Abstract: A sparger for efficient liberation of air when submerged in a body of liquid comprises a pressure-opened closure biased upwardly to constrict the discharge of air under a rigid annular seat member. Air is thus discharged at an exactly predetermined and constant level. When air is supplied to the interior of the sparger at the lowest volume of flow likely to be desired, it overcomes the bias of the closure and opens the closure, equalizing means ensuring uniform distribution. With different forms, the uniform distribution may be at all points around the periphery of the seat, at selected points, only, or at selected points when the air flow is low, and all around the periphery at high volume. The bias toward closed position may be supplied by the resiliency of the valve, or by buoyancy action, or both. A predetermined back pressure substantially constant through all flow rates can be provided by using buoyancy alone. The equalizing means may be a parallel-movement mounting or movement limiting means.

Abstract: Lightning protection is provided by an electronic valve molded mainly of silicon carbide powder. The manufacturing cost and high reject rate of previous ceramic bonding is greatly reduced by bonding with epoxy resin, the mixture being pressure molded. The surface-tracking characteristic of epoxy resin is rendered harmless by covering the periphery of the molded piece with insulation and by inclusion of alumina powder in the mix. The insulating sleeve is extended to provide a hood preventing harmful migration of an ionized arcing path.

Abstract: For detecting changes of level of a moving surface, a sharply defined light pattern is directed on to the surface and an image of the pattern is formed on a multiple photodiode strip so that a predetermined point of reference of the image is variably located on the strip depending on variation in level of the surface, the photodiode strip is repetitively scanned to create a voltage waveform repetitively defining the variable position of the point of reference on the image in relation to the fixed position of a point of reference on the photodiode strip, and the waveform is analysed to determine the variations in level of the moving surface.

Abstract: A reusable writing board of "slate board" is both improved and of lower cost, avoiding use of the usual separate black-cardboard piece stapled to a backing. In a single printing operation, which is needed for face-printing anyway, the "slate" or background surface is provided on the same piece of paperboard. After further machine steps, a final operation of gluing and folding produces the finished slate board with a decoratively-printed head panel glued to extend down protectively over the top edge of the plastic work sheet covering the printed background. If desired, educational or informative discs can be rotatably secured under the head fold. Also, if desired, an air pocket can be formed under the head fold such that after writing by impressions through the work sheet, a sudden slap on the cover of the air pocket will raise the work sheet pneumatically to erase the writing.

Abstract: A bearing housing for a heavy rotor is made axially-nonsymmetrical so that the bearing chamber therein is shifted axially of the rotor shaft upon reversing the bearing housing. With a new rotor, the nonsymmetry positions the bearing chamber axially outwardly from the housing center. When necessary, the rotor shaft, by virtue of having successively increased diameters inwardly from its end, can be reworked by turning new surfaces thereon positioned axially inwardly from the original surfaces. The bearing housing is then reversed so that its nonsymmetry locates the bearing chamber inwardly from the housing center, to accommodate the new positions of the shaft surfaces.

Abstract: A fixed utility cabinet houses various utility conduits, e.g., electricity, gas, water, etc. The upper part of the front of this utility cabinet is a solid panel while the lower part has openings closed by access doors. Immediately to the front of the utility cabinet is a table top secured to vertically telescopic supports. The supports rest on feet extending under the table top. The table top can be moved up and down substantially within the range defined by the solid front of the utility cabinet. Various forms of storage cabinets can be hung below the table top and spaced above the floor, with these storage cabinets moving vertically in unison with the table top. A wheeled cart having a hydraulic lift is used to facilitate securing the cabinets below the table top and for raising and lowering the table top.

Abstract: To determine standardized values of noise levels of machines a sound recording and reproducing instrument is employed to record the sound emission from a sound source of the type to be investigated. The recording and reproducing instrument is used as a reference source to obtain measured values of sound level on a standard and on a freely selected measuring place under standard conditions. The difference of the two values is applied to the value of sound level measured for the machine to be investigated on the selected measuring place under said standard conditions to yield standardized values of sound level.

Abstract: The downcomer through which air is supplied to a header for liberation of air deep in an aeration tank is of straight-line nature to minimize constant waste of power due to air flow friction. The downcomer nevertheless folds when the header is to be raised for inspection or servicing. The folding axis is external of the downcomer, which breaks open as the folding action starts. In one form the header is straight while initially raised, hanging from a first hoist cable, and then as the lower section is raised further by a second cable the upper section is allowed to fold over. In another form, the folding progresses as the structure is raised, the upper section being hinged to the air supply fitting.

Abstract: In a surface-working machine, as for troweling fresh concrete, the operator rides on a frame which is carried by surface-working rotors, each having evenly spaced tools or trowels. The application of tilting forces to the working rotors to cause movement of the total machine forwardly or rearwardly or to either side, or turning, or any combination thereof, is controlled by the operator through a single control stick, with all movements of the control stick corresponding to the machine movement desired. If, in a troweling machine, there are only two rotors, their trowels intermesh to work overlapping circles, and no gap is left between the working circles when movement is perpendicular to a "biaxial" plane (common to both rotational axes). This gives maximum width of coverage, and the operator's seat faces in that direction of movement.

Abstract: For interrupting the transmission of vibration along a conduit, e.g., a pipeline or silencer shell, while structurally connecting the parts together, a vibration damping device is interposed in the conduit, the vibration barrier/structural connector comprising a series of spaced washer-shaped plates with vibration damping cushions sandwiched between adjoining plates, the plates being fastened together in couples alternately at their outer and inner peripheries to provide a multiple cantilever connector between the portions of the conduit to which the end plates of the connector are secured.

Abstract: The machine of this invention applies successive lengths of tape, such as tear-tape, to a continuously moving products, such as a web about to be die cut for forming boxes. The application of the tapes is registration-correlated with the product. Self-adhesive tape is drawn from a roll by a capstan roll which provides a controlled feed of the tape to an applicator wheel. The applicator wheel draws the tape around the applicator wheel, holding it by suction. When a predetermined length on the applicator wheel has passed a cut-off point, that length is cut off, and then the wheel presses its adhesive face against the moving web. The applicator wheel has the same peripheral speed as the web, but the capstan roll, though rotating with it, is substantially smaller and has a lower peripheral speed.

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed having an angled lifter blade with flat co-planar keepers on each side which is adapted to pass through or under a layer of asphalt or soil cement and cut a narrow trench without disruption or upheaval of the side edges of the trench. The cutting device is carried by a prime mover and is capable of making a clean cut or trench through asphalt layers of various thicknesses along straight or curved paths of travel. The side keepers may be vertically adjustable along a supporting shank in relation to the lifter blade and the length of the blade may be varied to adjust to differing thicknesses of the layer to be cut. The side keepers are spaced from each other by the sides of the lifter blade to define therewith a pair of cutting edges, one of which is at an angle to the horizontal or grade of the asphalt layer and the other of which is substantially flush with the top surface of the asphalt.

Abstract: In a thermoforming machine for forming products from plastic sheets or the like, two shuttles or sheet-carrying frames shuttle interchangeably between a feeding station and a forming and loading station, with the shuttle which carries the sagging heated sheet passing under the oppositely moving shuttle. At opposite ends of a transverse axis at the longitudinal center of each shuttle, pivotal connections are provided to vertically looped drive chains so that the shuttle can remain right-side up as it follows the looped path of its chains. Rails are provided which support the shuttles and maintain them horizontal as they move. At the forming and loading station, snorkels engage the shuttle stopped there to provide suitable air pressure and discharge connections for operating sheet clamps by double-acting cylinders. The snorkels thrust the shuttle rearwardly against a ratchet, for accurate stop-positioning between snug side-cams.

Abstract: On each of its sides, the fabric or mesh of a printing screen is clamped by clamping means which can be drawn outwardly to stretch the fabric. So that the stretching of the fabric in one direction will not be hampered by the clamping means for the other direction of stretch, the clamping means for each side includes floating clamp portions which may separate from one another longitudinally of a pull bar by which they are carried. The pull bars are drawn outwardly (with all of the clamps thereon) for stretching the fabric. The tendency toward troublesome distortion of the strands of the fabric, and the danger of tearing the fabric (even if of metal) are thus substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of couplings are described which comprise two main coupling members and two intermediate coupling members. The main coupling members are adapted to be mounted on shafts which are not necessarily in alignment. The intermediate coupling members are rotatable with respect to each other and each is connected by links to each of the main coupling members.

Abstract: A light beam passes through a physical pattern of opaque and transparent areas and is projected into space to an image plane. Upon an object appearing at the image plane the pattern is reflected back to the physical pattern as a second pattern image. The optical system is such that, in part, this second pattern image is a reversal of the pattern. The physical pattern is on a rotating drum to produce relative motion between the second pattern image and the pattern. Light from the second pattern image which passes through the pattern is received by a photoelectric cell to generate a signal. By having the pattern in the form of a spiral and the width of the pattern correspond to the width of the light beam at the point where it intersects the beam, various distances can be detected.

Abstract: A concave mirror and a rotating plane mirror image an object to be detected on a reticle and screen, which reticle modulates the image. A field lens and a light piping cone projects the modulated and filtered image on an infrared detector cell. Except for the two mirrors, all of the aforesaid system is cooled by a cryostat.

Abstract: The door frame includes an upper frame member, a pair of Z-configuration side frame members secured to the upper frame member, a lower frame member, and a pair of Z-configuration corner fittings interconnecting the lower the frame member with the side frame members. Each corner fitting comprises a first wall section having an intermediate wall portion and first and second end flange portions, and a second wall section joined to the first wall section and having an intermediate wall portion and a first end flange portion. The first end flange portions have secured therebetween the adjacent end of one of the side frame members, while the second end flange portion is secured to the adjacent end of the lower frame member.

Abstract: The achievement of conception and the sex of the resulting human baby depends upon, or is influenced by, the time of impregnation with respect to the time of ovulation. Predetermination of prospective ovulation time enhances success since impregnation should precede ovulation because sperm remains viable longer than the egg. On the basis of the discovery that vaginal fluid contains ATP not only in women but also in a class of mammals, e.g., cows, and that the concentration varies in repeated patterns in successive ovulation cycles, the time of ovulation is predicted by measurement of ATP concentration. This is done quantitatively and reliably by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of ATP with luciferase/luciferin. A suitable buffer effects protraction of light for accurate reading with a simple meter.

Abstract: An axial piston machine has a cylinder barrel mounted on a shaft and rotatable with respect to a portion of the casing. Between the cylinder block and the casing portion is a disc. The side of the disc adjacent the casing portion is concave and abutting casing portion is correspondingly convex. The disc is restrained against rotation and forms part of the valving means for the cylinder barrel. In one embodiment the casing and shaft are in two articulated sections. The shaft sections lie in a common plane and are pivotable with respect to each other about a point and the casing sections are pivotable about an axis normal to that plane and offset with respect to the shaft pivot point. In another embodiment the casing and shaft are each a single unit.