Abstract: A windmill drives a fluid pump which operates a hydraulic motor. In one embodiment, the mechanical output of the hydraulic motor operates a heat pump employed for heating and/or cooling purposes. In another embodiment, the fluid discharge from the hydraulic motor is recirculated through a fluid reservoir. The heat of the fluid in the reservoir, resulting from the inefficiency of the pump and the hydraulic motor, is employed for heating purposes.

Abstract: A hand reel is disclosed herein particularly for use in winding electrical extension cords. The hand reel is a spool with flanges, with the cord adapted to be wrapped around the spool between the flanges. The spool has a central bore that is large enough to accommodate the user's hand. A supporting member is slidingly attached to the spool inside the bore, allowing the spool to be rotated while holding the supporting member. The arcuate length of the supporting member is much less than the diameter of the bore, minimizing friction and allowing cleaning.

Abstract: Method for forming an integrally formed thermoplastic conduit and washer, or flange, for being connected with a second conduit by way of conventional fitting, characterized by the method steps of inserting a guide pin within the tubing so as to maintain a predetermined internal diameter within the tubing and washer; emplacing a mold about the guide pin and tubing to hold the tubing, the mold having a washer cavity to define the exterior dimensions and form of the washer with the tubing extending about the guide pins and into the washer cavity; heating at least the outer most portion of the wall of the tubing that is within the washer cavity to its softening temperature and compressing the softened tubing walls longitudinally of the pin to accordion the walls into a washer having an exterior film thereabout and having the accordioned walls therewithin to have an inherent springiness that readily effects sealing interconnection with another conduit shape and that frictionally holds a tightened fitting in place.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved wireline that comprises one or more insulated conductors contained within a smooth walled metal sheath; which improved wireline is satisfactory to perform all of the normal wireline operations in an earth borehole and particularly in very deep boreholes; and in which the sheath material of the wireline is a metal having a high yield strength to weight ratio, and the sheath is swaged into intimate contact with the inner insulated conductor or conductors, such that the weight of the inner conductor or conductors and insulation is effectively supported by the sheath.

Abstract: A device for measuring the depth of a body of water and for marking the position of measurement to facilitate structural fishing. The device comprises a base for supporting an annular scale for rotation relative to said base. Float means is provided for supporting the device in the water with a portion of the scale above the surface of the water and with its axis of rotation horizontal. Also provided is a rotatable spool having a line wound around the spool. A weight is connected to the free end of the line for unreeling the line as the weight sinks in the water. Means is coupled between the spool and the annular scale and is responsive to rotation of the spool for rotating the annular scale an amount which is a function of the length of line unreeled from the spool as the weight sinks in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for recirculating heated air within a building. A forced air heater with a blower is positioned in the building. A collecting tank is located near the ceiling. The collecting duct has perforations for collecting heated air that has risen to the ceiling. A return duct is connected between the collecting duct and the heater intake. The heater blower draws the heated air through the collecting duct and return duct and discharges it into the room.

Abstract: A ladder with retractable rungs is disclosed herein. The ladder includes an elongated housing having alternating apertures on opposite sides. A stem is carried in the housing. The stem can be manually reciprocated longitudinally and has a series of rungs hingedly attached to it. The rungs engage the apertures and extend outward to provide a step when the stem is moved upward. A supporting rod is pivotally connected inside the housing at its base so as to be swingable from a position to one side of the housing to a center position. The stem must be lifted when the supporting rod is moved to the center position, where the supporting rod then supports the stem with the rungs in the open position. A retaining rod is mounted pivotally inside the housing at the top of the stem. It is also swingable from one side to a center position where it prevents the stem from moving upward.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically bagging material, such as ice, characterized by a carrier that is reciprocal between a rearward position where a measuring cavity is filled and a forward discharge position for discharging into an opened bag; a supply of flattened plastic bags below the carrier; means for pulling forwardly and upwardly simultaneously adjacent both edges of the forwardmost bag to facilitate filling; and appropriate drives and a plurality of cam and cam followers to effect reciprocation of the carrier and filling of the bags. After the bag is full it is released into a filled bag compartment; for example, responsive to a coin operated device. Desirably, after the bag has been filled, it is sealed so as to prevent spilling of the material. The forwardmost bag is separated completely. Difficulties with the prior art obviated.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating electrical conductors and short circuits in AC and DC circuits is disclosed herein. The apparatus has leads for connecting across open circuit breaker or fuse box terminals. Current limiting resistors and transistors limit the current, if AC or converted to pulsated DC, to a value that is sufficiently high to be read on a clamp-on ammeter at any point in the circuit being tested. A first pulse generator intermittently interrupts the current through the current limiting means to create a momentary pulse of approximately 1/2 to 1 second duration at a frequency of approximately 3 to 5 seconds. A second pulse generator interrupts the current limiting means at approximately 225 cycles per second to provide a pulsating component in the momentary pulse for DC circuits. A clamp-on ammeter will indicate this pulse at all points in the circuit except at the short circuit, whether in a DC or AC circuit.

Abstract: A circulating system for hydraulic brakes having a master cylinder, reservoir for supplying fluid to the master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, and a fluid line connecting the master cylinder with the wheel cylinder. The circulating system includes a pump connected in a fluid line from the reservoir to the bleedoff port of the wheel cylinder. A check valve is connected between the pump and wheel cylinder to allow flow only in the direction from the wheel cylinder to the master cylinder. The pressure exerted by the pump is insufficient to cause braking. The check valve allows conventional braking by the master cylinder while the pump maintains a supply of fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating re-access points along an underground conductor wherein tuned passive marker elements are disposed adjacent and alongside the conductor at the re-access points, a transmitted signal is coupled to the conductor to create a field about same such that a receiver that is swung to and fro laterally of the conductor by an operator traversing same will normally have a peak-null-peak output, but as a marker is approached the receiver will have a peak output in the normally null region due to a field generated by the passive marker element, thus permitting the location of the passive marker element to be precisely determined.

Abstract: A wireline latching apparatus and method of use with wireline instruments for measuring temperature and pressure downhole in flowing oil and gas wells. The latching apparatus includes a tubular body for connection to the instrument. Three arms are mounted in the tubular body pivotally so that their upper ends open outward. A downwardly facing shoulder is located in the well pipe in the area where the measurements are to be taken. An actuating mechanism is operable to open and close the arms so that their upper ends bear against the shoulder. The instrument with the latching mechanism is lowered into the well and positioned so that the arms are adjacent the shoulder. The arms are opened to engage the shoulder and the wireline tensioned to prevent whipping of the line as fluid flows past.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for attaching a warning signal device to the roof of a vehicle. The warning signal apparatus has a rectangular frame with a metal rim. Signal lights enclosed within a light transmitting housing are located on each side. The frame is connected to the roof by four mounting assemblies, one attached to the rim of the frame of each corner. The mounting assembly includes a bracket to which a resilient pad is pivotally attached. A clip has a portion that engages the roof and is connected to the bracket by an adjusting screw to pull the frame tightly to the roof.

Abstract: A portable traction device suitable for hospital, office, or home use. The device comprises a frame adapted to fit about a patient while lying down. The frame has two telescoping side members and two end members, the latter of which have connecting means adapted to be coupled to the patient's body at two different positions. Springs bias the telescoping members outward to apply traction to the patient's body. An arrangement is provided for varying the traction depending upon the need. In addition, a quick release device operable by the patient is provided to release the traction.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods are provided for conducting drill stem and production testing operations. A bypass sub removably receives a wireline tool in sealing engagement within a bypass sub bore, with the bypass sub including bypass passage means and selectively actuable port closure means to permit fluid from below the bypass sub to flow into conduit means above the bypass sub when the wireline tool is seated and secured in the bypass sub. In one embodiment, the means for selectively actuating the port closure means is a motorized shifter means incorporated in the wireline tool. The wireline tool carries selected sensor devices for sensing earth formation characteristics. Improved and unique means are provided for securing the wireline tool in the bypass sub and for selectively engaging the motorized shifter apparatus wih the port closure means.

Abstract: Apparatus for unloading from the bottom of a silo having a conventional horizontal floor with a central opening characterized by apparatus extending from the pit radially outwardly for removal of the material and at least one radial sweep auger having its interior end within the pit with its outer adapted for powered rotational movement, the auger having a tapered central shaft that is larger adjacent its exterior end than adjacent its interior end such that the flights of auger blade may be uniformly spaced and pick up material along its full length, since each will handle progressively greater quantities of material near the center, for uniform withdrawal from storage. Also disclosed are the details of specific drive means, track clearing means and other equipment in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing grease characterized by a base carrying at least two anvils for receiving grease to be tested for impact resistance, two display means surrounding the anvils for displaying any grease splattered therefrom under impact, at least two hammers carried by a pivotally mounted bracket that is freely pivotally movable so as to deliver the hammers into impact with the respective anvils and any grease thereon responsive to force, a spring for biasing the bracket and the hammers toward the anvils with a predetermined force for delivering the impact. Preferably, also, a latch is disposed on the base for holding the bracket in the predetermined angular position prior to delivering the impact when released. Also, disclosed are specific preferred embodiments and structural elements.

Abstract: The trailer converts from a hopper for hauling grain to an overwidth flatbed with tracks for carrying a harvesting machine. The side and front panels of the hopper fold to a horizontal position from the erected position. The rear panel of the hopper is removable and stores on the folded front panel. A base track extends along each side of the trailer frame. An extensible track is hinged to the base track and folds in a vertical plane from a storage position on top of the base track to an extended position laterally outward of the base track, to increase the trailer width for hauling harvesting machines with wide wheel width. Transverse tapered box beams support the base track and extensible track. A second extensible track has beams that slide into the transverse box beams of the first extensible track for further widening.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for use in the recovery of oil from natural oil-bearing formations such as tar sands by means of thermal energy causing the oil to gravity in the formation into an oil-receiving duct. Oil recovery in relation to installation and operating costs is improved by releasing heat into the formation at the site of the oil-receiving duct. For this purpose a composite heating and oil recovery string is used which is installed along the formation and comprises a tubular casing having oil-entry apertures and, internally of such casing, an oil-receiving duct and a passageway for the circulation of fluid heating medium.

Abstract: A method of converting a combustor from hydrocarbonaceous fuel to carbonaceous fuel characterized by the following multi step process. Oxygen-enriched gas is provided and the carbonaceous fuel is burned in a primary combustor in the presence of the oxygen-enriched gas to produce a high temperature, combustible product gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen and produce a molten slag in the bottom that contains materials that would normally polute the atmosphere in a low temperature combustion process. The slag is withdrawn from the primary combustion chamber. Inert gas is employed to isolate and cool the explosive product gas and transfer the heat to a second combustion-supporting gas, such as air being supplied to the combustor. The less hot product gas is passed to the combustor and burned in the heated air. The waste gases that are produced by burning the product gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen have much lower concentrations of pollutants therein.