Abstract: A trapping plug with unique characteristics provides phase separators for cryogenic storage systems for space applications. The plug has a body of high-thermal conductivity metal such as OFHC copper and a multiplicity of holes of uniform, extremely small diameter and uniformly spaced extending through the body. The hole diameters and their uniformity in size and spacing enable precise design of an operating system using disclosed criteria. Hole diameters at the range of interest for systems for long-term storage of cryogenics such as liquid hydrogen, that is, 0.1 to 5.0 microns, may be provided in the plugs. Multiple plugs or clusters of plugs disposed in a plate may be used as required. A storage system making use of the trapping plugs also includes external vent lines and a flow regulator that controls flow of vapor through the vent lines.

Abstract: Core plugs, which are intended for insertion in the ends of cores on which large rolls of paper are wound, are lifted and maneuvered into position by an apparatus having an elongated horizontal spreader beam that rides on an overhead track. The beam has support arms mounted on each end, the arms being movable horizontally on the beam by a worm gear apparatus. The support arms each carry a hook that reaches downward for grasping of axially extending stubs at the outer ends of core plugs. Each arm has a pneumatically actuated rod with a clamping block on its lower end. The blocks are projectable downward to engage the stubs and secure the core plugs in position on the hooks. Vertical movement of the plugs is provided by a hoist which raises and lowers the beam. With the plugs in place at each end, the paper roll is lifted onto a supporting cradle in position for insertion of spindles of a mill stand. This supports the roll as the paper is being unwound.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a flashlight on a handgun has a first bracket for attachment to the grip of the handgun, the bracket being contoured to the surface of the handgun grip and engageable with the grip by friction. The bracket which engages the grip, extends partially around the grip, and is further urged against the grip by means of an elastic band. The first bracket is connected to a second bracket which holds a flashlight in desired alignment for coinciding with the barrel of the gun. The second bracket is located away from the grasping surface except for an upper region that is welded flush to the first bracket so as to not interfere with normal gripping of the gun. This attachment system avoids problems associated with fitting of prior attachments into holsters for handguns and provides a simple, readily attached and removed lighting device.

Abstract: A 110-volt wiring connector wherein sets of wire connectors are positioned on each of four sides, each set of the sets of 1-4 having three in-line electrodes as connectors, corner electrodes are interconnected, and the center electrodes are bridged as between the first set and second set and as between the first set and fourth set.

Abstract: A double-needle chuck assembly for a sewing machine is provided with a knife that is moveable from a position on one side of the needles to a position on the other side. This enables a closed slit, as might be required for a pocket of a garment, to be produced with stitching on both sides and at the ends thereof without reversing the direction of movement of the fabric or using a separate step in a production line. The knife is mounted on a rod which engages a slot extending between the needles, with the rod being securable in either of the two positions by a detent mechanism. Movement of the rod to change positions of the knife may be performed manually or by a pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: An adjustable length leg and foot assembly is incorporated in a lifting/leveling leg for a fifth-wheel trailer. The foot is connected to the lower end of a threaded shaft, which in turn is received at its upper end by a nut welded to a U-shaped bracket on the leg. This enables the foot to be raised and lowered in infinite increments and avoids any need for insertion of boards or shims in making final leveling adjustments.

Abstract: Perforated plates for use as filter media and devices for fluid injection and extrusion have a multiplicity of holes of a uniform size and a selected diameter as small as 0.5 micron. The plates are made by a "wire drawing" process wherein a sacrificial wire material in a plate metal can is repeatedly extruded and restacked, elongating the wire and reducing its diameter. Plates are then cut from the extruded composite, and the wire metal is removed by selective etching. By use of this process, perforated plates with several features unavailable previously are obtained. In particular, the plates have much smaller holes, higher porosity, and uniform size and shape, along with any desired thickness and a high length-to-diameter ratio. Such plates are ideally suited for use as a medium for various types of filters where removal of contaminants sized in the lower micron range is desired. Size and distribution of the holes in the plate are precisely controllable, enabling separations of materials of specific sizes.

Abstract: A cabling arrangement is disclosed for transmitting analog VGA video signals via a cable having insulated conductors and without the use of micro coaxial conductors. In this cable, the red, green, and blue video signals are applied to a first set of conductors grouped against one side of the cable. The horizontal and vertical sync signals are applied to a second set of conductors grouped along an opposite side of the cable. Interposed between the first and second sets of conductors is a plurality of conductors carrying stable potentials, such as ground potentials and identification bit potentials. The separation effected by the interposed conductors, and the interposed conductors themselves, provides effective shielding and isolation of the first and second sets of conductors.

Abstract: A ballast regulator machine for dressing the ballast of a railroad bed during movement of the machine along tracks on the railroad bed has a frame for supporting various assemblies for distributing the ballast across the bed and ballast removal apparatus for removing ballast from between the rails to the outside of the rail which comprises a rotary broom assembly including a rotary broom for sweeping the ballast from between the tracks. The broom assembly is disposed for propelling the ballast rearwardly during the sweeping operation. A ballast deflector assembly is pivotally mounted to the rotary broom assembly and disposed for deflecting said rearwardly propelled ballast to the outside of the tracks. The deflector assembly is provided a baffle for deflecting the ballast in a direction which is substantially normal to the center line of the ballast machine.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein binary communications signals are received, and sequences of values of like types of these, such as positive ones, positive zeroes, negative ones, and negative zeroes, are observed. Responsive to a sequence of like-type signals, a reference potential is driven generally in the direction of value of these signals, and most responsively in the direction of the greatest signal degradation. A reference potential for each type is then stored, and the one of these having the most degraded amplitude is selected, and an indication of the percentile of its degradation is provided.

Abstract: An automatic signal switching system is provided having a plurality of communications links, each link having at one end a plurality of conductors terminating in a plug configured to be uniquely couplable to a particular source of computer video and related signals. The opposite end of each link is provided with a connector having terminals coupled to respective conductors in a standardized arrangement. This connector is coupled to sensing circuitry for sensing the particular type of computer signals, with the computer signals being provided as an output appropriately configured for that particular type of computer signal. The particular types of signals are applied to analog and digital buffers, which are selectively enabled to pass the computer video signals.

Abstract: A ballast machine for plowing ballast from the outer ends of rail supporting cross ties of a railroad bed. A ballast tie plow assembly is mounted to the frame of the ballast machine for vertical movement thereon. The tie plow assembly includes ballast engaging blades which are disposed for biased, pivotal movement responsive to engagement of the blades with an obstruction on the railroad bed or cross ties. Means are provided for vertical positioning of the tie plow assembly.

Abstract: A cargo handling and restraining system for loading, unloading, and transporting cargo containers in a carrier vehicle. The carrier is provided with a supporting floor (bed) having a plurality of tracks disposed thereon. The tracks include a channel disposed between a pair of spaced, horizontally extending members, and each container is provided with members which "ride" in the channel of the tracks to move the containers along the track. A hook assembly is provided at opposite ends and on the bottom of the containers for engaged relation with a retaining mechanism which positively locks adjacent containers together and to the track. A locking member is provided for rigidly securing the last loaded container (toward the rear of the bed) to the track. A cargo loader mechanism is provided to load and unload the cargo onto and off of the bed, and a cargo cart is provided to transport the cargo from or to a storage bin.

Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.

Abstract: An ocular disease detection device is constructed having a defocusing mechanism that causes eyes of a subject to be defocused. This is primarily accomplished by providing a beamsplitter at a first focal distance from the eyes and projecting an image at a second focal distance to the beamsplitter and then to the eyes. This presents an image having two focal lengths therein to the subject, which defocuses the eyes. A beam generator and camera are mounted so that their respective axes are closely proximate each other and serve to illuminate and receive images of the defocused eyes via the beamsplitter, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for demonstrating autorotation in conjunction with superconductivity. First and second discs constructed of superconductive materials are stacked one on top of the other in an insulated container. A disc-shaped permanant magnet is positioned generally in the center of the upper superconductive disc. Liquid nitrogen is poured into the container, and after the temperature of the discs is lowered to a temperature at which they become superconductive, the magnet is levitated by the Meissner effect and begins to rotate due to the stacked configuration of the superconductive discs.

Abstract: A process kit for use in an image-forming apparatus. The process kit includes a development device, a corona discharger, and a cleaning device disposed in spaced relation around the periphery of a photosensitive drum. Each of the above-mentioned components, including the drum, are releasably mounted in a primary housing which is disposed for insertion into the image-forming apparatus. A bracket is disposed at the opposite ends of the development device, corona discharger, cleaning device, and photosensitive drum to releasably secure these components in the primary housing in a manner which provides access for refurbishment or replacement.

Abstract: An area lighting fixture is constructed having a tubular pole member having a reflective interior surface and a light source mounted inside the pole and at a lower end thereof. A reflective, concave member is positioned below the light source and generally collimates light from the light source upward through the pole. An access opening covered by an access panel permits convenient access to the light source in the instance where the source fails. At the upper end of the pole, a light dispersing cap having a generally convex reflector receives the light from the source and disperses it around the pole.

Abstract: A bath water control system in which the bath water is selectively supplied a bath or shower outlets, and the water supply is as to both temperature and period of supply. These parameters may be prestored in a memory along with discrete start times whereby a programmed bath will be automatically available at a discrete time or times in the future. As a means of ensuring that water is not accumulated in the tub prior to water temperature rising to a selected value, the tub drain is closed only after input bath water reaches a selected temperature. Further, means are provided for turning off water in the event that water in excess of a selected value appears. Still further, the temperature of water is indicated both digitally and aurally.