Abstract: A self-contained electrical generating device for placement in a naturally flowing stream. The generating device converts the kinetic energy generated by fluid flow or gravity contained within the flowing stream whether river or ocean current into useful electric energy using blade configuration and placement to maximize the usable energy. The present invention also using auxiliary means to increase the rate of flow of the fluid by the blades of the generator thus increasing the energy capable of conversion. The rotor and the stator are located radially outwardly from the rotating hub of the generating system and are supported by spoke like legs thus greatly reducing any resistance to water flow, minimizing the disturbance to the flowing stream and maximizing the relative linear velocity between the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: Compact, portable, light, easily assembled, dynamic, exercise equipment having a middle bar to which the first of ends of plural flexible springs are hooked and a footholder to which the other ends of such springs are connected; handle bars are separately and interchangeably attachable to the ends of the middle bar. The flexible springs are connected at one end totally within the length of the middle bar. The above mentioned springs form the only connection between the middle bar and the footholder.

Abstract: The accelerator includes a source of an ensemble or bunch of ions and a plurality of relatavistic electron beam stages, each of which generate a high current electron beam which in turn are injected along the accelerator centerline in a timed sequence to accelerate the ion bunch to increasingly high kinetic energy levels. In each relatavistic electron beam stage, a region of high electric charge is created by the discharge of a high current, short duration pulse between a cathode and anode. The electron beam created by the discharge stops a short distance beyond the anode, due to the buildup of its electric charge, thereby creating a region of high charge which accelerates the ion bunch. Each successive relatavistic electron beam stage is timed to fire when the ion bunch arrives at the region of high charge of that stage, and in operation, increases the kinetic energy of the ion bunch by a factor equal to or greater than the kinetic energy of the electron beam.

Abstract: The geometric pattern for the support framework is obtained by projecting a subdivided icosahedron onto a parabolic surface. The resulting framework has forty primary planar triangular faces or sections, each of which are, in the embodiment shown, subdivided equally into 4 secondary planar triangular sections. At the dead center of the framework pattern is the outline of a pentagon, formed of five equal-size triangular sections. The framework terminates in a rim which lies completely in a single plane. Triangular reflecting members, which comprise the reflecting surface portion of the apparatus, are supported interiorly of the framework by standoff elements. Intermediate along each edge of the reflecting members is a tensioning element which bends the reflecting member so that the intermediate edge points, as well as the vertices of each reflecting member, lie on the surface of an imaginary paraboloid, the reflecting members thus approximating a parabolic curve.

Abstract: The waveguide is constructed with a specially designed laminate which comprises multiple plies of a graphite-epoxy composite. Thermal compensation is achieved by orienting the graphite fibers in the various plies in selected directions. Graphite fiber has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion while epoxy has a positive coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one ply in the laminate has longitudinally oriented graphite fibers while a second ply has transversely oriented fibers. Third and fourth plies, intermediate of the first and second plies, have graphite fibers which are oriented at selected angles relative to the longitudinal and transverse plies. The angles of orientation of the graphite fibers in the intermediate plies are selected by use of an equation and a set of curves relating the temperature characteristics of the laminate to fiber angle, once the width of the waveguide and the free-space wavelength of the signal propagated in the waveguide are known.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle having both steerable front wheels and driven steerable rear wheels. The front wheel suspension is such that a greater degree of turn is possible. The orientation of the rear wheels relative to the line of travel of the vehicle may be controlled by the operator or alternatively may be automatically oriented to properly track the front wheels. A zero center spool valve is mounted such that proper tracking is assured, an additional change in the front wheel angularity results in the appropriate and necessary change in their rear wheel angularity. The valve body is mounted to change its position in response to orientation of the rear wheels and the spool position is directly related to the orientation of the rear wheels such that appropriate relative positioning of the front wheels centers the spool terminating fluid flow to front wheel orientation controlling cylinders.

Abstract: Closed water and steam conditioning system for peeler logs in which steam from the boiler house is supplied to an evaporator and clean condensate returned to the boiler. Steam from the evaporator is directed to conditioning tunnels for the peeler logs. Dirty condensate from the conditioning tunnels is delivered to a sump area in which the dirty condensate is screened and at least part of which is directed to shower heads in the conditioning tunnels. The remaining dirty condensate is then directed to the evaporator where steam is generated therefrom. Caustic soda is added to the acidic dirty condensate to maintain a basic pH.

Abstract: An electrically conductive, anti-reflective coating is formed on a base layer of prepared silicon in such a manner as to form a good ohmic contact therewith. If doped, the coating can serve as an impurity source during a following diffusion step, in which a PN junction is formed in the silicon. Undoped coatings may be used when the PN junction has previously been formed in the silicon. Thick film electrical contacts are then formed by screen printing on the top surface of the anti-reflective coating and then fired at high temperature, i.e. 500.degree.-1000.degree. C. The material comprising the coating is such that it acts as a barrier to the diffusion of the metal forming the electrical contacts into the silicon base layer during the firing of the thick film contacts. Since the coating is electrically conductive, a conductive path between the contacts and the silicon is established.

Abstract: The bearing is configured to retain oil by capillary action. In one embodiment, a lubricant recess is provided at each end of the bearing, which recess may be completely open to the atmosphere, provided that there is an abrupt edge joining the recess to the end of the bearing, and further provided that the recess is large enough (1) to accommodate the lubricant in the bearing and (2) to permit skewing of the bearing shaft without resulting contact between the bearing shaft and the wall of the recess. An additional recess, referred to as a pressure distribution groove, may also be provided in the bearing inward of the end recess. Alternatively, a reservoir groove capable of accommodating the bearing lubricant may be provided at each end of a bearing having no open recess, which reservoir groove is separated from the bearing end by a narrow baffle. A pressure distribution groove may also be provided in combination with the reservoir groove.

Abstract: Two fiberoptic cables are connected to a transparent hemiellipsoidal optical element at the foci thereof, at the back surface portion of the element. The fiberoptic cables are arranged so that their central axes, if continued into the element, would intersect approximately at the point of tangency on the curved front surface portion of the element with an imaginary plane parallel to the back surface portion. The geometry of the optical element is such that light entering the optical element through one fiberoptic cable is (1) substantially completely internally reflected in the optical element and exits through the other fiberoptic cable when the optical element is submerged in a first medium, and (2) substantially completely transmitted through the optical element into the surrounding medium when the element is in a second medium having a different index of refraction than the first medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely transporting a roll of paper or the like and including the capability of lifting it to a stand or removing it therefrom. The apparatus includes roll supporting ramps and a pair of powered, articulated arms and is supported by air bearings. The device includes safety controls whereby the roll cannot be lifted to or from the pair of roll supporting ramps unless the roll is located at approximately the center of gravity and then the roll is moved along a line substantially vertically above the center of gravity.

Abstract: A level unobstructed grass sports and recreation surface wherein the grass is deeply rooted in a layer of sand overlying a layer of gravel and preferably nurtured from below to provide a controlled growing environment exhibiting vigorous growth. The sand has more positive vertical liquid flow characteristics whereas the gravel has better horizontal liquid flow characteristics and the appropriate gradation selection of both determines the high drainage ability and uniform fertilizer/irrigation distribution throughout the system. The grass surface is defined by a water tight membrane extending from the perimeter, adjacent the surface and completely underlying the gravel layer. Control means are provided to detect the liquid level contained within the membrane and add or remove liquid to maintain the appropriate level. The buried conduit system is used for the controlled addition of water/fertilizer and excess drainage removal.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pyrolytic reactor in which an initial charge of charcoal is located. An inlet is provided for introduction of the organic material and an exit is provided for the resulting gases and ash products. The reactor is arranged to permit a continuous flow of organic material volatiles, and char through the reactor, resulting in continual replenishment of organic material in the pyrolizing portion of the reactor, and replenishment of the charcoal bed portion by the char produced from the pyrolysis reaction. The reactor vessel is heated to the correct temperatures by means such as electric heating coils or hot air/flame jackets.

Abstract: The oscillator includes a high gain differential amplifier, the output of which alternately drives two sets of transistors which together provide the oscillator output signal. A first set of transistors operates during one-half cycle of the output while the other set is operating during the other half-cycle. A DC feedback path provides degenerative DC feedback to minimize the DC component of the output signal, while an AC feedback path, which includes a filter network which passes the circuit operating frequency at a 180.degree. phase shift relative to the phase of the output signal, provides regenerative AC feedback to maintain circuit oscillation.

Abstract: A very reliable, trouble-free, safety shut-off is provided by a poppit valve arranged so that it can be included in series in a flow line. The head of the poppit is mounted upstream from the seat. It is biased open so that fluid can flow through the line at any rate from zero up to some maximum flow velocity. Flow through the valve is arranged so that it impinges upon the valve head, or something fixed to the valve head, whereby kinetic energy is lost at the head. That kinetic energy is used to move the valve head toward the seat until the spacing between them becomes so small that flow velocity is restricted. At that time, velocity through the valve is increased to the point where a large pressure drop appears across the valve and the static head of the fluid is used to force the valve closed and to maintain it closed. A dash pot develops viscous friction which is used both to damp any tendency of the head to oscillate and to prevent valve operation in response to short term transients or perturbations.

Abstract: A conventional single spindle automatic screw machine, which includes a number of conventional operating machine mechanisms to perform the machine functions, is retrofitted with air cylinder/air solenoid combinations actuatable by electrical signals to control the operational sequence of the machine mechanisms, replacing the existing mechanical system of trip drums and trip dogs which perform that function. Also, the driving means which control the movement of the turret and the cross slides, and hence, the machine tool, relative to the work piece, is disconnected from the machine motor and made independently controllable by the addition of servo or stepping motors which are actuatable by external electrical signals. The electrical signals for control of the added motors and the air cylinder/air solenoid combinations are provided by a numerical control apparatus.

Abstract: Method and means, including a trim saw structure, for assembling finger jointing lumber by an impression finger joining process wherein the ends of two pieces of lumber are placed in spaced apart position and held securely by clamps. A movable section of the machine trims and shapes the ends of the lumber into fingers which are then engaged by a hot die for further impression forming and heating of the fingers. The die moves out of position and a movable applicator applies glue to the outer half of the matching ends of the lumber. The ends are then pressed together and the joined pieces of lumber are advanced away from the work station. The process is a continuous such that incoming random lengths of lumber are joined to form a continuous outgoing length of lumber for cutting into desired lengths. One or more lines of lumber may be advanced through the finger jointing work station during a machine cycle.

Abstract: A threadless coupling for rapid connection to a valve or fitting and to pipes or tubing for fluid distribution systems such as for gas or water. The coupling comprises an outer housing having an internal arrangement of O-rings and unique spacers, lock rings and other members for gripping tubing when inserted and, once inserted, the tubing is firmly gripped to provide a substantial amount of tensile resistant loading thereon.