Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing and testing new pipelines or for testing, repairing or modifying existing pipelines without purging products from the line are disclosed. The method is carried out by selectively sealing the pipeline to prevent the flow of products by means of a pipeline freeze pig which features an expandable chamber which is filled with water. A section of fluid transmission line is sealed by positioning the freeze pig within the interior of the section and positioning a refrigeration unit around the exterior of the section enclosing the freeze pig. The water within the expandable enclosure is frozen by circulating a refrigerant through the refrigeration unit. The freeze pig is characterized by a resilient boot enclosure defining the expandable chamber which is secured to an elongated support member. The resilient boot is disposed between first and second flexible flange members which project radially for wiping engagement with the inner wall surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: A pulse transformer having primary and secondary windings on separate insulating bobbins which are carried on the arms of a pair of U-shaped ferrite cores which provide a continuous magnetic path for coupling relatively high energy pulses. The bobbin and core assembly is assembled in and held together by a close fitting molded plastic housing which carries four pins to which the primary and secondary windings are attached. The connecting pins extend from a side of the housing which is open to receive the bobbin/core assembly and are adapted for printed circuit board mounting in which the board covers the housing opening so that the transformer is completely protected.

Abstract: A method of operating a waste disposal system for the thermal conversion of municipal and industrial solid wastes into essentially pollution free products of combustion is disclosed. The waste disposal system includes a building enclosure having an interior storage area for accumulating combustible refuse, and an incinerator for thermally oxidizing the refuse. In a preferred embodiment, the incinerator includes a combustion chamber which is maintained at a reduced pressure level relative to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. This subatmospheric pressure arrangement produces a positive flow of air into the chamber as it is loaded thereby permitting loading during combustion virtually without risk of injury to personnel or damage to surrounding combustible material.

Abstract: A seismic prospecting roll along switch incorporating electronically controlled switches in an improved switch arrangement requiring far fewer switches than previous systems. In a simple form, one switch is provided for each geophone input with one contact of each switch connected to one of the inputs and the other contact of each switch connected in pairs, appropriately selected, to the inputs of amplifier and filter channels. A controller is provided for electronically closing the appropriate switches for each roll along position. In most roll along positions geophone inputs are connected out of order to the signal processing channels and the sequence is corrected by a modified multiplexer which connects the processing channels to a system analog to digital converter.

Abstract: A solar collector system of the type having a movable surface for receiving solar radiation having improved means for rotatably supporting the movable surface and for rotating the collector surface. A support axle for the collector includes a ball at one end which is carried within a cylindrical sleeve in the solar collector to support the weight of the collector. A torque transmitting arm comprising a flexible flat strip is connected at one end to the axle and at the other end to the collector surface. An improved rotational drive mechanism includes a first sprocket wheel carried on the axle and a second sprocket wheel supported on a support pylon with a drive chain engaging both sprockets. A double acting piston also supported by the pylon is coupled to the chain so that the chain may be driven by a hydraulic control system to rotate the collector surfaces as required.

Abstract: Outwardly extending support members are integrally joined to a reinforced concrete hull of a swimming pool. Peripheral deck slabs rest on the support members preventing deck pivoting due to earth settlement. The support members engage the sidewalls of the pool at a depth sufficiently below the water level such that water pressure provides a significant counteracting force to the sidewall in the area of greatest stress. Joints between adjacent deck slabs are formed above the support members so that each deck slab is at least supported at its opposite ends.

Abstract: A swing check valve having a generally cylindrical body with a fluid passageway extending therethrough, an annular resilient seat molded in place within said passageway and oriented normal to the passageway axis, and a clapper assembly pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the passageway axis. The clapper assembly includes a spring biased pivoting arm and a generally circular valve loosely mounted to the arm and adapted to engage the seal. The arm and valve are connected by a threaded fastener fixedly mounted to the valve and extending through an oversized aperture near the free end of the arm, and an adjustment nut. During assembly the free movement of the valve with respect to the arm is adjusted by rotating the valve and fastener with respect to the nut until the desired amount of movement is obtained and then welding this nut to the fastener.

Abstract: A chain saw having an improved safety brake actuating mechanism is provided. The actuating mechanism includes a safety lever pivotally mounted on the chain saw housing for movement from an operating position to a braking position in which a brake band is brought into frictional engagement with motive means which drives a cutting chain. A latching member is pivotally mounted on the safety lever for releasable latching engagement with the housing. A spring member engaged intermediate the housing and the latching member exerts a yieldable force on the safety lever which constantly biases the safety lever for movement from the operating position to the braking position while also exerting a yielding latching force on the latching member.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for managing the picture memory of a digital color graphics imaging system, thereby enabling images on a display monitor to be changed efficiently at high rates, and more specifically a control system which comprises a video memory controller having an internal memory for a digital color graphics imaging system. The controller operates under the direction of a host computer to generate synchronized color data signals for input to a cathode ray tube monitor or other suitable graphical display device. The controller is effective to randomly address its memory at high speed and serially read, but not serially write, the data stored in the memory at TV rates for displaying on the monitor. The particular embodiment of the controller disclosed herein has a universal organization which may be adapted for use in various computer graphics systems.

Abstract: A water filter (10) includes a housing (12) which receives unfiltered water through an input line (54). The water enters the housing (12) and passes through a baffle (30) and upward through charcoal filter material (86). Various pollutants within the water are removed by the charcoal (86). After being filtered by charcoal (86) the water passes through a filter cloth (24) into a lateral line (22). The water is transmitted through a return line (16) which passes through housing (12) into a supply line (46) for delivery to the consumer. The filter (10) is back washed by supplying hot, pressurized water into the return line (16) where it is fed through the lateral line (22) into the charcoal filter material (86). The back wash water passes through the baffle plate (30) and is collected at the bottom of housing (12) where it is forced out through a waste water disposal line (74).

Abstract: Apparatus for use in combination with a road working machine for mixing a liquid plasticizing agent within a layer of scarified road surface materal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an array of discs for lifting and turning the scarified road surface material and a nozzle supported in a position for spraying the liquid plasticizing agent upon the road surface material as it is lifted and turned by the discs. In a preferred embodiment, the discs are secured to a rotatable shaft which is mounted for angular movement through a plane lying transverse to the direction of travel so that the disc assembly may follow longitudinal undulations in the road surface.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a nodule transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assembly includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate. The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A game of chance includes a game board with a plurality of sections thereon, wherein the sections are labeled with various indicia, or combinations thereof, and odds pertaining thereto. A chance indicator device for simultaneously selecting one such indicia and a game command. The device includes two sections rotatably joined together, wherein one section is friction fit about a shaft so that it cannot rotate relative thereto, and the other section is rotatably mounted to the shaft. Both sections are identically shaped so that they may be interchangeably mounted on the shaft either by themselves or in combination, one section containing indicia on its faces and the other section containing game commands on its faces. The device is spun on the game board so as to select the indicia and/or game commands.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which guards a curved portion of the guide bar tip of a chain saw in order to prevent kickback accidents. The guard assembly is attached on one side of the guide bar at a hole through the bar near the nose. It includes a plate which projects beyond the nose parallel with the plane of the guide bar. The plate has an internally threaded shaft projecting from it, allowing it to be bolted to the guide bar through the hole. A spacer between the plate and the guide bar holds the plate away from the cutting edge of the chain.

Abstract: A construction system is disclosed utilizing prefabricated panels which can be assembled in a contiguous, aligned relationship to form a construction section. In one form of the system, the individual panels may include a structural core with a flexible membrane covering, and include an edge portion adapted to engage the edge portion of the next adjacent panel to provide a substantially continuous seal between panels. The edge portions are sealable by fasteners which may be in the form of interlocking male and female members proportioned so that when joined the male members of one fastener will wipe along the inside walls of the fastener to which it is being connected to clean dirt from these walls and push the dirt into one or more dirt cavities formed when the fasteners are joined. Multiple areas of intense contact are also provided between the mating members of the fasteners to provide an effective watertight seal.