Abstract: The removal of a glycol contaminant from a mixture of polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers is achieved using a dual solvent extraction process. The process is particularly applicable to removing glycols which accumulate in recirculating solutions of polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers used for the absorption of acid gases from feedstocks such as natural gas, synthetic natural gas, refinery gas, and ammonia synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process is described for removing contaminants from a contaminant-laden solution of dialkyl ethers of polyethylene glycols (polyether solvent) by mixing the solution with an aqueous base solution. The mixture produces at least two liquid phases of different densities, which are then separated from each other. The lighter liquid phase is predominantly the polyether solvent while the heavier liquid phase is predominantly the aqueous base solution and the contaminants. The process is particularly useful in removing triethylene glycol and other glycol-based dehydration solvents.

Abstract: A pair of PTC elements, preferably of the barium titanate variety, are mounted in a container to sense liquid level, for example oil level in an engine crankcase. The elements have the same resistance, mass and switching point but different thermal loss coefficients which have one value in air and another in liquid. In one embodiment, the elements are both positioned at the set liquid level and are electrically energized at the same moment. When the elements are in liquid, one of them will heat to the switch point before the other and change to a much higher resistance. When the elements are in air, the other element reaches the switch point first. When the elements are connected in series across a power source, the switching causes the circuit to latch in that state even though the liquid level condition changes. The junction of the elements provides a convenient signal output indicating liquid level. In a second embodiment, one PTC element is at the set liquid level and the other is in air above that level.

Abstract: A lamp monitor for detecting the failure of headlamps and other lamps on an automotive vehicle includes a failure detection circuit coupled to the lamp circuit to produce an output whenever the lamp circuit is operating and a failure occurs. A latch circuit responsive to the detector output and powered from the vehicle battery latches into a failure state when a lamp failure is detected and maintains that state even though the lamp circuit or the vehicle ignition circuit is switched off. The latch output triggers an indicator circuit to reveal an indication or warning when the vehicle ignition switch is turned on even though the lamp circuit is turned off and the ignition switch has been opened subsequent to the detected failure. Upon correction of the failure, the detector resets the latch circuit when the lamp circuit is actuated to disable the display.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable covering in the form of a sheet which is heat shrinkable in a longitudinal direction, and a stiffening member connected at each of two longitudinally spaced transversely extending superimposable zones of the sheet. One stiffening member has holes and the other studs in the form of arm portions which are insertable through the holes to secure the stiffening members together. The arm portions can be flattened down onto the outside of the covering to retain the stiffening members together while reducing risk of the studs interfering with items such as cables adjacent the covered article. Preferably the studs have a resiliently compressible head portion which snap fits into holes formed through the sheet adjacent the holes in the stiffening member to facilitate locating the overlapped zones of the sheet relative to one another. In use, the sheet is wrapped around an article, the stiffening members are engaged together, and the sheet is then heat shrunk.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a square or rectangular cross section provides one mode of optical signal transmission comprising reflection between one pair of parallel sides and a second mode between a second pair of parallel sides perpendicular to the first pair so that two separate channels are obtained in a single optical fiber. A transmitter and a receiver are coupled to each end of the optical fiber so that full time two-way communication can occur without substantial interference.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable covering for an article, such as a pipe, comprises a heat shrinkable material in the form of a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the article so that its ends overlap. The overlapping end portions are bonded together by means of a hold-down adhesive, preferably a shear-resistant adhesive, leaving an adhesive-free region at the interface. Heat is applied externally to the overlapping end portions so as to effect a fusion bond at the adhesive-free region of the interface, and the sheet is heat-shrunk onto the article in known manner. The covering offers the advantages and convenience of application common to conventional wrap-around sleeves, while having the intrinsic strength properties of a seamless tubular sleeve.

Abstract: A short duration timer for use in an electronic circuit such as a diesel engine glow plug control includes a first PTC resistor energized by an electric power source and stabilized in the exponential portion of its resistance-temperature curve. A second PTC resistor in thermal contact with the first is energized at time zero from the electric power source and substantially immediately stabilizes at a temperature higher than that of the first, resulting in heat flow from the second PTC resistor to the first, and therefore an increase in the resistance of the first, at a rate which is substantially independent of variations in ambient temperature and supply voltage of the electric power source. A signal ending the time duration is generated when the resistance of the first PTC resistor has changed by a predetermined percentage.

Abstract: An indicating lamp and a PTC thermistor are connected in series across an electric power source by an ignition switch which simultaneously actuates apparatus to intermittently energize a diesel engine glow plug. Further apparatus is effective to make and break a low resistance shunt path around the indicating lamp in response to deenergization and energization of the glow plug. The indicating lamp and PTC thermistor both are electrically energized to self heat and both have electrical resistances increasing sufficiently with temperature to drop substantially most of the supply voltage when hot and prevent energization of the cold other. The indicating lamp heats much faster than the PTC thermistor and so energizes during the initial energization of the glow plug to signal the vehicle operator to not attempt starting of the engine.

Abstract: A multiplex wiring system including a plurality of data line (n) from which (n.sup.2 -n) load devices may be either independently or simultaneously energized. The system includes a synchronizing unit for applying an enabling voltage to each data line in sequence which applies a deactivating voltage to the remaining lines. A transmitter and a receiver gate of substantially the same electronic circuit configuration are provided for each load and are connected to two of the data lines to be simultaneously enabled. The transmitter gate is activated by closure of an associated switch and overrides the deactivating input to its associated receiver which is thereby activated to energize the associated load. Each load device has associated therewith means for maintaining the load in an energized state during the time interval when its associated transmitter and receiver gates are disabled by the synchronizing unit.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient resistor element of the type that has a substantially constant resistance value when the temperature thereof is less than a selected value and that displays a rapid rise in resistance value when the temperature thereof reaches and increases beyond the selected value is mounted in thermal communication with a Diesel engine and is arranged to be electrically energized and deenergized simultaneously with the engine glow plug energizing circuit.

Abstract: An anti-theft system for a motor vehicle which includes an ARM ENABLE latch and an ARM latch which establish a circuit arming condition in response to movement of a key operated switch from a neutral to an arming position. An ALARM latch is responsive to a plurality of sensor switches which in turn are responsive to whether a compartment of the vehicle is open or closed. If a compartment is opened after the arming condition has been established the ALARM latch causes the vehicle horn to be periodically energized for a predetermined interval of time. Delay means are provided for preventing a change of state of the various latches for a predetermined interval of time after actuation of the switch controlled input to the latch so as to prevent inadvertent triggering of the latch circuit. Indicator means are provided for detecting a malfunction in the system which would prevent the circuit arming condition from being established.