Abstract: Curable polyurethane/polyurea hybrid compositions that are particularly useful, when cured, as the outer layer and/or at least one inner layer of golf balls, are disclosed. Cured compositions are also disclosed. In addition, methods of increasing the ultraviolet light resistance of a golf ball layer using the curable polyurethane/polyurea hybrid compositions are disclosed. In addition, processes of making the polymer compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of roughening a ceramic surface by forming mechanical interlocks in the ceramic surface by a chemical etching process, a thermal etching process, or a laser micromachining process. Also disclosed herein are components for use in semiconductor processing chambers (in particular, a deposition ring for use in a PVD chamber) which have at least one ceramic surface having mechanical interlocks formed therein by chemical etching, thermal etching, or laser micromachining. Ceramic surfaces which have been roughened according to the chemical etching, thermal etching, or laser micromachining process of the invention are less brittle and damaged than ceramic surfaces which are roughened using conventional grit blasting techniques. The method of the invention results in a roughened ceramic surface which provides good adherence to an overlying sacrificial layer (such as aluminum).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of roughening a ceramic surface by forming mechanical interlocks in the ceramic surface by a chemical etching process, a thermal etching process, or a laser micromachining process. Also disclosed herein are components for use in semiconductor processing chambers (in particular, a deposition ring for use in a PVD chamber) which have at least one ceramic surface having mechanical interlocks formed therein by chemical etching, thermal etching, or laser micromachining. Ceramic surfaces which have been roughened according to the chemical etching, thermal etching, or laser micromachining process of the invention are less brittle and damaged than ceramic surfaces which are roughened using conventional grit blasting techniques. The method of the invention results in a roughened ceramic surface which provides good adherence to an overlying sacrificial layer (such as aluminum).

Abstract: An audio-visual reproduction system includes an audio signal source, a video signal source and a plurality of audio-visual reproduction devices connected to the audio source and the video source via respective audio and video channels, each such device thereby reproducing combined audio-visual material. Each device includes an automatic audio volume control circuit, and, positioned near the device, an audio transducer generates an output signal in dependence upon ambient noise in the vicinity of the device. The volume control circuit is arranged to apply a level of gain or attenuation in reproducing the audio signal from the audio source responsively to the audio signal level, so as to reduce the effect of the audio signal component within the ambient noise upon the level of gain or attenuation.

Abstract: A method for activating air bags in motor vehicles without the use of electrically powered deceleration sensors. This method utilizes the impact of one mass of quartz against another to generate a flash of visible light to initiate activation of the air bag system under conditions of extremely sudden deceleration. This flash of light, which is detected by a photo-sensitive element, initiates deployment of the air bag system without reliance on the electrical cables currently used for this purpose, but which could be damaged in the first moment of a collision, thus preventing inflation of the air bags. This substitution of a photo-sensitive activation system for a system dependent on electric cables substantially enhances the reliability of the air bag deployment concept.

Abstract: The surface of an aromatic liquid crystalline polyester film is modified to have improved adhesion by: (a) applying an adhesion-promoting coating to the film; (b) subsequently heating the film to a temperature above the melting point of the polyester; and, (c) applying pressure to the heated film. Preferably, the film is placed between two portions of a release film (e.g. a polyimide) prior to applying pressure.

Abstract: When a computer system is upgraded, such as by adding a more advanced processor chip and/or a new operating system, a different page size may be employed. The page size is altered for data previously stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk in the computer system, without removing all of the data from the medium and rewriting it. Data is stored in the medium in blocks or sectors which have headers defining the block. Also, tables define memory objects and segments, and locate virtual memory addresses in physical memory. The headers and/or tables can be changed without rewriting all of the data in the sectors or pages in physical memory, so the page size is changed to accommodate the new system components, without excessive burden on system hardware or undue expenditure of time.

Abstract: A method of improving ground soil irrigation by employing an additive or amendment in the form of an improved synthetic solution grade calcium sulfate dihydrate composition. This composition is formulated by contacting a calcium compound having a calcium cation with a chemical agent enabling the calcium compound to yield calcium ions upon reaction with the chemical agent and which enables the calcium cation to react with an anion of the chemical agent forming a second calcium compound. The second calcium compound is reacted with a sulfur containing acid, such as sulfuric acid, to thereby form a calcium sulfate dihydrate. The compound has improved suspension characteristics and will remain in suspension for a much longer period of time than a conventional solution grade calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer microelectronic circuit board including a laminate of a plurality of circuit layers containing conductive vias within the layers or a combination of conductive vias and conductive wiring patterns on a surface of the layers, the layers comprising a first liquid crystal polymer and, interposed between said circuit layers, a layer of second liquid crystal polymer having a melting point of at least about 10.degree. C. lower than the melting point of the first liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: The problems of high cost, high loss and incomplete distortion compensation are resolved in a distortion generating circuit which employs a nonlinear phase modulator (70, FIG. 7) and a linear phase shifter (71) as a means of generating selected distortion signal components. The circuit includes an output coupler (30) and an output coupler (31) interconnected by means of a pair of wavepaths (32, 33). The nonlinear phase modulator (70), which includes a nonlinear reactive element (37), is disposed in one of the wavepaths (32). The linear phase shifter (71) is included in the other wavepath (33). By the appropriate adjustment of the linear phase shift in wavepath (33) the entire gamut of distortion characteristics can be compensated. Distortion generating circuits of the type disclosed can be employed as either predistorters or as postdistorters to compensate for the nonlinearities in electromagnetic signal devices, such as amplifiers.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound helically in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels, while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: A modular plug especially suited for terminating electrical cords in which the conductors are disposed in a generally non-planar array includes a plastic housing with at least two tiers of conductor-receiving cells and a plurality of terminal-receiving openings associated with the cells. Each opening includes a slot extending parallel to and communicating with the associated cell. The length of each slot is exposed to an exterior surface of the housing. A terminal is inserted partially into each opening with portions of the housing which define the opening being in compressive engagement with edge surfaces of the terminal to support the terminal against unintended movement. An assembler removes a plastic jacket from an end portion of a cord and inserts each insulated conductor into a predetermined one of the cells. Then the assembler actuates a tool to anchor the plug to the cord and to sever excess lengths of the conductors.

Abstract: A coal slurry drier which comprises a pulverizer having a housing enclosing a pulverizing zone including horizontally disposed upper and lower grinding rings. A circular row of rotatable grinding elements is positioned between the upper and lower rings. Heated carrier air is passed through the pulverizing zone. A conduit delivers the coal slurry to the pulverizer for drying and pulverization. The conduit includes an insulated portion extending through the housing and has its outlet located within the pulverizing zone.

Abstract: A self-supporting structure comprised of a corrugated, convoluted, rigid surface which is elliptical in plan and elevation taken along its length and slightly in excess of semicircular when viewed from its end, the corrugations being parallel to each other and perpendicular to its length and decreasing in diameter progressively by a fixed percent taken in the direction from the middle of the structure towards its ends.

Abstract: A cord terminating plug includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing with a free end and a cord input end which opens to a cavity and with provisions for preventing ingress of moisture and other contaminants. A cord jacket anchoring member disposed within a well is formed integrally of the housing through a connecting hinge oriented toward the free end and a frangible portion oriented inward the cord-input end. The anchoring member has two intersecting externally facing surfaces with one of the surfaces having a stop formed thereon. Forces are applied to the anchoring member to disconnect it from the housing through the frangible portion and move it pivotally into clamping engagement with the cord jacket.

Abstract: A plug for terminating a cord in the field includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing having a cord-input aperture, internal surfaces defining a cavity for receiving an end portion of the cord, jacket and conductor anchoring members, and facilities for supporting terminals in a partially seated position in terminal-receiving openings in the housing. The terminals have internal contacting portions for engaging cord conductors and external contacting portions for engaging electrically associated components of a telephone apparatus when the plug is inserted thereinto. The temporary terminal support facilities include webs formed integrally with the housing. Portions of the terminals are embedded in the webs while portions of the webs are reformed into clamping engagement with other portions of the terminals during the partial insertion of the terminals.

Abstract: A wool oxidation liquor contains a halogenated isocyanuric acid or salt thereof as halogen donor, a wetting agent, and an hydrogen donor comprising a mixture of a mineral acid and suitable organic acid. The halogenated isocyanuric acid may be a halogenated one, and is preferably selected among dichloroisocyanuric acid and alkali metal salts thereof, for example potassium and sodium salts. The organic acid may be selected among propionic acid, acetic acid, and halogeno-acetic acids, the mineral acid among hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, and orthophosphoric acid. The pH range of the liquor is in the range 0.5 to 3.5, preferably 1 to 2, and the active chlorine content in the range 0.5 to 5 per cent, preferably 1 to 2 per cent.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: This invention relates to fluidised bed combustion systems and facilitates the maintenance of the depth of the bed. A discharge pipe projects upwardly into the bed so that bed material can flow into its upper end and escape downwardly. The end of the pipe is surrounded by an enclosure and air is discharged into the enclosure so that material will enter the pipe from within the enclosure and have been cooled in the enclosure by the air discharged into it. The walls of the enclosure may themselves be cooled. The invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.

Abstract: A plug for terminating a cord includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing with a free end and a cord-input aperture in the other end and with internal surfaces defining a cavity. A jacket anchoring member is formed integrally of the housing and has a surface which protrudes into the cavity slightly beyond the adjacent surface of a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input aperture when the anchoring member is in an initial position. Forces are applied to the anchoring member to partially disconnect it from the housing and move it into an actuated position with substantially all of the protruding surface in clamping engagement with the jacket and with a portion of another surface of the anchoring member into locking engagement with a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input end of the housing. Another portion formed integrally with the housing is reformed into a strain relief element in engagement with the conductors.