Abstract: The specification describes a device for producing aesthetic effects, more particularly light effects, with at least one partly transparent or transluscent and preferably closed vessel. The vessel contains at least two liquids of different density which are not completely and not permanently miscible with each other. In the order of increasing density at least three liquids A, B, C with the following principal or sole components are employed:A liquid paraffin and/or silicone oil and/or naphthene and/or hexachlorobutadiene;B water or an ether, more particularly propanetrioxyethylether or a polyether;C esters with chemically bound phosphorus and/or chemically bound halogen, preferably chlorine, an ester of phthalic acid, and more particularly dibutoxybutyl phthalate, a carbonic acid ester, more particularly propanediol carbonate, or ethanediolmonophenylether or tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide with the provision that the selected liquids are not completely and not permanently miscible with each other.

Abstract: A coated valve metal electrode for electrochemical processes, which has (a) an electrode base body of valve metal; (b) a base layer on said valve metal, said base layer comprising an electrically conducting element without valve effect, and (c) a cover layer comprising titanium dioxide and/or tantalum oxide with certain doping and stable oxides.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having a rotatable member wherein rotation of the rotatable member selectively actuates the valve in accordance with the direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The valve may be of the rising-stem valve type in which the rotatable member threadably engages the valve stem to axially shift the valve stem to thereby actuate the valve. The valve actuator comprises a nut adapter secured to the rotatable member in combination with actuating means contained within a housing. The actuator means further comprises a drive tube which lockingly engages the nut adapter by means of inwardly projecting indentations formed axially along the drive tube and which are received in axial grooves formed along the periphery of the nut adapter. In addition, the drive tube is coaxial with the valve stem so as to permit the valve stem to be received axially through the drive tube upon valve actuation.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly for use in a two cycle internal combustion engine, the piston assembly including an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of the engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine to automatically control the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. The hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and further includes a pumping system for pumping oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber through the upper chamber to thereby vary the compression ratio of the piston.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger including a supply duct for admitting fluid to an area of a face of the matrix of the heat exchanger bounded by a seal, the supply duct having an outlet covered by a ported distribution plate in which ports are so arranged that the fluid is admitted to the matrix face area bounded by the seal in a predetermined distribution pattern. For example, the ports may be arranged to effect either uniform fluid flow or uniform fluid pressure throughout the matrix face area bounded by the seal.

Abstract: A universal joint is provided and comprises a male and female member which are rotatably coupled together even when the members are not in axial alignment with each other. The female member includes a socket with a polygonal cross-sectional shape while the male member includes a spherical portion having polygonal faces circumscribed diametrically therearound. The spherical portion is insertable into the socket whereby the polygonal faces on the spherical portion mesh with the polygonal socket in the female member so that the two members are rotatably drivingly coupled together.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having a rotatable member wherein rotation of the rotatable member selectively actuates the valve in accordance with the direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The valve may be of the "rising valve stem" type in which the rotatable member threadably engages the valve stem to axially shift the valve stem upon actuation of the valve. The valve actuator comprises a nut adapter secured to the rotatable member in combination with actuating means contained in a housing.The actuator means further comprises a drive tube which lockingly engages the nut adapter by means of inwardly projecting indentations formed axially along the drive tube which are received in axial grooves formed along the periphery of the nut adapter. In addition, the drive tube is coaxial with the valve stem so as to permit the valve stem to be received axially through the drive tube upon valve actuation.

Abstract: In a cartridge filter having a support member defining the shape of the cartridge filter and a filter media contained within the support member, a method of constructing a sealable end cap for the cartridge filter comprising the steps of placing a seal element in the forming cavity of a mold, the cavity adapted to receive one end of the support member therein, and thereafter inserting the end of the support member into the mold cavity. The mold forming cavity is then filled with a molten thermosetting epoxy material so that upon hardening, the epoxy material forms the cartridge filter end cap while simultaneously partially encapsulating the seal element, thus mechanically securing the seal element to the end cap.

Abstract: An electric filter for separating impurities from air including a housing which contains separator plates disposed in spaced relationship and formed of conductive material and alternate ones of said plates are connected to opposite poles of a source of voltage.

Abstract: A time modulated position controller is provided comprising a hydraulic actuator having a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder thus defining a chamber within the cylinder. An electric solenoid valve functions upon actuation to permit fluid communication from a source of fluid pressure to the cylinder chamber while, conversely, upon deactuation of the solenoid valve, the valve functions to exhaust fluid from the cylinder chamber. A position transducer, which generates a signal in response to the axial position of the piston within the cylinder, is coupled to one input of a differential amplifier while a control line, having an analog signal is coupled to the second input of the differential amplifier. The error output from the differential amplifier is time modulated to produce a square wave with a variable duty cycle which in turn is used to activate the solenoid valve.

Abstract: An aerodynamic toy comprising a disc shaped aerodynamic throwing implement of the type adapted to rotate about its axis upon an airborne flight and a member which detaches from the implement after a predetermined number of revolutions of said implement. The member carries a nut which threadably engages a threaded shaft coaxially secured to the rotational axis of the implement. An air foil is rotatably coupled to the threaded shaft and prevents the rotation of the member despite rotation of the implement during flight. Following a predetermined number of revolutions of the implement, the member unscrews from the threaded shaft and descends to the ground via a parachute attached to the member.

Abstract: A primary brightener for use in aqueous nickel electroplating baths has the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is methyl, ethyl or a hydroxyethyl radical;R.sub.2 is alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxy-substituted alkynyl or lower alkyl-substituted alkynyl;R.sub.3 is lower alkylene, lower alkoxyalkylene, lower alkynylene, lower alkoxy-alkenylene, hydroxy-substituted lower alkylene, carboxy-substituted lower alkylene or hydroxy- and methyl-substituted lower aminoalkylene;R.sub.4 is a sulfonic radical (--SO.sub.3 --) or an aliphatic carboxyester group ##STR2## where R.sub.5 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxyalkynyl, dialkoxyalkynyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl, hydroxyalkynyl, haloalkyl, halohydroxyalkyl, halohydroxyalkynyl or hydroxyalkoxyalkynyl; andX is halogen or hydroxy when the positive charge on the nitrogen atom is not otherwise neutralized and X is absent when said charge is neutralized by another substituent of the molecule.

Abstract: A detachable truck body adapted to be mounted onto the bed of a truck is provided and comprises a substantially horizontal base and a plurality of support legs pivotally secured to the base and movable between a first and second pivotal position. In their first pivotal position, each of the support legs extends downwardly and laterally outwardly from the base and engages a ground supporting surface to maintain the base in an elevated position while bracing the base against lateral movement. With the base elevated the bed of a truck can be moved into position underneath the truck body. In their second pivotal position each of the support legs is in a substantially horizontal position adjacent to and underneath the base of the truck body so that the truck body may be transported by the truck bed. First and second locking means are provided for locking the support legs in their first and second pivotal positions, respectively.

Abstract: A shaft balancer is provided for automatically correcting an unbalanced condition in a rotating shaft and thereafter maintaining the rotating shaft in a balanced condition. The shaft balancer comprises a housing having an outer rim and means for securing the housing to the shaft so that the rim is concentric with the axis of rotation of the shaft. An annulus, constructed of a flexible material, is positioned within the housing and includes a base and an outer slotted rim. The base of the annulus is secured to the housing so that the slotted rim is concentric with the shaft. In addition the slotted rim is spaced radially inward from the housing rim thus forming an annular raceway adapted to receive a plurality of ball members for rotation therein. A floating inertia ring is secured concentrically across the open end of the annulus slotted rim and is radially movable within the housing.

Abstract: A pair of closely adjacent electrically conductive coils, suitably encapsulated, are secured to or retained closely adjacent an electrical accessory and a fuel line of an internal combustion engine. When the engine is utilized to drive a rubber-tired motor vehicle a ground strap is provided to provide an electrical connection around the insulation produced by the rubber tires and the rubber motor mounts of the engine.

Abstract: A system for removably and pivotally securing a truck body onto the bed of a truck is provided in which the truck body is automatically locked to the bed of the truck as the truck body is lowered onto the truck bed. The system comprises a plurality of guide members secured to the bottom surface of the truck body and an adapter frame secured to the truck bed which receives and guides the guide members as the truck body is lowered onto the truck bed. A plurality of latch members are pivotally secured to the guide members and automatically lock the truck body onto the adapter frame when the truck body reaches its lowermost position. An actuator is associated with each of the latch members so that actuation of the actuators unlocks the latch members and permits the removal of the truck body from the truck bed.

Abstract: A portable, remote controlled hot deseamer apparatus equipped with a nozzle arrangement and an ignition device which is suitable for selective hot deseaming or flame cutting of a workpiece.

Abstract: A device suitable for coating popcorn with cheese, butter, or the like comprises an axle positioned at an acute angle to a horizontal plane, means for rotating the axle, and four vessel-gripping prongs releasably secured to the axle for rotation therewith. The prongs, which are formed from two U-shaped members, are spaced radially from each other and each has a portion which lies generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A device for changing bore crowns on a drill rod including a bore crown magazine member and means for automatically stopping and locking the magazine member in a desired rotated position.

Abstract: A voltage stabilizer includes the series combination of a series regulator element and inductor and an inverter circuit connected across a direct voltage supply. The series regulator is controlled by a comparator which compares the stabilized output voltage with a reference voltage. A diode energized in the forward direction by inductive turn-off voltage appearing on the inductor is connected in shunt with the series combination of inductor and inverter circuit. A series combination of a diode energized in the forward direction by the inductive turn-off voltages appearing on the inductor and the parallel combination of a resistor and a capacitor may be connected in shunt with the input of the inverter circuit. The inverter may be of the push-pull parallel or bridge type. The inverter output may be inductively coupled with the series control element.