Abstract: An axial bore is defined throughout the hydraulic lift inner barrel. This axial bore is communicated with the interior of the inner tube thereby allowing the interior of the inner tube to be flushed prior to initiation of the coring operation. When the coring operation is begun, flow of drilling fluid to the interior of the inner tube is prevented by allowing a ball dropped within the drill string to seat within a plug through which the communicating axial bore is defined. Once the flow of drilling fluid to the interior of the inner tube is stopped, the coring operation can begin. After the coring operation is completed, a second ball is dropped and allowed to seat within an inner mandrel through which the axial bore of the coring tool is also defined. Once the axial bore of the inner mandrel is closed, drilling fluid is forced into an expansion chamber within a telescopic piston disposed circumferentially outside of the inner mandrel. The piston is connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: The duration of a pumping operation from a fixed supply of cryogenic liquid is extended by minimizing the amount of cryogenic liquid which is recirculated between a primary cryogenic pump and a storage tank for containing the cryogenic liquid. The primary cryogenic pump is characterized by a minimum necessary net positive suction head at its intake. The net positive suction head of the cryogenic liquid is directly measured at the inlet of the primary cryogenic pump by means of a differential pressure gauge. The total pressure on the cryogenic liquid at the inlet of the primary cryogenic pump is then maintained by means of a cryogenic booster pump to always exceed the measured vapor pressure at the inlet by an amount just equal to the minimum net positive suction head required by the primary cryogenic pump.

Abstract: A skin tanning fixture which may be in the form of a couch with an adjustable cover makes use of a battery of light emitting tubes on the lower side over which is a translucent body supporting sheet. A comparable battery of light emitting tubes are arcuately disposed beneath a reflector on the underside of the cover and also protected by a translucent sheet. There is a greater number of tubes used on the cover than on the lower side and tubes on both sides are arranged in a compact relationship sufficient to generate an energy density of ultraviolet A light rays sufficient to build up a tanning effect in the skin in substantially greater proportion than the proportionate increase in the amount of energy density present due to an increase in the number of tubes.

Abstract: A device for applying a wrapping tape (14) around an object (2), comprising a substantially closed trough (6) surrounding a support (1) for the object (2) to be wrapped, said trough (6) being adapted for guiding the tape (14) to be wrapped which is driven through said trough (6) by means of an air flow, clamping means (9) for temporarily retaining the free tape end (21), said trough (6) being adapted to be opened thereafter for releasing said tape (14), means (26; 25; 30) for tightening said tape (14) around said object (2) and returning it towards a buffer storage (19), means (19; 24) for attaching said tape end (21) to the opposite tape part and cutting loose the latter, means (22; 26) for refilling said storage (19) to the maximally required tape length, and control means for controlling said sequence of operations.

Abstract: An advanced spine fixation system includes a plurality of screw clamp assemblies preferably inserted through the pedicle and vertebral body at the vertebra. Each screw clamp includes a removable saddle assembly composed of two halves and each provided with apertures for the reception of rigid support rods which, in one form, form a parallelogram. In another form, the screw clamp receives a single rod, the clamp apertures and the rod being serrated for increasing the purchase. The apertures are proportioned to provide an interference fit with the rods to effect purchase between the saddles and the rods. In use, the screws and clamps are properly placed and a soft temporary master is formed which follows and replicates the contour of reference surfaces on the clamps. The temporary master is then used to form a master pattern which in turn is used to form the rigid rods to the determined contour. The rigid rods are then affixed to the clamp assemblies to provide the rigid support needed for spinal procedures.

Abstract: An improved core catcher for use within a coring tool is provided by shaping the lower portion of the core catcher so as to form a collapsible lower section. The collapsible lower section is structurally collapsed as the core catcher is longitudinally displaced within the coring tool to exert a radially compressive force against the core and to thereby seize the core and retain it within the coring tool. In one embodiment, the collapsible lower section is resilient so that it collapses and after operation resumes its original configuration for reuse. In another embodiment, the collapsible lower section is crushable and is therefore not reusable after the first use. The reusable core catcher is devised by providing the lower section of the core catcher with a plurality of thin slots appropriately aligned and extending through the lower section of the core catcher.

Abstract: An improved flexure member in a helicopter rotary system is devised wherein the flexure member is made of wound monofilamentary resin impregnated material comprising a fiber matrix and is formed in a flat strap disposed through a rotary hub of the rotor system and integrally extends from the flat strap to form a transition member and then to a cruciform flexure member having an X-shaped cross section. The cruciform member then extends and attaches to an outboard fitting adapted for coupling to the root of a rotor blade. In one embodiment the fiber matrix is wound around cylindrical lugs which forms the outboard fitting in combination with the integral extension of the cruciform member. The cruciform member is particularly characterized by including a woven X-shaped reinforcing fabric disposed within the X-shaped member about which fabric the monofilamentary layers are formed thereby forming each leg of the X-shaped cruciform.

Abstract: A single water ski and propulsion pole combination makes use of a buoyant hull of sufficient width to accommodate both feet of the user. Two buoyant poles are included, each adapted to be grasped at one end. On the opposite end of each pole is a propulsion plate and beneath the propulsion plate is a rigid end section. The deck of the hull is equipped with holes, one on each side of the hull, into which the rigid end sections of the poles may be thrust to store the poles in a fixed upright position when not in use for propulsion, leaving the deck clear and available for the user.

Abstract: An unconsolidated or loose core is retrieved and retained within a coring tool by wrapping the core with a resilient thin film sleeve. The sleeve is compacted and stored within a concentric cylindrical storage space outside of the core and within the tool. The thin film compacted sleeve is then drawn from the storage space and wrapped about the core. The thin film sleeve is characterized by having a longitudinal length several times greater than the corresponding longitudinal length of the storage space in which it is compacted and stored. More particularly, the thin film sleeve is compactly stored in a cylindrical space defined within an inner tubular mandrel concentric with the core and an outer tubular mandrel concentric with the core. The two mandrels are concentric with each other and spaced apart to form an annular circumferential opening through which the thin film sleeve is disposed and drawn.

Abstract: For lifting loads there is provided an eyebolt with a collar swivelly mounted on a stud so as to freely rotate in a horizontal plane throughout a full 360.degree.. A lifting ring has oppositely disposed pivot pins in swivel engagement with the collar to allow the ring to pivot in a vertical arc as well as to rotate about the stud. The stud in turn is adapted to be anchored in fixed position to the load, whatever the load may be. Enlargements at free ends of the pivot pins serve to resist pulling the pins free of the collar when a heavy lifting force is applied to the lifting ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in heat exchangers of the type having a container which defines a cylindrical cavity and a cluster of parallel cooling tubes extending through the cylindrical cavity. The housing is provided with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a center baffle dividing the cylindrical cavity into an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment. The inlet and the outlet are located on opposite sides of the center baffle, but near one edge thereof. An opening is provided near the opposite edge of the baffle, such that fluid must circulate through a nearly circular path within the cylindrical housing between the inlet and the outlet conduits. A second fluid such as cool air, may be blown through the parallel tubes for removing heat from the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to high speed spindles employing a tool holding mechanism which rotates with the spindle. In machining applications utilizing high speed spindles which operate above 20,000 RPM, it is desired to manufacture such spindles so that they maintain their balance. Spindles which employ tool holding mechanisms are required to grasp and release tools between machining operations. Such mechanisms usually employ springs for either holding tools in a collect or returning the release mechanism. This invention discloses two types of springs which are true flexures and are held integral with the spindle shaft. The nature of the design is such that it affords the minimal amount of structural position deviation after each actuation for tool changes, thus minimizing out-of-balance conditions.

Abstract: An assembly for recognizing gas cylinders or the like, each provided with a valve and a protection cap for the latter and with a carrier for a code to be read by a reading apparatus provided on the neck of said cylinder. According to the invention on said neck a ring is secured which is adapted for transport of the cylinder in the suspended condition by means of a lifting tool, a removable code carrier being fixed on said ring. In particular said ring is adapted or removably mounting thereon a special protection cap, in particular by means of securing pins, said cap, at the same time, providing a protection of the securing means of the code carrier, and, in particular, comprising a hinged cover for passing connecting means.

Abstract: A Stirling type thermal engine is disclosed in which the engine is sealed within an outer shell enclosure which maintains the engine components in an axially compressed state to thereby simplifying construction of the engine while maintaining a sealed atmosphere of working fluid about the engine thereby minimizing leakage seal problems and also providing a containment enclosure about the engine in the event of explosive failure of the same.

Abstract: A one piece grip for hand guns such as a pistol is made of yieldable elastomeric material having an exterior configuration to be comfortably grasped by the user. Within the grip is a pocket shaped to accommodate the metal tang or frame of the gun handle. At the upper end of the grip is an opening through which the tang is inserted into the pocket. Plugs in the pocket which are spread apart to allow for insertion of the frame in the pocket add to the rigidity of the grip. A releasable fastening bolt may be used to anchor the grip in position on the tang until there may be need for removal and replacement.

Abstract: A heating chamber is defined by canted side walls in inverse pyramidal configuration, the base of the pyramid being open for admission of sunlight and the tip of the pyramid being truncated by a bottom plane. The chamber is adapted to positioning with the aperture plane generally normal to the rays of sunlight so that the canted walls may be fully and simultaneously exposed to sunlight. The inner wall surfaces are dull-blackened to enhance conversion of shortwave solar energy to long-wave or infrared energy whereby the walls are heated so as to radiate infrared (heat) energy for transfer of such heat energy to objects or materials which may be positioned within the heating chamber. The chamber aperture is closed by translucent material such as glass for enhancing the heating effect of the black interior wall surfaces. The aperture closure may rest freely over the aperture or may be hinged along one edge for convenience of opening for access to the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the freezing of sea water by two different, but related approaches. One involves the use of fluorinated or fluorochemical surfactants, other surfactants with specific activity in saline water, and the other by treatment with ice nucleation agents or the use of both. The specific application for the process is construction of improved load bearing ice structures as used in Arctic regions in supprot of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.

Abstract: For an electronically motivated door lock there is a key carrying magnetic coding for actuating an electronically triggered release mechanism to unlock a door. Insertion of the key in the keyway initially closes a switch to energize the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is programmed to motivate a motor driven mechanism in successive stages to move a blocking finger into and out of engagement with a notch in a rotatable disc on a cylinder plug which operates the latch bolt. The motor rotates preferably in one direction but by use of a rotating drive pin shiftable from end to end of a transverse slot, the blocking finger is moved alternately into and out of engagement with the notch in response to the successive energizations of the motor.