Abstract: An improved joystick is disclosed having an actuator that is resistant to undesired rotation stemming from rotation of the handle of the joystick during use.

Abstract: A manually operable "bubble" button for an amusement device, such as an arcade game, includes inner and outer nested, generally cup-shaped members formed of suitable plastic material. The inner member has an annular flange which seats on an annular shoulder of the outer member to limit the depth of insertion so that the concave wall portions of the members are spaced apart. Circumferentially spaced ribs on the inner member engage the outer member to center the members and a locating tab on the inner member seats in a recess in the outer member to ensure proper relative orientation of the members. An indicium is disposed between the inner and outer members, preferably being fixed to the inner member, at least the outer member being substantially transparent to visible light so that the indicium can be seen therethrough. The members are fixed together adjacent to their open ends.

Abstract: A fluidized bed disproportionation of carbon monoxide is effected using ferrous metal component-containing catalysts in particulate form. The bed also contains an abradant to continuously remove from the surface of those particles a substantial quantity of the carbonaceous fibers formed on those surfaces. The method produces a carbonaceous material of desired carbon and ferrous metal content. The process allows the use of two beds in series for producing high carbon content products.

Abstract: Tendrillar carbonaceous material is used as a fluidization aid for fluidized beds. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be used to fluidize cohesive solids. Further, it can be used to improve fluidization of particulate solids by reducing entrainment, eliminating bubbling, and/or eliminating channelling. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be a fibrous, particulate carbonaceous material comprising carbon fibers and a ferrous group metal component dispersed thoughout the carbon fibers as nodules. The tendrillar carbonaceous material has a bulk density of from about 0.01 to about 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises an agglomeration of tendrils having a diameter of from about 0.01 to about 1 micron and a length to diameter ratio of from about 5:1 to about 1000:1.

Abstract: Tendrillar carbonaceous material is used as a fluidization aid for fluidized beds. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be used to fluidized cohesive solids. Further, it can be used to improve fluidization of particulate solids by reducing entrainment, eliminating bubbling, and/or eliminating channelling. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be a fibrous, particulate carbonaceous material comprising carbon fibers and a ferrous group metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules. The tendrillar carbonaceous material has a bulk density of from about 0.01 to about 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises an agglomeration of tendrils having a diameter of from about 0.01 to about 1 micron and a length to diameter ratio of from about 5:1 to about 1000:1.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for increasing the viscosity of liquids comprises tendrillar carbonaceous material (TCM) having a ultra low bulk density of less than about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises intertwined tendrils having a diameter (number average) of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 micron and a length (number average) to diameter (number average) ratio greater than about 10, the tendrils comprising carbon fibers and an iron metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules that are intimately associated with and at least partially bonded to the carbon fibers, the tendrillar carbonaceous material comprising from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight iron. The TCM can be used as a viscosifier and for suspending solids in such applications as drilling muds, lubricating oils and greases. The TCM can be prepared by disproportionating carbon monoxide in the presence of iron contained in a blend of (1) previously formed TCM and (2) iron containing particles.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for increasing the viscosity of liquids comprises tendrillar carbonaceous material (TCM) having a ultra low bulk density of less than about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises intertwined tendrils having a diameter (number average) of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 micron and a length (number average) to diameter (number average) ratio greater than about 10, the tendrils comprising carbon fibers and an iron metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules that are intimately associated with and at least partially bonded to the carbon fibers, the tendrillar carbonaceous material comprising from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight iron. The TCM can be used as a viscosifier and for suspending solids in such applications as drilling muds, lubricating oils and greases. The TCM can be prepared by disproportionating carbon monoxide in the presence of iron contained in a blend of (1) previously formed TCM and (2) iron containing particles.

Abstract: A fluidized bed disproportionation of carbon monoxide is effected using ferrous metal component-containing catalysts in particulate form. The bed also contains an abradant to continuously remove from the surface of those particles a substantial quantity of the carbonaceous fibers formed on those surfaces. The method produces a carbonaceous material of desired carbon and ferrous metal content. The process allows the use of two beds in series for producing high carbon content products.

Abstract: Tendrillar carbonaceous material is used as a fluidization aid for fluidized beds. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be used to fluidize cohesive solids. Further, it can be used to improve fluidization of particulate solids by reducing entrainment, eliminating bubbling, and/or eliminating channelling. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be a fibrous, particulate carbonaceous material comprising carbon fibers and a ferrous group metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules. The tendrillar carbonaceous material has a bulk density of from about 0.04 to about 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises an agglomeration of tendrils having a diameter of from about 0.01 to about 1 micron and a length to diameter ratio of from about 5:1 to about 1000:1.

Abstract: Tendrillar carbonaceous material is used as a fluidization aid for fluidizing cohesive materials in fluidized beds. The tendrillar carbonaceous material can be a fibrous, particulate carbonaceous material comprising carbon fibers and a ferrous group metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules. The tendrillar carbonaceous material has a bulk density of from about 0.04 to about 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises an agglomeration of tendrils having a diameter of from about 0.01 to about 1 micron and a length to diameter ratio of from about 5:1 to about 1000:1.

Abstract: This invention relates to the novel method for stabilizing the pressure sensed by the downstream-facing port of a pitot tube type flowmeter over a broad flow range, thereby providing a stable and repeatable flow coefficient. The invention comprises localizing the areas of boundary layer separation across deflecting surfaces located upstream of said port by sharply contouring the edges thereof and directing the flowing stream thereacross, and preventing reattachment of said boundary layer by positioning and contouring the surfaces containing said port downstream of said sharply contoured edges so as to continuously lie within the wake of the fluid flowing around the latter over a broad range of flow rates.

Abstract: Continuous row average sampling of a stationary source gas stream is accomplished with the aid of a tubular sampling probe extending across the gas stream flow path in a transverse plane of the path and having sampling port means forming a longitudinally extending sampling port row through which gas is drawn into the probe. The sampling port means preferably comprise one or more ports spanned by a porous filter medium and are designed to produce a pressure drop which is substantially uniform along the port row and relatively large in comparison to any internal or external pressure changes which occur along the probe so as to maintain a uniform gas sampling rate along the port row.