Abstract: A neutron detector composed of a matrix of scintillating particles imbedded in a lithiated glass is disclosed. The neutron detector detects the neutrons by absorbing the neutron in the lithium-6 isotope which has been enriched from the natural isotopic ratio to a commercial ninety five percent. The utility of the detector is optimized by suitably selecting scintillating particle sizes in the range of the alpha and the triton. Nominal particle sizes are in the range of five to twenty five microns depending upon the specific scintillating particle selected.

Abstract: A frozen confectionery maker includes a container having a cavity in its walls and base for receiving freezable solution. There is a lid for closing the container and a mixer rotatably engagable with the lid to locate within the container. A drive means receivable on the lid rotates the mixer. A fluid passage in juxtaposition the lid has at least a first opening proximate the mixer and a second opening at a dispensing spout. A valve is located within the fluid passage and has an operable position to close the passage. The mixer is adapted to deliver confectionery mixture in the container to the passage via the first opening. If the valve is in the operable position the mixture is returned to the container. If the valve is not in the operative position the mixture is dispensed at the spout.

Abstract: A frozen confectionery maker includes a container having a cavity in its walls and base for receiving freezable solution. There is a lid for closing the container and a mixer rotatably engagable with the lid to locate within the container. A drive means receivable on the lid rotates the mixer. A fluid passage in juxtaposition the lid has at least a first opening proximate the mixer and a second opening at a dispensing spout. A valve is located within the fluid passage and has an operable position to close the passage. The mixer is adapted to deliver confectionery mixture in the container to the passage via the first opening. If the valve is in the operable position the mixture is returned to the container. If the valve is not in the operative position the mixture is dispensed at the spout.

Abstract: A hair-removing and exfoliating device is provided with a pair of counter-rotating abrasive surfaces for pressing against the skin to abrade hair there-from and to exfoliate the skin. The surfaces may be adapted for continual alternating movement in counter-rotating directions at the surface of the skin. In the preferred embodiment, two concentric counter-rotating abrasive surfaces are provided, one rotating clockwise and the other rotating counterclockwise.

Abstract: A combination juicer and shaver includes a juicer portion removably receivable in juxtaposition to a shaver portion. The juicer portion includes a juicer for extracting juice from a food item. The shaver portion includes a chamber and a shaver in the chamber for producing shavings of a food item disposed in the chamber. A drive selectively produces operating movement of the shaver means and the juicer, and a coupling communicates the operating movement between the shaver and the juicer.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.

Abstract: A neutron detector utilizing a sol-gel absorber incorporating a fissionable material and an activation disk. Preferably utilizing Li-6 and B-10 as fissionable material and Ag-109 as activation disk material for increased sensitivity and better differentiation of thermal versus prompt neutrons and neutrons versus other radiation fragments.

Abstract: A water distribution valve, ideally suited for distributing water from a recirculating pump of a swimming pool to selective outlet lines, is designed with a main housing in the form of an outer cylindrical section. This main housing has outlet ports located through the peripheral surface thereof at equal angular spaced intervals. These outlet openings are located in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis of the main housing. A fluid distribution member, in the form of a T-shaped body, is rotatably mounted inside the main housing member. The base or stem of the T is connected with a water inlet; and one arm of the T has a fluid delivery opening in it for delivering water from the inlet through the opening.

Abstract: A system for bidirectional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.

Abstract: An neutron detector composed of fissionable material having ions of lithium, uranium, thorium, plutonium, or neptunium, contained within a glass film fabricated using a sol-gel method combined with a particle detector is disclosed. When the glass film is bombarded with neutrons, the fissionable material emits fission particles and electrons. Prompt emitting activated elements yielding a high energy electron contained within a sol-gel glass film in combination with a particle detector is also disclosed. The emissions resulting from neutron bombardment can then be detected using standard UV and particle detection methods well known in the art, such as microchannel plates, channeltrons, and silicon avalanche photodiodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rapid nondestructive method for determining the extent of strain hardening in an article of tungsten-nickel-iron alloy. The method comprises saturating the article with a magnetic field from a permanent magnet, measuring the magnetic flux emanating from the article, comparing the measurements of the magnetic flux emanating from the article with measured magnetic fluxes from similarly shaped standards of the alloy with known amounts of strain hardening to determine the hardness.

Abstract: Niobium is recovered from scrap uranium-niobium alloy by melting the scrap with tin, solidifying the billet thus formed, heating the billet to combine niobium with tin therein, placing the billet in hydrochloric acid to dissolve the uranium and leave an insoluble residue of niobium stannide, then separating the niobium stannide from the acid.

Abstract: An in-line assay monitor for determining the content of uranium-235 in a uranium hexafluoride gas isotopic separation system is provided which removes the necessity of complete access to the operating parameters of the system for determining the uranium-235 content. The monitor is intended for uses such as safeguard applications to assure that weapons grade uranium is not being produced in an enrichment cascade. The method and monitor for carrying out the method involve cooling of a radiation pervious chamber connected in fluid communication with the selected point in the system to withdraw a specimen and solidify the specimen in the chamber. The specimen is irradiated by means of an ionizing radiation source of energy different from that of the 185 keV gamma emissions from the uranium-235 present in the specimen. Simultaneously, the gamma emissions from the uranium-235 of the specimen and the source emissions transmitted through the sample are counted and stored in a multiple channel analyzer.

Abstract: A radiaton attenuation gauge for measuring thickness and density of a material comprises, in combination, a source of gamma radiation contained within a housing comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material, and a means for measuring the intensity of gamma radiation. The measuring means has an aperture and magnetic means disposed adjacent to the aperture for attracting and holding the housed source in position before the aperture. The material to be measured is disposed between the source and the measuring means.