A logic circuit for use as an arbiter to arbitrate among N devices of a computer system for access to a shared resource. The arbiter generates state variables to represent arbitration win information. The state variables are generated through the use of request for arbitration signals input to the arbiter, present values of the state variables and internally generated intermediate arbitration win signals to provide a cost effective, efficient implementation of the logic required for the arbitrat...

A pressurized incineration method for pressurized incineration of a solid waste material to produce electrical and thermal energy is disclosed. A combustion chamber is fueled by a solid waste fuel. The chamber is pressurized by an air compressor and the fuel is combusted. The hot compressed gases created by combustion pass out of the combustion chamber into an exhaust line that splits so as to provide hot gases to a turbocharger and a separate power recovery turbine. The turbocharger and the pow...

An illumination system of particular use in document copiers wherein an incandescent lamp which may be of the tungsten-halogen type is located at the focal point of a reflector shaped as a conic section such as elliptical cylinder, directing light rays toward an interference filter for separating the IR radiation and redirecting the IR rays back to the incandescent lamp for heating the lamp. Both cold mirror and hot mirror embodiments of the system are disclosed.

An energy efficient skylight construction. A skylight cover is secured by a frame to a curbing comprised of an insulating core, the interior and exterior surfaces of which are covered by non-combustible shields separated along the upper and lower surfaces of the curbing by a gap which serves as a "thermal break" between the highly conductive inner and outer shields. The frame is pierced by drain openings the exterior of which are covered by a filter type material such as foam or glass fibers tha...

Improved sodium-sulfur batteries are provided by enhancing the utilization of active positive-electrode material. In sodium-sulfur batteries, employing a liquid sodium electrode separated from a liquid sulfur electrode by a solid .beta.-alumina electrolyte separator, where the sulfur is impregnated in an electronically conducting matrix such as porous carbon, enhanced utilization of active electrode material is achieved during the charging-discharging cycling by enhancing the electronic resistiv...

In a process for the fractionation of air wherein the air is subjected to rectification in a high-pressure column and a low pressure column, wherein in a liquefaction cycle, nitrogen is withdrawn in the gaseous phase from the head of the high-pressure column and is liquefied by heating, compression, recooling, and expansion and recycled as liquid to the high-pressure column and wherein a gas, e.g., air is withdrawn from the high pressure column, is preheated, and is then expanded through a low-p...

By heat-treating a polymer-type electret that has been subjected to a polarization treatment at temperatures lower than the melting point of the polymer but higher than the glass transition point of the polymer, an unstable hetero-charge component and the homo-charge component can be reduced and a stable hetero-charge can be sustained.

This invention relates to a unique, efficient, concentrated synthetic thickener composition comprising a high molecular weight carboxyvinyl polymer, hydrocarbon solvent and cationic surfactant, a thickened concentrate formed by alkaline neutralization of said composition, an aqueous paste (cut clear) formed by dilution of said concentrate, textile print pastes containing said concentrate, and a method of thickening an aqueous system.

A cyclone separator for the removal of entrained solids from gases, the cyclone separator having a barrel portion and a conical portion which cooperatively define a separation chamber, a gas inlet in open communication with the portion of the separation chamber defined by the barrel portion, a gas outlet tube extending centrally, upwardly from the barrel portion, a solids discharge outlet located at the lower end of the conical section, a solids discharge dipleg conduit in open communication wit...

Apparatus is disclosed for heating hot water in separate tank stages, and according to predetermined cyclic time patterns. A first smaller hot water tank is heated to a first elevated temperature under thermostatic control, and a second larger hot water tank is heated to a second lower temperature under thermostatic control and to a third elevated temperature under thermostatic control during a predetermined time cycle; provision is made for demand override of the heating mechanism of the second...