Abstract: A cable testing apparatus and method are disclosed, the apparatus and method being particularly useful as a seismic cable tester to enable rapid cable check-out, and, as a battery operated portable unit, being particularly useful for final check-outs in field operations. The wires of a multi-wire cable are sequentially tested by pairs with sequential testing being interrupted and an indication of the pair of wires then found to be open being displayed each time an open is sensed. The apparatus includes electrical control circuitry for controlling multiplexing of the wire pairs of the cable to be tested and for determining the display to be presented so that the display is indicative of each pair of wires of the cable found to be open.

Abstract: An aerostat amusement device in the form of a ballast member including a resilient container adapted to contain a liquid such as water and having defined therein an opening sufficiently small to preclude flow of the liquid through the hole as a result of the surface tension of the liquid, but adequate to permit flow of the liquid through the hole in response to a pressure differential induced by deforming the resilient container to thus flow liquid into or out of the container in a carefully controlled manner, the ballast device being adapted to be secured to a balloon filled with buoyant gas to resemble an airship, the ballast device being accurately adjustable to maintain the balloon at a desired height by providing an equilibrium with the buoyant force generated by the balloon.

Abstract: Device and method utilizing a fixed assembly attachable to a vehicle wheel back support plate, and a journaled, rotatable assembly carrying a track which may be deployed to engage and rotate with the wheel, or retracted for stable storage. The track is supported by leading and trailing arms carried on the rotatable assembly of the device, which arms in turn are movable concentrically to the device journal to expand the track around the tire and move inwardly upon completion of the track expansion to encircle the tire. Tracks utilizing linkages and rigid traction bars, or resilient members may be employed. Deployment and retraction power may be manual or provided by springs preloadable utilizing the rotational energy of the wheel, by fluid means, i.e. hydraulic vacuum and pneumatic, or by electric power, with the deployment and retraction being powered by a common means, or with the two movements or portions thereof being powered by a combination of power means.

Abstract: A novel mechanical power coupling means employable with a novel material compacting apparatus and utilizing either reciprocal or continuous drive inputs with the coupling means. In the preferred compacting apparatus embodiment a reciprocal drive is used such that the compactor is powered by both reciprocating movements of the input shaft. The compactor may be driven in a variety of speed/torque arrangements using the novel coupling means. The coupling means includes a wrapped spring clutch which automatically engages the highest speed mechanical arrangement capable of overcoming the load on the output shaft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating raw water by introducing the raw water and a flocculating agent into a cylindrical container, preferably in a tangential manner of flow between the cylindrical container wall and a baffle spaced radially inward from the container wall, flowing the fluid radially inward towards the center of the container to a central conduit extending axially upward in the container and opening at the internal bore of the conduit through the bottom of the container, the central conduit being surrounded by a coaxial pipe having a plurality of circumferentially defined, spaced openings therein to induce a radial, i.e., from the wall of the container to the central conduit, flow of water with minimal axial flow components in order to facilitate settling of the flocculated particles from the treated water.

Abstract: A wire rope formed of a plurality of strands of wire rope elements wound around a core, and incorporating a lubricant which comprises a microporous polymeric lubricating medium.

Abstract: A self-lubricating journal bearing includes an arcuate bearing plate having a concave bearing surface. A plurality of lubricant plugs are positioned in apertures in the surface of said plate and are adapted to engage a rotating journal supported on said bearing surface for providing lubrication between said journal and said bearing plate. The lubricant plugs comprise an oil and polymer lubricating composition. The apertures and plugs are arranged to provide continuous lubrication over substantially the entire bearing surface as the journal rotates thereon, and coolant grooves are cut into the bearing surface of said bearing plate in a generally X-shaped pattern for channeling liquid coolant between the journal and the bearing plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for detecting air disturbances created by low level wind shear. The apparatus includes optics for directing infrared radiation towards a continuously rotating chopper wheel having a plurality of infrared filters which have effectively different distance sensitivities and therefrom to a radiation sensor which produces an analog output signal that is demodulated by a synchronous demodulator. The demodulated signal is then routed through a gated integrator to a selective multiplexing circuit which has a plurality of output channels and is controlled by an electronic detector connected with the chopper wheel. Each channel includes a low pass filter and the outputs therefrom are coupled to a signal processor which thus receives periodically updated information to provide a display indicative of sensed air disturbances due to low level wind shear.

Abstract: A structure and method for utilizing solar energy for heating including a unitary, preferably modular, unit adapted to form an outer surface of a building, and having therein a reservoir suitable for storing fluid heat storage medium. The structure includes an outer glazing, an energy absorbing surface spaced inwardly from the glazing, and a divider forming an absorber channel adjacent the back side of the absorber. Preferably, the storage reservoir is separated from the back side of the absorber by an insulating divider defining the absorber channel. The structure is preferably self-supporting with a stressed storage reservoir and may be incorporated in a structure as a unitary module supporting at least its own weight and often forming a structural, stressed portion of the building.

Abstract: A positive displacement intravenous infusion pump device and method are disclosed to precisely meter intravenous fluid to a patient. Intravenous fluid to be injected into the vein of a patient is placed in a closed rigid fluid container, and a variable (but fixed for each administration) quantity of incompressible material, stored in a separate receptacle, is introduced into the fluid container to cause displacement of fluid from the container to thereby inject the fluid into the vein of the patient. Introduction of incompressible material is controlled so that the intravenous fluid is injected in a controlled manner into the vein of the patient.

Abstract: A wind instrument key in which the arm and foot portions are stabilized. The post supporting the hinge rod is also stabilized and the hinge rod is prevented from lateral movement in the post hole. A novel pad construction prevents air leaks due to shrinking of the pad cover. A means for resiliently contacting a tone hole cover prevents air leaks in combination type keys. A means for modulating energy radiated from the tone hole is included in the key structure. A spring containing means allows adjustable and removable mounting of springs on the key. A cluster of finger contact points includes a rigid plate containing the contact points with each contact point operatively associated with one or more tone hole covers.

Abstract: A temperature indicative hotpack is disclosed. A temperature monitoring unit has an indicating portion and a sensing portion with the monitoring unit being mounted on one liquid permeable wall enclosing a heat retaining material so that the temperature of the heat retaining material is accurately determined by the sensing portion within the enclosure and displayed externally of the enclosure by means of the indicating portion so that the hotpack can be safely and effectively utilized.

Abstract: A back pack having an enclosed volume suitable for storing and transporting materials, the back pack including shoulder straps and a belt for supporting the back pack upon a wearer, the belt constituting a climbing harness with attached, preferably storable, groin straps and a releasable attachment to the back pack.

Abstract: A structure for attachment to the handlebars of a vehicle such as a bicycle including first and second engaging members, one of which is adapted to fit under the gooseneck intersection with the handlebars and over the handlebars, and the other of which is adapted to fit over the gooseneck section and under the handlebars, and a clamping device to engage both the first and second members to provide positive attachment to the bicycle handlebars, one of the first and second members also including a bag engaging means, preferably in the form of spaced, parallel extending portions adapted to engage pockets defined on the sides of a handlebar pack.

Abstract: A device for applying pressure to a surface. A base member has a contacting means mounted on its lower face and a pressure conveying means mounted on its upper face. The user applies pressure to the device through handles. The pressure is conveyed through the handles, carrier members, and axles to rollers. The device is lightweight and portable such that it may be used on walls, ceilings, and in confined spaces as well as for conventional floor installation.

Abstract: An independent readily attachable visor member for goggles having a rim portion with slots defined therein on the sides thereof to accept a strap, the visor member being formed of a pliable sheet material and formed into a relatively rigid structure by curving the visor brim portion to provide structural rigidity, positioning end mounting sections formed on the ends of the brim portion to a position substantially normal to that of the brim, such that the end sections may be inserted obliquely through the strap slots defined in the rim, and the visor member rotated to lock the brim portion against the goggle with the end sections securely engaged in the strap slots.

Abstract: Internal sleeve seal for sealing pipelines by inserting into the pipeline a tube-like collar member of pliable but not necessarily elastic material having locating means preferably in the form of dovetail seals on either end, positioning the seal with two ring cushions of elastic gumlike material located in annular recessed portions on the collar member located on either side of the portion of the pipeline to be sealed, and radially enlarging the collar member at the recessed portions to urge the ring cushions into sealing contact with the interior surfaces of the pipe while confining the ring cushions to the depressions between axially parallel annular surfaces on the collar member defining the recessed portions to effectively seal the pipe between the ring cushions and the portion of the collar member therebetween.

Abstract: A disposable electrode is disclosed that is air-permeable over at least that portion of the electrode that is engageable with the skin of a patient, and is non-metallic and nonionic. The electrode includes a conductive silicone pad adapted to receive one end of an electrical lead from an active electrical instrument, and particularly an electronic medical instrument such as a transcutaneous nerve stimulator. The pad engages a permeable conductive element that is skin engageable through a permeable conductive adhesive coating. The permeable conductive element is formed primarily from karaya and carbon black so that the element can "breathe". The permeable conductive adhesive coating is likewise formed primarily from karaya so that the coating can also "breathe".

Abstract: A method of forming discrete magnetic particles in situ by dispersing a nickel hypophosphite solution in a binder and binder solvent, such as polyvinyl alcohol in water or polyester urethane polymer in an organic solvent, forming a coating from the nickel hypophosphite binder solution on a substrate, and exposing the coating to a radiant energy source, such as x-rays or an electron beam. Thereafter the incipient magnetic media in the area exposed to radiation is developed by contact with a solution including ions of at least one of cobalt, nickel and iron and a reducing agent, such as a hypophosphite ion, to produce a magnetic media of discrete magnetic particles within the binder in the area exposed to the radiant energy while not forming such magnetic particles in other unexposed areas of the nickel hypophosphite coating.

Abstract: Septum for use in relatively high temperature gas chromatography including within the septum a cooling element, preferably a fluid carrying loop through which heat transfer medium may be circulated, to lower the temperature of the septum thus avoiding excessive bleed of volatile compounds into the carrier gas stream and protecting the septum from rapid thermal degradation.