Abstract: A phase-lock loop includes a tristate phase detector, a filter and a voltage-controlled oscillator connected in a loop for regenerating clock signals in response to a sequence of data signals applied to the input terminal of the tristate phase detector and the loop. The tristate phase detector opens its output lead whenever a zero is applied to the input terminal of the loop. A resistor is interposed between the tristate phase detector and the loop filter to clamp excursions of a control signal, causing the filter to produce a consistent tuning control signal and forcing the voltage-controlled oscillator to oscillate at a frequency within a preselected frequency range independent of the ones density in the digital sequence applied to the input terminal of the loop.

Abstract: A logic gate for use as a fundamental building block in more complex digital circuitry. The logic gate has multiple wired-AND input circuits, each capable of accepting multiple inputs, and each connected to a single pull-up field-effect transistor (FET), and to a common power supply. The wired-AND input circuits are ORed together and their signals level-shifted by diodes, before application to a FET output circuit that has one gate terminal and multiple drain output terminals. To facilitate expansion of the logic, these output terminals are connectable, either singly or together with outputs from other similar gates, as inputs to similar gates. The logic gate of the invention has a very low parts count compared with other logic topologies for the same purpose, and has an extremely favorable propagation delay-power product.

Abstract: A system for supplying a slurry includes a hopper having a lower portion tapering to an outlet at its lower end. A liquid is supplied to the hopper interior along a wall of the lower portion in a direction having a horizontal component. Particulate material feeding from a main portion of the hopper into the lower portion becomes entrained in the liquid, thus forming the slurry.

Abstract: A carrier fluid with entrained particulate solid material (14), for abrasive purposes, is fed through an inlet (12) in a housing (3) so as to follow a spiral path, thereby preventing the particulate solid material (14) from settling under the influence of gravity. The housing (3) defines a transfer space (5) which is bounded, in part, by a first end (18) and a second end (20) of the housing (3). The fluid with the entrained particulate solid material (14) is deflected inwardly by the inner surfaces (15 and 16) of the first and second ends (18 and 20) of the housing (3) into a liquid jet (11) issuing from a jetting nozzle (9) in the first end (18) of the housing (3). The particulate solid material (14) is thereby entrained in the outer layer of the jet (11) issuing from an outlet aperture (8) in the second end (20) of the housing ( 3), thus enabling the jet (11) to be used for cutting or cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A method for etching an array of apertures through a carbon-steel sheet wherein, for each of the majority of said apertures, the ratio of the desired smallest cross-sectional dimension thereof to the thickness of said sheet is less than about 0.9, said sheet having etch-resistant stencils on opposite major surfaces thereof, said method comprising contacting said stencilled major surfaces with ferric chloride etchant having a specific gravity in a range at which a smooth finish is realized.

Abstract: A method for etching a strip of iron-nickel alloy, such as invar steel, having etch-resistant stencils on opposite major surfaces thereof includes contacting the stencilled surfaces with a ferric-chloride etchant. The etchant is controlled (a) to contain not more than 5 molar percent nickel ion with respect to the total content of nickel and iron ions, (b) to have a specific gravity greater than about 1.495 (48.degree. Baume) (c) and to have a temperature greater than 70.degree. C.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus and method, particularly for the inner surfaces of pipes. A conical sheet water jet issues from a vortex chamber and a second conical sheet jet issues from a second vortex chamber in which the water and abrasive have swirled at lesser pressure. The two jets impinge to form a resultant conical jet which strikes and cleans the pipe wall. Guides hold the apparatus within the pipe so that the axes of the pipe and all the jets coincide, and the hoses by which water and abrasive reach the apparatus may also be used to help move the apparatus up and down the pipe. The axial sense of the resultant jet may be such that it exerts a "squeegee" action upon the pipe wall when the apparatus is withdrawn from the pipe by pulling the hoses.

Abstract: Fiber-forming polymers are prepared from a mixture of the hexamethylene diamine salts of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and a small amount of at least one aliphatic dibasic acid (e.g. adipic acid) having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms. The polymers can be prepared in a batch autoclave and extruded therefrom without cleaning the autoclave between successive runs.

Abstract: A building panel in which transverse beam segments bracing primary beams or studs are comprised of particle board. Also disclosed is an assembly of panels in which the panels are coupled by bridging a plurality of transverse beam segments in pairs by means such as respective gang nail plates. Finally, a method of construction entailing an site cutting and assembly of extended panels is described.

Abstract: A high velocity liquid jet cutting nozzle in which a nozzle member is supported in communicative connection with the outlet end of a high pressure liquid pipe by means of a mounting which is seated in a cup-shaped holder which is connected to the outlet end of the pipe.To provide a coherent, stable jet at liquid pressures of the order of 60,000 psi, the nozzle member is formed from a piece of artificial sapphire, such as a watch or instrument jewel, having a circular aperture diameter of between 0.05mm. and 0.40mm. This aperture is formed with a convergent inlet portion which is a surface of revolution, about the axis of the aperture, of a smooth curved arc, a uniform diameter portion extending tangentially from the inlet portion, and a divergently bevelled outlet portion.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for preventing the theft of CB radios or the like from a mounting bracket in a vehicle including a locking device preventing access to the heads of the bolts which attach the radio to the bracket. The arrangement includes a hollow tubular housing or sleeve member provided with openings whereby it is bolted in place by the bolts which mount the CB radio to the mounting bracket. A bar member is slidable into the housing member to cover the heads of the mounting bolts, and a lock is provided for locking the bar in place in the housing member.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable fibers are produced from copolymers prepared from substantially equimolar amounts of hexamethylene diamine and a 50:50 to 80:20 mixture of terephthalic and isophthalic acids by heating essentially amorphous fibers melt spun from the copolymers to a temperature between about 160.degree. C. and 300.degree. C. for a short period of time. The dimensionally stable fibers combine many of the best properties of nylon 66 and poly(ethylene terephthalate) and are particularly useful in tire and textile applications.

Abstract: Sulfobenzylsilicas in which the organic moiety is bound to silica surfaces through a carbon-silicon bond are prepared by treating silica with thionyl chloride to chlorinate reactive silanol groups, reacting the product with benzyllithium and sulfonating the resulting benzylsilica. The sulfobenzylsilicas and their salts of noble metals are useful as bound stationary phases in various chromatographic procedures for the separation of a wide variety of natural product mixtures composed of closely related chemical compounds. For example, separation of methyl cis 9-octadecenoate and methyl trans 9-octadecenoate was readily achieved by gas-liquid chromatography on a modified silver sulfobenzylsilica column.

Abstract: Copolymers made from hexamethylenediamine and a mixture of tere- and isophthalic acids in which the mixture contains between about 60 and 80 mole percent terephthalic acid are described as well as useful fibers prepared therefrom.