Abstract: A lawn mower cutting blade spindle assembly having an elongate spindle shaft and a spindle shoulder projecting radially outward from the lower end thereof. A bearing assembly mounted within a spindle housing provides rotational support for the spindle shaft. Mounted on the upper end of the spindle shaft is at least one pulley configured to be driven by a drive belt connected to the mower's engine. A compression nut screwed onto the upper end of the spindle shaft is used to place the pulley or pulleys and bearing assembly in compression against the top face of the spindle shoulder. The spindle assembly also includes a cutting blade attached to the bottom face of the spindle shaft with a through-bolt and cutting blade attachment nut. Significantly, the cutting blade can be detached from the bottom face of the spindle shoulder without disturbing the compression placed on the pulley or pulleys and bearing assembly.

Abstract: A wire stranding machine is provided, being capable of stranding the wire materials evenly and uniformly even if two wire materials are used, by installing the capstan assembly outside of the rotary structure on the wire incoming side. A rotary structure having the winding drum inside of a flyer bow is supported by main shafts, and the capstan assembly is disposed adjacent to the main shaft on the wire incoming side. The capstan assembly includes a pair of capstan members consisting of main and auxiliary capstans, each having plural grooves on the outer circumferential surface thereof, and the main capstans are set opposite to each other. The capstan assembly is so arranged that the main and auxiliary capstans are set on the mounting member of the main shaft supporting the rotary structure and disposed parallel in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft. The main capstans are adapted to rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: A yarn withdrawal nozzle for an open-end rotor spinning apparatus comprises a short, funnel-shaped yarn deflecting surface, which begins at a plane front surface and graduates into a yarn withdrawal channel. The radius of curvature of the yarn deflecting surface measures a maximum of 3 mm. The front surface is formed as a tangential surface to the yarn deflecting surface, The small radius of curvature facilitates in particular the spinning of polyester yarns at a high rotor speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bracelet comprising mutually connected links articulated through invisible pivot pins, the links are produced by moulding and the bracelet is mounted by mutually connecting the links by interlocking the pivot pins arranged on one of the links directly into the next link corresponding openings.

Abstract: A combined cycle power generation plant comprises a waste heat recovery boiler (20) having a stabilizing burner (25) at an upstream position thereof The stabilizing burner is ignited during the time of start-up and speed increase of a gas turbine (11) so that steam generation at the waste heat recovery boiler is accelerated. The steam is used effectively for cooling the gas turbine, driving a steam turbine, and for gland steam. In addition, exhaust steam from the steam turbine is also used to cool the gas turbine. Consequently, the time for the plant to reach a full load can be shortened.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the combustor includes a dome inlet module having a plurality of flow passages formed therein and at least one cavity formed in a liner downstream of said dome inlet module. The fuel injection system includes a fuel supply and a plurality of fuel injector bars positioned circumferentially around and interfacing with the inlet dome module. The fuel injector bars are in flow communication with the fuel supply, with each of the fuel injector bars further including a body portion having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a pair of sides. At least one injector is formed in the downstream end of the body portion and in flow communication with the fuel supply, whereby fuel is provided to the cavity through the fuel injector bars in accordance with a Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) process.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a closed-cycle lubrication oil system used during turbine start-up to provide both lift oil and hydraulic oil from one system using a single variable volume pump that supplies fluid at a high pressure for lift oil requirements. The pump discharge pressure is reduced, through a pressure regulating/reducing valve, down to hydraulic system demands. During steady-state gas turbine operation, the system provides only a flow of hydraulic oil to position the inlet guide vanes and gas valves as required by the gas turbine controls logic. During gas turbine shut-down, the system again meets both lift oil and hydraulic oil requirements. A second pump is advantageously incorporated in the preferred embodiments of the system to provide 100% redundancy in providing either lift or hydraulic oil.

Abstract: An annular combustor having fuel preparation chambers mounted in the dome of the combustor. The fuel preparation chamber comprises an annular wall extending axially from an inlet to an exit that defines a mixing chamber. Mounted to the inlet are an air swirler and a fuel atomizer. The air swirler provides swirled air to the mixing chamber while the atomizer provides a fuel spray. On the downstream side of the exit, the fuel preparation chamber has an inwardly extending conical wall that compresses the swirling mixture of fuel and air exiting the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine, a combined cycle plant and compressor by which both augmentation of the power output and augmentation of the thermal efficiency can be realized by injecting liquid droplets into inlet air introduced into an entrance of a compressor with simple equipment which is suitable for practical use. The gas turbine includes a compressor for taking in and compressing gas, a combustor in which fuel is combusted with the gas discharged from the compressor, and a turbine driven by the combusted gas of the combustor. The gas turbine further includes a liquid droplet injection device provided on the upstream side of the compressor for injecting liquid droplets into inlet air to be supplied into the entrance of the compressor to lower the temperature of the inlet air to be introduced into the compressor so that the injected liquid droplets may be evaporated while flowing through the compressor.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus for a gas turbine engine including a combustor structure having at least one combustion chamber, a dual cone fuel nozzle for injecting both fuel and water to the combustion chamber, and a swirl cup package upstream of and adjacent to the combustion chamber. The swirl cup package further includes a swirler and a venturi extending between the nozzle and the combustion chamber for mixing the fuel and water with air. The venturi is configured to have a non-uniform thickness from an upstream end to a downstream end resulting in a cross-sectional area which provides a heat transfer conduction path that reduces axial stresses imposed on the venturi when water impinges on an upstream portion of the venturi.

Abstract: A foil bearing assembly for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The assembly includes an annular bearing carrier mounted to the housing of the engine. An annular foil carrier disposed within the bearing carrier and carrying a plurality of overlapping foils that engage an outer surface of a journal. The journal is mounted to the rotating assembly of the engine to define a cavity. Disposed in the cavity is a showerhead having an inlet for receiving a flow of cooling air and a plurality of orifices for providing impingement cooling of the inner surface of the journal. The use of a showerhead in a thrust foil bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and delivering a noble gas for an ion propulsion system where an adsorbent bearing a noble gas is heated within a storage vessel to desorb the noble gas which is then flowed through a pressure reduction device to a thruster assembly. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heater which heats an adsorbent bed containing the noble gas propellant at low pressures. Flow rates of 5-60 sccm can be controlled to within about 0.5% or less and the required input power is generally less than 50 W. This noble gas storage and delivery system and method can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a catalyst in a catalytic converter. The method includes the steps of calculating a stabilized catalyst temperature limit, determining a stabilized catalyst temperature without enrichment, comparing the stabilized catalyst temperature limit with the stabilized catalyst temperature without enrichment and enriching a fuel/air ratio to maintain a stabilized catalyst temperature at the stabilized catalyst temperature limit if the stabilized catalyst temperature without enrichment is greater than the stabilized catalyst temperature limit. A vehicle having a controller for controlling the enrichment of an air/fuel ratio to control the temperature of a catalyst in a catalytic converter is also provided.

Abstract: A system for purifying exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine having a bypass exhaust gas passage branching from an exhaust pipe which is opened or closed by a switch-over valve, and an adsorbent which adsorbs unburneds component in the exhaust gas installed at the bypass exhaust passage. In the system, when the engine operation is within a high engine speed and high load region, the switch-over valve is operated to open the bypass exhaust gas passage to reduce noise due to switch-over valve chattering, etc. Similarly, the bypass exhaust gas passage is opened at that range, when the exhaust gas temperature is greater or equal to a predetermined value, to introduce high temperature exhaust gas to burn away cloggy material adhered to the adsorbent which would otherwise deteriorate or degrade the adsorbent.

Abstract: An improved exhaust gas control device that has a hollow diverter pipe to divert exhaust around the muffler and in which a gate valve is slidably mounted to open and close the hollow pipe thus either forcing the exhaust gas through the muffler or diverting it to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A discharged pressurized fluid of a primary hydraulic pump 2 driven by an engine 1 is supplied to an actuator 5 through an operating valve 4. A first hydraulic rotary machine 8 for rotating a cooling fan 7 is driven to rotate by a returning pressurized fluid of the actuator 5. A second hydraulic rotary machine 9 for rotating the cooling fan 7 is driven to rotate by the discharged pressurized fluid of an auxiliary hydraulic pump 3 which is driven by the engine 1. By utilizing the returning pressurized fluid of the actuator 5, the air blowing ability of the cooling fan is made high and the wasting of engine horse power is prevented.

Abstract: Methods of controlling fluid pressure, including using a valve mechanism, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a valve mechanism for use in a hydrostatic transmission including a closed porting system for hydraulic fluid and a sump is provided. The valve mechanism includes a valve body mounted to the hydrostatic transmission whereby the valve body is open to the closed porting system at one end thereof and open to the sump at the other end thereof. The valve body has a first open position whereby hydraulic fluid is pulled into the closed system from the sump when the pressure of the fluid in the closed system is below a first pressure, a second open position whereby hydraulic fluid exists the closed system to the sump when the pressure of the fluid is at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and a closed position when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the closed system is at a third pressure higher than the second pressure.

Abstract: A heat engine uses magnetic fields to hold at least one of the displacer and the piston in position and to move the at least one of the displacer and the piston.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid is provided. The engine is configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold. The method allows for detecting a full or high load engine condition using the amount of fuel injected into a cylinder per cylinder cycle and/or throttle notch position. The method also allows for sensing a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition. The method further allows for selecting a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders. The desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the ambient condition. A comparing step allows for comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines are described including a crankshaft and at least one cylinder, an intake line for supplying air to the cylinder, an exhaust line for discharging exhaust gases from the cylinder, a recirculation line for recirculating at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust line to the intake line in order to reduce emissions from the engine, a valve in the recirculation line for controlling the flow of a portion of the exhaust gases therethrough, a turbocharger including a first turbocharging unit for absorbing energy from the exhaust gases and including a compressor to compress air supply to the intake line, and a second turbocharger unit disposed downstream of the first turbocharger unit for absorbing energy from the exhaust gases whereby a pressure is created in the exhaust line which is greater than the pressure in the intake line, and a power transmission line for transmitting power from the second turbocharger unit to the crankshaft.

Abstract: An integrated cogeneration system comprising a combustion engine electric power generator, a combustion powered water boiler, a carbon dioxide recovery unit for receiving exhaust from the combustion engine electric power generator and water boiler and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust, and a compressor for receiving recovered carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide recovery unit and liquefying the recovered carbon dioxide. The cogeneration system can also include a heating or cooling system powered by the combustion engine electric power generator. The integrated cogeneration system is desirably modular for transportation in discrete modules and assembly at a remote location. The integrated cogeneration system is useful in supporting manufacture of beverages in sealed containers.

Abstract: As geothermal steam containing contaminants such as boron, arsenic, and mercury is passed through a turbine-condenser system, the contaminants preferentially collect in the initial condensate produced from the steam. Collecting this initially-produced condensate and segregating it from the remainder of the steam being condensed ensures that condensate produced from the remainder of the steam is contaminants-lean, preferably containing the contaminants in concentrations allowing for discharge of the contaminants-lean condensate to the environment.

Abstract: A closed-cycle heat engine system that operates within a sealed, gas tight enclosure uses CO2, water vapor and O2 in the intake and compression cycles, injecting fuel to promote combustion and using the high temperature and pressure product CO2 and water vapor as the post combustion working gas. By controlling the individual partial pressures of the O2 and CO2 in the enclosure and allowing H2O vapor to exist in saturation within the enclosure the gamma value of the ingested gas can be controlled to meet engine design and operating requirements. Excess CO2 produced by combustion is compressed, removed from the enclosure, liquefied and stored in a separate tank. Noncondensable gasses are returned to the engine enclosure where they are recycled to promote system efficiency. Excess water produced by combustion is also removed from the enclosure and stored in a separate tank.

Abstract: A system for recovering and utilizing vapor from a source of vapor has a vapor holder for storing a quantity of vapor from the source of vapor. Also included is a condenser coupled to the vapor holder for receiving and condensing at least partially, vapor from the vapor holder. The system also has an engine and a generator driven by the engine for generating electrical power. The engine has an engine intake coupled to the condenser and an exhaust outlet. This engine is powered at least partially, by output from the condensing apparatus. The system also has a fuel adjustment apparatus and a fuel sensor apparatus. The fuel adjustment apparatus has a control input and is coupled between the engine and the condensing apparatus for adjusting fuel concentration into the engine intake in response to a signal on the control input.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor, including an upstream section, a downstream section oriented at an angle to the upstream liner section, and a cooling nugget joining the upstream and downstream liner sections for providing mechanical stiffness at a junction of the upstream and downstream liner sections. The cooling nugget further includes a first portion connected to the upstream liner section, a second portion connected to the downstream liner section, and a third portion joining the first and second cooling nugget portions at a first end, the third cooling nugget portion extending radially from the first end, wherein the cooling nugget is in flow communication with a cool air supply and is configured to provide a starter film of cooling air along respective surfaces of the upstream liner section and the downstream liner section.

Abstract: A combination refrigerator and current lead assembly includes a pulse tube having a cold end and a warm end. A first electrical connector is attached to the warm end. A second electrical connector attached to the pulse tube supplies current to a lead, for example, a high temperature superconductor lead. The assembly includes a second pulse tube having an electrical connector attached at its warm end and a second electrical connector for supplying current to a lead. The second electrical connectors are attached to the cold ends of the pulse tube. The pulse tubes are formed from an electrically conductive material. An electrical isolator electrically isolates the pulse tubes from each other. Additional electrical isolators electrically isolate the pulse tubes from a compressor, valve, and regenerators of the system.

Abstract: Methods of extracting and removing hyperpolarized gas from a container include introducing an extraction fluid into the container to force the hyperpolarized gas out of an exit port. The hyperpolarized gas is forced out of the container separate and apart from the extraction fluid. Alternatively, if the fluid is a gas, a portion of the gas is mixed with the hyperpolarized gas to form a sterile mixed fluid product suitable for introduction to a patient. An additional method includes engaging a gas transfer source such as a syringe to a transport container and pulling a quantity of the hyperpolarized gas out of the container in a controlled manner. Alternatively, one or more gas syringes can be employed to mete out predictable quantities of hyperpolarized gas or gas mixtures including quantities of buffer gases.

Abstract: A bottom entry pumping system for liquids, particularly cryogenic liquids, is described which includes a container with an outer wall, which may be concrete and/or metal, and an optional inner metal liner. A line is provided for transporting liquid from a liquid storage tank into the container via a pump connected to the line. The line may be optionally vacuum-jacketed. There is also provided at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container. While pumping liquified natural gas (LNG) is an expected use of the invention, pumping other cryogenic liquids and even other non-cryogenic liquids may be performed with the invention. It is anticipated that the bottom entry pumping system of the invention will meet NFPA 59A requirements in the full containment embodiment.

Abstract: A condenser cold trap unit for recovering as separate primary and secondary condensate fractions solvents contained in an effluent drawn from products being dried in a vacuum chamber includes inner and outer shell vessels, the inner shell vessel be disposed coaxially with the outer shell vessel inside said outer shell vessel with a space being present in the outer shell vessel under the bottom of the inner shell vessel and in a course surrounding the exterior of the inner shell vessel. A cover closes off the open tops of the two shell vessels and the interior space of the outer shell vessel is sealed from communication with outside atmosphere, and the interior space of the inner shell vessel is sealed from any communication with the interior space of the outer shell vessel. A common refrigeration coil encircles the exterior of the inner shell vessel and extends down therefrom to effect solvents condensing temperature levels cooling in both shell vessels.

Abstract: A hot gas defrost system for a refrigeration cycle, including at least a compressor, reversing valve, condenser and evaporator. During defrost, the reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The hot gas traverses the evaporator coil which, in turn, causes the ice or frost to melt. The hot gas defrost refrigeration system may also include a receiver to store the refrigerant during the refrigeration and defrost cycles.

Abstract: A method of improving the efficiency of an air conditioning and refrigeration system, comprising introducing into the system a mixture of a carrier with an energy transferring polar compound comprising a sulfonate containing calcium salt of dialkyl aromatic sulfonic acid and nonylated phenylamine derivatives; and a novel additive containing a polar compound containing a sulfonate containing calcium salt of dialkyl aromatic sulfonic acid and nonylated phenylamine derivatives, and an air conditioning system utilizing the polar compound containing a sulfonate containing calcium salt of dialkyl aromatic sulfonic acid and nonylated phenylamine derivatives.

Abstract: An ice level sensing system for use on a refrigerator including a freezer compartment having top wall, opposite side walls and an access opening. A door is provided for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment adjacent the top wall for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is removably mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice pieces from the ice maker. An emitter element, supported on a side wall of the freezer, emits a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin. A receiver element, supported on a freezer side wall opposite the emitter element, receives the beam of light wherein beam of light travels between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path. A paddle is rotatably supported on a freezer side wall for blocking the line of sight when the door is open.

Abstract: An evaporative condensing apparatus used in an air conditioner to reduce the power consumption of the condenser and improves its EER value. The evaporative condensing apparatus is based on the rule that the relative critical pressure needed to condense a cooling medium is directly proportional to the temperature during the exchange of a cooling medium between gas state and liquid state.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator that combines means for directing cooling to a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment with a variable-capacity compressor. During fresh-food cooling the compressor volumetric capacity is reduced to match capacity of the expansion device. The means for directing cooling may be a multiple evaporators. Another option is a single evaporator with a reversing fan and flaps that respond to the direction of air flow to direct air flow between the evaporator and each compartment. Another embodiment comprises a natural-convection evaporator with dampers for directing air flow. This last embodiment also allows automatic defrost with a natural-convection evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigerant fluid circuit for a motor vehicle includes an air conditioning loop and a heating loop, the heating loop comprising a heating branch. A variable opening valve is connected in the heating loop. This valve is controllable so as not only to control the distribution of the refrigerant fluid flowing in the circuit into the heating loop, but also to control the expansion of the fluid in its gaseous state in the heating loop in the additional heating mode.

Abstract: An overhead type air conditioning unit for a vehicle of the present invention, having a conditioner casing in which a heat exchanger for air conditioning and a blower are internally installed, and mounted in a ceiling of a passenger component. Furthermore, the air conditioning unit is characterized in that a casing of the blower is molded within the conditioner casing in one body. Therefore, the number of parts and the costs to prepare molds are reduced and expense is decreased.

Abstract: A pipe freezing apparatus comprises a multi-cavity adapter and an evaporator adapted to be fitted therein. The present invention uses a multi-cavity adapter having from two to eight cavities to fit standard plumbing pipes in copper, steel and plastic, metric and US standard. The refrigeration evaporator fits into a cylindrical bore in the core of the radial multi-cavity array. The cavities are arrayed around the circumference of the bore. The adapter body that forms the array is of aluminum or the like. The coolant lines are elbowed at 90 degrees to the evaporator's longitudinal axis to facilitate attachment to the pipe in small or tight spaces and from the side of the pipe. The adapter body freely swivels around the evaporator thus reducing wear on the refrigeration tubes as the adapters are mounted on the section of pipe to be frozen. Thus any of the cavities can be lined up with the pipe.

Abstract: An air filter system for refrigerators includes an economically and easily manufactured housing having a replaceable air filter supported within the housing, and a releasable connector associated with the housing permits the housing of the air filter system to be readily and easily removed from the refrigerator, to permit the easy replacement of the air filter.

Abstract: An evaporation plate for ice making machines is disclosed. This evaporation plate has a desired serpentine evaporation passage formed by an integration of two panels into a single plate, thus being free from a conventional separate serpentine evaporation tube. This is, the evaporation plate is formed by an integration of an upper panel, having a desired refrigerant channel formed on the panel through a pressing process, with a flat lower panel through a thermocompression bonding process into a single plate having a desired refrigerant passage formed by the channel. Since the evaporation plate is free from a conventional separate evaporation tube, it improves heat conductivity of refrigerant to a desired high level and is almost completely free from leakage of refrigerant. This evaporation plate also has a simple construction, and so it is automatically produced in commercial quantity at low production cost.

Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a heat exchanger including a generally cylindrical, tubular body defining a generally cylindrical internal surface. The body is formed of corrodible material and has at least one refrigerant passage extending therethrough. End plates are provided at opposite ends of the body. A refrigerant inlet delivers refrigerant to the at least one refrigerant passage and a refrigerant outlet collects refrigerant having passed through the at least one refrigerant passage. An inlet delivers fluid from which ice is to be made into the body to permit the refrigerant to extract heat from the fluid and an outlet permits the egress of ice from the body. A cylindrical sleeve lines the internal surface and is formed from generally non-corrodable material. At least one blade is in contact with the sleeve and is movable about an axis to move across the sleeve and remove cooled fluid therefrom.

Abstract: In a method of generating a third gas flow of medium pressure and medium temperature, which can be particularly employed as cooling air for a gas turbine, from a first gas flow of high-pressure and high temperature, a high effectiveness with simultaneous simple process control is achieved in an arrangement wherein the reduction is undertaken by stepwise energy exchange between the first gas flow and a second gas flow of low pressure and low temperature in a cascade consisting of a plurality of energy exchangers connected in series.

Abstract: The refrigerating apparatus of the invention has a scroll compressor having a compressing section sucking and compressing a hydrofluorocarbon-based refrigerant, a condenser and the like, in which a plain bearing slidably supporting a driving shaft driving the compressing section of the scroll compressor is made of a material containing lead, and an ether oil miscible with the refrigerant used in a refrigerant circuit is used as a lubricant for lubricating the plain bearing.

Abstract: An efficient and easier to operate distillation process separates mixtures containing three of more components into streams enriched in one of the components. The invention converts a two-way communication between two distillation columns of a prior art thermally coupled distillation system into a one-way communication. Either a distillation section is added to one of the two distillation columns or a new distillation column is added, and only a liquid stream is transferred from one distillation column to another distillation column thereby eliminating the implementation of the return vapor stream between the same locations of the two columns. More than one distillation column produces product streams of at least one of the most volatile or the least volatile major constituent components.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system particularly useful for producing elevated pressure product wherein additional reflux is generated by a heat pump circuit operating between the upper portion and an intermediate location of the lower pressure column of a double column.

Abstract: A tubing system for conveying a molten material through a vacuum housing includes a tubing having a plurality of convolutions which compress as the tubing expands. A plurality of projections disposed along a length of the tubing carries the electrical current which heats the tubing. A plurality of refractory insulation bricks are stacked between the projections. A first seal flange is coupled to an inlet end of the tubing, and a second seal flange is coupled to an outlet end of the tubing. Each seal flange includes a metal seal ring which is adapted to be coupled to the base of the vacuum housing so as to make a sealed contact with the base of the vacuum housing. Each seal flange also includes a refractory seal block which transfers the expansion force of the tubing to the metal seal ring and, thereby, causes the convolutions to compress.

Abstract: A block assembly for a lehr includes a plurality of blocks extending longitudinally, each of the blocks having a seal surface for mating and overlapping with an adjacent one of the blocks.

Abstract: A plunger assembly (10) for a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the plunger assembly having a plunger (12) that is open it one end and is non-threadably secured at its open end to a free end of an annular cylinder rod (14) that operates to reciprocate the plunger relative to a blank mold of the forming machine. A perforated cooling air inlet tube (20) is positioned within the plunger, and the free end of the air inlet tube is held against a free end of an annular extension (22) of the cylinder rod, an opposed end of which is threadably received in the cylinder rod, by a split locking ring (30) an inwardly facing recess (36, 38) of which traps a radially outwardly extending flange (40) of the plunger to axially position the plunger relative to the split ring. The split ring abuts an endless ring (24) and is axially positioned thereagainst by a flange (44, 46) of the split ring that is received in a recess (42) of the extension.

Abstract: In a knitting method in which after a front body and a back body are knitted in a tube form, sleeves formed in a tube form and the both front and back bodies are joined on a flat knitting machine, knit clothing is knitted to form a good-looking armhole line, while preventing a possible yarn breakage when the sleeves as were completed in the knitting and the body are joined.

Abstract: A method of knitting an elastic drawcord product and an elastic band and drawcord composite product are described. The method involves knitting a pair of elastic webs in a laterally spaced relationship to each other, and securing a drawcord within the space between the elastic webs by way of first and second tying yarns. The first tying yarn reciprocates across the space between the first and second elastic webs and is alternatively secured to the side edges thereof along the front face of the elastic webs. The second tying yarn reciprocates across the space between the first and second elastic webs and is alternatively secured to the side edges thereof along the rear face of the webs, and the drawcord is secured between the two elastic webs and the first and second tying yarns.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for hosiery, with a device for producing tubular items closed at an axial end, and relative method. The machine has a diverter accommodated inside the needle cylinder disengaged from the rotation of the needle cylinder about its own axis with respect to the needle actuation cams and to the lowering sinker actuation cams. The diverter has a profile which protrudes from an internal region of the needle cylinder gradually toward the wall of the needle cylinder. The profile is engaged by an end portion of the item lying inside the needle cylinder between two needles mutually angularly spaced around the axis of the needle cylinder in order to achieve sliding of the item portion along the profile following rotation of the needle cylinder with respect to the diverter. The machine has sinkers for retaining the item portion against the profile during its sliding.