Abstract: The method and system for attenuating or damping the amplitude of vacuum pressure oscillations in a vacuum system uses a flow-modulated damper to disperse and damp high-amplitude vacuum oscillations of a vacuum generator to a degree where fine vacuum control may be achieved for delicate work such as eye surgery.

Abstract: A retarder control valve assembly and system for controlling speed of rail cars, utilizes cartridge valves carried in a manifold body including piping and pilot control apparatus, but no wearing surfaces, dynamic seals, or moving parts. The cartridge valves are replaceable without replumbing, and include all moving valve elements and dynamic seals. The valves each include a piston controlled poppet carried on a spool movable within a cartridge body to open and close the valve and supported to withstand high side loads. The pressure sensing and feedback to the retarder system controller is at the manifold, in a pressure spike attenuating circuit having a phase modulating capability to mimic retarder pressure remotely.

Abstract: A retarder control valve assembly and system for controlling speed of rail cars, utilizes cartridge valves carried in a manifold body including piping and pilot control apparatus, but no wearing surfaces, dynamic seals, or moving parts. The cartridge valves are replaceable without replumbing, and include all moving valve elements and dynamic seals. The valves each include a piston controlled poppet carried on a spool movable within a cartridge body to open and close the valve and supported to withstand high side loads. The pressure sensing and feedback to the retarder system controller is at the manifold, in a pressure spike attenuating circuit having a phase modulating capability to mimic retarder pressure remotely.

Abstract: A retarder control valve assembly and system for controlling speed of rail cars, utilizes cartridge valves carried in a manifold body including piping and pilot control apparatus, but no wearing surfaces, dynamic seals, or moving parts. The cartridge valves are replaceable without replumbing, and include all moving valve elements and dynamic seals. The valves each include a piston controlled poppet carried on a spool movable within a cartridge body to open and close the valve and supported to withstand high side loads. The pressure sensing and feedback to the retarder system controller is at the manifold, in a pressure spike attenuating circuit having a phase modulating capability to mimic retarder pressure remotely.

Abstract: A retarder control valve assembly and system for controlling speed of rail cars, utilizes cartridge valves carried in a manifold body including piping and pilot control apparatus, but no wearing surfaces, dynamic seals, or moving parts. The cartridge valves are replaceable without replumbing, and include all moving valve elements and dynamic seals. The valves each include a piston controlled poppet carried on a spool movable within a cartridge body to open and close the valve and supported to withstand high side loads. The pressure sensing and feedback to the retarder system controller is at the manifold, in a pressure spike attenuating circuit having a phase modulating capability to mimic retarder pressure remotely.

Abstract: A process is described for extraction and recovery of chemicals from the shell of various crustacea species. Significant features of the process are determination and use of conditions for extraction which are sufficient to liberate protein from its combination with chitin in the shell matrix and to dissolve it as an alkali proteinate solution while causing minimum alteration to the protein so that products of high nutritional quality can be obtained; the conditions for the extraction of the chitin from the shell matrix and in a useful form; and, the recovery of a calcium compound from the shell matrix.

Abstract: This invention deals with a novel process of manufacturing chitosan from chitin with reduced temperatures, increased reaction rates involving higher alkali-to-solids deacetylation ratios, and a quiescent air-expelled final deacetylation step. Recovery of the alkali is also attainable.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a process for treating chitin under certain moisturized conditions with microwave energy to increase its reactivity in general, and when in appropriate alkali, to accelerate the deacetylation thereof. Highly active chitin products or derivatives are thus produced.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect buckle for engaging and tightening the ends of a strap, the buckle having a channel-shaped frame member with upwardly extended flanges fixed to one end of the strap, the flanges having downwardly extending slots with narrow apertures. A channel-shaped handle member is adjustably secured to the other end of the strap and has downwardly extending flanges with transversely extending pins. The pins, having non-circular cross sections, are detachably pivotally engaged within the slots when the handle member is in an open position and are fixedly pivotally engaged within the slot when the handle member tightens the strap by pivoting from an open to an over-the-center closed position.