Abstract: The subject invention is a lid assembly (20) for use on a container (22) presenting an endless top rim (24). A frame (26) includes shell-shaped sidewalls (36) that face one another, and present upper concave central edges (48). The upper concave central edges (48) are connected by lower edges (50) to define opposed L-shaped openings (54) between the central edges (48). A pair of abutting L-shaped flaps (28) each define a top leg (64) and a side leg (68). The flaps (28) are complementary to the L-shaped openings (54) by extending away from each other along the upper central edges (48) of the sidewalls (36) and then downward to the lower edge (50). The top legs (64) may be pushed down into the opening (54) to provide access to the container (22) while the side legs (68) bias the flaps (28) to a closed position.

Abstract: The subject invention is a lid assembly (20) for use on a container (22) presenting an endless top rim (24). A frame (26) includes shell-shaped sidewalls (36) that face one another, and present upper concave central edges (48). The upper concave central edges (48) are connected by lower edges (50) to define opposed L-shaped openings (54) between the central edges (48). A pair of abutting L-shaped flaps (28) each define a top leg (64) and a side leg (68). The flaps (28) are complementary to the L-shaped openings (54) by extending away from each other along the upper central edges (48) of the sidewalls (36) and then downward to the lower edge (50). The top legs (64) may be pushed down into the opening (54) to provide access to the container (22) while the side legs (68) bias the flaps (28) to a closed position.

Abstract: An inspection device having electric motor driven magnetic wheels for magnetic attachment of the device to the cylindrical surface between the wheels of a turbine rotor. The inspection device includes a mast that supports an ultrasonic transducer and a rotary encoder.

Abstract: A subsea pipeline leak is located by: (1) introducing sonic energy into the line; (2) deploying an array of hydrophones in the vicinity of the line; (3) knowing the orientation of the array; processing the signals from the array so as to identify the location of the sonic anomaly at the pipe rupture created by the sonic energy introduced into the pipe.

Abstract: Geophones are placed around pipelines to detect third parties, e.g., heavy construction vehicles. Associated computer equipment acquires data from the geophones and discriminates for the frequencies associated with heavy construction vehicles.

Abstract: An improved rotary drive sprinkler is provided for rotatably driving a pop-up spray head in a stepwise manner through a full-circle or reversibly within a selected part-circle path. The sprinkler includes a reversing trip mechanism having a pair of spaced-apart stops rotatable with the spray head and defining preset end limits of a part-circle path, wherein a stationary trip wire is engageable with the stops to switch an internal rotary drive assembly, such as a ball drive assembly, between forward- and reverse-drive operation. The trip wire flexes to accommodate forced spray head rotation to a maladjusted position beyond the end limits and, upon subsequent sprinkler operation, rides over ramped surfaces on the stops for automatic return to reversible operation between the preset end limits. Alternatively, the stops can be set in side-by-side relation with their ramped surfaces oriented for the trip wire to ride resiliently thereover without switching of the rotary drive assembly.

Abstract: An induced vibration dynamic touch sensor comprises a compliant membrane adapted for sliding contact with an object so as to induce vibrations in the membrane, and a transducer assembly for converting the vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals are processed to produce a normalized spectral signature characteristic of the size and shape of the object, and the sizes and shapes and nature of its surface features. A pattern vector is extracted from the spectral signature and subjected to discriminant analysis to classify and recognize the object. The invention is capable of discriminating between objects differing in diameter by as little as 1/32 inches and differing in spacing by as little as 0.01 inches.

Abstract: An oil containment boom system of two parallel, spaced-apart booms, with the forward boom designed to permit splashover of oil, a low pressure area between the booms functioning to retain the splashover oil.

Abstract: An improved rotary drive sprinkler is provided for rotatably driving a pop-up spray head in a stepwise manner through a full-circle or reversibly within a selected part-circle path. The sprinkler includes a reversing trip mechanism having a pair of spaced-apart stops rotatable with the spray head and defining preset end limits of a part-circle path, wherein a stationary trip wire is engageable with the stops to switch an internal rotary drive assembly, such as a ball drive assembly, between forward- and reverse-drive operation. The trip wire flexes to accommodate forced spray head rotation to a maladjusted position beyond the end limits and, upon subsequent sprinkler operation, rides over ramped surfaces on the stops for automatic return to reversible operation between the reset end limits. Alternatively, the stops can be set in side-by-side relation with their ramped surfaces oriented for the trip wire to ride resiliently thereover without switching of the rotary drive assembly.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for maintaining a transducer in contact with, and in alignment with, a surface includes a pair of opposed swivel bars, each of which is pivotably mounted to a cradle. The swivel bars are free to pivot about a roll axis. Two tension arms are pivotably mounted to one of the swivel bars. Each tension arm resiliently urges an end of the transducer into contact with the surface. One of the swivel bars supports two spaced-apart wheels whose contact with the surface is effective to rotate its swivel bar into a predetermined rotation about the roll axis. The transducer, being attached to the swivel bar by one of the tension arms is also rotated into a predetermined angle about the roll axis.

Abstract: For use with an impact drive sprinkler of the full or part circle type, an anti side splash drive arm is provided comprising a reaction member on the arm which includes a first curved portion for deflecting a stream of water ejected from a nozzle on the sprinkler through a first obtuse angle, and a second curved portion, spaced laterally from and behind the first curved portion, for deflecting the stream of water through a second obtuse angle approximately equal to the first whereby the deflected water stream emerges substantially parallel to the stream of water ejected from the nozzle.