Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for transporting larger cargo units, for example containers (5), said method and arrangement comprising standardized individual cargo trolleys (1a, 1b, . . . , 1n) for each pallet (4a, 4b . . . , 4n), and one correspondingly standardized pallet for each cargo unit (5), so as to form a train of a plurality of similar trolleys matching with a similar train of standard pallets, said train of trolleys being further provided with automatic locking and securing means as well as means for running said trolleys through curves and slopes.

Abstract: An initiator (100) assembled from a housing (112), an output charge (144) and an initiation means (110, 120, 58, 54) includes a pulverulent ignition charge (46a) disposed in direct initiation relation to the initiation means, and an output charge (144) that may contain a pulverulent deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) charge (144a) and an explosive base charge (144b). The ignition charge (46a) has an average particle size of less than 10 microns, or even less than 5 microns, e.g., 1 to 2 microns. The initiation means may include a semiconductor bridge (18) and the ignition charge (46a) may be compacted with a force of less than about 5880 psi, e.g., with a force of 1000 psi. In another embodiment, an initiator (210) includes a low-energy electrical initiator (234), a loosely packed BNCP ignition charge (218) and a pyrotechnical output charge (214).

Abstract: A liquid separator (10) for separating two immiscible liquids having different specific gravities, for example, a first liquid comprising water and a second liquid comprising oil. The liquid separator (10) has a housing (12) that defines a separation chamber (14) and liquid inlet (16), a first liquid outlet (18) and a second liquid outlet (20) mounted above the first liquid outlet (18). A float 26 is positioned within separation chamber 14 to translate in the vertical direction and has a specific gravity between that of the first and second liquids so that it floats at approximately the interface (28) between the two liquid phases (30 and 32). Valve closure devices (38 and 40) contact valve seats in the valves 46 and 56 of first and second liquid outlets (18 and 20) to control the flow of separated liquids from separation chamber 14 as determined by the level of the interface (28) and the length of the valve rods (34 and 36).

Abstract: The moment pump (10) of the present invention includes a flexible container (12) having an outer wall (14) and two opposing end walls (16, 18) attached thereto. The container (12) is made of a resilient material and has a preformed, non-biased shape. A pair of one-way valves (20) is operably attached to the container (12) and provides for the flow of a liquid therethrough. A first actuator rod (22) has fixedly attached on one end a first biasing object (24) and on the other end a restraining member (26). The first end wall (16) is attached to the first actuator rod (22) between the first biasing object (24) and the restraining member (26). A second actuator rod (30) has fixedly attached on one end a second biasing object (28) and on the other end a transfer housing (32). The second actuator (30) slidably passes through the second end wall (41).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite package system that provides sufficient protection and containment of eight explosive devices that contain 33 grams each (264 grams total) of RDX explosive or the equivalent thereof, such as HMX, HNS, etc., to qualify for a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classification of 1.4S. The composite package system of this invention comprises the combination of a prior art corrugated paper box in a wooden crate that meets DOT 4C1 requirements and that is lined with cement-fiber material.

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).

Abstract: A shock-resistant electronic circuit assembly (10) is provided in which an electronic circuit is encased in an encapsulation (14) that engages a surrounding enclosure (18) in shock-dispersing contact therewith. The encapsulation may have a plurality of edges (16, 16a, 16b), fins (24) or bosses (70) that bear against the enclosure. The encapsulation may include a shock-absorbing material (14f) disposed against the enclosure to protect the circuit against vibrations and a structural support material such as a casing (14e) to protect the circuit against stress. The circuit assembly (10) may be part of a sheathed initiator assembly (55) that includes a transfer member (58) for converting shock wave energy into electrical energy for the electronic circuit, and the released energy may be converted into a detonation initiation signal. Assembly (55) may be part of a detonator (100) that receives a non-electric initiation signal and detonates following the delay determined by the electronic circuit.

Abstract: An explosive pipe cutter assembly (10, 10′) has a housing (20, 20′) which defines at its closed end a hemispherical shaped nose end (22, 22′) and contains a toroidal shaped charge (48) comprised of two half-charges (42). Toroidal shaped charge (48) has a seating surface (31) seated on a support shoulder (50, 50′) adjacent the closed end of the housing (20, 20′), and a trailing end which is engaged by a retaining ring (38) received in the open end (24, 24′) of the housing (20, 20′). Two juxtaposed half-liners (28) provide a liner having an apex (A) which is curved in longitudinal cross section to increase the mass of the metal formed into a penetrating jet by detonation of the shaped charge (48).

Abstract: An electronic delay circuit (10) useful for the delayed initiation of detonators illustrates several novel features that may be combined, including a novel oscillator (34), a programmable timer circuit (32) and a run control circuit (46). The oscillator (34) generates a clock signal determined by the rate of discharge of a capacitor (34a) relative to a reference voltage REF. A second capacitor (34b) is charged to a voltage that exceeds REF, and when the first capacitor (34a) falls below REF, an internal signal is generated and the capacitors are switched, so that the first capacitor gets charged while the second is discharged. A latch (34f) produces clock pulses in response to the internal signals. The programmable timer circuit (32) includes a ripple counter (38) and a program bank (40) that loads a count in the counter upon initialization.

Abstract: A self-blunting needle medical device comprises a needle cannula (18) fixed to a hub (20) having a receiving structure therein such as ferrule (22) and a movable blunting member (14) movably received within the cannula (18). Ferrule (22) defines a passage (38) extending therethrough, within which both the cannula (18) and the movable member (14) can be received and which establishes a coaxial relationship between them. The ferrule (22) defines a first guide surface (40) for directing the blunting end (14a) of the movable member (14) into the central bore of the cannula (18) during assembly. A second guide surface (42) performs the function of guiding the mounting end (18b) of the cannula (18) into ferrule (22) for mounting therein. Typically, the cannula (18) has a tissue puncture tip (18a). When the movable member (14) is retracted into the cannula (18), the puncture tip (18a) is exposed for use, e.g., injection into tissue.

Abstract: An arrangement for turning a turret on a ship comprises two slides that can glide along a flange arrangement being arranged on a rim of a turret. The slides are moveable by respective hydraulic cylinders and provide support for a rotatable pawl arrangement which can be rotated into and out of engagement with apertures in the rim. The two hydraulic cylinders are arranged as mirror images of each other in order for the cylinders to push the rim in opposite directions. When the turret is turned, one of the hydraulic cylinders, with the associated slide and pawl arrangement, is used to push the rim in the desired direction, while the other hydraulic cylinder with associated slide and pawl arrangement is utilized to hold the rim in a fixed position while the first slide is pulled back in order for the pawl arrangement to engage with a new aperture in the rim.

Abstract: A disposed system for medical waste, and particularly sharp ended waste, includes a sharps receptacle and a companion needle holder. The needle holder has an actuation mechanism capable of detachably mounting an externally threaded hub of a needle assembly to the holder. The sharps receptacle has a top with an automatic release structure disposed thereon for engagement with the actuation mechanism of the needle holder. The automatic release structure cooperates with the actuation mechanism of the needle holder to automatically detach a mounted needle assembly from the holder into the sharps receptacle in response to placement of the holder into the automatic release structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides several embodiments of tension-indicating fasteners that include tension indicators having indicating arms equipped with a laterally-extending contact member or a foot portion. A contact member extends in a tangential direction from the fastener head. The indicating arm is secured to the fastener and, by having laterally-distant contact points, the deflection of a substrate caused by the fastener head causes a distal end of the indicating arm to move with amplified magnitude. In still other embodiments of the invention, a fastener includes tension indicia for indicating a target degree of substrate deflection. The tension indicator may be disposed within a recess in the fastener head to allow the use of conventional tightening tools.

Abstract: A perforating gun (10, 210, 310, 410) is provided for retaining a plurality of explosive charges (16, 16′) in an angular phased array with the discharge ends (16a, 16a′) of each succeeding explosive charge (16, 16′) disposed at a selected angular orientation relative to the other explosive charges (16, 16′) as determined by the configuration of an undulating path defined by support wires (14, 14′) or wire pairs (19a, 19b). The perforating gun (10, 210, 310, 410) comprises a plurality of support wires (14, 14′) disposed about a common longitudinal axis (L—L) and extending in an undulating path so as to define a wire carrier or cage in which the explosive charges (16, 16′) are retained by securing the discharge ends (16a), or the initiation ends (16b), or both, to support wires (14, 14).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a parting composition for facilitating the release of foodstuffs from cooking utensils, the composition containing an edible oil, lecithin, water, a organic, non-soap fluidizing agent. The water is present in an amount sufficient to partially, but not fully, hydrate the lecithin so as to render the partially hydrated lecithin insoluble in the edible oil. The method includes combining at least the lecithin and fluidizing agent and homogenizing the ingredients to reduce the size of the lecithin platelets. The composition, which may further include a suitable normally gaseous propellant to discharge the composition from a conventional aerosol spray can, provides a substantially clear and smooth spray coating on cooking utensils at ambient temperatures, without the need for ethyl alcohol in the composition. The composition may optionally include conventional modifying agents such as suspending agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, flavorants, etc.

Abstract: A semiconductor bridge igniter device (10) having integral voltage anti-fuse protection provides an electric circuit including a first firing leg and, optionally, a monitor leg. The first firing leg includes a first semiconductor bridge having semiconductor pads (14a, 14b) separated and connected by a bridge (14c) and having metallized lands (16a, 16b) disposed over the pads (14a, 14b) so that an electrical potential applied across the metallized lands (16a, 16b) will cause sufficient current to flow through the firing leg of the electric circuit to release energy at the bridge (14c). A dielectric layer (15) is interposed within the first firing leg and has a breakdown voltage equal to a selected threshold voltage (Vth) and therefore provides protection against the device functioning at voltages below the threshold voltage (Vth). A continuity monitor leg of the electric circuit is comprised of either a fusible link (34) or a resistor (36) disposed in parallel to the first firing leg.

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).