Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

Abstract: A fastening tool has a tool body. A passage has a lower straight section at one orientation, an upper straight section at a different orientation and an interconnecting curvilinear passage section. A fastener driver sliding in the passage has a lower fastener impact segment, an intermediate a flexible driver segment, and an upper hammer segment. The flexible driver segment is constrained by an inside surface of the curvilinear passage section for curvilinear sliding. A leading part of the flexible driver segment and the impact segment are constrained by an inside surface of the lower linear passage section for linear sliding.

Abstract: A board fastening tool has a tool body and a driver having contiguous drive elements mounted in the body. A top element is mounted to slide in vertical track when hit from above. A bottom element is mounted to drive a fastener diagonally out of the body and into a board to fix the board to the floor. The top and bottom elements are connected by a spring steel ribbon device sliding in a curved track so that vertical movement of the top element is converted to diagonal movement of the bottom element. The spring steel ribbon device has a pair of spring steel ribbons joined to each other at respective ends thereof and separate from each other over an intermediate region.

Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

Abstract: A board fastening tool has a tool body and a driver having contiguous drive elements mounted in the body. A top element is mounted to slide in vertical track when hit from above. A bottom element is mounted to drive a fastener diagonally out of the body and into a board to fix the board to the floor. The top and bottom elements are connected by a spring steel ribbon device sliding in a curved track so that vertical movement of the top element is converted to diagonal movement of the bottom element. The spring steel ribbon device has a pair of spring steel ribbons joined to each other at respective ends thereof and separate from each other over an intermediate region.

Abstract: A fastening tool has a tool body and a driver, the driver having a percussion head drivable generally vertically downward upon receiving a blow from a hammer. The tool includes a fastener head for apply a percussion drive in a generally diagonal direction to a fastener lodged in a strike position in the fastening tool. An elongate flexible transmission element moves in a track between the percussion head and the fastener head for transforming the vertically downward hammer drive into the generally diagonal drive to drive the fastener into the edge of a floorboard. The fastening tool can be used much closer to a finishing wall than known board fastening tools.

Abstract: Processes for recovering helium from reject gas streams of various types that arise during natural gas processing. The processes include a membrane gas separation step. The reject gas stream is treated in the membrane separation step to yield a helium-enriched permeate stream and a helium-depleted residue stream. The permeate stream is sent for further helium separation or purification in the gas plant or at another facility or sold as crude helium. The residue stream is discharged from the process to a vent line, fuel line, purge line or the like.