Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the combustion of natural gas in a natural gas fired appliance is described. Exhaust gases are sampled and maintained at a predetermined constant temperature between the dew point and the steam point. The relative humity of the constant temperature gas is monitored by a hygrometer. Relative humidity deviations from a predetermined value result in output signals from the hygrometer to a control circuit. The control circuit is connected to regulators in the air intake or chimney of the appliance which regulate air intake to keep the relative humidity substantially constant and hence control combustion of the gas. In another embodiment the relative humidity of the exhaust gases and the combustion air intake are monitored by separate hygrometers which are linked to each other so that a change in the relative humidity of a gas affecting one hygrometer will compensate the other hygrometer and control combustion as before.

Abstract: Improvements to humidifiers are provided. A housing has sides permitting a motor and air duct to be fitted with the motor on one of the sides and the duct on the other to facilitate assembly. The housing is also formed to facilitate removal of a tray containing water. Further features of the invention are a water valve which permits simple adjustment to control various water heights in the tray, and a novel float.

Abstract: A highly sensitive broad band mass spectrometer consists of a broad band selector of a low energy level beam of negative ions to be examined; a molecular disintegrator and charge changer which receives the negative ions and produces a beam of high-energy multiply charged positive ions free of molecules; and a broad band high-energy, continuously-operable isochronous time-of-flight mass spectrometer which receives the output from the molecular disintegrator. The disintegrator destroys molecules that would obscure the measurement of atomic species. Both selector and spectrometer preferably are electrostatic to avoid mass discrimination and maintain the broad band capability. The use of an isochronous time-of-flight mass spectrometer permits continuous operation which increases sensitivity. The ion selector may be of a magnetic type if a somewhat narrower band of masses is acceptable.

Abstract: A new article dropping tow consists of a suitably buoyant body or the like, such as a gas-filled balloon, carrying one or more releasable articles, such as a glider, a toy parachutist or a bomb, retained on the buoyant body by, for example a hook on one engaged in an opening in the other, arranged to release automatically when the upwardly-moving body suddenly changes its vertical movement, e.g. by bumping against an overhead surface, such as the ceiling of a room in which the toy is released, or by reaching the end of its tether string, or by the operator jerking on the string. The release is then effected by the movement of the body which disengages the article and allows it to drop.

Abstract: A scraper for cleaning a lawn mower housing includes an L shaped blade element to conform to the underside of the housing. The blade element has a V shaped cross section to provide a concavity on the surface of the blade element facing the housing. The scraper dislodges debris collected within the housing by simple movement of the scraper around the periphery of the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides a new form of landing gear for a water plane that will minimize the time and power required to accelerate it from the at-rest, displacement-borne phase to the planing phase and takeoff phase of its operation. The landing gear of the invention is of hydrofoil type and separates the buoyant support function from the planing support function and recombines them in a way which causes them to interact, mutually assisting each other in all phases of operation, simultaneously providing a much lighter and stronger structure, having less drag and requiring less power input than devices and combinations heretofore used or proposed. Thus, the plane body is of any suitable water borne hull shape with two wings whose roots are submerged while floating to give transverse stability.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dynamic in-circuit testing of digital electronic devices employs a hardware testing circuit that is set by a microcomputer which takes no direct part in the test, so that the test hardware speed is not limited by the computer speed. The apparatus comprises a library of devices equivalent to the devices to be tested, the library including a ROM containing the information regarding the devices needed by the microcomputer for its purpose. An internal interface or router receives signals from the test device that are input signals to its terminals and routes them directly to the corresponding selected device in the library where it becomes an input to that device also. Signals from the test device that are output signals are routed instead to a comparison block where they are compared with the respective output signals from the library reference device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of plastic film by the extrusion of a tube thereof includes a first air ring disposed at the die exit and delivering an annular stream of cooling air to the surface of the emerging tube, which is in a stable expansion phase as it escapes the die internal pressure. Preferably the stream is directed axially of the tube path. The apparatus includes the combination of a sizing cage and a second air ring that is mounted for longitudinal movement along the tube. The tube is established with the air rings close together and they are moved as soon as possible as far apart as possible. The second air ring is located just below where the tube begins to expand and delivers an annular stream of air, preferably in a known manner away from the tube to form a vacuum which stabilizes the tube. The cooling air stream from the second ring can be high since the tube is again in a stable expansion phase with the material at an appropriate temperature.

Abstract: A feeder for strip material has two carriage assemblies that reciprocate to move material intermittently through the feeder. The carriage assemblies are mounted on base plates that are adjustable relative to the center line of the feeder to accommodate different material widths. Each carriage assembly includes a clamp to grip the material. The clamp is moved between open and closed positions by an actuator that is orientated to transfer force directly between the clamping arms without transmitting clamping forces to the motor used to displace the actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in hose clamps of the type employing a worm screw mounted in a housing which is fastened to a metal band and engages in slots in the band. A thin backing layer is laminated to the metal band of the clamp on the face that engages the article to be clamped, for example, to prevent extrusion of hose materials through the slots. This backing layer is of a thickness such that it will be stretched by the screw thread lands, but is thick enough that it will not break or crack under such treatment. It is slightly narrower than the band material, so that it can be applied without protruding from edges and form a dangerous knife edge, and is fixed to the band by means of a resilient adhesive that will permit the required deformation without separation. The screw thread lands can now be made deep enough for positive engagement in the slots and even protrude slightly from the other side.

Abstract: A windshield wiper comprises a pressure-applying superstructure and a squeegee assembly releasably mounted on the superstructure to permit replacement of the squeegee when worn. Releasable retaining means comprise a projection on one of the superstructure yokes adjacent to an endmost pair of the claws thereof that retain the squeegee assembly and a cooperating recess on the backing member of the squeegee assembly. The retaining means thus uses the flexibility of the backing member to provide the necessary retention. The projection may have a ramp shape to facilitate the latching action as the squeegee assembly is mounted.

Abstract: Ferric chloride leaching at temperatures in the range 47.degree.-74.degree. C. is found to remove up to 97% of the uranium from ores occurring in the Elliot Lake area of Canada, but radium removal was found to be poor due to the formation of sulphates from the sulphides present in the ore. In processes of the invention the sulphides are initially removed by flotation, when aqueous acidic ferric chloride of relatively low concentration, e.g. 0.1 M can extract as much as 92% of the radium, giving tailings which are effectively sulphide-free and with radium levels approaching a desired maximum of 24 pCi/g. Radium may be removed by adsorption on manganese dioxide and uranium may be removed by liquid extraction with D2EHPA (DAPEX process). The ferric chloride may be recirculated for further leaching, with reduction before the uranium extraction and reoxidation afterwards. Because of the recycle, it is possible to keep chloride ion levels in the effluent below the prescribed level in Ontario, Canada of 750 ppm.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pelletization of heat liquifiable materials, such as metallurgical slags consists of a downwardly-extending feed plate onto which the molten material is fed together with water, if required to promote the expansion of the molten material and for control of the cooling. The material discharges from the feed plate onto a rotating radially vaned drum by rotor by which it is projected into the air for simultaneous cooling and pelletization after it has first passed through a flow control gap formed between the feed plate surface and the periphery of a second rotor mounted above the feed plate. The second rotor is rotated in the direction such that it promotes the flow of the molten material down the plate, forcing the material between the vanes of the projecting rotor, while at the same time spreading the material across the width of the plate against its natural tendency to form a compact stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a transport converter dolly for use as the front wheels of a trailer towed by another vehicle, when it is required to provide a substantial spacing between the vehicle and the trailer so as to meet axle loading requirements of the regulatory authorities. The dolly is connected by a towing connection to a transversely-extending bar connected to the rear of the towing vehicle. The wheels of the dolly are forcibly steered as the vehicle train negociates a curve by means of a steering connection between the bar and the dolly wheels. The steering connection preferably is a parallelogram linkage that can be altered in length without affecting the steering it produces. The dolly wheels may be mounted on steerable stub axles or the entire axle may be swivelled by mounting it to the dolly frame via a turntable bearing. The dolly frame may be fixed to the rear trailer or connected thereto by a fifth wheel connection.

Abstract: A lightweight sports neck and collarbone protector is provided for sports players, especially for lacrosse or hockey players, comprising a combined bib and upstanding collar to protect the clavicles and throat of the wearer respectively, the bib and collar being connected together along the entire length of their junction so that the collar holds the bib in position and an object such as a hockey stick or skate blade cannot pass between them. Each of the bib and collar includes protective padding and armour members to overlie the clavicles and vulnerable front and side parts of the throat. The padding may be foam padding and the armour members may be stiff plastics sheet material, the padding preferably being moulded from a soft plastics material as an integral member, while the armour members are moulded from a more rigid plastics mateiral, also as an integral unit with a thin flexible connection between the armour members.

Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying wrap-around labels to cylindrical containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier. The drive system includes at least one belt engaged about the wheel in slipping relationship therewith to permit the belt to move faster than the periphery of the wheel and including a portion for moving in contact with the container immediately after the container leaves the feeder to both carry the label off the wheel and to engage it on the container. A cutter arrangement is provided with a lobe which removes tension from the label as it is severed from the strip of labels.

Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying heat shrinkable wrap-around labels to contoured surfaces of containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier.The container is supported on a platten having a diameter corresponding to the greatest diameter of the container so that the label depends in a skirt from the container. The container is subsequently transferred to a smaller platten and passed over a heated plenum to shrink the skirt to the contours of the container.

Abstract: A duct jointing system has frame members each with a channel portion for engaging an end of a respective duct wall and an outwardly projecting portion. L-shaped connectors engage in openings in the outwardly projecting portions for securing the frame members together as frames and adjacent frames are connected by cleats engaging projections on the outwardly projecting portions and reinforcing flanges on the connectors, the flanges being cut-away to allow the cleats to be driven longitudinally into position.

Abstract: A windshield wiper clip for the selective detachable attachment of a windshield wiper assembly to at least two wiper arms of the hooked end type having arm ends of different transverse widths. The clip body is shaped to fit within the hooked end of a first wiper arm of wider width having a respective first angular orientation and said clip body has a groove for the reception therein of a hooked end of a second wiper arm of narrower width being disposed in a respective angular orientation different from the first angular orientation.

Abstract: A boat transporter has a single wheel rotatably supported in a cradle. The cradle is formed from a pair of frames which are spaced on opposite sides of the wheel. The boat is supported on the cradle and held by a strap. The boat which projects on either side of the cradle may then be rolled across a portage. To facilitate storage, the cradle is collapsible.