A method is described for the safe operation of a complex system such as a nuclear reactor using a digital computer. The computer is supplied with a data base containing a list of the safe state of the reactor and a list of operating instructions for achieving a safe state when the actual state of the reactor does not correspond to a listed safe state, the computer selects operating instructions to return the reactor to a safe state.

A conveying device is provided in a chamber (16) for conveying articles from an inlet (15) to an outlet (20). The device comprises a base support (53) upon which articles rest and an inclined side support (54). Both supports (53, 54) are movable relative to end walls (42, 43) of the chamber (16) and relative to each other to move articles towards the outlet (20) and then to create a void adjacent the inlet (15).

Rest room partition mounting brackets are formed from two of four possible extruded bracket halves which may be joined in pairs to form any of twelve different brackets for mounting rest room separating panels. The bracket halves are extrusions of generally uniform cross-sectional configuration, but have periodic screw-accepting holes and opposed periodic notches which notches are alignable with one another to form central mounting screw accepting apertures. By selecting two of four possible bra...

A device is disclosed for transporting and storing cigarettes. High performance packaging machines require a correspondingly large stock of cigarettes. Several containers (21) are fixedly assembled into a storage unit (20). Each container (21) receives a large number of cigarettes. The containers (21) are filled and emptied through an opening (26) arranged in the bottom wall (28) without any change in their relative position. A conveyor (16) for filling and emptying the containers (21) is also d...

A composite material includes an elastomer matrix forming a basic component of the material. There is included a cross-linking system of the elastomer matrix and at least one fiber reinforcement including fibers with a maximum length of about 30 mm. The fibers are disposed throughout the elastomer matrix and are generally oriented to extend in a first direction of reinforcement. There is at least one thermosetting resin in the elastomer matrix. The elastomer matrix which includes the cross-linki...

A composite material includes an elastomer matrix forming a basic component of the material. There is included a cross-linking system of the elastomer matrix and at least one fiber reinforcement including fibers with a maximum length of about 30 mm. The fibers are disposed throughout the elastomer matrix and are generally oriented to extend in a first direction of reinforcement. There is at least one thermosetting resin in the elastomer matrix. The elastomer matrix which includes the cross-linki...

A composite material for a transmission belt includes an elastomer matrix forming a basic component of the material. There is included a cross-linking system of the elastomer matrix and at least one fiber reinforcement including fibers with a maximum length of about 30 mm. The fibers are disposed throughout the elastomer matrix and are generally oriented to extend in a first direction of reinforcement. There is at least one thermosetting resin in the elastomer matrix. The elastomer matrix which ...

A connector for connecting pipes having an inner portion and an outer portion surrounding at least a part of the inner portion. The outer portion having areas of reduced diameter therein to form a housing or groove in the outer portion for a clamp.

A process for the co-production of a diol product (e.g. butane-1,4-diol) and a cyclic ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran) by hydrogenation of an aliphatic diester or lactone feedstock (e.g. dimethyl or diethyl maleate), which contains a minor amount of acidic material, such as the corresponding monoester. The process utilizes a plurality of hydrogenation zones connected in series, each containing a charge of a granular ester hydrogenation catalyst. The catalyst in the first hydrogenation zone is tolera...

A transmission mechanism for continuously variable transmissions comprises at least one endless flexible connecting element which is non-metallic, flexible, quasi-inextensible longitudinally, and a plurality of transverse links, also non-metallic. Each link includes at least one groove in which is engaged the endless flexible connecting element. The transmission mechanism is further characterized by the fact that the coefficient of friction between the endless flexible connecting element and the...