Abstract: A modular heating cable assembly having two cold wires extending the length thereof and a resistance heating wire interconnecting the two wires. The portion of the two wires anterior to the heating wire forms a cold lead, and an element for interrupting the circuit to the heating wire is disposed in one of the wires of the cold lead. The assembly may consist of a cold lead module and one or more heating cable modules, and the element for interrupting the current may be disposed either in the cold lead or in a separate unit disposed between the cold lead module and the heating module.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing small animal litter in which a plurality of compartments are employed for living quarters for the small animals, such as cats, and for a container with litter to be tested, and these animal compartments are connected by conduits to a compartment for a tester to use to sniff the odor from any one of the animal compartments. Valves are preferably provided in the conduits, and controls for the valves extend externally of the apparatus so the valves can be operated separately by an operator without interfering with individual tests. Fans in or near the top of the compartments are used to circulate air through the animal compartments while the animals are living normally therein, and a fan is provided in the tester's compartment for drawing the air from any selected one of the animal compartments into and through the tester's compartment.

Abstract: A clearance seal for rotating shafts adapted for use with pillow blocks and the like, in which a series of washers is disposed in a housing of U-shaped cross sectional configuration. The washers are of thin metal and are stacked in face-to-face contact with one another and held in the housing in firm contact by a resilient member such as a wave spring washer. Clearance is provided between the inside diameter of the sealing washers and an inner race, shaft or similar rotating element, and the washers are adapted to move radially relative to one another to adjust to shaft misalignment. The seal is so constructed and arranged that the bearing can be readily purged by the flow of grease through the clearance provided by the seal to provide optimum performance over an extended period of time without interference from contamination.

Abstract: A pressure saturator for impregnating porous substrate materials with solids in solution, in which a reservoir contains the saturant solution and has a base member with a portion forming a depression therein. A mandrel is disposed within the depression in spaced relation to the surface of the depression. Preferably, the distance between the surface of the depression and the mandrel is three times the thickness of the substrate material. Heating elements are disposed in the base and heat the portion of the base member forming the depression, thereby heating the solution between the mandrel and the surface of the depression. The substrate is fed into the saturator from a supply roll and is passed through the space between the depression and the mandrel. The heated solution causes solids from the solution to replace the air in the interstices of the substrate in a near 100 percent weight-to-weight saturation.

Abstract: A control system primarily for variable speed drives having input and output sheaves with axially movable flanges and a belt interconnecting the sheaves, in which a fluid actuating mechanism moves the flange on the input sheave to vary the pitch thereof, and consequently, the output speed of the drive. A fan or other fluid pressure creating device, is driven by the output element of the drive and is connected to a control mechanism which is responsive to a condition sensing device for providing a pressure varying according to the condition to be maintained. The control mechanism is connected to a source of operating pressure and is regulated by the pressure from the pressure creating device and the condition sensing device for varying the pressure in the pressure actuating mechanism to vary the position of one of the movable flanges and thereby control the output speed of the drive.

Abstract: A power steering system, particularly advantageous for use on electric powered vehicles, in which the hydraulic pump operates only when steering commands are given. Torque applied to the steering shaft by rotation of the steering wheel is translated to axial stress on a thin walled tube, the direction and intensity of which depend on the direction and amount of steer angle change commanded. The axial stresses are detected by strain gages, and the motor which powers the hydraulic pump is activated only when stress is detected. Manual steering inputs enter the pump on one side, and the powered servo motor inputs enter on the opposite side, thus permitting the vehicle to be steered by manual input alone if the powered input fails. The components of the system are arranged in coaxial alignment, providing a compact system with improved heat dissipation qualities.

Abstract: A regulating device for a polyphase electrical circuit, having a motor with windings corresponding to the main supply lines for the circuit. Leads are connected to each of the windings and contain a relatively low m.f.d. capacitor for suppressing spikes and similar transients in the respective supply lines, and a relatively high m.f.d. capacitor for functioning as a phase converter in the event the current in the respective supply line is interrupted. By-pass circuits are provided for each of the low m.f.d. capacitors corresponding to a respective supply line, containing relay means in the circuit responsive to the supply line to by-pass the low m.f.d. capacitor in the event the current is interrupted in the respective supply line, thereby permitting the high m.f.d. capacitor to function as part of a phase converter.

Abstract: A timer and storage conditions indicator for indicating the passage of a predetermined length of time under predetermined ambient physical environmental conditions, in which a carrier mixture is contained in a relatively confined area above a base layer. An absorptive layer is disposed on the base layer and accepts the carrier mixture at a predetermined rate. A barrier means is disposed between the carrier mixture and the absorptive layer, and the removal of the barrier activates the timer. Transfer means such as a capillary tube or a second absorptive layer may be disposed between the carrier mixture and the first mentioned absorptive layer.

Abstract: A pulverizer device for liquid handling systems which chops solid and semi-solid materials in the liquid to prevent plugging of and damage to pumps and other equipment in the system. The pulverizer device includes a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening and a screen disposed in the housing. A blade operates on the inlet side of the screen to chop material which initially will not pass through the screen. It is preferred that the blade be operated by a hydraulic motor, and that the housing have a sump with a clean-out on the side of the housing near the blade and screen for removing unpulverizable materials from the housing.

Abstract: An animal measuring apparatus for measuring various parts of the anatomy of an animal, in which a wall is provided with lines representing graduations of a scale useful in measuring the animal. The lines of the scale extend the width of the wall, permitting measurement of various parts of the animal without moving the animal or scale. The wall can be of two panels suspended on a track for lateral movement in a vertical position, and the animal can be positioned between the panels.

Abstract: A device for attaching insulator pods to wires having terminals thereon which is mounted on, for operation with, a wire cutter. A vibratory bowl arranges pods in position for attachment to the terminal on the wire, and wire grippers and terminal grippers are provided for holding the wire and terminal as the pod is attached to the terminal. A pneumatic cylinder moves the pod from the arranged position onto the terminal. As the pod is moved onto the terminal, the terminal gripper is encountered and is moved rearwardly on the terminal for a distance and then away from the terminal, permitting the pod to be slid fully onto the terminal. A set screw disposed between the wire gripper and terminal gripper is encountered by the pod as the pod is slid onto the terminal and causes the pod to angle upward slightly, thereby locking the pod in place on the terminal.

Abstract: A method for plotting and disseminating information on the paths of violent storms, which can be used to accurately and quickly describe the affected region in a manner easily comprehended by the residents of the region. A map is provided with a grid system consisting of intersecting, generally vertical and horizontal columns and rows, dividing the area into subregions. Each row and each column has an identifying designation, and each subregion of the map has a distinct designation including the designations for the row and the column in which it is located. A weather bulletin for an area includes reference to the designations for the subregion involved.

Abstract: A canopy for truck and trailer loads in which a cover of a sheet of flexible water resistant material is supported by a plurality of inverted U-shaped members pivoted on opposite sides of the load by support members attached to the bed of the truck, trailer or pallet. The U-shaped members and the flexible sheet fold downwardly at one end of the load, thus fully exposing the load, and unfold over the load with the two end U-shaped members in substantially horizontal position extending oppositely from one another and the other U-shaped members being spaced from the end members and from each other throughout the distance between the two end members. A flexible strap interconnects most of the U-shaped members to assist in obtaining the desired spacing of the members in the unfolded position. The lower edges of the cover are secured to the bed or pallet when the canopy is in its unfolded position to hold the cover firmly over the load while it is being hauled by the truck or trailer.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical arm rest and instrument platform for supporting the arms and hands of a surgeon during a micro-surgical procedure, in which a supporting platform is provided with vertical and angular adjustment mechanisms which permit rapid adjustment of the platform before, during and after the operation. Two or more platforms may be used, and each platform can be adjusted independently of the other platforms. The angular adjustment of a platform can be performed independently of the vertical adjustment of the platform. Each mechanism is provided with a two part securing feature so that the platforms will not move accidentally. An oxygen/air tube may be attached during local procedures to supply oxygen.