Abstract: A superconductor including V.sub.3 Ga is produced by making a composite of a vanadium core metal, a continuous portion of aluminum surrounding the vandium core metal or forming a second core, and a copper, silver or copper-silver alloy containing gallium, fabricating the composite to the desired shape, and heat-treating the shaped composite. The vanadium core may contain titanium, zirconium or hafnium, and the continuous portion of aluminum may contain copper or zirconium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbine rotor assembly from dissimilar materials includes the step of preforming a turbine disc of powdered metal by direct hot isostatic pressing; machining the OD of the disc rim to an exact dimension; prefabricating a ring of airfoil elements having a circular rim with a machined ID therein fit to the OD of the turbine disc; sealing joint lines on side surfaces of the joined parts to create a vacuum at the interface with a high melt temperature sealant; thereafter diffusion bonding the joined and sealed parts by hot isostatically pressing them at temperatures in excess of 1500.degree. F. and under fluid pressure directly applied to the parts in excess of 1000 psi to press the ring ID into intimate contact with the OD of the disc until the dissimilar materials are diffusion bonded to form a high strength butt joint therebetween.

Abstract: A method of forming a hard vacuum seal for use in a gas laser but not limited thereto. The method comprising the steps of polishing the surfaces to be joined together and then cleaning the surfaces with a plasma cleaner. Next, a force is applied to hold the surfaces in contact and then molten indium is applied onto the adjoining surface and allowed to cool in order to set the seal. In the method of forming the gas laser seal for fine alignment of the mirror surfaces, the seal is reheated, the mirrors realigned by sliding across the laser cavity while the laser is operative and the laser output is measured for maximum laser output. Then the seal is allowed to reset.

Abstract: An impact shaping apparatus is provided having a hydraulic actuator associated to the shaping tool. A gas spring of adjustable spring constant is in permanent fluid connection with the hydraulic actuator so as to allow for adjustment of the impact characteristics in accordance with the cold-working characteristics of the material to be shaped. The gas spring is formed by a cylinder and a floating piston arranged therein and defining a first working space communicating with the hydraulic actuator and a second working space containing a mass of gas.

Abstract: Novel system for applying surgical clips consisting of an instrument and disposable cartridge that together create a forceps with the cartridge being quickly detachable from the instrument to permit easy and fast replacement during a surgical procedure. The instrument has ring handles as a forceps and they operate to reciprocate a driver. The cartridge includes clinching jaws and a clip magazine with the jaws quick detachably connected to the instrument in a fixed manner whereas an actuator for the jaws is quick detachably fixed to the reciprocal driver of the instrument. A number of surgical clips can quickly and successively be supplied to the clinching jaws of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method of making mechanical tube joints in whichfirst and second metal working operations, applied through a ferrule installed in a tube end in a header plate, effect initially a tight fit of the tube end in the plate followed by a sealing contact. The method proposes a machine operation in which multiple header plates, each providing multiple tube positions, are supported for indexing movements relative to a bank of tools for performing the second of the first and second metal working functions, complete sealed joints of all tube positions in all plates being effected in a single series of automatic operations.

Abstract: A method for separating the signal carrying conductors from the ground conductors in a plural conductor flat cable to enable the connection of the ground conductors to a grounding plane and the insertion of the signal conductors into the terminals of a connector block. The method comprises the steps of severing the insulation surrounding the ground and signal conductors in a flat conductor cable, sliding the severed insulation along the conductors away from the main body of the cable, bending the ground conductors at right angles with respect to the flat cable, and sliding the insulation back along the signal conductors until it abuts the main body of the flat cable.

Abstract: A process for soldering aluminum fins to cooling pipes made of aluminum, copper, brass or steel to produce a cooling assembly. The fins are etched in the solution of sodium hydroxide, zinc chloride, technical urea and water and the cooling pipes are coated with a fusible alloy which is covered with a protective coating for attenuating electro-corrosion between the alloy and the aluminum fins. The aluminum fins are then mounted on the cooling pipes and soldered thereto in a thermal bath.

Abstract: A seal-welded pipe joint mechanically braced by a clamp for preferred use in handling toxic and radioactive materials is disclosed together with a process for joining the same. The joint comprises a pair of abutted male frustroconical skirts, each attached integrally to the pipe segments to be joined and confronting each other at opposed mating and finished surfaces which define a sunken ridge at their periphery. A uniform continuous seal weld of relatively slight penetration seals the opposed mating and finished surfaces at the ridge. The pipe joint is physically secured by a plurality of, for example, three female frustroconical segments forming a circumscribing collet which is circumferentially clamped to the skirt. When the collet is clampd over the abutted skirts with seal weld there between, the mating and finished surfaces are compressd together, relieving the seal weld of shearing and normal stresses.

Abstract: A far less expensive process of manufacturing heavy-duty welding necks, nozzles, and similar connector elements comprising cylindrical bodies with a radial flange at one end, is provided through the utilization of a centered metal-displacement disc which contacts a radially flanged heated billet after the forging operation and forces the metal under the centered disc and interiorly of the radially-flanged portion into the die cavity and around a rounded centrally disposed supporting member which initially is in contact with the underside of the work-piece. This forward displacement action is continued until the advance portion of the work-piece contacts a circular forging knife which is carried on the interior of the female forging die member.

Abstract: In a double-pronged chain-shortening claw a safety device for preventing inadvertent release of a chain link supported in a pocket formed between two prongs of the claw. The safety device comprising a locking tongue which can be moved from an inoperative into an operative position in which the tongue projects between the arms of the chain link situated in the pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for utilizing electromagnetic energy for producing high impact forces by means of a ram propelled against a work piece. The work center of the apparatus includes a ram assembly of bolted construction having a hollow ram shaft, which ram assembly includes a gap between opposing conductive surfaces including associated fastener screws of driving disc and ram shaft of at least about five-sixteenths of an inch. A solid mass recoil assembly provides integral housing and recoil mass, enabling aerostatic bearing functioning, and also lowers shock and vibration levels to operator and equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing and straightening is disclosed in its preferred form for use in repairing and straightening the body and frame of a vehicle. The preferred apparatus includes a tread member including left and right track members for supporting a vehicle thereon, a tram member movable along and between the right and left track members and including two elongatable pull towers pivotally mounted thereto, and an additional elongatable pull tower mounted adjacent an end of the apparatus. A flexible connector, preferably a chain, is arranged for connection between the pull towers and the vehicle. The track members further include regularly shaped apertures which vertically pass therethrough. Locking pins are also provided which extend through an aperture of the track members and abut with a portion of the pull towers to lock the pull towers at any desired angle to the tread member.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of electronic components on a fluxed hybrid circuit substrate. In accordance with an automated program, the apparatus at a single work station places with high precision a plurality of chips of various types and physical and electrical sizes on a single substrate. Components are successively placed by a pair of hollow pick and placement spindles operating alternately and having motion in the X-Y planes. Precise location of stored chips is not required; the apparatus orients and centers each chip after selection and prior to placement.

Abstract: An apparatus for quick changing of tooling in heavy die sets is disclosed wherein interchangeable die shoes and tooling are piloted and guided on the bed of the press during operation of the same. Oil-hydraulic jacks lift the die shoe from the bed of the press and disengage the pilots and pneumatic cylinders disengage and retract the guides therefrom for roll-on and roll-off of the shoe from the press giving free access to the die shoe and to the underside of the blanking punch holder plate for repair or change of tooling. Guide sleeves for alignment of the blanking punch with the blanking die during operation of the press are pneumatically disengaged from leader pins in the die shoe providing transfer clearance for the roll-on/roll-off.

Abstract: Methods are described for making an improved sensing element and an improved sensor assembly for a halogen gas leak detector. The method of making an improved sensing element includes positioning at least one porous ceramic tubular element doped with sodium carbonate in a high temperature, non-reactive container, surrounding and covering the element with sodium beta-alumina particles, and baking the element in a furnace overnight at a temperature in the range from 1400.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C. The method of making an improved sensor assembly includes the above steps after which a helical heater coil is wrapped snugly around the tubular element, and a platinum wire electrode is positioned substantially within and supported by the tubular element. A suitable cement is applied over the entire helical heater coil and the immediate juxtaposed portions of the tubular element. The sensor assembly is then surrounded by and covered with sodium beta-alumina in a high temperature, non-reactive container.

Abstract: A shaft is confined within a housing by two indirectly mounted tapered roller bearings, and these bearings are adjusted by applying opposed axial forces to their cups, the spacing between which is dependent on the thickness of a deformable spacer located within the housing. A force of sufficient magnitude is applied to plastically deform the spacer that is between the two cups, and as the force is applied the spacing between the raceways of the two cups is monitored. The force is released when the size of the spacer will cause the cup raceways to be spaced apart a distance which provides the bearings with the correct adjustment. This distance is determined by measuring a master cup and adjusting the dimension so derived for the desired amount of end play or preload and for spring back of the spacer, hub and cups when the load is released. The process may be used where the cones are press-fitted over the shaft and have their front faces abutting.

Abstract: A method of making copies of information sets of the type carried by microfiche elements having integral lenses on one surface thereof. The copy is made by embossing the top surface of a plastic, planar blank to form the integral lenses. The bottom surface of the blank is provided with a thin, opaque coating. The coating is ruptured by a stamping block, the ruptured portions forming optical apertures in the coating. These apertures function in a manner analogous to developed images in a photographic emulsion. Thus, microfiche copies may be made without the use of silver bromide. The selective rupture process may also be employed in the duplication of motion picture film.

Abstract: A pressure riveting unit for blind or one-side riveting provided with a two-arm riveting head, there being a pull stud for hollow rivets on the end of each arm. The head is adapted to be turned through 180.degree., thereby permitting the simultaneous fixing of one hollow rivet blank on one pull stud and the forming of a rivet head on a rivet blank which has been previously fixed on the other pull stud.

Abstract: The present invention provides a restrictor for use in a refrigeration system including the method of adapting its use to the system and more particularly to a restrictor that is formed by providing a flattened portion of tubing that is bent to establish a substantially U-shaped restrictor having diverging leg members connected at their apex by an arcuate segment. Means are provided for moving at least one of the leg members relative to the other so that the diameter of the arcuate segment is altered. Altering the diameter of the arcuate segment causes the cross-sectional area of the restrictor passageway in the segment area to change and, accordingly, the refrigerant flow through the restrictor is effectively adjusted to optimize the refrigeration system efficiency.