Abstract:
A 3-phase, alternating current, speed-changing electric motor or generator with speed-changing effected by pole-amplitude modification. The machine has a winding layout providing a first pole-number. The second pole-number requires the reversal in polarity of all poles in each negative half wave of a sinusoidal pole-amplitude modulation wave extending the 360* of the winding periphery. Pole-amplitudes, determined by coil-grouping, approximate to the sinusoidal amplitude of the modulation wave at the pole-locations. Pole-locations are substantially equally spaced-apart throughout, but coil-groups at the zero-amplitude positions of the modulation wave may be omitted (so-called ''''phantom'''' coil-groups). Integral coil-group values approximating closely to the sine wave amplitude values at the corresponding pole-locations, are used.
Abstract:
A hip joint prosthesis is provided with a socket member for the acetabular cavity and a cap member for the femoral head, both members being formed with grooves for fixation to exposed cancellous bone in association with gap-filling medium. The cap member has a major-spherical-segment outer bearing surface, and a coaxial cylindrical inner fixation surface with axial and circumferential grooves to receive said medium. The socket member has a spherically shaped inner bearing surface of not more than hemispherical extent to articulate with the cap member, and an outer fixation surface of hemispherical shape with coaxial annular grooves to receive said medium. The socket and cap members can be respectively of metal and plastics material, in which case the socket is of relatively thin, regular hemispherical form; or these materials can be reversed in which case the socket bearing surface is of minor-spherical-segment shape and can be eccentric to its fixation surface to provide greater thickness remote from its mouth.
Abstract:
An anemometer is described in which a pulse of electric current is passed through a first wire to heat gas passing over the wire. Two further wires on either side of the first wire are connected in a bridge circuit to sense the heated gas. The velocity of the gas is indicated by automatically measuring the time between the heating pulse and the sensing of the heated gas by one of the further wires. In order to reduce the effect of signals induced electromagnetically in the sensing wires by the heating pulse an inhibit circuit constructed to introduce as little disturbance as possible, is coupled between the bridge and the time measuring circuits. The inhibit circuit has two paths which are both operative until after the induced pulse has occurred. The outputs from these paths are as far as possible, equal and opposite, and therefore cancel until one path is rendered inoperative before the pulse to be sensed occurs.
Abstract:
A catalyst material is described having the general formula: (AxB1 x) (C)O3 y AND WHICH HAS A PEROVSKITE STRUCTURE AND THE CATIONS A, B and C are given certain limitations. The catalyst is particularly suited to use in relation to the induction of oxygen in alkaline solution and it has the ability to set up a reversible oxygen electrode potential over a wide range of temperature and oxygen partial pressures.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a process and furnace by means of which a wide variety of high temperature reactions can be carried out. The furnace is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and has an exit orifice in its base. Arc or plasma heating means are provided in the roof of the furnace for melting the contents of the furnace so that the molten layer so formed will approximate to a paraboloid of revolution when the furnace is rotated. By controlling the input of material to the furnace, the rate of withdrawal of molten material from an exit orifice in the base of the furnace, and the energy input to the furnace a stable continuous process can be achieved.
Abstract:
A miniature pressure transducer of particular application in surgery is mounted at the tip of a catheter and operates to cause movement of a liquid-gas interface in a capillary tube in response to pressure on the deformable wall of a liquid-filled reservoir. The interface position is sensed in terms of electrical parameters and communicated through the bore of the catheter to external measurement apparatus.
Abstract:
Fibre reinforced cementitious products are described comprising glass fibrous material distributed throughout a cement matrix, in which the glass is one having per se a degree of alkali resistance such that when tested in the form of an abraded fibre of length 2 1/2 inches and diameter of from 0.4 to 1.0 X 10 3 inches said fibre has a tensile strength of at least 100,000 p.s.i. after treatment with saturated aqueous Ca(OH)2 solution at 100*C. for 4 hours followed by successive washings at ambient temperature with water, then with aqueous hydrochloric acid (1%) for 1 minute, water, acetone, following by drying, said fibre experiencing not more than 10% reduction in diameter during said test. The reinforcement of Portland cement structures by fibres of diameter 0.4 to 1.0 X 10 3 and lengths of up to 4 inches is described. Alkali resistant glasses useful for production of these products comprise the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses including those in the anorthite field, silica zirconia glasses, and silica stannic oxide glasses. The products have outstanding durability and impact resistance.
Abstract:
A galvanic cell is described which is capable of implantation in living tissue. The cell is essentially a metal/oxygen cell and is covered with or encapsulated in a layer of material in the form of an oxygen permeable membrane, the anode and cathode components being separated by a barrier which is relatively impermeable to oxygen and not permeable to larger molecules, such as oxides of the metal, while allowing hydroxyl ions to diffuse through it.
Abstract:
An endoprosthetic ankle joint device is provided including a tibial component in the form of a trough defining a concave surface and a talar component having a generally complementary convex surface which is received in the trough in mutual bearing engagement for articulation about the trough long axis. The concave and convex surfaces can have a cross-sectional profile which is wholly formed by revolution of said long axis, or partly so in the centre with rectilinear end parts, but in either case the included angle of this profile is larger for the concave surface. Also, these surfaces can be cylindrical with the profile curves of the same radius, or the convex surface can be convexly longitudinally curved to allow additional articulation orthogonal to the first articulation. In any case the trough ends provide stability in the longitudinal direction. The components can be secured to their respective bones with gap-filling cement by providing grooved or equivalent formations remote from the bearing surfaces.
Abstract:
A method of alternating-current gas-shielded arc welding is described, the method being particularly suitable for welding aluminium, its alloys and similar materials. The method employs an arc current which alternates rapidly in polarity and the mean value of which is varied over relatively long intervals. The current magnitude is preferably increased gradually from zero, held constant and then reduced gradually to zero, with the above mentioned mean value variation superimposed. Apparatus for carrying out the method is described, which includes an inverter using thyristors as active elements to control arc current magnitude and to give the required rapid current reversals.