Abstract: A windshield heater element for an automotive vehicle is controlled to provide a maximum power deice mode of operation and a reduced power defog mode of operation. The deice mode of operation is initiated in response to an operator actuated deice command and is terminated in response to the first to occur of expiration of a predetermined time period after initiation, or an operator actuated off command. The defog mode of operation is initiated in response to termination of a preceding deice mode of operation provided that such termination was not in response to an operator actuated off command, or an operator actuated defog command. The defog mode of operation is terminated in response to the first to occur of expiration of a predetermined time period after initiation provided that such initiation was not in response to an operator actuated defog command, or an operator actuated off command.

Abstract: Sulfur cement-aggregate compositions comprising a sulfur cement and an aggregate containing an expansive clay and processes for preparing such compositions. The processes, and resulting compositions, are characterized by the incorporation of a carboxylic acid therein. The resulting solidified composition has improved water stability.The compositions can be used as mortars or concretes depending on the particle size of the principal aggregate component.

Abstract: A multivoltage electrical system for a motor vehicle that has a pair of storage batteries which, in a first charging mode are charged in series from the direct voltage output terminals of a bridge rectifier connected to an alternating current generator. In a second charging mode, only one of the batteries is charged and this takes place when a plurality of controlled rectifiers connecting the generator and a common junction of the batteries are gated conductive. The switching between modes is a function of the voltage of one of the batteries and the voltage of a triangular voltage waveform generator operating at a fixed frequency. The system is maintained in the second mode when generator speed is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A device for automatically shutting off a sulfur melter when its supply of sulfur is exhausted or when sulfur bridging has occurred is disclosed. The shutoff uses a temperature value sensed at the top of the melter's sloping melter bottom and shuts the heat off when the sensed temperature exceeds a preset value related to sulfur's melting temperature. The device avoids jamming and maintenance problems inherent in the use of mechanical level controls in a powdered/molten sulfur environment.

Abstract: Sulfur cement-aggregate compositions comprising a sulfur cement and an aggregate containing an expansive clay and processes for preparing such compositions. The processes, and resulting compositions, are characterized by the addition of certain organosilanes in the composition prior to solidifying (cooling) the composition. The resulting solidified composition has improved water stability.The compositions can be used as mortars or concretes depending on the particle size of the principal aggregate component.

Abstract: Sulfur cement-aggregate compositions comprising a sulfur cement and an aggregate containing an expansive clay and processes for preparing such adhesives. The processes, and resulting compositions, are characterized by adding a water soluble salt to the aggregate and then admixing said aggregate-salt mixture with molten sulfur cement. The resulting solidified composition has improved water stability.The compositions can be used as mortars or concretes depending on the particle sizes of the principal aggregate component.

Abstract: Aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers are prepared by initially contacting a dihaloaromatic sulfone, an alkali metal sulfide, an organic amide, and, optionally, an alkali metal carboxylate under polymerization conditions and subsequently at or near completion of the polymerization reaction, adding an end-capping agent comprising additional dihaloaromatic sulfone to the reaction mixture producing a polymer exhibiting improved physical properties including melt flow stability. The resulting polymers have utility as coatings, films, molded objects, filaments, fibers, and the like.

Abstract: The tensile strength of shaped articles made from arylene sulfide/sulfone polymers is increased by treating the article with an organic liquid at an elevated temperature. In one embodiment, the organic liquid comprises at least one of selected hydrocarbons, alcohols, and esters.

Abstract: A new polyamide composed at least primarily of 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid and 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, the polyamide having less than 5 olefinic double bonds per 100 diamine units, an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.6, a polymer melt temperature of at least about 200.degree. C., a T.sub.g in the range of about 90.degree. to about 130.degree. C., and a T.sub.m in the range of about 260.degree. C. to about 310.degree. C. can be formed into fibers without the use of plasticizers. Such fibers can be produced with a boiling water shrinkage of less than 30 percent.

Abstract: Normally solid, moldable polyamides, with elastomeric character, having diamine-derived structural units of the formula ##STR1## wherein each A is individually selected from the group consisting of 5-methylnonamethylene, 2,4-dimethyloctamethylene, 2,4,6-trimethylheptamethylene, and 4-isopropylheptamethylene; and diacid-derived structural units of the formula ##STR2## wherein each n is an integer individually selected from the group consisting of 5, 7, 9, and 11. Minor amounts of other polyamide-forming materials can be included in the polyamide to provide up to 30 percent of the nitrogen atoms and up to 30 percent of the carbonyl groups. These polyamides possess elastomeric or energy-absorbing character, as evidenced by their high impact strength, low flexural modulus, and high elongation.

Abstract: Normally solid, moldable polyamides having diamine-derived structural units of the formula ##STR1## wherein each A is individually selected from the group consisting of 5-methylnonamethylene, 2,4-dimethyloctamethylene, 2,4,6-trimethylheptamethylene, and 4-isopropylheptamethylene; and diacid-derived structural units of the formula ##STR2## wherein each n is an integer individually selected from the group consisting of 4, 6, 8, and 10. Minor amounts of other polyamide forming materials can be included in the polyamide to provide up to 30 percent of the nitrogen atoms and up to 30 percent of the carbonyl groups. When used as adhesives, these polyamides possess good peel strength, good lap shear strength, and good boiling water resistance.

Abstract: The strength of portland cement concrete structures which incorporate alkali metal or alkaline earth polysulfides is increased by heating the structures at temperatures above 110.degree. C.

Abstract: Concrete articles of improved strength are prepared by impregnating the articles with aqueous solutions of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal polysulfides and heating them at temperatures above 110.degree. C.

Abstract: Terephthalic acid and either 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine or an isomeric mixture of 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine with 2,4-dimethyl-1,8-octanediamine and/or 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,7-heptanediamine are admixed in a methanol/water medium, wherein the volume ratio of methanol to water is in the range of about 99:1 to about 80:20, and the weight ratio of terephthalic acid and diamine to the methanol/water medium is in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:3. The resulting slurry can be cooled to promote precipitation of the salt. The precipitated salt can be recovered by filtration and employed for the production of a polyamide.

Abstract: Terephthalic acid and a diamine, always including 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and a lower fatty acid, e.g., acetic acid, are admixed with water, the water is evaporated, the concentrated mixture is heated (100.degree.-200.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.); then heated further (125.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-3 hrs., autogenous pressure up to 150-600 psig) with venting as needed; decompressed to atmospheric pressure (1/4-2 hrs., 245.degree.-295.degree. C.); and heated (270.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.) to produce a polyamide having good acid and basic dye receptivity, inherent viscosity, melt spinning and drawing characteristics. An isomeric mixture of diamines containing 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and 2,4-dimethyl-1,8-octanediamine, 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,7-heptanediamine and/or 4-isopropyl-1,7-heptanediamine can be the starting 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine-furnishing material. The diamine-furnishing material contains at least one principal diamine component having the formula H.sub.2 NRNH.sub.

Abstract: A process for applying a smooth coating of a plasticized-sulfur composition which comprises:(1) conducting a continuous stream of a molten plasticized-sulfur coating composition through a flexible conduit to a spray nozzle;(2) injecting a substantially inert pressurized gas into the conduit proximate to the nozzle at a flow rate such that the ratio of the flow rate of the coating composition in cubic feet per minute to the flow rate of the gas in cubic feet per minute is about 0.02/1 to about 1/1; and(3) spraying the coating composition and the gas from the conduit through the nozzle onto the surface to be coated.

Abstract: Aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers of increased molecular weight are produced by contacting at least one dihalo aromatic sulfone, at least one alkali metal sulfide, at least one organic amide, at least one sodium carboxylate, and a sufficient amount of water to produce higher molecular weight polymers than are normally produced. The resulting polymers have utility as coatings, films, molded objects, filaments, fibers, and the like.

Abstract: High molecular weight aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers are produced by contacting a dihalo aromatic sulfone, an alkali metal sulfide other than lithium sulfide, and an alkali metal carboxylate in a sulfone diluent. Use of the alkali metal carboxylate results in polymers of high molecular weight having utility as coatings, films, molded objects, fibers, filaments, and the like.

Abstract: A copolyester having good impact strength is prepared utilizing terephthalic acid or the lower alkyl esters thereof and a mixture of 1,4-butanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol as the sole monomers.

Abstract: Aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers of increased molecular weight are produced by contacting a dihalo aromatic sulfone, at least partially hydrated alkali metal sulfide, and an organic amide under polymerization conditions which produce a higher molecular weight aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymer. The use of at least one at least partially hydrated alkali metal sulfide other than lithium sulfide results in polymers of increased molecular weight having utility as coatings, films, molded objects, filaments, fibers, and the like.