Abstract: Wood waste fuel is piled on a perforated grate within a combustion chamber. The fuel is burned by underfire air passing through the grate up through the pile. Ash forms at the bottom of the pile and is removed about a complete 360 degree perimeter where it falls into an ash pit and is subsequently removed from the burner. Fuel is fed to the burner through an elongated continuously expanding tube by a reciprocating ram feeder.

Abstract: A mounting structure for double-bar resonators to ensure symmetrical loading of the resonator responsive to external forces. In one embodiment, the resonator is connected to a pair of mounting pads through compliant coupling members. The coupling members allow longitudinal, force-induced displacements of the mounting pads to load the resonator while making the resonator insensitive to spurious transverse displacements of the mounting pads. In another embodiment, a force is applied to a load-sensitive, double-bar resonator through a force-transmitting bar which is mounted on an elongated flexure hinge. The hinge is compliant about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the resonator so that the hinge attenuates any force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the resonator which would otherwise non-symmetrically load the resonator.

Abstract: A fused plug has a fuse cavity containing active and spare fuses which can be alternated between active and inactive positions. The fuses in turn preferably each have multiple fuse elements which can be alternatively placed in active position by changing the position of the fuse in the fuse cavity.

Abstract: A digital differential pressure transducer with relatively low sensitivity to common mode line pressure errors. The transducer includes an airtight enclosure having a pair of pressure ports through which pressure is coupled to opposite sides of a pressure-sensing diaphragm or bellows. The force generated by the pressure differential across the diaphragm or bellows is coupled to a stress-sensitive resonator either directly or through a force-transmitting structure. A first bellows extends from the diaphragm or a bellows end cap. The first bellows has an effective area which is substantially smaller than the effective area of the pressure-sensing diaphragm or bellows so that it applies substantially less pressure-induced stress to the resonator than does the pressure-sensing diaphragm or bellows. A second bellows has an effective area and a mounting position chosen to counteract the effect of the first bellows on the pressure-sensing diaphragm or bellows.

Abstract: This invention relates to actuators for small sailing craft. Fins extend downwardly from opposite sides of the craft and pivot together when the craft lists. The pivoting tends to right the craft. When righted, the fins function like centerboards to stabilize the craft. Preferably, the fins are linked to a pendulum which responds to the listing of the craft.

Abstract: A location system and method whereby the azimuth and range information of an aircraft with respect to a reference ground station is made available to other aircraft by transmission of a pulse at a time uniquely associated with the aircraft's location. A synthetic azimuth function and a synthetic range function provide a periodic mapping of an area. The synthetic azimuth function is a slowed, time-expanded representation of a conventional azimuth function. Each azimuth increment is allocated a time slot in the synthetic azimuth function. The synthetic azimuth function is synchronized by counting a number of synchronizing pulses from the conventional azimuth function, and a synthetic azimuth reference pulse is periodically transmitted from a reference ground station to synchronize all aircraft using the synthetic azimuth function.

Abstract: A bellows-type spring seal has a flexible bellows with an upper sealing end adapted to mate with a bell housing of an air intake pipe. The seal provides an effective breakaway joint when the cab is tilted forward from over the engine. A means, such as coil springs, encircles the bellows to push upon the underside of the sealing end of the bellows to provide a positive preload sealing force. The seal is self-aligning in the vertical and horizontal planes to accommodate cab rocking and minor misalignment in manufacture of the truck.

Abstract: A system for the control and synchronization of magnetic tape and filmstrip in an audio-visual projector. Film is advanced by means of recorded advance tones on the magnetic tape which are detected by a tone detector to generate an advance pulse. An advance counter is incremented responsive to each advance pulse and decremented as the film advances each frame. The output of the advance counter actuates a film-advance mechanism unless the contents of the counter are zero, so that synchronization is maintained even if the rate at which the advance pulses occur exceeds the operating speed of the film-advance mechanism. Means are provided to automatically synchronize the tape and film at predetermined locations by optically sensing markers affixed to the tape and film. The system may also advance the tape independently of the film in either a fast-forward or a regular-speed mode or it may advance the film independently of the tape.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a kit and elements thereof, for manually producing cabochons from various types of rocks and gemstones such as onyx, agate, opal, jade, etc. The kit contains all necessary equipment for hobbyists and craftsman to shape and polish gemstones from preform pieces of rock or stone. Also disclosed are various novel embodiments of base frames and attachment means for fixedly securing abrasive and polishing media to the base frame.

Abstract: A cushioned container for beverage cans and the like is formed from flexible, semi-rigid foamed material. An arched, one-piece roof panel and substantially planar bottom, back and front panels are bonded along their respective margins utilizing miter joints. The arched subchamber formed in the top of the container has flat surface areas formed in the arch for attaching removable coolant packages. The upper portion of the front panel of the container includes a tongue-shaped flap with beveled edges around its margin for releasable engagement with the corresponding beveled edges on the margin of the arched roof panel. The semi-rigid container fits within a carrying bag having a closure adjacent the margin of the flap. The flap flexes outwardly along a hinge line reinforced by the bag construction. The bag includes a collapsible lower compartment having a padded rear panel and an auxiliary strap useful for carrying or as a backpack hip strap.

Abstract: A heating system utilizing solar panels and buried ground conduits to collect and store heat which is delivered to a heat-pump heat exchanger. A heat-distribution fluid continuously circulates through a ground circuit to transfer heat from the ground to the heat exchanger. The ground circuit includes a length of buried ground conduit, a pump, a check valve and the heat exchanger. A solar circuit, including a solar panel and a second pump, is connected in parallel with the check valve so that the distribution fluid transfers solar heat to the heat exchanger for utilization and to the ground conduit for storage when the second pump is energized. A thermostatically instrumented control system energizes the second pump only when the temperature differential between the solar panel inlet and outlet temperatures exceeds a predetermined value and the ground temperature is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An air deflector assembly for reducing aerodynamic drag on a tractor-trailer vehicle, a full truck or similar automotive vehicles which includes a deflector panel pivotally mounted above the roof of the tractor for deflecting a portion of the air flow passing over the roof upwardly and over the top of the trailer. The deflector panel is reinforced on its rear side by a stiffener having a plurality of diagonally extending segments which increases the torsional stiffness of the panel and permits the use of a single support strut. The strut, which is adjustable so as to permit the panel to be positioned in a retracted position and one or more operating positions, extends between the central portion of the stiffener and a frame mounted to the roof of the truck. Means are provided near the forward end of the frame for pivotal mounting of the deflector panel.

Abstract: A helical rotary actuator has a torque transmitting section that can be a sealing section or a clearance section but which is welded to a ring gear so that torque forces imposed on the ring gear can be carried through the torque transmitting section to the base of the actuator. In the method of fabrication, the splines on the ring gear are cut after a weldment is made between the ring gear and the torque transmitting section of the cylinder. The pistons within the cylinder are hydraulically cushioned.

Abstract: A system for connecting a row of concrete marine floats to each other by fastening elongated wales along the upper side edges thereof. Post-tensioned tendons having fastening members mounted on their ends extend transversely through the float. The tendons are relatively thin so that their elongation responsive to tensioning is sufficient to maintain the force of the wales against the float as the wales shrink. However, the tendons, being relatively thin, do not have sufficient strength to withstand the shear forces generated between the float and wales. Consequently, rigid shear-reinforcing sleeves, preferably surrounding the tendons, project from the float into the wales. The tendons may be either rigid rods having threaded ends or flexible wire cables having an anchor mounted at each end.

Abstract: A nasal composition is disclosed for relieving nasal distress of a cold which does not employ a vasoconstrictor compound. The nasal composition, administered preferably in atomized form into the nasal passages, consist of a buffered, isotonic, aqueous solution containing from 0.25 to 0.8 by weight of an antihistamine compound in combination with one or more isomers of vitamin E, such as, the maleate or succinate esters of alpha, beta, gamma, delta or epsilon tocopherols.

Abstract: Several unique bag closure features are presented, with one embodiment having a bag-neck confining opening provided with inwardly depending appendages peripherally spaced from one another and with blunted ends to protect the bag, but with sharp corners to hold the bag. Another feature of the invention is a perforated plastic bag closure, with the perforations being arranged in a unique pattern to maximize the strength of the closure while reducing its weight. A third feature is a plurality of interconnected, flat, generally rigid closures which are joined in an elongated strip by sets of transversely spaced but outwardly, generally convex webs which space the adjoined, adjacent closures from one another yet leave a smooth web when the closures are separated by breaking the webs.

Abstract: An add-on roof assembly for use in converting a van into a camper is adapted to be installed as a unit and has a mounting base for fitting snugly over the rim of the van top and a pop-up top which nests with the base when in lowered position. This top is of two-ply construction, providing ventilation between the two plies.