Abstract: A recoverable/reusable booster stage has air-breathing jet engines mounted on the inter-tank ring in alignment with the center axis of the booster body. The jet engines provide supplemental lift on ascent, power the booster on a return flight, and hover the spent booster for a vertical, tail-down landing at the launch site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method and apparatus for the robotic harvesting of solids from liquids as exemplified by harvesting protein crystals. Further, the present invention is directed to a fluid/solid management system in a chamber that automates the task of solid harvesting. The fluid/solid management system includes two supporting structures for at least one pipette on one structure and a second pipette on the other structure, the two pipettes in tip-to-tip alignment. The pipettes each having a drop of liquid at the end thereof are moved apart to form a liquid bridge in which the solid crystal is isolated. A robotic arm has a device on the end thereof for the harvesting of the solid at the working point between the tips of the pipettes. The system has a flash freezing system in the chamber for the safe storage of the harvested solid.

Abstract: A clip for retaining the door operating lever of the bulkhead door on a ship includes a generally rectangular polyethylene body for mounting on a bracket on the door frame. A keyhole-shaped recess is provided in one side of the body for receiving the lever. A slot in the same side of the body adjacent to the recess facilitates flexing of the sides of the recess so that the lever can enter the circular inner end of the recess.

Abstract: Method for the production of carbon black by an oil furnace process whereby an aromatic feedstock is pyrolytically dissociated into carbon black by contact with a turbulent mixture of combustion gases generated in burning a gaseous fuel in the presence of a stoichiometrical excess of oxygen. The gaseous fuel feed to the process being recycled off-gases associated with the pyrolysis reaction effluent from which the condensible gas content thereof is removed prior to recycling.

Abstract: Insulation is tested by the method of connecting a variable inductive reactor across a voltage supply in parallel with a test specimen. The inductance of the reactor is varied until its reactance equals that of the sample as indicated by the supply current to the parallel circuit.