Abstract:
An inert gas shielded tungsten arc welder of the type wherein a tungsten electrode is shielded within a flowing inert gas, and, an arc, following ignition, burns between the energized tungsten electrode and a workpiece. In combination with the tungsten electrode, a starting laser focused upon the tungsten electrode which to ignite the electrode heats a spot on the energized electrode sufficient for formation of a thermionic arc. Interference problems associated with high frequency starters are thus overcome by making such starters obsolete.
Abstract:
Net shape or near net shape metal rod or wire (3) is rapidly solidified. Molten metal (7) is delivered to a semi-cylindrical casting channel (2) in a chill block (1) from a tundish (4) through a critically-designed metering system comprising a drain (6), an orifice formed of the casting channel (2) and a complementary volume control channel (5), and a barrier (8) which directs molten metal to the volume-control orifice.
Abstract:
A novel optically clear combination which is a composition of matter. The disclosed composition is an EPDM vulcanizate of remarkable clarity, the formulation of which involves a synergistic combination of EPDM elastomer, fumed silica, coupling agent, antioxidant, at least one and preferably two curing coagents, and preferably an antistatic agent.
Abstract:
A composite assembly knurling tool for forming uniformly-spaced horizontal serrations continuous across the surface of a metal flake producing drum. The knurling tool comprises an alternating array of spacer (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) and forming discs (16, 18, 20, 22) substantially conforming to the contour of the metal flake producing drum.
Abstract:
Continuous chemical and biological reactions may be carried out in a liquid fluidized reactor (1). Improved mixing and mass transport between gas/liquid/solid phases is provided by fluidizing large particles (2) with a liquid in a dense bed in the bottom of the reactor (1) while recirculating small entrained particles (3) and the liquid through the reactor (1), particle separator (9), external regenerator (10) and conduits (7) and (8) back through the dense bed of large particles (2).
Abstract:
Bioluminescent chemical system capable of detecting the presence of one or more chemical agents in a vapor, aerosol, or liquid medium by using substrains of photoluminescent microorganisms derived by genetic mutation from a parent strain. For the detection of a specific chemical agent, sensitive and resistant substrains are genetically selected from the same parent strain of photoluminescent microorganisms. The light emission of the sensitive substrain decreases in the presence of the specific chemical agent. In contrast, the light output of the resistant substrain does not change or does not change in parallel with the light output of the sensitive substrain, when exposed to the same chemical agent. The relative difference in photoluminescence between the sensitive and resistive substrain is compared so as to indicate the quantity or presence of the chemical agent. In order to allow the genetically selected substrains to be stored for long periods of time between the time of genetic selection and the ultimate use, the substrains are lyophilized. Just prior to use, the substrains are activated by mixing the microorganisms with an activation solution so as to restore their luminescence.
Abstract:
A method of producing a porous coating (26) on preselected areas of a prosthesis (25) and the resulting implant (10) having a unique porous coating (26). Preselected surface areas are covered by a blend of matching primary metallic particles and expendable particles. The particles are compressed (20) and heated (21) to assure that deformation and metallurgical bonding occurs both between them and at the surface boundaries of the implant element (10). Porosity is achieved by removal of the expandable material (24). The result is a coating (26) including discrete bonded particles separated by a network of interconnected voids presenting a homogeneous porous coating (26) about the substrate (10).
Abstract:
A smooth roll skimmer (36) may be used in the casting of strip (34) by the melt drag process to provide gauge control and a smooth upper surface. Liquid metal (32) is cast on a moving chilled substrate (33) where it solidifies to a strip. The skimmer (36) is positioned above the substrate (33) and at a fixed gap therefrom by convenient means, e.g., by a rolling spacer (37) between the casting surface and the roll skimmer. The roll skimmer is not chilled and is not used to solidify the liquid. It meters and smooths the liquid prior to solidification on the substrate. A parting agent may be used on the roll skimmer to prevent sticking and to reduce heat transfer. A carbonaceous soot from a partially combusted hydrocarbon fuel is a useful parting agent.
Abstract:
The pool (11) to be filamented is liquefied by heating in a crucible (10). A disk (15) having an edge (16) immersed in the molten pool (11) rotates at high velocity and drives the pool outwards in the form of a ribbon (7) which breaks up into pieces forming the required particles. The portion of the pool in contact with the disk (15) is constantly replenished and, owing to the use of heating means (30), has sufficient fluidity to satisfy the conditions for extraction, the molten pool (11) being continuously moved horizontally with respect to the disk (15).
Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring loads transmitted via wheels to a track from vehicles travelling thereon, comprises means responsive to load at a plurality of approximately equally spaced locations on a selected portion of the track at least about equal in length to the circumference of a typical wheel passing thereover, for providing a signal that is a function of the largest load on the track from each wheel, means responsive to the signal for comparing each largest load with at least one selected load level, and means responsive to the load comparing means for identifying each wheel from which any load greater than a selected level was transmitted.