Abstract: Compound preforms are provided having a first region, including a porous ceramic and a second region including a porous or solid ceramic in which the two regions differ in composition. The compound preform is infiltrated with a liquid metal which is then solidified to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for processing instructions. A data dependency graph is built. The data dependency graph is analyzed for recurrences, and unpipelined instructions that lie outside of the recurrences are expanded.

Abstract: A wedge clamp assembly includes a body having a body cable gripping surface, and a slider having a slider cable gripping surface. The slider cable gripping surface faces the body cable gripping surface to grip a cable. A connector is formed in one of the body and the slider, and includes a slot for moving the slider between closed and locked positions and an end portion formed on the other of the body and the slider. The end portion is axially slidable and rotatable in the slot. A coupling between the body and the slider pivotally connects the slider for movement between the closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Compound preforms are provided having a first region, including a porous ceramic and a second region including a porous or solid ceramic in which the two regions differ in composition. The compound preform is infiltrated with a liquid metal which is then solidified to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with monitoring equipment is adapted to ride a railroad track rail. An apparatus mount is coupled to the vehicle undercarriage. A downwardly displaced arm is coupled to the apparatus mount. A sensor mounting bracket couples a pair of railroad wheels and a pair of wheel bracket axles couples the wheels to the mounting bracket. A wheel axle couples one wheel to the arm. A sensor is positioned at a fixed adjustable distance above the top of the rail. The sensor is coupled to monitoring equipment with an electronic coupling means.

Abstract: The FLOSS OUT is a flexible floss string with a distinct color seperation commencing at least two (2) feet, twenty-four (24) inches, from the end, creating one (1) continuous flexible floss string which contains two (2) colors, which will warn and alert the user that the flexible floss string is about to come to an end.

Abstract: Compound preforms are provided having a first region, including a porous ceramic and a second region including a porous or solid ceramic in which the two regions differ in composition. The compound preform is infiltrated with a liquid metal which is then solidified to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: Compound preforms are provided having a first region, including a porous ceramic and a second region including a porous or solid ceramic in which the two regions differ in composition. The compound preform is infiltrated with a liquid metal which is then solidified to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A virtual token represents an item, and includes embedded data defining rules and/or capabilities which apply to the use of the item. A virtual token may include graphical image data which is used to generate a display on a computer, whereby selection of the display allows the item represented by the virtual token to be used. A virtual token may contain instructions for sending access requests to a location on a communications network A system for handling virtual tokens includes a clearing and routing house for routing token access requests, authenticating and generating tokens, and maintaining container structures for tokens. The system also includes connectors installed in a communications network for creating, controlling and managing items represented by tokens, and device clients for executing token components that issue access requests to the clearing and routing house.

Abstract: A cutting tool of the type having a tool support with a cutting tip of CVD diamond film brazed to it has the diamond material so oriented that the general direction of grain boundaries is not normal to the general plane of the rake face.

Abstract: A process for providing a seal around a reciprocating and/or rotating shaft as in an apparatus for manipulating a fluid at least in part by the rotary and/or reciprocal motion of the shaft, involving the insertion of substantially identically configured free-floating seal elements into the gap between the shaft and its housing, and the improved apparatus resulting therefrom.

Abstract: Strong and durable silicon nitride filtration membranes with effective separating layers having effective pore diameters less than about 1 micron are produced by depositing a source of silicon onto a porous microfilter support, removing any liquid used in the depositing, and subjecting the silicon source to nitridation conditions. Suitable sources of silicon include silicon per se and silica. When silica is used, a suitable reducing agent is deposited therewith to reduce the silica to silicon in situ.

Abstract: Strong and durable alpha alumina ultrafiltration membranes with effective separating layers having effective pore diameters less than about 50 nm, and particularly at almost any point within the range of about 10 to about 50 nm, can be produced by seeding boehmite sols with appropriate seeds, such as very fine alpha alumina with a specific surface area of more than 100 sq. m. per g, gelling a thin layer of the sol by contact with a microfilter support, drying the gel, followed by controlled heating of the coated support both to convert the boehmite to alpha alumina and to simultaneously control the effective pore diameter of the resultant membrane.

Abstract: This invention is a method and an apparatus for rapidly devolatilizing a product of a polymerization process containing at least one volatile material. The product is initially devolatilized in a high temperature zone, and the foamed devolatilized product is separated into a gas and a liquid polymer phase and rapidly removed therefrom to minimize depolymerization and degradation of the polymer. The partially devolatilized product is further devolatilized by feeding it into a rotatable chamber which is rotated at a sufficient angular velocity to create a high gravitational field to form a vapor and a polymer liquid pool.

Abstract: A devolatilization apparatus is provided which removes volatiles from a variety of polymer products utilizing centrifugal forces to control the residence time of the polymer in the devolatilizer. Volatiles are efficiently removed without degrading the polymer product. The devolatilizer includes a rotatable annular chamber having an inlet, a first outlet located at a first distance from the axis of rotation of the chamber, and a second outlet located at a second distance from the axis of rotation of the chamber. Means are also provided for supplying a polymer, in liquid form, to the inlet to the annular chamber. The portion of the chamber located between the first and second outlets forms an annular pocket or subchamber. The apparatus also includes means to rotate the annular chamber at a speed sufficient to cause the liquid polymer to flow through the first and second outlets and form liquid seals at each of the outlets.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus that allows a motor to move in any one of three linear directions, but it restrains rotary motion of the motor housing. In practice, the motor is used for driving a pump or some other rotary motion device. The device includes a lever arm fastened to the motor housing and a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to each end of the arm and to a support member. Each cylinder is divided into two chambers by a piston head, and hydraulic lines connect the chambers of one cylinder to the chambers of the other cylinder. When the pump (or other rotary motion device) tends to cause rotational movement of the motor housing, and lever arm, each cylinder responds to this rotational load by trying to displace fluid (oil) from one cylinder to the other. Since each cylinder tries to displace an equivalent volume of oil toward the other cylinder, through a common conduit, displacement of the oil is not possible.

Abstract: This invention provides thin, flat, water-impervious polycrystalline ceramic bodies composed of at least 99.5% by weight alumina, predominantly in the alpha crystal form. These bodies have a density of at least 3.9 Mg/m.sup.3, an average surface roughness of 44 nm or less, typically 40 nm or less. The properties of the finished ceramic bodies make them ideal substrates for highly reliable electronic components, especially for high temperature environments. Processes for obtaining such bodies by direct firing of slip cast tapes are also described.

Abstract: A waste disposal mixer is shown suitable for the encapsulation of radioactive wastes in synthetic resins. The mixer permits the selective discarding of the agitator member and of a drip pan selectively positionable to receive dripping material from the agitator. The agitator can be selectively replaced, all movements being controlled remotely.

Abstract: An improved heat transfer or chill roll is disclosed employing a static mandrel, and agitation within the roll together with longitudinal distribution of the heat exchange fluid provides increased uniformity of surface temperature.

Abstract: Improved shaft seal is provided wherein generally radially extending distendable diaphragms are used to adjust the sealed gap. A flushing lubricant is provided. The seal is particularly suited for use in gear pumps handling viscous materials such as heat plastified thermoplastics.