Abstract: By this method, the fluid to be filtered is led through a filter bed formed of particulate filter particles, such as sand, which filter bed is retained in an upstanding annular space. The fluid is introduced to the interior part 15 of the annular space and is led transversely to the movement the filter bed, through it and away. The filter bed is provided on the inner wall of annular space with a microfilter, such as sieve grid 16, with a mesh size of 10 to 200 microns, whereby the heavy and flocculated dirt particles settling upon the microfilter are led down and away and are drawn off together with the particulate filter particles 32. To avoid stoppages of the microfilter, it is flowingly hydraulically cleaned from the inner space. Additionally, by introduction of water in the take-off space 11 there is produced a vortex bed, whereby at this space the withdrawal of the particulate filter medium is effected with a mammoth pump 17 known per se.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve in a fluid flow control circuit comprises a cavity, first, second and third ports open to the cavity, and a valve member for selectively closing the first port or the second port. The third port serves as an input for receiving fluid under pressure and the other two ports serve as to outputs for this fluid each extending to an associated outlet. A solenoid causes an armature to rotate about a lining so that a lever on the armature is arranged for selectively opening and closing the outlets to close the output associated with this outlet. The valve member is responsive to pressure drop at one or other of the outlets to close the output associated with this outlet. Downstream of the valve there are ducts extend from between the input and each of the outlets for supplying fluid received from the input.

Abstract: A rack assembly for allowing movement of a winning machine utilized in underground, long-wall mining operations. The rack assembly is comprised of a plurality of rack sections positioned end-to-end and suitable for attachment to trough sections of a face conveyor. The rack sections correspond in a one to one relationship to the trough sections and have lengths slightly greater than the associated trough sections. Toggles connect adjacent rack sections and maintain the adjacent rack sections such that end faces of the rack sections are maintained contiguous to one another, preventing relative longitudinal movement between the adjacent rack sections. The toggle, however, allows limited, relative vertical and horizontal movement between adjacent rack sections to allow positioning of the rack sections along a mine floor.

Abstract: An improved knuckle design for railway couplers wherein the knuckle pin is supported midway between its ends to prevent premature failure of the pin. The kidney core which forms the hollow cavity in the throat portion of the knuckle is isolated from the core which forms the pivot pin hole during casting and is provided with a lateral projection which forms an opening in the side wall of the hollow knuckle throat portion. This insures that under severe stress conditions, the coupler will fracture at the throat portion of the knuckle rather than possibly at the coupler head itself.

Abstract: A portable, countertop dishwasher having a washing media dispensing nozzle structure which includes radially-projecting, washing media-dispensing arms located in surrounding relationship with the axis of the nozzle structure and axially intermediate upper and lower nozzle structure pivot supports, the unitary dish rack including support structures for supporting articles to be washed within the radial sweep of the radially perfecting arms of the nozzle structure and being selectively removable from the dishwasher independently of the nozzle structure. The lower nozzle structure has dispensing nozzles for discharging washing media only vertically upward and the upper nozzles structure has dispensing nozzles for discharging washing media substantially only horizontally.

Abstract: A mat construction usable in the construction, mining and the like industries wherein tire beads from used tires are tied together into an array with the use of strips of used tire casing. The mat can be used as an underlayment for roadways built over unstable ground surfaces, or a number of the mats can be superimposed one upon the other to form a blasting mat. The mats can be formed by inexpensive laborers at the construction site, for example.

Abstract: Method for severing the ends of tubing by feeding the end of a tube through a die such that its end to be sheared extends beyond the die while presenting a shear blade with a pointed end in the interior of the tube end. After the shear blade is inserted into the tube, relative vertical movement between the shear blade and the tube is effected to cause the pointed end to initially puncture the tube wall adjacent the die. The shearing blade is thereafter shifted laterally and vertically to shear remaining portions of the tube wall.

Abstract: A transformer for use on an underground mining machine, such as a shearer loader. The transformer is cylindrical in shape and contains a central cavity extending therethrough to allow positioning of the transformer about a drive shaft of the motor of the mining machine. A tubular housing surrounds a cylindrical iron core with such housing containing a helically wound coolant duct to allow coolant fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: An adjustable workpiece carrier assembly for carrying workpieces on a conveyor system. Upstanding V-blocks used for supporting workpieces on the assembly, and are changeable so as to allow workpieces of different configurations to be supported thereon. By attaching a plurality of workpiece carrier assemblies to a conveyor system, an automatic conveyor system for conveying a plurality of workpieces in a desired orientation is possible. By simply changing the upstanding V-blocks to conform to the configuration of workpieces, workpieces of different configurations may be conveyed by the same conveyor system.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water storage pool. The individual rods are drawn upwardly through a transition funnel from the fuel rod assembly into a fuel rod container. Individual wires extend through the fuel rod container, through the transition funnel and are secured to the top ends of the individual fuel rods within a fuel rod assembly. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the fuel rod container.

Abstract: Collars are provided for yieldingly restraining weights from leaving the ends of a barbell. Each collar surrounds the barbell shaft and contains a set of grooves which receive snugly O-rings made of resilient material. In the unstressed condition of each O-ring, the interior diameter is less than that of the barbell shaft. Preferably, the grooves have a generally square or trapezoidal cross-section, with a slightly widened mouth. A part of the collar can be gripped with the fingers to remove friction-platelock collars from the barbell.

Abstract: A rack device for advancing a drum cutter mining machine used in underground mining operations. The rack is comprised of a plurality of rack sections positioned end-to-end wherein the discrete sections are held together by brackets which connect two adjacent rack sections. The bracket contains a bracket wall which has a top surface positioned directly beneath the end pins of the discrete rack sections. Force exerted on the rack pins during the translation of the drum cutting mining machine bears upon the bracket wall thereby diminishing damage to the rack structure caused by tilting forces created during translation of the mining machine.

Abstract: A conveyor-transfer apparatus for transferring artificial Christmas tree piquets (branches) from a first conveyor on which the piquets are parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor to a second conveyor where they are arranged transverse to the direction of conveyor travel whereby their ends can be tapered. This is accomplished automatically without the use of manual labor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water-storage pool. The individual rods are moved from a fuel assembly and through a transition funnel by movable grippers at opposite ends of the funnel. One movable gripper reciprocates between gripping and release positions in a gap between the fuel assembly and the transition funnel. A stationary gripper can be located in the gap at the entry side of the funnel to hold the fuel rods while the movable gripper returns from a release position to the gripping position. Both grippers include members which can be pressed into frictional engagement with the spaced apart array of fuel rods. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the transition funnel and emerge as a bundle.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a sounding device for model railroad engines powered by an alternating-current voltage impressed across two rails, which apparatus is completely solid state in nature. The system includes input and output transistors which are normally non-conducting together with means for producing a direct-current bias voltage for turning ON the input transistor when a direct-current bias voltage is superimposed on the alternating-current voltage impressed across the two rails. The input and output transistors are interconnected such that when the input transistor conducts so also does the output transistor to thereby power the sounding device.

Abstract: A storage rack for spent nuclear fuel rods is provided having multiple parallel tubes of polygon cross-section with their confronting surfaces having embossed buttons in engagement and having at least one pad of neutron poison material interposed between the confronting surfaces. The tube cells are secured together such that the neutron poison material effectively establishes each individual cell as a neutron isolation chamber and further functions to dampen mechanical vibrations which may be applied to the assembled storage rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water-storage pool. The individual rods are moved from a fuel assembly and through a transition funnel by movable grippers at opposite ends of the funnel. One movable gripper reciprocates between gripping and release positions in a gap between the fuel assembly and the transition funnel. A stationary gripper can be located in the gap at the entry side of the funnel to hold the fuel rods while the movable gripper returns from a release position to the gripping position. Both grippers include members which can be pressed into frictional engagement with the spaced apart array of fuel rods. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the transition funnel and emerge as a bundle.

Abstract: An ear ornament allowing attachment to an ear lobe containing more than one hole pierced therethrough. The ornament contains two or more bent portions for extension through the holes on the ear lobe allowing the ear ornament to be secured on the ear lobe without the need for a separate fastening means.

Abstract: A tube coupling having a socket and a plug, each having a fluid flow passage extending therethrough, and a valve mounted in the flow passage of at least one of the socket and plug for axial movement between a first position for closing the flow passage and a second position for opening the flow passage said valve being normally biased towards the first position by a spring when the socket and plug are disconnected, and moved to the second position when the socket and plug are coupled together, characterized in that at least those portions of the socket and plug which will be exposed to fluid during the use are formed of fluorocarbon resin, the spring being disposed in said flow passage and comprising bellows made of fluorocarbon resin having continuous helically extending pleats.