Abstract: Two formed sheet members secured together in face to face relationship by integral rivets together define a bracket with a central ball race and a plurality of drain passages radiating radially outwardly from the race. Leg portions formed along one margin of each of the identical pair of members define a saddle for seating the bracket on a pipe. An identical pair of wire straps are interconnected to opposite ends of a spring and at the other ends are hooked to the bracket, the straps having shape characteristics such that the spring force is applied in the plane of abutment of the two members.

Abstract: A power unit, comprising a telescopically joined plunger assembly and barrel assembly, is internally configured to define a pair of separate fluid chambers, each of which is alternately communicated to a common source of fluid energy. The plunger and barrel assemblies are coaxially mounted on a common support shaft along which the power unit travels in incremental steps. The external end of each of the plunger and barrel assemblies is internally fitted with a set of unidirectionally acting locking rings, each set being normally biased against an associated locking wedge and into canted positions frictionally locked onto the supporting shaft. Alternate pressurization and venting of the pair of fluid chambers alternately unlocks one set of rings and effects a limited increment of inboard movement of either the plunger assembly or barrel assembly, the other assembly remaining locked to the support shaft.

Abstract: A fixed structure encloses a vertically spaced plurality of superimposed channels that are open at one end of the sea to receive deep sea waves approaching a shoreline. Each of the channels has an entrance ramp that slopes upwardly shorewardly to induce breaking of a wave at and over an apex of trailer service ramp that merges into a shorewardly downwardly sloping convergent conduit having fluid communication with a pressure chamber of the structure through a one-way valve controlled aperture at which the wave energy is concentrated. A portion of each ramp is overlain by a roof which may comprise the underside of a superimposed ramp of another channel. Each of the ramps is of upwardly convex configuration, transversely to the wave direction, and at opposite sides is provided with re-entrant scuppers for draining backwash from a receding wave.

Abstract: A refuse compactor having a container with a refuse compression space on one side of a pressure plate which is movable by atmospheric pressure, upon evacuation of the refuse space, in one direction through a compression stroke to compress refuse in the space. The pressure plate is movable in the opposite direction through a return stroke by either pressurizing of the refuse space or evacuation of a space, which may be a second refuse compression space, at the opposite side of the plate. The refuse compactor is adapted to be emptied by a conventional trash collection vehicle equipped with a trash bin elevating and inverting mechanism, e.g., a fork lift. The plate includes a wiper for prolonging the life of the pressure plate seal and the compactor includes a novel vacuum pump and valve system for operating the pressure plate.

Abstract: Solar energy is utilized to augment the heater of a water heating system, such as a domestic hot water system, having a water storage and heating tank by conducting water to the tank through a solar energy storage tank and circulating a heat transport liquid through a solar collector and selectively through the solar tank and water tank in response to the collector temperature, the solar tank temperature, and the water tank temperature, in a manner such that heat transport liquid flow occurs in a normal solar energy storage mode through the collector and the solar tank under a first set of temperature conditions, and cascade fashion through the collector, the water tank, and then the solar tank in a cascade solar energy storage mode under a second set of temperature conditions and in a maximum solar energy storage mode under a third set of temperature conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating high concentrations of ozone using a solid state high voltage power supply and a specially designed ozonator. The power supply comprises a rectifier and voltage doubler to which commercial AC line current is applied to produce a 300 volt DC output which, in turn, is applied across a solid state switching device to chop the DC output at an adjustable high frequency rate. The switch means is controlled by a timing and trigger circuit and the output of the switch means is applied to the input of an auto-transformer of the automotive ignition coil type which raises the high frequency output of the switch to a very high voltage level in the range of 30,000 to 50,000 volts peak to peak. This is applied to the high voltage electrode of each cell of a concentric electrode type ozone generator.

Abstract: A soft-walled garment bag has rigid means, e.g., a central, internal post or column, interconnecting its upper and lower ends. The lower end comprises a rigid platform borne on a tandem pair of wheels that are steerable by manipulation of the upper end of the structure, e.g., via a handle fixed to the upper end of the column or post. A clothing hanger or hangers are detachably connectable to the rigid means to carry a suit or coat or the like about which the garment bag is closely fitted. The cover sheets of the garment bag are peripherally secured to the lower end of the platform and one side of the bag incorporates a carrying strap for suspending the piece of luggage under an arm from one hand in an erect position against one side of the body of the user for transportation over stairs, or in other such situations which inhibit wheel supported movement of the luggage.

Abstract: A stiff tubular sleeve is externally coated with grit and is telescopically matingly rigidly supported by an idler roll of a continuous printing press. The sleeve and idler roll are detachably keyed together, by an internal clamping mechanism, against both relative axial and angular movements, for rotation in unison as an ink-bearing side of a previously imprinted web of paper or the like runs over the grit coating of the sleeve. Release of the clamping mechanism allows replacement of a sleeve whose grit coating has accumulated excessive ink.

Abstract: An oil/water emulsion, such as oil well production, is treated to recover its oil phase at pipe line specifications by passing the emulsion through an emulsion treater tank to an oil recovery zone in the tank. The emulsion flow path is through successive horizontal emulsion preheating, direct heating, post heating and settling zones of the tank while removing vapor from the top of the zones and water from the bottom of the zones. Water and gas are thus removed from the emulsion in the preheating zones prior to direct heating of the emulsion in the direct heating zone to reduce heat loss and fouling of the emulsion heating means in the direct heating zone, and additional separation of the emulsion phases occurs in the post heating zone prior to final phase separation in the settling zone to improve the settling action.

Abstract: A load lifting and lowering platform comprises a pair of hingedly interconnected platform sections that are foldable between a horizontally extending, load bearing position and a vertically extending collapsed position. A forward one of the platform sections is hingedly connected at its forward edge to lower ends of a pair of runner assemblies that are vertically movably mounted in a supporting framework. A pair of chains are interconnected between upper ends of the pair of runner assemblies and outer ends of the outer one of the platform sections. Cooperating cam elements, interposed between the forward edge of the forward platform section and the supporting framework, translate vertical movement of the runner assemblies into angular movement of the platform sections, in cooperation with the chains, for folding and unfolding of the platform sections.

Abstract: A holder for a pair of reversible fluid dispensers comprises a prismatic body that is symmetrical about three mutually perpendicular axes. A holder and pair of dispensers can thus be assembled to serve as a fluid dispensing assembly for either the left or right margins of sheet material passed adjacent thereto in a plane to intercept and actuate the dispenser nozzles. As embodied in a hot glue dispenser, the holder body includes two sets of fluid passages and of heating element and heat sensor and control mounting cavities that are symmetrically disposed about the three axes. Each multiple dispenser assembly is supported by a bracket assembly that incorporates a means to adjust the dispenser assembly angularly relative to the direction of the materials being passed through the machine whereby to vary, as desired, the spacing between the pair of applicator nozzles.

Abstract: One end of a resiliently flexible valve stem is supported in a coaxially aligned, axially adjustable, socket means and mounts a ball at its other end for normally closing the seat of an outlet orifice of a nozzle. A portion of the valve stem intermediate its ends is operatively associated with a laterally reciprocable operator bar for selectively effecting flexure of the valve stem to displace the valve ball on its seat to open the orifice to release a fluid to be dispensed through the nozzle. A plurality of such valve assemblies are actuable by a common operator bar and the adjustment means of each valve can be selectively manipulated to render one or more of the valves inoperable to establish a desired pattern of flow of fluids from the valves which remain operable, or to vary the time sequence of operation of the valves proportionally to the degree of adjustment of the individual valves, or to vary flow rates.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to fluid dispenser valves.

Abstract: A monitor continuously senses light emitted by the chemiluminescent reaction of such substances as ozone and nitric oxide in order to measure an unknown quantity or concentration of one of the substances which may, for example, be an air pollutant. The monitor comprises a specially designed reaction chamber intended to utilize a high concentration reactant gas in such a fashion as to permit the measurement of light output of the chemiluminescent reaction with the sample gas by a solid state detector and associated electronics which eliminate the need for the use of a photomultiplier tube. The reactor body has an end closure means to form an annular plenum chamber surrounding a light transmitting means mounted by the closure means in one end of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A trash hopper comprises part of a unitary structure including a housing that is formed, in part, by a swingable pre-compactor panel that in a retracted position slopes downwardly and rearwardly to gravitationally feed refuse toward the collection bin. Along a horizontal lower edge this panel is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis located in substantially the same vertical plane as the rear face of a reciprocable primary compaction ram which acts as a piston to force trash in the collection bin rearwardly through an open rear end of the hopper and to compact trash in the collection tank of a dump vehicle or other container. In the retracted position the pivotally mounted panel serves as a protective enclosure for its own actuating means and for the retracted ram and its hydraulic actuating cylinder or cylinders.

Abstract: A workpiece having a surface of revolution to be machined by electrical discharge is encased by a housing while being rotated in a dielectric liquid bath in spaced relation to a matrix electrode. The workpiece containing cavity of the housing is formed with a machining zone slot through which surface traces of the workpiece are brought into registration with a matrix surface of the electrode, the clearance between one edge of the slot and an EDM machined area of the workpiece defining an inlet through which the dielectric fluid is inducted to the interior of the housing. A portion of the cavity is larger than the workpiece providing a plenum for relatively free passage of the metal particulate entraining liquid, which is exhausted through an outlet port of the housing to be pumped to the sump of the EDM machine.

Abstract: The lifting mechanisms of each of a plurality of columns of a vehicle hoist are synchronously driven by an endless member which may have its power source on one of the columns. A switch to energize and de-energize the power source has a control arm that is coupled, through a lost motion mechanism, to a trigger-like, normally inactive safety mechanism that is held cocked by a safety rod. A rotary idler carried by the safety rod is biased against the endless member in a direction to withdraw the rod from the safety mechanism in the event of a break in the endless member, releasing the trigger energy to effect shifting of the power source switch to the off position by overriding actuation of the lost motion coupling mechanism.

Abstract: Preformed tray blanks, e.g., of an expanded foam thermoplastic material, are individually transported from a supply hopper into registration with a die cavity through which a mandrel forces the blank. In passing through the die, the blank is sequentially moved through sidewall-erecting, radiant heating, and corner tab folding stations by the extension stroke of the mandrel. A fluid power and control system moves the mandrel through these stations at desired different velocities to maximize the rate of sidewall erection, to optimize the rate of heat transfer to those surface areas of the blank to be welded together, and to minimize the open time between the heating and welding phases. The control system also optimizes the dwell time of the mandrel in a fourth station at which the heat plasticized, mutually contacting surfaces are pressed together to solidify or vulcanize, after which the mandrel is retracted, the formed tray being stripped therefrom by a means at the exit end of the die cavity.