Abstract: An intake manifold is provided having a base plate with discharge ports and an elongate pipe section extending along a face of the base plate. The pipe section has a front end with an intake port and progressively narrows at least adjacent a rear end. A first port in the rear end enables back-flushing of the manifold, and a second port in the rear end is angled relative to the base plate and enables insertion of a probe. Fork-lift openings extend between the base plate and the pipe section enabling the manifold to be lifted and positioned with a lift truck. Side ports extend through the pipe section and are angled relative to the base plate and adjacent one of the discharge ports to enable visual inspection of the discharge port. The side ports may include side ports located on both sides of the pipe section.

Abstract: A combination sharpener assembly which is particularly useful for fishermen, includes an electrically powered knife sharpener. A manually operated scissors sharpener is mounted in the recess of the housing for the knife sharpener. A hook sharpener is detachably mounted in a compartment in the housing of the knife sharpener. The motor for the knife sharpener is mounted in a sealed inner housing and can be selectively operated under either direct current or alternating current.

Abstract: A combination sharpener assembly which is particularly useful for fishermen, includes an electrically powered knife sharpener. A manually operated scissors sharpener is mounted in the recess of the housing for the knife sharpener. A hook sharpener is detachably mounted in a compartment in the housing of the knife sharpener. The motor for the knife sharpener is mounted in a sealed inner housing and can be selectively operated under either direct current or alternating current.

Abstract: The invention relates to an on-load tap changer having an energy storage mechanism for changing over, without any interruptions, between different winding taps of a tap-changing transformer on load. According to the invention, the energy storage mechanism has one or more compression springs, which are tensioned at the beginning of a changeover operation. In comparison with the tensile springs used to date with such energy storage mechanisms, the compression springs have markedly greater long-term strength.

Abstract: Forces are applied to a device under test and its mechanical response is measured by a laser vibrometer (50). The forces are applied without making physical contact with the device by producing an acoustical force with an ultrasonic beam (54). One embodiment employs two confocal transducers (56, 58) that produce beams that flood the device. Drive signals modulate the ultrasonic beams to produce the desired forces, and the use on a plurality of ultrasonic beams enable selective excitation of different modes of vibration of the object (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to an on-load tap changer having an energy storage mechanism for changing over, without any interruptions, between different winding taps of a tap-changing transformer on load. According to the invention, the energy storage mechanism has one or more compression springs, which are tensioned at the beginning of a changeover operation. In comparison with the tensile springs used to date with such energy storage mechanisms, the compression springs have markedly greater long-term strength.

Abstract: Forces are applied to a device under test and its mechanical response is measured by a laser vibrometer (50). The forces are applied without making physical contact with the device by producing an acoustical force with an ultrasonic beam (54). One embodiment employs two confocal transducers (56, 58) that produce beams that flood the device. Drive signals modulate the ultrasonic beams to produce the desired forces, and the use on a plurality of ultrasonic beams enable selective excitation of different modes of vibration of the object (7).