardly salient annular boss (30) providing an upper pole tip, (c) a lower pole piece (35) providing an annular lower pole tip (37) and aflange (36) coupling such tip (37) to the bottom of the magnet, (d) an armature support (40) within the magnet (15), (e) an annular disc armature (50) seated on the support (40), (f) a diaphragm (60) on the armature (50), and (g) a terminal plate (45) supporting such elements. The armature (50) is seated on a circular edge (90) on the support (40). The support (40), lower pole piece (35) and plate (45) form a unitary structure.

Abstract: A cable of this invention includes a number of pulp-insulated conductor pairs per unit of cable cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than in prior art cables. Each pulp-insulated conductor includes a metallic conductor enclosed in a composite insulation cover which has a controlled dielectric constant and a controlled adhesion of the cover to the conductor. The composite cover comprises a pulpous material and a layer of adhesive material which is interposed between the conductor and the pulpous material. The layer of the adhesive material bonds the pulpous material to the conductor and allows a reduced thickness of pulpous material without degrading the transmission characteristics of the cable. Also, the mechanical integrity of the insulation cover permits the moisture content of the pulpous material to be reduced and the density increased over that achieved in prior art pulp-insulated conductors without causing bare spots in the insulation.

Abstract: A hybrid extruder provides plastic insulation which is as uniformly and tightly disposed about a substrate as that produced in a conventional pressure extruder and accommodates irregular substrates. The hybrid extruder includes a core tube which is positioned in a die cavity to form a flow passage which includes a restriction to the flow at the end of the core tube to maximize the pressure in the plastic material. The leading end of the core tube is spaced a distance from the land of a die which is substantially less than in conventional pressure extruders to form another portion of the flow passage having a predetermined configuration. After flowing through the restriction, the plastic material expands. This avoids any backflow of the plastic material into the core tube in the event the core tube is to allow the passage of oversized spliced portions of the substrate.