Abstract: An optical bio-disc used in separating components of particulate suspension has separation, fluid metering, and fluid assay chambers. The separation chamber contains a particulate suspension having a fluid component and a particulate matter component. The fluid metering chamber communicates with the separation chamber by a first conduit that has an entry point at the separation chamber. The entry point is accessible to the fluid component when the bio-disc is rotated causing separation of the fluid component and the particulate matter component in the separation chamber. The fluid assay chamber communicates with the fluid metering chamber by a second conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing a call between an originating switch and a destination switch in a telecommunications network supporting number portability. The method and apparatus use a ported number list or a routing cache in a network switch or adjunct processor to avoid inefficiencies of QOR and N-1 call processing procedures. The invention includes an originating switch for completing a call between the originating switch and a destination switch, the originating switch including structure for storing a ported number list or routing cache, structure for searching the ported number list or routing cache, and structure for routing a call to the destination switch.

Abstract: Invention comprises an instrument in which momentum flux onto a biasable target plate is transferred via a suspended quartz tube onto a sensitive force transducer--a capacitance-type pressure gauge. The transducer is protected from thermal damage, arcing and sputtering, and materials used in the target and pendulum are electrically insulating, rigid even at elevated temperatures, and have low thermal conductivity. The instrument enables measurement of small forces (10.sup.-5 to 10.sup.3 N) accompanied by high heat fluxes which are transmitted by energetic particles with 10's of eV of kinetic energy in a intense magnetic field and pulsed plasma environment.

Abstract: In the present invention, a desired pattern or design, is projected upon a relatively flat or horizontal base fabric. The design, which is projected, may be manually or computer-produced, and will indicate a plurality of areas to be covered. Both the shape of the areas and the colors of the areas may also be generated by the projector. Tufts of fibers or swatches of material corresponding to the colors and shapes generated are then placed upon the base material and lightly "tacked" thereto by pre-needling. Thereafter, the base material with the colored fibers or swatches temporarily secured thereto is passed through a commercial high-speed, high-density needling machine which securely and permanently interlocks the fibers or swaches to the base sheet while simultaneously blending the materials and the colors thereof where any of the fibers or swatches of different colors overlap. The soft, muted blending of the colors has not heretofore been achievable by applique, jig-saw type assembly, or the like.

Abstract: A plasma gun is described which is capable of creating and directing a plasma towards a neutralizing plate. The plate is comprised of a material which is chemically inert, metallic, and whose atoms are substantially heavier than the atoms of the plasma gas. The plasma, upon impacting the neutralizing plate, picks up sufficient electrons to cause the ions to revert to their neutral state. The particles, upon hitting the neutralizing plate, are redirected towards a substrate whose surface is to be altered or eroded. A potential may be applied to the neutralizing plate to enable the energy of the reflected particles to be controlled. The neutral atoms, so redirected, provide a desired anisotropic erosion capability.

Abstract: A limiter with a specially contoured front face accommodates the various power scrape-off distances .lambda..sub.p, which depend on the parallel velocity, V.sub..parallel., of the impacting particles. The front face of the limiter (the plasma-side face) is flat with a central indentation. In addition, the limiter shape is cylindrically symmetric so that the limiter can be rotated for greater heat distribution.

Abstract: Sheet metal having an opening therein includes projections adjacent to the opening. A column to be mounted at the opening has a slot therein for engaging the projections. The column has a threaded axial opening which is engaged by a screw located within the opening of the sheet metal. The opening may have a tapered portion with the projections located thereon.A tool for shaping the sheet metal with an opening therein is also disclosed. The tool includes a member having a first end to which a force may be applied and a second end with at least one radial projection. A seat is provided for receiving the second end of the member. The sheet metal is shaped by placing the opening over the seat, locating the second end of the member within the opening and sheet and applying a force to the first end of the member.

Abstract: A method of treating the interior surfaces of a waveguide to improve power transmission comprising the steps of mechanically polishing to remove surface protrusions; electropolishing to remove embedded particles; ultrasonically cleaning to remove any residue; coating the interior waveguide surfaces with an alkyd resin solution or electrophoretically depositing carbon lamp black suspended in an alkyd resin solution to form a 1.mu. to 5.mu. thick film; vacuum pyrolyzing the film to form a uniform adherent carbon coating.

Abstract: The device comprises a tank filled with electrolyte, flat electrodes which are stacked horizontally so as to rest upon one another under the action of gravity and at least a certain number of which are consumable. Two successive electrodes are separated by spacer elements having the same thickness and formed of material which is inert to electrolysis. The contact surfaces between the spacer elements and the electrodes therefore permit substantially uniform erosion of the consumable electrodes over their entire surface and the spacing between two consecutive electrodes thus remains constant.

Abstract: An improved oil filter is provided which enables oil viscosity index improver and beneficial additives to be metered into the oil throughout its normal useful life. A conventional oil filter is modified by placing in the filter upstream from the filter element an oil-soluble, solid oil viscosity index improver such as a copolymer of ethylene and propylene with up to 10% by weight of 1,4-hexadiene, preferably in sheet form. Other additives can be dispersed in the improver. The improver is in association with means to limit contact of the copolymer with circulating oil. Preferably the contact limiting means is a perforated metal sheet.