Abstract: A deoxidizing liquid composition for aluminum contains in addition to water: fluoroborate anions, preferably from added fluoroboric acid; an acid, preferably nitric acid, that is a substantially stronger acid than either fluoroboric acid or boric acid; an additional oxidizing agent, preferably hydrogen peroxide; and an organic azole compound. Preferably the composition also contains propylene glycol, which is a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide and also improves deoxidizing results.

Abstract: Anodized aluminum surfaces are sealed using a process in which one step involves bringing the anodized aluminum surface into contact for a relatively brief period of time at a relatively low temperature with a liquid sealing composition. The liquid sealing composition contains water, lithium cations, fluoride anions and at least one high capacity buffering agent such as boric acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a one-step method of etching and desmutting aluminum and its alloys. The method comprises exposing articles made of aluminum and its alloys to a liquid etching/desmutting composition. The liquid composition comprises water and an acid source comprising sulfuric acid and nitric acid, a non-fluorine etchant source comprising phosphoric acid, and a stabilized oxidant. A particularly preferred liquid composition suitable for the etching and simultaneous desmutting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, comprises water and diluted sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, molybdate and/or condensed molybdate ions, a perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, and aluminum sulfate.

Abstract: Anodized aluminum surfaces are advantageously sealed by an energy- and time-saving two step process, in which the first step is contact at not more than 75° C. with a solution containing lithium and fluoride ions and, optionally, surfactant. The second necessary step is treatment with hot water or steam, which may be completed in considerably less time when only hot water or steam is used for sealing. Conventional smut inhibitors and/or neutral buffers as used in hot water for single step sealing may advantageously be included in the second step of this process. 100-1000 ppm concentrations of nickel and/or cobalt ions in the treatment liquid for the second treatment step, if environmentally tolerable, make it possible to complete this step in as little as 10 minutes at a temperature as low as 88° C.

Abstract: A modulated infrared source is disclosed in which spatial modulation is accomplished by the sweeping of an infrared beam past a point in space. In one embodiment close to 100% of the energy from the infrared source is focused by rotating optics including parabolically shaped reflectors about the source such that energy losses due to the modulation technique are minimized due to a single reflection of the energy from the IR source. The speed of the rotation of the reflective optics is minimized while maintaining sufficiently high modulation frequencies by the provision of four beams from a single source. In another embodiment a squirrel cage reflecting system is provided in which the energy from the IR source is reflected twice.

Abstract: A chromium and ferricyanide free aqueous cleaner/deoxidizer for aluminum and titanium and their alloys contains strong acid, fluoride ions, aryl quaternary ammonium ions, and di-anionic functional substituted compounds containing at least two aryl groups per molecule. Excellent cleaning and deoxidizing with substantially no etching is achieved.

Abstract: A chromium and ferricyanide free aqueous deoxidizer/desmutter for aluminum and magnesium alloys contains nitric acid, ferric ions, and molybdate and/or condensed molybdate anions and preferably also sulfate and fluoride.

Abstract: A chromium-and-ferricyanide non-aqueous cleaner/deoxidizer for aluminum, the cleaner/deoxidizer having an etch rate on titanium that is low enough for practical use in processes where aluminum objects to be deoxidized are held on titanium racks or hangers during the process, combines boric acid, fluoborate anions, and an acid that is stronger than either of boric and fluoboric acids, usually also with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. Rates of etching of aluminum that are at least as much as 50 times the rates of etching of titanium under the same conditions can be achieved, and the deoxidizing of the aluminum is satisfactory for achieving corrosion resistance after subsequent conversion coating of the deoxidized aluminum surface.

Abstract: The invention is a cleaning solution for degreasing metal articles which contains at least one chlorine-free nonionic surfactant with an HLB in the range of 6.5 to 9.5; a second chlorine-free nonionic surfactant with an HLB in the range of above 9.5 to about 14; a chlorinated nonionic surfactant, and an alkalinizing agent and optionally also one or more of anionic or amphoteric surfactant; hydrotroping agents; solubilizers; organic builders, and corrosion inhibitors. The preferred composition of the invention can replace a vapor degreasing process for cleaning oil, grease, and waxy-type contaminants from metal articles to the level of cleanliness required in the aerospace industry.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining position within a beam, comprising pulses of energy transmitted in coded patterns, is achieved by processing the signals received from the beam to generate a value indicative of coarse position within the beam and by interpolation within the coarse position to generate a value resolving fine position within the coarse position.

Abstract: Seal coating compositions and methods of applying them to metallic surfaces, particularly aluminum or alloys thereof, beating a previously formed protective coating, particularly a conversion coating, such as a chromate or phosphate coating or a chrome-free metal oxide conversion coating, or a coating formed by anodization, provide improved corrosion resistance beyond that provided by the previously formed protective coating. The seal coating compositions preferably contain at least one of benzotriazole, nickel and/or cobalt cations and borates, or aminated polymers of vinyl styrene.

Abstract: A chromium and ferricyanide free aqueous deoxidizer/desmutter for aluminum and magnesium alloys contains nitric acid, ferric ions, persulfate, and molybdate and preferably also sulfate, fluoride, and ethoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant.

Abstract: Seal coating compositions and method of applying same, to metallic surfaces, particularly aluminum or alloys thereof, containing a previously formed protective coating on the metal surface, to provide for improved corrosion resistance beyond that provided by the previously formed protective coating. Aqueous solutions of the seal coating components are applied to the metal surface containing the previously formed coating which is subsequently rinsed and dried to provide metal articles having improved resistance to corrosion.

Abstract: A tintable abrasion-resistant coating is formed on a substrate such as a lens or other optical article by applying a radiation-curable coating to the surface of the substrate and partially curing the applied coating by exposure to radiation so as to produce from about 20% to about 80% cross-linking in the coating. The exposure to radiation is terminated when the coating is partially cured to provide a coated article which is tintable but capable of being handled for shipping to a retail finisher or the like for tinting and then completion of the cure by exposure to radiation. Preferably, a radiation-curable coating comprising a triacrylate or tetracrylate monomer and a monomer containing an N-vinyl imido group is applied to a substrate comprising polycarbonate, polyallyldiglycolcarbonate, or acrylic polymer.

Abstract: A beam projector is provided by a plurality of coded reticles mounted on a spinning disc and illuminated by a laser source. In order to maintain a constant irradiance on a receiver variably located in space a pseudo-zoom assembly is provided including a moveable source and/or condenser optics. Also, plural focal length optics are employed to expand the range over which the constant irradiance is maintained beyond that realizable by the pseudo-zoom assembly itself.

Abstract: A direction finding system is disclosed in which a predetermined horizontal plane is established by the projection from one location of an image having illuminated and unilluminated portions corresponding to the predetermined horizontal plane. A receiver at a remote location detects the image at two spaced points and produces an indication of the center of the transition zone between the illuminated and unilluminated portions of the projected image.

Abstract: A wide angle projector is disclosed for projecting an image having an illuminated and unilluminated region on either side of a straight boundary region which defines a datum plane established by the orientation of the projector. The image is detected at a position removed from the projector by an instrument which establishes the center of the boundary region and indicates its position to indicate the position of the datum plane. The wide angle projection is accomplished by the use of cylindrical reflecting optics bounded by reflecting sidewalls and a reticle in the form of an occluding knife edge or a knife edge at the edge of a reflecting surface, depending on the particular projection system utilized.

Abstract: A direction finding system is disclosed in which a predetermined horizontal plane is established by the projection from one location of an image having illuminated and unilluminated portions corresponding to the predetermined horizontal plane. A receiver at a remote location detects the image at two spaced points amd produces an indication of the center of the transition zone between the illuminated and unilluminated portions of the projected image.