Abstract: The conventional home brewing apparatus for beer includes a container with some form of heater therein and a bag for suspending grain in the container. A more efficient home brewing apparatus includes a container with a pump for withdrawing liquid from the bottom of the container and re-introducing the liquid into the container at the top thereof, separate heater and heater control elements, a liquid level indicator, a separate cooling coil for removable mounting in the container, and a multi-level grid structure for supporting the grain bag at a location spaced apart from the heater. The circulating of the liquid ensures that the temperature throughout the brewing liquid is uniform, and that there is consistency from batch to batch.

Abstract: Cells are normally separated by velocity sedimentation and/or density gradient centrifugation, counter current distribution or selective agglutination. The cells may also be separated using a multi-sectioned plastic sleeve defined by a plurality of plastic cylinders with screens and O-rings therebetween and a retaining plate at the top end of the cylinders. These methods present various problems including a large variation in the sizes of cells isolated in any fraction, high costs of materials, and/or exposure of the cells to air immediately following separation. These problems are overcome by means of a simple cell separator which permits separation on the basis of size, and which is sealed maintaining a sterile environment during the separation process.

Abstract: Sugar cane is processed using an apparatus, which includes an input end with a comb back conveyor for controlling the quantity of cane passing to the remainder of the apparatus; an aligning; first cleaning and thin out section, where randomly oriented cane stalks are aligned and foreign bodies, especially stones and ferrous objects are removed from the cane; a billeting or cutting section for cutting the stalks into billets; a second cleaning section in the form of a cleaning tower in which vertically moving air is used to remove leaves, dust and any other trash from the flow of cane; a chute and pivotally mounted swing conveyor for distributing cane billets in an elongated, partitioned distributing hopper; a surge elimination chute; a billet aligner and delivery unit for delivering cane billets to a plurality of separators for separating the epidermis from the cane billets and separating the rind from the core; and a discharge section, including conveyors for discharging the separated material from the appar

Abstract: An excavator for continuously excavating soil includes an elongated frame, which is generally rectangular in plan, the frame being defined by a pair of spaced apart, parallel sides; a tow bar at the front end of the frame for connecting the latter to a tractor or other towing vehicle; a large, central wheel for carrying the frame; hydraulic cylinders for adjusting the height and longitudinal position of the wheel in the frame, and consequently for adjusting the depth of cut made by a blade mounted in the frame behind and/or beneath the wheel and a conveyor mounted in the frame rearwardly of the blade for receiving excavated soil and feeding the soil rearwardly for discharge from the excavator.

Abstract: Shallow boreholes, e.g. seismic shot holes are usually sealed with cement, gravel or more recently by pouring a water swellable material such as bentonite into the hole. A more effective method of sealing involves the insertion of an impermeable bottom plug into the hole, followed by a thick layer of a particulate material such as sodium bentonite which expands when in contact with water to seal the hole. A top plug can also be used with or without a cover of cuttings to promote lateral expansion of the sealant in the hole.

Abstract: A costume designed for use on the legs and lower body to give the impression that the wearer is being carried by a human or other animal figure includes a hollow animal figure with an open topped body portion and leg portions, and a pair of conventional trousers on the top end of the animal figure. The trousers having openings in the top rear of the legs so that the legs of a user can be inserted through such openings into the body portion and leg portions of the animal figure. Socks are provided on the bottom ends of the legs of the trousers, and the legs and socks are filled with padding to give the impression that they are being worn by the user.

Abstract: The problem of storing microfiche transparencies, cards, documents, photographs or any other sheets of material in the vertical or inclined position, is solved by a simple rectangular tray with inclined ends and side walls, the inner top portions of which contain vertically extending grooves for receiving a pair of lugs on each side of planar rectangular partitions. The spacing between the lugs is such that the partition is inclined by no more than 30.degree. from the vertical when the lugs on one side of the partition are inserted into adjacent grooves. In the vertical position the lugs are vertically aligned in the same plane as the body of the partition.

Abstract: A simple, streamlined portable hand torch for attachment to a small propane or regulated natural gas tank includes an elongated barrel containing a venturi passage extending between the ends of the barrel, and a recess normally closed by a removable cover containing a retention gas line, a handle attached to one end of the barrel for receiving the top end of a propane tank; or quick disconnect for natural gas the handle containing an inlet passage for feeding gas to inlet ends of the retention gas line and the venturi passage; an elongated burner tube connected to the outlet end of the venturi passage; a burner nozzle on the outer free end of the burner tube; a retention line for carrying propane or natural gas from the retention line in the recess to the perforated outer free end of the burner nozzle; a spark plug extending into the venturi passage for igniting the propane/natural gas and air introduced through an opening in the bottom of the barrel; a piezoelectric arc crystal for firing the spark plug, and

Abstract: Pipe handling systems are generally somewhat bulky, relying on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and complicated linkages. A relatively simple, compact pipe handling apparatus for use on a derrick of the type which can be rotated between the horizontal and the vertical includes an elongated track for mounting on one side of the derrick, a carriage slidably mounted on the track, three swing arms connected end-to-end, the first arm being connected to a rotary actuator mounted on the carriage, rotation around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the derrick, a second rotary actuator between the first and second swing arms for rotating the second and third swing arms around an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the derrick, a third rotary actuator for rotating the third swing arm, which carries a pair of jaw assemblies.

Abstract: Instead of the usual three or five valves a valve manifold includes four valves, namely a pair of line block valves intersecting a longitudinally extending flow passage in the valve body for normally closing inlet passages, an equalizer valve between the line block valves intersecting the flow passage; below the equalizer valve is a vent passage and a vent valve in the vent passage. During operation the line block valves are open to promote the flow of process pressure to the measuring instrument and the equalizer valve is closed to prohibit the flow along the longitudinally extending flow passage. The vent valve is in the open position. By closing the line block valves with respect to the inlet passages, while leaving them open with respect to the flow and outlet passages, closing the vent valve and opening the equalizer valve permits the flow to be balanced between each side of the manifold. Upon opening the vent valve the manifold can be vented.

Abstract: An ignitor for burning sour oil field gas includes a pair of electrodes which are spaced apart at one end and a source of electrical power for causing arcing between the free ends of the electrodes. In order to ensure a good supply of air to the area of arcing a venturi is provided on each electrode for drawing air into the hollow electrode. The venturi includes a central tube for alignment with the hollow electrode and radially extending tubes for introducing air into the central tube.

Abstract: A stabilizer device for use on the leading end of a trailer includes a turntable with a fixed base, pivot plate rotatably mounted on the base, a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally connected to each other and to one side of the pivot plate at one end, piston rods extending outwardly from the other ends of the cylinders to opposite sides of the turntable, the outer ends of the piston rods being pivotally connected to a fixed portion of the trailer, a first tube extending between first ends of the cylinders, a second tube extending between the other ends of the cylinders so that the cylinders and tubes form a closed circuit, and a control system in one of the tubes. The control system includes a pair of lines inserted into the tube, a first fixed orifice element in one of the lines, a solenoid valve in the same one line, a speed monitor attached to the valve, and a second smaller fixed orifice element in the other line.

Abstract: A drip trap for separating a liquid from a gas includes a casing, an inlet duct near the top end of the casing for introducing a liquid-containing gas into the casing, a downspout on the inner end of the casing beneath the bottom end of the downspout for discharging liquid from the casing, and a four-way two port valve for connecting either the inlet duct to a gas line for receiving liquid-containing gas, or the outlet duct to a drain for discharging liquid from the casing. The liquid-containing gas is fed into the casing until the liquid rises above the bottom of the downspout to compress gas in the top end of the casing. The valve is rotated to close the inlet duct and open the outlet duct to the drain, whereby liquid is discharged from the casing. The trapped gas provides the driving pressure for discharging the liquid and positive prevention of continuous venting of manifold gas vapors through the trap to atmosphere.

Abstract: In general, sofa beds are complicated structures and are commonly difficult to operate.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a row of round bales into an elongated plastic bag includes a front frame for bearing against the front end of the row of bales, and a rear frame which is placed at the rear end of the row of bales. The rear frame includes a chute for guiding the bales into a bag mounted on a cylinder, which is pivotally mounted on the rear frame, and a pair of skids with pulleys on the front ends thereof. The ends of a cable are connected to the sides of the front frame, and the cable extends rearwardly around the pulleys on the rear frame and then forwardly to a towing vehicle. Forward movement of the vehicle causes movement of the rear frame towards the front frame, whereby the chute moves beneath the bales and the bag is moved forwardly around the bales.

Abstract: Instead of the usual heavy structural elements or large collection of guy wires, a lightweight, portable frame for a wind turbine includes three inverted L-shaped inner frame sections supported by generally disc-shaped, heavy feet, and connected together at their top ends by a Y-shaped coupler, and three smaller inverted L-shaped outer frame sections also supported by feet and connected at their top ends to the inner frame sections, the inner and outer frame sections defining a Y-shaped structure when viewed from above. Additional strength is achieved be extending cables between the frame sections, i.e. by running a cable around the top and bottom of the Y-shaped structure.