Abstract: A coal pellet which disintegrates in the presence of excess heat and comprises coal particles, water soluble binder and water. The binder is first dissolved in water and then coal particles are blended with the aqueous binder solution. The blend is agitated until pellets are formed and then the pellets are coated with a water resistant film. The coal pellets have water entrained therein which is converted to a gaseous form when the pellets are subjected to heat thereby facilitating the heat induced bursting of the pellets to free the coal particles for more efficient burning.

Abstract: A rotary motor comprising a housing having an internal chamber formed therein. Energy input means power orbital movement of a rotor about the internal chamber and simultaneously power rotational movement of the rotor about a first rotational axis. An orbital coupling assembly causes the movement of the rotor to drivingly power rotation of an output shaft. The rotor has three lobes which define the vertices of an equilateral triangle having a circumscribed circle of radius R. The equations for the internal chamber, with the output shaft defining the z-axis, are:x=(A+B) cos .alpha.+R cos (.alpha./3)y=(A-B) sin .alpha.+R sin (.alpha./3)where A, B and R are arbitrary constants and where .alpha. is an angle ranging between 0 and 6.pi. radians.

Abstract: A battery system which is adapted to use film power packs as the source of electrical energy including a case adapted, for receiving and retainingly accommodating at least one film power pack and contact means having a portion contactable with the film power pack terminals when the film power pack is disposed in the case. In one aspect, the system includes means for receiving light emitting means and means for establishing electrical continuity between the film power terminals via the contact means and the light emitting means for causing the light emitting means to emit light.

Abstract: An improved stick constructed of multiple section assemblies which are removably interconnectable with connector assemblies. The section assemblies each have storage compartments which are adapted for storing items. Each section assembly includes a section body and a pair of collars, with each collar being connectable to one end of the section body. The connector assemblies each have a storage compartment which is adapted for storing items.

Abstract: An improved coin chute assembly wherein the housing contains a coin receiving opening, a first coin exit opening, a second coin exit opening, and a coin passageway disposed therein and interconnecting the coin receiving opening with the first and second coin exit openings. The coin passageway is characterized as having an upper coin path, a coin receiving section and a coin reject section, the upper coin path being oriented to permit a coin to fall in a substantially downward direction through the chute assembly and thus through the coin receiving section towards the first coin exit opening or through the coin reject section towards the second coin exit opening.

Abstract: An improved fuel loader for loading fuel through a firebox opening in a stove and into a stove firebox, the fuel loader having a base sized and adapted for supporting the fuel to be loaded into the stove firebox and a handle assembly connected to the base which is manually grippable by an individual for maneuvering a portion of the base through the firebox opening and into the firebox for loading the fuel supported thereon into the firebox.

Abstract: To measure the penetration rate of a drill string, a signal generator includes a friction wheel that can be engaged with the side of a drum upon which is wrapped a cable used to lower the drill string by turning the drum. The friction wheel is mechanically coupled to a cam which operates a pneumatic switch each time the cam rotates to produce depth indicator signals that are transmitted to a recording system, including a moving strip chart record, to record increments of penetration. The signal generator further includes a first pneumatic counter which counts pneumatic pulses from the switch beginning with the first pulse after addition of a segment of pipe to the upper end of the drill string. The first pneumatic counter transmits pneumatic pressure to a pneumatic actuating cylinder to shift the friction wheel radially inwardly of the drum when the number of pulses corresponds to a number of increments of penetration caused by unwrapping the outermost lap of cable from the drum.

Abstract: A materials lifting apparatus for transporting materials, such as pipe between a derrick floor and a pipe rack, which comprises a support frame having a carriage receiving passageway therein, a carriage positionable within the carriage receiving passageway, and a forward linkage assembly pivotally connecting a first end portion of the carriage to the support frame, the forward linkage assembly being movable between a lowered position and a raised position, in the lowered position of the forward linkage assembly the carriage being disposed in a substantially horizontal position within the carriage receiving passageway of the support frame, in the raised position of the forward linkage assembly the first end portion of the carriage being disposed in a raised, longitudinally shifted position.

Abstract: A tool assembly comprising a tool member receivable in a recess formed in a driven member. The tool member comprises a shank element, a plurality of tier elements integrally stacked coaxially thereon, and an apex element. Each of the tier and apex elements comprises first and second torque sections, each of which comprise first and second side surfaces subtending the same predetermined angle, a riser surface interconnecting the side surfaces, and a step surface. The recess in the driven member is characterized by member walls which are drivingly engagable with the side surfaces of the tool member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drilling mud degassing apparatus which comprises a tank wherein a plurality of vertically spaced partitions are disposed for flowing drilling mud deposited on the uppermost partition consecutively across the upper surfaces of the partitions. The uppermost and lowermost partitions have peripheral edges spaced from the wall of the tank and an intermediate partition is provided which has a periphery engaging the wall of the tank and a central opening such that mud is flowed alternatively radially outwardly and radially inwardly in traversing the tank. The apparatus further includes a pump assembly which draws mud from a mud pit and forces the mud in a jet on to central portions of the upper partition. Tubes extending through a cover portion of the tank and having openings into chambers between the partitions discharge gas from the tank and mud is discharged from the tank via a mud outlet adjacent the lower end of the tank.

Abstract: A fire safe disc valve comprising a valve body having a flow passageway therethrough, a disc shaft rotatably mounted in the flow passageway and a disc mounted on the disc shaft, the disc being rotatable to and from a position normally closing the flow passageway by sealingly engaging a disc sealing member. An operating stem, extending through a stem operating aperture in the valve body, engages the disc shaft for rotation thereof, and an elastomeric packer seals the aperture about the operating stem. The disc shaft is displaceable along the flow passageway whereby the disc will close the passageway if the disc sealing member is destroyed, and the operating stem is axially displaceable in the stem operating aperture whereby the aperture is sealed by fluid pressure pressing the operating stem against a stem sealing seat if the stem packer is destroyed.