Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a metal-organic polymer combination by contacting the polymer with a plasma followed by an aqueous solution of a metal salt. In one embodiment a water or nitrous oxide plasma is used to treat a polyimide or a fluorinated polymer. The polymer is combined with a metal cation, the metal being a catalyst for a conventional electroless coating after which it is contacted with an electroless metal plating bath for the formation of electrical circuits and especially for plating high aspect ratio vias in microcircuits. Unlike the conventional electroless process, the cationic catalytic metal is not reduced to a zero valent metal catalyst prior to the application of the electroless metal coating solution.The process also improves the wettability of the polymer, especially the fluorinated polymer and is especially useful in improving the wettability of high aspect ratio vias.

Abstract: A position processor can be mounted on the head of an athlete by means of, for example, a head band. The position processor includes a sensor in the form of a twelve position mercury switch for sensing the direction and angle of tilt of the head. The ON/OFF states of the switches of the sensor are sampled by a multiplexer under the control of a microprocesor. The multiplexer presents the ON/OFF states to the microprocessor for further procesing. Software of the microprocessor processes the sensed ON/OFF states through filtering and hysterisis algorithms and conveys the processed states as positional information to the athlete as a pattern of lights and tones. Proper and improper head positions are indicated for a plurality of directions of tilt. The system uses software filtering to provide hysterisis in order to eliminate rapid changes of state of the switches of the sensor due to sporadic movement caused by the motion of the athelete.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings, providing a light but stiff floor structure with a small vertical height.

Abstract: Process for preparing organosilicon compounds having silicon-bonded groups containing olefinic unsaturation by reaction of a silicon compound having SiH groups with a diene having at least 5 carbon atoms and in which the unsaturation is located at the terminal carbon atoms. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst which has been prepared by reacting (i) an inorganic solid having surface reactive groups, (ii) an organosilicom compound having a group reactive with the inorganic solid and a group containing nitrogen and/or sulphur and (iii) a platinum compound or complex PtLb in which L is a ligand.Products have reduced content of isomers resulting from migration of double bond to internal position.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for the collection and redirection of a liquid spilled during the transfer thereof between a vessel and a transfer point, the transfer point spaced apart at a distance from the vessel, the distance subject to change due to relative movement therebetween. The apparatus includes a sheet of flexible material having a first end affixable to the vessel and a second end affixable to the transfer point, the flexible sheet being of a length sufficient to traverse the distance between the vessel and the transfer point, the flexible sheet having first and second longitudinal edges which have inflatable hollow chambers joined along the first and second edges of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic weight monitor for detecting weight bearing forces on a lower extremity for orthopedic purposes, comprising in combination: flexible pad shaped for conforming to the bottom of a foot for placement inside of a shoe, cast or splint, the pad having a heel portion positionable beneath the heal of a user; sensor encased within the heel portion of the pad to be located beneath the heel of the user, the sensor comprising a thin, rigid rectangular plate having a foil strain gage coupled therebeneath; electronic module remotely positioned from the sensor to receive signals from the foil sensor; and electrical line extending to exterior of the flexible pad between the foil stain gage and the electronic module.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for the collection and redirection of a liquid spilled during the transfer thereof between a vessel and a transfer point, the transfer point spaced apart at a distance from the vessel, the distance subject to change due to relative movement therebetween. The apparatus includes a sheet of flexible material having a first end affixable to the vessel and a second end affixable to the transfer point, the flexible sheet being of a length sufficient to traverse the horizontal distance between the vessel and the second point; and a plurality of cable restraining means, the cable restraining means positioned in at least two substantially parallel and horizontally disposed rows along the length of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: Moulding and migration of subterranean clay is inhibited during stimulation of the production of hydrocarbon fluids, and preparation therefor, by treating said formations with a compound of the formula (CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH-CH.sub.2).sub.n N+(CH.sub.3).sub.4-n X.sup.- where X may be any anion which does not adversely react with the formation or treatment fluid and n is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of isoimides from amic acids, especially polyisoimides by a novel process in which polyimides are first converted to polyamic acids and then contacted with an isoimidizing agent. An acyl halide of a heterocyclic nitrogen compound or an acyl halide of a heterocyclic sulphur compound can be used as the isoimidizing agent. The isoimidization may also be carried out in the presence of a compound containing a heterocyclic nitrogen especially a solvent containing a heterocyclic nitrogen.The invention is especially applicable to conducting nucleophilic addition reactions on the surface of polyimides where the surface has been converted to a polyamic acid or on the surface of polyamic acid materials followed by isoimidization and reaction of the isoimide with a nucleophile such as an amine or organic hydroxy compound.Photosensitive metal compounds or electroless metal coating catalysts can be coordinated with the compositions obtained.

Abstract: A multi-unit articulated railway freight car defining a container well in each of the several units, with container support members attached to the side sills of each unit to support standard intermodal cargo containers at a location low enough to permit a second tier of containers to be stacked atop a bottom tier without exceeding the maximum height restrictions of most main railroad lines, although ample clearance is preserved beneath the bottom of the car when fully loaded. Each container support member is constructed of thick plate steel of high strength, formed cold to include residual internal stresses in order to resist failure when subjected to the loads imposed by supporting loaded containers carried in the container well. The side sill structures are of box tube and formed sheet construction of small enough width to permit carriage of newer, larger, sizes of intermodal cargo containers without the car or containers protruding outside the clearance available along most railroad lines.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically actuated brake system for off-road heavy vehicles is disclosed that include a first accumulator, a second accumulator, a first manual and pilot actuated brake valve for controlling the flow from the first accumulator to the front brakes and to a first and a second pressure comparing devices and a second manual and pilot actuated brake valve for controlling the flow from the second accumulator to the first and second pressue comparing devices. The higher pressure from the first and second pressure comparing devices is output to the rear brakes so the front brakes are set by the pressure in the first accumulator while the rear brakes are set by the higher pressure of the first and second accumulators. A separate manually actuated brake valve controls the flow from the second accumulator to a third pressure comparing device which also is connected to receive the output of the first manual and pilot actuated brake valve.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided. An attachment structure has a proximal end portion of an outer cannula attached to it. A needle is insertable through the outer cannula and the attachment structure. An inner cannula is attached to an inner cannula attachment region of the attachment structure. The inner cannula is insertable axially through the attachment structure. The attachment structure can comprise two hubs, one for the outer cannula and the other for the inner cannula, the two hubs being attachable to one another to form the overall attachment structure. A valve structure is associated with the attachment structure, suitably with the outer cannula hub. The valve structure normally closes communication between an access passage in the attachment structure, e.g., in the outer cannula hub, and the outer cannula lumen.

Abstract: Multiple size-reducing actions of heavy solid waste are carried out during each unidirectional rotation of a ballast-weighted drum rotor means having impact-cutter bar means projecting in fixed position about its drum surface. Feedstock contacts the rotating rotor means and is propelled against an anvil surface. Frangible materials are split and/or otherwise fragmented during such initial stage. Continued rotation cuts or crushes larger feedstock product with maximum dimensional aspects determined in part by the radial projection of the impact-cutter bar means as the latter move into a zone defined by a grate partially circumscribing the rotor means. Intermediate product in the space between the rotor drum and the grate passes through apertures in the grate or is driven into and sheared at such apertures which determines maximum cross-sectional dimensions of size-reduced product. The configuration of such grate apertures facilitates shearing of intermediate product.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon stream containing free sulfur wherein a formulation comprising a diaryldisulfide and a film forming corrosion inhibitor are introduced into the hydrocarbon stream.