Abstract: A clip has an opposed jaw end, a bridged back end and defines a slot extending across the bridged back end. It is connected to an article, for example, another clip or a float, which has an enlarged spherical head extending longitudinally therefrom. The head of the post has a diameter which is slightly greater than the width of the slot so that the connected item has rotational freedom of movement by receipt of the spherical head through the slot.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder sealed by an upper head and a lower head and carrying a piston which divides the hydraulic cylinder assembly into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A load is connected to the piston and urges it toward the lower head. A conduit connects a reversible hydraulic pump assembly in fluid flow communication with a pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid and the lower chamber for counterbalancing the load. A control system is operably associated with the reversible hydraulic pump assembly to cause hydraulic fluid to flow back and forth between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and the pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid. A system is also provided to counteract leakage in the pump by adding hydraulic fluid makeup on an as needed and controlled basis.

Abstract: Two algorithms are disclosed that, with the use of a 3-axis accelerometer, will be able to determine the angles of attack, sideslip and roll of a capsule-type spacecraft prior to entry (at very high altitudes, where the atmospheric density is still very low) and during entry. The invention relates to emergency situations in which no reliable attitude and attitude rate are available. Provided that the spacecraft would not attempt a guided entry without reliable attitude information, the objective of the entry system in such case would be to attempt a safe ballistic entry. A ballistic entry requires three controlled phases to be executed in sequence: First, cancel initial rates in case the spacecraft is tumbling; second, maneuver the capsule to a heat-shield-forward attitude, preferably to the trim attitude, to counteract the heat rate and heat load build up; and third, impart a ballistic bank or roll rate to null the average lift vector in order to prevent prolonged lift down situations.

Abstract: A magnetic float is provided for a level indicator system that is suitable for low density liquids at high pressure, such as C3-liquids. The float comprises a hollow tube, first and second endcaps, and a magnet assembly. The hollow tube comprises a carbon fiber reinforced cured resin matrix and has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. The first and second endcaps are formed from polymer and dome-shaped. They seal the first and second ends of the hollow tube, respectively, to hermetically seal the inside of the float the outside. At least one polymeric reinforcing ring is mounted inside of a midsection of the hollow tube between the first end and the second end to resist radial inward collapse of the tube. The magnet assembly is mounted in the tube near the first endcap and comprises a plurality of longitudinally elongated magnets positioned adjacent the inside wall of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is disclosed comprising a concentrator and a collector. The concentrator is to concentrate solar energy, and the collector is positioned to receive solar energy from the concentrator. The concentrator comprises a plurality of identical flat linear fresnel prism sheets and the collector comprises a plurality of identical photovoltaic cells. The prism sheets are selected from the group consisting of square prism sheets and regular hexagonal prism sheets, and the cells, in a preferred embodiment, are selected from the group consisting of square cells where the prism sheets comprise square prism sheets and regular hexagonal cells where the prism sheets comprise hexagonal prism sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a compound parabolic concentrating (CPC) trough, a target, a plurality of sunlight diverters, and a tracker. The CPC trough is for concentrating sunlight and is symmetric about an imaginary plane of symmetry. The target is for absorbing sunlight concentrated by the trough. The plurality of sunlight diverters is to increase the sunlight received by the trough. The tracker is to orient the trough so that the sun is positioned on the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: An improved fluid mixing apparatus is disclosed for the mechanical mixing of fluids or solids-laden slurries contained within a vessel. The invention utilizes a fluid driven turbine to drive a submerged mixing impeller through a speed reducing gearbox. A fluid conducting stator houses one or more turbine blade row(s) that are rotated as a working fluid is pumped through the turbine section by an external pump that circulates fluid at the required flow rate and head. The turbine shaft is rigidly connected to the high speed input shaft of a speed reducing gear box. The low speed output of the gearbox is rigidly attached to submerged mixing impeller(s).

Abstract: The invention includes a belt clip for mounting objects to a user's belt. The belt clip has a resilient U-shaped member portion and a hollow hanger member. The resilient U-shaped member portion having an upper end and a lower end with a U-bend portion at the upper end and parallel inner and outer walls extending downwardly from the U-bend. A gap is defined between the inner and outer walls for slidably engaging a belt. The hollow hanger member portion protrudes outwardly from the outer wall of the U-shaped member portion and has a generally downwardly facing wall with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture provides a means for mounting objects to the belt.

Abstract: A dynamometer comprises a frame, an inertial flywheel, and a starter motor. The inertial flywheel is supported by the frame and the starter motor is movably mounted to the frame so as to be selectively engageable with the inertial flywheel. Means is provided for coupling an engine to be tested to the apparatus. The flywheel is brought up to speed by means of the starter motor and then coupled to the engine, which has been separately brought up to speed, via a clutch. The flywheel is supported by the frame in pressurized oil sleeve bearings.

Abstract: Provided herein is a portable device useful for providing ventilation to a selected area via circulation of ambient air. A device according to the present invention is especially well-suited to provide ventilating air to a person resting on a bed, by directing air from the room to the volume defined by the top surface of the mattress of the bed and a bed covering disposed thereon. Use of the present invention increases the ability of persons to achieve restful sleep by enabling convenient control of the air surrounding the person to a comfortable level.

Abstract: A clamp for a tubular hose or cable is disclosed. The clamp comprises a first clamp half, a second clamp half, and a hinge pin. The first clamp half has a first end and a second end and defines a first concave semi-cylindrical face. The first end of the first clamp half carries means for mounting the clamp. The second clamp half has a first end and a second end and defines a second concave semi-cylindrical face. The first clamp half and the second clamp half come together along a parting line and are retained together by a hinge pin. The clamp halves are provided with snap-in liners for easy use. Alternative mounts for mounting the clamp on subsea wire line or tubulars is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor is driven by a fixed displacement, three stage gear-type pump. The three equal displacement sections provide 3 equally-stepped flows so that the hydraulic motor can have three speeds. Valving and controls are provided for remote on-the-fly shifting of the speeds, automatic pump unloading in neutral, and adjustable maximum pressure. A closed loop system permits use of a relatively small reservoir. The contamination tolerance of the system is greater than that of variable displacement piston-type pumps typically used. Direct recirculation of hydraulic fluid is provided for unused speeds to permit hydraulic fluid to recirculate in the pump without doing work. A unique control circuit is provided to control the first speed valve in conjunction with a logic cartridge which controls hydraulic motor direction to permit fluid flow to the hydraulic motor to be stopped when coming to neutral without slamming the hydraulic motor and rotating drill pipe to a stop.

Abstract: A portable reconfigurable hunting blind assembly is disclosed comprising six rectangular frames joined together side edge to side edge along five hinge lines for accordion folding, and a camouflage covering mounted to each of the frames to define six panel-shaped wall units, the camouflage covering defining a window in at least some of the wall units.

Abstract: A specially designed flexible tank is installed in a standard 20 foot overseas shipping container or in a standard trucking dry van trailer. A conductive heat serpentine plastic tubing system is also installed underneath the flexible tank allowing heat to liquefy the honey near the bottom discharge location. Nitrogen is introduced through an upper air purging valve and flow is controlled by a regulator allowing tank to stand and not be conducive to cling of product on the roof or the sidewalls and to assist in discharging product without need of a pumping mechanism. Due to the continued shape of the flexible tank there will be very little product loss allowing virtually all product to be expelled. The discharge valve will remain open when the heat is started and this allows the honey to be removed as quickly as it becomes liquid.

Abstract: Improvements are provided to an apparatus for cleaning a tubular. One set of improvements is provided by a nose shaft extending from the motor, a cone positioned on the shaft, and a brush positioned on the shaft between the nose cone and the vibratory motor. Another set of improvements is provided by a new passage and port arrangement on the piston and sleeve for the vibratory motor. Another improvement is provided by a set of passages and ports to provide oil flow to the area being cleaned. Another improvement is provided by capturing exhaust gas from the motor and exhaust of same at a location away from the operator of the unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to cleaning large format movie screens, such as vinyl screens and painted screens. There are different variations of the basic concept of using a cleaning head, cables, pulleys, an upper mounting bracket and a winch. In one instance a track may be used instead of a cable. The winch is connected to the cleaning head using cables and is used to move the cleaning head vertically across the screen through pulleys and other arrangements.

Abstract: A composite wire for producing a wear resistant and corrosion resistant coating on a substrate by thermal spraying, spray and fuse, or welding techniques are disclosed. The physical properties of the coating are particularly suited for high-temperature erosion-corrosion environments. The resultant coating exhibits good hardness, toughness, and bonding characteristics. The composite wire comprises a metallic outer sheath and an inner core containing boron carbide and chrome carbide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a utility pipe tape to act as a termite barrier and a support for a waterproof membrane to prevent gaps from forming between pipe and slab that lets ground termites in through the slab.

Abstract: A clamp with liner and mounting base are provided for the attachment of control lines to a subsea riser. The clamp comprises an upper clamp half and a lower clamp half. Each clamp half is hingedly connected along a hinge edge of each clamp half to the other clamp half and latchably connected along a latch edge of each clamp half to the other clamp half by latch structure carried by each clamp half. The latch structure carried by the upper clamp half comprises a pair of parallel ears protruding transversely away from the latch edge of the upper clamp half and defining a pair of aligned boreholes, a pivot pin having a transverse borehole carried by the aligned boreholes through the ears, a bolt carried in the transverse borehole through the pivot pin, and a toggle bar having a threaded transverse borehole therethrough threadably mounted on the bolt.