Abstract: For extracting a liquid (such as oil) from a porous medium, the liquid is subjected to pulses that propagate through the liquid flowing through the pores of the medium. The pulses cause momentary surges in the velocity of the liquid, which keeps the pores open. The pulses can be generated in the production well, or in a separate excitation well. If the pulses travel with the liquid, the velocity of travel of the liquid through the pores can be increased. The solid matrix is kept stationary, and the pulses move through the liquid. The pulses in the liquid can be generated directly in the liquid, or indirectly in the liquid via a localised area of the solid matrix.

Abstract: A rotating carrousel having four mould cavities equally spaced at ninety degrees from each other. The moulds are open vertically to the sky and in the opposite direction. The mould cavities are on the same pitch circle from the center of the axis. The rotary table is positively locked at each ninety degree turn. When the table is locked in position each station is in its position. The hopper containing pre-granulated soil is mounted stationary above the number one station. The hopper is fed by a screw conveyor from a hammer mill which breaks up the dug-out soil into a uniform granulate. This is most important for the manufacture of high quality adobe bricks. When the hopper has filled the mould cavity the carousel is turned ninety degrees and the filling process is repeated. At the same time the ram at number two station compresses the soil into a high density adobe block.

Abstract: A new method of forming mask ROM in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. A semiconductor substrate is provided with field oxide areas defined and a gate oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer. The gate electrode layer and the gate oxide layer are patterned to form gate electrodes. Ions are implanted to form source and drain junctions. A buffer layer is deposited overlying the gate electrodes, the source and drain junctions, and the field oxide areas. The buffer layer is etched down to expose the gate electrodes while leaving a protective thickness of the buffer layer overlying the source and drain junctions. Ions are implanted through the gate electrodes into the semiconductor substrate to selectively code the mask ROM devices and to complete the mask ROM devices in the manufacture of the semiconductor device. A coding mask controls the ion implantation to selectively code the mask ROM.

Abstract: A single-stage snowblower (20) is designed as an accessory for attachment to an electric tractor, and takes power from the batteries on the tractor. The rotary drum (24) of the snowblower, which carries the spiral blade (25), is driven by two electric motors (36L, 36R). The motors lie inside the hollow interior of the drum (24), and drive the drum directly, without chains or gears. The drum (24) has no bearings other than the motor bearings provided inside the motor housing. The ends of the motors are fixed to the snowblower housing. Walk behind versions of the snowblower are also disclosed. In a different version an anti-personnel-mine clearing flail-drum (74) is pushed ahead of an electric tractor (72) by forward-extending struts. The flail-drum is rotated by motors located inside the drum. Other appliances can make up a train of appliances, ahead of the tractor.

Abstract: Cardboard cartons are delivered to a soft-drink-can packaging line in boxes. The boxes are placed on a box-conveyor, from which the boxes are tranferred one by one into a bucket. The bucket holds the box while the box is overturned. In one version, the overturned box with the items inside is then moved to a magazine, where the box is pulled clear. In another version, the bucket is opened and the box pulled clear, and then the bucket is re-orientated before the items are transferred onto the magazine. The apparatus is mounted on a frame which includes uprights to which the major components can be clamped in place, allowing the apparatus to be adapted to existing machinery.

Abstract: The teaching aid apparatus provides two balance beams (27, 28), one above the other, on a support post (23). Weight-attachment stations (36) are provided on the left and right arms of both beams, and the stations are marked on the beams with numerals indicative of distance of the station from the beam fulcrum. The beams are connected by means of pinions (32, 34), which constrain the beams to tip in unison in response to unbalance of one beam. The apparatus aids the demonstration of negative concepts to young children.

Abstract: The drive-chain tensioner is automatically self-adjusting. A chain-slipper is guided to follow wear-movement of the chain. A cam is mounted on the follower. If slack in the chain increases, the cam is rotated by a cam spring to a position in which a larger radius of the cam lies under the follower. The cam provides a solid abutment that prevents the chain from compressing the tensioning springs and becoming slack when drive is reversed. For compactness and good load distribution, the chain is supported on a saddle between two cams. The cams have ratchet teeth.

Abstract: Copper is extracted from a heap of low-grade ore by transforming the heap into an electrolytic cell, and imposing a voltage thereon. Anodic conditions of redox and pH cause the sulphide to break down, and the copper to pass into solution. The copper can be recovered elsewhere if the electrolyte is drawn off, or in-situ if allowed to plate onto the cathode. Electrodes are formed as grids of conductors, or as layers of e.g. graphite.

Abstract: For collecting data from a water well, down-hole sensors are housed in modules. The modules are arranged to be screwed together in-line to form a vertical string. Mechanically, the modules are secured to each other only by the screw connection. Data is transmitted to the surface on a 2-wire cable, there being no other electrical connection between the modules and the surface. The modules are connected in multi-drop configuration to the 2-wire cable. Data is transmitted using time-division multiplexing.

Abstract: The treatment system is for use with septic tank effluent. Water is passed over polyurethane foam blocks, arranged in a heap so that air can circulate freely around the blocks. The size of the foam cells is small enough that water soaks into the blocks and is retained therin. The foam is soft and easily deformed. At the points of block-to-block engagement, the blocks deflect and conform to each other, giving rise to a large contact area through which water can pass between blocks.

Abstract: The filter intercepts dirt emanating from a molten-polymer extruder. The filter is clamped between perforated support plates, and a rotor sweeps the holes in the upstream plate. The rotor defines a cavity which communicates with a small sector of the holes at any one time. The cavity is openable to drain, via a valve. The melt is under high pressure, to which the cavity is exposed. The rotor is rotated by a drive-shaft, and the drain is located co-axially with the drive-shaft.

Abstract: Door frames, window frames, baseboards, corner mouldings, etc are trimmed with solid wood, eg oak, trim pieces. The trim pieces are fitted over splines which are screwed to the wall. A jig enables the splines to be located accurately in position. The spline includes no beads, snaps, or other features that would require the oak trim section to flex; instead, the trim is secured by the friction arising from the fit of the spline into a groove cut into the rear face of the trim section. In a variation, a pair of parallel grooves are provided, together with a corresponding pair of splines, which are mounted on a web.

Abstract: Wood trim is attached to the wail around a door, window, etc, by means of an extruded plastic attachment strip. The strip is formed with a hollow box-shaped protrusion which serves as a spline, which engages a complementary groove in the profile of the wood trim. A bar formed in the back of the strip profile serves to hold the strips in complementary slots in the door jamb.

Abstract: The insulated transit bag is made from bubble-wrap material, bonded to aluminum foil. The material is doubled-over, folded, and heat welded to form sealed seams. The bag is used for transporting heat-sensitive medicines etc.

Abstract: Blow-off nozzles are used for creating a high-energy air blast, for drying metal panels prior to painting. Depth or reach of penetration (in the atmosphere) is important. A bullet is provided in the center of the nozzle. The bullet is aerodynamically faired, for minimum drag. The effect of the bullet is to create a low pressure area in the jet downstream of the nozzle. The low pressure area serves to hold the jet together, preventing spreading, to a degree that enables a significant increase in penetration distance. The bullet is mounted on faired arms, which are secured to the walls of the nozzle.

Abstract: A box of the attachment apparatus receives asphalt from the discharge chute of a forward-tip dump-truck. The asphalt is deposited on the rod in a stripe, and is compacted by being rolled over by the rear wheel of the truck. The thickness of the stripe is set by side-runners, which hold the bottom of the box clear of the road. The weight of the asphalt-laden box loads the side-runners against the road, and permits pre-compaction, in which the stripe of asphalt is partly pre-compacted before being rolled over by the wheel. Where the truck has double rear wheels, the stripe can be as wide as the width of both wheels. The box is carried on a parallelogram linkage, which is mounted from the chassis of the truck.

Abstract: The lawn and garden tractor has independent electric motors for both driven wheels. The motors are combined with reduction gearboxes, and the wheel is mounted on the output shaft of the gearbox. There is no mechanical axle connection. The power to the motors is controlled by an automatic controller as to wheel speed, power being increased/decreased in accordance with whether the wheels are under-running or over-running relative to manually-controlled speed setting. Steering is controlled by potentiometer on a mechanical steering wheel, or by joy-stick control. The joystick may be on the tractor, or remote. The drive system is suitable also for four-wheel drive.

Abstract: Waters contaminated by nitrogenous compounds such as nitrate, ammonium, etc., are treated by electrochemical transformation of the contaminant to nitrogen gas. Electrodes are placed in the contaminated water to form a cell, in which the voltage of one of the electrodes is set to the Eh voltage at which nitrogen gas is thermodynamically favored. The cell may be electrolytic or galvanic.

Abstract: A dog leash is equipped with a container, for containing a supply of plastic grocery bags, for collecting pet excrement. The container is stitched to the leash just below the hand-loop of the leash. The container is of light-weight fabric or material, and takes its structure from being stitched to the leash, lengthwise along the container. The open mouth of the container is wrapped around the leash and secured with Velcro.

Abstract: The die-lip is heated by an electric heater cable wrapped into a groove positioned close to the lip. The heater cable is pressed radially against the lip-side of the groove by many individual Vee-shaped spring-clips, which are arranged in a contiguous series around the circumference of the groove.