Abstract: A harvesting apparatus adapted to move through a field of vegetation having a liquid component and a fiber component to mow and gather the vegetation and a processing means to grind the vegetation to a pulp as it is received, extract and collect the liquid component thereof, and condition and discharge the fiber therefrom.

Abstract: In an artificial respiration apparatus, especially in positive pressure types, it has been found that an extension lead for a respirator alarm system is desirable. This lead will extend beyond the respirator to permit a patient to initiate an alarm when help is needed. The lead is connected to the alarm initiating circuit in the respirator in a manner which makes its connection or disconnection optional with the alarm system in the respirator working in its regular manner when the extension lead is disconnected.

Abstract: A variable follower rest for a lathe for supporting tapered shafts and similar shafts of varying diameter as they are being turned. The follower rest includes a bearing arm above and another bearing diametrically opposite to the cutting tool to resist the lift and thrust of the cutting tool against the shaft. Through master-slave actuators the bearing arms move towards and away from the center of the shaft in unison with corresponding movements of the cutting tool to always engage the shaft as the diameter of the shaft varies.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for collecting and transporting thermal energy as vaporized fluid. The vapor will flow from a heat absorption chamber and through a conduit to a point of use where it is condensed. The heat absorption chamber includes a sump in its lower portion to hold a puddle of fluid. A heat source directed against the chamber vaporizes the fluid therewithin and a replacement fluid supply connects with the chamber to maintain the level of the puddle during vaporization. The chamber of the preferred embodiment of the invention is an elongated heat absorption pipe mounted horizontally to maintain the puddle at the lower portion of the pipe. The heat absorption pipe is mounted in a solar collector to receive concentrated solar energy as from a reflector system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating waste material wherein after comminution, the relatively hard material such as glass, brick, and ceramic in finely divided condition together with finely divided soft material is separated and removed to a recirculating composter.Disclosed is a composter having a plurality of upright perforated pipes for discharge of the gaseous products of decomposition.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt is mounted between an inner cylindrical wall and a concentric outer cylindrical wall wherein the belt is formed of curved segments having an upper reach resting upon a spiralled slide plate and a lower under reach suspended therebelow, rollers at the top and at the base of the spiral about which the belt turns and means to drive the roller and belt connected thereto. The improvement is a belt tightener comprising a pair of spaced holding rollers engaging the under reach of the belt at one side thereof, a takeup roller mounted between the holding rollers at the opposite side of the belt and means to adjustably shift the takeup roller against the belt to move it between the holding rollers for taking up slack in the belt.

Abstract: To produce food-flavoring smoke and vapor in a gas or charcoal burner, a bed of wood flour is placed underneath the gridiron of the burner at a location which is out of the flames of the gas or burning charcoal. For example, a bed of wood flour may be placed upon a tray suspended from the gridiron. When placed at a location and in a manner to protect the wood flour and ignited, the wood flour will smolder, like burning punk, to emit smoke and vapor which is absorbed by food being cooked upon the gridiron.

Abstract: A series of double pane glass panels of a standard length and width, thereby decreasing cost, are installed between a pair of parallel studs in partially upright position, with a longitudinally flanged spacer strip or strip sections attached to the inside edge of each stud for spacing the panels from a single, hollow duct-collector, or a series of connected, hollow duct-collector sections which correspond in length and width to the panels. The duct-collector acts not only as a conduit for movement of air through the device, but is also specially constructed to simultaneously transfer heat to the air. Thus, the front wall of the duct-collector is dimpled inwardly, with the outside and inside surfaces of the front wall being black and the remaining inside walls of the duct-collector sections having a bright, reflecting finish.

Abstract: The pressure of heated gases supplied by a furnace to an induced draft, rotating drum drier, through which the material being dried is moved primarily by the heated gases, is compared with the pressure of gases discharging from the drum, and the differential between these pressures is used in controlling the induced draft of the drum by decreasing the draft upon an increase in differential pressure and increasing the draft upon a decrease in differential pressure. The differential in pressure may be maintained at a value on the order of 1.2 to 1.6 inches H.sub.2 O, depending on the installation. The induced draft may be controlled at a damper between a discharge chamber for the furnace and an induced draft fan, through an electro-hydraulic actuator acting through a lever and a rod, the lever being manually settable when automatic operation is not used.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements in a split leaflet check valve. A pair of curved leaflets are hinged to a base ring for swinging movement from a normally closed position to an open position whenever a fluid is moving through the conduit wherein the valve is mounted. At the closed position, portions of each leaflet are seated upon the base ring and other portions are seated against each other to effect the closure. At the open position the leaflets, curved to the curvature of the conduit, lie against the sides of the passageway to provide for flow of fluid through the check valve with a minimum of turbulence. The hinge at the base of each leaflet is formed as a hook reaching into a side socket in the outer wall of the base ring. This check valve may be used where a minimal flow turbulence is desired such as in pipeline systems pumping sludge, artificial heart pumps and cardiac surgery.

Abstract: The basic structure is a solar radiation collector of the type having an enclosed cavity. A spray of water in this cavity is directed against a solar absorption sheet to heat the water. This structure may be used as a cooler by directing a flow of air through the cavity.

Abstract: Plastic pad at center of concave bevel of each semicircular segment maintains lateral and axial alignment when segments spread apart by pipe. In another special configuration, inside and outside segments are offset semicircles, with a greater dimension across opposed edges when abutting than middle. Inside threads of segments relieved at edges, with full threads at center and progressive decrease to each edge. Segments have cone portions opposite bevel, for engagement with concave seat of housing to tighten threads. Ring rotatable relative to housing but axially fixed has convex cone spaced from seat and engaged by bevel of segments for spreading. Resilient ring in peripheral groove of segments. Outside notches at segment edges receive housing pin or ring, to prevent relative rotation and restrain lateral play at abutting edges. Numerous variations of construction disclosed.

Abstract: The movable carrier includes a series of upright sockets corresponding in peripheral contour to the parts to be stored in upright position therein, spaced, lower base plates for supporting the sockets and an upper reinforcing plate extending longitudinally between the sockets on the respective base plates, with a cutout in the reinforcing plate for each socket having a greater lateral extent. A cross plate extends transversely of the base plate for supporting one or more additional parts. The lower end of a cylindrical part rests on or is connected to the reinforcing plate and rests in inclined position against a semicircular cup mounted on an upstanding bracket. Casters are attached to the underside of a transverse front plate and the tow handle pivotally mounted on the top of the front plate, while wheels and an upstanding handle are mounted at the rear, to permit the carrier to be pulled similar to a dolly, or tipped rearwardly and moved similar to a hand truck.

Abstract: Upper and lower rotors are offset in position, such as at an angle of 60.degree., between their centerlines, with the upper rotor having larger hammers and rotated at a lower speed than the lower rotor having smaller but a larger number of hammers. The feed is to the top of the upper rotor, and heavy interception bars extend perpendicularly to the centerline between the rotors and are disposed between the sets of hammers of the lower rotor, to prevent the entry of large objects into the lower rotor, to form an anvil against which objects on the bars are impacted by both the upper and lower hammers, with the lower hammers also "nibbling away" on the objects. A U-shaped corner formed of heavy armor plate is positioned next to the interception bars and extends between the circles of rotation of the hammer ends.