Abstract: Centrifugal Pumps are known to exhibit unstable operating region(s) in flow as evidenced by unstable operating region(s) in flow as evidenced by the pump's flow-head curve that has either a flat or a positive slope. The unstable flow has been determined to be due to the generating of a vortex and appears in the cross-over pass located downstream of the pump impeller in the area where the flow direction changes or bends for entry into the diffuser, specifically an axial diffuser with blades. Once the flow-head curve for a selected centrifugal pump is plotted, the unstable area is manipulated by the use of tandem vane devices to eliminate the unstable regions of the flow head curve. These vane devices may be the full height or partial height vanes sized on the basis of the cross-over path for guiding the fluid stream from the pump impeller into the diffuser smoothly including a change in direction. A small axial gap is defined between the tandem vane and the downstream axial diffuser vanes.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for supporting and adapting high pressure pumping apparatus for use on or in a marine vessel subject to direct dynamic motions imparted to the marine vessel without damaging the pumping apparatus to thereby extend the useful life of the pumping apparatus. For this purpose the method and apparatus is designed to prevent the deflection of the bearings by providing an axial support and radial damping to vibrations resulting from the motions imparted to the marine vessel. In addition, the pumping shaft is protected when inoperative by preventing the pumping shaft from rotation. Specifically the method and apparatus provide the suction vessel housing the high pressure pumping apparatus to be secured to the marine vessel's deck at all times along with the provision for absorbing the vibrations and stresses due to the marine vessel's movements imparted thereto by being subjected to the direct dynamic motions.

Abstract: A siren sensor for detecting siren sounds emitted from emergency vehicles and electronic processing circuits for detecting and identifying the siren sounds electronically to control the traffic signal lights at an intersection to permit only the emergency vehicle to travel through an intersection with the right of way. The method and apparatus utilizes an acoustic horn in combination with a microphone for receiving the siren sounds and converting them to corresponding electrical signals. A conventional horn is modified to function as an acoustic lens to filter and amplify the siren sounds applied to the microphone. The modified acoustic horn and microphone combination comprise a tuned and directional audio sensor sensitive in the frequency range of an emergency vehicle siren. The electronic signal processing circuitry amplifies the resulting microphone signals to obtain the maximum sensitivity to the frequency spectrum of siren sounds.

Abstract: A frame for a two wheeled hand cart comprising a single frame useful for a two wheel or four wheel hand cart that is constructed and designed of a molded plastic in a single unitary piece comprising a pair of side frames joined by spaced apart cross rails integrally molded with each of the side rails at pre-selected spaced apart locations to form a molded plastic, rigid frame for receiving handles and wheel assemblies in a frame of improved strength and life.

Abstract: A mechanical lifting mechanism for lifting bodies and/or objects for transport. The lifting mechanism has a pair of spaced vertical arms and a horizontal arm connecting the vertical arms and arranged in an inverted U. The vertical arms are adjustable in length in accordance with the size of the object to be lifted and carry lifting means at the free ends thereof. The lifting mechanism includes a pair of cross arms connected at one end in common at a supporting arm arranged between the vertical arms. The cross arms each have an end pivotably connected to an individual vertical arm for moving the vertical arms outwardly of their vertical positions. The supporting arm extends through the horizontal arm and includes a swivel for coupling to a source for imparting vertical movements to the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A stabilizing pad for use with conventional skateboards for ready attachment and detachment to the skateboard between the skateboard wheels for stabilizing the skateboard and immobilizing the wheels to permit a novice skateboarder to practice the basic balancing, maneuvers, and tricks on the skateboard without fear of falling or injuries. The stabilizing pad is temporarily secured to the skateboard to depend from the board for engagement with the supporting surface for the wheels and in sufficient contact therewith to provide the desired stabilizing action. The pad can be constructed of different lightweight materials or plastic for providing the necessary stabilizing of the skateboard.

Abstract: A convertible hand cart convertible between a two wheel hand cart for vertically loading of materials and a four wheel hand cart providing a horizontal material loading platform. The wheel structure for providing the four wheel configuration is pivotably secured to the two wheel structure and movable between the two wheel and four wheel configurations. The two wheel configuration includes structures for locking up the wheel structure for the four wheel configuration thereto. The locking structure is constructed and defined with minimum parts and operable based on vertical sliding action to minimize wear on the locking structure parts. A foot operative mechanism is provided to release the locking structure to permit the wheel structure to be released from a locked up position, hands free, to commence the reconfiguration to the four wheel cart.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine power generator mounted on a single shaft wherein the hydraulic turbine means includes a plurality of reaction type turbine stages arranged to be in combination, rotatably responsive to the hydraulic fluid coupled to the turbines. One of the turbine stages having axial turbine runner means mounted to the single shaft and having a plurality of adjustable blades for permitting the pitch of the blades to be adjusted for controlling the effective operative fluid head to cause the shaft to rotate at a preselected speed and including means for adjusting the pitch of the adjustable blades. The turbine stages can be a Francis type turbine and a Kaplan type turbine. The hydraulic turbine power generator can be oriented in an upward direction to cause the fluid flow to travel upwardly through the turbine stages and function as a two phase turbine expander resulting in the separation of the liquid phase from the gas/vapor stage.

Abstract: A portable, infrared, multiple gas analyzer for measuring the concentration of a plurality of infrared absorbent gases with a simple optical arrangement for transmitting an infrared beam along an optical path along with gas mixtures to be analyzed. Light transmitting tubes arranged in a U-like configuration transmit infrared energy and the gases applied thereto over a small path to an infrared detector from an infrared source and provide electrical analog output signals representative of the detected gases. The detector output signals are processed by D.C. processing circuits including an analog to digital converter and microprocessing circuits for providing digital, binary coded, output signals representative of the detected gas concentration of the infrared absorbent gases. The analyzer can be readily calibrated by applying a non-infrared absorbent gas to the gas analyzer to provide a maximum output signal level with the infrared beam on and the background level or dark level signal with the beam off.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor having a temperature sensitive element such as a thermistor arranged within the gas sensor in a temperature insulative fashion for preventing any variations in the temperature of the applied gases to be sensed to be immediately conveyed to the temperature sensitive element thereby providing accurate temperature compensation signals to be combined with the generated sensor electrical output signals. The temperature sensitive element or thermistor is mounted in a heat sink to the expansion membrane of the gas sensor to be responsive only to changes in the temperature variations imparted by the sensor electrolyte and not by the variations in the temperature of the gas sensor body and associated elements thereby providing correct temperature compensation signals without error producing time delays.

Abstract: A sensing surface for a sensing cathode electrode useful in electrochemical gas sensors for sensing active gases in a gas mixture. The gas sensors are utilized in sensing oxygen or exhaust gases from a motor vehicle, so that there is a potential for causing deposits on the sensing surface of the electrode of either lead oxide species or lead carbonate thereon. The sensing surface is plated with rhodium or platinum for rejecting or prolonging the formation of any of the deposits thereon leading to an increase in rated life for the gas sensor greater than heretofore thought possible.

Abstract: An electrochemical, galvanic type, oxygen sensor including scavenging electrodes for continuously reacting any unreacted or partially reacted active gases, such as oxygen, to remove the active gases prior to being dissolved or have been dissolved in the electrolyte resulting in less than accurate output signals. The use of the scavenging electrodes permits the gas sensor to detect active gases in a gas mixture in sub-parts per billion level accurately and without the need for external sparging of the electrolyte with a pure inert gas. The liquid electrolyte may be stored in the a sol-gel medium formed in sensor container and holding the electrolyte in voids or pockets in the medium thereby rendering the oxygen sensor portable with the stored electrolyte and usable within a few minutes of operation.

Abstract: A sealless turbine generator mounted on a single shaft compising a radial turbine having a unique thrust equalizing mechanism mounted thereto and operative with a portion of the applied hydraulic fluid to the turbine radial runner and a thrust bearing for equalizing the generated thrust forces by providing a small axial, bidirectional movement of the thrust bearing and the elements mounted on the single shaft and an induction generator driven by the turbine. The shaft along with the induction generator and the turbine components except the turbine runner are isolated in a common housing and the entire assembly included in a submersible containment vessel having a fluid inlet and outlet for receiving the input hydraulic fluid flow at a preselected fluid pressure and velocity for controlling the speed of the turbine.

Abstract: A loading lip extender operating mechanism for edge mounted dock levelers to elevate and lower a bridge plate connected to a dock and loading lip plate pivotably coupled to the bridge plate to follow the movements imparted to the bridge plate. The elevation of the bridge plate to a vertical orientation causing the loading lip plate to be extended above the level of the dock. The loading lip plate can be moved forwardly of the vertical position of the bridge plate outwardly and upwardly so it is extended over the truck bed parked adjacent the dock and dropped onto the truck bed to permit loading and/or unloading of the truck. The bottom side of the bridge plate carries a camming surface for coaction with a cam follower included with the lip extender operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is constructed as a unitary structure having quick release mounting clips to allow the unitary structure to be quickly mounted and de-mounted in essentially "zero" time.

Abstract: A plastic bushing for use with wheel assemblies for low speed, off-highway vehicles of the type of hand trucks, wheelbarrows and the like. The plastic bushing is constructed of two substantially identical bushing members molded of a self-lubricating, preselected plastic and each having a flanged end for abutting the central opening of a wheel assembly. Each plastic bushing member is provided with diametrically spaced locking fingers with locking windows defined in the body of the bushing members for snap-locking to the locking fingers when aligned within the wheel assembly opening.

Abstract: A regulatory flexible highway sign of rectangular configuration that may be rolled up for transport and for storage is disclosed. The rolled up "sign" package and a foldable sign stand for securing the sign in a message display position are disclosed. When the flexible highway sign is arranged in a display position, it is vertically supported by means of a pair of angularly oriented, long flexible members by a holding assembly constructed and designed to permit pivotal movement of the two flexible members between an angularly oriented sign displaying position and a side by side disassembled position whereby the pivot for the flexible members does not bear a load. The sign per se is maintained in a display position by frame members secured thereto including a pair of longitudinal members pivotably secured to the sign so that when longitudinally aligned secure the flexible sign in a display position. This is achieved by means of a sliding C-clamp member.