Abstract: An electrical device capable of indicating the force and/or location of an impact or other applied force, such as a weight, comprises three or more layers including a continuously-conductive electrode layer, a selectively-conductive electrode layer, and a pressure-sensitive impedance layer between the two electrode layers and forming electrode impedances between them, such that when the force is applied, the electrical impedances are changed in value to provide an indication of the magnitude and/or location of the force.

Abstract: A surface-area-pressure transducer comprises: at least one pair of electrode layers each including a plurality of electrically-conductive elements, the elements of one layer extending in spaced, crossing relationship to the elements of the other layer; and a compressively-deformable dielectric layer composed of fibers interposed between the two electrode layers to define therewith an array of capacitors whose capacitances are changed by the compression of said dielectric layer when subjected to pressure. Also described is a line-selector circuit for individually selecting each capacitor for measurement without electrical cross-talk from the other capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus unit for the fractional distillation and rectification of liquid mixtures includes a plurality of horizontal superimposed tubular main sections interconnected in series by a plurality of tubular connecting sections, e.g. U-shaped, to define an elongated space along which liquids and vapors flow. Intimate contact between liquids and vapors and efficient heat and mass transfer are provided by a stirrer rotating within the main section about horizontal axes and magnetically driven from the outside. Suitable inlet and outlet ports and heating and cooling devices are provided. An arrangement for joining the adjacent sections without the use of flanges or threaded portions is provided. A number of such units are preferably associated to form a modular apparatus, the individual units being operatively connected as desired to provide series, parallel or mixed flow of the fluids.