Abstract: A pivoting drive system for the application of rectilinear drive force, wherein the rectilinear force is converted to a rotational force. The apparatus employs a frame on which are mounted pedals for rectilinear motion. The pedals are linked with a cable linkage and when moved along rectilinear paths cause the cable linkage to move. The cable linkage is wrapped several times around dual wrap spools which turn as the cable linkage is moved. A unidirectional clutching mechanism incorporated with the wrap spools causes a pivot axis to rotate unidirectionally on rotation of the wrap spools. The pivot axis may be connected with a sprocket and drive chain assembly to provide propulsion force, for example, to a bicycle wheel.

Abstract: Process tower vapor/liquid flow distributor and packing bed comprising a plurality of relatively thin corrugated layers stacked one atop the other. The corrugated sheets are disposed in face to face contact with respective corrugations inclined to the horizontal and facing one another for the countercurrent passage of vapor and liquid therethrough. At least two layers are utilized and rotationally offset for diverting the vapor liquid in two separate directions to effect maximum vapor liquid distribution for countercurrent fluid flow passing therethrough. An improved homogenous mixture of vapor/liquid within the process tower packing sections may thus be provided. The assembly affords optimal pressure drop characteristic while maximizing even vapor/liquid distribution into the packing regions.

Abstract: The power drive system of the present invention provides a rotary drive swivel unit which can be tilted along its horizontal pivotal axis until its output shaft is substantially horizontal. A drill pipe provided in a substantially horizontal bed adjacent to the drilling rig is aligned with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit and this joint is made up. The rotary drive swivel unit is raised and the suspended drill pipe reoriented to a vertical position and is aligned over the drill string and added thereto substantially at platform level. The power drive system turns the drill string and advances the drilling downhole. The rotary drive swivel unit disengages from the drill string and the foregoing steps are repeated.

Abstract: A post tensioning anchor assembly comprising a tapered tubular member, cable cap and anchoring plate assembly. The anchoring plate is constructed for live end or dead end securement in the sidewall of a concrete formation for post tensioning of a sheathed cable. The plate has inside and outside faces constructed for matingly receiving over the cable either the tubular member cap or both. In this manner the post tensioning plate assembly can be used for both outside and intermediate post tensioning constructions. In the intermediate configuration, tubular members are secured both to the inside and the outside faces of the plate with the tensioning cable extending therethrough.

Abstract: Device for heating or cooling infusion fluids or injectable fluids comprising a heat exchanger in the form of a hollow cylindrical or truncated, conical, double cased pot, open at the top; the outer wall being higher than the inner wall of the double casing, wherein the hollow space of the casing is sealed by a ledge surrounding the upper brim of the inner wall and extending up to the outer wall whereby the ledge is provided with connection branches spaced apart from each other and extending into the interior of the pot, where two parallel ridges form a double helix respectively a double thread within the whole of the hollow space of the casing between the walls, wherein each of the ends of the double helix is connected to one of the connection branches and the return of the double helix is located close to the bottom of the pot as a semi-circular arch.

Abstract: A shatterproof windshield repair device comprising a housing and a diaphragm. Under vacuum, air passages between the diaphragm and the glass surface form part of a first enclosure which can be evacuated and thus the device is held in place around conical cracks in the windshield. The vacuum in the first enclosure can be maintained by an assembly with a sealing capability. Surrounded by this first enclosure is a second enclosure which directly encircles the immediate area containing the conical cracks in the shatterproof windshield. A separate sealing lip, being part of the diaphragm, encircles this immediate area on the windshield and completely isolates the second enclosure from the first enclosure. In the center of the device is a cylindrical passage that axially extends from the exterior of the housing into the second enclosure. A piston assembly can move in and out of the cylindrical passage to introduce the repair liquid into the conical cracks in the shatterproof windshield.

Abstract: A dynamic eave building system comprising a flexible joint for first vertical and second angulated structural members pivotally connected one to the other. The adjacent ends of the first and second structural members are mitered into a mating configuration and spaced one from the other by the pivot joint. The pivot joint comprises a pivot pin received through aligned apertures formed in one of the members and in a knee splice secured in the other. The knee splice is positioned to define the flexing space between the mitered ends. The second angulated member also includes moisture collection troughs formed longitudinally therealong. The first member is provided in a hollow configuration for receiving fluid flow from the troughs of the second angulated member. Both members are adapted for securement of conventional curtain wall material, siding or roofing thereon.

Abstract: Sleeping quarters for a pet having a flat bottom and arched roof framework with two pen ends and made of lightweight, semi-rigid foam material. A tubular liner having a transversely extending elastic strip sewn to longitudinal gathers is inserted through the open ends of the framework and the ends are folded back onto the framework and held by elastic bands. The interior of the tubular liner of fabric material is resiliently expandable to snugly engage the pet which crawls into the sleeping quarters. An alternate embodiment shows a fully folded portable sleeping quarters structure with two open ends and made of light weight, semi-rigid foam material. This alternate embodiment allows the frame to be expanded to accommodate different sizes of pets. Moreover, a tubular liner having a transversely extending elastic strip sewn to longitudinal gathers is inserted through the open ends of the framework and the ends are folded back onto the framework and held by elastic bands.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for temperature conditioning of matter of the type wherein matter to be conditioned is exposed to a vapor within a vessel for select heating and/or moisture absorption or desiccation. The system includes selectively providing a mixture of condensible and noncondensible gases while controlling the enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point thereof. The gas mixture is delivered to a vessel and interacted with matter disposed therein. The temperature of the matter is brought to the approximate dew point of the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture. In this manner, both the ultimate temperature and moisture content of the matter to be conditioned may be controlled by selectively controlling the aforesaid parameters of enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point. Control of the aforesaid parameters may likewise be affected by controlling the vessel pressure and the rate at which energy is supplied to the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture.

Abstract: A conditioning system for particulate matter comprising a vertical conditioning vessel adapted for the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid therethrough. The particulate matter such as grain, is fed into an upper region of the vertical vessel while treatment fluid such as steam and non-condensible gases is fed into a lower region of the vessel. A plurality of paddles adapted for rotation through the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid are provided among a plurality of stators. The rotation of the paddles about the stators creates a plurality of notional mixture planes facilitating homogenous interaction between the treatment fluid and the particulate matter thereby providing control of temperature and/or moisture levels therein. In this manner, heat may be added to particulate matter such as grain to alter the molecular structure thereof and/or increase lubricity for subsequent operations such as pelletizing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for an offshore fishing lure which contains an elongated cylinder sized in proportion to contain the lure within it. The cylinder is provided with a first end piece sized and proportioned to frictionally and removably to fit on one end of the cylinder to selectively substantially close that end. The first end piece is apertured as by slot, for admitting passage of a leader on an offshore fishing lure, the first end piece has a projection extending from a side. A second end piece is fitted on the other end of the cylinder, and it too has a projection extending from the side. The leader of the offshore fishing lure can be wrapped around the two projections for storage purposes. The container preferably apertured at the ends and sides for ventilation and drainage purposes and furthermore is preferably transparent so that its contents may be viewed.

Abstract: Gas is vented through a very small orifice or pore with substantially stable pressures before and after the orifice. The orifice is designed so that the expansion through it is similar to a Joule-Thompson expansion of the gas. With ideal gas, this occurs isothermally. The flow through this orifice is determined for a selected pressure drop across it and the square of this flow is inversely proportional to the relative density. With real gases there is a slight error introduced due to a supercompressibility of the gas, but this is offset by an error in the opposite direction believed to be due to the Joule-Thompson cooling of the gas as it passes through the orifice. Substantially exact error cancellation is obtained within a preferred operating range of the pressure drop across the orifice for a given orifice diameter.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain and minerals to increase the rate of conversion during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases the gases containing insufficient oxygen for substantial aerobic bacterial growth. The steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases are discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough. The operation of the direct fired steam generator is controlled for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging the matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A mud saver valve comprising a tubular body connectable between a kelly and a drill string. A piston is mounted therein and includes a bore substantially coaxially aligned with the central opening. A plug is removably mounted in the piston and is movable between a first position wherein a spear sealingly engages the valve seat and a second position that allows fluid to flow upward between the spear and the valve seat. The piston is constructed with an elongate intermediate body section having a plurality of O-rings secured therein and disposed beneath angled ports for enhancing lateral stability of the piston within the body. The valve seat is furthermore secured within the body by a spanner ring with the valve seat being formed with a curved mating surface adapted for flushly engaging a curved valve seat surface of a valve seat disposed upon the piston. Both the upper and lower valve seats are removable for field repair while axially actuatable with lateral stability.

Abstract: A steel article which is made of carbon or low alloy steel, with a prescribed chemical composition, is heat treated so that its yield strength is increased to a minimum of 60,000 psi and is subsequently dipped or spray covered with aluminum and then heated to interdiffuse aluminum metal and the iron in the steel matrix, thereby forming a new intermetallic layer which is an integral part of the steel article and which is essentially an aluminum-iron alloy, all in a manner which does not lower the yield strength of the steel below 60,000 psi. In the preferred form of the invention, a steel article is austenitized above its critical temperature for about 15 minutes or more and is subsequently rapidly cooled to below 600.degree. F. to transform the austenite structure to a much stronger martensitic structure and is then reheated to below 1341.degree. F. to temper the martensite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual output, pressure responsive, adjustable, fluid flow control system. It includes first and second flow networks coupled in parallel flow communication, the networks each have first and second flow paths, and the first flow path of flow networks has an adjustable flow control valve for regulating the flow therethrough. Similarly, the second flow path of said networks has a pressure responsive valve disposed therein for maintaining substantially constant flow therethrough with variations in fluid flow pressure therein. Also included are feed means for supplying fluid to said flow networks, and means for receiving fluid from said fluid flow networks, as well as means for engaging and disengaging the second flow network to said fluid supply means for selectively permitting the flow therethrough and facilitating a dual flow output from the system.

Abstract: A curtain wall drainage system for horizontal mullions comprising a flexible, conforming flap member disposed in flush engagement against a weep hole formed in the mullion. The flap permits egress of water infiltrated therein while preventing infusion of water or air turbulence within the mullion from wind loading against the curtain wall. An upper portion of the flap member secured to the outer weep hole surface for permitting pivotal movement therefrom and the passage of water through the weep hole and beneath the flap member. The flap member is constructed of sufficiently resilient and conforming material to permit the presence of a stream of water beneath the flap member from the weep hole to the lower end portion thereof and the creation of a capillary action therein for urging water contained within the mullion downwardly beneath the flap member for discharge from the curtain wall structure.