Abstract: A seal for rotary pumps, engines, and the like, comprises roller means with variable effective length held in a variable-length supportive body or holder; extension cams maintain longitudinal tolerance of the roller means despite mechanical wear, machining imperfections and thermal expansion and contraction; wedge means maintain longitudinal tolerance of the holder. The seal is effective both at apex and corner areas of the rotary apparatus.

Abstract: A guidance system for positioning a welding apparatus with respect to a seam or joint to be welded by sensing changes in the surface of the seam. The torch of the apparatus is mounted upon and positioned by a motor-driven cross-slide providing both horizontal and vertical movement.A probe is adapted to follow the reference surfaces. Two variable resistors within the probe detect horizontal and vertical deviations of these surfaces. A voltage on each variable resistor is used to generate pulses which are applied to a SCR network through which power is supplied to the corresponding slide positioning motor. The voltage supplied to the motor corresponds in magnitude and polarity to the deviation in the direction of the path being followed by the probe and welding apparatus.The invention also includes a circuit for disabling the motors when the respective cross-slides reach the limits of their travel.

Abstract: A structure for providing a high pressure, fluidtight juncture between a tube or tubing and a fitting or body member in which a bore is provided in the fitting. The bore has a non-circular interior wall adjacent its opening and a threaded wall of lesser diameter interiorly of said non-circular portion. The tube has threads at or near one end which engage the threads of the bore. In addition, the tube is upset or displaced axially with the said end held against movement to flow the tubing into fluidtight sealing engagement with the threads, the non-circular portion of the bore and the transverse or lateral wall portion of the bore wall intermediate said threaded and non-circular portion, and with the exterior surface of the fitting at the bore opening.

Abstract: A guidance system for seeking, following, and maintaining the position of a welding apparatus with respect to a seam or joint to be welded by sensing changes in the surfaces, hereinafter called reference surfaces, at or adjacent to the seam. The system includes a probe adapted to detect and follow the reference surface(s) and to detect changes and deviations in the vertical and/or horizontal components of these surfaces, respectively. The torch of the welding apparatus is mounted upon and positioned by a motor-driven cross-slide providing both horizontal and vertical movement. The probe is mounted on the torch or on its own slide, which may be either on the torch or separate therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a welding torch, slave mechanism or the like, including a probe or guide wherein the torch follows or traces the path of the probe, both as the probe (1) follows a basic straight, curved, or otherwise changing spatial or three dimensional path and (2) as it departs from the direction of the basic path or seam because of defects of rather short duration, or of sudden changes in lateral and/or vertical abutments or surfaces against which the probe travels, wherein the path of the welding torch or slave mechanism is caused to trace the path traveled by the probe or guide, and not merely to duplicate the path in a stepwise functional relationship therewith.

Abstract: A reservoir for the final treatment of sewage is provided with a fluid diverter, which is interconnected with and actuated by a float on the surface of the liquid collected in the reservoir. A submersible pump within the liquid recirculates liquid by spraying it through a foraminous header disposed above the liquid level. When the liquid level in the reservoir falls below a predetermined liquid level, the diverter permits the sprayed fluid to be returned to the reservoir. When the liquid level rises above the predetermined liquid level, the diverter diverts at least a portion of the fluid into the outlet pipe and continues to do so until the predetermined liquid level is restored.

Abstract: A propelled tractor, for welding or cutting apparatus and the like.The tractor has drive and steering wheels and is adapted to support necessary welding or cutting equipment including a guidance system. The guidance system includes a probe mounted on a slide and adapted to follow a seam, template work path or the like and to respond to denotions therein in proportion to the amount of the deviation. The drive and steering wheels are driven by separate motors. The drive motor is adjustable to a predetermined speed so that a wide range of welding or cutting rates are provided and means is provided to selectively disconnect the drive train so that the tractor may be free wheeled. The steering motor is controlled in response to the probe and steers the tractor to return the probe to a predetermined null position, the turning rate being proportional to the magnitude of the deviation sensed by the probe.

Abstract: A building structure which utilizes logs or timbers of readily available dimensions. A plurality of timbers are horizontally disposed in parallel, vertically spaced relationship to form wall sections. Intermediate each pair of adjacent horizontal timbers there is a pair of convex panels of flexible synthetic resinous material, symmetrically disposed about the vertical axis. Upper and lower edges of each panel are inserted into oblique panel-receiving slots provided in the upper and lower surfaces of each horizontal timber. The panels are preferably inserted after assembly of the timbers and support no direct load. Insulating material is placed between each pair of panels. The panels may be inserted during or after assembly of overlapping end surfaces of timbers of end-adjacent vertical walls. If desired, insulating material may be inserted in the confined zone between panels and successive logs.

Abstract: Means to control the speed of correction of a probe, and a slave such as a torch or welding head, for a welding guidance system, and the like, wherein the response of the probe controls or actuates a device, which is responsive to a predetermined electrical condition, characteristic or information, to continuously vary the magnitude of the output of the device in proportion to the change or deviation detected by the probe to actuate at least one motor to correct or change the position of the probe and the slave.

Abstract: A simple, rugged and inexpensive apparatus is provided by which the moisture content of any grain crop, various types of forage crops such as hay and straw, and the like, may be determined. The apparatus is portable, requires very little maintenance, and is as accurate as it is reliable. A crop sample of harvested material is placed in a confined zone through which warm air at a predetermined temperature is blown for a preselected period of time. The weight loss in moisture is observed and directly correlated to the remaining moisture content in the material.