A method is presented for preparing a boride layer on a transition metal substrate for use in corrosive environments or as a harden surface in machine applications. This method is particularly useful in treating current collectors for use within a high temperature and corrosive electrochemical cell environment. A melt of a alkali metal boride tetrafluoride salt including such as KF to lower its melting point is prepared including a dissolved boron containing material, for instance NiB, MnB/sub 2/, or CrB/sub 2/. A transition metal to be coated is immersed in the melt at a temperature of no more than 700/sup 0/C and a surface boride layer of that transition metal is formed within a period of about 24 hours on the substrate surface.

The present invention is directed to the extraction of energy values from oil shale containing considerable concentrations of calcium carbonate in an efficient manner. The volatiles are separated from the oil shale in a retorting zone of a fluidized bed where the temperature and the concentration of oxygen are maintained at sufficiently low levels so that the volatiles are extracted from the oil shale with minimal combustion of the volatiles and with minimal calcination of the calcium carbonate. These gaseous volatiles and the calcium carbonate flow from the retorting zone into a freeboard combustion zone where the volatiles are burned in the presence of excess air. In this zone the calcination of the calcium carbonate occurs but at the expense of less Btu's than would be required by the calcination reaction in the event both the retorting and combustion steps took place simultaneously. The heat values in the products of combustion are satisfactorily recovered in a suitable heat exchange system.

Nuclear reactor core safety rod release apparatus comprises a control rod having a detent notch in the form of an annular peripheral recess at its upper end, a control rod support tube for raising and lowering the control rod under normal conditions, latches pivotally mounted on the control support tube with free ends thereof normally disposed in the recess in the control rod, and cam means for pivoting the latches out of the recess in the control rod when a scram condition occurs. One embodiment of the invention comprises an additonal magnetically-operated latch for releasing the control rod under two different conditions, one involving seismic shock.

An improved method and apparatus are given for producing cryogenic inertially driven fusion targets in the fast isothermal freezing (FIF) method. Improved coupling efficiency and greater availability of volume near the target for diagnostic purposes and for fusion driver beam propagation result. Other embodiments include a new electrical switch and a new explosive detonator, all embodiments making use of a purposeful heating by means of optical fibers.

Patent for a process of manufacturing artificial stone in which “it will not cracked by reason of exposure and which may be readily engraved, impressed or otherwise marked to form letters, characters, emblems and etc….” (Lines 16-20). No illustration.

Patent for an improved self-setting trap that can capture and kill animals while preventing them from reaching the bait.

Patent for cord wood saw cradle. Illustration included.

Patent for a brake mechanism for rail hand cars.Illustration included.

Patent for "improvements in clevises or draw-bars for plows and other similar implements" (Lines 8 – 10) including illustrations.

Patent for an improvement in the construction and design of combined cotton and corn planters.

Patent for a simple and inexpensive andiron that can easily be moved and holds the logs in place. "The invention consists of an andiron having two dogs or members connected together and a fender removably connected to the front of said dogs and extending over the intervening space or opening" (lines 9-14).

Patent for corn-toppers for cutting off the heads of Kafir corn, milo maze, and other similar grain plants.

Patent for "an attachment for plows, cultivators or the like whereby the implement may readily be provided with wing sweeps without disarrangement or reconstruction of the old parts of implement, and in such connection it relates more particularly to the form, constuction and arrangement of the attachment" (lines 9-16).

Patent for a new and improved water mill. This design "relates to current water-mills, the object being to provide a mill of inexpensive and durable construction, having a wheel adapted to rise and fall with the tide, and thus to maintain a constant revolution and working of the mill. The invention consists in the combination of parts" (lines 11-18).

Patent for an improvement on sulky-plows which allows it to be adjusted for different uses.

Patent for improving fire-escapes and provides a portable instrument that "may be used for letting persons directly down from buildings, or for carrying them from the upper stories of buildings to others buildings at a distance" (lines 9-12).

Patent for improvements in fences: "simple and cheap construction, strong, and durable" (lines 21-22).

Patent for "...an improved construction and arrangement of trailers and has for an object that provision of means which will allow as easy turning movement where a number of trailers are connected while admitting of strain between the various trailers, whereby they are propelled properly around a curve." (lines 5-15) including illustrations.

Patent for a new and improved well-bucket. This design consists in "the cylinder or body, the flaring bottom rim or hoop provided on its inner surface with suitable screw-threads, and also having on its lower peripheral portion diametrically-opposed lugs or projections, the perforated bottom pieced provided with suitable threads upon its peripheral portion, the upper curved or arched guide-arm having a central perforation and provided with screw-threaded ends having shoulders bearing against the upper side of the bottom of the bucket, said ends also passing through perforations" (lines 39-50).

Patent for a spading-machine that "can be propelled by any mechanism desired and which has soil engaging devices mounted in a novel manner whereby, as the machine is moved forwardly, said devices will be forced downwardly into the soil and then lifted upwardly so as to lift or break the soil." (lines 11-17) including instructions and illustrations.

Patent for a new and improved compacter. This design "has relation to portable pressure-devices for use in casks, boxes, barrels, or other receptacles; and the invention consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the pointed dogs and cam-levers pivoted together, and in the combination therewith of a pivot-bolt having its nut secured by means of a locking-key" (lines 20-27).

Patent for new and useful Improvements in Time-Controlling Mechanism "designed more particularly for the automatic operation of electric switches, circuit closers, and the like" (lines 13-15), including illustrations and instructions. A main object of the invention is to provide a time controlling mechanism for alarm clocks to "intermittently operate the electric switch or other movable member at pre-determined intervals" (lines 19-21).

Patent for a nailless horseshoe made of adjustable metallic straps, including illustrations.

Patent for steam heater to keep cooked food warm, suitable for smaller hotels, restaurants, and other venues, who could not afford larger, more elaborate steam heaters, including illustrations.