Abstract: There is disclosed an improved air cushion seal system of the inflatable lobe type such as for operating between the sidehulls of a surface effect ship (SES), wherein in accordance with the invention at least the lowermost lobe of the system is partially closed at each of its opposite ends by a fabric sheet which is inset from the ship sidehulls. These substantially impervious to air passage sheets are affixed to the side edges of the lower loop of the lobe and up and around its aft end, and optionally to the upper loop of the lobe, to minimize scooping and water filling of the lobe, and to operationally stabilize the lobe.

Abstract: An exhaust shroud adapted for mounting on the casing of a portable sanding machine is provided with a resiliently deformable lip arranged to engage with a surface of a driven sanding member or workpiece outwardly of such member in such a manner as to provide for an effectively controlled, vacuum induced flow of dust generated by a sanding operation into the shroud, while at the same time not producing a vacuum induced braking effect on movements of the sanding member or movements of the machine relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for transportation of materials such as industrial wastes from a source thereof to a temporary storage and/or a permanent disposal site or the like, utilizing batch containers of maximum space-saving configurations and taking advantage of the fact that such waste materials invariably densify volume-wise during handling such as during transit from the source to the storage facility. The containers of the invention are of temporarily shape-competent fiberboard type construction or the like; but are in any case fabricated of material which is moisture-vulnerable, whereby subsequent to transport and disposal thereof they soften down and allow the contents of contiguous containers to spread out and settle down and thereby close any previously existing empty spaces therebetween.

Abstract: An electric switching apparatus having a trough-shaped body member formed of tough, non-conductive, flexible and substantially fully resilient material within which are seated a plurality of switching mechanisms. A pair of tubular shaped sheath members formed of flexible highly resilient non-conductive material snugly encompasses the device in weatherproof electrically insulated manner; portions of said sheath members being shaped to simulate manually push-operable button devices for actuating said switching devices.

Abstract: A coin counting and release mechanism is disclosed for use in adapting coin operated lock units for multiple coin operation, wherein only a last deposited coin of a preselected number of coins of a given size or denomination is actually retained within the lock unit for sensing purposes and all previously deposited coins of such size or of a smaller size being permitted to pass freely downwardly through the lock unit in order to avoid the possibility of an improper coin sensing operation or jamming of the lock unit as a result of insertion of improperly sized coins. In an alternative construction the mechanism is adjustable to selectively vary the preselected number of coins required for operation of a lock unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved air cushion supported vehicle of the relatively high speed operating "surface effect ship" type, having a main hull and a pair of rigidly constructed opposite side walls or hulls depending therefrom, and bow and stern air cushion sealing means. Each of the side hulls terminates at its lower extremity into an outwardly side-wise canted water planing bottom surface or keel into which one or more non-coplanar surface discontinuities is/are provided for locally accommodating in slightly recessed relation therein the ship propulsion propellers. The configurations of said discontinuities are such as to reduce the requisite angles of the propeller driving shafts relative to the ship hull; thereby reducing the ship draft (propeller clearance) requirements, while also providing under high speed operating conditions improved propeller operating efficiencies and substantial maintenance of the desired air cushion sealing efficiencies of the side hull keels of the ship.

Abstract: A block assembly is adapted to be removably fixed to a vertically disposed way of a machine having systems for automatically supplying lubricating oil to the way and for supplying a dissimilar liquid coolant to a workpiece; the block assembly serving to collect lubricating oil flowing downwardly along the machine way and prevent its contaminating the coolant. The block assembly comprises a multi-sectional block shaped to provide an oil collection reservoir adapted to be placed in flow communication with a separate oil collection tank or sump.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a surface effect ship which is constructed substantially of aluminum alloy material a hull construction including a side hull component which is bottomed by an operationally "wet" aluminum alloy keel plate, an improved propeller support arrangement comprising a superior strength thin-profile steel alloy strut extending cantilever-wise through the keel plate and carrying at its outer end bearing means for support of a ship propeller shaft. Interiorly of the side hull the steel strut is mechanically anchored to an operationally "dry" aluminum alloy member of the side hull structure, while at its underwater "wet" intersection with the aluminum alloy keel plate it is supported thereby but electrolytically and dynamically insulated therefrom by means of an epoxy-like housing device which at that cantilever support juncture encircles the strut.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surface effect ship stern seal system comprising a plurality of side-by-side vertically standing inflatable fingers of open top form, the leading end portions of the fingers being attached to the hull by resilient means and the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the fingers being closed by water planing plate means. The upper edges of the sidewall portions of the fingers are carried by tension ropes connecting at their leading ends to said resilient means and at their aft ends to the ship hull, reclining therebetween in catenary fashion.

Abstract: A light weight mounting fixture is disclosed for use in supporting a plurality of articles, such as cylindrical cavity filters, of like length in a manner permitting rigidity of the articles to be employed to rigidify the fixture.

Abstract: Preliminarily cooled flue gases from which particulates and sulfur trioxide have been removed are contacted with an SO.sub.2 absorbing liquid and the SO.sub.2 laden liquid is then regenerated by multi-stage vacuum stripping and returned in a closed cycle to the absorber. The absorbing liquid contains an additive and is a dilute solution of, preferably, calcium ions in water. The additive is added in minor amount sufficient to provide a partial pressure of SO.sub.2 in the absorber equivalent to the partial pressure of SO.sub.2 in water in the temperature range of about 15.degree. C. to -20.degree. C. The preliminarily cooled gas is at a temperature in the order of 125.degree. F. The heat removed from the closed cycle by vacuum stripping is substantially equal to the heat given up by the flue gas in the absorber, and the temperature difference between the liquid on entering and leaving the desorber is in the order of 10.degree.-30.degree. F.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a multiple lobe air cushion seal system an auxiliary air inflated bounce damping lobe interfacing the cleft between the lower ends of the two lowermost lobes of the system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for feeding a crushed or pulverized solid supply material such as coal or the like, from a supply source under ambient pressure into a reactor or the like which is under significantly higher pressure; such as in connection with a hydrogenation/oxidation process producing so-called "fuel" or "synthesis" gases. A liquefied gas such as carbon dioxide or the like, is fed under pressure into a moving supply of such materials (as may be contained in a closed casing screw conveyor/extruder or the like) in order to form a slurry which is suitable to be pumped into the receiver against its superior pressure. Process temperatures are so controlled that as the input liquefied gas component of the slurry migrates toward the lower pressure feed inlet end of the conveyor in response to the superior pressure at the discharge end of the conveyor, it solidifies into solid particles which intermingle with and substantially fill the interstices between the supply material particles.

Abstract: A loose leaf binder is formed from three parts assembled in a manner providing a binder of minimum thickness.