Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for modifying various non-equidimensional substrates with modifying agents. The system comprises a processing chamber configured for passing the non-equidimensional substrate therethrough, wherein the processing chamber is further configured to accept a treatment mixture into the chamber during movement of the non-equidimensional substrate through the processing chamber. The treatment mixture can comprise of the modifying agent in a carrier medium, wherein the carrier medium is selected from the group consisting of a supercritical fluid, a near-critical fluid, a superheated fluid, a superheated liquid, and a liquefied gas. Thus, the modifying agent can be applied to the non-equidimensional substrate upon contact between the treatment mixture and the non-equidimensional substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates with multiple modifying agents in a single continuous system. At least two processing chambers are configured for modifying the substrate in a continuous feed system. The processing chambers can be substantially isolated from one another by interstitial seals. Additionally, the two processing chambers can be substantially isolated from the surrounding atmosphere by end seals. Optionally, expansion chambers can be used to separate the seals from the processing chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates with multiple modifying agents in a single continuous system. At least two processing chambers are configured for modifying the substrate in a continuous feed system. The processing chambers can be substantially isolated from one another by interstitial seals. Additionally, the two processing chambers can be substantially isolated from the surrounding atmosphere by end seals. Optionally, expansion chambers can be used to separate the seals from the processing chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for modifying various non-equidimensional substrates with modifying agents. The system comprises a processing chamber configured for passing the non-equidimensional substrate therethrough, wherein the processing chamber is further configured to accept a treatment mixture into the chamber during movement of the non-equidimensional substrate through the processing chamber. The treatment mixture can comprise of the modifying agent in a carrier medium, wherein the carrier medium is selected from the group consisting of a supercritical fluid, a near-critical fluid, a superheated fluid, a superheated liquid, and a liquefied gas. Thus, the modifying agent can be applied to the non-equidimensional substrate upon contact between the treatment mixture and the non-equidimensional substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates with multiple modifying agents in a single continuous system. At least two processing chambers are configured for modifying the substrate in a continuous feed system. The processing chambers can be substantially isolated from one another by interstitial seals. Additionally, the two processing chambers can be substantially isolated from the surrounding atmosphere by end seals. Optionally, expansion chambers can be used to separate the seals from the processing chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for modifying various non-equidimensional substrates with modifying agents. The system comprises a processing chamber configured for passing the non-equidimensional substrate therethrough, wherein the processing chamber is further configured to accept a treatment mixture into the chamber during movement of the non-equidimensional substrate through the processing chamber. The treatment mixture can comprise of the modifying agent in a carrier medium, wherein the carrier medium is selected from the group consisting of a supercritical fluid, a near-critical fluid, a superheated fluid, a superheated liquid, and a liquefied gas. Thus, the modifying agent can be applied to the non-equidimensional substrate upon contact between the treatment mixture and the non-equidimensional substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates such as monofilaments, bundles of monofilaments, and fibrous structural material with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is suspended or dissolved in a supercritical fluid, near-critical fluid, superheated fluid, superheated liquid, or a liquified gas and is deposited by rapidly altering the pressure in a chamber to deposit the modifying material onto the substrate.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a combustion cylinder, a piston moving within the cylinder, an intake manifold through which air flows into the cylinder, a fuel control for controlling the flow of fuel into the cylinder, and an inlet valve arrangement for controlling the flow of air into the cylinder, and in which there is an improvement in the inlet valve arrangement which comprises an elongate thin wall right circular cylindrical valve member mounted for rotation within the intake manifold about the longitudinal axis of the valve member and having an inlet flow opening therethrough extending lengthwise of said member for a predetermined length and arcuately thereabout over an arc of at least about 100 degrees and an air flow guide stationarily mounted within the valve member for directing air flow into the cylinder and for establishing the cross sectional area of a flow passageway for such air flow.

Abstract: A semipermeable, inorganic membrane is disclosed; the membrane is prepared from a phosphazene polymer and, by the selective substitution of the constituent groups bound to the phosphorous in the polymer structure, the selective passage of fluid from a feedstream can be controlled. Resistance to high temperatures and harsh chemical environments is observed in the use of the phosphazene polymers as semipermeable membranes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which possibly destructive stress of torsional vibration in a rotating crankshaft/flywheel system of a multicylinder internal combustion engine is avoided by effectively isolating the flywheel from the crankshaft for torsional vibration considerations. The flywheel and crankshaft are coupled by a resilient coupling which accommodates angular movement between the components and which has a torsional spring rate which is relatively low compared to the torsional spring rate of a conventional crankshaft/flywheel system. The coupling reduces the natural frequency of torsional vibration of the system to a frequency well below the normal operating range of the engine in terms of revolutions per minute, thereby substantially eliminating the effects of torsional vibration in the normal operating range of the engine.

Abstract: A chart recorder has a fixed thermal printhead for recording traces and annotations thereto representative of monitored parameters. A microcomputer, including timing, memory and control circuits controls the operation of the recorder which is enabled to print one or more traces simultaneously. The microcomputer control enables the printing of limit parameters, grids and times along with the traces. Further, the microcomputer provides for linearization of nonlinear parameters to be measured such as thermocouple temperature measurements and the like.

Abstract: The presence of geothermal aquifers can be detected while drilling in geothermal formations by maintaining a chemical log of the ratio of the concentrations of calcium to carbonate and bicarbonate ions in the return drilling fluid. A continuous increase in the ratio of the concentrations of calcium to carbonate and bicarbonate ions is indicative of the existence of a warm or hot geothermal aquifer at some increased depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and harvesting trees in which the stem of a tree is encircled by instrumentalities mounted on an elongate member positioned adjacent the stem and the upper portion of the stem then exerts leverage about a fulcrum defined by the encircling instrumentalities to bias a butt end portion of the stem upwardly into engagement with an overlying guide mounted on the member adjacent cutting instrumentalities. Tree stems are processed by being advanced relative to the elongate member toward an automotive vehicle from which the elongate member is supported, while maintaining upward biasing of the stem into engagement with the overlying guide. The tree stem may be processed either into longwood or into shortwood sticks, with the processing beginning either from a growing tree which is harvested in accordance with this invention or from a previously felled stem which is lying on the ground.

Abstract: A composite is produced by first coating a reinforcing material with an inorganic phosphazene compound and then polymerizing the phosphazene compound so as to confer superior thermal, physical and chemical resistance qualities to the composite.