Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for digital signal modification. Various wave characteristics of an electromagnetic wave may be modified according to desired values. Those values are provided to one or more current sources, wherein the output values of the current sources are modified accordingly.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for modifying electromagnetic waves by reducing noise in those waves. A transfer function for a plurality of segments is derived through identifying a desired output parameter. That transfer function is then applied, via a plurality of filters or other devices, to a wave, in order to achieve said transfer function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for removing iron cations and/or zinc cations from an autodeposition coating bath by passing a limited number of bed volumes through a column containing a gel type SAC IEX resin when iron cations are to be removed and passing a substantially larger number of bed volumes through the column when zinc cations are to be removed. To prevent clogging when zinc cations are being removed the direction of the flow through the column is periodically reversed.

Abstract: A polymerization reactor comprises a heat pipe jacket for the removal of large heat fluxes and capable of maintaining essentially isothermal conditions without the use of complicated and maintenance intensive circulation heat exchangers or internal coils. This isothermal reactor is useful particularly when polymerization is conducted in multiphase system and/or when the rate of reaction is high and when consistent polymer properties are desired.

Abstract: The susceptibility to heat degradation of an autodeposited coating in which the principal organic constituents are copolymers of vinylidene chloride in which vinylidene chloride residues constitute at least half the weight of the total binder phase in the autodeposited coating is improved if the wet autodeposited coatings are rinsed, before being later dried and cured, with a water-based liquid rinse that comprises dissolved phosphate ions in a concentration that corresponds stoichiometrically to at least 0.5 g/l of tripolyphosphate ions. The water-based liquid rinse preferably has a strongly alkaline pH and also comprises dissolved organic molecules that are effective chelating agents for dissolved iron cations by reason of having in each molecule at least two carboxyl, carboxylate, and/or other hydroxy moieties.

Abstract: The use of selected cation exchange resins to remove dissolved multivalent cations ions such as iron, zinc, and chromium from used autodeposition compositions permits reuse of the autodeposition compositions without the need for added surfactant and without developing any undesirable graininess or other texture in the coatings formed. Iminodiacetate cation exchange resins are very effective for removing iron ions when they are the only multivalent ions to be removed, and can be efficiently regenerated with 0.5 to 4% by weight aqueous hydrofluoric acid. By proper choice of other cation exchange resins and operating conditions, zinc can be selectively extracted from autodeposition baths containing both iron and zinc, and either iron or zinc can be selectively displaced from the loaded ion exchange resin.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for one or more F32T8 or F25T8 or F17T8 fluorescent lamps has a new design tool for efficient transfer of power to the lamp or the lamps. The design tool is constructed from the ballast DC voltage and the commercially available lamp specifications by the manufacturers or from the American National Standards (ANSI). This design tool is shown below: ##EQU1## where W=Lamp rating in watts, V.sub.0 =Lamp voltage.V.sub.1 =Electronic Ballast DC voltage,R.sub.0 =Lamp Impedance in ohms, (ANSI C78.1-1991).k=Empirical constant=1.5 to 10.0.

Abstract: A specimen support for use in an electron microscope comprises a deposited diamond film. The film is deposited on a substrate using a plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition process and then machined to a desired configuration using a laser machining process. Molybdenum, tungsten or silicon are used as substrates.

Abstract: A reaction rinse containing strong alkali, betaine surfactants, and a complexing agent for iron enhances the gloss of a dried and cured autodeposited coating that is contacted with the reaction rinse while still wet, particularly if the autodeposited coating consists predominantly of a copolymer of vinylidene chloride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical valve comprising a pair of plates holding in tension a membrane folded over to form a chamber with an elongated, slit-like opening along adjoining edges. The plates include interlocking members which interlock the plates together. An inlet tube in communication with the chamber extends outwardly from the plates. The preferred configuration of the chamber is trapezoidal. Also disclosed is a surgical instrument that is a needle-like member having an elongated slot in the wall of this member. A method of using this instrument to implant a tubular element in the body of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for one or more F32T8 or F25T8 or F17T8 fluorescent lamps has a new design tool for efficient transfer of power to the lamp or the lamps. The design tool is constructed from the ballast DC voltage and the commercially available lamp specifications by the manufacturers or from the American National Standards (ANSI). This design tool is shown below: Frequency.times.Capacitance=CONSTANT. ##EQU1## where W=Lamp rating in watts, V.sub.0 =Lamp voltage.V.sub.1 =Electronic Ballast DC voltage,R.sub.0 =Lamp Impedance in ohms,(ANSI C78.1-1991).k=Empirical constant=2.5 to 3.5.

Abstract: A blood sample/fluid system includes a pair of tubes formed of identically shaped concentric cylinders, each closed at one end and open at the other end and having different diameters enabling the reduced diameter tube to be positioned in the enlarged diameter tube. A locking ring is positioned around the outer surface of the reduced diameter tube to provide a spacer and seal for the enlarged diameter tube. An identifying label is positioned on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter tube for providing identity for both tubes when the tubes are engaged and for the enlarged diameter tube when the reduced diameter tube is removed from the enlarged diameter tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an ion exchange unit or column comprising a riser pipe, a port coupled to one end of said pipe, a first rigid cylinder having apertures therein mounted concentrically on the pipe, a port coupled to the space between the pipe and said cylinder, a mesh sleeve concentrically mounted about the cylinder, a sieve mounted about the mesh sleeve, a second rigid cylinder concentric with the pipe and near its outer end, a second mesh sleeve mounted about said second rigid cylinder and a sieve bag containing the second mesh sleeve. The aperture size in said sieve material is only sufficiently fine to prevent the passage of ion exchange resin beads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automated periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath comprising a latex solution containing charged latex particles and having an acidic pH, used for forming a coating by autodeposition. The system includes a tank containing a chemical bath, an ion exchange column for removing the metal ion contaminants, circulating pump, metal composition sensors, and equipment for regeneration of the ion exchange column. The system particularly includes a filter located at the inlet to the ion exchange column for removing solid particulates, including coagulated latex and debris from the coating solution, while permitting the uncoagulated latex particles to pass through to the ion exchange column.

Abstract: The quality of coating in autodeposition from solutions in which the coating is predominantly derived from epoxy resins can be improved in two ways, which can be used jointly or separately: A blocked isocyanate is used as cross linking agent for the epoxy resin, and a surfactant that prevents the occurrence of phase separation during drying of the coating is used. Preferably the surfactant is a fluoroaliphatic polymer ester.

Abstract: The use of chelating type cation exchange resins, particularly those with iminodiacetic acid functionality, to remove dissolved multivalent cations such as iron, zinc, and chromium from used autodeposition compositions permits reuse of the autodeposition compositions without the need for added surfactant and without developing any undesirable graininess or other texture in the coatings formed. The cation exchange resins can be efficiently regenerated with 0.5 to 4% by weight aqueous hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: Process for forming an autodeposition coating on a metallic substrate by applying an autodepositing composition from a motile source thereof such as by spraying or by treating the surface with a continuous stream of the autodepositing composition.

Abstract: Properties of cured autodeposited coatings are improved by contacting the uncured form of the autodeposited coating with an alkaline material, for example, with an aqueous solution of ammonium bicarbonate, or a hydroxide of an alkali metal or ammonia.

Abstract: Pinhole and blister formation during autodeposition coating of galvanized steel and similar zinciferous surfaces can be greatly reduced by exposing the zinciferous surfaces to a pinhole inhibiting aqueous HF solution containing a suitable additive before using an autodeposition process itself. The most effective additives are boric acid, polyphosphonic acids, and polyethyleneimine.

Abstract: Water wet nitrocellulose, butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate monomers and phosphate surfactant are emulsified into an oil-in-water emulsion and polymerized to produce a nitrocellulose/acrylic latex emulsion with a particle size below 0.25 microns. Wood finishing lacquers produced from this latex emulsion are equivalent in performance to solvent lacquers while lowering VOC to below 2.3 lb/gal.