Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of a high pressure water blast gun as disclosed herein, such gun includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ports and an internal chamber, and a removable valve cartridge in the chamber which includes a guide tube and a valve closure element slidably arranged in the tube. The closure element includes a leading end portion having a peripheral edge that engages an inclined seat surface in the guide tube with line contact on a first diameter, and a trailing end portion which is sealed against the guide tube on a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter to provide a hydraulic bias force that tends to close the valve against the seat. Both hand and foot operated embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and procedural methods for dislodging cells and/or secretions from the uterine walls and cavity and removing them for various diagnostic purposes includes a barrel having a holder/stabilizer adjustably mounted on its upper end and a stopper assembly including an inflatable element mounted on its outer end. The barrel is positioned such that the stopper assembly is seated in the cervix, and the element is inflated to seal the same and to lock the stopper therein. Then a catheter having spray openings, or a stem having a brush on its outer end, is inserted through the barrel and operated to dislodge cells, which then are removed by aspiration or the like.

Abstract: A vertically oriented float assisted automatic driptrap mechanism having a float valve chamber defined by a body section and base is disclosed. A float is located for vertical liquid level responsive movement within the float valve chamber and reciprocates within a valve stem float guide. A diffuser is provided at the inlet of the chamber to prevent impingement of incoming fluid on the float. The valve stem guide also serves as a filter support for a filter which filters out contaminants that might interfere with the valving action of the driptrap mechanism. A valve seat having a tapered seat surface and a self-positioning valve plug movably supported by the valve stem and having a differently tapered sealing surface establish line contact sealing to ensure effective valve operation under high pressure conditions.

Abstract: A lubricant pump (24) for supplying pressurized lubricant to the main bearings (14) of a drive shaft (12) for a steam turbine (10) as shown in FIG. 1. A lubricant pump (24) is positioned between a governor (18) and an adjacent bearing (14) with the governor (18) and lubricant pump (24) being driven from the turbine shaft (12). The lubricant pump (24) has an outer housing (56) with a pair of opposed parallel mounting faces (58, 60) for mounting against a planar end face (48) of a bearing housing (44) on one side of lubricant pump (24) and an opposed planar face (38) of governor (18) on the other side of lubricant pump (24). Lubricant pump (24) comprises a rotary gear pump and may be easily installed on an existing turbine (10) having a governor (18) mounted on a bearing housing (44). Lubricant pump (24) includes gears ( 90, 92) to supply pressurized fluid through lubricant lines (30, 32) to bearings (14).

Abstract: A bellows construction is provided which defines multiple convolutions along the length thereof and having the ends of the bellows connected to respective fixed and moveable components by means of high temperature solder or weld metal. To protect the bellows against damage by overpressure, back-up rings are positioned in each of the inwardly and outwardly facing convolutions of the bellows structure. Back-up rings in the heat affected zones at the end portions of the bellows are composed of metal so that they will not become deteriorated by application of heat. Internal back-up rings in the central, non-heat affected zone of the bellows may be composed of a polymer material. All of the back-up rings of the externally facing convolutions of the bellows may be composed of polymer materials since they can be assembled within the respective convolutions. After the soldering or welding operations have been completed.

Abstract: A regulator for a high pressure water blast system includes a body which houses a replaceable valve cartridge that includes a tubular seat member and an axially slidable valve element. The valve element is biased toward closed position by an adjusting knob that houses a spring-loaded plunger which engages the valve element. The seat member is hydraulically biased against a stop shoulder and the valve element is hydraulically biased toward the adjusting knob. The design of bias areas and spring rates is such that the adjusting knob can be easily operated by hand. The seat member and valve element provide a replaceable cartridge assembly so that all wear parts can be replaced, when needed, in the field.

Abstract: A pigtail-type takeout on a seismic cable including a molded elastomer Y-body, a pigtail and a multi-contact connector for connecting the end of a geophone string to the cable. The connector body includes a longitudinally split inner tubular portion that is fitted around the cable, and tie wraps are used to encircle and hold the tubular portion tightly around the cable to firmly mount the connector body thereon.

Abstract: A self propelled vehicle (14) has rollers (20, 22) supporting the vehicle for movement. A ring (44) is mounted for rotation and has rolls (54) of wrapping material (55) thereon for wrapping the pipeline (10). A plurality of discharge nozzles (82) spaced about the pipeline (10) forwardly of the rolls (54) of wrapping material (55) spray a liquid coating material in streams (86) impacting adjacent wrapped and unwrapped portions of the pipeline 10 as shown in FIG. 9. The wrapping material (55) is porous and the coating material permeates and saturates the wrapping material from both the inner and outer surfaces of the wrapping material (55). Fabric-type wipers (81) rearwardly of the rolls (54) of wrapping material (55) smooth and even the outer surface of the wrapping material and upon curing of the coating material, such as an epoxy resin, a hard outer protective liner or covering is formed including the wrapping material.A separate embodiment in FIGS.

Abstract: An abrasive feed system is shown in FIG. 3 in which pressurized air from air compressor (10A) is cooled and dried by heat exchanger (123A), water separator (125A) and chemical air dryer (127A) for delivery to a differential pressure regulator (104A) and an abrasive container (100A) for sodium bicarbonate or other hydroscopic or water soluble or moisture sensitive particles. Differential pressure regulator (104A) senses the fluid pressure in transport line (117A) though a sensing line (130A) and automatically maintains the fluid pressure in air supply line (102A) to the abrasive container (100A) at a predetermined set pressure differential between line (102A) and (117A) so that the pressure in line (102A) is maintained at a predetermined pressure level above the pressure in transport line (117A).

Abstract: A plurality of plastic panels or planks (12) are connected to each other in side by side relation by interfitting male and female connectors (28, 30) to form a planar structure such as a cover (10). The male connector (28) has opposed outer planar surfaces (32, 34) in contact relation to opposed inner planar surfaces (46, 48) on a female connector (30) to minimize any relative pivoting or articulating movement between adjacent panels (12). Adjacent panel sections (15A, 17B) are hinged to each other about hinges (35E) to permit the panel sections (15A, 17B) to be folded against each other for stacking. Alternatively panels 14C, 14D may be linked together for stacking. A side support (16) is secured to the sides of the cover (10) to cover and to support a side of a panel where such side is not connected to another panel.

Abstract: A setup and alignment device is provided according to the present invention to enable golfer's to establish a proper setup, body alignment and body position for achieving a proper golf club swing with each of the various golf clubs being used. The device employs an adjustable, pantograph-like ruler positioner having ruler support and guide positioners that maintain a parallel relation with one another at all relative spacing thereof. To these ruler positioning bars are releasably affixed respective ball position and stance rulers which are maintained in parallel relation by the positioning bars and which are provided with indicia to identify measured stance and ball position. The ball position and stance rulers each define respective straight edges which, when the apparatus is being used, will establish a target line that can be directed precisely at the intended target.

Abstract: Apparatus for threading together adjacent steel piles (10, 12) having male and female interlocking edges (10E, 12E). A threading device (14) is removably supported on a separate wheeled frame or dolly (16) mounted for movement along a pair of parallel horizontal beams (18) secured to opposed sides of the driven pile (10). The threading device (14) has a pile supporting slide (36) supporting the undriven pile (12) between a pair of clamping plates (48). The undriven pile (12) together with the slide (36) is moved laterally a predetermined amount upon clearance of the upper end (10C) of the driven pile (10) with the lower end (12F) of the undriven pile (12) by a lever (64) connected to a rope (61) pulled by a workman on the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diffusion of elements into or out of small metallic particles, the apparatus consisting of a sealed retort 22 horizontally mounted on an axle 36 with the retort subtended in the interior of a heating device 11. Gas and pressure controls communicating through said axle 36 control the interior atmosphere of the retort 26. Small particles 23 to be modified are placed within the retort 22 and the retort is rotated and heated while maintaining the desired gaseous atmosphere. Rotation causes fluid-like tumbling of the particles resulting in uniform heat transfer, thorough mixing and engenders an exchange of ions between the surface and near surfaces of said particles and the atmosphere of said retort or between the particles and other material placed within said retort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the joining of sheets or panels of material. Joint strips are provided having sheet or panel connection slots defined by spaced integral connection flanges or portions. The joint strip is also provided with a yieldable wall typically of concave or convex configuration which is moved by centrally oriented jack screws, bolts or by other force developing devices. As the yieldable wall is moved, force moments are imparted to yieldable connection flanges causing the connection flanges to close the connection slots to the extent that the sheets or panels are tightly and securely gripped along the edges thereof between the connection flanges and the strip base or between spaced flanges. The joint strips may be manufactured by extrusion from any suitable metal or non-metal material and may be actuated for both connection and releasing sheets or panels of material thus permitting them to be reusable.

Abstract: A combined mobile chair and gurney (10) having an outer base support frame (12) and an inner movable frame (14). Outer support frame (12) has a pair of opposed vertical side frames (16) and a plurality of lower cross members (30) extending between the lower ends of the side frames (16). Inner movable frame (12) has a lower base (84) supported on cross members (30) of the outer frame (12), and a pair of linkages (72, 74) supported on the base (84) connected to three hinged segments (48, 52, 54) which define a rear back support segment (48), an intermediate seat support segment (52), and a front leg support segment (54). The linkages (72, 74) are operatively connected to drive nuts (106, 126) which are mounted on an externally threaded power screw (108) for movement. A patient is supported in a supine position at the uppermost position of the hinged segments (48, 52, 54) shown in FIG. 2 and is supported in a seated position at a lower position of the hinged segments (48, 52, 54) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Abstract: An exercise device (10) has foot supports (30, 32) on which a user stands for performing a stair stepping exercise alone, or a cross country skiing exercise alone, or simultaneously a stair stepping exercise and a cross country skiing exercise. Linkage support frames (26, 28) each have a first linkage (44) and a second linkage (36) pivotally connected to each other for maintaining foot supports (30, 32) in a horizontal plane. A fluid cylinder (52) provides a mechanism for resisting the vertical movement of the foot supports (30, 32). Manually gripped poles (60) are mounted to move in coordination with generally horizontal movement of foot supports (30, 32). Separate embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 5-13 for performing simultaneously a stair stepping exercise and a cross country skiing or walking exercise. An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention which may be folded downwardly for low vertical profile storage is illustrated in FIG. 14. Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS.

Abstract: Ternary phase, fluid controlled differential injection pressure fuel elements are provided for fuel injectors of the internal combustion engines. The fuel injection elements act as ternary phase, differential pressure, fluid controlled, hydraulic regulators. Fluid controlled pressurized control fluid acts directly at injection control valve and injection valve, independently governing an injection control valve and injection valve. The fuel injection elements may operate from either conventional crankshaft-camshaft driven fuel pumps or serve in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines as single (ending) injection control elements for fuel injection systems. The operating principles of the fuel injection elements create a controllable hydrodynamic impact effect and differentiated injection pressure of variable fuel injection parameters. Injection parameters may be varied during engine operation at different MCR.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a hardened outer shell (40) on a refractory metal workpiece (36) preferably heated in a fluidized bed of metallic oxide particles (38) in an environment of an inert gas and a reactive gas with the reactive gas either oxygen or nitrogen. The workpieces (36) are heated in the fluidized bed to a temperature between 800.degree. F. and 1600.degree. F. for a period of over two hours to form hardened outer shell (40) in two layers (42, 44). Outer layer (42) is an oxide or nitride layer having a thickness (T1) between 10 microns and 25 microns. Inner layer (44) is a case hardened layer of the refractory metal having a thickness (T2) between 25 microns and 75 microns. In one embodiment (FIG. 3 ) workpieces (56) may be cold worked by peening from finely divided metal oxide particles (54) to provide a uniform surface texture for subsequent hardening.

Abstract: Pulse echo apparatus and methods are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a borehole while it is being drilled. A component of a bottomhole assembly, preferably a drilling collar, is provided with one or more ultra-sonic transceivers. A pulse echo sensor of the transceiver is preferably placed in a stabilizer fin of the collar, but may also be placed in the wall of the collar, preferably close to a stabilizing fin. Electronic processing and control circuitry for the pulse-echo sensor is provided in an electronic module placed within such collar. Such pulse echo apparatus, which preferably includes two diametrically opposed transceivers, generates signals from which standoff from a borehole wall may be determined. A method and apparatus are provided for measuring standoff and borehole diameter in the presence of drilling cuttings entrained in the drilling fluid. In a preferred embodiment, such signals are assessed by the electronic processing and control circuity to determine if gas has entered borehole.