Abstract: Insulating layers responsible for the trapping of electric charge in non-volatile semiconductor memories, such as FAMOS or MNOS, are fabricated as thicker layers when doped with metals having partially filled d or f electron shells. Typically the insulating layer is silicon oxide doped with up to 10 atomic % of a first transition series metal.

Abstract: A midsole (10 and 22) for an activewear shoe (12) comprises an insert (10) and a peripheral member (22). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (34) depend from a base member (32) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the lift of peripheral member (22). The cushionability and resiliency of insert (10) may be selected according to the wearer's weight and cushionability preference.

Abstract: A ski boot in plastic material includes a shell adapted to receive the foot, a front spoiler articulated on the shell for pivoting frontwards thereof and adapted to grip the bottom part of the leg, a buckle system for tightening the front spoiler on the bottom part of the leg, and a damper joined to the shell and to the front spoiler. A flexible arciform plate is further provided which adopts the general shape of the instep, an upper end of the plate being joined to the front spoiler, and a lower end of the plate being joined to the shell, the upper end of said arciform bending plate cooperating with a compressible elastic return element during leaning forward movements.

Abstract: A desktop film viewer includes a box-shaped structure consisting of a cover member and a main member fitted with each other, a light transmission diffusion plate provided on the cover member, and a light source and reflectors provided in the main member to illuminate the light transmission diffusion plate. The box-shaped structure comprises wedge-shaped side surfaces. At the acute angle edges of the wedge-shaped side surfaces, the main member and the cover member are pivotally connected to each other. The box-shaped structure further comprises foldable linked stays for maintaining the box-shaped structure opened at any angles.

Abstract: A sign apparatus includes a sign cabinet with a window (4) inclined towards the observation plane. Inside the window, which is a color filter, there is arranged a panel (5) with electrically driven character elements (7). The angle of inclination (.beta.) of the panel is equal to, or less than, the angle of inclination (.alpha.) of the window. Each character element is formed by obliquely disposed rows of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit in which characters, symbols or pictures are created in matrices composed of lines and columns by the presence or absence of graphic display elements, and the display elements are moved into a visible or invisible position simultaneously in the one direction, such as columns, and subsequently in the other direction, such as lines, by a composing unit activated, for example, electromagnetically, by a data processing unit. The display elements are moved past the composing unit, and when, during this movement, the next axis (column or line) to be set has reached a setting position, an impulse is sent back to the data processing unit releasing the activation of the composing unit. With a transport belt having display elements which are only partially punched out, the display elements can be moved by the composing unit in a way that they will be positioned in front of or behind a separating strip during subsequent rotation of the transport belt.

Abstract: A luminous decorative display apparatus to be employed in setting off the design of a Christmas tree or commodities. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of two-sided flat luminous display elements each having an electroluminescent layer formed contiguously between opposite transparent electrodes and capable of shining in a specific color and a specific shape when a voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes. Each display element is connected through the electrode terminals extending from the transparent electrodes respectively, in parallel connection to power supply lines. The display elements are distributed on an article to be decorated and made to shine for decorating the article.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for reconfiguring an automatic rifle (10) for quick attachment and detachment of a grenade launcher (32). The apparatus invention comprises an upper rack (42) securable to the barrel (16) of the rifle (10), and a lower rack (34) to which the grenade launcher (32) can be secured. The upper and lower racks (42, 34) carry quick connect/disconnect fittings (66, 68, 78, 80) for mating and unmating of the launcher (32) with regard to the rifle (10).

Abstract: An indicator for adjusting the elevation of a firearm such as a shotgun, comprising a rubber-like grommet having a lesser diameter portion for insertion in the barrel of the gun at the muzzle, a sight guide for mounting on the grommet and having elevation indicia, a screw threaded through the grommet, a washer, and a nut threaded on the screw. Tightening the screw compresses the grommet longitudinally and expands it transversely to affix it in the barrel. At the same time, the mounted sight guide is pressed by an inward facing shoulder of the grommet against the muzzle. The indicia are aligned for zero elevation and then the gun adjusted to aim at the desired elevation indicia over the alignment button. The screw is loosened and the indicator removed so that the adjusted gun may be fired.

Abstract: A fishing lure which includes a hollow body generally resembling a natural bait species and having a diving plane at the forward end, and a tail at the rear end thereof. The lure further includes an upper body half and a lower body half. The upper body half joins the lower body half in a longitudinal medial plane which extends rearwardly from the diving plane to the tail of the lure. A graphite pull section is affixed to the diving plane so that a projecting blade portion of the graphite pull section extends upwardly from the upper side of the diving plane, and carries a hole for attachment of a fishing line. The lower body half has a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending chines formed thereon to improve the hydrodynamic properties of the lure as it is retrieved.

Abstract: A downrigger fishing system (14, 24, 36, 48) and a releasable connection in which a rudder plate (24) has a finger (50) in a rearward position and an eye member (74) is engaged with a fishing line (68), the eye member having a forward eye (86, 114) bounded at its front by a bight portion (104, 122) which is loosely fitted within a slot (60) forwardly of the finger (50). The bight portion (104, 122) has a rearwardly directed inner surface which makes substantially a point contact (106) with the forward edge (56) of the finger. The rudder plate (24) has connector means at its upper (28, 30, 32) and lower (40, 42, 44) ends that provide for selective engagements with upper (14) and lower (36) lines of the downrigger to vary the ease of disengagement of the eye conductor (74) from the finger (50) for situations where ambient conditions require greater or easier release of the eye connector from the finger.

Abstract: In a trap gun having a hollow stake and a barrel nested therein, wherein the barrel includes a trigger and a poisonous material-filled cartridge, the improvement wherein the trigger trip is a one-piece spring wire form having a helical segment which wraps around the stake, and two segments extending from opposite ends of the helix. One of the two segments extends inwardly of the helix and protrudes through a hole in the stake wall to anchor the form, while the other segment extends in the direction of the trigger to engage it when the barrel moves outwardly of the stake.

Abstract: An animal trap having a pair of elongated rods joined to jaws that are bias to a closed position with a coil spring. The coil spring is concentrically located about a pivot pin that pivotally joins the mid-sections of the rods together. An over-centered toggle trip mechanism is pivotally connected to the rods to hold the jaws in their open position. The trip mechanism has a trigger operable by the animal to be trapped to move the over-center toggle trip mechanism to a position wherein it collapses whereby the spring biases the jaws to their closed positions.

Abstract: A flying insect exterminator wherein a tube is moved by actuation of a trigger from a retracted position to an extended position. The forward end of the tube is to surround the insect and a vacuum is to be drawn into the tube which will cause the insect to be sucked into an insect collecting screen mounted within the tube.

Abstract: A novel fin for surfboards and watercraft that includes a pivoting rudder-like section that swings out when a turn is commenced, enhancing the maneuvrability of the surfboard by reducing the resistance of the fin as it moves sidewards through the water in a turn and by redirecting the water flow through the pivoting rudder section in the direction of the turn. A fixed blade attaches to the surfboard and a separate pivoting fin section is joined to the fixed blade by two pivot pins. Protruding from a vertical hole in the top of the pivoting fin section is a spring loaded pin which presses into a channel in the underside of a foil integrated into the underside of the fixed blade mounting section. The channel is deepest in the center of the foil thus the spring loaded pin in travelling back and forth along the channel seeks the deepest portion which tends to align the two fin blade sections.

Abstract: An applicator for weedicide or other agricultural or horticultural treating liquid consists mainly of a swabbing brush having a multiplicity of pliant filaments, preferably of cruciform cross-section, trailing from a supply conduit to which the treating liquid is fed from a tank, the supply conduit which may be tractor-mounted being advanced over an area to be treated, so that the brush filaments with treating liquid running down them, are tailed over the area so that the liquid is applied directly to the area being treated. The swabbing brush, when tractor-mounted, is pivoted to swing back if encountering a tree or other obstacle, to be returned by a spring when the obstacle is passed.

Abstract: An access window for use in fast food establishments and other similar drive-thru business establishments is disclosed. The window broadly comprises an elastic operating mechanism, two planar window members and a segmented articulated push-bar operator which is pushed to open the access windows. The push-bar operator can be locked in the open position. Upon releasing and/or unlocking the operator push-bar assembly the access window returns to its closed position by means of a closer bias member. The access window also comprises a locked window bias member which absorbs the pushing action on the operator push-bar, in the event the access window is latched shut, without damaging the access window and further without damaging the operating mechanism.

Abstract: The track for the panel of a sliding door or window confines a locating device with two resilient leaves which have first end portions secured to the bottom part of the track and second end portions normally extending upwardly into the path of movement of the rim of a wheel at the underside of the panel. The second end portions of the leaves are disposed between the first end portions and define a gap wherein the lowermost portion of the rim comes to rest after the rim has been caused to roll over one of the leaves and to be arrested by the upwardly extending second end portion of the other leaf. If the panel is to be shifted to a different position, it is pushed with a force which suffices to enable the rim of the wheel to depress the second end portion of one of the leaves whereupon the rim rolls over the one leaf toward a different position. A foot can be clamped to the track to positively prevent the panel from moving beyond a selected position.

Abstract: A wood surface treatment system comprising a tandemly arranged endless abrasive cross-belt and flexible rotary abrading surface treating apparatus wherein the abrasive cross-belt portion of the system which includes a platen assembly arranged to move in an oscillatory or epicyclic pattern relative to the work surface and wherein the flexible rotary abrading portion of the apparatus includes a pair of angularly disposed rotary abraders, such as cylindrical brushes. The axis of each individual flexible rotary abrader is disposed at an acute angle, preferably 45 degrees, to the axis of the conveyor, with the individual axes being preferably disposed at 90 degrees, one to the other. The cross-belt portion of the apparatus preferably includes means for drivably oscillating the platen.

Abstract: A honing guide is provided in which a tool support plate is mounted above a surface-engaging roller. The surface-engaging roller is mounted eccentrically so that the height of the tool support plate may be varied to provide a range of honing angles without unclamping the tool from the guide.

Abstract: The method of both the surface grinding, or fining, and the polishing of a lens are accomplished on the same surfacing machine spindle, precisely reproducing the curvature and alignment from fining to polishing, thereby resulting in improved surface quality and optical properties. The fine grinding and polishing are accomplished using plain water by sequentially securing to and releasing from the lap, via a high shear-low peel strength adhesive, (a) a fixed abrasive fining pad, and then (b) a polishing pad consisting of a water soluble matrix containing the polishing particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for abrasive jet machining, including equipment for storage, feeding, and control of abrasive powder in a carrier jet delivered through an upright feed tube at relatively high pressure and relatively high velocity.

Abstract: A window for buildings, particularly dwelling houses and office buildings, comprising a frame and two or more glass window-panes, of which the window-pane located nearest a room has an electrically conductive layer applied to the side thereof remote from the room. In accordance with the invention there is provided a control circuit (8) for connection to a voltage source located in the frame (2) of the window (1). Also provided is a thermistor (14) which is in contact with the side of the window-pane (3) remote from the room and which is connected to the aforementioned control circuit (8) and arranged to produce or to influence an electric signal corresponding to the temperature of the window pane (3). The control circuit (8) is arranged to control the supply of current to the electrically conductive layer so that the window-pane (3) can be brought to a given temperature set by a potentiometer (16) connected to the control circuit (8).

Abstract: A skylight structure that is sealed at the room ceiling rather than at the roof membrane is provided by a fixture framework that contains light-diffusing panels sealed to the frame. The internal structure of the entire framework is sealed. The framework is hinged so that it may be opened for cleaning and replacing burned-out bulbs that may be mounted around the periphery of the ceiling hole. A light-transmitting tube of flexible material channels daylight from the translucent roof membrane to the hole in the ceiling. The fixture framework is fastened to the support joists of the ceiling and covers the hole in the ceiling.

Abstract: Roof structure for transparent roofs with girders (11), each with a solar panel (15, 36). The girders preferably have a height equal to have the distance between each girder. Two trapdoors (13, 14), consisting of thermal insulating material (28), are located between each pair of girders, one on the underside of each girder, which can swing on its pivot axis on the girder between horizontal and vertical positions. In the horizontal position the trapdoors shield against heat loss, in the vertical position they allow all light to enter, and in the intermediate position incoming light is reflected towards the sides of the girders (15) for heat absorbtion.

Abstract: This isolation hut intended for temporary or provisional use, notably as a polling-booth during elections or like events, or as a transportable trying cubicle, a dressing-room during occasional events, or the like, consists of a frame structure made from a basic folding sheet of cardboard, pasteboard or light-weight multilayer material, or metal, comprising a plurality of lateral walls and a front access aperture. This structure is stiffened on the one hand by bending the basic sheet material and on the other hand by means of posts disposed at the corners of the structure, a cross bar constituting a lintel disposed at the top of the front aperture, and possibly a desk-forming element, all these elements being obtained by folding a flexible sheet of the same basic material as the basic folding sheet constituting the frame structure.

Abstract: A multi-sided building construction assembly having a plurality of side wall units, a like plurality of generally triangularly configured roof panels, a like plurality of combination union brackets, and a like plurality of footing brackets, with a roof center hub support having a like number of sides. The combination union bracket is configured for being received and connected atop the adjacent edges of adjacent side wall units, and include a pair of upwardly and angularly disposed roof connecting brackets. The roof center hub support has a number of side edges, each of which is disposed at the angle necessary for the pitch of the roof panel, which is supported at one end by the brackets of the union bracket member, and at the other end by the roof center hub support. The footing brackets include angularly disposed arms at the appropriate angle for the polygon, and attach beneath adjacent edges of adjacent side wall units and may be attached to a concrete slab.

Abstract: A ceiling system bar (1) is fixed to a hanging bolt (17), which is set firmly on a steel frame base, in such a manner that an opened portion of the ceiling system bar (1) is directed downward. The hook frames (22) of ceiling panels (21) are engaged via air-tight members with F-shaped frame projections (6) which are provided on both lower side portions of the ceiling system bar (1). Panel holders (30) are provided so as to extend over the opposed portions of the ceiling panels (21) and ceiling system bar (1) to thereby join the ceiling panels (21) to the ceiling system bar (1). A floor system bar (40) is provided on a floor, which is opposed to the ceiling system bar (1), in such a manner that an opened portion of the floor system bar (40) is directed upward.

Abstract: Improved framed panel assemblies are disclosed, especially as adapted for use as windows to be installed over existing windows, especially to improve the capability of the window to provide insulation from the outside air. Various embodiments have reinforcing means for the assembly components, improvements in the joining of the elements of the assemblage, and a strip.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an access door assembly for a ceiling. The assembly includes a frame adapted to be attached to supports of the ceiling and mounted in a generally horizontal position, and a door which fits within the frame. Tracks on the frame receive rollers on the door for mounting the door for movement between open and closed position. The tracks are sloped to gravity actuate the door to the closed position.

Abstract: A modular structure, stud therefor, and method of construction are disclosed. The modular structure includes a wall formed of an inner and outer panel defining a cavity therebetween. The stud may be disposed between the inner and outer panels with one of the panels being secured to a first portion of the stud and the other of the panels being secured to a second portion of the stud such that the first and second portions are relatively movable but may be interlocked in a fixed position within the cavity such that the inner and outer panels of the wall can be maintained in spaced apart relationship by a preselected distance. The method of construction includes placing one modular structure on top of another. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of retainers for maintaining a wall in a selected position relative to a floor and ceiling.

Abstract: An improved dowel or tying bar and joint construction for transferring stresses across a joint between concrete slabs or structures and accommodating for shrinkage and expansion of concrete. The bar has a resilient facing attached to at least one side of the bar so that the concrete slab or structure can move in relationship to the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the resilient facing. The bar is arranged across the joint in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by the joint.

Abstract: A fire barrier partition having a body with a cavity for receiving and containing molten insulation is disclosed for use in building constructions. The partition is supported between building members in positively wedged engagement. The partition may support a cover which restricts the flow of oxygen into the cavity while allowing molten insulation to flow freely into the partition cavity.

Abstract: In a fastening arrangement for louver slats arranged below one another on a facade supporting structure, with supporting profiles which extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the louver and to which are fastened brackets which hold the slats in at least two places and which have a leg resting against the supporting profile and a leg projecting at an angle from the supporting profile, assembly without a tool becomes possible and a specific distance between the slats is set automatically if the supporting profile (4) is designed as a rail, in the longitudinal direction of which the brackets (2) are held displaceably by means of extensions (3) on the legs (5) resting against the supporting profile (4), and if the extensions (3) have, at the bottom end of the bracket (2), a receiving space (15), into which a filler piece (19) of the lower bracket (2) can be pushed with a clamping effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling bags with a material and for sealing them, and it can carry the bags in a direction of a bag thickness. A first feature of the present invention resides in that, in the case that the bags are arranged between a pair of chain conveyors disposed in parallel vertical planes, they are gripped by plural pairs of grippers mounted on a pair of axes extending through each rectangular parallelepiped carrier. Further, a second feature of the present invention is that the apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with nozzles for introducing a compressed gas into the bags and pressure gauges for measuring a pressure within the bags in order to detect whether or not each bag is normally gripped by the grippers. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is that a return pipe is fixed to a filling device so that the filling material may be returned to a storage tank, without being discharged therethrough, by closing the filling nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling bags with a material and for sealing them, and it can carry the bags in a direction of a bag thickness. A first feature of the present invention resides in that, in the case that the bags are arranged between a pair of chain conveyors disposed in parallel vertical planes, they are gripped by plural pairs of grippers mounted on a pair of axes extending through each rectangular parallelepiped carrier. Further, A second feature of the present invention is that the apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with nozzles for introducing a compressed gas into the bags and pressure gauges for measuring a pressure within the bags in order to detect whether or not each bag is normally gripped by the grippers. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is that a return pipe is fixed to a filling device so that the filling material may be returned to a storage tank, without being discharged therethrough, by closing the filling nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles of roughly equal size in package means therefor and method of making such apparatus are provided wherein such apparatus comprises a first conveyor device for the articles with the first conveyor device having a plurality of receptacles each for receiving and supporting an individual one of the articles, a second conveyor device for moving a plurality of packages for the articles, and a transfer device for transferring a predetermined number of the articles from the first conveyor device into associated packages therefor wherein the first and second conveyor devices have portions thereof in parallel facing relation and the apparatus further comprises a drive for operating the conveyor devices in a continuous non-indexing manner to thereby continuously package the predetermined number of articles in an associated package.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming floppy disk envelopes. Envelope blanks are manipulated while attached to a continuous web of envelope material to facilitate handling and alignment of the blanks. Initially, fold lines are impressed into the envelope blanks to define the precise dimensions of the envelope. Envelope flaps are then partially folded to define a receptacle into which the disk media is then inserted. The remaining flaps are then folded and sealed, and lastly the folded envelope is detached from the continuous web. A particular apparatus for impressing the envelope blanks includes a male die, female die cavity, and mechanism for reciprocating the dies. The preferred score profile includes a pair of radii joined by a hinge section.

Abstract: A supply device with a vibrating cylindrical container for the supply of products, via a multiple channel device, to machines for blister packaging, in which the container has a vertical axis which is eccentric with respect to the vertical axis of the vibrator device and has an annular base which develops in an ascending manner over a first portion starting from the multiple channel device, followed by a second portion which develops conventionally. Guide and flow stop means are provided along the base sections with ascending and conventional development as well as supply means for supplying the products into the peripheral zone of the container and suction means to suction the dust and/or fragments of products below the base of the container at the opposite sides of the multiple channel device.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a sheet of material about an object to produce a decorative cover for the object. The cover forming apparatus includes a cover former having an object opening formed through a portion thereof which is adapted to receive the object. The cover former includes portions forming resilient contactors which are adapted to resiliently engage portions of the sheet of material for pressing the engaged portions of the sheet of material against the object when the sheet of material and the object are passed through the object opening. The cover forming apparatus particularly is useful for forming the sheet of material about flower pots to form a decorative flower pot cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to a riding mower comprising a chassis supporting a driving unit intended to propell the wheels of the mower as well as a cutting attachment which is provided on the mower. The cutting attachment is movably fastened to the chassis and can by means of an operating device be brought from a lower cutting position to an upper non cutting position. The mower has a movable part shaped as a guard (58) which joins the chassis (10) and at least partially hides the cutting attachment (11) the guard being connected to the cutting attachment in order to follow its movement.

Abstract: A harvester having a mobile base unit adapted for movement over the ground, a transversely extending crop harvesting header supported from the base unit for allowing pivotal movement about a generally fore-and-aft axis of the machine, and a lateral flotation system for pivoting the header about the generally fore-and-aft axis is disclosed wherein the lateral flotation system includes a two way hydraulic actuator means extending between the header and the base unit for pivoting the header in the one or the other direction and positioning the header in a nominal position intermediate opposed extreme positions prior to starting flotation operation, a pressure source coupled by a pair of pressure fluid supply lines to the hydraulic actuator means, and energy storage means connected to the hydraulic actuator means.

Abstract: A skid device adapted to be removably attached to standard tined lawn rakes is provided. The device maintains the tines of the rake above the surface to be raked so to ease both the effort required to pull the rake and the damage caused to the substrate under the material to be raked, while allowing thorough raking action. The device is readily removable to allow standard raking action when desired.

Abstract: A cutting machine for use in agriculture, viticulture and arboriculture has at least one cutting assembly constituted by a plurality of superposed cutting tools, each cutting tool comprising a rotary circular cage provided with peripheral openings, and a member disposed in the cage and taking part in the cutting action, the improvement being that the cage and the member disposed therein are made in a complementary manner and are associated so as to constitute a system of blade and counter blade producing a cut by shearing action.

Abstract: Fuel gas (typically taken from a source of natural gas associated with oil deposits) is burnt with air in a turbine 2 to produce a gaseous mixture comprising nitrogen, combustion products and oxygen. The mixture cotnains less than 20% by volume of oxygen. The mixture is cooled in a cooler 4 by heat exchange with water and then compressed in a compressor 6 which is driven by the turbine 2. The compressed gaseous mixture is separated typically by pressure swing adsorption to produce a gaseous nitrogen product suitable for use in the enhanced recovery of oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically maintaining gas turbine NO.sub.x emissions at a substantially constant level during all ambient conditions and for no load to full load fuel flows. The required water/fuel ratio is calculated for a substantially constant level of NO.sub.x emissions at the given operating conditions and, knowing the actual fuel flow to the gas turbine, a signal is generated representing the water metering valve position necessary to inject the proper water flow into the combustor to achieve the desired water/fuel ratio.

Abstract: Energy is recovered from low calorific value gas by means of a gas turbine. Heat is recovered from the turbine exhaust by indirect heat exchange with water. The resultant hot water is used to saturate the fuel and, optionally, also the combustion air, and/or to aid regeneration of an absorbent used in a wet process to remove carbon dioxide from the gas prior to combustion.Preferably the low calorific value gas is waste gas from a PSA process used to remove impurities in the production of a hydrogen-containing gas stream from a raw gas made by primary/secondary steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock at superatmospheric pressure and the turbine drives the secondary reformer air compressor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for extending the performance life of a gas turbine engine by rotating the turbine after shutdown to achieve uniform cooling. The apparatus includes a motor, a high ratio gearset engaged with the motor, an overridable coupling means engaging the gearset with an accessory shaft of the turbine, and a logic circuit. The circuit determines when the engine has been shut down and continues to rotate the turbine for a predetermined period of time. If an external force interferes with the post-shutdown turning, the circuit will sense that force and compensate for it.

Abstract: An emission current control system for balancing the individual emission currents from an array of hollow cathodes has current sensors for determining the current drawn by each cathode from a power supply. Each current sensor has an output signal which has a magnitude proportional to the current. The current sensor output signals are averaged, the average value so obtained being applied to a respective controller for controlling the flow of an ion source material through each cathode. Also applied to each controller are the respective sensor output signals for each cathode and a common reference signal. The flow of source material through each hollow cathode is thereby made proportional to the current drawn by that cathode, the average current drawn by all of the cathodes, and the reference signal. Thus, the emission current of each cathode is controlled such that each is made substantially equal to the emission current of each of the other cathodes.

Abstract: In a liquid-propellant management system for providing substantially gas-free liquid propellant to thrusters of a space vehicle, a storage tank (10) has an opening (11) through which liquid propellant is delivered via a line (13) to the thrusters. A trap (14) is secured within the tank (10) adjacent the opening (11). and an exit port (15) of the trap (14) is aligned with the opening (11) of the tank (10). A liner (16) is secured inside the trap(14) to define a volume between an interior surface portion of the trap (14) and the liner (16), which volume communicates via the exit port (15) and the opening (11) with the line (13). Liquid propellant enters into the trap (14) through an inlet window screen (27), and passes through porous windows (28) in the liner (16) into the volume between the trap (14) and the liner (16). Vanes (19) are secured to the exterior surface of the trap (14) and extend into the interior of the tank (14) and the liner (16).