Abstract: A system for handling a remote vessel from a mother vessel comprising: a messenger/manipulating line intercepting member extending upwardly from the remote vessel; a line capturing device associated with the line intercepting member; line traversing device for transferring the line to the line capturing device; a messenger/manipulating line associated with the mother vessel for engaging the line intercepting device and capturing by the line capturing device of the remote vessel; and a winch associated with the messenger/manipulating line for manipulating the remote vessel. For one embodiment of the invention, the system may additionally include a line capturing and lifting hook attached to the remote vessel; a hoisting winch and hoisting cable with hook for attachment to the lifting hook attached to the remote vessel; and a second messenger line for releasable attachment to the hoisting cable for capture by the lifting hook and to provide attachment of the hoisting cable to the lifting hook.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides controlled volumetric delivery of particulate material, particularly for delivery of a particulate sample for analysis. The apparatus includes a sample receiving tubular member that is vibrated or rotated relative to the sample container to agitate and fluidize a surface portion of the sample placed in an elongated container. A transporting gas carries the fluidized sample from the container through the tubular member. Sample delivery rate is controlled by a traversing mechanism that gradually inserts the moving tubular member into the upper fluidized portion of the sample. The apparatus allows total delivery of a known mass of a particulate sample at a predetermined delivery rate.

Abstract: A system for introducing a sample to an analyzing device, such as a spectrometer, wherein the flow rate of gas to the analyzing device is maintained substantially constant and uncontaminated during sample changeover. The system includes a flow controller and flow control paths arranged to avoid having any flow diverting valves or direction change in the analyte flow path.

Abstract: The system utilizes one or more buoyant members which are attached to a mooring line or lines anchored to the sea bed. The mooring line has a length limited to provide travel constraints on the travel path of the buoyant member, whereby upon collision of floating object with the buoyant member or mooring line, the resulting lateral displacement will effect downward travel of the buoyant member and absorb kinetic energy of a floating object approaching the offshore area to be protected. In one embodiment a number of buoyant members are connected to one another to partially or completely encircle the area to be protected. In another embodiment the buoyant members are arranged alongside a navigable route to prevent vessels from running aground or onto shoals.

Abstract: High contrast silhouette images of moving aquatic organisms against a brightly lit background are provided with an apparatus which comprises a tunnel with transparent top and front walls for confining the motion of aquatic organisms, retroreflective surfaces associated with the rear and bottom wall of the tunnel, a mirror, a camera, a light source and a camera support. Tunnel edges are provided with retroreflective surfaces to provide brightly lit borders to facilitate machine vision. Arrangements are described for determining organism size.

Abstract: A recovery system for a submerged instrument that includes a buoyant member and an electrically promoted magnetic flux diversion device comprising a pair of pole pieces, a permanent magnet disposed substantially centrally between said pole pieces, and a release plate comprising ferromagnetic material bridging one end of said pole pieces, the pole pieces and permanent magnet forming tow flux paths with the metal release plate forming a portion of one of said flux paths. A control winding associated with the pole pieces are disposed for producing a momentary magnetic field opposite to that of the permanent magnet to divert the flux path from the path that includes the release plate to the other flux path. A remotely activated electrical pulse to the control winding diverts the flux path and releases the release plate form the pole pieces allowing the marker buoy to rise to the surface for recovery of instrument or device to which the buoy is attached.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder that is relatively rigid and includes friction means for controlling the rate of deployment. The ladder comprises a plurality of tubular rungs and side support members pivotally connected between each end of adjacent rungs, each side support member comprising a pair of pivotally interconnected tubular links each having a length less than half of that of the rungs. The links have ends with flat surfaces defining a contacting region for contacting the flat surface of an adjacent pivotally interconnected link.

Abstract: A line releasing pulley system suitable for the remote conveyance of an article, such as an improvised explosive device, along a complex path, involving many direction changes. The pulley system comprises a pulley frame having a pivoting cheek plate that provides automatic release of the line as a breaker member on the line passes over the pulley.

Abstract: A snow making, multiple nozzle assembly is provided comprising a tubular casing having an upstream end wall and an outwardly bulging downstream wall containing a plurality of snow making, supersonic, air expansion and liquid atomizing nozzle orifices circumferentially spaced therearound with radially inwardly extending air grooves therebetween in the outer, bulging surface. A tube plate partitions the casing interior into an upstream water compartment and downstream air compartment, and for each snow making nozzle orifice contains a water jet nozzle for directing a water jet into a central portion of that snow making nozzle orifice. Pressurized water fed into the water compartment causes water jets in each of the snow making nozzle orifices while pressurized air fed to the air compartment causes a jacket of air to surround the water jets entering the snow making nozzle orifice. The water exits from the snow making nozzle orifices as fine droplets which form into snow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emplacement of dry particulate filter pack and seal material into a borehole to form a monitoring zone for groundwater monitoring which allows the material to be emplaced in dry form. The method involves inserting a tube into the borehole to a depth above a desired monitoring zone and consecutively injecting a first layer of seal material, a layer of filter material and a second layer of seal material, while supplying gas to the tube to prevent groundwater from contacting particulate material while in the tube. The apparatus comprises an injector, including a container and valve assembly adapted for connection to a pressurized gas supply, that allows sequential placement of seal material and filter material while continuously supplying gas to the injection tube.

Abstract: A sample of the pressure tube of a CANDU type of nuclear reactor is obtained for deuterium analyses without removing the pressure tube from the reactor. The preferred sampling tool comprises two cutters and means for capturing the removed material, wherein one cutter removes the surface oxide layer, and the second cutter removes a sample for analysis. The cutters and cutting operation are designed to avoid damaging the integrity of the pressure tube to allow it to remain in service. In the preferred embodiment, the sampling tool performs the surface and sample removal operation with the fueling equipment with simple linear movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making multi-layered plastic tube reinforced with fibers by a co-extrusion process. The method and apparatus provide more specifically a multi-layered plastic tube with an intermediate layer thereof having discrete fibers where at least a major portion of the fibers is oriented to extend predominantly in a general direction lying between the circumferential and the longitudinal axis of the tube with the orientation of the fibers being generally the same throughout the thickness of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A simple extensometer that allows remote sensing under harsh testing conditions, such as elevated temperatures. The apparatus uses two extension arms arranged such that there is no contact between the two linkages connecting the specimen to a strain measuring device, thereby avoiding friction, the major source of problems, namely high hysteresis and non-linearity.

Abstract: An oceanographic sampling bottle providing low drag for a rapid descent rate and low susceptibility to leakage after sample acquisition. The sampling bottle comprises streamlined inlet and outlet valve members shaped and positioned to avoid flow separation. The bottle with valves occupies a relatively small cross-sectional area facilitating design of a rosette or cluster of bottles. A hollow resilient conduit interconnecting the inlet and outlet valves draws the valves against seats on the sampling bottle when released. Vents in the conduit provide pressure equalization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a particulate sample to an analyzing device such as a flame or plasma spectrometer, which provides relatively uniform, continuous and controlled delivery of a sample and allows sample changing without disrupting the operation of the analyzing device.

Abstract: A device for indicating grain loss resulting from unthreshed heads in a combine harvester using a microwave transmitter-sensor. The device provides an output signal whose magnitude is a function of the mass of passing effluent which when compared to that of a typical threshed head provides a measure of unthreshed head grain loss.The device further provides that the output signal for unthreshed heads is distinct from that of loose grain providing means of distinguishing unthreshed head grain loss and loose grain loss.

Abstract: A planting machine for planting containerized seedlings from a moving vehicle comprising a planting tool that is pivotally supported on the vehicle. The planting tool comprises a resiliently mounted ground engaging foot, a ground penetrating probe, and a planting container advancing device having a passageway for containers. The probe is reciprocatably mounted relative to the container advancing device with means to provide horizontal displacement of the container advancing device when the probe is withdrawn such that the outlet of the container passageway is positioned over the hole made by the probe for receiving the planting container.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an apparatus and a method for the introduction of vaporizable samples into an apparatus for the analysis of such samples, such as a gas chromatograph, and especially a capillary gas chromatograph and ion mobility spectrometer. A sample is vaporized or desorbed from a sample tube by heating the sample tube and then transferred by a carrier gas to the analytical apparatus by being withdrawn from the sample tube along and condensed on the inner surface of a heat conductive metal walled needle of a hypodermic syringe from which it is then vaporized and introduced into the analytical apparatus. Suitable samples may also be introduced into an ion mobility spectrometer directly by placing a sample-charged sample tube into a sample-introduction port thereto.

Abstract: An elevator comprising a rotating cylinder having a resilient surface, and an endless belt that engages a circumferential segment of the cylinder. Articles are captured between the resilient surface and the belt as they come into contact and are released when they separate at an elevated position.One use envisaged for the invention is an elevator for a potato harvester for elevating potatoes from the digging bed to a height suitable for loading onto a vehicle.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor is provided with spaced apart anode and cathode monopolar electrodes. At least one bipolar electrode, and preferably a plurality of bipolar electrodes, are disposed between the monopolar electrodes. Each bipolar electrode has a plurality of openings therethrough occupying a suitable surface area thereof, such that gas disengagement from one side of the electrode is facilitated by passage of such gas through the openings therein to the other side of the electrodes. Such a cell is particularly useful in production of peroxide by electroreduction of oxygen. Such an arrangement allows relatively high superficial current densities to be used, as well as permitting use of gas impermeable separators (e.g. diaphragms or membranes) disposed adjacent the bipolar electrodes.