Abstract: A pressure sensing mat utilizes a thin sheet of semiconductor material that has an electrical conductivity generally invariable as to pressure applied to the mat material. The sheet of semiconductor material is sandwiched between sheets of copper, steel or aluminum foil which are in mechanical contact with the semiconductor sheet to define a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are connected to various circuits including a pressure (voltage) threshold detector, a learning circuit for establishing a learned threshold, a circuit for matching time-pressure patterns and a circuit for detecting pressures between a predetermined maximum and minimum level. A matrix of pressure sensing mats is utilized with various circuits to detect sequential pressure patterns.

Abstract: A recreational apparatus utilizes an upper housing having generally cylindrical side walls adapted to telescopically enclose a bottom support member utilizing a plurality of first guide members to engage corresponding second guide members connected to said upper housing. A support platform capable of supporting one or more persons is disposed about the outer periphery of the generally cylindrical side walls proximate the bottom edge thereof. A set of wheels are connected to the bottom support member to permit it to travel, roll and skate along a supporting surface. A gas filled balloon is inflated to fill the cavity within the bottom support member and act as a flotation device.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for an outboard jet engine utilizes a channel or conduit along the underside of a boat hull in combination with a channel or conduit extension member to guide water to the inlet port of the jet outboard propulsion apparatus, the bottom lip of the inlet port being disposed proximate the extended bottom surface of the underside of the boat hull with the top lip or rim of the inlet port being disposed proximate the extended top surface of the channel of conduit along the hull to permit propulsion and steering of the boat while the boat hull is planing along the surface of water only inches or centimeters above the bed of the lake, river or ocean.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving optimized efficiency combustion in a diesel internal combustion engine utilizes a cylinder pressure detector which measures peak cylinder pressure relative to crankshaft timing and compares it with a speed-load-timing map comprising several engine parameters including engine speed and engine load in order to compensate for various unknown combustion characteristics of the fuels to be used in compression ignition engines, and automatically adjusts fuel injection timing for optimum efficiency.

Abstract: An electriclly actuated, spring biased closed solenoid valve comprising a valve actuating coil, a valve bias spring, a valve plug and a valve seat is adapted to be mechanically actuated by an hydraulic actuated piston actuated by hydraulic fluid in a second fluid channel and having means for cushioning release of the piston from the solenoid valve to prevent hydraulic hammer when the solenoid valve plug stops the flow fluid in the main fluid flow channel. The solenoid valve is also adapted to open under hydraulic back-pressure against the valve seat when the back-pressure exceeds the pressure of the normally closed spring bias.

Abstract: A multiple cathode-anode pulsed X-ray source utilizes a first X-ray transparent cathode spaced apart from a solid tungsten first anode between which is disposed a second tungsten anode spaced apart from the first cathode and electrically connected to a second X-ray transparent cathode which is also spaced apart from a solid tungsten first anode. Electrons emitted from the first cathode are caused to bombard the second anode to emit X-radiation therefrom where the electrons are then conducted to and emitted by the second cathode to bombard the first anode to again emit X-radiation therefrom. The X-radiation emitted from the first and second anodes passes through the first and second cathodes to a target.

Abstract: A pressure sensing mat utilizes a thin sheet of semiconductor material that has an electrical conductivity generally invariable as to pressure applied to the mat material. The sheet of semiconductor material is sandwiched between sheets of copper, steel or aluminum foil which are in mechanical contact with the semiconductor sheet to define a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are connected to various circuits including a pressure (voltage) threshold detector, a learning circuit for establishing a learned threshold, a circuit for matching time-pressure patterns and a circuit for detecting pressures between a predetermined maximum and minimum level. A matrix of pressure sensing mats is utilized with various circuits to detect sequential pressure patterns.

Abstract: An article crushing device having a base support on which is mounted an anvil bracket for supporting the item to be crushed includes a crushing piston disposed in a cylindrical housing which is adapted to slidably move therein. An operating handle, pivotally connected to the base support, is provided with a means connecting the operating handle to the piston for progressively increasing the ratio of force on the piston to moment on the operating handle as the piston approaches the anvil bracket during the crushing operation of the article.

Abstract: An electroexpansive linear actuator utilizes a sagittal tension member to amplify linear motion in which the electroexpansive member is placed in compression between a fixed base support and a lever support member hingedly connected to the fixed base. One end of the sagittal tension member is attached to the fixed base while the other end is attached to the lever support member distal the hinge point. The device to be actuated is connected proximate the midpoint of the sagittal tension member and moves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sagittal tension member when the electroexpansive member expands and contracts. A second embodiment of the actuator utilizes a second lever support arm instead of the fixed base as a bearing support for the other end of the electroexpansive member.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve utilizes a ball which is rotated about an axis greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees to the direction of fluid flow. The ball member utilizes a fluid flow conduit through its center with a flat surface disposed at an angle to the fluid flow conduit. When in the closed position, the flat surface is disposed flush with a valve face on one port of the valve. The ball is also disposed so that its center is less than a radius length from the surface defined by the valve face.

Abstract: A motor vehicle battery charger is mounted on and carried with the motor vehicle. A tension releasable power source connector automatically disconnects the charger from the stationary source of alternating current power when the vehicle is driven off. A first relay is used to prevent discharge of the battery when the charger is disconnected from the power source and to prevent current flow from one battery to another where a dual battery system is used. A second relay is used to disconnect the charger when the vehicle electrical system is connected to the batteries.

Abstract: An apparatus for carbonizing an agricultural product utilizes a horizontally rotatable cylindrical vessel in which a pair of helical barriers are used to cause hot gases and combustion air to turbulate in a vortex about a central support member to cause various volatile constituents and organic matter of the agricultural product to evolve leaving the carbon constituents remaining on the skeletal silica through controlled burning at a temperature below the fusion point of the skeletal silica of the agricultural product.

Abstract: A process for treating an agricultural product having a high silica content utilizes the steps of supplying hot gases and combustion air to a combustion zone, dispersing the agricultural product in the hot gases and combustion air for controlled burning thereof and then arresting the combustion process after evolution of the volatile constituents and organic matter and prior to oxidation of the carbon constituents remaining in the agricultural product.

Abstract: A housing having an inlet port and an outlet port utilizes a variable volume cavity connected to the housing and includes a device for limiting the volume of the cavity which is alternately filled through the inlet port and exhausted through the outlet port using a spool valve. The spool valve is arranged to prevent continuous communication of fluid between the inlet and outlet ports. The volume of the variable volume cavity can be varied using electro-expansive or piezoelectric apparatus. The spool valve is reciprocated between the inlet and outlet ports using an electromechanical device and a motion amplifier.

Abstract: A knock-down, stackable multipurpose container utilizes a pair of end members or panels having a number of slots or devices for slidably engaging various top, side, bottom and intermediate spacer members or panels. The top edge of the end members is provided with a raised portion which, in the embodiment described, defines a handle. The bottom edge of the end members is provided with a recess adapted to receive and engage the raised portion or handle of an identical multipurpose container. The bottom panel is adapted to cooperate with the bottom recess of the end member to maintain vertical alignment of the stacked containers.

Abstract: A dual ball towing hitch utilizes a first ball member having a first base support portion and a second ball member having a second base support portion which are connected to each other and a vehicle towbar by a common stud engaging each ball member through its support portion. The stud passes through a hole in the towbar whereby the base support portion of each ball member frictionally engages the towbar on opposite sides thereof. A hole in each ball member is adapted to receive a torque wrench and a counter-torque bar, respectively, to tighten the ball members to a predetermined frictional torque.

Abstract: A high pressure diaphragm for use with an electroexpansive material utilizes a generally planar central member, a generally outer flange-engaging member, and an annular ring member, which can have a frusto-conical shape, having its outer edge flexibly connected to the inner edge of the flange-engaging member and with its inner edge flexibly connected to the outer edge of the central member. The flexible connection includes a bridge member having a thickness less than the thickness of the annular ring member and maybe fabricated integrally with said annular ring member and with the central and flange-engaging members. In one embodiment the high pressure diaphgram is pre-loaded so that during movement no portion of the flexible connectors are in tension.

Abstract: An electromotive actuator comprises a hollow cylinder within which is an electroexpansive body having attached to each end a metal cup with slotted sides. Inside of each cup there is positioned an electroexpansive disc which, in the absence of excitation, causes the slotted sides, which are called fingers hereinafter, to bend outward, and in the presence of excitation enables them to return to their original position. In the absence of excitation the fingers clamp tightly against the inner surface of the cylinder and in the presence of excitation they spring inwardly and release that surface. By sequencing the excitation of the respective discs and the central body in one embodiment of the invention, the assembly can be made to move in either direction and thereby move an externally extending rod. In another embodiment of the invention, by properly sequencing the excitation of the discs and central body, high torque and fine angular resolution may be obtained.