Abstract: An apparatus for producing an air and liquid vapor mixture for connection into a fuel inlet stream of an internal combustion engine comprising a glass container having an open top through which liquid to be vaporized can be supplied to the container and a cap removably covering the open top of the container and providing a vacuum tight seal therefor, the cap having a rigid tube carried thereby, one end of which constitutes an exterior air inlet and the other end of which extends to an outlet position adjacent the bottom of the container and has a length of flexible tubing connected therewith which extends in a loop disposed along the container bottom and terminates in an end opening of a size less than the size of the air inlet of the rigid tube.

Abstract: Twin cylinder two cycle engine including a pair of stepped cylinders and a pair of stepped pistons slidable in said cylinders defining annular spaces of variable volume in said cylinders. The pistons are interconnected each other with 180.degree. phase difference. Air-fuel mixture introduced into the annular space in one cylinder is forced into the crankchamber of the other cylinder during the upward stroke of the associated piston, so that an additional charge is provided.

Abstract: The subject fuel injection means, disclosed herein with one of various types of internal combustion engines with which it may be employed, comprises a fuel pumping plunger, the pumping stroke of which is controlled by an inclined surface of a manually operable slide element. Said plunger is urged in a pumping direction by fluid pressure applied thereto from compression generated in the engine's combustion chamber and is spring biased in a non-pumping direction. A solenoid, operationally timed to the rotation of the engine's crankshaft, coacts with the pumping plunger to assure starting of the plunger's pumping stroke in proper timed relation to the compression and firing of an explosive charge in the engine's combustion chamber. In said pumping stroke, the plunger closes a fuel inlet to a related pump chamber and forces fuel from said pump chamber, past a one way check valve and into the engine's combustion chamber.

Abstract: A piston-type internal combustion engine is described including a variable valve timing device controlling the timing of the intake valve, a coupling between the accelerator pedal and the variable timing device for varying the timing of the intake valve in response to the movement of the accelerator pedal, and means for maintaining a substantially constant compression ratio in the cylinder notwithstanding variations in the engine output. The latter means comprises a floating piston crown which is permitted to move further inwardly into the cylinder at the end of the compression stroke when the delay in closing the intake-valve is increased, than when the delay is decreased.

Abstract: An improved air-fuel mixture intake system for use in a internal combustion engine having a light load side intake passage and a heavy load side intake passage which are joined each other in the vicinity of an intake valve of the engine. The intake system includes engine deceleration detecting means, a first on-off valve provided in a fuel supplying path of a light load side carburetor, an air supplying passage opened into the heavy load side intake passage at downstream of a heavy load side carburetor throttle valve, and a second on-off valve provided in the air supplying passage for reduction of noxious hydrocarbon formation and prevention of after-burning, with suppression of undesirable knocking.

Abstract: A control circuit for delivering control signals to interrupt admission of the fuel-air mixture in the low speed and idle circuit of the carburetor of an internal combustion engine. The control circuit is operated according to the engine operating conditions. The control signal is delivered in response to comparison of a signal whose level is representative of the amplitude of the variations, i.e., the absolute value of the variations in the duration of an engine cycle, with a substantially periodic signal to generate a pulse-shaped signal. The pulses have a relatively narrow width when the amplitude of the variations is great, and a larger width when the amplitude of the variations is smaller.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprises a distributor containing a pair of magnetic pick-up devices each of which generates signals at a frequency representative of engine speed. One pick-up is used normally during starting of the engine to fire the engine spark plugs, and the other pick-up during running. An automatic transfer circuit is provided to transfer control from the first, or start, pick-up to the second, or run, pick-up when the engine begins to run under its own power and accelerate from cranking speed. Should a condition occur indicative of a lack of signals from the run pick-up above a predetermined minimum frequency, the transfer circuit transfers control of ignition firing back to the start pick-up.

Abstract: A signal generator, such as a breaker contact, an electronic ignition control system, or the like, provides signals when an ignition event is to occur, to control the operation of a controlled switch, connected in circuit with a spark coil, to open the circuit and induce a pulse for application to a spark plug. To provide a sequence of pulses to the spark plug for any one ignition event, a pulse generator is enabled when an ignition event is commanded.

Abstract: This application discloses a two-open-position choke valve control system comprising:A housing;A first diaphragm which is linked with a choke valve shaft;A second diaphragm;A prop rod arranged between said first and second diaphragms, the length of the rod being shorter than the distance between said first and second diaphragms during their release conditions;A stopper means which prevents said second diaphragm from moving toward said first diaphragm;A first chamber formed between said first and second diaphragms and communicating with an intake pipe at the downstream of a carburetor throttle valve, and;A second chamber formed outside of said second diaphragm and communicating with said intake pipe through a device for detecting the driving conditions of a vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically controlled closed loop system for maintaining a desired air-fuel ratio within an internal combustion engine. An operator-positioned accelerator commands a given fuel flow into the engine and the flow of air is controlled by means of a servo-actuated throttle plate. The commanded fuel flow and present position of the throttle plate are used to generate a basic command signal for controlling the servo motor to adjusting the position of the throttle plate. A gas detector or roughness sensor positioned in the engine is responsive to the actual air-fuel mixture in the engine which may be greater than or less than the desired air-fuel mixture and an error signal is generated which can be used to modify or correct the basic control signal in a closed loop manner for selectively adjusting throttle plate position to more precisely maintain a desired air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A technique for increasing the efficiency, and for decreasing the exhaust emissions, of an internal combustion type engine in which rf energy is generated at a frequency which both (a) is suitable for coupling the energy to a combusting plasma air-fuel mixture (preferably at a plasma frequency) and (b) excites at least one resonant mode of the engine's combustion chamber; so as to enhance both pre-combustion conditioning of the mixture and combustion reactions.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus comprises a piston movable by fluid pressure to vary the timing of delivery of fuel to an associated engine. Valve means provides fuel under pressure which varies in accordance with the speed at which the engine is driven and fuel at this pressure is applied to the piston through a first fixed orifice. A second fixed orifice is connected to the downstream side of the first orifice and a variable orifice is provided to control the fluid flow through the second orifice. The size of the variable orifice is dependent upon the amount of fuel supplied to the associated engine by the apparatus. In addition a pressure responsive valve is provided which defines a flow path connected in parallel with one of the orifices, the valve being subjected to a fluid pressure within the system.

Abstract: In an electronic ignition timing adjusting system for an internal combustion engine wherein in response to two particular angular positions of the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine a capacitor is charged and discharged so that the time of termination of the discharging of the capacitor is selected as the desired ignition timing of the engine, when the amount of charge on the capacitor is greater than a predetermined value, the charge and discharge currents of the capacitor are reduced as compared with those under other conditions. The capacitor is prevented from being saturated at low engine speeds, thereby accomplishing stable adjustment of the ignition timing throughout the range of low and high rotational speeds of the engine with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: The cathode of the gas-discharge devices performing the distributor function for associated sparkplugs have lateral extension flanges approaching closely to the insulating envelopes of the devices. A grounded control electrode just outside the gas-discharge device is moved from a rest position to an operating position aligned with and adjacent to the cathode extension flange by an electromagnet operated by a transistor circuit in accordance with the cylinder firing order of the engine.

Abstract: A light alloy piston for diesel engines includes a piston head coated with a hard annodized layer having a combustion chamber recess and/or a fuel-guiding channel provided adjacent to the edge of the combustion chamber recess and/or valve pockets. The piston head is free of a hard anodized layer in those regions which are highly stressed by gas and mass forces. Preferably those regions of the piston head adjacent to edge portions of the combustion chamber recess lying in the direction of the piston pin are free of a hard anodized layer.

Abstract: A fire box is provided having upstanding peripheral walls and bottom and top walls. The fire box includes draft air inlet structure opening through the bottom wall thereof and flue gas outlet structure opening upwardly through the top wall thereof. The lower portion of the fire box includes horizontally outwardly projecting seat structure extending peripherally about at least all but one peripheral wall portion of the fire box and a downwardly opening hollow plenum box including upstanding peripheral walls and a top wall is also provided with the plenum box being removably downwardly telescoped over the fire box and with the lower portions of the peripheral walls of the fire box seated against and in at least reasonably good air sealed engagement with the seat structure and with the corresponding peripheral walls and top walls of the fire box and plenum box disposed in spaced relation defining a heating chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A domestic furnace for heating a fluid that is circulated through a residential building includes an oil burner, a firebox for combustion products of the burner, a heat exchanger and a flue. A conduit extending from outside of the building supplies outside air to the burner and to the flue through a pressure controlled damper; the combustion air supplied to the burner is filtered. The air inlet to the burner includes a damper that closes automatically when the burner is extinguished, to eliminate heat losses up the flue during furnace standby. Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions are minimized by the design of the burner and firebox combination. A conventional type burner head is used, rather than a flame retention type, and its choke diameter is related quantitatively to the burner firing rate. In addition, the burner head has oversized, internal, peripheral air swirler vanes.

Abstract: A firebox having a hood or hood sections movable along or about a given line or point respectively on its hearth for positioning its opening in any one of a number of different positions.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for removably mounting an oven door on the front wall of the cabinet of a food processing oven for movement between open and closed positions with respect to the oven cavity includes a hinge plate mounted in overlying relation with respect to the front wall at one side of the oven cavity, a hinge arm on which the oven door is removably mounted pivotally attached to the hinge plate, a support arm joined pivotally at one end to the hinge arm and extending into the oven cabinet alongside the oven cavity through an aperture in the hinge plate and an aligned aperture in the front wall of the oven cabinet and a spring attached at the opposite end of the support arm and cabinet frame, to bias the oven door to a "closed door" position.

Abstract: A flat plate solar collector system embodying a plurality of individual conventional solar collector panels in which the frames of said panels are provided with notched portions or recesses for the reception of union type pipe couplings joining the headers of adjacent panels to permit the several panels to be assembled in butted side-by-side or precisely contiguous relation. Additionally, cover plates are provided for the recesses to present a unitary appearance to the assembly.

Abstract: Fibrous wall materials that are substantially transparent to solar radiation and substantially impervious to long-wave radiation wherein the fibers are arranged in a parallel relationship are disclosed as being useful to form cell structures, in the form of a honeycomb. Heat losses from such solar energy collectors are substantially minimized.

Abstract: A flat solar collector arrangement used for collecting solar energy in which a metal tub serving as a carrier and made by a deep-drawn process, is filled with synthetic material. A heat carrier channel system and a collector plate are located on top of the synthetic material. A protective disk is connected by a rubber gasket ring to an edge of the metal tub, and a bellows-shaped device in the metal tub between the collector plate and the protective disk is used for influencing the enclosed volume. The metal tub may be made of galvanized sheet iron, and the upper rim of the metal tub is drawn outward, parallel to the bottom of the tub. The synthetic material, furthermore, may be in the form of a flaky styropor mass which serves as heat insulating material. The channel system and the collector plate are integrated as a single one-plate system. The metal tub, furthermore, has at least one opening which is closed by means of the bellows-shaped device, and is directed inward or outward.

Abstract: A solar pond for collecting solar energy preferably filled with a shallow layer of water over a blackened sunlight-absorbing surface which is in turn in contact with a heat-storage or heat exchanging medium. Convection in the solar pond is inhibited by raising the viscosity of the pond by adding gelling agents, for example, a polyethyleneoxide adduct of a hydrophobic residue. Convection is further inhibited by dividing the pond into cells such that the Rayleigh number of the fluid within the cell structure is less than the critical Rayleigh number at which convection may occur. The dividers may be translucent or transparent generally horizontal sheets or generally vertical sheets, forming matrices which are rectangular, hexagonal or triangular in horizontal cross-sections. Alternatively, the gelled fluid medium of the solar pond may be bagged in translucent elongated bags which when arranged in the pond have their shortest dimension less than that which will support convection.

Abstract: A low-cost modular designed solar heater for heating a fluid under pressure for a multiplicity of uses. This unit is designed to be built from commercially available standard components. It may be utilized for heating swimming pools, houses, or domestic water sources. It is constructed of pressure-retaining tubing circularly disposed in a container which displays the tubing to the sun rays and coincidentally retains the tubing in the desired shape. The tubing comprises a coil of black material with high heat absorbtivity and a specially treated surface to reduce reflectivity. The inside surface of the retaining container is lined or coated with a highly reflectivity smooth material which reflects the sun's rays onto the heat absorbing tubing. The modular units may have a special clear covering which creates a heat sink inside the units reducing heat losses due to convection.

Abstract: Solar heating apparatus comprising a plurality of similar sections, each having a light-reflecting surface and providing, when opened out in an edge-to-edge position of the sections, a substantially continuous parabolic dish and providing in a closed stacked position of the surfaces an enclosure for the confronting light-reflecting surfaces. A receiver is mounted at or adjacent to the focal point of the dish in the operating, heat-collecting position of the sections.

Abstract: A system for storing and utilizing solar energy which includes the use of solar energy collectors attached to heat pipes for changing solar flux into heat energy and transmitting the heat energy into the earth below the surface of the ground. An expanding array of pipes, formed of heat conductive material, distributes the heat throughout a large, unconstrained volume of underground earth. The system provides for long-duration earth storage of the heat energy which can later be used for both space and hot water heating in homes, multiple-unit housing, commercial buildings, public buildings, etc.A uni-directional heat pipe, characterized by having irreversible vapor flow, includes a pump arrangement for transferring working fluid from the condenser section to the evaporator section of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A solar water heating system heats water in a solar panel and stores it in a water storage tank. A pump circulates the water in the system, from the water storage tank through the solar panel back to the water storage tank when energy can be transferred from the solar panel to the water. When the circulating pump stops, the water in the solar panel and associated conduits located in an area where freezing can be encountered drains down into the water storage tank and associated conduits which are located in an area where freezing will not be encountered. In order to provide for the necessary space in the system for draining, a predetermined air space is maintained in the top of the water storage tank by an automatic air replenishment system which includes a compressor for directing compressed air into said water storage tank at the top thereof at a predetermined maximum water level in accordance with a water level float operated control located adjacent the water storage tank.

Abstract: An improved solar energy collector has a twisted expanded metal/bristle fin combination structure which provides improved energy absorbing efficiency, good peripheral stability, and efficient heat transfer capabilities. The structure is normally formed by wrapping and thereby expanding, a lanced sheet metal about a conduit in a spiral fashion. In the preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral structure presents a series of protrusions wherein every other protrusion is twisted at an angle with respect to the spiraling structure.

Abstract: A reflector that reflects a microwave signal as a function of temperature is implanted within living tissue of a human. A microwave signal is transmitted to the reflector via an applicator in contact with the skin of the human. A portion of the signal reflected from the reflector is coupled via the applicator to a meter that provides an indication of the temperature of the reflector.

Abstract: A circuit means including a power source, a cathode ray tube, a source of high frequency sound, a transducer means for emitting and receiving sound signals, and mode control means for varying the visible output of energy across said cathode ray tube for making various anatomical measurements by emitting high frequency sound into an anatomy through said transducer, whereby the amplitude and frequency of reflected signals received by said transducer will be visibly reflected on said cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometric system having a pump for pumping air into a sphygmomanometer cuff connected to the cuff via a regulator valve for bleeding the cuff pressure at a constant rate. The pump has a leak to atmosphere so that the regulator valve can bleed the cuff through the pump. An exhaust valve is also provided for dumping the cuff pressure to atmosphere and/or bleeding the cuff, independently of the regulator valve.

Abstract: A flexible mat having a plurality of protruding members and a plurality of apertures is agitated by pressure pulsation in a stream of highly turbulent mixture of water/air which is applied to the back surface of the mat. As pressure pulses swell and subside in alternation, the protruding members are caused to manipulate the user's body producing a stimulating, therapeutic massage effect. Simultaneously, the water/air mixture is forced through the apertures of the mat producing a turbulent bath having a high proportion of air bubble content which further manipulates and massages the user's body.

Abstract: A knee brace or orthosis for preventing hyperextension of the wearer's leg. In an additional embodiment the flexion of the wearer's leg is also regulated between positions permitting limited motion and a position wherein the knee is fixed and no motion is permitted. In its simplest form the orthosis includes upper and lower forward members and a rear member to which the upper and lower forward members are independently and pivotally attached. The forward rotational movement of the forward upper member is limited by abutting contact between opposed edges of the forward members, thus preventing rearward bending or hyperextension of the leg while permitting flexion. In the alternate embodiment, an upper rear member is provided and includes means for contacting upper portions of the rear member so as to limit flexion movement. In both cases the members are formed from relatively thin lightweight plastic material which has been at least partially shaped to custom conform to the dimensions of the wearer's leg.

Abstract: A flexible covering for placement over an individual's injured limb having a cast or bandage. The covering has a receptacle portion and a sealing portion which are designed respectively to receive the foot or hand of the limb and the leg or arm portion of the limb. The covering is designed for use by the individual with the injured limb when he is bathing in order to protect the cast or bandaged area from contact with water. The sealing portion has an interior diameter smaller than the diameter of the limb above the cast or bandage in order to provide a sealing engagement with the limb.

Abstract: A bandage apparatus for the treatment of burns, said bandage having various sizes and shapes for direct contact with any particular area of the human body so affected, the bandage being provided to promote rapid healing, and to reduce pain and the possibility of infection associated therewith, wherein a metallic member is brought into direct contact with the burned portion. The bandage comprises a metallic member formed from any suitable material--such as metal foil or various metal fabrics--being enclosed as an inner liner of an envelope having a pair of plastic sheets defining a sealable chamber adapted to receive various fluid coolants therein such as air, gas or liquid, the envelope being provided with a protective cover.

Abstract: A safety release pipe cap for emergency venting of fluids under excessive temperatures by melting out a replaceable portion. In one embodiment the replaceable portion is arranged to yield under excessive pressure differentials on its opposed faces. The cap is employed on tanks. A threaded ferrule is provided with a flange overlying the end of a pipe with which it is threadingly engaged to clamp the periphery of a separable disk of thermally fusible material against the pipe end. When the disk is of a yieldable plastic it functions as a seal gasket on the pipe end and will yield under pressure differentials to provide a visual indication of such differentials by material and wall thickness characteristics as well as the geometry of the disk. Temperature fusing can be controlled by these characteristics and particularly the melting temperature of the plastic.

Abstract: A device for controlling urinary incontinence in female patients. The device includes a body section for being inserted completely into the vagina. The body section includes a circumferential surface therearound for being gripped by the walls of the vagina for restricting the relative movement therebetween. A protruding section is rigidly attached to the body section and is oriented for displacing a surface of the superior wall of the vagina, and the urethra adjacent thereto, toward the pubic bone, thereby reducing the urethro-vesicle angle for further restricting the flow of urine through the urethra from the bladder to the urethral opening.

Abstract: A method of male contraception utilizing external pressure applied to the underside of the penis at the base thereof to close the urethral canal and thereby prevent the escape of semen. Apparatus comprises a pressure pad which applies a concentrated force on the canal and is held in place by a strap member around the penis.

Abstract: An injection apparatus has a medicament container whose hollow interior is subdivided by a partition into a medicament compartment housing a body of the liquid medicament and a pressurizable compartment. A positive-displacement pump has an intake connected via a conduit to the medicament compartment and is operable to pass a liquid from this intake to its output. A needle is provided on the output so that when implanted in a person this pump can be used to inject a predetermined carefully metered quantity of the medicament into the person.

Abstract: A disposable hypodermic needle assembly is disclosed which includes a permanently attached but retractable covering means for the forward portions of the needle. The assembly comprises a hub portion adapted for attachment to the outlet end of a syringe, the hub portion including a central passageway for enabling liquid flow to or from the syringe. A hollow needle is connected to the hub with its inlet end communicating with the central passageway of the hub. An annular slide member surrounds and is longitudinally slideable with respect to the needle, the member being positionable to normally cover the forward portion of the needle. A plurality of elastically resilient arms extend between the hub portion and slide member. The said arms, which may e.g. comprise plastic strips, act to normally maintain the slide member in its position covering the forward portion of the needle.

Abstract: A sterility guard for piercing devices, connectors and needles such as are used in the medical and surgical fields, which gives positive indication if the same has been removed from the piercing device or other connector and subsequently replaced, thereby compromising the sterility of the device.In one form a tubular guard closed at one end is adapted to be applied over a blood spike, for instance, and a projecting portion at the open end of the guard is provided with an integral extension which is engageable in an opening in a portion of the blood spike or a connector of another kind. This extension has a weakened or attenuated portion which is broken when the guard is removed to give a positive indication that the guard may have been removed even though it is later replaced.In another form the guard is used to protect the sterility of the otherwise exposed ends of a pair of connectors or the like.

Abstract: A device for driving a needle into the tissues of a patient, the needle being a dart-like point attached by a shank to a head, and the device including a body having a bore therethrough, the needle occupying a zone of the bore near its outlet, a sliding pusher member in the bore having a split at one end to grip the head of the needle, the bore being shaped to compress the split end on the head of the needle when the pusher member is retracted, and to release the grip when the pusher member is advanced, and an actuator to advance the pusher member through a stroke of limited length.

Abstract: A surgical drain is the subject of the present invention. A drain tube is provided with side openings into the tube, "side" being defined relative to the supporting surface. An elongated protective shield is disposed in closely spaced relationship to the openings and extends lengthwise of the tubular member. The protective shield inhibits the entry of loose material which would clog the openings and restrict the flow of fluid. It further inhibits occlusion of the openings by attached impinging tissue or structures. In one embodiment, the protective shield comprises a second tubular member disposed in closely spaced relationship to the first tube member. Openings in the second tubular member face the openings in the first tubular member, the latter serving as a protective shield for the second member. In a second embodiment, the tubular member is disposed in a serpentine configuration with the openings located in concave stretches along the length of the member.

Abstract: The axial flow rotary separator of a combine includes a rotor having a generally cylindrical threshing section surrounded by a fixed, non-adjustable concave or grate so as to define an annular threshing space. The rotor includes threshing bar assemblies pivoted about axes parallel to the rotor axis and spring loaded in the direction of reducing concave clearance, against adjustable stops. Setting of the stops is controlled by adjusting eyebolts mounted on the front of the rotor, accessible from the front of the combine and connected to the stops through a pivot arm assembly. In normal operation springs hold the threshing bar assemblies against the stops but the pressure of a large foreign body or an excessive flow or material entering the threshing space may overcome the spring pressure forcing the threshing bars to retract to provide necessary clearance.

Abstract: A styling comb/hair curler combination comprising a housing having a motor, heating element, and blower therein efficiently and compactly arranged to reciprocate the comb or alternatively, heat the curling attachment.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device for use, for example, in an automatic transmission, in which a line pressure to be supplied from a hydraulic pressure source to a hydraulic pressure servo-device is controlled in three stages by means of a main spool which is displaced in a bleed-off valve of the line pressure by a subsidiary spool under a varying hydraulic control pressure. The subsidiary spool has at least one land forming a piston slidingly fitted in a movable sleeve having a closed end, the movable sleeve also forming a piston by being in turn slidingly fitted for limited movement in a stationary sleeve having a closed end. A first space between the outer wall of the closed end of the movable sleeve and the inner wall of the closed end of the stationary sleeve, and a second space within the piston chamber of the movable sleeve have ports for the introduction of hydraulic control pressure.

Abstract: A tamperproof hydrant lock with a controlled shock absorber. Power transmitting means are mounted on an operating rod extending within a chamber in the hydrant housing. A spring is mounted between the power transmitting means and the hydrant housing. First and second hydraulic means operatively associated with the power transmitting means control gradual opening and closing of the hydrant valve over first and second delay intervals of time respectively.

Abstract: A fluid flow control and mounting thereof retains a flexible tube in a constant position relative to a stationary structural member and selectively constricts the tube to control the flow of a working fluid transmitted therethrough. The flow control includes an anvil engaged by the tube and a mounting connected to the anvil for detachably connecting the same to a structural member. The anvil has a transversely curved surface with a transverse concave groove therein for receiving and securely yet detachably positioning and retaining the tube therein. Flow control members are movably mounted on a rod extending from the anvil surface and include a slidably mounted clamping disc engageable with a tube positioned in the groove and an adjustment knob movably mounted on the rod. The clamping disc has a roughened surface for frictionally engaging the tube and an opposite smooth bearing surface for engagement with the adjustment knob.

Abstract: A system for automatic forward bow alignment on a water drive pivot irrigator has a valve assembly associated with each of the towers of the irrigator for regulating movement of the respective tower in a direction of rotation of the irrigator. A flexible element extends along the length of the pipe connecting together the towers of the irrigator for detecting alignment of each of the towers along a desired forward bow of the irrigator and controlling the valve assembly of each of the towers as a function of alignment and misalignment of the particular tower with respect to the desired forward bow. Each valve assembly includes a pair of valves normally held open by a weight mounted on an actuator of the valve, with a reversing lever being connected to the actuator of each of the valves for selectively closing one of the valves while assuring the other of the valves is held in an on position.

Abstract: Natural gas from one or more wells is gathered, dehydrated, compressed to a relatively high pressure, and loaded into pressure vessel means mounted for transporting at ambient temperatures by a transport vehicle. The pressure vessel means is then driven to a transmission pipeline terminal, or other end user, and the natural gas is off-loaded while being heated to prevent the formation of harmful hydrates, the gas being metered before flowing into the pipeline.