Abstract: An improved fully mechanized sawmill is provided which is composed of structurally independent modules which are removably mounted on a platform composed of a plurality of side-by-side longerons supported horizontally on files of spaced-apart vertical piers and columns. The longerons provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the files of piers and columns perpendicularly to the cutting axis of the sawmill, and the modules mounted thereon provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the ranks of the piers and columns parallel to the cutting axis. In addition, improved mechanisms and techniques are provided for handling and selecting the sawlogs to be cut, for selecting and distributing the pieces cut therefrom according to shape and utility, and for stacking and handling the distributed pieces at preselected locations according to shape and utility.

Abstract: A large area photovoltaic cell comprising a layer of multicrystalline cadmium sulfide, about 1 to 2 microns thick, formed by simultaneously spraying two suitably selected compounds on a uniformly heated plate of Nesa glass, thereafter forming a coating of Cu.sub.2 S over the cadmium sulfide layer while the latter is heated, to form a photovoltaic heterojunction, applying thereover a layer of CuSO.sub.4, and applying electrodes of Cu and Zn, respectively, to separated areas of the layer of CuSO.sub.4, and heating the cell to form a cuprous oxide rectifying junction under the copper electrode by reaction of the Cu electrode with the CuSO.sub.4, while diffusing the zinc through the body of the cell. The diffusion of the zinc provides a negative electrode coplanar with the positive copper electrode, eliminating any need for introducing mechanically complex provision for making a connection to the Nesa glass, while the use of a CuSO.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving the fuel consumption ratio of a motor vehicle by delivering a preselected quantity of fuel to operate the motor, measuring the distance the vehicle travels on the fuel supplied and displaying the measured distance in units of distance traveled to fuel consumed, such as miles per gallon or the like. Fuel delivery and distance measurement are simultaneously initiated manually and are simultaneously terminated automatically upon completion of fuel delivery with the measured distance remaining displayed until the apparatus is reset.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for celestial navigation. A reference spherical triangle is established from the coordinates of the ground position of an observed selected celestial body and an assumed position for the observer. A second right spherical triangle is then derived from a functional relationship between the first triangle and the observed height of the celestial body. The location of the end of the hypotenuse of the second triangle opposite the ground position defines a point of position on a line of position for the observer. The compass bearing for the line of position is functionally derived from conventional relationships and the line of position may be plotted through the point of position. Plotting means are provided to maintain the spaced relationship between lines of longitude and lines of latitude as a function of latitude for a mercator map projection and to directly plot the point of position on the plotting means.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved stop and loader assembly for use in a sawmill and the like, and more particularly includes an improved combination slapper bar and log turner. The combination slapper bar and log turner preferably includes a rectangular hollow slapper bar section which contains a movable member having a plurality of teeth pivotally attached thereto. A fluid-actuated piston assembly is provided for drawing the movable member and teeth longitudinally in and out of the slapper bar. A slot is further provided in the upper end of the slapper bar and adjacent any sawlog reposing on the carriage next to the slapper bar, whereby the teeth fall out of the slapper bar in an extended position to engage the log when the movable member is thrust upward in the slapper bar, and whereby the teeth fold into the slapper bar whenever the movable member is drawn downward therein.

Abstract: A timber stacking assembly having at least one elongated lifting arm, means for moving said lifting arm from a first position to a second position, a stacking foot element associated with said lifting arm adjacent one end thereof, means for pivotally mounting said stacking foot element with respect to said lifting arm, and latching means associated with said stacking foot element for locking said stacking foot element against pivoting movement when said lifting arm is in said first position and for unlocking said stacking foot element for pivoting movement when said lifting arm is in said second position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved stop and loader assembly for use in a sawmill and the like, and more particularly includes an improved combination slapper bar and log turner. The combination slapper bar and log turner preferably includes a rectangular hollow slapper bar section which contains a movable member having a plurality of teeth pivotally attached thereto. A fluid-actuated piston assembly is provided for drawing the movable member and teeth longitudinally in and out of the slapper bar. A slot is further provided in the upper end of the slapper bar and adjacent any sawlog reposing on the carriage next to the slapper bar, whereby the teeth fall out of the slapper bar in an extended position to engage the log when the movable member is thrust upward in the slapper bar, and whereby the teeth fold into the slapper bar whenever the movable member is drawn downward therein.

Abstract: A method of forming a cadmium sulfide film from a solution containing a cadmium salt and a sulfur containing compound comprising inclusion of a chlorine containing compound in the solution utilized to form the cadmium sulfide film.

Abstract: A method of making low cost photovoltaic cells on a large scale basis by means of a continuous process of coating sheet glass while the sheet glass moves in and has its under surface immersed in a tank of molten material, comprising forming the film of CdS microcrystals on the glass sheet, which has previously been coated with transparent SnO.sub.x to a thickness of about 0.3 to 0.6 microns. A water solution of a cadmium salt, a sulphur compound, and an aluminum containing soluble compound is intermittenty sprayed on said glass while its exposed surface is maintained at a constant temperature in the range 500.degree. F to 1100.degree. F and while irradiating the surface with intense ultraviolet light so as to form a film of CdS microcrystals. This CdS film has Al impregnated within the stratum of the film adjacent to the SnO.sub.x, but only optionally has Al impregnated in the stratum of the CdS film adjacent to the exposed surface of the CdS film.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a biological source of electrical power is provided. The electrical power source comprises a pair of electrodes formed of elements having differing electromotive force. Interposed between the electrodes and in contact with them is an electrolytic material comprising an aqueous brine solution containing coexistent aerobic and anaerobic bacteria derived from a marine organism source mixed with a bacteria nutrient and filler composed of a finely divided cellulose material. All of the aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria is absorbed and carried by the finely divided cellulose material insuring that no free liquid remains. The aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria acts as the electrolyte for the power source and when an external load is applied to the terminals a usable voltage and current are produced.

Abstract: A reaction tie-down system for axially load testing foundation members is provided by removably interconnecting a plurality of high tensile strength bar members from a base plate within a concrete anchor shaft through an adaptor to load-carrying girders. Hydraulic jacks apply an axial load between the foundation shaft which is to be tested and the girders. The reaction force to this axial load is provided by the reaction tie-down system wherein the force is transmitted from the girder through the rods to the anchor shafts and through the anchor shafts to the surrounding soil. The bar members are arranged in a circular pattern for flexibly matching the number of bar members to the anticipated test load. The bar members threadly mate with the base plate and the adaptor and the bar members are removably encased within the concrete anchor shaft by flexible sheaths. All the components are, therefore, reusable except the embedded base plate assembly and flexible sheaths.

Abstract: An adjustable table is provided for use with a hospital bed and which allows a person reclining in the bed to easily change the angle of inclination of the table surface. The planar member is rotatably connected at one end to and extended horizontally outward from a vertical support member by means of frictionally engaged gripping elements. Lifting up on the free end of the planar member disengages the gripping elements whereby the planar member can thereafter be freely tilted or rotated about its longitudinal axis to a selected angle of inclination. Lowering the free end of the planar member to its original position re-engages the gripping elements to fix the planar member at the selected angle of inclination.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for a two-wheel vehicle including a compact body portion carried and supported by wheels, an easily attachable and detachable connector assembly for attaching the trailer to the vehicle, and a kick-stand unit for facilitating ease of handling of the trailer.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a construction hanger for rigidly interconnecting ceiling inverted tee support members and a structural wall channel member is provided, the hanger having a generally U-shaped configuration with a body member and extending depending legs spaced to receive the channel member. The legs are bendable to engage the channel member and securely grip and support the member. In one embodiment, a generally U-shaped gripping means is provided for gripping the inverted tee support member having bendable tabs extending from a generally flat base, the tabs spaced to receive the tee support member and bendable over the flanges of the member to grip it securely. The U-shaped gripping means is pivotally attached to the body member of the hanger.

Abstract: A headband assembly for sensing signals of brain wave frequencies of human subjects that includes an adjustable headband adapted to fit various sized heads, constructed to be quickly attached and detached by the wearer, and including electrodes that are shiftable along the headband and of a construction to penetrate the hair of the subject in making skin contact.

Abstract: In a leaching process to recover a selected element or mineral from a gangue, an AC current is applied to the mixture to accelerate the rate at which chemical reactions occur. If the treated material is located in a subsurface earth formation, the AC current may further generate gases in situ to assist in moving and circulating the leaching solution in the formation and to bring the dissolved mineral value to the surface through a borehole or the like. This acceleration of the chemical reactions can shorten the effective leaching time from weeks or months to a matter of hours or days, thereby greatly affecting the rate of recovery of the mineral value and making such leach mining economical on a commercial basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the vaporized proportion of a stream of volatile liquid fuel supply to an internal combustion engine. The non-volatilized portions of the fuel discharged from the carburetor are traveled over a plurality of flow surfaces, such as the surfaces of a layer of metal balls and the like, whereby the fuel mixture will not only be more evenly distributed, but whereby the liquid portion therein will also convert to a vapor before entering the intake manifold of the engine. In addition, a coil of tubing is also preferably provided with one end arranged to receive fresh air heated by the exhaust manifold of the engine, and with the other end downwardly directed from the layer of balls to the intake manifold, whereby the hot air will not only heat and further enhance vaporization of any remaining fuel liquids, but will also create a downdraft further redistributing the fuel vapor being supplied to the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the destructive distillation of organic waste materials. An insulated sealed distillator compartment is provided having a plurality of conveyor stages for transporting the waste material through the sealed compartment while subjecting the material to a plurality of increased zones of temperature in order to completely pyrolyze the material and evolve pyrolysis gases. An auger feed apparatus supplys a continuous supply of material to the sealed distillator, while an auger discharge apparatus removes a continuous supply of solid carbonaceous residue from the distillator. The residue can be classified and separated into usable products. The evolved gases may be converted into crude oil and natural gas. A process for destructive distillation of the waste materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus include providing an electrode disposed in a plurality of vertically spaced boreholes penetrating the formation. The plurality of electrodes in contact with the salt water and oil of the formation are connected to a source of electrical power for establishing an AC electrical field of current flow between the spaced elctrodes. The electrodes are insulated from the earth structure surrounding the borehole for preventing an electrical current path between the electrodes and the earth structure for isolating the electrical current path from the electrode into the formation. The AC electrical current path through the formation generates volumes of free hydrogen in the formation where it is trapped for increasing the formation pressure. The increased pressure of the formation will drive the oil into producing boreholes spaced from the electrode boreholes.

Abstract: An inflatable delta wing kite having a single air chamber formed of a bulbous nose portion and three frusto conical shaped tubular portions forming structural beams, one beam extending along the central longitudinal axis, and the other two forming the leading edges of the kite, the terminal end of the central beam forming a filler tube; generally triangularly shaped, uninflated sections forming airfoils are located between the central and edge beams. The kite has a laterally extending string attaching member having a plurality of string locations, and a pendulum-like gravity stabilizer attached to the terminal end of the central beam. A method for fabricating the kite is also disclosed.