Abstract: A flow control valve assembly for controlling the flow of a working fluid which has a housing that defines a valve chamber therein, an inlet port to the valve chamber and an outlet port from the valve chamber, a valve body which is movably carried in the chamber between a closed position that blocks the outlet port from communication with the inlet port and an open position so that the inlet port is in communication with the outlet port to allow the working fluid to be forced through the valve chamber, and a valve control means responsive to the velocity of the working fluid flowing through the valve chamber or responsive to the pressure differential across the valve body to operate the valve assembly by moving the valve body between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A closable refuse receptacle unit including a receptacle defining an open top refuse receiving chamber therein; a cover pivotally mounted on the receptacle to close the refuse chamber; and means for positively holding the cover in an open position.

Abstract: A heat storage and/or recovery system using multiple heat storage tanks to selectively store heat from a solar collector and recover the stored heat to operate a heat driven system. The heat from the solar collector is transferred into the storage tanks through an input heat transfer link configuration using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat into a storage tank that will accept the heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the storage tanks back to the solar collector while the heat in the storage tanks is transferred to the heat driven system through a recovery heat transfer link configuration also using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat to the heat driven system from a storage tank capable of supplying heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the heat driven system back into the storage tanks.

Abstract: An impaction augmented jet engine with a primary burner unit and a primary impaction/induction unit which separates a portion of the exhaust gases from the burner unit for recirculation thereto and also separates fresh air by impaction and induction for mixing with the separated exhaust gases to supply the burner unit. The engine also includes an induction ram burner unit downstream of the primary burner unit so that the exhaust gases from the primary burner unit augment the fresh air passing into the induction ram burner unit for combustion.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for installation in holes through work pieces including an elongate fastener with a bearing section to be placed in the holes, a pintail releasably connected to the leading end of the fastener to pull the fastener into the holes, and an alignment means such as a locking collet for maintaining the pintail and fastener coaxial during the installation of the fastener.

Abstract: A method of increasing tire life of paired vehicular tires by measuring a plurality of mounted and inflated pneumatic tires to provide an indication of the tread diameter and/or circumference length of each tire with an indicated accuracy of at least about 0.020 inch on diameter or at least about 0.062 inch on circumference length and then selecting a pair of the measured tires whose indication of tread diameter differs by no more than about 0.040 inch or whose indication of circumference length differs by no more than about 0.125 inch for mounting on the vehicle as a matched pair. The invention also encompasses the apparatus for making such measurements.

Abstract: A self-dimpling fastener pin for use in forming dimpled fastener joints connecting thin sheets of material including a shank; a head integral with one end of the shank; and, a pintail integral with the opposite end of the shank with the shank, head and pintail coaxial with each other and concentric about the pin central axis. The head defines a tapered head bearing surface on the underside thereof facing the shank and having a size and shape corresponding to the desired size and shape of the dimple in the sheets of material when installation of the fastener pin is complete. The shank defines a shank bearing surface thereon which may be smooth or grooved to support the sheets of material. The pintail is adapted to be gripped to pull the fastener pin into the holes through the sheets of material, pintail first, to install the fastener pin and form the dimple through a dimple bending surface on the shank of the fastener pin.

Abstract: A modular solar collector system for solar radiation with a collector assembly including a series of overlapping collector pans defining a common fluid flow channel therealong exposed to solar radiation down which a heat transfer fluid flows to be heated directly or indirectly by the solar radiation. The fluid flow channel is closed by a transparent cover, a supply header which distributes the heat transfer fluid over the fluid flow channel for flow down the channel under the force of gravity, and a return header to receive the heated fluid after passage down the channel for passage through a heat exchanger and recirculation. The disclosure also contemplates the method of fabrication and installation of the solar collector system.

Abstract: A sleeve member for positioning between the fastener and work pieces within aligned holes through the work pieces. The sleeve member has a tubular side wall with outwardly directed bends formed therein which are partially flattened out during the assembly of the fastener in the work pieces so that the natural resiliency of the sleeve member compensates for discrepancies in the holes and fastener and which may be coated with a sealant prior to assembly so that the bends act as reservoirs for the sealant to insure sealing of the fastener joint.

Abstract: A polarity switch circuit in a machine for electrostatically copying images from an original document image including corona charging means for imposing an electrostatic charge on a photoconductive medium, power supply means having a first output of one electrical polarity and a second output of the opposite polarity, and switch means for selectively connecting the first and second outputs to the corona charging means to selectively and alternatively impose an electrostatic charge on the photoconductive medium of the one electrical polarity and the opposite electrical polarity.

Abstract: A developing and fusing apparatus for applying a single component magnetically responsive dry particulate toner powder to a latent electrostatic image on electrostatic copy paper and fusing the thusly applied toner powder onto the surface of the copy paper with the developing section of the apparatus having a permanent magnet applicator roll assembly which moves the toner powder about the periphery thereof into the vicinity of the copy paper to transfer the toner powder onto the copy paper with the amount of toner powder passing around the applicator roll assembly being controlled by doctor blades, and a cartridge which dispenses the toner powder onto the applicator roll assembly for passage around the applicator roll assembly.

Abstract: An impaction/induction jet engine including generally a burner unit which discharges the exhaust gases therefrom through an air induction unit which causes fresh air to be induced into the exhaust gases. The induced fresh air is first drawn through a compressor section to cause a portion of the fresh air to be removed by impaction into the burner unit for combustion.

Abstract: A liftable auxiliary axle assembly for a wheeled vehicle including an auxiliary support frame assembly connected to the vehicle frame; a pair of spaced apart torque arms pivoted on the auxiliary frame assembly about a common pivot axis so that the rear end of each is pivotally movable in a generally vertical plane; a pair of axle seat assemblies mounted on the rear ends of the torque arms for pivoting movement therewith and mounting a wheel and axle assembly therebetween; and a positioning mechanism for selectively lifting the wheel and axle assembly from the road.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for installation in holes through work pieces including an elongate fastener with a bearing section to be placed in the holes, a pintail releasably connected to the leading end of the fastener to pull the fastener into the holes, and an alignment means such as a locking collet for maintaining the pintail and fastener coaxial during the installation of the fastener.

Abstract: A modular solar collector system and method for solar radiation with a collector assembly defining a fluid flow channel therein exposed to solar radiation; a heat transfer fluid for flowing down the fluid flow channel to be heated directly or indirectly by the solar radiation where the heat transfer fluid has a fluid vapor pressure differential between the maximum and minimum temperatures to which said heat transfer fluid is exposed during flow down the fluid flow channel of less than about 0.3 psia and/or defines a wetting angle with respect to said solar radiation absorbing surface of less than about 50.degree.; and means for supplying the heat transfer fluid to the upper end of the channel for the flow of the heat transfer fluid down the channel under the force of gravity to heat the transfer fluid.

Abstract: A filtration device and method for removing particulate matter entrained in a gas stream including a filter media with a first prescribed surface area on one side thereof; a perforated support for positioning the filter media so that one side thereof is in communication with the gas stream with the particulate matter entrained therein; a suction head defining a suction inlet therein with a second prescribed cross-sectional area smaller than the first prescribed surface area of the filter media on that side of said filter media opposite the side in communication with the gas stream; a fan for forcing the gas stream into the suction head through the filter media to separate the particulate matter from the gas stream; and drive means for moving the suction head along the filter media so that substantially all of the filter media is eventually used.

Abstract: An interlocking structural system comprising a plurality of tubular strut members defining a central opening in the ends thereof of a prescribed diameter and at least one connector for selectively interconnecting the tubular strut members, the connector including a plurality of removably interconnected plate members with one of the plate members lying generally in a second plane intersecting the first plane so that the plate members intersect along a common line, each of the plate members defining a plurality of connector tangs thereon generally radially oriented with respect to the plate member where one of the connector tangs on one of the plate members intersects one of the connector tangs on another of the plate members along said common line and with the connector tangs sized to be received in the central opening in the end of one of the strut members so that the strut member can be slipped over the intersecting connector tangs to connect the strut member to the connector and to hold the plate members to

Abstract: A gas and/or aerosol dispenser ring for irritant substances to be worn on the hand of the user comprising a ring band to fit on the finger of the user's hand, a mounting on the ring band, and a dispenser assembly carried by the mounting with the dispenser assembly including a gas and/or aerosol reservoir containing a supply of gas or aerosol therein under pressure, a discharge valve assembly communicating with the supply of gas or aerosol in the reservoir to selectively discharge the gas or aerosol when the valve assembly is activated, a manually engageable trigger for selectively activating the valve assembly, and a false stone member substantially covering the reservoir and the discharge valve assembly to camouflage same.

Abstract: A preload adapter for use with a lockbit installation gun having a nose assembly to install a fastener having a threaded engagement section to be engaged by an internally threaded nut and a pulling section projecting beyond the threaded engagement section in a hole through a work piece so that the lockbolt installation gun can exert an axial preload on the fastener while the nut is tightened onto the threaded engagement section.