Abstract: The invention is a pin valve having a detachable valve body cover which makes the valve stem assembly accessible from the end of the valve in which the valve stem protrudes. The removable valve body cover can be replaced independently if this end of the valve is damaged. The valve body cover also has a valve seat which is more accessible and is more easily machined. The valve body cover is typically adapted to accommodate an allen wrench type tool to simplify removal and reattachment. The invention eliminates the need to disconnect the valve at the second open end when replacing the valve stem assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a mold apparatus for making multi-component products. The apparatus includes an elongate turret, a plurality of product connection pairs attached on opposite sides of the turret, a first mold disposed proximate to the turret and a second mold disposed on the opposite side of the turret. The first mold has a plurality of cavities for molding a first molded layer of the multi-component product, and the second mold has cavities for molding a second layer onto the first molded layer. The turret is rotatable between the first mold and the second mold by rotation about its longitudinal axis of the turret.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing unsupported thin film particles are provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a vacuum chamber; (b) a rotatable drum disposed within the vacuum chamber; (c) means within the vacuum chamber for depositing a surface coating onto the drum when the drum is rotating; (d) means for depositing at least one thin film layer onto the surface coating to provide a thin film structure disposed atop the surface coating; and (e) a knife blade disposed proximate to the surface of the drum, such that a thin film structure deposited onto the drum can be scraped away from the drum by the rotation of the drum. In the method, a surface coating, such as a wax, is applied directly to the moving surface. Thereafter, one or more thin film layers is deposited upon the surface coating. The thin film layer or layers are thereafter scraped away from the surface coating using the knife blade.

Abstract: A package suitable for carrying an artificial lens which includes a container and a removable insert disposed within the container. The removable insert defines an enclosed insert chamber sufficiently large to hold the artificial lens. The removable insert has insert walls which are sufficiently thin to allow the manipulation of an artificial lens disposed within the insert chamber by applying mechanical force to the exterior of the insert walls. Typically the removable insert is attached to a container cap or other container closure structure having a downwardly directed projection member. In this embodiment, the simple removal of the container cap from the container coincidentally removes the removable insert from the container.

Abstract: An outlet receptacle has a base adapted to attach to the wall of a structure and an electrical element attached to the base. The electrical element includes a female receptacle capable of delivering low voltage DC current to a corresponding male insert, a step-down transformer and an AC/DC converter. The outlet receptacle is adapted to convert AC house current to low voltage DC current. The outlet receptacle is useful in recharging batteries used in portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A bar material is made of an (&agr;+&bgr;) or a near &agr; Ti alloy which comprises a regular &agr; structure, and the end thereof is heated at a temperature above its &bgr; transformation point by an electric forging device to form an enlarged portion. The enlarged portion is immediately formed by hot forging to make a valve head of a poppet valve which is employed in an internal combustion engine. The valve head comprises an acicular &agr; structure which provides higher fatigue and tensile strengths.

Abstract: An apparatus combination useful in carrying out work within hazardous environments, especially radioactive environments. The combination includes (a) a plurality of portable input modules, each portable input module being capable of receiving video, audio and radiation dosimetry communications data and transmitting that data via a single portable input module data transmission cable, (b) a relay module for receiving the communications data from the plurality of portable input modules via each of the single portable input module's data transmission cables and for transmitting that data via a single relay module data transmission cable, and (c) a communications output station for receiving the communications data from the relay module via the single relay module data transmission cable and for translating that data into user recognizable video, audio and radiation dosimeter data output forms.

Abstract: A treater for electrostatically and/or mechanically separating emulsified brine from oil during longitudinal flow through a horizontally elongate metal tank. Emulsion is directed through a louver stack made up of a large number of inclined parallel plates. The openings on the upstream end and on the downstream end of this louver stack are adjustable from outside of the metal tank, so as to allow the operator to adjust the flow rate through the treater as operating parameters change.

Abstract: A union fitting replacement nut having a nut body and a peripheral strap. The nut body is formed from a pair of C-shaped members. The nut body is internally threaded to cooperate with the external threads of the union fitting to which the union replacement nut is to be installed. The peripheral strap is typically a steel strap having opposed first and second ends. Attachment means, such as an adjustment screw, is provided to incrementally adjust the tightness of the peripheral strap to rigidly retain the two C-shaped members of the nut body. Once assembled, the union replacement nut can be used in the same way as a prior art integral union nut.

Abstract: A method for forming seamless tubular workpieces, such as vehicular wheel rim components. In the method, a flat circular blank having a central aperture is expanded into the interior of a hollow mandrel using a mushroom-shaped spinning roller. In this expansion operation, the blank is caused to take on a tubular shape having an exterior contour which conforms to the interior contour of the hollow mandrel.

Abstract: The invention is an improved cam-lock fitting having grooves in the outer surface of the fitting for accepting cams of a mating fitting. The grooves are provided without forming indentations or obstructions in the interior flow through passage of the fitting. The cam-lock fitting includes a body with an interior flow path having a first opening and a second opening. The second opening is provided by a boss having a distal end with a transverse cross-section that is circular about the external surface and a transverse cross-section that is elliptical about the internal surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for electronically testing printed circuit boards including a plurality of generally parallel test pins which have a section of reduced diameter along their length intermediate the ends thereof, and a plate having a plurality of drilled holes in which the test pins are mounted with the reduced diameter portions being located in the holes, the plate being adapted to interfere with shoulders at the ends of the sections of reduced diameter to retain the test pins in the testing apparatus.