Abstract: Curable perfluoroelastomer compositions are disclosed that comprise ammonia and uncured perfluorinated elastomers having copolymerized units of nitrile-containing cure site monomers. Such compositions are curable at low temperatures. In addition, curable perfluoroelastomer compositions are disclosed wherein ammonia functions as a cure rate accelerator in the presence of other curing agents.

Abstract: This invention concerns ionomers comprising a substantially fluorinated, but not perfluorinated, polyethylene backbone having pendant groups of fluoroalkoxy sulfonic acids and the metal salts thereof, and with the uses of said ionomers in electrochemical applications such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolysis cells, ion exchange membranes, sensors, electrochemical capacitors, and modified electrodes.

Abstract: This invention concerns substantially fluorinated, but not perfluorinated, ionomers consisting of a polyethylene backbone having pendant groups of fluoroalkoxy sulfonic acids and metal salts thereof. Such ionomers are useful for electrochemical applications.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a motor casing (G), optionally having a connected filter chamber, and an appliance stem (St), it being possible to plug the appliance stem (St) into a plug receptacle (21) close to the motor casing (G), and a power switch (24), which is arranged in the motor casing (G), being actuated on plugging in the appliance stem (St). In order to improve such a vacuum cleaner with regard to the switching-over of the motor-casing-side power switch effected by the appliance stem, the power switch (24), which is formed as a sliding switch, has a remote-actuation extension (48), which is acted on by plugging in the appliance stem (St) with simultaneous actuation of the power switch (24).

Abstract: A mineral fibre composition which is soluble in biological fluids contains substantially45-65% by weight of SiO.sub.215-40% by weight of CaO0-20% by weight of MgO0-6% by weight of Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 Oand in addition aluminium and/or iron oxides as well as phosphorus oxide in such amounts that the weight ratio of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to the sum of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and iron oxide is circa 0.4 to 6.

Abstract: A noise suppression apparatus and method for recorded luminance signals in which a level of an FM signal from the recording medium is detected, and the level of the recovered chroma signal is detected, the luminance signal is bandpass filtered and limited. A subtraction signal is generated based on the filtered and limited luminance signal and having magnitude based on the detected level of at least one of the chroma signal and the FM signal. The subtraction signal is subtracted from the luminance signal to generate a noise suppressed luminance signal. The passband of the bandpass filter may be varied based on at least one of the chroma signal and the FM signal.

Abstract: A multiple pack of individually packaged items comprises an array of individual packages in a desired configuration which array is held in the desired configuration by a planar sheet material adhered to each package of the array. The planar sheet material is preferably a sheet of corrugated cardboard. The invention also includes a method of forming the multiple pack and apparatus for use.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes programmable logic to generate watchpoint traps which cause a branch to determined trap code and breakpoint signals which cause the stopping of the system dock. Furthermore, the system can measure system performance criteria. The logic is flexible and easy to program, but sophisticated in application to provide a variety of criteria that trigger on events which in turn increment the counters. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes two counters and trigger decode logic to increment the counters. Each counter is independently programmable to enable the user to determine such performance information as average latency, which is a combination of one counter counting the number of occurrences of a particular event and a second counter counting the duration of the events. Both counters can be programmed to measure on edges or levels of signals.

Abstract: The invention is an improved theroelement which comprises a graphite/boron carbide thermocouple, the arms of which are constructed as a tube and a rod, arranged concentrically inside the tube, which are electrically connected at one end. One of the arms of the thermocouple consists essentially of boron carbide formed from self bonding boron carbide by pressureless sintering. Prefabricated sleeves of high-purity, boron-oxide-free hexagonal boron nitride are used between the arms of the thermocouple as spacers. Only the end of the arm of the thermocouple constructed as a rod is secured in an electrically conductive connecting piece and the arm is freely mobile in the direction towards the cold junction.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the manufacture of shaped articles of reaction-bonded silicon nitride in which pre-shaped articles of silicon powder are heated in a first stage under a nitrogen gas pressure of at least 6 MPa at a heating rate of not more than 50.degree. C. per hour to a reaction temperature below the melting point of silicon, the article is maintained at the reaction temperature for at least 0.5 hours and subsequently, in a second stage, heating the article at a heating rate of at least 500.degree. C. per hour to a temperature above the melting point of silicon and maintaining the article at that temperature for from 1 to 7 hours. The process can nitridate both pre-shaped articles consisting of silicon powder and, optionally, up to 15% by weight Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder and those containing up to 10% by weight of a sintering aid such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Directing a laser beam at a surface to be treated, such as a metallic surface which is likely to reflect much of the energy, results in a high proportion of absorbed energy if the laser beam has an oblique incidence, particularly if the laser beam is polarized in a direction parallel to the plane of incidence (defined as the plane which contains the axis of the laser beam and the perpendicular to the surface at the center of the spot of incidence). In the case of iron and steel surfaces the absorbtion is markedly increased at angles of incidence greater than 45.degree. and just short of glancing incidence, with a maximum near 80.degree..

Abstract: The invention is a process for the manufacture of substantially pore-free shaped articles from polycrystalline material, such as tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, titanium boride or silicon carbide, in which encased articles preformed from pulverulent materials and having open pores are isostatically hot-pressed in a vacuum-sealed casing of vitreous or ceramic-like material in a high-pressure autoclave using an inert gas as pressure-transfer medium. Before the application of the casing material, a first layer comprising material that can be decomposed or melted, such as an organic wax or a resin-like product, or of a compressible heat-resistant material such as inorganic fibers or felts, is applied to the preformed articles. Then, the encased articles are thermally treated until the glass or ceramic layer is fused or sintered gas-tight. The articles pretreated in this manner are then isostatically hot-pressed.

Abstract: A nestable container of resilient plastics material comprises integral bottom and side walls, the side walls diverging generally from the bottom to the top. The container has means for holding the containers together in a stack, comprising projections which provide pairs of mutually opposed shoulders on the outside of the container and projections on the inside of the container. The space between the shoulders of each pair is slightly less than the width of each projection on the inside of the container so that when such identical containers are brought together the shoulders on one container are displaced circumferentially to allow the projections on the inside of the other container to pass between them and engage behind them holding the cups together.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation located beneath the floor of a body of water. A platform structure is installed on the floor over the formation and well conductors are extended down the structure and penetrate into the floor of the body of water. The conductors may include an upper vertical portion, then continually curve downwardly and outwardly through the structure above the floor in a manner maintaining a relatively smooth bore throughout the entire extent of the conductors. The conductors are extended into the floor of the body of water and wells are drilled, via the conductors, down into communication with the formation. Formation fluids are then produced from the formation via the conductors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation located beneath the floor of a body of water. A platform structure is installed on the floor over the formation and well conductors are extended down the structure and penetrate into the floor of the body of water. The conductors may include an upper vertical portion, then continually curve downwardly and outwardly through the structure above the floor in a manner maintaining a relatively smooth bore throughout the entire extent of the conductors. The conductors are extended into the floor of the body of water and wells are drilled, via the conductors, down into communication with the formation. Formation fluids are then produced from the formation via the conductors.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 Re. 28,860, dated Sept. 3, 1985, Request Nos. 90/000,412, June 27, 1983 and 90/000,607, Aug. 13, 1984.