Abstract: A control for an electrical heating system that enhances production from an oil well, particularly a horizontal oil well; the well includes an initial well bore extending downwardly from the surface of the earth through one or more overburden formations and into communication with a producing well bore that extends or deviates outwardly from the initial well bore into an oil producing formation. The heating system includes an array of short, electrically conductive heating electrodes extending longitudinally through the producing well bore. The heating system further includes apparatus for electrically energizing electrodes that are close to each other with A.C. power; the A.C. power supplied to electrodes near each other has a phase displacement of at least 90.degree., usually 120.degree. or 180.degree., between electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling railroad train movement over a layout of railroad track that is defined geographically using a linear network of geographic control objects which includes signals, switches and track blocks. Each signal has signal control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of signal condition, and the ability to initiate a change in signal condition. Each switch has switch control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of switch condition, and the ability to initiate a change in switch condition. Each track block has hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address and a representation of track block occupancy condition. The method is specifically directed to establishing communication between each signal logic, switch logic, and track logic, and only its next adjacent logic neighbors regardless of whether it be signal logic, switch logic, or track logic.

Abstract: A coaxial plug-and-socket connection comprising a socket part and a pin part with releasable interlocking of the two parts, wherein during the insertion process a spring element on one of the two connection parts, which is independent of the interlocking element, exerts an axial resistance and repels the other connection part so long as the interlocking device is not effectively latched, it is proposed to provide the parts of the plug-and-socket connection with sleeves which are insertable one into the other, outwardly directed spring detent hooks being provided on the sleeve of the pin part, and to provide an interlock deactivating sleeve which acts upon the detent hooks and enables an intentional deactivation of the interlock of the plug-and-socket connection.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge for use with a water faucet includes a cover and a filter element located within the cover. The cover has a single unfiltered water input connection and a pair of water output connections, one for filtered water and one for unfiltered water. There is a conduit within the cover connecting the unfiltered water input connection and the unfiltered water output connection. There is a flow path within the cover from said unfiltered water input connection, through said filter element, and connecting to said filtered water output connection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bulk bag, which bulk bag can be used for shipment of powder without loss, yet which does not require a full inner liner for the bulk bag and has a surface receptive to imprinted indicia on the bulk bag body. A bag body of height Y is cut from a fabric tube of circumference X having an imprint-receptive outer surface and is partially lined with a tubular partial film liner of like dimensions; two bands of reinforced resin tape are adhesively bonded to the top and bottom rims of the body liner. There are top and bottom panels, each cut from a flat web of coated, powder-impervious fabric, and each having a circumferential length X; these panels are stitched into the bag body with stitching that extends through the resin tape to simultaneously mount the panels and the partial liner in the bag body, completing a bulk bag suitable for powder shipments but with an imprint-receptive external surface.

Abstract: A latch system for retaining hatch covers on railroad cars can accommodate any hatch cover type made by any car builder. The latch has a universal arm with a custom-made hinge adapter at one end for pivotally connecting the arm to any hatch design or cover type. The other end of the arm mounts a catch adaptor which receives a catch bolt for retaining the arm in a closed position. The arm also has fittings for accepting brackets and wings for vented hatch covers.

Abstract: A railroad vital relay control circuit has a first input for receiving a reference alternating current signal of a selected frequency and a second input for receiving a track alternating current signal having the selected frequency of the reference signal and a predetermined phase and magnitude relationship therewith. A magnetic core provides a logical AND function and has two input arms and an intermediate output arm. There is a winding on each of the input arms and a winding on the output arm. There are frequency tuned voltage limiting circuit elements connecting the first input and a first one of the magnetic core input windings and the second input and the second input winding of the magnetic core. The magnetic core has an output winding on the intermediate arm which is connected to a vital relay. The input windings on the magnetic core are connected to produce flux in the same direction in the output arm.

Abstract: A three piece rail car truck has a pair of side frames, a pair of wheelsets and a roller bearing adapter seated on each end of each wheelset. Each side frame has pedestal jaws formed and adapted to seat upon each roller bearing adapter. The improvement comprises a stabilizer bar connected between each roller bearing adapter and an adjacent portion of a side frame, with the stabilizer bars resisting unsquaring relative movement between the wheelsets and side frames.

Abstract: A toilet flushing device has a body with an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat in the body in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet and a valve in the body movable toward and away from the valve seat to control water flow through the toilet flushing device. A handle assembly for causing movement of the valve toward and away from the valve seat includes a socket attached to the body and a handle mounted in the socket for pivotal movement. A plunger is positioned in part within the socket and is in contact with the handle. Pivotal movement of the handle causes axial movement of the plunger with a portion of the plunger being positioned for contact with valve for causing movement thereof. There is a spring for biasing the plunger toward the handle. A bushing is attached to the socket and has a central bore within which the plunger moves. A seal member is attached to the bushing and forms a seal therewith.

Abstract: A draw punch of the type used for cutting holes in various materials such as sheet metal has a cylindrical body with a central bore through it and a cutting edge at the outside diameter of the body. A working face is defined at one end of the body between the cutting edge and the bore. The working face includes two diametral axial faces which extend from a root to a peak. The working face further includes two valleys located between the peak of one axial face and the root of the other axial face. Primary helical surfaces extend from a peak to a valley while secondary helical surfaces extend from the valley to the root. The helical surfaces are everywhere relieved in a radial direction from a plane normal to the axis of the body and intersecting any point on the cutting edge.

Abstract: A high speed food loaf slicing machine slices two food loaves simultaneously, using one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor located below the slicing station. Independent loaf feed drives are provided; slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. Each loaf feed drive includes two "short" conveyors each driven at a predetermined speed; the conveyor speeds may be different. In each machine cycle the receiving conveyor is moved down to accommodate an increasing number of slices; when a slicing cycle is completed, the receiving conveyor rapidly discharges the slice groups onto a deceleration conveyor and moves back up to start a new slicing operation. The loaf feed drives are reversed at the end of a slicing cycle, stopped, and then reversed again before the next slicing cycle.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner for cleaning one surface of a conveyor belt of length L and transverse width W includes a cleaner blade formed as an elongated strip of flexible elastomer, usually rubber or urethane. The blade, preferably of constant thickness, has a width much smaller than L and a length greater than W. The blade extends across the conveyor belt and has fasteners at its opposite ends. A tensioner, connected to one of the blade fasteners, applies a longitudinal tensioning force to the cleaner blade to maintain the cleaner blade in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt. In the preferred construction two tensioners are used, at opposite ends of the cleaner blade.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling for forming a joint in a fluid line includes a hollow plastic connector body extending between a male member connection end and a hose connection end. A male member received in the connector body and has an enlarged annular upset. A retainer is associated with the connector body and secures the male member in the connector body. The retainer has one or two locking loops which extend beyond the male member connection end and encircle a portion of the upset to prevent withdrawl of the male member. The retainer may be attached to the interior or exterior of the connector body, and may be made of plastic or metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for vehicle distribution of solid insecticide-carrying pellets or briquets into bodies of water such as catch basins includes a bracket which is formed and adapted to be supported on the door of a vehicle with the window rolled down. Preferably, the bracket is positioned adjacent the vehicle operator's driving position. The bracket extends outside of the vehicle and has an opening therein. A funnel and a tube are positioned at a location to be accessible to the driver with the tube extending through the bracket opening. The relative sizes of the tube and the opening permit movement of the tube therein so that the vehicle operator may direct the tube to a desired location for application of an insecticide-carrying pellet or briquet. The funnel extends upwardly to a height relative to the bracket which permits the vehicle operator to place an insecticide-carrying pellet therein.

Abstract: A storage rack for small articles, including an elongated housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and end walls. An elongated support bar is located between the top and bottom walls and extends between the end walls to which it is fastened. The elongated support bar has a transverse cross section which is non-circular. A multiplicity of retainer loops are mounted side by side on the elongated support bar with the end retainer loops constrained by engagement with the end walls of the elongated housing. Each retainer loop is formed of a strip of a tough, resilient, abrasive resistant resin having a bight portion and two legs. An opening is formed in each leg of each retainer loop near the distal end of the leg and is used for mounting the retainer loop on the elongated support bar. Each opening in each leg has a shape similar to but larger than the non-circular transverse cross section of the elongated support bar.

Abstract: A double, back to back oriented mechanical end face seal arrangement for use in sealing pumps or other devices used in fluid transfer of toxic or corrosive fluid has an intermediate buffer fluid chamber into which a relatively inert gas, such as nitrogen, is provided for use as a buffer fluid, and is maintained at a pressure which exceeds the process fluid pressure by at least 10 p.s.i. Each seal has a primary ring and a mating ring with gap maintaining means, such as spiral pumping grooves, formed in one of the rings which are shaped and dimensioned to pump the buffer gas through the first seal from the intermediate chamber into the process fluid chamber against the process fluid pressure and through the second seal from the intermediate chamber into the environment external to the housing and sealing area, thus avoiding the escape of the process fluid into the intermediate buffer chamber and thereby to the atmosphere.