Abstract: A method of observing strain conditions in steel rails used by the railroad industry, to warn of risk of thermally induced rail buckling at elevated temperature or thermally induced fracture of rail joints at low temperature. The method permits observation of changes in the rail strain along the length of the rail and changes in the pattern of the strain over distance, time and temperature. The observation over distance is accomplished by means of a fiber optic cable having spaced backscatter producing discontinuities, bonded to the side of the rail. The cable is interrogated by an electro-optical system which provides a profile of the changes in strain along the length of the rail. The strain changes and corresponding rail temperatures are digitally recorded. The local change in rail strain is observed as a change in spacing between fiber discontinuities.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and determining the location of (i) defects in railroad track rails and (ii) the presence of cars, trains or vehicles on the rails. A strain sensitive fiber optic cable is continuously bonded to each section of rail, with the cables of adjacent rails being interconnected by non-strain-sensitive fiber optic cable. A detection system provides an optical backscatter sensing function and an optical time domain reflectometry analysis and distance determining function to determine the nature and location of rail anomalies and vehicle presence on the rails.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and determining the location of (i) defects in railroad track rails and (ii) the presence of cars, trains or vehicles on the rails. A strain sensitive fiber optic cable is continuously bonded to each section of rail, with the cables of adjacent rails being interconnected by non-strain-sensitive fiber optic cable. A detection system provides an optical backscatter sensing function and an optical time domain reflectometry analysis and distance determining function to determine the nature and location of rail anomalies and vehicle presence on the rails.

Abstract: A unitary concrete structure pumping station useful in pumping waste fluids and the like during the passing of such materials from one part of a gravity flow waste system to another. This concrete structure is simple to install and use and many of the problems associated with conventional pumping stations are alleviated. The structure is comprised of several parts that can be made pre-assembled at the factory or assembled in the field prior to installation. By being a unitary structure this pumping station is resistant to movements within the earth and therefore less likely to incur line breaks.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for attachment of a depth finder view screen to a trolling motor column shaft is described. The attachment bracket is a combinable sleeve which fits over the column shaft and has an accurate support arm extending therefrom. The support arm elevates, at the opposite end, a base plate which receives screws or other devices through apertures therethrough and connects to the base of a depth finder view screen.

Abstract: (S) .alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxy-benzyl acetate having the formula: ##STR1## and a novel process for its preparation.

Abstract: (S) .alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxy-benzyl acetate having the formula: ##STR1## and a novel process for its preparation.

Abstract: Polyolefenic compositions are formed from a mixture of polyethylene and amorphous polypropylene, or a mixture of isotactic polypropylene, amorphous polypropylene and polyethylene, wherein the polyolefenic compositions are forced under heat and pressure through a shaping die thereby forming a geometrically-shaped polyolefenic article having a non-tacky surface. The compositions can have additives, fillers and other polymeric resins incorporated therein for modification of the physical and chemical properties of the polyolefenic compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically placing large plastic lids onto containers. Lids 24 are dispensed individually from magazine 11 onto slide 33. Each dispensed lid is individually retained at the bottom of the slide 33 for pickup by a container 41. The lid is urged onto the container by a pivoted roller 47 and further leveled by a roller 58 which is extended twice by a pneumatic piston to first contact a leading edge of the lid and to secondly contact a trailing edge of the lid. Thereafter a pneumatically operated lid securement means 61 comprising a convex plate 70' burps the air from beneath the lid and fully seats the lid on the container. The apparatus has various sensing means for sensing the depletion of lids from magazine 11, for sensing that a lid has been dispensed onto slide 33 and for sensing a container at the capping station. The sensing means control the various operations of the machine in proper sequence.

Abstract: An economizer for extracting heat energy from low temperature flue gases while simultaneously removing therefrom contaminates consisting chiefly of oxides and oxygen acids of sulfur. The economizer includes a plurality of heat exchange tube assemblies, each of which comprises concentrically spaced inner and outer tubes of different materials. The spaces between the concentric tubes are filled with graphite which remains in heat conductive contact with the inner and outer tubes while accommodating their differential rates of thermal expansion and contraction upon heating and cooling. In the preferred form of the invention, the outer tube is made of low expansion borosilicate glass, while the inner tube is of copper. The flue gases flow transversely to the tube assemblies while water is rapidly circulated through the copper tubes in order to absorb efficiently the heat conducted sequentially through the glass, graphite and the copper materials.

Abstract: A method of styling hair to cover partial baldness using only the hair on a person's head. The hair styling requires dividing a person's hair into three sections and carefully folding one section over another.