Abstract: In a high-performance computer which prefetches and predecodes instructions for sequential presentation to an execution unit, at least three separately gated and sequenced multi-instruction buffers for prefetched instructions permit continued sequential predecoding and buffering of instructions from three independent instruction streams identified by multiple branch instructions, some of which may be conditionally executed. A number of stored pointers identify particular ones of the multiple instruction buffers. Various branch instructions are predicted to be successful or unsuccessful. Result signals from the instruction execution unit, in response to execution of conditional branch instructions, will control the setting of various pointers and busy triggers associated with each instruction buffer, causing the next sequential instruction transferred to the instruction execution unit to be from the proper instruction stream based on the result of the branch on condition instruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unsupported catalyst with superior crush strength for use in a vapor phase reaction for the high yield conversion of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-butane to corresponding monocarboxylic acids used as acetic acid. The catalyst is prepared by the reduction of a vanadium oxide containing chromium catalyst.

Abstract: In the inversion process for preparing paper size from fortified rosin wherein a water-soluble dispersing agent including an ethylene oxide sulphate group is used to provide a stable aqueous dispersion of fortified rosin; and an invert size produced by such a process.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus in which laser pulses of up to about one nanosecond duration (.about.10.sup.-9 secs) and high intensity, more than 10.sup.11 watts cm.sup.-2, generate energetic (>>10 keV) ions, which can have very high charge states of more than twenty times the charge state of a single electron, from solid or liquid targets using non-liner, electrodynamic forces operating within the target material. In the present invention the energetic, highly charged ions are produced in such a manner that isotopes of a particular element forming the target can be separated into their respective groups travelling at particular velocities and directions, at distances of more than one meter from the irradiated target. In the present invention, the energetic, highly charged ions are generated and accelerated with high efficiency (>25%) within a relatively cold plasma (<1000 eV) generated from the target material.

Abstract: In the preparation of a dry, stable, phosphoric acid acidulated beverage mix, heretofore, a phosphoric acid chemical stabilizer was required due to the notorious hygroscopicity of H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, particularly in fructose sweetened systems. This invention eliminates the need for such stabilizers via the employment of pulverized crystalline sugar for improved structural stability, faster solubility and non-hygroscopicity of the dry beverage mix heretofore unknown in the art. The dry beverage mix of the present invention rapidly dissolves in aqueous solution which may be carbonated to form colas, root beers, sarsaparillas or any other beverage which contains phosphoric acid as a flavoring ingredient and acidulent. This dry beverage mix is made via vacuum drying a uniform slurry of the pulverized sugar, liquid flavorant and phosphoric acid acidulent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping combustible gases at high pressure without raising the gas to its combustion temperature, the apparatus including a piston-type pump having an intake chamber communicating with a cylinder through intake valves, a discharge chamber communicating with the cylinder through discharge valves, the intake chamber and the discharge chamber having cooling means therearound for cooling gas in the chambers, the valving being such that gas must pass entirely through the intake chamber for maximum cooling on intake, and gas must pass entirely through the discharge chamber on discharge for maximum cooling on discharge, some gas being held in the discharge chamber during compression of the gas for maximum cooling.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to new methods and means for removing fabric plies one at a time from a stack, transporting the individual plies to a secondary location, precisely orienting and aligning the plies for a subsequent operation and, in some cases assembling one ply with another in preparation for a sewing operation. In one of its advantageous forms, the equipment specifically illustrated herein is especially useful for picking individual shirt cuff and liner plies from separate supply stacks, transporting them to a load station, and assembling the plies one on top of the other, in proper alignment and orientation for sewing. In a secondary mode, the equipment of the invention may be used to transport individual fabric plies, such as entire short sleeve shirt sections, to a sewing or other processing station.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant rope in which the individual strands are sealed with a plastic foam impregnant and surrounded with a dense unfoamed plastic material is made by applying a foamable plastic to the individual wires of a series of wire strands, or, alternatively, to the individual strands as a whole, and closing the strands into a rope in a closing die while passing a nonfoamable plastic material into the closing die. Sealed plastic foam impregnated wire strands can be made in the same manner by passing nonfoamable plastic material into the stranding die during fabrication of the strand.

Abstract: An evacuated chamber utilizing an arrangement of three mirrors for accurately focussing a large diameter, high power pulsed laser beam or continuous wave laser beam either in a small focal volume or onto the surface of a target placed inside the chamber is described. The invention enables the production of an intense photon distribution within a center-of-momentum region or the uniform irradiation of laser fusion pellets.

Abstract: Electrical connector which is intended for mounting on a circuit board comprises an insluating housing having a pair of mounting posts extending normally from the surface of the connector housing which is against the circuit board. Each post has a retaining portion which is adjacent to the surface of the housing, a lead-in portion, and a free end which is remote from the surface of the housing. The retaining portion comprises a semi-cylindrical portion having a retaining fin extending laterally therefrom. The fin has a first surface which extends tangentially from the cylindrical surface of the semi-cylindrical portion and a flat surface which extends from the outer edge of the fin to the flat surface of the semi-cylindrical portion. The lead-in portion of the post comprises the semi-cylindrical portion and a fin having an outer edge which slopes towards the free end of the post so that the fin has a decreasing cross-section as a distance from the housing surface increases.

Abstract: A step assembly and method of installing same in cast wall structures is disclosed. Tubular receptacles are disposed in place in the wall structure. Each receptacle has internal and external abutments. A step includes a pair of arms having abutments thereon which cooperate with the internal receptacle abutments to prevent step removal. A modified receptacle is insertable into a completed wall structure.

Abstract: An inline electron gun includes means for weakening the effect of a portion of the horizontal magnetic deflection field on the center electron beam and for strengthening the effect of a portion of the vertical magnetic deflection field on the center electron beam. The means includes magnetic shield members completely surrounding the paths of the outer beams. Each of the members has a portion that crosses the plane of the co-planar electron beam paths that is closer to the center beam path than to the outer beam paths. In a preferred embodiment, large shunts surrounding the outer beams are offset eccentrically toward the center beam relative to the outer beams.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly efficient process for use in the high pressure catalytic vapor phase reaction for the high yield conversion of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-butane to corresponding monocarboxylic acids such as acetic acid. The oxidation reaction takes place under hydrocarbon rich conditions. The increased efficiency in this process is realized by the judicious use of steam and the catalyst systems set forth in the instant invention.

Abstract: Electrical connector receptacle comprises an insulating housing having a plug-receiving end, a rearward end, and a plug-receiving opening extending into the plug-receiving end. A plurality of electrical conductors are provided in and on the housing, each conductor having contact spring portions at one end, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion. The contact spring portion extends from an internal sidewall at the mating end diagonally into the plug-receiving opening. The intermediate portion of each conductor extends from the mating end across an external sidewall, across the rearward end and beyond the other external sidewall. The connector is intended for mounting on a circuit board having holes which receive the other ends of the conductors so that the sidewalls from which the contact springs extend is remote from the circuit board.

Abstract: A vortex is formed in fluid flowing through a flow passage from the inlet of the passage to its outlet. A bluff body is disposed at the outlet external to the passage to interrupt vortically flowing fluid. In one embodiment, the bluff body, which could comprise one or more frustums or discs, has a flat surface facing the outlet. In another embodiment, the body comprises a sphere. In a third embodiment, the body comprises a frustum and a sphere adjacent to each other on the flow axis.

Abstract: An interface between a telephone switch bus line and a dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) type digital tone decoder is provided which minimizes false tone decoding due to filter-induced transient oscillations caused by spurious impulse noise and the like on the input bus line. The interface includes a limiter circuit for generating a uniform amplitude output pulse train and a circuit for automatically generating a variable threshold which is time responsive to input signals on the input bus line. The variable threshold circuit output signals are used by the limiter circuit to mask transient oscillations in the tone filter output. Only when persistence of the oscillations wherein the limiter threshold level signal is finally less than the peak amplitude of the input signals to the limiter from the tone filter will such input signals be sensed as valid switching tone signals.

Abstract: A board game, for being played competitively between several players, and wherein the game board has a playing field, that is divided into hexagonal playing spaces, so that rows of spaces can be made in three different directions, the spaces each being adaptable to have a playing piece placed thereupon, and which has an alphabetical letter imprinted thereupon, so that words can be formed in three different directions, so that letters, of words in one direction, can also comprise a letter of words in other directions.

Abstract: Timed or regulated air bursts are employed to agitate and oxygenate leachable ores or other material containing valuable leachable elements in the presence of a leaching solution. The process provides a homogenous mixing of fines within the leaching solution thereby reducing channeling within the ore.

Abstract: A straight-run naphtha is fractionated at about 66.degree. C., which is just below the boiling point of methylcyclopentane. The 66.degree. C.+ fraction is reformed, and at least a portion of the reformate combined with the 66.degree. C.- fraction and reacted under aromatization conditions over a ZSM-5-type catalyst to form a C.sub.5 + product rich in aromatics. The C.sub.5 + aromaticized product and the remaining reformate can be either sent for BTX recovery or used as a high-octane component of a gasoline blending pool.

Abstract: A liquid mirror for high energy lasers. A working liquid such as mercury, used as the reflecting surface for laser light. Dielectric enhanced reflecting techniques can be used to increase significantly the amount of reflection from the working liquid. The liquid is contained in a pressure cell behind a transparent optical flat. By varying the pressure cell of the liquid, compensation for the aberration caused by heat absorption can be made. These same pressure changes can be used to correct for laser beam wavefront distortions produced elsewhere in the laser, director or atmosphere.