Abstract: The invention relates to cooling towers of the type currently in use for cooling water and/or condensing exhaust steam as for example in association with nuclear or fossil fuel type power plants. Typically towers are very large and very high. The invention embodies an original concept for utilization of such towers, for example hyperbolic towers, for the generation of energy from wind and also for improving the efficiency of the cooling tower. In the exemplary form of the invention a large wind driven rotor is provided to be carried by the tower and to rotate around its axis at the position of the narrowed throat of the tower. Pressure is generated by the rotor and discharged through nozzles arrayed on the inside of the walls of the tower to augment and enhance the draft within the tower.

Abstract: An improvement in braking of the wheels of a bicycle wherein both front and rear wheels are equipped with a coaster brake. Flexible connections are provided between the reaction torque arm of the rear coaster brake and the front brake for applying the front brake. Interposed in the connections is a proportioning lever mechanism for adjustably controlling the amount of braking effect transmitted to the front brake. Flexible connections are provided from the reaction torque arm of the front brake back to the lever mechanism for applying a feedback increment of actuation to the front brake. The system increases the effectiveness of the front brake by taking fuller advantage of the weight transfer which occurs in stopping, and the function of preventing throwing the rider over the handlebars is preserved while the positive feedback increment of control increases the braking effort of the front wheel in proportion to the increased load on the front wheel, which occurs in stopping.

Abstract: A manual cartridge loading machine. The machine has six stations at which cartridges are operated on. Cooperable with the stations is a manually actuatable head carrying dies which execute the operations on the cartridge cases. The operations which are executed at the stations include: feeding the cartridge case; sizing the case and removing the old primer; belling the mouth of the case and seating the new primer; feeding the powder; feeding the bullet in the case; and taper crimping the case. Cartridges are shifted from station to station by a manually actuatable shifting plate which is constrained for quadrilateral movement, that is, in and out with respect to the stations, and right and left in a direction parallel thereto. A safety latch is provided so that the head cannot be manually pulled down unless the cartridges have been shifted by the shift plate.

Abstract: An integrated unit associated with the shower head adapted for mounting in a shower stall. The unit contains conventional aerosol cans or containers for fluids such as soap and/or shampoo and the like. The aerosol cans are positioned to dispense into cavities, there being channels controlled by valves, providing communication between these channels, and a tube or pipe leading to the shower head for mixing the fluid controllably with the shower water. Associated with the cavities are manually actuatable plungers which are operable to cause dispensing of fluids from the cavities. Manually actuatable means can be provided for actuating the aerosol can valves to dispense.

Abstract: An ignition circuit arranged to deliver pulses of energy to an internal combustion engine includes inductive-type ignition circuitry and a pulse generator. Inductive ignition pulses are generated in time correspondence with engine movements in response to timing signals generated by breaker points and the pulse generator is simultaneously triggered to generate a high amplitude pulse which combines with the inductive ignition pulse to produce a composite ignition pulse having a fast-rise time and relatively long duration. Circuitry, biased by the pulse generator output, is associated with the breaker points which effectively isolates the breaker points electrically from voltage and current signals which tend to cause arcing thereacross. Thereby, deterioration of the breaker points caused by arcing is prevented. The circuit may be arranged so that the pulse generator or the inductive-type ignition circuitry may be selectively disabled.

Abstract: The invention is an improved clutching means for driving between axially aligned parts and is particularly adaptable in tapping attachments having free axial float. Direct and reverse drive is provided for by way of planetary gears for driving in direct and reverse drive in an exemplary attachment in which the clutching means is embodied. Spring biased clutch drive means is provided for both the direct and reverse drive. The clutch drive means is in the form of a sleeve having a ball race carrying driving balls interposed between axial splines on a driving part and on the driven splindle part. The splines have arcuate side surfaces to conform to the driving balls providing for substantially frictionless drive in both direct and reverse modes, the balls being free to roll. The splines are especially configurated to facilitate engagement of the balls with them. A single drive sleeve is resiliently carried by one of the parts for providing both direct and reverse drive.

Abstract: A measured length of drapery material is carried through the machine and through a processing appliance at one end of the machine. The machine has a tabling surface with a moving portion provided by a rotary drum which moves the fabric. The material passing through the machine comprises several widths seamed together. At the end of the machine, a strip of stiffening material is aligned with the edge of the material which will be the top edge of the drape and the materials are then stitched together by a sewing machine, the excess material being continuously cut off by a cutter.

Abstract: A releasable detent joint or coupling between telescoping cylindrical parts such as a receptacle and a tool holder held therein. The inner member is held by ball detents and a holding ring. The ring is expandable to allow release of the ball detents and separation of the parts in response to a predetermined applied torque to provide a safety release. In a simplified form of the invention, the holding ring is not expandable but release is effected merely by angular movement of the ring to a release position of the ball detents.

Abstract: The invention is an improved clutching means for driving between axially aligned parts and is particularly adaptable in tapping attachments having free axial float. The clutch drive means is in the form of a sleeve having a ball race carrying driving balls interposed between axial splines on a driving part and on the driven splindle part in both direct and reverse drive.A torque release clutch is provided. It acts on a drive member through which drive is transmitted in both direct and reverse drive so that it will release in the event of excessive torque in either direct or reverse drive.

Abstract: A servo valve control system exemplified by way of temperature controlled gas valves. Multiple slave pressure regulating valves are utilized supplying multiple burner manifolds. The first valve of the group of valves is modulated in response to temperature. The outlet pressure of each valve is utilized to bias and thereby modulate the next pressure regulating valve. The first valve, preferably is also controlled in response to an outdoor temperature sensor.

Abstract: Porous, tubular core sections coated with a semipermeable membrane are joined at their ends by a simplified coupling member. Each coupling member or connector comprises a cylindrical flange member having helically ribbed or barbed nipples which fit tightly into the ends of bores of adjacent core sections. The ends of the cores abut against the circular part of the coupling member. The ribs on the nipples on the coupling member are resilient and deform when inserted. The nipples have neck parts of a smaller diameter adjacent the body part of the coupling member providing annular spaces between these neck parts and the bores of core members permitting continuous flow of permeate and cleaning solution into these spaces and helically along the nipples. There are no appendages, cavities or pockets in which permeate or cleaning solution could be trapped.

Abstract: An automatic flushing and cleaning system for membrane separation machines such as reverse osmosis machines having plural modules or membranes. Cleaning may be by way of reducing the pressure to allow the membrane to relax, by the injection of air or inert gas to provide turbulence, and/or by injection of flushing liquid which may include chemical cleaning additives. Pumps, automatic valving, and pressure controls are provided, along with a complete timer operated electrical sequencing system whereby desired purging, flushing and cleaning cycles are automatically undertaken at periodic intervals or in response to one or more preferred conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus including a mixing chamber has a hollow rotor mounted therein carrying a stack of tightly pressed together nebulizer rings made of pliant material characterized by having substantially constant dimensions. A selected gas, such as air, is supplied to the mixing bowl while liquid fuel and optionally water or other liquid additives are metered into the interior of the hollow rotor at a rate controlled as a function of the air flow into the chamber. The fuel and water are each nebulized and uniformly dispersed into the mixing chamber by being propelled by centrifugal force generated by the rotor between the smooth uniform laminae defined by the pressed together nebulizer rings. The rotor is preferably driven to operate as a Van de Graaf generator and the nebulizer rings are preferably made up of dielectric materials to induce substantial electrostatic charges on liquids propelled therebetween.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle which in the exemplary form is a two wheeled vehicle driven by pedals and a sprocket chain. The frame is articulated with joints between frame members, permitting collapsing of the frame members into a substantially parallel relationship in the plane of the frame. Further joints allow collapsing of the frame members in a direction normal to the plane of the frame and into a position with the two wheels opposite each other on opposite sides of the frame members. The frame members include collapsible handlebars, steering column, and seat supporting members.

Abstract: A safety device for guns such as gas operated shotguns having interchangeable barrels. The barrels may be chambered for different-sized cartridges or shells, such as 23/4 inch shells or 3 inch shells. It would be unsafe to load a 3 inch shell into a barrel chambered for 23/4 inch shells. The invention is a safety block or lug which is fitted to the barrel chambered for the smaller size cartridge, the block having a position such that it is not possible to load the larger size cartridge into the gun.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating an open fire having a lamp mounted on a base structure within a shell. The shell is simulative of a pile of burning logs or the like and is at least in part light transmitting. Light masks are included, one of which operates to project the image of a flame on a projection screen mounted at the rear of the apparatus base. Arrangements may also be included for varying the light pattern projected from the lamp, for simulating the heat of a fire and for simulating the burning noise of a fire.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a platform supported by legs at the corners. It supports the bowling pins which are preferably of formed plastic. A ball is used which is a bean bag type ball containing beans or other particulate material and having a cover of a conventional ball. In the game the ball is not rolled but rather is lobbed. Cords are provided attached to the bases of the pins and to a manually operable lever for automatically resetting the pins manually. The cords and lever are fabricated as an integral plastic molded unit the cords being in the form of flat strips. The pins are of hollow molded construction. Each has a bottom slot opening adapted to receive and anchor a molded joint or barb on the end of a cord.

Abstract: A construction technique particularly adapted for constructing furniture. The construction embodies a limited number of modular elements preferably fabricated by a spun metal technique, that is, spinning. The preferred modular elements include flanged tub-like members that can be assembled in a column, the elements opening either upwardly or downwardly. A further basic modular element of toroidal shape is provided and with which a column can be capped to form a dual environment planter having a central main cavity and a perimetrical shallow cavity. The torus element can support a flat platform member to form a table top. A further modular member is provided, which is a smaller member with an opening for providing a single environment planter. This member also can receive a flat platform to form a table. The modular members as described are adapted to construction of a large number of structural units of different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An improved astronomical telescope mount having a polar axis column which is adjustably positionable; a telescope and supporting bracket with universal means at an end part of the column whereby the optical axis of the telescope lies in the plane of the column. The supporting bracket is rotatable about the polar axis and about an axis of declination which is normal to and intersects the polar axis. The mounting permits manuevering of the telescope to any geometrical orientation without interference. The telescope support bracket is mounted on a platform having a stem rotatably mounted in a hub which is adjustably positioned in the column. The column has an hour angle scale on it, the hub having a reference marker and a sidereal time scale on it, and said platform having a reference marker on it. Tracking means are provided as between the telescope platform and the hub by way of a gear on the hub which can be locked to or released with respect to the hub.

Abstract: First and second groups of light bulbs of different colors are disposed on base structure within a first light transmitting enclosure. The first enclosure is preferably a prismatic dome shaped lens which operates to project images of the bulb filaments. A circuit arrangement is provided for detecting, amplifying and separating an audio signal into bass and treble audio tones. The light bulbs are connected to the circuit arrangement so that one group is driven in response to the bass tones, while the other group is driven in response to the treble tones. A second light transmitting enclosure may be mounted on the base to surround the first enclosure. The second enclosure is preferably translucent to provide a surface upon which the colors of the bulbs and the images of their filaments are projected and displayed.