Abstract: A biasing element for use in a force-measuring system employing a circularly polarized ring laser. The biasing element is a pre-stressed photoelastic element placed in the path of the laser beam to generate a steadystate frequency difference at the output of the beat detector. In a preferred form, the biasing element is pre-stressed by bonding to a second photoelastic element and a second ring laser is positioned to detect the torque in the second element to allow monitoring of any changes in the bias level.

Abstract: A system for detecting and metering wind energy and recording the total integrated energy or power levels over any desired period of time.

Abstract: A turbine flowmeter comprises a rotor comprising a hub rotatably supported on a shaft at an axial position of a flowmeter housing and a plurality of blades embeddedly fixed to the outer peripheral surface of said hub, means for detecting the rotation of said rotor, and a couple of cone members disposed respectively on the up-stream side and the down-stream side in the flow direction of a fluid being measured to confront at least one surface of the hub of said rotor in coaxial alignment with said rotor. The diameter of at least one cone member of the couple of cone members, at the side to confront said rotor, is larger than outer diameter of the hub of said rotor, whereby a stagnant fluid region is formed between the enlarged diameter part of said cone member and the outer peripheral surface of said hub for holding in stagnant state a part of said fluid being measured.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank is provided with an internal fixed support tube. Magnet-bearing liquid level and liquid density indicator floats are concentrically related to the fixed support tube externally thereof. Concentrically related, magnet-bearing indicator tubes are movably disposed within the fixed support tube and furnish liquid level and liquid density readout information when their respective magnets become magnetically latched with the float magnets.

Abstract: A read-out system and method for a wheel balancing machine employs means for determining the minimum angular displacement between a "balance point" on the wheel and a predetermined reference for a stationary portion of the machine using a first scale of displacement and means for converting the minimum angular displacement from the first scale to a second scale. Using the second scale for indicating the balance point enhances the sensitivity of the display means at the balance point. A method is carried out for indicating alignment between the balance point where weight is to be added to an unbalanced wheel to balance same and a predetermined reference position for the machine.

Abstract: An indicating instrument particularly for use in a vehicle comprises a first element which is moved behind a window of the instrument such that the amount of the first element visible in the window is indicative of the distance travelled by the vehicle, and a second element that is moved in dependence upon the speed of the vehicle and such that the second element is obscured from view in the window by the first element while a predetermined relationship exists between the speed and distance.

Abstract: A temperature compensation mechanism for a vibrating beam accelerometer comprising first and second bridge circuits. A quadrature signal is applied to the first bridge circuit containing the quartz crystal which pulls the resonant frequency of the quartz oscillator up or down depending upon the frequency shift caused by temperature variations.

Abstract: A real time ultrasound imaging system provided with a fixed focus and including coherent demodulation of echo signals followed by time delay and coherent summation of the demodulated signals is described. As the range from which echoes are being received increases, coherent demodulation is maintained. Demodulation and time delay accuracies are relatively easy to maintain over a large field of view and a long range. The system has high resolution and high sensitivity.

Abstract: A B-scan ultrasound probe imaging system including an array of annular transducers is described in which dynamic focussing is provided by coherent demodulation of the echo signals generated in the transducers. As the range from which echoes are being received increases, coherent demodulation is maintained. The system provides improved lateral resolution over a greatly extended useful range.

Abstract: A real time ultrasound imaging system which includes coherent demodulation of echo signals followed by time delay and coherent summation of the demodulated signals is described. As the range from which echoes are being received increases, coherent demodulation is maintained. Demodulation and time delay accuracies are relatively easy to maintain over a large field of view and a long range. The system has high resolution and high sensitivity.

Abstract: An arrangement for registering pressure fluctuations in a pressure system includes a sensing element which is subjected to the fluctuations of pressure applied thereto by the pressure system. The sensing element is operatively connected with a transmitting element, which transmits signals in response to the fluctuations of pressure sensed by the sensing element. The arrangement is further provided with a register (e.g., a counter), operatively connected to the transmitting element, for registering the pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: The leakage current in metal oxide varistor bodies is found to vary as a function of applied pressure in the 0.5 kbar to 10 kbar range.A pressure sensing device is conditioned by first prestressing a metal oxide varistor to a pressure above the range of measurement and then releasing the prestress pressure. Upon application of subsequent pressures equal or less than the prestress pressure, the leakage current in the device is found to vary as a function of pressure.

Abstract: A strain gauge load measuring system includes a pair of strain gauges mounted on each of one or more load supports, such as the axles of a vehicle. The strain gauges connect in a DC bridge circuit. A multiplexer comprises a pair of analog switches which alternately apply the voltage from respective bridge output terminals to an AC coupled amplifier, as a square wave voltage of amplitude equal to the difference between the voltages on the bridge output terminals. The amplified square wave voltage is applied across a meter as an amplified DC signal proportional to the DC bridge output signal, by a demultiplexer incorporating a further pair of analog switches cooperating with low pass filter elements. The demultiplexed DC signal across the meter is compared by an operational amplifier, having positive feedback for hysteresis, with the voltage on a variable voltage divider to determine when a threshold load value has been reached.

Abstract: Method for determining internal stresses in structural members in machine or apparatus manufacturing by machining, around a measuring location provided with strain gages, a circular slot into the surface of the structural member that is to be measured, measuring changes in strain of the core of the measuring location left standing, and calculating the internal stresses from the measured strains and a depth-dependent decay function determined on a calibrating material sample, the improvement therein affording the determination of internal stresses in the structural members at depths greater than about 5 mm, includes the steps of mechanically removing the measuring-location core down to a new surface at the base of the circular slot, securing a strain gage to a new measuring location at the new surface, machining another circular slot around the new measuring location, measuring changes in strain of the core of the new measuring location left standing while measuring changes in strain thereof and repeating the

Abstract: A shear transducer having two cylindrical bending beams with two full strain gage bridges so arranged to cancel acceleration induced by forces in the axis of interest.

Abstract: A support for automotive starter motors of the type having a shaft rotated by the motor, in which the starter motor includes a gear mounted on the shaft for engaging the flywheel of an aircraft engine or the like, in which the support comprises a first plate for mounting adjacent the flywheel and a second plate normal to the first plate, the second plate having a hole therein. The starter motor is bolted to the second plate with the shaft extending through the hole. A conical housing is carried by the second plate and has a hole at the apex thereof, rotatably supporting the extremity of the starter motor shaft, the housing further including an opening along one side thereof for permitting access of the gear to the flywheel.

Abstract: A gear housing arranged for use with a vehicle mounted winch has an input shaft driven by a power supply such as a reversible electric motor. The housing has an output shaft with an output gear thereon meshing with an idler gear journaled in the housing. A shiftable gear assembly is secured on the input shaft for rotation therewith and includes different diameter gears selectively engageable with the idler gear to produce different powered drive speed ratios to the output shaft.

Abstract: An improved traveler apparatus includes a screw-driven traveler and a coupling traveler which are both slidably mounted within a track that is formed by the interior surfaces of opposed U-shaped channels of a guide rail. The guide rail also includes a screw channel which communicates through a longitudinal slot with the track. The screw-driven traveler includes a nut that engages a screw in the screw channel through the slot. The coupling traveler includes a manually actuable, bistable latch to selectively engage and disengage the coupling traveler and the screw-driven traveler for cooperative and independent slidable movement within the track, respectively, and the coupling traveler is adapted for connection to a closure, such as a garage door, to open or close same as the coupling traveler is moved along the track.

Abstract: Improved traveler and guide rail apparatus for use with a garage door operator includes an elongated guide rail having a longitudinal screw channel and outwardly extending integral flanges disposed along the screw channel. An elongated T-shaped flange extends upwardly from the screw channel. An improved traveler apparatus for use with the guide rail includes a screw-driven traveler and a coupling traveler, each mounted on respective tracks formed by separate outside surfaces of the guide rail. The screw-driven traveler carries a nut engaging a screw in the screw channel through a slot between the flanges and further includes opposed U-shaped channels slidably mounted over the exterior surfaces of the guide rail flanges for slidable movement along the guide rail.

Abstract: Control lever apparatus for speed change devices for bicycles comprising a pivotal lever for controlling speed change and a shaft rotatably supporting the lever. The shaft is fixed and the lever rotatable and a sound producing mechanism is mounted between the shaft and the lever for producing an audible sound as the lever undergoes rotation. The sound producing mechanism comprises a toothed wheel secured to the shaft and a shoe mounted in a recess in the lever for undergoing relative angular movement with respect to the wheel as the lever is rotated. The shoe is supported in the recess for undergoing limited radial and angular displacement relative to the wheel. The shoe has a plurality of teeth arranged along an annular sector for engagement with the teeth of the wheel. Elastic blades are formed on the shoe and bear against the lever at the recess to yieldably urge the teeth of the shoe and the wheel in engagement.

Abstract: In combination with a transmission having both multiple input and output portions, each of which contains a plurality of speed change gears, is a manual shift control system having pluralities of both input and output shift rails that are adapted to cooperate with input and output cam shafts that extend through shift rail input and output cam shaft cutouts, with one or both cam shafts having at least one one-way cam which may be in combination with one or both of a two-way cam and an interlock cam, said one-way and two-way cams being adapted to cooperate with one-way and two-way cam follower surfaces, respectively, to effect bidirectional and unidirectional movement of the respective shift rails upon oscillation of the cam shafts, with the cam follower surfaces also being adapted to alternately cooperate with the interlock cams to arrest all but the selected ones of the input and output shift rails against axial movement. Details of actuating means and mechanical interlock means are also set forth.

Abstract: A low cost cam controlled mechanical positioning apparatus for automatically tracing out a predetermined path of movement for the working head of a machine tool or the like is described. The apparatus comprises a set of two large diameter disc type control-drive cams secured in parallel planes on a common drive shaft rotatably supported on a base member and driven by an electric motor through suitable gearing. Respective cam followers engage cam surfaces formed on the undersides of the large diameter control-drive disc cams and are connected to respective linkages for translating movement of the cam follower to a working head to thereby move the working head in a predetermined path of movement in an x-y plane. A working head supporting boom is secured to a transport mechanism which is movably supported on wheel and track elements and mounted for movement along respective x and y axes by the respective linkages driven by the cam followers.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for producing motion of a workpiece, such as adjustment of a rear-view mirror, comprises two drums arranged with the axes of rotation thereof being relatively offset. The two drums are individually rotatable by means of a single controller which is attached to each drum such that it is off-center in only one of the vertical and horizontal directions. Each drum controls either vertical or horizontal motion of the workpiece. A mirror head adapted for remote control using the drive apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A self-locking or limited slip differential gear for motor vehicles comprises a housing from opposite sides of which project two coaxial output shafts for connection to respective half shafts of the vehicle; linking the housing and the output shafts is a mechanism comprising a central body rotatable with respect to the housing and engaged on either side with a respective connection body which is not rotatable with respect to the housing but is slidable with respect thereto along a line perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the central body; engaged in these connection bodies are blocks carried on eccentric pins fixed to the output shafts and the axes of which are parallel to the common axis of the output shafts.

Abstract: A torque tool has a shaft which is driven by an input motor to transmit torque through an output gear. Reactive torque generated in reaction to the output torque is transmitted through a floating reaction ring gear to a brake assembly by means connecting the floating or rotatable ring gear to the brake assembly. The brake assembly is retained against rotation by resilient spring means of a preselected rotation resistance strength. Upon attainment of a preselected output torque and concomitant reactive torque, the brake assembly is shifted against the resistance offered by the springs so that the brake assembly contacts and brakes the shaft to limit the torque transmitted thereby. The means connecting the rotating ring gear to the brake assembly may include additional gear means designed to take up a portion of the reactive torque so that only a preselected balance of the total reactive torque is available to overcome the resistance offered by the resilient springs.

Abstract: This two-stage speed reduction transmission has an input shaft which drives a first-stage fly-wheel rotating on a primary axis but having a rim annularly grooved eccentrically on a secondary axis to carry bearing balls engaging a correspondingly annularly-grooved internally-toothed ring gear which is also externally-toothed to mesh with stationary internal teeth in the housing, so that it can oscillate but not rotate. Meshing with this first-stage ring gear is a first-stage spur gear with a lesser number of teeth also rotatable upon the primary axis, the eccentricity between the primary and secondary axes being sufficient to permit clearance of the first-stage spur gear with the teeth of the first-stage internal ring gear on the side opposite its meshing location therewith.

Abstract: The control apparatus is capable of setting an automatic speed changing point corresponding to the output of the throttle position of an internal combustion engine and changing an automatic speed change range in accordance with an operation mode of a range select lever. The control apparatus is further capable of setting upper and lower limit speeds of the automatic speed change range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatically powered nut runner having an axial swivel interposed the housings of the air motor and gear reducer which permits radial repositioning of the gear reducer housing relative to the air motor housing. A torque reaction bar is affixed to the gear reducer housing and is thus also radially repositionable relative to the air motor housing. This repositioning capability facilitates adjustment of the reaction bar so that it contacts a bracing point without necessitating the radial repositioning of the air motor housing. When torque is applied to a fastener, nearly all reaction torque is taken by the torque bar and none is transmitted to the operator.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated wrench comprised of a body saddle, bonnet clamp and hydraulic system providing controlled high torque turning force for in-line assembly and disassembly of threadedly connected valve housing components such as the body and bonnet. With the saddle and clamp separately secured to the valve body and bonnet, respectively, a pump actuated piston/cylinder is mounted on the saddle with its piston end secured to the clamp. The axis of the piston/cylinder is aligned with a force vector normal to the bonnet radius such that when the piston is extended outward by operation of a jack pump in response to hydraulic pressures imposed against the piston/cylinder it imposes a high force turning moment against the bonnet relative to the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming complex shapes in work of large dimensions, including a turn table on which a support for a tool mount is mounted slideable in a horizontal slide. The tool mount has a turret which may be circular or polyganol or any other suitable shape with tools extending from its periphery. The tool mount is mounted in the tool-mount support slideable in a vertical slide. Drives are provided for rotating the turn table, for changing the position of the tool-mount support horizontally along the horizontal slide, for changing the position of the tool mount vertically along the vertical slide and for rotating the turret. The selection and positioning of the tool may thus be predetermined. The work is mounted on a fixture over the turn table so that any selected ones of the tools extending from the turret can be positioned in cutting engagement with the work.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fish processing system having endless conveying means, a plurality of chuck units provided on the conveying means and adapted to cramp fish bodies, head separating means provided at a point on the path of travel of the fish bodies and adapted to separate head portion from the fish and guts removing means adapted to remove guts from the fish bodies.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism includes a removably mounted backing roller having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a rotatably mounted cutting member having a cutting edge and a longitudinal axis of rotation disposed parallel to the axis of rotation for the roller member. The roller member rotates in a fixed relationship with respect to the cutting member so that the cutting edge operates at substantially the same surface location of the circumferential surface of the backing roller to cut film thereagainst upon each revolution of the cutting member. The roller member is mounted to resiliently float in a direction transverse to a plane extending through the axis of rotation for the cutting member. The drive of the rotating elements is effected through the use of a timing belt operating from the main drive of the machine on which the cutting mechanism is mounted.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting apparatus provides precise linear movement of an irregularly edged workpiece past the high speed cutting member of a power tool to produce a trimmed straight edge on the workpiece. The supporting apparatus includes an elongated keying member cooperating with a precision miter groove or guide member of the power tool to guide the workpiece past the cutting member. The elongated keying member has first and second workpiece engaging assemblies which may be adjustably positioned along the axis of the elongated keying member to accommodate various length workpieces. Each of the workpiece engaging assemblies includes conical point members mounted upon spindles for engaging an end of the workpiece and for providing rigid support therefor. As the workpiece supporting apparatus is manually moved past the cutting member, the precision miter groove precisely guides the elongated keying member so that a straight, precise cut is produced on the irregularly edged workpiece.

Abstract: A piano construction providing significantly improved tonal quality and balance by utilizing a soundboard which is tightly coupled to the string frame along the top edge and the two side edges of the soundboard except for a loose coupling adjacent the end of the bridge in the treble section along one of the side edges and which soundboard is loosely coupled along the lower edge as the latter is normally positioned in an upright piano. Additionally, a massive support rib on the string frame adjacently extends along the top edge of the soundboard to improve tone, and the strings at their upper ends are held in V-notches at tangential points about the string circumference to avoid lateral vibration. The string frame and soundboard are designed to produce a partially free diaphragmatic-type operation free of soundboard dead spots which maximizes tonal qualities for the dimensional restrictions of small pianos.

Abstract: An improvement in a pot mortar for electrically firing different types of ammunition charges said mortar having a mortar tube, the improvement residing in the mortar tube contains therewithin at least three electrical contacts for electrically contacting ammunition placed therein, one of which contacts is positioned to electrically fire a plurality of different types of ammunition, the other two of which are each positioned to electrically fire only one type of ammunition, each of said two electrical contacts positioned to fire a different type of ammunition.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp for a missile launcher system having a pair of semi-resilient wedge members which fit between the missile hanger lugs and launcher rail and are drawn into the gap by means of a pair of plate members and a pair of bolts. The Teflon wedges fill the gap between the missile hanger lugs and the launcher rail and reduce vibration during captive flight and protect the rails against damage.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuation of a device for delivering impact energy to a load, such as a pile driver, is provided by a hydraulically operated oscillator having a piston which is reciprocal in a cylinder under hydraulic forces developed by pressurized hydraulic fluid in the cylinder which is switched from supply to return pressure by a valve. The valve is actuated between switching positions by means of trip ports opened and closed by spaced flats on a rod which connect the piston to an impact delivering member, such as the ram of the pile driver. The trip ports are connected to the valve for applying pressurized hydraulic fluid either at supply or return pressure thereto so as to shift the valve between the switching positions. The valve is bi-stable in either of its switching positions through the use of latching ports and restricted passageways through which hydraulic fluid flows in amounts sufficient to make up for leakage through the valve which would otherwise allow the valve to drift.

Abstract: A control system for a fluid powered actuator arrangement which includes two drivingly interconnected hydraulic actuator devices, comprises two control valves which are movable in unison to apply operating pressure to the respective devices. The control valves being reponsive to four electro-hydraulic pilot valves, each of which is controlled by four nominally identical electrical input signals. The control system includes means for monitoring the electrical input signals and the operating pressures, and for isolating or rendering inoperative parts of the system in response to several combinations of malfunction indication.

Abstract: An energy saving ambient pressure compensating laboratory fume hood system which provides safe, economical, constant-velocity hood intake at all positions of hood access-opening and regardless of ambient pressure changes by means, in typical embodiment, of coacting cam and venturi structure linked to the hood sash.

Abstract: A vinification vat comprises a substantially elongate container provided with a load and discharging mouth formed in a head thereof and a support member engaging the head such as to enable the container to perform both rotational movements about its main axis and oscillatory movements in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An automatic coffee brewing machine is provided with a heater for heating the pump apparatus for forcing water therethrough, thermostatic switch means associated with the pump apparatus for sensing the completion of the brewing cycle, and circuit means including the switch means effective upon completion of the brewing cycle for changing the power output of the heater from the high level required for brewing operation to a much lower level required to prevent reinitiation of the brewing cycle. A heating unit for a carafe holding brewed coffee has heating means associated with the circuit means for producing heat both during and after the brewing cycle, the heat produced during the brewing cycle being greater than that produced after the brewing cycle.

Abstract: A filter coffee machine mainly intended for domestic use is provided consisting of a unit which includes a filter and a water container. This unit is mountable on a coffee pot which is itself connected to an electric continuous flow heater which can also serve as a hot plate for the coffee pot. An outlet from the water container and a cold water feed pipe to the heater are detachably connected to each other and a heated water riser pipe is made up of an upper and a lower part detachably interconnected. It is preferred to have a closure for the lower pipe part which automatically closes when the said unit is removed from the coffee pot.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously, quickly and gently cooking and leaching food pieces such as compacted soy bean products with a cooking liquid, such as water, at elevated temperature comprising an elongate tank for the liquid wherein the tank has a product infeed end and a product discharge end. A driven endless conveyor having an upper flight passing through the liquid in the tank carries food pieces on its upper flight through the hot liquid. There is provided a plurality of means along one or both sides of the tank for withdrawing liquid from the tank at spaced apart points along the side of the tank, means for heating the withdrawn liquid and means for returning the heated liquid to the tank at a plurality of points adjacent the center line thereof.

Abstract: A housing encloses a rotatable apertured cage containing foodstuffs is located to be rotated in air heated and impelled to pass through the cage. In one aspect of the invention the impeller is laterally displaced from the cage. In another aspect of the invention the cage is formed as a drawer designed to be withdrawn from the housing to allow loading and unloading the foodstuffs therein and designed to close the housing when inserted for rotation.

Abstract: A rice pearling apparatus of the type including a pearling chamber formed by a pearling roll and a multiple-holed debranning-pearling cylinder surrounding the roll, and a device for feeding rice to the pealing cylinder, further comprises a device for supplying water to the pearling chamber, flow meters for measuring and indicating the rates of rice and water flow into the chamber, and a device for regulating the respective flow rates of rice and water.

Abstract: A method of binding pressed bales in a pressing channel of a baling press in which the ends of two wires which form the binding are fastened together by two twist connections which are spaced apart from each other comprises the improvement of the step of pulling back one of the two wires after the twist connections have been made and the wires have been severed between the two twist connections in such a way that as the next bale is pressed in the channel, the first twist connection lies at the front edge of a longitudinal face of the bale and a second twist connection, which is subsequently formed, lies at the rear edge of the same longitudinal face.

Abstract: A container in which trash may be stored until such time as the container can be dumped into a truck for transportation to a sanitary disposal site. Trash may be inserted and compacted within the container by a compactor unit formed integrally with or fixedly attached to the container. The compactor unit includes a hopper into which trash may be dumped. A packing panel may be pivotally mounted to move through the hopper to push the trash into the container and compact it therein. The packing panel may move from a position in which the hopper is fully opened to a position in which the panel serves as a door to close the hopper and prevent access to the hopper. The panel can be moved from the "door" position to a third position approximately 180.degree. from the fully opened position. In the third position, the panel has moved all of the trash out of the hopper and into the container.

Abstract: The baling chamber of a rotary baler has an outlet adjacent its front end which must be closed to prevent the escape of crop material when a bale-forming operation is started but must be opened at a certain later point in the operation to allow some materials to escape. A gate disposed within the path of crop flow through the outlet can be shifted between a closed position completely blocking the egress of material and an opened position in which the gate is substantially on edge with respect to the crop flow so as to permit the unhindered movement of crop material through the outlet. The gate is hinged to a stationary scraper that discourages wrapping of crop material around an adjacent roller, and movement of the gate is coordinated with enlargement of the baling chamber during formation so that the gate is opened after the chamber reaches a predetermined size.

Abstract: In a hydro-extractor, a screw is disposed with an outer concentric cylindrical sieve. The sieve is formed of sections placed lengthwise of the screw, with each section capable of having the same or different size holes so that the extractor captures solids both large and small in a controlled manner and will dewater faster or slower with various combinations of sieve sections. To increase solids capture in desired portions of the extractor, the sieve is formed with a cloth or other fibrous material disposed between two supporting members.

Abstract: A press arrangement which includes a press ram selectively displaceable in a working stroke direction by at least one hydraulically actuated, double-acting cylinder piston unit with an auxiliary drive arrangement being provided for displacing the press ram in an idle stroke preceding a working stroke. The auxiliary drive arrangement bypasses the at least one cylinder piston unit and acts on the press ram. The auxiliary drive arrangement may be constructed as a toothed rack-and-pinion arrangement, a linearly double-acting pressure medium drive, or may include an electric linear motor acting on the press ram.