Abstract: A separable loadbreak connector cuff venting tool having a handle formed of an electrical insulator material. An electrically insulating head is fixed on the handle's forward end. Two or more wedges, sized and shaped for slidable insertion within the cuff, are formed on the head. A rearwardly directed force applied along the handle's longitudinal axis gradually slides the wedges within the cuff, thereby venting partial vacua from within the cuff to the surrounding atmosphere and reducing the likelihood of flashover. Optionally, a clamp may be provided on a rearward portion of the handle for use in clamping the tool's handle to a hotstick handle. As another option, a pivot fulcrum may be provided on the rearward portion of the tool's handle for use in pivotally levering the tool's handle away from the hotstick handle. The tool's head, clamp and pivot fulcrum extend transversely away from the cuff venting tool, in the same direction.

Abstract: A method of detecting flame within a region where flame is expected. Radiation emissions from the region are measured within selected portions of the visible and infra-red frequency bands. Spectral characteristics of the two measurements, including their auto spectra, coherency and transfer function, are derived. The derived spectral characteristics are compared with prestored spectral signatures representative of the spectral characteristics of radiation emitted from the region within the selected portions of the visible and infra-red frequency bands while known flame conditions prevail within the region--thereby estimating the deviation of the derived spectral characteristics from the prestored spectral signatures. The deviations aforesaid are compared with predetermined threshold alarm values to assess the presence or absence of flame.

Abstract: A method of detecting flame within a region where flame is expected. Radiation emissions from the region are measured within selected portions of the visible and infra-red frequency bands. Spectral characteristics of the two measurements, including their auto spectra, coherency and transfer function, are derived. The derived spectral characteristics are compared with prestored spectral signatures representative of the spectral characteristics of radiation emitted from the region within the selected portions of the visible and infra-red frequency bands while known flame conditions prevail within the region--thereby estimating the deviation of the derived spectral characteristics from the prestored spectral signatures. The deviations aforesaid are compared with predetermined threshold alarm values to assess the presence or absence of flame.

Abstract: A digital system for monitoring the rotational speed of a rotating body, such as a turbine shaft, in order to indicate an overspeed or underspeed condition, features a readily variable reference speed limit. A reference pulse train is generated. The number of pulses from the reference pulse train is counted for a predetermined period of time proportional to a fixed number of rotations of the rotating body, and the resulting count is compared to a fixed reference count. The reference speed limit is adjusted by variation of the frequency of the reference pulse train.

Abstract: Alternating current carried in a high voltage conductor is sensed by a toroidal coil to produce a first low level signal representative of the alternating current signal. Transmitter means operating at or near the potential of the conductor and remote from electrical ground receives the low level signal and in response produces a series of modulated pulses containing amplitude and phase angle replica information representative of the high voltage alternating current signal. Advantageously, the transmitter may be powered by a power supply deriving power from the high voltage conductor. The pulses produced by the transmitter may be transmitted to a receiver operating at or near ground potential, which receiver then converts the pulses into a second low level signal representative of the high voltage alternating current signal in both amplitude and phase angle.

Abstract: A direct current power supply for receiving power input from a high voltage transmission line and providing direct current power to an electrical load operated at or near the potential of the transmission line and remote from electrical ground is disclosed.

Abstract: An off-peak, electric, central air heating system for buildings incorporating a heat storage material that is used to store heat generated electrically during off-peak electrical power periods and to deliver heat on demand. The heat storage material is an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal salt such as Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, NaCl, CaCl.sub.2 and KCl individually or in combination with one another. Generation of heat during the off-peak electrical power periods is automatically controlled by an electronic time clock and time delay circuitry, and by selective variable temperature control. The heating unit is constructed with a casing having an inner jacket and an outer jacket with an air space between the two jackets. The storage material is surrounded by the inner jacket and the air space provides insulation as well as an air passage between the two jackets.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vibration isolator connector which is useful in providing an electrical connection between a fixed apparatus and a suspended slender liner body which is subject to vertical vibration. The vibration isolator connector comprises a weight provided with connecting means for connecting an electrical conductor to said weight; and electrically conductive resilient suspension means connected to said weight for resiliently suspending said weight from a linear body and forming an electrical connection between said linear body and said connecting means on said weight.

Abstract: Measuring of mercaptan-based odorants present in natural, synthetic, L. P. gases and the like. Conventionally, an operator smells the gas or uses apparatus which gives uncertain results. Alternatively, expensive laboratory equipment can be used, but this is not available to a field operator. The present test includes simple apparatus which can be connected to a gasline and which includes a disposable reagent tube having a plurality of liquid chemical reagents therein separated by membranes. The gas flow is bled through the first solution and then the solutions are mixed so that a color develops which can be compared with a standard color slide or the like thus indicating the quantity of the odorant in parts per million present in the gas.

Abstract: A method of heating and a heating system for buildings incorporating a heat storage material that is used to store heat electrically generated during off-peak electrical power periods and to deliver heat on demand. The heat storage material is a solid halogen salt such as Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, NaCl, CaCl.sub.2, and KCl, and mixtures of these salts incorporating a silicate binding agent. The heat storage material remains in solid form without suffering appreciable physical deterioration while being operated throughout a temperature range of room temperature to about 1200.degree.F. Generation of heat during the off-peak electrical power periods is automatically controlled.