Abstract: A solvent is at least partially separated from a catalyst. The catalyst comprises nickel and a bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand. The method for separation involves distilling a catalyst solution. The ratio of 2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitrile in distillation column bottoms is controlled to reduce the amount of 3-pentenenitrile which is isomerized to form 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile. Isomerization of 3-pentenenitrile to 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile and subsequent isomerization of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to 2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and/or hydrocyanation of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to methylglutaronitrile represents a loss in adiponitrile yield in a process for making adiponitrile.

Abstract: A solvent is at least partially separated from a catalyst. The catalyst comprises nickel and a bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand. The method for separation involves distilling a catalyst solution. The ratio of 2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitrile in distillation column bottoms is controlled to reduce the amount of 3-pentenenitrile which is isomerized to form 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile. Isomerization of 3-pentenenitrile to 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile and subsequent isomerization of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to 2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and/or hydrocyanation of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to methylglutaronitrile represents a loss in adiponitrile yield in a process for making adiponitrile.

Abstract: A body of iron, steel or other such ferrous material is protected from thermochemical erosion by a layer of an iron nitride having a relatively low nitrogen content. The atomic percentage of nitrogen in the iron nitride layer is no greater than 20%, and in specific embodiments is in the range of 10-15%. The nitride layer may have a layer of a refractory material deposited thereatop. Some refractory materials include metals such as chromium. The invention has specific utility for protecting gun barrels, turbines, internal combustion engines, drilling equipment, machine tools, aerospace systems and chemical reactors which are exposed to extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. Specifically disclosed is a gun barrel which incorporates the invention.

Abstract: A fin disengagement device for limiting the range of a projectile uses an electronic safe and arm circuit to sense launch and spin levels. Once armed, the stored energy from the electronic safe and arm circuit is dumped into an initiator or directly to explosive bolts. The initiator ignites an energetic material to separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the explosive bolts separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. In the embodiments using an initiator and energetic material, an opening or cavity in the rear portion of the projectile body or rod adapter acts as a pressure chamber. When enough pressure has built up from the burning of the energetic material, the front hub of the fin section expands enough to disengage the threads and separates the fin section from the projectile body.

Abstract: A low cost protective cap that will offer protection of deployable fins for full bore artillery projectiles. A form fitting, composite cap that disintegrates on muzzle exit acts as a protective measure. The cap interfaces with the projectile obturator to form a temporary seal against hot gun gasses. The composition and thickness of the cap allows gas infiltration into the cap material and essentially instant cap degradation upon shot exit.

Abstract: A fin disengagement device for limiting the range of a projectile uses an electronic safe and arm circuit to sense launch and spin levels. Once armed, the stored energy from the electronic safe and arm circuit is dumped into an initiator or directly to explosive bolts. The initiator ignites an energetic material to separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the explosive bolts separate the fin from the projectile in-flight at a predetermined time. In the embodiments using an initiator and energetic material, an opening or cavity in the rear portion of the projectile body or rod adapter acts as a pressure chamber. When enough pressure has built up from the burning of the energetic material, the front hub of the fin section expands enough to disengage the threads and separates the fin section from the projectile body.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching U-shaped belt fasteners to the end of an elongated flat belt in which each belt fastener has first and second opposed leg portions with an integral bight portion therebetween and with at least one fastening wire extending from the first leg portion and a wire receiving opening in the second leg portion, the assembly including an elongated alignment member having a forward face with openings therein to receive the fastening wires of a plurality of belt fasteners and to hold the belt fasteners in an open position allowing the end of a belt to be inserted between the legs of the plurality of belt fasteners and an elongated anvil member having a forward face configured so that when the anvil member is displaced towards the alignment member the legs of the belt fasteners are bent towards each other to capture the belt therebetween, openings being provided in the alignment member to receive a punch by which the fastening wires can be driven through the belt.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process for preparating a terminal aldehyde involves reacting an ethylenically unsaturated organic compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system iridium or rhodium and a bidentate organic phosphite ligand wherein the two phosphorus atoms of the phopshite ligand are linked with a 2,2'-dihydroxyl-1,1'-binapthalene bridging group having the following structure (Q): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are substituents other than hydrogen and in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different substituted monovalent aryl groups and/or any one of OR.sup.3 and OR.sup.4 connected to one phosphorus atom forms an --O--R.sup.5 --O-group, where R.sup.5 is a divalent organic group containing one or two aryl groups.

Abstract: A hydroformylation catalyst composition comprising iridium or rhodium and a bidentate organic phosphite ligand wherein the two phosphorus atoms of the phopshite ligand are linked with a 2,2'-dihydroxyl-1,1'-binapthalene bridging group having the following structure (Q): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are substituents other than hydrogen.

Abstract: A process to prepare a multidentate phosphite compound according to the general formula (1) ##STR1## in which n is 2-6, R is an n-valent organic group and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are fused aromatic ring systems with 2 or more rings, which rings are substituted on the ortho position relative to the oxygen atom only with hydrogen, by first preparing a phosphorochloridite compound from a R.sup.1 --OH and R.sup.2 --OH alcohol compound and a phosphorus chloride compound and subsequently contacting the phosphorochloridite compound with an alcoholic compound according to R--(OH).sub.n, wherein the phosphorochloridite is prepared by performing the two steps in a solvent:a) contacting a compound with the general formula: ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, with the R.sup.1 OH and R.sup.2 OH compounds, andb) contacting the resulting compound of step (a) which has the formula (3): ##STR3## with HY, wherein Y is a halogen.

Abstract: To mitigate groove drag in a kinetic energy projectile, an intumescent maial is inserted in the grooves wherein the material will expand to fill the grooves once the sabot has been discarded. The groove material inhibits aerodynamic recirculation that can occur in the grooves, fills the groove and keeps out freestream gasses. The expanding groove material occupies the space previously filled by the sabot tooth. The groove-filling material expands quickly, because the flight of the projectile is typically on the order of one to two seconds. The groove filling material may also be an elastic material.

Abstract: A combustible fin protection device (10) for protecting the fin planforms 01) on a finned projectile (100) wherein the device (10) comprises a cover member (20) fabricated from a combustible material (21) and dimensioned to envelop the fin planform (101) to protect the fin planform (101) from elevated temperatures and propellant grain impacts during the in-bore transit of the projectile.