Abstract: An improved air-cooled vacuum steam condenser in a steam turbine cycle comprising a turbine for generating mechanical power, a boiler for generating steam, a conduit arrangement coupling the boiler to the turbine and then another conduit arrangement coupling the turbine exhaust back to the boiler through steam condensing mechanism. The steam condensing mechanisms include a plurality of finned tubes through which the expanded exhaust steam may flow counter to its condensate and be condensed; a plurality of front headers at the lower ends of the condensing tubes for conveying the exhaust steam from the turbine and receiving the condensate from the finned tubes; a plurality of rear headers at the upper ends of the condensing tubes for receiving the non-condensible gasses; and means in the rear headers to remove non-condensible gasses from the rear headers.

Abstract: An improved air-cooled vacuum steam condenser in a steam turbine cycle comprising a steam powered system comprising a turbine for converting steam energy into mechanical energy upon expansion of steam therein, a boiler for generating steam to be fed to the turbine, and a conduit arrangement coupling the boiler to the turbine and then recoupling the turbine exhaust to the boiler through steam condensing mechanisms, the condensing mechanisms include a plurality of finned tubes through which the expanded exhaust steam flows and is condensed; a plurality of bundle front headers at the input ends of the condensing tubes for receiving exhaust steam from the turbine; a plurality of bundle rear headers at the output ends of the condensing tubes for receiving condensate and non-condensible gasses; a plurality of vertically oriented water leg pipes, one for each bundle rear header of each bundle, coupling each rear header with a water leg manifold; a hydraulic balance device in the condensate drain system coupling the

Abstract: An improved gas-jet hot water heater system for the generation of high-temperature water at atmospheric pressure simultaneously with superheated water and/or steam. The heater system comprises a primary tank for the generation and storage of high-temperature water. The primary tank includes a combustion zone whereat the products of combustion of a gas-jet burner may heat the water passing therethrough and a storage zone located beneath the combustion zone for receipt and storage of the heated water. A supplemental sub-assembly includes a pressurized remote storage tank, a heat exchanger in the combustion zone for water to being superheated by the products of combustion of the gas-jet burner and conduit means coupling the heat exchanger with the storage tank. The heat exchanger will create and store superheated water in the lower extent of the storage tank and steam in its upper extent. In an alternate embodiment, the output of the heat exchanger may be fed remotely for direct use.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine comprising a pair of vertically disposed booms which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to opposing ends of a transverse extensible axle rigidly connected to the underside of a transport mechanism such as a conventional tractor. A pair of man supporting baskets are reciprocatably mounted to each boom. A trough is positioned at each basket allowing picked fruit to be conveyed via a conveying tube into a storage bin at the rear of the tractor. The fruit harvesting machine is particularly adapted for harvesting fruit from hedged rows of fruit trees and the like.

Abstract: A search apparatus and method for use in conjunction with an electro-optical sensor that does not require its own integral scanning mechanism for searching object space for potential targets. The apparatus of the invention comprises a plano mirror movable azimuthally a line perpendicular to and geometrically centered on the focal plane of the electro-optical imaging sensor and further movable about an elevational axis perpendicularly offset from the azimuthal axis of rotation and outside of the field of view of the electro-optical imaging system.The method of the invention comprises rotating the plano mirror about its azimuthal axis of rotation while inclining (or declining) the mirror about its elevational axis of rotation to produce a spiral, substantially full hemispherical search without any corresponding movement of the electro-optical imaging sensor.

Abstract: Plastic composite bottles fabricated of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The bottles comprise a container portion and a base portion. The base portion is formed with an upwardly extending annular saddle to contact and support the spherical lower end of the container portion. The two portions are welded together at the saddle. This invention also relates to the method of, and apparatus for, welding together such portions.

Abstract: A putter head comprising a top portion formed with a hosel for coupling the head to a shaft; a bottom portion formed with a sole for positioning the putter head in a ball-striking orientation on a putting green; and a ball-striking face located therebetween. The ball-striking face is arcuate in cross-sectional shape curved about an axis located in a horizontal plane between the top portion and the bottom portion. The radius of curvature of the ball-striking face is essentially 0.84 inches. Both the horizontal plane and the axis of the ball-striking face are located essentially 0.84 inches from the sole. The curved face extends downwardly from at least the horizontal plane.

Abstract: The concrete path paver of the invention comprises a generally rectangular open-ended box having a front wall and an inwardly sloped rear wall rigidly connected between a pair of side walls to define a bottom opening. An adjustable screed is positioned underneath the sloped rear wall from the rearward side of the bottom opening and extends a significant distance beyond the lower edge of the rear wall to form a slip-form mold. A platform is affixed rearwardly of the rear wall above the screed allowing an operator to stand thereon and control the flow of concrete from the cement truck into the box. The concrete path paver further comprises an arcuate or flat plate affixed to the lower front edge of the front wall of the box. The front plate functions as a ski to push and smooth dirt along the path that may have been disrupted by the tires of the cement truck. Thus, the tire tracks made by the cement truck as it pulls the paver are filled in and smoothed over prior to the concrete being laid.

Abstract: A water-soluble complex which is isolable from acid-precipitable material recovered from cultures of the bacterium, Achromobacter xerosis, and which is effective in inducing a variety of therapeutic responses commonly associated with biological responses modifiers and anti-inflammatory agents and which exhibits significant therapeutic activity in higher vertebrates at a dosage ranging from about 0.1 to about 25.0 mg/kg of body weight. Also disclosed are compositions containing such complexes, methods of preparation with such complexes and methods of treatment with compositions having such complexes.

Abstract: An improved parallel gap welder comprising spaced parallel electrodes, a handle to move the electrodes into contact with a workpiece and electrically energize the electrodes, and control means to independently very the pressure of each electrode on the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus including a manifold and associated check valves for selectively injecting supplemental fluids into a closed IV line extending from a source of saline solution to a patient during an operation. Also disclosed are a plurality of connected manifolds and a device to secure the apparatus in location for easy administration of the supplemental fluids to the IV line.

Abstract: An electric power converter operable by means of a rotating or moving magnetic field having a substantially constant flux density or of a substantially constant magnitude. The electric power converter functions as a AC to DC, DC to AC or DC converter, or as a phase changer/phase shifter or a voltage adjuster. A feature of the converter is the continuous supply of power from the primary phases in contrast to prior art converters in which only the phase having the highest voltage supplies power at any one time. Harmonic current distortion is, therefore, substantially reduced.

Abstract: An integrated plasma desmearing and plated-through-hole method to first plasma desmear a printed circuit board and then plate through the holes of the plated circuit board by sputtering. The method comprises serially transporting the printed circuit boards through a plurality of vacuum chambers serially interconnected together by means of a transport system. The transporting method comprises the steps of passing the printed circuit board from one vacuum chamber into the succeeding vacuum chamber in such a manner that the printed circuit board is progressively released from suspension by longitudinally transportable clips to span the distance to the aligned transport mechanism in the succeeding vacuum chamber to be progressively gripped by the clips thereof. Preferably, five vacuum chambers are provided including a loading chamber, a desmearing chamber, a plating preparation chamber, a plating chamber and an unloading chamber. Airtight isolation doors isolate each chamber from the others.

Abstract: An improved bed skirt assembly including a plurality of laterally spaced apart brackets coupled to the bottom of a box spring frame of a bed. The assembly also including rods placed into and supported by the brackets to accommodate prepared yard good material having a casing at the top end. The yard good material is shirred to enable the user to create a ruffled bed skirt using a minimum of sewing effort and without removal of the mattress from the bed during installing and removing of the yard good material.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating layers of a book composed of printed circuit layers and adhesive layers, the apparatus comprising a press having an upper and lower bolster plate positioned within a vacuum chamber. A platen assembly including a bookshelf and a chamber platen positioned apart from one another is positioned between the upper and lower bolster plates allowing the book to be placed on the bookshelf. Upon actuation of the press, the bookshelf and the chamber platen engage one another to compress the book positioned therebetween. The chamber platen may be heated or cooled.

Abstract: An improved system for facilitating the movement of passengers at a transit terminal comprising a terminal building having a plurality of passenger transfer zones disposed one above the other. Each transfer zone may include a platform with a recessed area at the edge of the building, an airplane positionable at a distance from the building which has a door with a threshold across which passengers may move and an elongated walkway which has a first end and a second end. Positionable with its first end adjacent to the airplane with its second end positionable adjacent to a preselected one of the transfer zones. Each end has a supporting structure therebetween for retaining the supported end at one of a plurality of elevational positions whereby the first end may be placed at a height corresponding to the threshold of the airplane independent of the height of such threshold and the second end may be placed at a height corresponding to one of the transfer zones.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper component and a sole component for receiving the foot of a wearer therebetween. The shoe also includes a plurality of force absorbing units positioned between the upper and sole components. Each unit has a first portion to receive the wearer's foot thereon and a remote second portion whereby, in response to forces exerted on the units by the wearer's foot, the first portions of the units will contract and the second portions of the units will expand to thereby absorb and distribute such exerted forces.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a suspended ceiling fan comprising a motor mounting and a frame support plate, totally enclosed in a vibration absorbing rubber compound. The motor mounting and frame support plates are separated by an annular space that forms an outward facing annular channel. Trapezoidal shaped reinforcement ribs located in the outward facing annular channel restrict swaying of the fan blades when the motor is energized. The damper may comprise two arcuate shaped members which allows easy installation on existing ceiling fans and easy disassembly when the fan motor needs maintenance or repairs.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for directly pulling lines along an extended length of pipe comprising: a projectile positionable within a pipe, the projectile including a shaft having resilient plates and peripheral washers and also having an eye at its trailing end for the receipt of the line to be pulled thereby; a plug positionable within the end of the pipe adjacent the projectile, the plug having circular concentric rings extending from its exterior surface, the plug being split along a plane from its front surface to its rear surface at an angle with respect to the central axis of the plug for facilitating the placement of the plug around the line and then into the pipe, the plug having a length to diameter ratio of about 0.75:1 or greater; and means for coupling the plug to a source of compressed air which may be passed through the plug to contact and move the projectile along the length of the pipe.

Abstract: A polyurethane system especially adapted for surge suppression comprising the reaction product of:A1. Castor oil2. A molecular sieve having the composition M.sup.1.sub.12 (Al O.sub.2).sub.12 (Si O.sub.2).sub.12, wherein M.sup.1 is an alkali cation3. Polydimethyl siloxane4. Hindered phenol antioxidant5. Tetraisopropyl diphenyl carbodiimide6. 10, 10.sup.1 -oxybisphenoxarsine7. Alumina trihydrate andB8. 4, 4.sup.1 diphenylmethane diisocyanate;the system having a Shore hardness of 80 to 90.