Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulations of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagments for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: Method for automated hydro-blast de-coking of delayed coke drums wherein programmed central control receives input of drill stem tension, drill bit elevation and drill stem rotation along with indications as to hydraulic hoist power and air pressure input to the drill stem rotary motor, and functions to provide control outputs to automatically control the pilot and main bed cutting procedures attendant an entire drum de-coking operation.

Abstract: An alarm system for bicycles and the like in which a collar having an undulating exterior surface is mounted on the handlebar post and rotates therewith. A moveable trigger member, preferably a spring biased pin, is mounted to the bicycle chassis adjacent the collar. Unauthorized rotation of the handlebars causes the collar to rotate against the trigger member, moving that member to close a set of contacts and thereby complete an electrical alarm circuit. The alarm circuit is controlled by a latching relay which hold the alarm on until either an automatic timing device operates to terminate the alarm, or the system is turned off by a key-operated lock. The trigger member closes another set of contacts to actuate the alarm if the bicycle is tampered with by removing the collar.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle permitting the use of an operator's arms and legs to power the vehicle. A multispeed hub assembly is offset from a powered wheel assembly and drives same with a roller chain. Arm and leg power is imparted respectively to a hand crankshaft and a live axle which power is transmitted to the multispeed hub via additional roller chains. A speed control for shifting the multispeed hub is actuated by handgrip rotation during normal hand crank operation to permit speed changes without release of either handgrip. A brake mechanism on the hand crankshaft actuates brake cables actuating caliper brakes upon reverse rotation of the hand crankshaft. The multispeed hub may include an internal coaster brake mechanism in one form of the invention.

Abstract: A drive system for an operator powered vehicle utilizing both arm and leg power. Leg power drives an axle carried sprocket coupled to a torque tube via a roller chain. A hand crank is powered by arm motion and is coupled to a concentric torque tube by a unidirectional clutch. Rotary motion is accordingly imparted to the torque tube by the arms or legs, jointly or individually, which motion is transmitted to a wheel hub via a roller chain and sprocket arrangement. A chain shifter provides a variable speed power transmission between said torque tube and the wheel hub. Brake cable actuating members on the wheel axle and the hand crank permit selective tensioning of brake cables actuating front and rear wheel brakes. A modified form of the invention dispenses with the torque tube. Driving and driven sprockets of a hand crank assembly are fixedly mounted on a hand crank.

Abstract: An improved contact lens and method of forming the same which causes the lens to adopt and maintain a particular angular orientation upon the eye of a wearer. One or more characters are formed in relief upon a surface of the lens at a point which is intended as the topmost point in the lens when properly oriented. The relieved characters may be used alone or in combination with previously-known means for effecting orientation of the lens.

Abstract: An improved double-acting, nonexpansion, noncondensing, piston steam engine. A coiled tube flash boiler enclosed in an insulated fire chamber is located above and contiguous with the cylinder head of the steam engine. The base of the fire chamber has a cylindrical opening to enable the heat from the flames in the fire chamber to be transferred directly to the top cylinder head for enhanced heat transfer to the cylinder. Two parallel crank shafts, each having a spur gear fixed thereon which meshes with the spur gear fixed on the other, are mounted on pillow block support bearings. A "T" linkage interconnects the crank shafts and the piston of the steam engine. Two rotary valves are provided to control the flow of high temperature steam and spent steam to and from the cylinder.

Abstract: A system and a process for producing methane gas by anaerobic digestion of feed materials containing suitable organic materials. The system includes a plurality of digestion modules arranged primarily in series. Each digestion module is positioned with its slurry inlet port at a slightly lower elevation than the slurry outlet port of the preceding digestion module. The number of digestion modules is dependent upon the particular feed material to be digested. Each digestion module can be sampled and controlled independently. The process includes grinding and pulping the feed material, mixing the feed material with a liquid to prepare a slurry, charging the initial digestion module with slurry and transferring the digesting slurry to the next successive digestion module and subsequently to each successive digestion module after predetermined time periods until the digestion process has been completed. The liquid is separated from the digested slurry for recycle through the system.

Abstract: A compact vertical array of concentrically stacked and interfaced anaerobic digestion modules which comprise an anaerobic digestion sub-system. Each individual digestion module is an open-ended reaction vessel having an external flange on each end. Each pair of adjacent reaction vessels has a suitably sloped plate positioned at their interface and fastened to the bottom flange of the upper vessel and the top flange of the lower vessel. In this manner, each plate creates two individual digestion modules by serving as a bottom for the reaction vessel immediately above it and as a top for the reaction vessel immediately below it. Suitable openings are provided between adjacent digestion modules for transfer of digesting slurry from the module above to the module below. Each such opening is provided with a suitable valve for closing the opening during normal anaerobic digestion operations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of, and apparatus for, producing a layer of antifriction metal on a metallic surface. The method involves using a die having a recess surrounded by a thin rim; the recess is filled with molten antifriction metal which is allowed to solidify, and thereafter the structure obtained is machined to remove unwanted parts of the die.

Abstract: A mulch having finely divided fibers of paper coated with a wetting agent and preferably dyed a pleasing color such as green. To produce the mulch, finely divided fibers of paper are coated with a mixture of a solvent or carrier such as water, a wetting agent, and a dye. The finely divided fibers of paper are contacted with the mixture such as by tumbling the fibers of paper while spraying the mixture into the drum.

Abstract: An amusing and challenging device composed of a closed container divided into a plurality of chambers by a barrier, or barriers, and a plurality of movable bodies, usually spherical, encased therein. The container, barrier and movable bodies are of electrically insulating material and the movable bodies are of such small size that after the container is agitated, a sufficient static electrical charge is produced by the friction on the movable bodies so as to cause them to adhere to the walls of the chambers. The objective of this device is to challenge ones ability to locate all of the movable objects into one chamber after the unit has been sufficiently agitated, therefore the container and barriers are made of transparent materials to allow easy viewing of the objects therein. In the presently preferred form of the device there is one barrier, dividing the container into two chambers, and a plurality of movable spherical objects.