Abstract: A pump having no moving parts which can be used to pump high temperature molten metal or other fluids in a vacuum or low pressure environment, and a method for pumping such fluids. The pump combines elements of a bubble pump with a trap which isolates the vacuum or low pressure region from the gas used to create the bubbles. When used in a vacuum the trap prevents the pumping gas from escaping into the isolated region and thereby reducing the quality of the vacuum. The pump includes a channel in which a pumping gas is forced under pressure into a cavity where bubbles are formed. The cavity is in contact with a reservoir which contains the molten metal or other fluid which is to be pumped. The bubbles rise up into a column (or pump tube) carrying the fluid with them. At the top of the column is located a deflector which causes the bubbles to burst and the drops of pumped fluid to fall into a trap. The fluid accumulates in the trap, eventually forcing its way to an outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for increasing the length of a laser pulse to reduce its peak power without substantial loss in the average power of the pulse. The apparatus (20) uses a White cell (10) having a plurality of optical delay paths (18a-18d) of successively increasing number of passes between the field mirror (13) and the objective mirrors (11 and 12). A pulse (26) from a laser (27) travels through a multi-leg reflective path (28) between a beam splitter (21) and a totally reflective mirror (24) to the laser output (37). The laser pulse (26) is also simultaneously injected through the beam splitter (21) to the input mirrors (14a-14d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d). The pulses from the output mirrors (16a-16d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d) go simultaneously to the laser output (37) and to the input mirrors ( 14b-14d) of the longer optical delay paths. The beam splitter (21) is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive to provide equal attenuation of all of the pulses at the laser output (37).

Abstract: A transportable concrete batching plant is disclosed which combines improvements in the discharge section of the aggregate storage bin and aggregate batching hopper together with an unique suspension system which allows for weighing of both aggregate batching hopper and the cement batching vessel by a plurality of load cells and which also allows tension to be removed from the load cells if desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving any prior state of a computer system is provided. Upon installation of the system, a base image corresponding to the initial state of the computer system is established and stored on a storage device. The system monitors changes to the state of the host and subsequently stores at least some of these changes on the storage device. These changes are then mapped by location of the stored changes in an address table to enable subsequent retrieval of any selected changes. When the address table becomes full, at least one differential image of the state of the system is subsequently created by compiling all changes to the base image which occurred between creation of the base image and the selected time. A virtual image may thus be created of data stored on the storage device, as such data existed at a predetermined prior point in time, from which data and files may be retrieved and written to the host disk.

Abstract: A beam positioning system having two articulated arms with a pentaprism, or equivalent 90 degree prism, and a rotator prism, such as a Pechan prism, appropriately located in the path of a beam from a light source in combination with right angle prisms to maintain the final leg of the beam in orientation with the original orientation of the beam from the light source.

Abstract: A system for dispatching a refilling vehicle to a tank updates a prior collected average level of substance in the tank. It continuously determines values of differential pressure within the tank and in accordance with the values of differential pressure, calculates the instantaneous level of substance within the tank. A prior collected average level is stored and is compared with each of the instantaneous values of level thus obtained. On the basis of this comparison a relative weighting factor is determined which weighs the relative contribution of the collected and instantaneous values in determining a new collected value. In one embodiment a remote location may interrogate to determine the rate of usage over a predetermined time window. In another embodiment when the new collected average falls below a set point a selected one of a plurality of remote locations is signalled to dispatch a refilling vehicle. A remote location may be selected in accordance with the time of day or the substance in the tank.

Abstract: The computer based remote tank telemetry system uses a method for updating a prior collected average level of substance in a tank. It continuously determines values of differential pressure within the tank and in accordance with the values of differential pressure determines the instantaneous level of substance within the tank. A prior collected average level is stored and is compared with each of the instantaneous values of level thus obtained. On the basis of this comparison a relative weighing factor is determined which weighs the relative contribution of the collected and instantaneous values in determining a new collected value. The new collected average is compared against a predetermined setpoint to determine whether the level of substance in the tank is too low. The results of this comparison can be displayed locally, and using a modem, communicated to a remote display. The method for determining the relative weighing factor has three tiers.

Abstract: The computer based remote tank telemetry system uses a method for updating a prior collected average level of substance in a tank. It continuously determines values of differential pressure within the tank and in accordance with the values of differential pressure determines the instantaneous level of substance within the tank. A prior collected average level is stored and is compared with each of the instantaneous values of level thus obtained. On the basis of this comparison a relative weighing factor is determined which weighs the relative contribution of the collected and instantaneous values in determining a new collected value. The new collected average is compared against a predetermined setpoint to determine whether the level of substance in the tank is too low. The results of this comparison can be displayed locally, and using a modem, communicated to a remote display. The method for determining the relative weighing factor has three tiers.

Abstract: A system for generating pulses of laser radiation which vary in frequency with time to achieve a chirp or frequency sweep in which single or multiple laser spectra in the form of mode lines are displaced or shifted in frequency during the generation of the laser pulse. The system provides for the mode line shift through the use of an optical wedge which moves tranversely through one of the optical paths utilized in the optical loop to generate the laser pulse. This provides a linear increase with time in the optical path length so as to perturb the wavelength of oscillation of the laser output, which results in a linear chirp. In a preferred embodiment a number of prisms of optically dense material with a wedge-like profile are mounted on a rotating disc. When the disc with the prisms is interposed in the optical loop of an injection locked laser oscillator, successive prisms traverse the laser's optical loop.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and aligning an optical element on a support structure comprises pivot means for mounting the element so that it can rotate about axes in two orthogonal directions and a pair of alignment means, each comprising a plunger and an inclined guide groove, for rotating the element about the two respective axes. Adjustment means, such as threaded screws, are provided for urging the plunger along the inclined grooves. The grooves are inclined at a sufficiently small angle to permit precision alignment. In order to reduce temperature sensitivity, the path of plunger motion is directed towards the pivotal centers and axes of the mount, and the optical element is placed on the axis between the pivot and the plunger.

Abstract: A system for temporal pulse shaping of laser radiation beams particularly for use as photoexcitation radiation in isotope separation. Each pulse of laser radiation is temporally segmented into two or more sections. The sections may be superimposed after a delay in the leading one to augment the pulse intensity, or the segmented pulses may be separately used as segments in a desired application, or the pulse rise time may be decreased by segmenting the pulse so as to permit rejection of the more slowly rising leading edge.

Abstract: A system for temporal pulse shaping of laser radiation beams particularly for use as photoexcitation radiation in isotope separation. Each pulse of laser radiation is temporally segmented into two or more sections. The sections are superimposed after a delay in the leading one to augment the pulse intensity.

Abstract: A thread gaging tool having a clamp member for rigidly clamping to a pipe end includes an axially sliding assembly coupled to a linear computer input transducer and supporting a pivoted arm provided with a gage pin which is inserted into the pipe thread to precisely measure the distance of each thread wall from the pipe end.