Abstract: This invention describes a snap-lock interlocking joint which locks a pair of mating construction pieces together by the insertion of a specially shaped tongue into a corresponding groove (having a complimentary shape to the tongue). The invention works well with engineered wood composites such as medium density fiberboard and certain other plastic products, namely free foam cellular plastic. The pieces may be joined together in the complete absence of glue or nails. No clamping is required to provide a strong joint.

Abstract: A pontoon system comprising a series of hollow plastic modular units held together in a string under a watercraft is disclosed. The string may be compressed so as to form a unitary pontoon. If the compression force holding the individual pontoon member is released, any individual pontoon member which has been damaged may be removed and replaced without having to remove the watercraft from the water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rolling electrical contact assembly which is very similar to an anti-friction bearing. The contact has an inner and outer race made of a conductive material. A set of conductive rollers roll around in the space between the races. A cage (insulating) keeps the rollers in proper spaced relationship. The outer race is stationary and is composed of segments having V-shaped spaces between the segments and is connected to an electrical cable, and the inner race which rotates on a shaft is connected by a cable carried by the shaft to a suitable current destination. The segments of the outer race are spring loaded to improve the contact conductivity between the rollers and the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A two piece mandrel having two co-operating interfitting parts (similar to a bayonet type assembly) which may be twisted apart, or twisted together by means of a series of interlocking projections having complimentary ramping surfaces. The co-operating parts have a pair of reference surfaces that assure concentricity of the two mating parts.

Abstract: An apparatus specifically tailored to transporting pipes in a tunnel is disclosed. A pair of low slung bogies are used to support and transport a pipe to pipe junction location. The bogies move over a pair of rails on rollers. The pipe rests on a set of inflatable devices which may be selectively inflated in a controlled manner to move the pipe in two axes during transport to the junction site. At the junction site, the inflatable devices are used to "jockey" the pipe on the transport device to provide limited roll, pitch and yaw movement of the pipe to facilitate mating the transported pipe with the end of a previously set pipe string.

Abstract: A bus duct joint comprising a plurality of conductive links for joining the buses, a plurality of intervening insulators and a single pressure providing bolt passing through the links and the insulators and between the ends of the buses being joined to provide substantially uniform pressure on the surfaces of the buses. The intervening insulators align and retain the conductive links and locate the joint with respect to the buses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power distribution arrangement in a large metal enclosed switchgear assembly. Electric current is carried from a source to a group of circuit breakers in the switchgear enclosure by means of two separate sets of bus bars to produce a ring bus effect. Vertical bus is connected to the source bus to carry power to the line side of the circuit breakers in the assembly. The load conductor of each circuit breaker returns via an aperture in the line bus and passes therethrough, but does not contact the line bus. Both sets of bus feeding the circuit breakers are mounted so as to have their major surfaces parallel.

Abstract: In an optical pattern follower, of the rotating scanning type, in which co-ordinated drive signals are produced by sampling two co-ordinate sinusoids, an adjustable kerf off-set is provided by selectably delaying the sampling pulse.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a plurality of groups of assembled laminations, each having two opposed end walls with at least one of the end walls incuding a plurality of locating recesses and spacer engaging tabs. The groups of laminations are secured within the machine between two end clamps. A plurality of spacers securable between adjacent ones of the groups and between the groups and the clamps provides air vents within the machine. Each of the spacers includes a keying arm portion engagable with one of the locating recesses to position the spacer relative to one end wall. The spacer engaging tabs abut the spacers, when so positioned by the locating recesses, to prevent adverse vibrational movement of the spacers during machine operation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a prefabricated liner plate for lining the interior of a subterranean tunnel as a primary lining. The liner plate is formed in such a manner that an outer arcuate face has a depression formed therein so that a filter placed in the depression permits water flow therethrough, but prevents the passage of surrounding soil particles therethrough. Suitable conduit means allow any water which may pass through the filter to be bled through the liner plate and led out of the tunnel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical cable useful in large power transformers and reactors. The cable is composed of a plurality of separate ropes which are generally of the same size and configuration which may be combined in accordance with a predetermined plan to form a complete cable.

Abstract: An optical pattern tracer is disclosed, of the circular scanning type. The interception of the pattern by the scan produces electrical outputs which are reduced to numerical values representative of their time of occurrence with reference to the scanning circle. The numbers derived and the nature of the signal generated are then processed to indicate the direction of the pattern, presence or absence of command marks and combined with other reference inputs, such as kerf and direction of tracing used to control a drive mechanism to move the tracer around the pattern.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of thermally isolating a bearing located near the combustion region in a gas turbine. Air is bled from an intermediate stage of the compressor turbine and is arranged to be fed to the central pipe of a coaxial piping arrangement which leads to the bearing housing. The housing for the bearing is arranged to have cooling air passages located therein to allow the air to circulate around and thus isolate the various parts of the bearing from the hot ambient. The air which has thereby acquired heat is subsequently lead back to the coaxial piping arrangement and is fed outwardly through the turbine in the space between the outer pipe and the central pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaning machine which is capable of operating in a wet or dry environment. It may also be used as a "steam" cleaning machine by applying a hot solution of cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned and subsequently vacuuming up the deposited cleaning solution. The machine may also be used as a "dry" vacuum cleaner without substantial modification. The particular aspects of the machine to which this application is directed is a baffle system which when combined with a strainer-float system and a right angled elbow member, combine to permit operation in a "wet" mode, but prevent the ingress of the detergent and foreign matter into the air motivating system of the machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device which is capable of accurately transferring a rotating movement from a master control to a pivotal vane tip in a gas turbine engine. A series of stationary vanes which are housed inside the casing of a gas turbine are each provided with a trailing rotatable vane tip. The device to which this application is directed is mounted on the casing of the gas turbine in a sealed manner and is connected to the rotatable vane tip. The vane tip is continuously biased in a radially outward direction by the motion transfer device to assure the best possible seal of the vane tip in the turbine. Provision is made to allow the vane tip to have some radial flexibility to prevent binding of the vane tip under thermal cycling stresses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaning machine which is capable of operating as a wet or dry pickup without any substantial modification in the basic structure of the machine. To convert from a machine capable of operation as a wet pickup machine to a dry pickup machine requires only that the operator open the containment vessel and install a suitable paper or cloth bag over an elbow member protruding into the containment vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of moving a set of adjustable trailing vanes in a gas turbine engine of the "split-shaft" type. The vanes are moved by an adjusting ring which is made to completely encircle the casing of the turbine and connect to each vane by means of a rotator assembly. Provision is made to allow for connection of the turbine casing so that the binding or flexing of the adjustor ring assembly during thermal cycling is avoided. A series of pitman arms are pivotally interconnected between the adjustor ring assembly and each vane rotator assembly. The vane rotator assembly is provided to intercouple the adjustor ring assembly to each pivoting vane while at the same time providing some radial flexibility for the vane itself to prevent binding of the blade and actuator during thermal cycling. Provision is also made to bias each pivoting vane in the particular direction in the turbine during the operation of the turbine.