Abstract: A tool for replacing pipe, in which the existing underground pipe is fractured or cut into fragments, which are forced inward so that they pass through the tool. The tool has breaking members that extend radially outwards and backwards from a nose such that, when the tool is pulled through an existing underground pipe, the breaking members are forced against the inside of the existing underground pipe, thereby breaking it. The fragments are forced inwards by the leading edge of the cylindrical base of the tool and pass through a bore in the cylindrical base. In this way the replacement of existing underground pipe is made possible without expanding the cavity of the existing underground pipe. The tool may additionally include a pipe guide for guiding replacement pipe into place behind the tool as the tool is pulled through the existing underground pipe. The fragments pass through the pipe guide and into the replacement pipe.

Abstract: A mixed mode transceiver digital control network system is disclosed as including at least two nodes/transceivers connected with a DC power source and a cored inductor via a bus, in which each transceiver includes a current mode transmitter and a voltage mode receiver. A bi-directional voltage clamp is connected in parallel to the cored inductor. Electric current from the DC power source flows through the cored inductor and the bi-directional clamp into the bus. By reason of the flow of the electric current through the voltage clamp, a electric voltage pulse is generated and transmitted into the bus. The electric voltage pulse so transmitted into the bus is received by the voltage mode receiver and subsequently inputted into a micro-controller or processor of the node. There is also disclosed a method of setting one of a plurality of priority levels to each node forming the system, so that a node to which a higher priority level has a higher chance of transmitting its data packets.

Abstract: This application discloses an automated apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a pipe or other similar elongated passageway. The apparatus includes a vehicle that propels itself down the inside of the pipe. A scarifying assembly is removably secured to the vehicle and uses arms to reach the walls of the pipe. At the end of each arm there is a fluid nozzle assembly equipped with fluid nozzles. The fluid nozzle assembly rotates or oscillates to scarify the pipe surface. The arms and fluid nozzle assembly interchange with other such scarifying assemblies depending on the shape or type of pipe and the desired scarifying technique. The apparatus is tethered to a source of fluid under pressure and a power source, both of which are located off-board the apparatus at a remote location.

Abstract: Conventional retroreflection mirrors in the form of right angle prisms are quite sensitive to beam position and beam angle errors. Manufacturing and assembly tolerances are also a cause of concern in conventional devices. Accordingly, the present invention solves these aforementioned problems by providing a retroreflection device comprising: a beam director, preferably in the form of a Wollaston prism; a polarization rotator, preferably in the form of a quarter wave plate; and a flat reflective surface, such as a plane mirror. The device of the present invention is far less sensitive to beam angle alignment and is completely independent of the beam position. The present invention is particularly useful as a beam splitter for directing orthogonally polarized beams of light back along parallel paths in an interleaver apparatus.

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided with a self-latching mechanism for preventing rebound if a maneuver is attempted by the truck operator to jar hung up dirt from the bed when raised. The hoist further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: Gear selector device of an automatic transmission in which a first lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an down-shift of the gear and a second lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an up-shift of the gear engaged. The first and the second lever produce respective second operating positions to control the following operations: the engagement of reverse gear; the selection of an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission; and the selection of a ‘sports’-type of mode of operation of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter having first wave retarding element for receiving an optical signal including a plurality of wavelengths, said first wave retarding element having a first periodic output response of a first phase versus wavelength for the optical signal. The optical signal is polarized when being launched into the first wave retarding element. A second wave retarding element receives the optical signal from the first wave retarding element. The second wave retarding element has a second periodic output response of a second phase versus wavelength for the optical signal. The first periodic output response and the second periodic output response are different from each other and non-integer multiples of each other. Advantageously, the gain flattening filter is tunable, cost effective, and compact in size. It is capable of producing any desired spectral curve without PDL by simply adjusting the angle of each wave retarding means.

Abstract: The invention disclosed consists of a modular conveyor formed by a number of removably attachable conveyor sections, which form an elongated, endless conveyor. Each section contains a frame, a guide roller, and a plurality of legs. A drive roller is attached adjacent to the conveyor section located at one end of the elongated endless conveyor and an end roller is attached adjacent to the conveyor section at the opposite end of the elongated endless conveyor. An endless conveyor belt is mounted over the frames, the drive roller, and the end roller. The endless conveyor belt is further supported by the guide rollers. A drive motor is connected to the drive roller to provide motive power to drive the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably retaining an article, e.g. a liquid dispenser, with a base portion is disclosed, in which the dispenser includes a protrusion releasably engageable with the base portion, and the base portion includes locking means adapted to prevent disengagement of the dispenser from the base portion, and the locking means includes a ring which is movable, e.g. by rotation or swiveling action, relative to the base portion to lock or unlock the dispenser from said base portion.

Abstract: A method of producing hollow front axles industrial vehicles including the steps of fluoforming a tubular blank to obtain an intermediate product having reduced-diameter ends, crushing the intermediate product to obtain a central portion of elongated section and bent intermediate portions, and finishing the axle by hydroforming.

Abstract: A method for producing piezoelectric lanthanide gallium crystals includes pulling a crystal through a forming mould dipped into a crucible containing a melt, which controls a heat and mass transfer, as the crystal is grown. While a lanthanide gallium single crystal is growing, a charge of mixed oxides, having a composition of the melt may be continuously added to the melt such that the quantity of melt is maintained substantially stable. Crystals produced by this method exhibit less variability in piezoelectric properties. The growth direction of the crystal is aligned along an axis perpendicular to such a crystallographic plane of lanthanide gallium crystal that an improved temperature stability, lowered power flow angle, and reduced diffraction would be present in surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices made in this crystallographic plane. Such crystals are more suitable for the mass-production slicing wafers, for example over 2 inches in diameter, for SAW devices.

Abstract: A method for computer-generating interaction-specific knowledge base for rapidly improving or optimizing a performance of an object comprises performing, according to computer-designed test matrices, at least several automatic experimental cycles on selected control variables. In at least one of the automatic experimental cycles after the first the computer plans a new test matrix designed to minimize or remove at least one expected two-variable interaction from a main effect of a designated control variable. A machine operating according to the method is also available.

Abstract: A luminous display device and method of making the same wherein a front member of transparent glass (16) is fused to the rim area (4) of a rear member (1) having a recess (8) therein and protuberances (12) projecting from the base of the recess toward the front member, the protuberances being closely spaced with respect to each other and the front member to provide passages (14) between the protuberances and a light discharge chamber (20) between the front member and the recess. An opening (22) extends through the rear member communicating with the chamber. A tubular member (26) mounted on the rear member communicates with the opening for evacuating the chamber and filling it with ionizable gas. An electrode device (28) is mounted in the tubular member and is operatively connected to a power source (36) for ionizing the gas in the chamber thereby producing light discharge fingers (38,40,42,44) or streaks through the passages providing the desired display of light.

Abstract: The invention consists of a paper towel dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of paper towels from a roll of paper having regularly spaced apart lines of partial severance. The dispenser is comprised of a housing and a housing door which can be pivotally opened to allow a roll of sheet material to be inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser has a funnel-shaped exit to allow the end of the roll to protrude in order to be grasped by the user. A paper towel tearing member is located adjacent to the exit aperture of said funnel and the opening of this member is adjustable in order to vary the size of the opening of the dispenser. This adjustment of the exit size creates an adjustment in the position at which the sheet tears away from the roll to allow the use of different types of sheet material in a single dispenser.

Abstract: The invention is a toilet paper dispenser designed to hold two rolls of toilet paper. The dispenser has a housing containing a primary roll support and a secondary roll support. The secondary roll support is disposed parallel to and vertically above the primary roll support. The secondary roll support is connected to a release mechanism operative to lower the secondary roll support into a position to dispense toilet paper from its roll of toilet paper when the primary roll of toilet paper is exhausted. A roll guard prevents access to the secondary roll until the release mechanism has been activated. The release mechanism is automatically activated and released by a user-controlled trigger mechanism, preferably a lever, so that a user exhausting the primary roll of toilet paper may access the secondary roll without interfering with the dispenser.

Abstract: An extended shaft for connecting a standard, transmission mounted power take-off device to an auxiliary device which permits non-interference mounting configurations of the auxiliary device to the power take-off device. The extended shaft further provides mounting bracketry to prevent stresses when thermal expansion or contraction of relevant parts occurs during the operation of the motor vehicle or power take-off device.

Abstract: A golf swing instructional cage for teaching a quiet lower body swing, employs a minimum of three body constraints: a rear constraint, a forward upper leg lateral constraint and a constraint at the rear of the rearward knee area such that when the golfer is located in the proper initial swing position proximal the rear constraint and knee area restraint and a short laterally spaced distance from the forward upper leg lateral constraint, avoidance of contact with the spaced forward upper leg lateral constraint during the golf swing instructs in quiet lower body control. Optionally a laterally spaced rear upper leg lateral restraint is also provided which, by avoidance of contact during the golf swing further instructs in additional quiet lower body control.