Abstract: Two-part turbine-blade retainer structures are disclosed for axial retention of each of a plurality of turbine blades to a rotor wheel, wherein radial retention is via fir-tree engagement of individual blade roots to the wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a male or bolt element of the retainer has a shank which is characterized by a smoothly cylindrical portion adjacent at one end to one of the heads; this cylindrical portion terminates at a shoulder, beyond which the shank is reduced and externally threaded. A sleeve or nut element of the retainer has an elongate threaded bore and is characterized by an outer cylindrical surface which extends to the second head. The two elements are proportioned to be inserted through opposite ends of a passageway and to be screwed together into firm engagement at the shoulder (i.e., at a location intermediate the two heads), with the sleeve covering the threads of the male element and the heads preventing the turbine blade from axial motion with respect to the wheel.

Abstract: A motor-driven continuously running system wherein multiple reciprocating bellows units are disposed in angularly spaced relation about the rotary axis of a swashplate. Each bellows is frame-referenced at one end, and its other end is axially driven by the swashplate. As the bellows units reciprocate in phased succession, air is driven into and expelled through a valve/manifold unit, which channels air to and from outlet and inlet fittings, via integrally formed reed check valves. The output is a steady flow of contamination-free pressurized air.

Abstract: High amplitude signals reflected back to the horn radiator-receptor in a microwave tank-contents measuring assembly from the interface between a microwave dielectric lens and the tank-contents-atmosphere, which reflected signals mimic returning ranging signals and interfere with detection of returning legitimate ranging signals, are substantially canceled by incorporating in the lens which is plano-convex a thin layer of electrically conductive material in a plane parallel to the plano surface of the lens, said layer being formed from a uniform array of a repetitive pattern of regions containing the conductive material alternating with regions free of said material. One embodiment has an hexagonal array of circular conductive regions while another embodiment has the conductive material in the form of a rectilinear grid.

Abstract: Thermal shift in Wheatstone bridge-type transducers is reduced by providing a diaphragm of semiconductor material accepting formation of strain gages therein having a uniform temperature coefficient of resistance therethrough. That diaphragm is supported in a mechanically floating condition, such as by interposing a cushion of compliant material between the diaphragm and a support which is subject to mechanical strains. An amount of unbalance required for balancing the strain gages on the diaphragm is determined. One of these strain gages is provided with a series balance equal to one-half of that determined amount, while an adjacent one of the strain gages is provided with a shunt balance equivalent to one-half of that determined amount.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording information with a magnetic recording head advance magnetic recording tape from a first rotating tape coil into a second rotating tape coil and assure constant head-to-tape contact with constant tape tension independently of variations in coil diameter and in tape velocity. There is determined or stored, for a series of diameter ratios between the first and second tape coils, a series of corresponding values of the first and second tape drive control signals for effecting advancement of the magnetic recording tape relative to the magnetic recording head with the first and second tape drives at constant head-to-tape contact with constant tape tension for all diameter ratios of that series. An electric third signal indicative of instantaneous diameter ratio between the first and second tape coils is provided in response to first and second tape coil tachometer signals.

Abstract: A catheter is flushed intermittently at a flushing flow rate higher than a seeping flow rate with the aid of a valve connected to a supply of flushing liquid. The valve has an operator of an elastic material providing an integral elastic sleeve about a valve stem, for biasing the operator to a rest position before and after manual actuation to a depressed position for a temporary opening of the valve. The operator is protected against accidental depression at all points thereof by a shield completely surrounding and surpassing the operator, so that a human finger has to penetrate into the shield for engagement of the operator prior to depression from its rest position against the bias of the elastic sleeve for an opening of the valve. The seeping flow rate is realized with a capillary passage which may extend along either a valve body or a valve seat in the valve and which is laterally bounded either by the valve seat or the valve body when the valve body is seated in the valve seat.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a disposable transducer or other disposable apparatus, which may be subject to sterilization inimical to that disposable apparatus, determine parameters required for operation of the disposable apparatus and provide a record of that determined parameters on the disposable apparatus. These parameters are subsequently derived by machine-reading the record on the disposable apparatus in order to operate that disposable apparatus. The mentioned record may be made destructible by resterilization and the machine-reading and the operation of the disposable apparatus may be rendered impossible upon resterilization of that apparatus by destroying the mentioned record by said resterilization.

Abstract: A tool changer for use with the manipulator arm of a robot or the like. A tool changer in which the manipulator arm is engaged with the end effector carrying the tool by a simple linear motion, and disengaged by a linear motion in the opposite direction, without requiring any separate control functions such as switch actuation or the like. A tool changer which also provides for transmitting mechanical, electrical or fluid power and/or control between the manipulator arm and the end effector, and one which can be utilized with any type of tool, sensor, transducer, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a non-thermal physical parameter with temperature sensitive elements impart a predetermined temperature sensitive elements, while measuring the physical parameter therewith. The same termperature-sensitive elements are employed for effecting a measurement of environmental temperature variation, and such temperature-sensitive elements are restored to their predetermined temperature in response to that measurement of environmental temperature variation effected with these temperature-sensitive elements.

Abstract: In a recycling steam system, a flow of waste steam is retrieved from the power cycle at a pressure in excess of condenser pressure and directs this waste-steam flow into a network of pipes vertically suspended in and distributed throughout the hotwell condensate, the pipes being so vertically elongate and so perforated within the region of condensate immersion that differences between instantaneous waste-steam pressure and instantaneous condenser pressure are automatically accommodated, in the form of greater or lesser scrubbing discharges of the waste steam into the accumulated volume of condensate which serves the condensate-return part of the system.

Abstract: Partially formed metal straps are fed to a pick up point where a carriage assembly grips a strap and transports it across the path of a previously severed and loaded measured length of C-shape cushion material. The movement is coordinated with that of a clamping bar for the cushion to provide for automatic assembly of the length of cushion over and about the strap. Continued movement of the carriage assembly transports the now cushion covered strap to a forming station where a rotatable arm and toggle finger bends the strap into a circular form about a mandrel. The toggle finger is withdrawn, the mandrel is retracted, and the grip on the strap is released to deposit a completed line support into a waiting receptacle.

Abstract: A microwave tank-contents level measuring system is housed within a housing having an open end obturated by a hyperbolically curved convex-plano fluid impermeable solid dielectric lens providing a seal for the tank opening over which the housing is installed while collimating the outgoing ranging signal and focusing the return signal. A separate removable housing cover provides access to the electronic components for service while the tank-opening sealing function of the lens is not disturbed. A transmitting-receiving horn is dimensioned and positioned on the axis of the lens with its effective phase center at the operating frequency coinciding with a focal point of the hyperbolic surface.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter apparatus arranged to convert a plurality C (=4) of different input signals to digital representations thereof. The apparatus comprises a multiplexer arranged sequentially to couple each of the 4 input signals to a fast a-to-d converter (such as a successive approximations converter) at a rate such that each input signal is coupled N (=8) times in a period M (=20 m secs) of an a.c. series mode interfering signal (at 50 Hz) and at equal time intervals M/N (20/8=2.5 m secs). The N (=8) digital values of each input signal are averaged to provide at the end of a conversion period a digital value for each of the 4 input signals (C) which is the mean magnitude of the signal during the 20 m sec period (M).

Abstract: A transducer diaphragm overload protection system provides a core of insulating material for supporting a sensor and being movable relative to a deflectable diaphragm portion, and establishes a mechanical interconnection between that deflectable portion of the diaphragm and that movable core, while that core is in a movable condition. The movable core is rendered stationary relative to the diaphragm, and the mechanical interconnection is removed by establishing between the deflectable diaphragm portion and the core a gap corresponding to a predetermined diaphragm deflection, while maintaining the core stationary relative to the diaphragm. Advantageously, in pressure transducers having a ceramic core for supporting the transducer sensor, the desired gap may then be established by locating a dissolvable shim between the core and the diaphragm, while such core is movable, and by thereafter dissolving such shim after the core has become set in the transducer.

Abstract: Components of a .pi.-network of resistors and magnetically responsive reed switches are encapsulated to form modules with keyed ends for end-to-end interlocking assembly. Conductive tabs of one module mate with those of the next module to establish electrical connection therebetween. Keying polarizes the modules to prevent incorrect assembly. The modules can be made with 2.sup.n switches where n is any positive number including zero. Probe assemblies of any length can be produced with the spacing interval between reed switches being uniform throughout the length of the probe.

Abstract: For the purpose of safely sampling fluid from a high pressure hydraulic system there is provided a valve assembly in which the passage of fluid through a fluid flow passage in a valve housing is controlled by a pressure regulated flow velocity limiting valve followed by an external lever controlled passage occluding poppet valve. The flow passage feeds a needle nosed nozzle with all passages sized to limit the discharge flow velocity to a safe maximum. A pressure relief valve is provided to divert fluid to a safe discharge if nozzle flow should become impeded and pressure should build up above a predetermined level.

Abstract: Elongate light gate structures are composed of a plurality of individual chips of electrooptically active light gate material displaying field induced birefringence. The individual chips are provided in rectangular configuration. Each chip has a plurality of alternating electrodes and elongate light gate regions distributed there along. A rigid mounting beam has a pair of spaced parallel elongate mounting surfaces for the light gate chips and an elongate opening located between and extending along these mounting surfaces for the flow of light to or from the mounted chips. The chips may be retained on the rigid beam by chip mounting chips. The chips may be located between polarizer and analyzer filters. Driver circuit boards may be interfaced with and appropriately leveled relative to the mounted chips.

Abstract: An asymmetric rotating rotor prevents or inhibits formation of waves in a liquid ring or rings.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improvement and economy in demineralization of the total flow of recirculating water in a steam-generating system which includes a condenser for recovery and recirculation of feed water. This filter demineralizer operates on a relatively small fraction of the total flow, being available as a relatively small flow of high-temperature water collected from steam-generator blow-down, from steam-separator drainage, or from other high-temperature drainage from a steam-utilization device. The purified effluent from the filter demineralizer is returned to the circulatory system for supply as pumped feed water along with other feed water pumped from condensate accumulation.

Abstract: Leakage from a gasoline storage tank or other receptacle is detected by differentiating the output from a liquid-level monitoring transmitter with stepped voltage output and applying the differentiated transmitter signal through an amplifier to a latch controlled relay for activating an alarm. An interlock circuit is provided for deenergizing the detector part of the system whenever the contents of the tank is being altered intentionally.