Abstract: The invention relates to the production of oxygenated organic compounds comprising alcohols, aldehydes, ethers and salts of carboxylic acids. Prior art processes for the production of ethanol in particular involve the use of elevated temperatures and pressures. Milder conditions can be used in the process of the invention in which either a mercury compound of formula (R.sup.1 OCHR.sup.2 CHR.sup.3 Hg).sub.n X (I), wherein X is an organic or inorganic anion, n is an integer equal to the valency of the anion, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or the group --(--CHR.sup.2 CHR.sup.3 Hg).sub.n X, or the precursors of the compound (I), with a catalyst comprising a complex containing a metal of Group VIII, particularly rhodium, in the presence of a liquid reagent containing an active acidic hydrogen atom. A particularly suitable rhodium complex is one having the formula:[Rh(C.sub.5 Me.sub.5).sub.2 (OH).sub.3 ]Cl.xH.sub.

Abstract: A semi-dump level indicator comprising an electrical system including a pair of mercury switches mounted on the rear portion of the trailer. The switches are closed when the trailer is level. When the trailer is dangerously tilted gravity causes one of the switches to open which de-energizes a relay closing a warning light and alarm buzzer circuit in parallel with the circuit having the mercury switches to warn the operator not to raise the trailer.

Abstract: A straight fluted gun drill having large flutes providing chip exit channels, various reliefs improving coolant flow and removal of drilled material without clogging, a cutting head section with large back taper, and straight lands forming the flutes.

Abstract: A modular interface unit to serve as a building block in the framework of an Input-Output Subsystem of a digital data processing system. The unit, designated as a Base Module, manages a group of Intelligent I/O Interface Control units (Line Control Processors) and provides a Base Module distribution-control interface called a Distribution Card unit. A group of Line Control Processors have a common set of backplane connections to the distribution-control means and to a maintenance unit and termination control unit. The maintenance unit permits the exercising and diagnosis of any selected Line Control Processor on the Base Module. The termination control unit provides clocking and control functions for all of the Line Control Processors in the module and also common termination impedances for the interconnecting backplane lines. Means are provided for priority ranking of the various Line Control Processors within the Base Module unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for generating electrical signals representing the instantaneous position and attitude of an object with reference to a coordinate system. A pair of wave transmitters are mounted and controlled so that they follow any movement of the object and are arranged to transmit ultrasonic pulses to three planar transducers arranged to convert the received energy into signals representative of the instantaneous position and attitude of the two transmitters relative to the three transducers. The invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for the ultrasonic examination of bodies having non-planar surfaces and in this case the object referred to is the ultrasonic probe designed to transmit wave energy into the body. The probe may be mounted with one or two degrees of rotational freedom on a boom which is itself mounted with at least two degrees of rotational freedom on a vertical column.

Abstract: A method for reducing catalysts of a platinum group metal on a support comprises contacting the catalyst with a moist flowing stream of hydrogen at elevated temperature. The catalyst is brought to a reducing temperature of at least 300.degree. C in a non-reducing wet atmosphere, before the introduction of the hydrogen.

Abstract: Mats of aligned fibers are formed by feeding a dispersion of fibers through an aligning nozzle onto the inner surface of a cylindrical permeable surface and rotating the surface sufficiently rapidly to remove the dispersion medium and maintain the fiber alignment on the surface.