Abstract: In forming a heliostat having a main support structure and pivoting and tilting motors and gears and a mirror module for reflecting solar energy onto a collector, the improvement characterized by a method of forming the mirror module in which the mirror is laid upon a solid rigid supporting bed in one or more sections, with or without focusing; a mirror backing sheet is applied by first applying respective thin layers of silicone grease and, thereafter, progressively rolling application to eliminate air bubbles; followed by affixing of a substrate assembly to the mirror backing sheet to form a mirror module that does not curve because of thermally induced stresses and differential thermal expansion or contraction effects. The silicone grease also serves to dampen fluttering of the mirror and protect the mirror backside against adverse effects of the weather. Also disclosed are specific details of preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical member having a plurality of sets of threads formed on its exterior such that the member may be used as a nipple of one length or severed at different positions to form up to three useful nipples of lesser lengths.

Abstract: A container having a center suction conduit with a plurality of inductors, a plurality of injectors for injecting fluid into the container and a pump for withdrawing fluid from the container by way of the inductors and center suction conduit and recirculating the fluid by way of the injectors. The pump has an inlet coupled to an outlet end of the center suction conduit and an outlet coupled to the injectors. Each inductor comprises a conduit which extends into the center suction conduit and which has an opening within the center suction conduit which faces the outlet end thereof. A lower suction conduit is coupled to the bottom of the container and to the inlet of the pump. A reverse flow conduit is coupled to the outlet of the pump and to the outlet end of the center suction conduit for allowing the pump to pump fluid from the container by way of the lower suction conduit and into the center suction conduit for cleaning out the inductors.

Abstract: Two power switching transistors have their emitter and collector connected together respectively. A high level DC voltage is connected across the transistors. The junction of the two transistors is connected by way of a load sensing resistor to a power bus and to the primary of an auxilary transformer. A secondary of the auxiliary transformer is coupled to the input of a transcondance limiting amplifier whose output is coupled to a drive amplifier. The output of the drive amplifier is coupled to the primary of a timing transformer. Two secondaries of the timing transformer are coupled to the two transistors respective for providing drive for the transistors. The auxiliary transformer, transconductance amplifier, drive amplifier, and timing transformer are coupled together in a positive feedback loop forming a high frequency oscillator with the two transistors for converting the DC voltage to a high frequency voltage.

Abstract: A pitching machine and control system which will pitch any baseball pitch desired on command with all parameters of each pitch chosen before the pitch of the ball. The system measures and counteracts the effects of the prevailing weather upon the ball then delivers the ball to the chosen point in the target zone. The parameters of the pitch are: orientation of the seams of the ball with respect to the access of spin, orientation of the access of spin with respect to the direction of travel, location of the release point with respect to the center of the machine (including both height and width), velocity of the ball, magnitude of the spin of the ball, and initial direction of the ball. The target parameters which are also selected before pitch are the target location with respect to the release point of the ball. Internal settings of the machine are adjusted to satisfy the pitch, and target parameters and the prevailing weather. Pitch and target parameters can be stored and played back to control the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing ham or the like comprising a ham holder adapted to hold the ham to be sliced and journalled for rotation so as to spin the ham, motor spinning the ham holder, rotatable slicer blade and motor spinning the blade and respective rams for moving the blade into cutting engagement with the ham while simultaneously moving it upwardly so as to cut a continuous spiral around the bone of the ham. Respective adjustment means are provided for adjusting the thicknesses of the slices of ham that are produced and for securing the respective order of moving the cutting blade away from the ham before it is brought upwardly or downwardly from its finishing position to its starting position.

Abstract: An improvement in a system and method of controlling heliostat in which the heliostat is operable in azimuth and elevation by respective stepper motors and including the respective steps or means for calculating the position for the heliostat to be at a commanded position, determining the number of steps in azimuth and elevation for each respective motor to get to the commanded position and energizing both the azimuth and elevation stepper motors to run in parallel until predetermined number of steps away from the closest commanded position in azimuth and elevation so that the closest position has been achieved, and thereafter energizing only the remaining motor to bring it to its commanded position. In this way, the heliostat can be started from a stowed position in the morning and operated by a computer means to its commanded position and kept correctly oriented throughout the day using only the time of the day without requiring the usual sensors and feedback apparatus.

Abstract: A device to be fitted around the penis of a human male to facilitate and maintain an erection. In one embodiment, the device is attached to a garment to be worn by the person to hold the device in place around the penis and next to the body. In another embodiment, the device is formed by a folded wire like member the ends of which are spread apart to form supporting arms to be fitted around the waist or hips of the person. In a further embodiment, a belt, adapted to be secured around one's waist, is attached to the wire-like member for holding it in place.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automated cutting of metal plates in which fuel and oxygen adjustments, as well as other parameters are controlled automatically responsive to temperature sensed at a plurality of points near where the cut is being made; for example, at the front shoulder of the kerf at the surface and behind the tip down in the kerf. Also disclosed are specific preferred embodiments, including the use of microprocessor, algorithms, programs and temperature sensor locations and connections.

Abstract: A tilt detector for accompanying goods to be transported to determine when the goods have been transported in a recommended position without being inclined at an angle greater than a pre-determined angle characterized by a first fluid of a first density, a second fluid of a second density, a horseshoe shaped baffle with a trapping end in the form of an inner apex for trapping the second mass under the force of gravity when in a vertical position with its opening end in the opposite direction such that at least a part of the second mass is freed to move out of the baffle when it is tilted beyond a pre-determined angle of tilt; the degree of the sides of the baffle being related to the pre-determined angle of tilt, and a thin container having at least a transparent window for viewing at least the trapping end of the horseshoe shaped baffle for ascertaining if the second mass has been freed such that the tilt detector can be affixed to goods, containers and the like to tell if they have been tilted too much.

Abstract: A card of size suitable for convenient carrying by a person, for example, in a billfold or wallet, the card having an information portion upon which information appears that can be read in the normal manner, a portion carrying microfilm upon which information is recorded, and a portion carrying a lens suitable for reading the microfilmed portion.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a traveling torch comprising a carriage mounted on wheels and adapted to traverse a track; motor and variable speed traction drive transmission for moving the carriage along the track and carried by the carriage with the weight of the motor toward a first side; a torch rack holder for holding a torch, the torch rack holder being carried by the carriage with its weight toward a first side, the torch rack holder being asymmetrically mounted and extending above and across the carriage so as to carry the torch laterally beyond the second side of the carriage; a torch having a body, tip, and respective fuel and oxygen passageways connected with respective fuel and oxygen conduit means for conveying respective fuel and oxygen to respective fuel and oxygen passageways in the torch and flexible fuel and oxygen conduits connected with respective sources.

Abstract: A cap member has an annular wall extending from one side thereof. Interior threads are formed around the inside of said annular wall whereby the cap may be screwed to the exterior threads of a connector to close an opening. Two angularly spaced apart slots are formed through the annular wall of the cap member transverse to the axis thereof. The annular free edge of the wall next to each slot is deformed into each slot a small amount and a gap is formed through each of the deformed portions of the annular wall.

Abstract: An improvement in scrapper type vehicle, for handling junk cars and the like, having a frame mounted on wheels and having a prime mover powering the vehicle, characterized by a pair of beams having their inner ends pivotally attached to the frame at a pair of respective first points for pivotal movement about the first transverse, horizontal axis thereat; a lifting fork pivotally attached to the main beams at their respective outer ends at a pair of respective second points and having lift prongs adapted to load the junk cars onto a transport vehicle; elevating rams connected with the main beams and the frame for elevating the junk cars; and load fork tilting rams attached to the main frame at a pair of respective third points for pivotal movement about a second transverse, horizontal axis thereat. The lift fork tilting rams are attached to the lift fork at a pair of respective fourth points.

Abstract: A latching apparatus for securing two electrical connecting means together in a given relationship, one of said electrical connecting means being carried by a member having an outer annular groove at one end thereof. The latch comprises a housing body which carries the other of said electrical connecting means. The housing body has a forward end with space surrounded by an outer annular wall for receiving said one end of said member. An inner annular groove is formed in the inner portion of said wall at the forward end of said housing body. The outer portion of said wall at said forward end of said housing body has three angularly spaced apart axially extending grooves formed therein which intersect said inner annular groove forming three angularly spaced apart openings which expose said inner annular groove through said three angularly spaced apart axially extending grooves. An annular coiled spring is located in said inner annular groove.

Abstract: An intraocular insert suitable for use as an artificial lens implant in the anterior or posterior chamber of a human eye comprising a circular lens body having two position fixation members extending from opposite sides of the periphery of the lens body. The two fixation members are of similar shape but are asymmetrically arranged relative to the circular lens body. Each of the fixation members comprises an arm portion having a base joined to the periphery of the lens body with said arm portion extending from said lens body, an elbow, and an elongated outward-convex seating portion having a first end joined to said arm portion by said elbow and an opposite free end extending in a direction such that said elongated outward-convex seating portion is outward of said arm portion relative to said lens body. Each arm portion is generally parallel to a line tangent to said lens body. Said arm portions of said two fixation members extend from said lens body in opposite directions relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing gas from drilling mud comprising a housing defining a chamber having a mud inlet at one end and a processed mud outlet and a gas outlet means at the other end. The mud outlet and the gas outlet means are spaced radially outward from the central axis of the chamber. A shaft is located within the chamber along its central axis with a plurality of angularly spaced blades attached thereto along its length. The outer ends of the blades have flexible members attached thereto. Drive means is provided for rotating the shaft and hence the blades for spinning the mud received through the inlet against the inside surface of the wall of the housing as a thin layer and moving the mud as a thin layer to the other end of the chamber for allowing the gas in the mud to separate. One or more feedback conduits are provided for facilitating control of the thickness of the mud layer on the inside surface of the wall of the housing and for preventing mud from flowing through the gas outlet means.

Abstract: A device for testing the cables of a chaff-flare adapter of the type having a base member with a plurality of spaced contacts located inward of the surface of the base member. The device comprises a thin plate means which carries a plurality of contacts in apertures formed therein for engaging the contacts of the chaff-flare adapter. The contacts of the thin plate means are biased outward of its forward surface by coiled springs which electrically short the contacts of the device to ground. Each coiled spring has one end which tightly engages a contact of the thin plate means and an opposite end which tightly engages the rear wall of the aperture in which it is located for providing an electrical path from each contact to the rear wall of the aperture.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a wound tube heat exchanger in which a plurality of tubes having flattened areas are held contiguous adjacent flattened areas of tubes by a plurality of windings to give a double walled heat exchanger. The plurality of windings serve as a plurality of effective force vectors holding the conduits contiguous heat conducting walls of another conduit and result in highly efficient heat transfer. The resulting heat exchange bundle is economical and can be coiled into the desired shape. Also disclosed are specific embodiments such as the one in which the tubes are expanded against their windings after being coiled to insure highly efficient heat transfer.

Abstract: A system and method provides for burning wood particles or other combustible fibrous particles at a continuous high rate in which the particles are at least partially pyrolyzed as they are being fed into a combustion chamber, complete combustion of the particles and pyrolysis products occuring within the combustion chamber. Pyrolysis is enabled by mixing the particles with air having a temperature of at least 600.degree. F. The system enables the burning of green wood in existing large boiler systems as well as in gas turbine systems; the latter operatable with a high pressure combustion chamber. In a boiler system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by the boiler, in a turbine system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by a compressor driven by a turbine.