Abstract: An improved inorganic fiber mat containing mineral wool, preferably a composite mat of mineral wool and fiberglass, is prepared by:(a) forming an aqueous slurry of the inorganic fiber raw material containing non-fibrous, particulate contaminants;(b) agitating the slurry to separate heavier contaminant materials;(c) passing the slurry through a unique cleaning apparatus whereby the moving slurry is cascaded and subjected to air induced hydraulic turbulence to separate any remaining contaminant materials; and(d) thereafter transferring the fibrous material, preferably as an admixture of cleaned mineral wool fibers and glass fibers, to a mat forming device.

Abstract: A system for automatically aligning a high power laser. The optical train the high power laser includes an unstable resonator cavity, a two axis, gimballed turning mirror and a extraction mirror. The autoalignment system utilizes a HeNe laser to propagate an alignment beam coaxial with, and prealigned with, the high power beam. The reference beam traverses the same optical path as the main, high power beam, propagating through all of the relay optics of the laser train. This allows angular deviations in the pointing direction of the main beam to be inferred from the angularity of the reference beam. At the downstream end of the laser train, the extraction mirror functions as an optical interface, pointing the main beam in the preferred output direction and extracting the reference beam by means of a central passageway through the extraction mirror. The extracted reference beam is directed on a path incident to a null angle sensor.

Abstract: A modulator for a laser such as a chemical or electrically excited laser radiating in the region between approximately 2 and approximately 5 microns. The modulator consists of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic of the type known as PLZT. Such a polycrystal is disposed in the laser cavity. An electric voltage is applied to the crystal for causing it to exhibit optical birefringence, thus spoiling the Q of the laser cavity. Further, means is disposed in the laser cavity for linearly polarizing the radiation such as one or more Brewster windows transparent to the radiation. The crystal is cooled by fluid means such as a gas transparent to the radiation. Further, the crystal is mounted by means having an acoustic impedance substantially matching that of the crystal so that mechanical stress waves set up in the crystal are not reflected back into the crystal.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or reducing the undesirable growth properties of a resilient flooring product having a fibrous cellulosic backing which comprises: substantially uniformly incorporating in the fibrous cellulosic backing of a resilient flooring product from about 0.05% by weight to about 4% by weight, based on the weight of the fibrous cellulosic backing, of a growth inhibitor from the group consisting of alums, aluminum sulfate, and mixtures thereof; and installing the resilient flooring product on a surface coated with a water-based adhesive while the fibrous cellulosic backing contains such percentages of the growth inhibitor, whereby undesirable growth, swelling, buckling or the appearance of bubbles in the resilient flooring product is inhibited or reduced, even when the installation takes place at low relative humidity conditions below about 50% relative humidity.

Abstract: A surface covering material comprising a layer of felted asbestos fibers, a binder-impregnant for the asbestos fiber layer, a plasticized resinous wear layer applied to said asbestos fiber layer, the binder-impregnant for the asbestos fiber layer comprising a mixture of a synthetic rubber latex and a reactive resin. The product has improved dimensional stability and increased resistance to the effects of plasticizers on the asbestos fiber layer.