Abstract: A connection between an integrated optical waveguide and an optical fibre has a layer of silicon in which a rib waveguide is formed separated from a substrate by a layer of silicon dioxide. A V-groove is formed in the substrate for receiving an optical fibre, and the V-groove is arranged to align the optical fibre at a predetermined angle with respect to the waveguide. The rib waveguide and the underlying layer of silicon dioxide are formed to overhang the end of the V-groove so that the end of the waveguide is in close proximity with the end of an optical fibre positioned in the V-groove. A method of forming a connection, in which the V-groove is etched using a material which etches the substrate material as opposed to the layer of silicon dioxide, is also disclosed. Finally, a method of connecting an integrated optical waveguide to an optical fibre using a connection as described above is disclosed.

Abstract: An asymmetric or double-sided porous material, which comprises at least one porous layer of a polymer on a porous support or carrier, where the polymer is formed from a self-assembled microstructured liquid. A method of producing the same comprising positioning the support or carrier against or adjacent an inert surface, providing an excess of polymerisable liquid to completely wet the carrier and form a film through capillary action between the carrier and the inert surface and penetrating the carrier, then polymerising the liquid.

Abstract: A portable container which may be refrigerated is provided which is composed of a flexible floor, walls, and lid and composed of inner and outer walls with flexible refrigerant gel captivated between these walls, floor and lid. The lid may be closed to the container with a device selected from the group consisting of nylon zippers and velcro seals. The entire container may be compressed or folded in a relatively flat position in order to be easily placed into the freezer so that the gel can be frozen for cooling purposes.

Abstract: A system for real-time analysis of weld quality in an arc welding process. he system includes a transducer which receives acoustic signals generated during the welding process. The acoustic signals are then sampled and digitized. A signal processor calculates the root mean square and peak amplitudes of the digitized signals and transforms the digitized signal into a frequency domain signal. A data processor divides the frequency domain signal into a plurality of frequency bands and calculates the average power for each band. The average power values, in addition to the peak and root mean square amplitude values, are input to an artificial neural network for analysis of weld quality. Arc current and/or arc voltage signals may be input to the A/D converter alone or in combination with the acoustic signal data for subsequent signal processing and neural network analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting an elongated flexible prefabricated vertical (PV) drain downwardly into the earth. The apparatus includes a vertical mast having a lower standard mast base and a lightweight extra long mast extension. A vehicle supports the mast from its mast base in order to raise and lower the mast to and from vertical and to otherwise manipulate and transport the mast in a conventional manner. A longitudinal chamber extends for the entire length of the mast and carries therein an earth penetrating tube for vertical movement. This earth penetrating tube also has a passage therethrough for receiving the elongated flexible PV drain for movement with this insertion tube down into the earth when driven therein. The mast extension includes a series of axially aligned extension tubes constructed of light weight material and removably connected together end to end, and a combination spar and guy mechanism is utilized for supporting this long mast extension from the relatively short mast base.

Abstract: Polymerisable materials produced by the reaction of a pyrrole and an unsaturated or polymerisable aldehyde, preferably a beta-unsaturated aldehyde.Polymers made from the above-described polymerisable material and copolymers formed from the said material and at least one other polymerisable monomer of a known type.Such polymers and copolymers may be used for the production of films, coatings and other structures.

Abstract: A system for real-time analysis of weld quality in an arc welding process. The system includes a transducer which receives acoustic signals generated during the welding process. The acoustic signals are then sampled and digitized. A signal processor calculates the root mean square and peak amplitudes of the digitized signals and transforms the digitized signal into a frequency domain signal. A data processor divides the frequency domain signal into a plurality of frequency bands and calculates the average power for each band. The average power values, in addition to the peak and root mean square amplitude values, are input to an artificial neural network for analysis of weld quality. Arc current and/or arc voltage signals may be input to the A/D converter alone or in combination with the acoustic signal data for subsequent signal processing and neural network analysis.

Abstract: An amperometric sensor comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, an enzyme whose catalytic activity on a substrate results in electroactivity, and an enhancer compound which enhances the detected electroactivity.

Abstract: A portable container which may be refrigerated is provided which is composed of a floor and wall composed of an inner and outer wall with refrigerant captivated between these walls and a lid to close the container which also contains a charge of refrigerant in a recess therein, a labyrinth-type seal is provided between the lid and the wall composed of interdigitated ridges.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting flexible drainage wick members downwardly into the earth which comprises a mast having a hollow longitudinally extending chamber therein, and an insertion tube disposed in the chamber for movement therein, the insertion tube being provided with a projecting flange that extends outwardly from the chamber through a longitudinal slot therein and that includes openings located at spaced intervals along the longitudinal extent of the flange. A drive gear, operated by a motor, is mounted near the bottom of the mast so that the teeth of the drive gear can positively engage the openings in the insertion tube flange and positively drive the insertion tube into and out of the earth. A pair of spaced support rollers are positioned behind the insertion tube flange at its point of contact with the drive gear to support the flange and also permit any foreign matter ejected from the flange openings by the gear teeth to fall to the earth.

Abstract: A membrane pack is constructed, which includes a highly porous carrier sandwiched between a pair of membrane structures that must be kept continuously wet, the pack having a hole and being sealed around the hole to prevent the passage of polluting liquid lying in the hole, into the porous carrier of the pack. The membrane pack is constructed by impregnating the carrier with a flowable polymer which can solidify, to leave a thin layer of the polymer on either surface of the carrier, and by then welding the polymer layers to membranes at either face of the carrier. Ultrasonic welding of the membrane structures to the carrier is performed while the membrane structures are wet, the ultrasonic welding dissipating moisture lying at the interface between the carrier and membrane structures to permit even hydrophilic polymers to be utilized.

Abstract: A weld metal cooling rate indication system is provided for a welding mace. The welding machine has a torch which is capable of producing a weld bead and has a speed sensor which senses the speed at which the torch travels as selected by an operator. The indication system includes a device for continuously sensing a profile of temperatures along the weld bead, this profile including a predetermined weld temperature. Another device receives the temperature profile and travel speed of the torch information for calculating and producing a signal which represents rate of change of weld temperature at the predetermined weld temperature. A range of acceptable rates of change of weld temperatures at the predetermined weld temperature is provided so that the rate of change of weld temperature at the predetermined weld temperature can be compared with this range.

Abstract: An operating table including a support structure and an elongate table top mounted on the support structure. The table top is composed of four relatively movable sections arranged in edge to edge relationship with the adjacent edges of each two adjacent sections extending transverse of the longitudinal axis of the table top and each section being movable relative to its adjacent section about an axis also extending transverse to that longitudinal axis. One of the sections forms a first transferable or head section and is normally releasably mounted at one end of the table. A second transferable or leg section is normally releasably mounted at the opposite end of the table. The leg section includes a coupling hole at the outer end thereof so that the head section can be selectively releasably attached to the outer end of the leg section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value. The low heating value gas is preheated, mixed with an amount of air that will provide oxygen in an amount that will limit the maximum temperature rise in a catalytic combustion chamber to avoid excessive temperatures, and delivered into the catalytic combustion chamber at a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. F. that will cause ignition of the combustibles on contact with the catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, combustion is accomplished in two combustion chambers connected in series with a heat exchanger between the combustion chambers for cooling the combustion products discharged from the first combustion chamber before they are delivered to the next combustion chamber. Approximately fifty percent of the total combustion air is mixed with the combustible gas before delivery into each of the combustion chambers.

Abstract: A gas turbine system for the recovery of power from fuel gases having a low heating value, i.e., below about 80 Btu/scf, and usually in the range of 35 to 70 Btu/scf, has an external catalytic combustor. The catalytic combustor is divided into a primary and a secondary catalytic combustion chamber with a heat exchanger between the two combustion chambers. In the preheater the low heating value gas mixed with combustion air is passed in indirect heat exchange with products of combustion from the first combustion chamber before the low heating value gas is delivered to the first combustion chamber. The turbine system is particularly advantageous in recovering power from low heating value gas in which the combustibles are hydrocarbons, primarily methane.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value discharged from a production well of an in-situ combustion process for the production of oil. The low heating value gas is mixed with an amount of air that will provide oxygen in an amount that will limit the maximum temperature rise in a catalytic combustion chamber to avoid excessive temperatures regardless of changes in composition of the low heating value gas. The mixture is preheated and delivered into the catalytic combustion chamber at a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. F. that will cause ignition of the combustibles on contact with the catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, combustion is accomplished in two combustion chambers connected in series with a heat exchanger between the combustion chambers for cooling the combustion products discharged from the first combustion chamber before they are delivered to the next combustion chamber.