Abstract: A cooling method and system are provided wherein a stream of relatively wet warm air is passed in contact with a liquid hygroscopic material in a water cooled absorbent zone to produce a stream of relatively cool dry air. The latter is then passed through an evaporative cooling zone in contact with water and the resulting cooled air or water is used as a cooling or refrigerating medium. A portion of the cooled water is used to cool the absorbent zone to an extent that the dried stream of air has a greater capacity to evaporatively cool the water than it would have in the absence of such cooling, thereby permitting the production of desired stream of cool, dry air.

Abstract: A water source heat pump system having a plurality of zone air conditioning units, each unit adapted for selectively heating or cooling a zone independent of other units, each air conditioning unit having an air conditioner coil, a heat exchanger of the type having a water contact coil disposed within a housing, a refrigerant compressor, and refrigerant control means operable to selectively cause the air conditioner coil to act as a refrigerant evaporator or condenser and the water contact coil heat exchanger to act as a refrigerant condenser or evaporator, the water contact coil heat exchanger utilizing thermostat control means to control the operation of the air conditioning unit so as to prevent freezing of water in the water contact coil heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat pump including an indoor heat exchanger, a main outdoor heat exchanger and an auxiliary outdoor heat exchanger provided underneath the main outdoor heat exchanger and connected between the indoor and main outdoor heat exchangers in a closed refrigerant flow circuit. The refrigerant flow circuit includes a compressor and a reversal valve which can be adjusted (1) during cooling operation to direct the hot compressed gaseous refrigerant from the compressor to the main outdoor heat exchanger and thence to the auxiliary heat exchanger acting as a sub-cooler into the indoor heat exchanger for extracting heat from air of the interior of a building and (2) during heating operation to direct the hot compressed gaseous refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger to supply heat to the indoor air and then to the auxiliary heat exchanger now acting as a defroster for melting a block of ice which may have accumulated under the main outdoor heat exchanger and into the main outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system which has a multi-stage compressor, a condenser, a flash economizer, an economizer-condenser, a thermal economizer and a chiller. Liquid refrigerant is flashed in the flash economizer such that part of the liquid refrigerant changes state from a liquid to a gas absorbing heat from the remaining liquid refrigerant, the gaseous refrigerant being drawn into the compressor between stages or being condensed by the economizer-condenser within the flash economizer. An economizer damper valve is provided between the compressor and the flash economizer to regulate this flow of gaseous refrigerant to the compressor depending upon the thermal capability of the economizer-condenser to recondense the flashed refrigerant of the flash economizer.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal compressor which is used to regenerate an aqueous hygroscopic liquid, e.g., a solution of lithium chloride or lithium bromide in water. The regenerated hygroscopic liquid is used both for humidity control in air conditioning apparatus and to absorb water that has been vaporized in an evaporator, thereby enabling the evaporation of further water in the evaporator and the use of water as a refrigerant. In one disclosed embodiment, a molecular still is used in connection with the operation of the thermal compressor.

Abstract: A cryogenic food product freezing tunnel comprising a stationary structure including an entrance end housing section, a tunnel housing cover, and an exit end housing section, a conveyor to transport food products through the tunnel housing, a spray header to spray a liquid cryogen onto the food products near the exit end of the tunnel, and an exhaust plenum to exhaust cryogen gas from the entrance end. The base of the tunnel housing is a series of U-shaped modular units arranged end-to-end and suspended from the stationary structure by individual hydraulic elevators, movable between a lowered, open service position and a raised position sealed against the housing cover and the end housing sections. Each end base unit is lowered outwardly and downwardly to its service position and is raised along the same path; the base units are lowered in predetermined sequence, end units before center units, and are raised in the reverse sequence.

Abstract: A carbon fiber reinforced composite tubular drive shaft is provided wherein the fibrous reinforcement is positioned in a structural configuration capable of yielding improved service characteristics. The wall of the drive shaft comprises at least four bonded circumferentially disposed layers composed of appropriate fibrous reinforcement situated within a resin matrix (as described). The carbon fibers are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of efficiently increasing the stiffness of the shaft. The overall requirement for the carbon fiber component of the fibrous reinforcement is minimized. Glass fibers likewise are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of economically contributing resistance to torsion buckling to the overall drive shaft without deleteriously influencing the critical speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A shaft coupling is provided which has two hubs which are fixed, respectively, on the drive shaft and the driven shaft thereof, and which are connected with each other in the rotational direction by means of elastic elements such as coil springs, so that mutual misalignment between the drive shaft and the driven shaft is accommodated by free displacement of spring assemblies in spaces which are provided for receiving the spring assemblies, respectively in a disk-shaped member on the drive shaft and in the flanges of a spring assembly holder fixed on the hub on the driven shaft, whereby any shock produced by a change of load can be absorbed by the elastic elements and rotation of the drive shaft can be transmitted smoothly to the driven shaft.

Abstract: An improved magnetic pattern control system for circular knitting machines. Each system includes a bar forming a bearing surface. Selector elements of the knitting machine are adapted to be tipped or pivoted about the bar as they pass the bar to move corresponding knitting needles into a knitting or non-knitting position. The bar extends in the direction of travel of the selector elements. A plurality of electromagnets are mounted at each selection station of the circular knitting machine. Each electromagnet has a pair of polar surfaces. The midpoint between all pairs of polar surfaces coincide with respect to each other and these coinciding midpoints are therefore equidistant from the bar forming the bearing surface.

Abstract: A new latch box for stop motion apparatus for knitting machines of the type wherein the stop motion acts to automatically stop the machine when there is an undesirable amount of excess tension in the yarn being fed to the machine. The new latch box is of non-electrically conductive material and cooperates fully with the other parts of the apparatus as completely as the replaced latch box. A trigger is added to the new latch box in addition to its latch. Both the latch and the trigger are under the control of the yarn feeding arm of the apparatus in such manner that when there is excess yarn tension the trigger is actuated before the latch is actuated thereby to actuate the stop motion to stop the machine sooner than it would be stopped by the prior art latch boxes.

Abstract: A locking system for a cover for a hollow pipe includes a spring-biased latch and a latch defeating means operable by the cover to maintain the bolt of the latch disengaged from the cover after the latch is opened.

Abstract: A method of quickly restoring a deformed outer vehicle panel to its original contour which consists in the steps of placing a deflated inflateable air bag between the inner surface of the indented panel and against an unyielding member in the vehicle, then inflating the air bag with sufficient air pressure to force the indented panel portion back to normal contour, and, if necessary, hammering out any irregularities in the panel while the air bag still remains inflated. After the panel has been restored to normal contour, the air bag is deflated and removed.

Abstract: A thin metal sheet is produced in a continuous rolling operation by passing the hot workpiece through a succession of size-reducing compression roller stands. Between the furthest downstream stand and the stand immediately upstream therefrom there is provided a stretcher which decreases the workpiece's thickness between 5 and 15%, whereas the furthest downstream rolling stand merely reduces the thickness between 3 and 6%. Thus irregularities in planarity and the like are completely eliminated by the stretcher and the furthest downstream rolling stand serves merely to accurately size the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for gripping and guiding a bar of material into the nip of the rolls of a rolling mill. At least two opposed guide rollers are moveably mounted on an appropriate support, such as a gripping arm of a manipulator head for a rolling mill. The guide rollers are moveable towards one another into a gripping position for gripping the edges of a bar of material being introduced into the rolling mill nip. The guide rollers are moveable away from one another and out of engagement with the bar of material. A bar is readily gripped by the opposed rollers and is quite free to be advanced into the roller nip since the guide rollers are free to rotate. One or more rollers may include a ratchet to prevent rotation in the opposite direction such that any tendency of a bar of material to be thrown back out of the roll nip will be resisted.

Abstract: Helically corrugated tubing with corrugations that have a gradually changing pitch from one end to the other is manufactured in a twisting machine by rotating one end of a deformable tube about the tube axis relative to the opposite end and simultaneously applying axially directed forces to the tube to progressively develop helical corrugations along the tube wall. The ratio of the torque and the axially directed forces applied to the tube is continuously varied to produce corresponding variations in the pitch of the corrugations. Tubing sections in which the pitch of the corrugations increases gradually from one end to the other are used in shell-and-tube or tube-in-tube heat exchangers and define flow paths having cross sectional areas which increase correspondingly.

Abstract: As a puff generator draws a volume of smoke and air through the vented-filter cigarette air is drawn from a ventilation cylinder to cause a piston to travel to a dead center position. The amount of movement of this piston is a measure of an amount of air drawn through the ventilation path of the filter by the puff generator. The amount of travel can be related to the total possible stroke of the piston so as to produce a digital read out of the degree of ventilation directly.

Abstract: Testing apparatus which permits precise determination of the existence and location of possible fractures and cracks in the cylinder head of an engine. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of individual test plates which are specially designed for the particular engine desired to be tested. The plates include at least one planar surface having one or a plurality of generally circular recesses formed therein for holding and retaining O-ring seals. The position of the recesses on the plate corresponds to the position of water conduit outlets in the cylinder head. The preferably transparent plates, along with the O-ring seals, are bolted onto the cylinder head, and water under pressure is then applied. The reverse side of the plates may conveniently include a different arrangement of recesses to accommodate a different engine cylinder head design.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining fuel burning efficiency in articles which require hydrocarbon combustion for operation, such as noncatalytic converter equipped internal combustion engines, hot water heaters, furnaces and the like.The invention includes a three gas analyzer which measures the amount of carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrocarbon in the emissions of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A system for precisely measuring the amount of fluid discharged by a pulsating fluid flow device such as a pump, or the like. The discharged fluid is collected in a container and the amount collected is sensed by a transducer which provides a corresponding signal. The signal is processed for determining the amount of fluid collected for a predetermined number of fluid flow pulses and for automatically starting and stopping measuring cycles. The arrangement is such that continuously updated measurements are provided and are entrained in the collecting container has no effect on the measurements.

Abstract: The hollow rotating component such as a pulley, toothed wheel, drum and the like is mounted on a stationary hollow coaxial component in the form of a ring. The ring is coupled to a stationary support by means of a rigid mechanical part so arranged as to ensure that the internal space which is common to both components is left completely unobstructed and also given freedom of access. A detector or transducer for measuring deformations is mounted between the ring and the support.

Abstract: The device provides an indication of the tension in a rope or cable and includes a rigid frame mounting first and second guide pulleys at opposite ends in tandem relationship. A central pulley is provided in the frame and the rope or cable is passed under the first guide pulley, over the central pulley and thence under the second guide pulley. The entrance and exit angle of the rope or cable over the central pulley is an angle less than 180.degree. so that when a tension is placed on the rope, a downward force is exerted on the central pulley which force in turn is measured by a load cell to provide an indication of the tension in the rope. A manually operable locking and releasing structure cooperates with the mounting means for the first and second guide pulleys in such a manner as to enable simple manual removal of the guide pulleys from the frame so that the rope or cable can be positioned in the device without having access to the ends of the rope.

Abstract: Tire uniformity measuring method wherein imbalanced forces are measured and then removed from the final forces produced by a high-speed tire to give a final readout of forces which are the true dynamic road wheel contact forces on a tire under load.

Abstract: An elongated housing, capable of being lowered into a cased borehole and sealed at its respective ends, at predetermined locations, with the inside surface of the casing, is longitudinally provided with a fluid bypass tube. Fluid, from casing perforations communicating with a fluid producing formation, enters the housing through a lateral inlet port in its depending end wall and flows from the upper end of the housing into the casing annulus through a ball check valve equipped port. Flow rate and thermal conductivity sensing probes, contained by the housing, are supplied with energy and connected with instruments at the surface of the earth for comparing probe data with known data obtained from the borehole fluid passing through a flow line connected with the casing at the earth's surface.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter having a flow obstruction body or vortex forming bar formed in a manner to provide enhanced generation of vortices across a wide range of Reynolds numbers of the fluid being measured. The bar includes projections adjacent the lateral edges thereof which tend to cause formation of vortices at the leading lateral edges with respect to the direction of flow and enhance the formation of such vortices along the surfaces extending generally parallel to the flow. Additionally, the flowmeter disclosed provides a mounting for a sensor which makes the device relatively insensitive to acceleration in the mounting structure or supporting pipe of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A device is provided for maintaining constant sensitivity in an ultrasonic testing device, despite varying attenuation due to the properties of the material being tested. The device includes a sensor transducer for transmitting and receiving a test signal and a monitor transducer positioned so as to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted through the material to be tested. The received signal of the monitor transducer is utilized in analyzing data obtained from the sensor transducer.

Abstract: A transducer that combines a noncontacting displacement probe with a self-contained target. The target is held in position against a vibrating surface by a housing which also supports the noncontacting probe. The target vibrates with the surface and the probe senses the vibrations of the target.

Abstract: A load monitoring system for monitoring loads that are cyclicaly applied to a force carrying member is disclosed. The load monitoring system comprises a transducer for sensing the loads exerted and a differential load monitoring circuit which receives the transducer signals, generates a normal load reference signal relating to previous load signals received and compares the normal load reference signal to the present load signal to determine when the present load exceeds the previous load by a predetermined amount for successive cycles of operation. The differential load monitoring circuit also includes an inhibit circuit which, during initial start-up of the cyclical load serves to inhibit the operation of the differential load monitoring circuit until such time as the normal load reference signals can be established.

Abstract: A torque-testing instrument is disclosed for testing tools such as spanners, wrenches and the like. The instrument comprises a measuring assembly, a reading device and means for transmitting measured values from the measuring instrument to the reading device. The tool is fastened in the testing instrument and subjected to a torque effect. A load cell produces an electrical charge signal constituting measured values proportional to the torque effect being transmitted within the instrument. The load cell comprises a piezoelectric load sensing element electrically connected to an electronic amplifier for the reading device.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a rear-view vehicle mirror in which a tubular support extending through the vehicle bodywork carries a pair of manually rotatable knobs at its inner end and a mounting for the mirror at its outer end. When one knob is rotated, it drives a shaft extending within the support. This shaft either directly rotates the mounting and mirror about a horizontal axis or drives gearing causing such rotation. The mounting has a pin with an axis transverse to the horizontal axis. The mirror is rotatable in either direction about this transverse axis by pushing motion transmitted thereto by linear movement of one or other of two rods extending in the support parallel with the shaft axis. These rods are moved simultaneously in mutually opposite directions by an arrangement converting rotary motion of the other knob into the linear motion.

Abstract: A variable speed and direction power transmission attachment for driving the cutting tool carriage of a lathe or the like, the attachment having sets of intermeshing male and female cog gears. Certain of such sets each comprises a face gear having a plurality of concentric rows of tooth socket elements formed therein. A male cog gear is selectively settable to mesh with any of such rows to change the gear ratio. By changing the combined setting of different sets of gears, a wide variation in overall gear ratio may be obtained to provide many different feeding speeds of the carriage, suitable for general cutting and for screw thread cutting. A reversing mechanism, also constructed of intermeshing cog gears, enables the direction of drive to be reversed or the drive to be disconnected to permit manual drive of the carriage.

Abstract: A jar lid loosening device for screw type jar lids consisting of a jar lid receiving member arranged to accommodate a range of different sized lids, a vertically moveable table to support and raise a jar to have the lid thereof come into a holding engagement with said lid receiving member, a motor driven endless screw raising said table, a motor driven sprocket chain rotating said lid receiving member to loosen said jar lid and a switch member causing a reverse rotation of said endless screw to lower said table and the jar therein, removing said lid from said lid receiving member.

Abstract: A power driven socket wrench is assembled with the drive adaptor by positioning a rotary output shaft on the drive adaptor in coupled engagement in a rotary drive socket journaled in the wrench housing and swiveling the wrench about the axis of the output shaft to position a single clamping screw, threadably engaged with the drive adaptor, within an arcuate slot in the wrench housing. The slot has a center of curvature coincident with the axis of the drive socket and opens through one side of the wrench housing. The wrench unit seats in a shallow channel in the drive adaptor and may be connected with or removed from the drive adaptor by loosening the clamping screw which remains connected to the drive adaptor.

Abstract: This device is a chain wrench for loosening and tightening screw thread engaging items from base members. It consists of a thin handle whose length is approximately six times its width. Chain links are permanently attached to the handle forming a closed loop. The chain links are made of a bicycle-like chain which has no flexibility in a lateral direction.

Abstract: An adapter for attachment to a rotatable component of an internal combustion engine to facilitate connection of a wrench to the rotatable component to enable it to be manually rotated or adjusted in either rotational direction. The adapter includes a plate having tubular sleeves rigid therewith receiving fastener devices for securing the plate to a rotatable component with the plate including recess means or projecting means for engagement by various types of wrenches, handles and the like. The adapter is especially useful in conjunction with high performance engines such as those used in racing automobiles, drag racers and the like with the adapter being symmetrical and balanced so that it may be left attached to the rotatable component or it may be removed for use on other engines.

Abstract: The machine of the present invention is an internal milling machine designed to mill the crank pins and crank arm cheeks of heavy crankshafts to precise dimensions. By relatively simply substitutions of gage blocks, the machine is capable of milling crankshafts having a wide range of crankshaft throw and pin diameters. An internal milling cutter is mounted on the machine frame for operation within a general plane which is stationary with respect to the machine frame, the crank pins to be milled being axially and rotatively indexed in succession to a fixed position in operative relationship with the internal milling cutter. The crankshaft is supported at its opposite ends by chucks mounted in a headstock and a tail-stock which are rigidly coupled to each other by tie-rods for simultaneous axial indexing movement.

Abstract: An eccentric center-distance adjuster for rotary die cutters having load-biased screw adjustment of the center-distance between rotary die cutting cylinders which is stabilized against the die cutter frame in the same direction as the cutting load between said cylinders thereby minimizing cylinder bounce.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a retainer having a primary bore and a secondary bore parallel thereto with a web therebetween, a tool or die element having a shaft-like portion and also a flange on one end, a groove in the shaft-like portion, said groove extending through said flange to provide a V-shaped notch therein, a frangible rod-like element adapted to project into the secondary bore while positioned in the groove and notch to properly guide and orient said tool in the retainer.

Abstract: A form-cutting machine is disclosed for cutting a form in a flat surface of a sheet of material such as glass in response to a numerical control signal, the shape of the form being determined by the numerical control signal. The form-cutting machine comprises a frame, sheet-support means for supporting the sheet of material to be cut, an X-direction carriage-positioning assembly, a Y-direction carriage-positioning assembly, and a tool carriage having a cutting tool mounted on it so that the cutting tool can be positioned in a plane in which the cut is to be made. Each carriage-positioning assembly includes a carriage support member which extends generally perpendicular to a direction of motion, two guide members fixed to the frame which are spaced apart from one another and extend generally parallel to the direction of motion, and two sliders connected to ends of the carriage support member and slideably mounted on the two guide members.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of a type having automatic performance functions includes means for switching a tone production mode to another tone production mode without stop of tone production when the automatic performance is stopped, so that a smooth continuation of a manual performance after the automatic performance is ensured. When an automatic arpeggio performance producing a tone of a percussion type envelope is stopped, the tone envelope is switched to a sustain type envelope and the tone is kept produced as long as the key for the tone is kept depressed. In an automatic bass/chord performance producing intermittent bass tones and chord tones, bass tones and chord tones are continuously produced after stopping of the automatic bass/chord performance.

Abstract: An accessory for use on a guitar or similar stringed instruments comprises the combination of a rigid member adapted to be manually held against the strings of the instrument along the finger board, there being a vibration-responsive electrical pickup fixedly secured to the rigid member and adapted to be connected to an electrical audio amplifier.

Abstract: The bridge or tailpiece is fastened to the butt end of the sounding box of a stringed instrument, with a portion thereof projecting above the uppermost surface of the box, and with strings of the instrument being secured to the elevated portion. The tailpiece is adjustable for height relative to the upper surface of the box. The tailpiece may include adaptations which secure the strings at various levels above the box.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for performing the method, for the use of tremolo devices complimented by string restraining assemblies for guitars which are designed in such manner that the tremolo device can be used without altering the basic tuning when the tremolo device returns to the normal, inactive, position. The method and device incorporate the use of a tremolo device base plate anchoring means anchoring the tremolo device base plate to the face of the guitar at a tilt point in such manner that there is no movement allowed other than the normally desired tremolo tilting movement. This is accomplished by utilization of special anchoring means, string restraining assemblies, and means to return the tremolo device to its original starting position when being inactivated.

Abstract: A screw having its head shaped to prevent its removal by unauthorized persons, characterized in that it has peripherally thereof an odd number of sides arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the head and inclined to the axis of the screw to prevent removal of the screw by the use of pliers. The screw is removed by the use of a matching socket wrench.

Abstract: A tension fracture fitting is mounted between two stages of a missile and fractured by separation thruster mechanism at an appropriate time to separate the missile stages and to guide the missile stages and prevent lateral translation between the two stages during initial separation.

Abstract: A storage and planting rack for an actuation mine simulator, having a recgular frame enclosing an open central volume, guiding channels for orienting the mine simulator, and latching and tripping mechanisms for controlling release of the mine simulator. Fins on the mine simulator are guided by diagonally opposed channels into the storage and planting rack. An electro mechanical member causes release of the mine simulator in response to an electric signal, thereby enabling planting crews to precisely control the planting location of each mine simulator.

Abstract: A piston, especially for a pneumatic cylinder, includes a disc-shaped piston head and a sealing element on the head, such element has at least one annular sealing lip extending outwardly of the peripheral sliding surface of the head, the sealing lip being of elastic and resilient material and being of conical form relative to a central axis of the piston head, an outer free edge of the lip thereby being capable of sealingly engaging the wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus for successively fabricating slotted partition strips for use in assembling multi-cell partitions utilized in cartons, crates and the like as characterized by construction providing for adjustability thereof for fabrication of varying sizes and types of partition strips, as follows. Devices supply a continuous length of material such as paper board. Devices successively transversely cut the continuous length of material into individual strips of desired height. Devices are provided for varying the height of the strips cut by the strip cutting devices. Devices successively longitudinally cut a desired number of spaced-apart slots in each of the strips extending inwardly a desired distance from the leading cut edge thereof to define a predetermined number of flaps on the leading edge. Adjustment devices are provided for varying the height of the slots cut in the strips by the slot cutting devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is popcorn vending apparatus including a hot air cooker assembly, an elevator type supply assembly for furnishing raw kernels to the cooker, a cup dispenser, a dispenser including a pump for withdrawing butter flavoring from its original container and dispensing to the vended container of popcorn, and a salt dispenser for delivering tubes of salt to the purchaser. The cooker includes a transparent receptacle tiltable from a cooking position to a dispensing position; and a chute assembly for delivering both the cups and cooked popcorn to a delivery station includes means for preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the apparatus housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a proteinaceous mass into a fibrous and layered structure, including imparting a gross fibrous structure to the mass by passing the mass through a helical conveyor and layering the fibrous structure by extruding the same through an annular slot and into a radial opening, the compression and extrusion being carried out at elevated temperature to heat set the mass.

Abstract: A decoy flare cartridge for use in an aircraft photoflash cartridge rack. drocarbon compound plus gelling agents are placed in a photoflash cartridge. A primer in the base of the cartridge is fired to propel a piston which forces the gel out of the cartridge through an orifice plate. The expelled hydrocarbon compounds are then ignited to form an infrared source for decoying a hostile infrared seeking missile away from the tailpipe of the decoy-carrying aircraft.