Abstract: The alloy contains, expressed in atomic percentages, 9 to 12% of indium and 4 to 5.35% of cadmium, the remainder consisting of silver with the exception of unavoidable impurities in very low quantities. The alloy preferably contains 9 to 10% of indium and 4.35% to 5.35% of cadmium. The alloy can be used in the form of pellets or bars placed inside a tubular casing, in order to form a neutron-absorber component of a rod cluster for controlling the reactivity of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A firearm having a trigger which is pivoted to the frame, a hammer which is pivoted to the frame and biased in a forward position, a barrel which is pivotally mounted on the frame so that the breech end of the barrel can be moved between a closed position and an open position. A latch is operatively connected to the hammer and to the trigger for positioning the trigger in its cocked position when the hammer is in its cocked position and for releasably maintaining the hammer in its cocked position, and for releasing the hammer to its firing position upon manual actuation of the trigger. A first locking means is operatively connected to the barrel for preventing the barrel from moving to its open position when the hammer is in its cocked position. A second locking means is operatively connected to the barrel and to the hammer for preventing the hammer from moving to its cocked position when the barrel is in its open position.

Abstract: A compact muzzleloader firearm has a barrel and a ramrod mounted below the barrel. The ramrod extends through a tubular member supporting a slide block connected to a hammer with struts. A spring mounted on the tubular member biases the slide block to move the hammer from a cocked position to a fire position. A manually operated safety structure on side plates adjacent the hammer prevents the hammer from moving to the fire position. The safety structure is also releasable to allow the hammer to move from the cocked position to the fire position.

Abstract: A casing for protecting firearms from the elements while allowing the user to access firearm sight and trigger. Although the firearm is at all times fully enclosed in the cover, the firearm may be aimed and discharged without having to remove the firearm from its protective casing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combination of a signal-receiving system and a hand weapon. The signal-receiving system is incorporated in the hand weapon and includes a signal-receiving unit for receiving a coded signal and an evaluating unit connected to the signal-receiving unit for receiving the coded signal therefrom, for processing the coded signal and for emitting an actuating signal as a function of the coded signal for affecting operationally essential elements of the hand weapon.

Abstract: A modular, combination laser and electronic aiming system is disclosed having an electronic sight portion and a laser sight portion. The electronic sight portion has a lens and a first light source for projecting a light beam upon the lens. The laser sight portion has a second light source for projecting a beam onto a target. Separate frames may be used to mount the first and second light sources and the lens to the shooting apparatus, and the frame for the laser light source may be disposed between the frame for the electronic light source and the lens, securing the laser sight portion to the shooting apparatus without interfering with the operation of the electronic sight portion.

Abstract: A firearm including a frame having a grip for manually grasping the firearm, a control member movable to enable firing the firearm, a locking device including a latch element movable by an inserted key either to a locking position or to a releasing position, and a locking member movably carried by the frame. A spring urges the locking member into contact with the control member such that the locking member moves with the control member to enable firing the firearm. The locking member is located with respect to the latch element of the locking device so as to be engaged thereby when the latch element is in its locking position, to block the movement of the locking member, and thereby to prevent the firing of the firearm when the latch element is in its locking position. Two embodiments are described: a semi-automatic pistol, wherein the control member is a pivotal safety lever; and a revolver, wherein the control member is a rebound slide.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing direct current generated by neutron activation of a plurality of interconnected .beta.-emitter (nuclear decay electron) cells, which are placed in a specific position in the out-of-core region of a light water nuclear reactor. The method entails a synergistic combination of neutron-absorbing isotopes, in specific relationship to each other, the amount of each absorber and their respective locations in the neutron flux field being chosen to render the total current-time characteristic substantially constant over a significant number of reactor full-power-years. The method enhances the current output and lifetime of the current generator by greatly deferring burn-up of the neutron absorbers. If configured as a DC voltage source for powering radiation-hardened, high-temperature integrated circuitry contained in the reactor pressure vessel, voltage regulation circuitry is not necessary.

Abstract: A scope mounting system comprising a pair of scope ring assemblies, each having a clamp mechanism for clamping a desired scope thereto, and a pair of scope bases. Each scope ring assembling has a female dovetail slot for releasably mating with a male dovetail protrusion provided on a mating scope base. The scope base also including a mechanism for releasably attaching the scope base to the barrel of a desired firearm. The scope base includes a recoil stop for preventing forward axial sliding movement of the scope ring assembly relative to the scope base upon discharge of a firearm incorporating the present invention. Each scope ring assembly may also be provided with a mating recess for cooperating with and abutting against the recoil stop of the scope base.

Abstract: A recoil pad for universal attachment to firearm stocks of varied size. The recoil pad is a boot, formed of resilient foam material, having a base wall for engagement with the butt of a firearm stock. A retaining sleeve extends from the base wall for engagement with the periphery of a firearm stock. The retaining sleeve has an opening which defines an integral strap portion in the retaining sleeve spaced from the base wall. The integral strap portion may be stretched to accommodate and snugly retain firearm stocks of varied size.

Abstract: This speedloader, which is usable to facilitate the loading of bullets into the magazine of an automatic rifle, comprises a casing that has a passage extending therethrough from its top to its bottom, the passage having an open top through which bullets may be fed and an open bottom into which the top of the magazine may be inserted. The speedloader also comprises means for fastening the magazine to the casing in a position within the passage that allows bullets to be fed through the top of the passage into the magazine. Atop the casing is an adapter for releasably attaching to the casing a stripper clip holding bullets. Means is provided for fastening the casing to the belt of a rifle-user so that the casing remains fixed to the belt, and hence to the waist of the rifle-user, as bullets are pushed downwardly off the stripper clip into the magazine.

Abstract: A sling for a long gun and other articles has a belt that fits about the waist and a shoulder strap that passes over the shoulder and fastens to the belt at both ends. The shoulder strap includes two chest mounting members that hold a long gun adjacent the chest so that the user can carry the gun without using his hands. The belt, shoulder strap and mounting members are adjustable. The sling optionally includes a chest strap that fits around the chest and is coupled to the shoulder strap in the front and back.

Abstract: A gun safety device is mounted on a gun barrel for capturing a projectile fired from the gun. The device is comprised of industrial strength fabric and has an impact absorption zone for absorbing the momentum of the projectile. A method for capturing a projectile with a projectile capturing means made from fabric and releasing firing gases through pressure release holes is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous digester discharges pulp without mechanically engaging the pulp, by using one or more discharge transitions with one dimensional convergence and side relief. The transitions may be mounted within a pre-existing digester shell (after removal of the discharge rotor), and supported by a number of braces and/or a skirt shaped like a truncated cone. The operation of a digester, or other continuous vessel, may be controlled by automatically sensing the level of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material in the vessel and automatically controlling the introduction of dilution liquid into the vessel to discharge the material from the vessel in response to the sensing.

Abstract: Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) can be advantageously employed to uniformly coat or impregnate an array or preform of fibers with a ceramic material. As a result, more efficient methods for making composite materials of superior quality are provided.

Abstract: A superconducting composition is provided to essentially consist of a superconducting material and Li(lithium), Na(sodium), and K(potassium) mixed in an amount up to 0.2% by weight of of the composition into the superconducting material.

Abstract: Zinc oxide and zirconium oxide are used as weighting materials for water and oil based drilling fluids for horizontal wells.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing peroxide contamination from acrylonitrile. The process includes contacting the acrylonitrile with an activated alumina adsorbent and separating the acrylonitrile product from the alumina. The contaminated acrylonitrile is contacted with the activated alumina adsorbent for a time sufficient for the peroxide contaminate to be adsorbed by the activated alumina. The activated alumina may also be used to selectively remove color promoting contaminates in an acrylonitrile product.

Abstract: A method for bleaching lignocellulose containing pulp which has been chemically pulped is described wherein the method comprises the steps of sequentially treating the pulp with a reducing agent, a chelating agent and an oxidative agent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous production of sodium methylate from sodium and an excess of methanol. The process involves charging a reaction vessel with a solution of sodium methylate in methanol at a temperature of from about 80.degree. to 86.degree. C.; providing an inert atmosphere in the reaction vessel; agitating the contents of the reaction vessel; adding molten sodium at a metered rate to the agitated reaction vessel; adding methanol to the agitated reaction vessel at a rate which maintains the temperature of the reaction mass in a range of 80.degree. to 86.degree. C.; reacting the sodium and methanol for a sufficient time to substantially complete the reaction of sodium; and withdrawing from the reaction vessel a solution of sodium methylate in methanol.