Abstract: The invention is a tool for installing Hi-Lok-type fasteners consisting of a pin component having a headed end and a threaded end with a hex recess therein, and a collar component having a threaded body and a torque-off nut. The tool has a drive head in which a rotatably driven socket is supported for driving the collar component of the fastener during a fastener installation event. A tubular key holder is coaxial with the socket and rotationally fixed relative to the drive head, supporting a hex key against rotation in an axial keyway, the hex key being engageable in the pin component hex recess to hold the pin component against rotation during a fastener installation event. A retention shaft extends coaxially through the key holder, and its forward end is threadedly connected to the key to retain the key in the holder.

Abstract: A series of method and apparatus advances in the accumulator-type fuel injector art, applicable to both intensified and unintensified accumulator injectors, which cooperate to provide major improvements in internal combustion engine fuel economy, reduction of noise, and reduction of undesirable exhaust emissions, including smoke, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons. According to the invention, injector needle closure speed is increased for sharper fuel cutoff and better atomization proximate closure, and needle closure bounce is minimized to minimize fuel dribble proximate closure by reducing both mass and length of the needle, which can be accomplished by a longitudinally divided needle. Hydraulic damping also damps and cushions both needle closing and needle opening.

Abstract: A bicycle gear shifting system having rotatable front and rear handgrip shift actuators operatively associated with control cables for shifting respective front and rear derailleur mechanisms. In some forms of the invention the control cable is directly actuated by the handgrip rotator, while in other forms the shifter rotator drives a separate "jack spool" which in turn actuates the control cable. A cam on either the handgrip rotator or the jack spool is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring during down-shifting. Compensation is provided in the shift actuators of the invention for various lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanisms and control cable systems.

Abstract: A full double wall tank, primarily for underground fluid storage, which is simpler and more economical to construct than conventional full double wall tanks. An inner tank shell, preferably of steel, provides primary fluid containment and is the principal structural basis of the tank. An intermediate barrier layer is applied over the inner shell to define secondary containment space, and provides a base for application of a resin outer secondary containment tank shell which is preferably fiber-reinforced. Monitor sensor means is provided having access to the secondary containment space, preferably proximate the bottom of the tank. The barrier layer is preferably such as to provide a minimum of fluid-receiving secondary containment space for rapid and highly sensitive monitoring, and to provide cathodic protection for a steel inner tank shell.

Abstract: Tank secondary containment system, principally for underground fluid storage tanks such as for fuel storage, which is applicable to both single wall tanks and double wall tanks for providing secondary, double wall fluid containment in the regions of access pipe fittings and pipe connections, which are the places most prone to failure. For double wall tanks, the invention completes the secondary containment which is conventionally only partially afforded by double wall tank construction. Access fittings at the top of the tank and at least lower portions of their respective function pipes which extend to surface equipment are surrounded by tubular secondary containment covering, the lower portion of which is preferably a riser, which is bonded and sealed to the outside of the tank for either a single or double wall tank, and for a double wall tank may extend through an aperture in the outer wall down to the inner wall.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

Abstract: An eccentric ring porting system for hydraulic pumps of the type having a rotating cylinder block. The rotating cylinder block has a flat annular port face with a small cluster of regularly spaced cylinder ports in the face circularly arrayed about the axis of rotation of the cylinder block. A ring valve element has a ring seat surface held flush against the cylinder port face. The axis of the ring seat surface is eccentrically offset from the axis of rotation of the cylinder block, and the cylinder ports are uncovered inside of the inner edge of the ring seat surface for output porting of the pump and outside of the outer edge of the ring seat surface for inlet porting of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention is a solenoid-actuated fluid valve of the ball poppet type particularly suitable for use as a fuel injector actuator/timer, for which use the valve must be capable of withstanding high operating speeds and high fluid pressures for a very high cycle life, without substantial internal tolerance variation. According to the invention, the free front end of the solenoid-operated valve actuator pin has a concavity therein which distributes impact loads between the pin and the ball poppet which it engages over an extended line or area contact so as to minimize deformation of the pin and thereby minimize solenoid tolerance variation in the axial direction. Fluid captured between the ball and concavity provides squish-damping as the pin approaches the ball so as to further reduce impact deformation of the pin end. Engagement of the ball in the pin end concavity also tends to hold the ball in axial alignment with its valve seat so as to minimize eccentric wear of the valve seat.

Abstract: According to the invention, a liquid deliquescent composition is substantially uniformly applied to grain, animal feed, animal feed ingredients, hay or poultry litter product, inhibiting moisture migration or translocation in the product and thereby inhibiting the formation of mold-generating accumulations of moisture adjacent the walls of storage containers for grain, animal feed, feed ingredients or hay which are subject to large overnight temperature drops, and similary inhibiting the formation of mold-generating accumulations of moisture adjacent the walls of grain elevators or silos subject to large seasonal temperature drops. Such inhibiting of moisture migration or translocation according to the invention also inhibits the formation of dry zones in grain, animal feed, feed ingredients, hay or poultry litter, thereby inhibiting the generation of dust from such products, including the inhibiting of dust generation during the screw-conveying of grain to storage.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

Abstract: In a geothermal electric power generating plant of the type wherein a flow stream of hot geothermal brine from a production well is partially flashed to steam for turbine motive power, system and method for removing most of the entrained noncondensable gas content of the brine proximate the high temperature end of the plant, while at the same time recovering most of the heat energy from steam necessarily released with the noncondensable gases. The noncondensable gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and boric acid, together with a substantial amount of high pressure, high temperature steam, are separated from the brine flow stream before its entry into conventional flash portions of the plant. A heat exchange system is employed to transfer heat from the separated steam and its condensate and from the separated gases to substantially pure turbine exhaust water condensate so as to boil the pure water for turbine motive steam.

Abstract: In a geothermal electric power generating plant of the type wherein a flow stream of hot geothermal brine is partially flashed to steam for turbine motive power, a system and method for removing entrained brine droplets and particulates from the flashed steam so as to protect turbine components from being fouled and damaged, and also to protect flash vessel demisters from being clogged and corroded. The hot geothermal brine is flashed to steam in flash crystallizer vessels, each of which receives the hot geothermal brine flow stream in its lower portion and has a baffle tray system in its upper portion through which the flashed steam passes. The baffle tray system provides a sinuous path for the flashed steam which produces a series of centripetal accelerations of the steam so as to centrifugally separate the entrained materials from the steam onto surface portions of the baffle tray system and wall portions of the upper portion of the flash crystallizer vessel.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

Abstract: A horse racing game comprising a gameboard inscribed with the representation of a racetrack, a number of horse performance cards bearing personal information regarding actual horses, and a number matrix referring to that horse's performance in an actual racing event, markers for use by the players in enacting on the gameboard their progress in the simulated racing game, random number generator means for use in combination with the numbers matrix provided on the horse performance card in order to determine movement of the player's markers, tables by which the variable conditions of an actual horse racing event may be taken into account while running the simulated race, and a realistic race record for charting the progress and outcome of the simulated horse race.

Abstract: Tank secondary containment system, principally for underground fluid storage tanks such as for fuel storage, which is applicable to both single wall tanks and double wall tanks for providing secondary, double wall fluid containment in the regions of access pipe fittings and pipe connections, which are the places most prone to failure. For double wall tanks, the invention completes the secondary containment which is conventionally only partially afforded by double wall tank construction. Access fittings at the top of the tank and at least lower portions of their respective function pipes which extend to surface equipment are surrounded by tubular secondary containment covering, the lower portion of which is preferably a riser, which is bonded and sealed to the outside of the tank for either a single or double wall tank, and for a double wall tank may extend through an aperture in the outer wall down to the inner wall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically changing engine lubricating oil while the engine is running, in which small increments of used lubricating oil are periodically removed from the lubricating oil system, and substantially simultaneously with the removal of each increment of used oil, a corresponding increment of fresh oil is delivered to the lubricating oil system, so the volume of oil in the lubricating system is not reduced by the removal. Oil sump level sensing determines the destination of each used oil increment that is removed. If the sump level is not substantially below a predetermined satisfactory operating level when an increment of used oil is removed, the increment is delivered to the fuel tank for burnoff with the fuel for diesel engines, or to a holding tank for other engines, in a normal oil change mode of operation.

Abstract: A mold and dust inhibiting composition which has particular utility in connection with the storage and handling of animal feeds, grains, and hay, and also in connection with the use of animal litter such as poultry litter, as well as having general utility for controlling both mold and dust. The composition of the invention is an aqueous solution of one or more salts of propionic acid, one or more deliquescent substances, and also preferably one or more humectants. Propionate ions are made available for mold control by this solution just as effectively as propionic acid, but without the disadvantages of propionic acid including a bad odor, serious corrosive characteristics, and high volatility and hence short residual time. The deliquescent, and preferably also the humectant, prevent moisture from migrating toward container walls where there is a large day/night temperature differential, and also prevent dry regions from developing and producing potentially harmful dust.

Abstract: A system for establishing a generally elongated and preferably also generally flat pattern of response for a microphone. A microphone pickup module according to the invention has a body with an elongated, preferably also generally flat, channel extending therethrough between generally oppositely facing open ends. A miniature pressure type microphone is mounted in the body with its sound-sensitive surface in communication with the channel intermediate the ends of the channel. The system provides improved response characteristics for the harmonica, accordion and drum.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine. The timing of the commencement of fuel injection into each combustion chamber is not fixed relative to the rotational position of the camshaft or other engine components. A unit injector assembly associated with each combustion chamber includes a control module and an accumulator type injector module. The control module contains a solenoid valve and, in some embodiments, a hydraulic pressure intensifier. The accumulator type injector module contains an injector nozzle, a hydraulic accumulator, and a non-return valve for admitting liquid fuel under pressure into the accumulator. In operation, an electrical control system supplies an electrical signal to the control module an appreciable portion of the engine cycle in advance of the time when fuel injection is to be initiated in the particular combustion chamber.