A method and apparatus are described for determining the absorption spectra, and other properties, of aerosol particles. A heating beam source provides a beam of electromagnetic energy which is scanned through the region of the spectrum which is of interest. Particles exposed to the heating beam which have absorption bands within the band width of the heating beam absorb energy from the beam. The particles are also illuminated by light of a wave length such that the light is scattered by the particles. The absorption spectra of the particles can thus be determined from an analysis of the scattered light since the absorption of energy by the particles will affect the way the light is scattered. Preferably the heating beam is modulated to simplify the analysis of the scattered light. In one embodiment the heating beam is intensity modulated so that the scattered light will also be intensity modulated when the particles absorb energy. In another embodiment the heating beam passes through an interferometer and the scattered light reflects the Fourier Transform of the absorption spectra.

Patent for a railway-switch by enabling the switch operate automatically when a train is passing by. Illustration is included.

Patent for an animal trap. Illustrations included.

Patent for a corn popper used for popping corn and general cooking. Illustrations included.

Patent for a corn popper. Illustrations included.

Patent for "a simple and inexpensive construction of hook which is capable of ready and convenient adjustment and with which different articles of cloth, such as may be on hand, may be used as a back-band, and also so formed as to prevent cutting or tearing of the back-band with which it is used and to be quickly and positively clamped in position on the band" (lines 13-21).

Patent for improvement in children’s bibs, by providing bibs with a pocket at its lower end to catch any food or drink that might be dropped or spilled, thereby preventing soiling of the clothes and the carpet or floor. (Lines 12-16) Illustration is included.

Patent for "an adding-machine which, while being constructed of but comparatively few parts, will be so adjusted as arranged as to allow an operator to make rapid and correct calculations; furthermore, to produce an adding-machine in which the operator will be enabled to detect immediately any mistake which he may have made, and, finally, to produce a simple, efficient, and effective adding-machine" (lines 13-22).

Patent for a device for attaching a chord on a merchandise envelope or a similar package that provides "a means for permanently holding one end of the chord in an improved and secure manner, and adapted for temporarily securing the free end when desired" (lines 11-14).

An abrasion resistant coating is created by adding a ductile phase to a brittle matrix phase during spray coating where an Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline phase (brittle matrix) and an FeAl intermetallic (ductile phase) are combined. This composite coating produces a coating mostly of quasicrystal phase and an inter-splat layer of the FeAl phase to help reduce porosity and cracking within the coating. Coatings are prepared by plasma spraying unblended and blended quasicrystal and intermetallic powders. The blended powders contain 1, 5, 10 and 20 volume percent of the intermetallic powders. The unblended powders are either 100 volume percent quasicrystalline or 100 volume percent intermetallic; these unblended powders were studied for comparison to the others. Sufficient ductile phase should be added to the brittle matrix to transform abrasive wear mode from brittle fracture to plastic deformation, while at the same time the hardness of the composite should not be reduced below that of the original brittle phase material.

A syringe-like disposable cutaneous biopsy instrument equipped with a tubular blade at its lower end, and designed so that a vacuum is created during use, said vacuum serving to retain undeformed a plug of tissue cut from a patient's skin.

Patent for a liquid fuel measuring tank that accurately measures fuel and can automatically stop accumulating fuel when a certain amount has been reached, including illustrations.

Patent for "torpedoes of the type used in "shooting" wells, the object being to provide a torpedo which will be especially useful in the removal of casings from wells" (lines 9-13), such as easier removal from dry wells. Also, modifications to the hammer are noted to ensure explosion.

Patent for a knee pad, designed mainly for those who work in cotton fields. Illustrations included.

Patent for the improvement in the manufacture of hydraulic cement with specifications for the manufacturing process and a description of usage.

Patent for a machine for storing the power of wind-engines with design specifications and a description of the process and implementation of usage, including illustrations.

Patent for improving the manner in which leather straps may be cut and avoid slippage.

Patent for improvements in vending machines for the purpose of vending liquids such as gasoline and oils.

Patent for an economically designed harness that can be attached and detached to the animal with greater simplicity.

Patent for a new and improved wheel-hub. This design "has for its object the provision of a simple and effective separable hub composed of the fewest possible number of parts and capable of resisting strain in every direction. [The] hub is made with a central box for receiving the axle spindle, and having a central enlargement or collar on its outer side. The two body portions of the hub are set upon the box and fit up against the collar. They are provided on their opposing faces with lugs, which form the spoke-mortises, and are made plane and straight on one side, while the other side is inclined" (lines 17-30).

Patent for a tool "for truing and dressing the commutators of dynamo motors... especially designed for truing and dressing the commutators of motors employed for propelling cars" (lines 9-14).

Patent for improvements in projectiles for use in smooth-bore guns of any caliber, the same being so grooved or rifled as to insure rapid rotation and great accuracy and range in flight. (Lines 8-11.) Illustration is included.

Patent for improvement in plows by first connecting a furrow-shoe to the moldboard, and second, by provide means for operating the plow-point to make a deep or shallow furrow and for raising and lowering covering-plows simultaneously when the plow is in operation. (Lines 13-20) Illustration is included.

Patent for "a shovel or point attachment for plow-stocks for operation in turf, stubble, or grubby or rocky soil deep or shallow, the attachment being particularly adapted for turning stalks, weeds, grass, and stubble" (lines 11-17).