Abstract: Modular panel apparatus which is particularly useful for providing wall partitions and divider panels of varied sizes and configurations. A panel frame having a rectangular or another polygonal shape is assembled from tubular members that are interconnected together with corner members which lock the tubular members to form a rigid frame. A panel of suitable dimensions is then positioned within the frame, and the panel is held in place by retaining members which removably fit over the frame and secure the panel in place. Panel members of various standard or nonstandard sizes and configurations may be accommodated within corresponding frames.

Abstract: An elongated, hollow stud, or wall support member, is formed of sheet material, and has at least one longitudinally extending planar wall. The wall is formed with a longitudinally extending series of rectangularly formed holes, the holes being so aligned as to each receive a wall panel retainer so disposed therein as to effect an abutting relationship between the edges of two adjacent wall panels. The retainer has a spring tensioned clip portion removably insertable through the holes to project interiorly of the wall stud, and further has terminally formed, sharply pointed teeth, disposed exteriorly of the hole to engage an edge portion of a wall panel. Such imbed themselves in the material of the wall panel.

Abstract: Shrink wrapping apparatus including a hot air circulation system having a stand-by circuit and an operating circuit. A movable control plate switches from one circuit to the other dependent on the existence of an article the envelope of which is to be shrunk. The operating circuit is provided with a retaining chamber which is open at the front side of the apparatus and can only be covered by an article. A hot air recovery system is provided for collecting the hot air leak streams in the neighborhood of the opening of the retaining chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packing articles, for example apples and other readily damaged fruits, in a close-packed array. A first feeder operates to pack a first supply of the articles in spaced-apart groups and a second feeder operates to fill the spaces between these groups. The feeders are preferably rotary members rotating in a vertical plane and having circumferential depressions. These depressions cooperate with peripheral confining barriers, eg. belts, to carry the articles downwardly and release them as required. The packages for receiving the articles, preferably pieces of expanded structural honeycomb material, may be carried under the feeders by a movable, synchronized conveyor. This conveyor may have protruberances for holding the honeycomb material expanded during filling. Unloading may be effected by raising the filled package into a confining frame in which it is then moved for deposition in a carton.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing finished disc records in envelopes and stacking the thus-filled envelopes include pushing, by a suitable push pin, a finished record along a predetermined substantially straight path into an empty envelope which is held at the latter path by way of a releasable holding structure capable of being actuated to drop the filled envelope onto a stack of filled envelopes after each envelope receives a finished record. The empty envelopes are derived from a stack of empty envelopes situated beside the stack of filled envelopes. These stacks of empty and filled envelopes are arranged beside each other in a direction which is transverse with respect to the path along which each finished record is pushed.

Abstract: A device on a skein winding machine for applying bands onto band flaps arranged on a movable carrier, in which a band lifter provided with a suction nozzle is arranged to remove a band from a magazine under the effect of suction at the suction nozzle and place the band on the band flaps, the band lifter being connected to a slide which presses the lifted band onto the band flaps during continued movement of the band lifter.

Abstract: A rotary mower in which grass cutting and collection of cut grass particles is achieved with a relatively low blade tip speed. A cutting blade is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within a symmetrical expansion type mower housing in which the expansion top wall has a substantial rise to a discharge opening vertically above the cutting blade. The housing has a continuous exterior side wall surrounding the cutting blades and extending above the sail portion thereof. The sail portions of the blade trailing the cutting edges have substantial inward and upward rake angles which result in mechanical throwing of the grass and a pumping effect results from the housing and blade configuration. In certain embodiments, the cutting edges may be swept back at an angle with respect to the blade center line and the blade diameter may be selected to aid in effective cleaning of cut grass particles from the blade.

Abstract: A mowing machine is connectable to a tractor's lifting hitch and power take-off shaft. A row of rotors is mounted along the length of a laterally extending support plate that is pivoted to the main frame. Each rotor includes a hub and cutter member assembly on an upwardly extending shaft engaged by a driving assembly. The driving assembly can be an elongated shaft that passes through a gear box for each rotor that is fastened to the support plate or a series of meshed gear wheels housed as a readily replaceable unit in a gear box and journalled to the support plate. The assembly includes a single blade pivoted to each hub eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the respective rotor and a counter balancing component. Reduction gearing interconnects the power take-off shaft to the shafts of the rotors through a main gear box to revolve their blades at high rates of speed, i.e. at least 6000 and preferably 8000 to 10,000 r.p.m.

Abstract: A combine harvester having crop cutting and elevating means at the forward end of the combine to deliver crop material to be threshed to a threshing compartment in which axial rotor and concave means thresh and axially move the crop material to straw walker means immediately rearward of said threshing compartment to separate straw and chaff from threshed crop material and discharge the straw and chaff from the rear end of the harvester.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine has a pair of forward drive wheels and carries a forward, transversely elongated, harvesting header having a plurality of generally fore and aft passages adapted to receive respective rows of crop material as the machine advances and a cutting apparatus for each passage for severing the crop relatively close to the ground as it moves along the passage to leave a short upright crop stubble in each row. Two of the passages are in general fore and aft alignment with the respective drive wheels so that the wheels run over the stubble, and a pair of stubble mashing devices are mounted on the header forwardly of the respective drive wheels, each device including a skidlike stubble engaging element that is biased downwardly into contact with the ground so that it mashes the crop stubble against the ground in advance of the wheel to reduce tire wear caused by the wheel rolling over the upright stubble.

Abstract: A combined lawn mower and grass catcher including a rotary type mower having a rearwardly directed discharge opening and a grass catcher mounted on the mower and extending to the rear thereof and within the lateral confines of the mower. A mower handle extends rearwardly of the mower with a portion thereof underneath the catcher for protecting and supporting the catcher if and when the latter extends down to the supporting portion of the mower handle. The catcher and the mower have inter-engaging members for attaching and removing the catcher relative to the mower, including a handle at the rear end of the catcher for attaching to the mower handle and for lifting the catcher. A spring-biased discharge opening door is mounted on the mower for engaging the front portion of the catcher and thereby securing the catcher so the mower under the influence of the spring acting on the mower door.

Abstract: A lawn mower catcher of the bag type including a grass inlet opening at one end thereof and having a rigid door or mower adapter connected at the one end and extending over the opening. The door or adapter itself has a grass inlet opening for entry of the grass into the bag catcher. The door or adapter is pivotally attached to the fabric or bag portion of the catcher and can be opened and closed on the catcher opening and has attaching members for mounting onto a mower. Also, the catcher has another mower attachment, all so that the opposite ends of the catcher can be attached to the mower and extends rearwardly thereof and within the lateral limits of the mower and the mower handle extends underneath the catcher for upwardly supporting the catcher when the catcher is filled or sags. The catcher also has an additional handle for uprightly supporting the catcher to empty the grass therefrom when the door is opened.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a haymaking machine for the tedding and/or windrowing of fodder, comprising at least two rotors the axes of which form a certain angle with the ground, these rotors being interconnected by a hollow beam through which there passes a transmission shaft intended to drive the rotors with a rotating movement about their respective axes, said machine co-operating in the windrowing position with guide elements situated to the rear and fixed respectively each to one of the ends of arms extending towards the front of the machine, characterized in that the other end of at least one of the arms cooperates with means for modifying the angle of inclination of the rotors when the guide element of said arm is actuated.

Abstract: An open end spinning machine includes a row of spinning rotors each connected to spindles rotatably supported in their predetermined axial position by associated twin-disk mechanisms and driven by a belt moving across the spindles. When the spindle is subjected to an external axial force in either of opposite axial directions due to disturbance of a right-angled relationship between the belt and the spindle, an arrangement according to the invention causes the spindle to be subjected to a force, the direction of which is directly opposite to and the strength of which is in proportion to that external axial force due to the disturbance of the right-angled relationship, whereby the spindle is maintained in the predetermined axial position.

Abstract: Threading procedure in the texturing method for endless filaments in false-twist texturing machines comprising disc-type twisters.

Abstract: A method of making environmentally approved power lines without entrapment of abrasive blasting ingredients. Each strand to form the top layer of the bare standed non specular conductor is made non specular before it is twisted thru the closing block on the cable strander so that the completed conductor becomes non specular. The preferred method of non specular finishing each strand for the top layer is by means of abrasive blasting.

Abstract: A time calculation ring counter is made of a plurality of negative resistance light emitting elements, which provide display of current time information. In a preferred form, a plurality of GCR's (gallium arsenide gate controlled rectifiers) or a plurality of GND's (gallium arsenide negative resistance light emitting diodes) are aligned in a circular fashion on a display panel of an electronic timepiece. The GCR's or GND's function to either calculate the time information or indicate the time information.

Abstract: An improved shortening hook for chains with closed elongated links is described. It comprises a slot for receiving a chain link one limb of which is supported by a transverse yoke at the base of the slot. To prevent the chain link from escaping inadvertently from the slot, a locking device fixed to the prong of the hook projects into the mouth part of the slot.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine adapted to provide a selfstarting, controlled expansion and a substantially constant volume combustion in combustion chambers separated from the engine compression and expansion cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: An air supply system having a combustor whose output drives a turbine. The turbine drives a compressor part of whose output is fed to the combustor. A portion of the compressor output is bled off for utility usage. Instead of varying the fuel rate to the combustor to match varying demand in utility usage, the fuel rate is fixed. Operation of the system at air flows above and below that corresponding to the fixed fuel rate is accommodated by (1) a poppet relief valve which opens at high pressures and (2) a butterfly valve in the bleed (utility) line which rotates to decrease the bleed flow upon decrease in pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and means for reclaiming surplus fuel trapped in the fuel manifold system upon engine shutdown and includes a variable volume chamber operable as a function of and by motive power from the engine pneumatic starter and utilizes a valving system that prevents ingestion of air in the reclaimed fuel and is characterized by its complete automation, its relative simplicity and reduction in weight and size.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is shown having an annular burner casing with an annular burner therein. A conventional fuel and air supply can be provided. The burner is formed of conventional louver construction at the forward part thereof with the last louver of both the inner and outer burner wall being welded to its upstream louver with a curled forward end being curled to extend away from the upstream louver. This connection is formed on the louvers which restrict the flow through the burner.

Abstract: A jet propulsion engine assembly for aircraft embodying a longitudinal tubular pod or nacelle housing having an open air intake nose. This assembly includes an axial air flow impeller supported longitudinally in the interior of and by the housing, and it has an annular array of rotary blades supported therein upon a rotatably supported, longitudinal and generally central shaft to force air from the intake nose longitudinally back toward the tail end of said housing. A central jet engine within this housing has a longitudinal drivable shaft substantially aligned with the impeller shaft and drivably connected thereto by disengageable clutching means for effecting drive of the latter from the former when the engine shaft is power driven by the central engine.

Abstract: The lobe-type mixer on a turbine type power plant is improved upon by "scalloping" the side walls for enhancing mixing of two flow streams to obtain improved noise suppression and/or engine performance. The improved lober mixer also minimizes pressure losses.

Abstract: The air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied into the combustion chambers of the engine is controlled to a required value suitable for attaining a stable and smooth running of the engine and the oxygen-combustibles ratio of the exhaust gases introduced into the exhaust gas purifying device is controlled to a required value suitable for causing the purifying device to effectively function, utilizing feedback techniques performed in response to the composition of the exhaust gases passing upstream of the purifying device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive multi-cylinder internal combustion engine in which exhaust gases from one or more of the exhaust ports of the engine cylinders are partially recirculated into the mixture induction system of the engine and secondary air is injected into exhaust gases from the remaining exhaust ports under normal operating conditions of the engine. The recirculation of the exhaust gases is interrupted and furthermore secondary air is injected into the exhaust gases from all the engine cylinders under predetermined non-normal operating conditions such as idling and decelerating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: An exhaust line including an exhaust pipe assembly, a reactor for oxidizing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, a main muffler and a mechanism for drawing secondary air from the atmosphere into the exhaust line upstream of the reactor based on the pulsation of the exhaust pressure, wherein a front tube of the exhaust pipe assembly for passing the exhaust gas from the engine to the reactor has a smaller cross-sectional area than a center tube connecting the reactor to the main muffler, so that the pulsation is of a great magnitude even at an engine speed where the pulsation is in an anti-resonance state.

Abstract: In the case of pump failure a spool valve instantly connects a pressurized fluid accumulator with the servo motor which assistingly activates the master cylinder and isolates a power steering mechanism fluidly connected to the servo motor so that only the power brake is temporarily operable but with stepwise decreasing effectiveness.

Abstract: The control system for a hydraulic transmission comprises a throttle element which consists of a constant throttle and a spring charged adjustable throttle arranged in parallel or, alternatively, comprises a combination of a constant throttle with adjustable throttles. The adjustable throttle has a cross section varying in response to the operating pressure of the hydrostatic transmission. The moment of rotation of a hydrometer included in the transmission is determined by the fluid stream caused by an adjustable pump which is adjusted by a servomechanism controlled by the throttle element and thus forms a transmission control member.

Abstract: A single-hand operated tool comprising: first and second relatively movable elements adapted to be associated with a head assembly for application of pressure to a workpiece; a housing; a hydraulic pump disposed within the housing; hydraulic fluid communication means associated with the pump for exerting hydraulic force on the relatively movable elements; articulated lever means associated with the pump and arranged such that reciprocal motion of the lever means provided by the action of a single hand, unassisted, operates the pump and produces a desired force on the workpiece; release valve means for releasing the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid in response to a manual actuation produced by the single hand and including a valve stem and seat wherein the force urging seating of the valve stem against the valve seat is smaller than the desired force.

Abstract: A power assembly for supplying power to a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit for raising and lowering an elevator car. The power assembly may comprise: a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a hydraulic pump assembly, the intake of which is connected to the reservoir and the outlet of which is connected to the piston and cylinder unit; and a control valve disposed above the hydraulic reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the piston and cylinder unit.

Abstract: An engine powered by the internal vaporization of a low boiling point liquid such as Freon which is changed into the gaseous state by a suitable heat source applied to the engine. The engine control system further includes a closed Freon well for condensation of the Freon gas after vaporization in the engine. The vaporization of the Freon within the engine is provided by heat collected by a solar furnace and passed from a oil heat jacket surrounding the engine piston acting as a heat source.

Abstract: A fluid pressure amplifier for intensifying fluid pressure, the amplifier comprising a housing including a hydraulic fluid reservoir therein. A first chamber includes a slave piston mounted for reciprocation therein and for abutting engagement with a workpiece. A hydraulic fluid path extends intermediate the reservoir and the first chamber and a second chamber lies in the path intermediate the first chamber and the reservoir and includes check means intermediate the first and second chambers. A third chamber includes a fluid intensifier piston having a head end and a tail end, the head end being mounted for reciprocation in the third chamber and the tail end being mounted for reciprocation in the second chamber, the head end of the piston having a larger diameter than the tail end. Gas admittance means admit a pressurized gas to a gas path which lies intermediate the gas admittance means and the reservoir.

Abstract: The flow from geothermal wells is stimulated by injecting a liquid at selected levels in the well with the liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the geothermal fluid at the levels of injection at the operating pressure at the levels of injection. The geothermal fluid and vaporized injected fluid from the well are applied to a system for extracting the heat energy as well as for cleaning sand and other well depositions that may accumulate in the geothermal well. The system may include a direct contact heat exchanger having either a vertical chamber or a horizontal chamber. The contactor has a plurality of zones including a boiler zone, one or more separation zones, and at least one heat exchange zone. The contactor may also include a wash zone and a flash zone.In the wash zone there is advantageously included recirculation trays vertically spaced for washing the vapor to remove entrained substances, such as minerals dissolved in the fluid from the geothermal wells.

Abstract: An electronic system for operating a nuclear steam turbine power plant including a cycle steam reheater controller to control the heat transfer operation in a cycle steam reheater according to the steam and metal temperatures measured in one or more low pressure turbine sections, is disclosed. The steam and metal temperatures are closed-loop controlled as a function of the low pressure turbine design operational limitations. The reheater controller controls dual reheaters, each employing one or more heating sections which reheat cycle steam flowing therethrough to one or more low pressure turbine sections with split side entry steam inlet ports.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, portable cryogenic system for powering small pneumatic hand tools. A unitary manifold for providing a fluid fill path and a fluid vent path is mounted to the upper surface of a small dewar for containing a cryogenic liquid under pressure. The manifold is provided with partially threaded inner passageways for externally mounting a vent valve, pressure gauge and first relief valve, and for internally mounting a fill check valve and an economizer check valve. The economizer check valve is coupled to the inlet of a small heat exchanger comprising a length of finned tubing coiled in a stack about the manifold on top of the dewar and prevents back-flow of fluid to the dewar. A pneumatic circuit breaker valve coupled between the outlet of the heat exchanger and the inlet of a pneumatic hose having a disconnect valve at the outlet enables small pneumatic hand tools to be removably connected to the pneumatic hose and powered by cryogenic liquid vaporized in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the transfer of heat from an ambient heat sink of variable temperature to a conditioned space, said system being operable in a first mode when the temperature of the heat sink is at a relatively high level, and in a second mode when its temperature is at a relatively low level. The system includes a first refrigerant circuit which is operable in said first mode as a heat pump of the vapor compression type to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the conditioned space. A second refrigerant circuit is provided which is operable in the second mode, when the temperature of the ambient heat sink is at a relatively low level, to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the first refrigerant circuit, which then transfers the heat to the conditioned space. Thus, in second mode operation, the first and second refrigerant circuits operate in a "cascade" relationship.

Abstract: An evaporator including a side plate formed with a number of openings each having rigidly secured therein the upper end portion of one of a number of U-shaped refrigerant tubes, a cover plate attached to the upper surface of the side plate and formed, by recessing its inner surface, with a plurality of bend sections each intercommunicating the upper end portions of the two tubes of the adjacent U-shaped refrigerant tubes forming a set, a distributor section for supplying a suitable refrigerant to refrigerant passages provided by the U-shaped tubes and the bend sections, a manifold section for collecting the refrigerant from the refrigerant passages and discharging same therefrom, and an expansion valve section extending between the distributor section and the manifold section in a manner to intercommunicate the two sections, and an expansion valve assembly mounted in the expansion valve section.

Abstract: According to the invention a flexible drill pipe constructed of a closed pitch cylindrical spiral coil of wire rod, a female tool joint is attached to one end of the coil of wire rod and a male tool joint is attached to the other end. A plurality of wire wound flexible shafts are laid through the coil wire rod attaching to the female and male tool joints and enclosing a hollow internal support assembly. The wire wound flexible shafts support the coil of wire rod so it can carry high tension loads and not let it over extend its length. The hollow internal support assembly keeps the coil of wire rod from collapsing under high torsion loads, provides a passage way for drilling fluids to be pumped through the flexible drill pipe, and provides an even distribution of flexibility over the length of the coil of wire rod.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has tangentially arranged axial groove pairs which receive drive balls which are maintained coplanar by a cage.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved washing machine having an outer wash tub adapted to be filled with water to a desired predetermined level. An inner perforated washtub is mounted in a concentrically spaced relationship to said outer wash tub and is adapted to receive the clothes to be washed. A compressor unit is adapted to reciprocate from the top to the bottom of said wash tub to briefly agitate the clothes and then to squeeze the water from them from the inside out.

Abstract: Lock apparatus comprising a housing in which is movably supported a locking member for movement between locked and unlocked positions. The housing and locking member have aligned bores containing blocking pins supported for movement between a first position in which the locking member is movable relative to the housing and a second position in which the blocking pins block movement of the locking member relative to the housing. A plate-like key member and a plate-like code member are respectively insertable into slots provided in the housing. The bores in the housing and locking member are arranged in a predetermined pattern and the plate-like members have respective regions corresponding to the location of the bores in the pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting camber occurring during the rolling of a flat metal workpiece employs individual end adjustment of the work roll gap in response to the amount of camber detected.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing and easily releasing a mandrel from a mandrel rod upon their advancement and return movements during the piercing operation of a seamless tube. Between the mandrel and rod is an intermediate piece having one or more openings for receiving a hook with a nose extending into an opening of the mandrel. The hook is biased into position by a spring mounted around its one end and at its other end beneath a nose is a tapered surface for contacting a corresponding surface of the mandrel to pivot the hook away from the interior of the mandrel to release the mandrel from the intermediate piece and mandrel rod.

Abstract: Rolling mill with two working rolls, for rolling a sheet material, a series of hydrostatic supporting devices, supporting one of said said working rolls in the direction of movement of the sheet of material and another series of hydrostatic supporting devices supporting said one of said working rolls opposite to said direction of movement; the working pressures of two of said supporting devices situated opposite one another being variable by amounts which correspond to an equal-magnitude force acting in the plane of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A rotating block assembly used with a die for drawing thin walled metallic tubing in which the block has a continuous single groove for receiving and tensioning the tubing between the block and die. The contour of the groove is formed by two identical opposite surfaces generated on a continuous radius having a separating angle between the cooperative surfaces ranging from 17.degree. to 22.degree..

Abstract: In a method of forming tubes or pipes from a flat blank of a plastically deformable material, three spaced apart portions of the blank are first bent to the wanted curvature of the finished tube or pipe, so that two smaller unbent portions are obtained between the curved portions. Then, the blank is closed to essentially tubular form by means of forces acting on the curved portions, so that the principal deformation in connection with the closing is obtained in the unbent portions located between the curved portions.

Abstract: A die change mechanism in a transfer press is disclosed for carrying feed bars with dies supported thereon into and out of the press. The mechanism performs cyclic clamping, advancement, unclamping and return movements on the feed bars which feed work pieces to and through the successive processing stages of the press.

Abstract: A furnace which is suitable for carrying out differential thermal analysis of long duration comprises two symmetrical halves having equal heat capacities. Equal sized bores are provided in both halves for a sample container. There are additional bores in the lower half for differential thermoelements. The two halves of the furnace are advantageously provided with filament windings of equal electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating data for use in calculating a desorption isotherm for an adsorbent material as well as a pore size distribution characteristic of the adsorbent material by flowing an adsorbate gas over a sample in a cell until the surface of the sample is saturated with the adsorbate, shutting off the flow of the adsorbate gas and then flowing a carrier gas through the cell to remove the adsorbate material from the surface of the sample while continuously detecting and recording per unit of time the composition of the gas mixture flowing from the cell and the sample temperature until only the carrier gas is detected.