Abstract: A biological filter system has a bed of buoyant granules a portion of which xtends above the surface of the fluid. The bed is disposed above the effluent outlet. Distubutor and receiving means are provided by which the filter can be backwashed.

Abstract: A collapsible restraint is provided for attachment to the end of a flexible easuring tape in order to allow the thickness of a material, such as an ice layer covering a lake or other body of water, to be measured through a hole in the material. The collapsible restraint includes first and second pivotally connected blades which are maintained in a fully extended position by a locking arrangement to allow the blades to engage the bottom opening of the hole. The locking arrangement can be disabled by an upward pull on the flexible measuring tape in order to cause the blades to pivot to a collapsed position, thereby permitting the restraint to be withdrawn from the hole.

Abstract: Weld arc voltage, weld arc current and weld arc travel speed are monitored n a real-time basis during the welding process. Each monitored quantity or parameter is compared directly with a reference value indicative of a high quality weld, and an alarm is activated when a preselected variation in the measured and the reference quantities occurs. The monitored quantities are also used to calculate additional welding parameters, including heat input, weld bead area and cooling rate. These parameters are also compared to ideal reference values in order to control weld quality.The sensors used for measuring the welding parameters are selected so as to provide minimal interference with the welding process. For example, Hall effect transductors are used for current measurements, while a unique opto-electronic noncontacting sensor is used for measuring the weld speed.

Abstract: A constriction in a pipeline forces a portion of the pipeline flow to follow a bypass channel wherein it drives a turbine or Pelton wheel before being returned to an output beyond the constriction. In one embodiment, a pump provides a high velocity flow along a second bypass path which is applied through one or more nozzles to accelerate the fluid in the main bypass path.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of pattern recognition and of providing pattern recognition data, which possesses the advantages of optical power spectral analysis and digital image processing. An optical read-only memory means such as a photographic transparency is sampled at a plurality of sampling locations with a beam of coherent light. After passage through the transparency, the beam is directed either to a first channel including a transform lens and a wedge-ring detector or to a second channel including an imaging lens and a photodetector array. The improved pattern recognition data is the spatial frequency data provided by the wedge-ring detector and the spatial intensity data provided by the array detector. Hierarchal pattern recognition decisions are made using the two types of data during processing operations to provide improved pattern recognition results.

Abstract: A prefabricated vehicle maintenance apparatus is disclosed, including a housing having bottom, side and end walls, which housing is adapted for insertion within a pit formed in the ground. A horizontal platform is arranged in the housing for supporting a mechanic beneath a vehicle arranged in straddling relation above the pit, the platform normally having effective width and length dimensions corresponding generally with the spacing distances between the housing side and end walls, respectively. The vehicle maintenance apparatus further includes a platform lifting device for vertically displacing the horizontal platform between upper and lower levels relative to the housing bottom wall, at least one of the effective width and length dimensions of the horizontal platform being variable to define an opening affording access to the portion of the housing bottom wall arranged beneath the platform.

Abstract: A liquid sampler, and particularly, a liquid sampler for sampling liquid taining frazil ice, employs a sampling tube open at both top and bottom which can be thrust into the liquid to be sampled and a membrane-type cylindrical valve which is closed by pulling a single string which is looped about the cylindrical membrane. A cutting shoe at the lower end of the sampling tube permits cutting through ice for obtaining the sample.

Abstract: A device for measuring microphone sensitivity and droop by subjecting the microphone to a negative step function input and recording the microphone electrical response thereto. The microphone is surrounded by an inflated thin, flexible, expandable membrane. The membrane is ruptured resulting in an instantaneous reduction in air pressure on the microphone. It is this instantaneous reduction in air pressure that constitutes the negative step function input to the microphone.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for measuring the adhesive bond strength etween two materials. A short, cylindrical specimen (28) having a test surface of one material is attached to a rigid base (12) on which a slide (16) is mounted on preloaded rollers (22) for movement along a pair of tracks (14) provided on the base. Above the specimen, a rigid mold block (36) is supported on an axially extending arm (24) formed integrally with the slide (16). The peripheries (32, 38) of the specimen and the mold block are essentially aligned so that seal ring (50) may be moved into engagement with a narrow gap formed between the specimen and the mold block. The second material, whose adhesive bond to the first material is to be determined, is introduced into the volume defined between the mold block and the specimen and caused or allowed to solidify there.

Abstract: An improved waterless toilet for aerobic biological transformation of organic waste material is disclosed. The toilet is located at a position remote from a compartment wherein waste material is aerobically transformed. The toilet is connected to the compartment by a conduit. Organic waste is deposited into the toilet and a subsequently applied vacuum aids in the transporting of the waste material through the conduit to the compartment. Prior to depositing organic waste material into the toilet, a cup-shaped paper wrapping means is inserted into the toilet. Thereafter the vacuum is applied to the paper wrapping means and waste material to cause the paper wrapping to close around the waste material as it enters the conduit. Utilizing paper wrapping means, the toilet is protected from soiling by the organic waste material when it is deposited in the toilet.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for treatment of sewage is disclosed in which the overflow fluid sewage from a septic tank is directed into at least one enclosed evaporation tank having at least one upwardly extending vapor stack. A conduit may be provided for introducing a flow of air into the evaporation tank thereby facilitating evaporation of the fluid sewage. Return flow of condensate from the vapor stack into the evaporation tank is prevented by a baffle member and drain conduit operatively associated with the vapor stack.

Abstract: A material tester of minimal thickness is provided. A thin metal plate has in one surface an annular groove, and within the groove the plate thickness is reduced, to an amount less than the groove depth. A flexible diaphragm extends over the central part of the plate and over the groove, and is clamped to the plate by an annular ring overlying the groove. Passages extend in the plate from an edge to a chamber defined by the diaphragm and the central portion of the plate. A supporting structure including a handle is attached to the plate, and conduits extend between passages in the handle and the passages in the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic measurement of gas flow rate and gas volume from a test cell. By this method, low rates of gas production may be measured, and means are provided to limit flow rates to maximum and minimum values measurable in a mass flowmeter. Further, data logging and computational means are shown which are used for correction and manipulation of mass flow rate data obtained.

Abstract: A method of reducing adhesion of ice to a surface by coating it with a bl copolymer of polycarbonate and dialkylsiloxane containing a silicone oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a uniform grade of the surface being excavated or leveled by a waterborne dredge. The apparatus includes a shore mounted laser that projects a horizontal beam which is utilized to establish a reference plane, a dredge mounted photo receiver responsive to the beam from said shore mounted laser, a hydraulic system for repositioning the dredge cutter in response to changes of position of the dredge relative to the reference plane established by the laser beam. The hydraulic system includes a specifically designed pulley arrangement which raises and lowers the dredge ladder to maintain the cutter at a constant elevation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for converting the potential energy stored in an upper reservoir of water into electrical energy, whereby, during periods of high energy demand, water is introduced from the upper reservoir into an underground salt dome by way of an underground shaft which connects the upper reservoir with the underground salt dome. Hydroelectric generators which are located along the shaft convert the kinetic energy of the falling water into electrical energy to meet periodic high energy demands. The water empties into the underground salt dome and dissolves a cavity in the same to produce a large underground reservoir. During periods of electrical energy surplus, electric pumps are utilized to pump the water back to the surface so that the process may be repeated.

Abstract: A concrete rail bed is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced rail-supporting pedestals with a connector between them, and each having a rail-receiving slot. The bed may be either precast or cast in place and may be reinforced as required. A rail has a head, a stem extending downwardly from the head, and flanges extending outwardly from the bottom region of the head. The rail is configured such that the stem fits into the slot of the concrete bed, with an elastomeric material inserted between the stem and the walls to substantially fill the slot.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle is disclosed including at least one outrigger pontoon member connected with the vehicle body for pivotal movement about a horizontal longitudinal pivot axis between retracted and laterally extended positions relative to the vehicle body. The pivot axis is adjacent the bottom portion of the vehicle body, seal means being provided for sealing the space between the vehicle body and the pontoon member.

Abstract: An ocean bottom surveying system comprising a recording mechanism mounted on the ocean floor. A stadia moved about the recording mechanism is connected thereto. Thus, by moving the stadia to various locations in the vicinity of the recording mechanism, a series of values indicating train and elevation relationships are obtained by the recording mechanism. The recorded data is later fed to a read-out system which plots a record showing bottom elevations at various points about the ocean bottom.

Abstract: A self-multiplexing antenna comprising an array of radiating elements for diating a plurality of orthogonal beams in response to wave energy excitations applied thereto. A plurality of first transmission lines are connected between respective radiating elements and respective resistive terminations. A plurality of second transmission lines are connected between respective input ports and respective resistive terminations. A plurality of directional couplers couple wave energy from each input port to each radiating element in the array via the first and second transmission lines whereby wave energy from each input port generates a separate orthogonal beam from the array of radiating elements.