Abstract: A solar panel(s) positioning apparatus for controlling the orientation of a solar panel(s) having one edge pivotally mounted to a support surface including a lift bar attached to an opposite edge of the panel(s) and having a mast, a base supported on the support surface, a swing link connected between the base and the mast and an extensible link pivotally connected between an intermediate point on the base end of the mast. A modification of the structure includes positioning apparatus for alternate bidirectional tilting of one or more panels about axes along aligned opposite side edges thereof.

Abstract: An L-shaped platform having a vertical bale gripping frame and a horizontal bale support deck is mounted on a transport vehicle for rotation through 90° from a transport position to a bale pick-up position. In the pick-up position, tines on the gripping frame engage the top of the bale and hold the bale with the support deck in contact with an adjacent side surface. The platform is rotated to return to the transport position with the bale being supported by the support deck. The support deck includes a cross conveyor for discharging the bale laterally for stock feeding.

Abstract: A knife having a handle component and a blade component, the blade component comprising a pair of opposed flanking side members and a replaceable blade insert confined and held therebetween. The side members are joined together by a blade insert locator and a spacer element at the region of connection to the handle so as to provide a slot forward of the handle for inserting the replaceable blade. The blade insert is configured to engage the blade insert locator and the spacer element so as to be held in the slot completely within the confines of the blade component. A blade insert locking structure is mounted on the blade component so as to be structurally and functionally independent of the handle component. The handle component and blade component may be of either the fixed or folding type and the blade insert may include a gut hook on its terminal end.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a transport vehicle having a vehicle support frame for loading, transfering, and unloading bales of hay or straw and the like. The apparatus comprises a tilting frame hingedly supported by the vehicle support frame and a loader hingedly attached to and supported by the tilting frame. The tilting frame has a side member and pivots about a first pivot axis oriented generally horizontally and transverse to the vehicle and at right angles to the side members. The loader pivots about a second pivot axis proximate to and oriented generally parallel to side member of the frame. The loader has a plurality of selectively actuated bale engaging time structures for securing bales to the loader. Each bale engaging time structure has at least one tine movable between a retracted position and a bale engaging position.

Abstract: A multi-channel thermal regenerator for a heat engine comprising a coiled annulus of thin high-temperature sheet material coiled so that individual coils are in spaced substantially parallel arrangement in an annular configuration. In one embodiment the sheet material is approximately 0.002 inch thick stainless steel embossed in a rectangular array with approximately 0.008 inch high protruding dimples that space the coils. In another embodiment the sheet material is carbon having a plurality of fibers oriented generally circumferentially around the coiled annulus providing a higher thermal conductivity in a direction along the fibers. A ceramic string is woven between the coils radially across the annulus at a plurality of locations around the annulus to space the coils. The coiled annulus is preferably contained in a cartridge having a substantially open cage base with a plurality of bars that space the end of the coiled annulus from adjacent engine structure.

Abstract: A continuous congruent length of stranded flexible Drilling Energy Transfer Member (DETM) constructed to transfer and balance action/reaction forces between an energy source and a working tip such that torque, tensile, compression and self supporting forces are constrained while the DETM operates in multiple positions of tight curvature and straight run and while translating into and out of such extremes, the balance being maintained between the extensor/torque outer configuration and an inner tensile/compressor configuration.

Abstract: An automatic reactant dispenser for use in an electrolysis cell for electrolyzing a reactant product into reactants, the dispenser comprising a container generally surrounding the electrodes with a cover that controls dispensation of a reactant produced at the electrode during electrolysis of the reactant product. In one embodiment, the cover has a plurality of apertures that allow passage of droplets of liquid reactant through the cover. The apertures are spaced on the cover so as to maintain separation of the droplets as they pass through the cover. In another embodiment, the bottom of the cover has a plurality of pockets which collect liquid reactant. Buoyant forces from the accumulated liquid reactant cause the cover to pivot open to release the accumulated liquid reactant. The pivoting of the cover may also temporarily interrupt the electrical circuit energizing the electrodes.

Abstract: A continuous congruent length of stranded flexible Drilling Energy Transfer Member (DETM) constructed to transfer and balance action/reaction forces between an energy source and a working tip such that torque, tensile, compression and self supporting forces are constrained while the DETM operates in multiple positions of tight curvature and straight run and while translating into and out of such extremes, the balance being maintained between the extensor/torque outer configuration and an inner tensile/compressor configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous freezing of liquids and cutting of the resulting frozen material into discrete pieces. A freezing table is provided with a transfer film for transporting liquid to be frozen across the top surface thereof. Side dams are attached to the freezing table such that the lateral edge surfaces of the traveling film extend upwardly against the adjacent side dams forming a trough. A cutting apparatus receives the frozen slab and first cuts the frozen slab into strips, then cuts the strips into discrete pieces. A plurality of circular saw blades, preferably in two counter-rotating rows, are used to cut the slab into strips, and a guillotine cutter is preferably used to cut the strips into discrete pieces.

Abstract: A large bale loading, transporting and unloading method and apparatus including a wheeled vehicle having a flatbed with a longitudinal conveyor and a cross-bed conveyor for unloading bales laterally from the side of the flatbed. A tine carrying frame or bed is movable to a vertical position against a bale stack and bale engaging tines are actuated to hold the bales against the frame. The frame is returned to the horizontal position for either transport or lateral unloading. In one embodiment the longitudinal and cross-bed conveyors and the tine structures are carried on a flatbed beneath the surface thereof. In a second embodiment the longitudinal conveyor and tine structures are mounted on top of the bed. Apparatus is disclosed for selectively cuffing off flakes or segments of the bale as it is discharged laterally.

Abstract: A method of converting and storing energy in a repeatable cycle using a rechargeable electrolytic cell providing a thermal energy output during discharge, and which recharges electrically. The cell contains chemical reactants and reactant product. The reactant product is electrolyzed into the reactants by at least one electrode in operational communication with the reactant product. The electrode has a porous portion, and one of the reactants, the oxidizer, is conveyed through the porous portion of the electrode, without conveying the reactant product through it, into a hollow internal cavity in the electrode. The reactants are separated and stored in the cell. The stored reactants are controllably combined to produce the reactant product and the thermal energy output. The thermal energy is removed from the cell for useful purposes.

Abstract: A storage rack for stemmed glasses and other containers having apertures with chamfered edges forming sockets for reception of the bases of inverted stemmed glasses. Access slots to the apertures are non radial with respect to the center of the apertures and are preferably tangential to the apertures. A pivotally mounted serving/mixing tray overlies the bases of the stemmed glasses to positively hold them within their sockets with positive holddowns or keeper members positioned to maintain the tray top in place. The rack may be wall mounted or adapted to be supported on a table top or the like and may be provided with carrying handles. In one embodiment, the storage rack is combined with a wine bottle rack having a cradle comprised of wedge shaped support members with contact surfaces inclined at less than 45° to the vertical. The bottles are thus supported above the surface of the shelf and the weight of the bottles themselves holds the them in tight engagement within the cradle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling an impeller for an axi-centrifugal compressor of a gas turbine engine. A curvic coupling joint is used between the aft end of the impeller and the turbine shaft. A generally annular disk-shaped shield structure is attached to the aft face of the impeller and extends from the impeller rim to the turbine shaft just aft of the curvic coupling. The shield structure is offset from the aft face of the impeller thereby forming a cavity therebetween. The shield structure has a plurality of circumferentially space apertures through which cooling air passes to first circulate through the cavity by means of radial vanes to cool the impeller, then exit through the curvic coupling joint. The cooling air is then directed afterward along the turbine shaft to be used to cool high-pressure turbine blades.

Abstract: An improved spool for a compressor of a gas turbine engine comprising spacer disks disposed between adjacent rotor disks, and a plurality of hollow tie rods that extend through the rotor disks and the spacer disks. The tie rods are tensionable to provide axial preload between the disks, and also conduct active air for thermally conditioning spool components. The spacer disks have an outer portion with a catenary shape that extends between the peripheral rims of the adjacent rotor disks. Sealing teeth located on the outer portion are preferably radially aligned with a web portion that extends radially inward from a center region on the outer portion. Each tie rod has at least one aperture through its wall for transmitting active air. In one embodiment, active air is injected through apertures in the forward stub shaft of the spool and is urged into at least one space between a rotor disk and a spacer disk, then into, along, and out of the hollow tie rods.

Abstract: A Stirling engine which uses a dual pressure shell surrounding the high pressure and temperature engine components. Space between the shells is filled with an incompressible and insulating liquid material, such as a liquid salt. The liquid may have a filler material to prevent excessive movement. The liquid provides a time varying pressure field, driven by the pressure variations in the Stirling engine working fluid, which cancels the pressure differential on heat transfer tubing. The heat transfer tubing is inside of a dome which contains an incompressible, highly thermally conductive liquid, such as Sodium. The heat transfer tubing uses smaller diameter passages contained within a larger diameter body to reduce manufacturing cost and increase reliability. An annular regenerator offers improved efficiency and power levels. A throttling system vents working fluid to a low-pressure container and maintains engine efficiency.

Abstract: A dental hand instrument comprises an elongated handle formed of a thermosetting plastic and a metal working tip inserted into an end of the handle. The handle may be a multi-part assembly with replaceable working tip end sections. The handle has a bore provided in the end to accommodate a shank end of the tip. The handle and the tip are subjected to heat treatment to partially melt a portion of the thermosetting plastic adjacent to the shank end to bind the shank in solid plastic-to-metal contact along the shank end. The shank end of the tip is provided with a non slip surface that is encompassed and embedded in the thermosetting plastic so that the tip will not turn during use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to selectively oxidize diesel particles in the exhaust from a diesel engine provides an elliptical shaped chamber installed in series in the exhaust line from a diesel engine. The elliptical shaped chamber has an internal reflective surface and two focal lines. A flash tube is located at one of the focal lines, and a transparent exhaust tube is located at the other. Exhaust from the diesel engine is directed through the transparent exhaust tube where it is exposed to an intense flash of approximately visible light from the flash tube. The elliptical shaped reflective chamber refocuses the majority of light emitted from the flash tube into the transparent exhaust tube. The diesel particles in the exhaust absorb most of the light energy, thereby heating sufficiently to rapidly oxidize.

Abstract: An electric wire insulator and support bracket for metal fence posts having a cylindrical bracket arm slotted along its length to receive and be mounted on a flange of a steel fence post. Tie holes are located at each side of the slot for positioning a tie member for securing the bracket to the post. Wire retention slots are located in each end of the arm for supporting electric fence wires and retention pins confine the wires in the slots.