Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing grain to provide meal, grit, flour and masa products suitable for human consumption and by-products suitable for use as animal feed and industrial products. The methods includes forming a slurry of the grain with water and processing the slurry through dehusking, germ detaching, grinding and sifting stages while maintaining the grain at a relatively high moisture content. Partially different methods are employed depending on whether the processed grain is sorghum, wheat or corn. The processing apparatus includes a dehusking unit having a plurality of pump stages to remove the husks from the grain kernels without cracking a substantial portion of the kernels. A fluidized bed dryer is utilized to remove excess water and to surface dry the kernels and husks. For sorghum grains a centrifugal impact germ detacher is utilized to break up the dehusked kernel and separate the germ and oil from the endosperm.

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 device for calibrating and/or testing a pressure-responsive transducer comprises a piston and cylinder assembly connectable by a transducer dome to a pressure-sensitive face of the transducer. The piston and cylinder assembly comprises a relatively small diameter chamber through which a piston is controllably movable in air-tight contact with the interior wall of the chamber. The relatively small diameter chamber is in communication with a larger volume compression chamber, which is provided with an outlet port which is sealed an adaptor for connecting the piston and cylinder assembly to said dome.The piston is manually movable through the small diameter chamber from a retracted position, in which the chamber is vented to ambient atmospheric pressure, through a series of predetermined intermediate positions, each of which corresponds to a known increased pressure value in the dome.

Abstract: A raised panel door for use on kitchen and vanity cabinets and the like which can be quickly and inexpensively constructed from a conventional laminated door having a core and a thin veneer facing. First, an outer molding is secured around the periphery of the laminated panel to provide a finished edge and to conceal the exposed edges of the veneer facing the core. Then, using the outer molding as a guide a rectangular groove is cut through the veneer and into the core. Finally, an inner molding adapted to fit in the groove and having a pair of opposing lips to conceal the upper edges of the groove is glued in place to complete the door.

Abstract: A laundry drying system and method in which fresh air flows through a low temperature duct of a preheater, then through a primary heater before entering a laundry drying chamber is described. The air enters into contact with laundry in the chamber, then is exhausted, flowing through a high temperature duct of the preheater. In the preheater, heat pipes transfer heat from the exhaust air in the high temperature duct to the fresh air in the low temperature duct. Thus, heat which would otherwise be discarded in the exhaust air stream is recovered for use in the drying process. The preheater preferably uses heat pipes having a liquid return tube and set in a plate fin heat exchanger. To provide for a cool down cycle, there is a bypass which defeats the operation of the preheater. Lint exhausted by the drying chamber is partly collected by a dry type lint remover between the chamber exhaust and the preheater.

Abstract: A sweep generator for producing a circular raster of curved scanning lines on the target surface of a video camera is disclosed. Each curved trace follows a substantially circular path through a scanning angle of 360.degree.. The circular raster is generated by horizontal and vertical scanning signals which are synchronized with the horizontal line frequency of a video receiver. The horizontal scanning signal is characterized by a constant amplitude component followed by a sine wave component, and the vertical scanning signal is characterized by a composite waveform including a constant amplitude component followed by a sine wave component which is shifted 90.degree. in phase with respect to the sine wave of the horizontal scanning signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a panoramic optical system to produce a shadow or darkened zone on the apex of a curved lens in order to eliminate undesirable optical interference in the region between the curved reflector and the focal plane is disclosed. The claimed method makes possible the accurate prediction of the diameter of the darkened zone around which the reflected image is annularly disposed, for a lens having a reflective surface of a given radius of curvature and for a specific location of the transparent/opaque border relative to the top of the lens. This makes possible the calibration of vertical displacement of an opaque sleeve for quickly and easily establishing a setting which will produce a darkened zone of a standard diameter.

Abstract: Frying apparatus including a fry pot and a filter system operable during a cleaning cycle for dislodging food particles which cling to the fry pot and for removing food particles suspended in the cooking oil is disclosed. The filter system includes a shower apparatus which discharges jets of cooking oil along the interior side surfaces of the fry pot to dislodge food particles clinging thereto. The cooking oil is drained into a drain pan, strained through a filter and means are provided for pumping the filtered cooking oil back to the fry pot where it is discharged through the shower apparatus. Food particles are continuously separated from the cooking oil as it is conveyed from the fry pot through the filter into the drain pot. In a preferred embodiment, a control circuit is provided for automatically turning off the fry pot heaters when the cooking oil is drained during the filter cycle.

Abstract: Blowout containment apparatus for use in offshore areas comprising an inverted funnel adapted for positioning over a wellhead to receive fluids from the well and direct them into a conduit extending from the funnel to surface support and processing equipment. The funnel and conduit are supported from the sea's surface preferably by a vessel such as a barge. The barge carries the equipment to receive the full flow of fluids from the well, to process the fluids, and to conduct the liquids to a nearby tanker where the recovered liquid hydrocarbons may be stored. The method of blowout containment includes the controlled positioning of the support vessel, from which is suspended the inverted funnel, over the wellhead to capture the fluids erupting from the blowout and receiving the fluids from the upper end of the conduit at a rate at least equal to the flow into the funnel end of the conduit.

Abstract: A stabilized hoist rig for lowering, lifting, and supporting a pipe string from a vessel or floating platform in a deep ocean is disclosed. A resilient bearing member is disposed in load supporting relation intermediate the vessel and the hoist rig. A powered system is provided for angularly displacing the hoist rig with respect to the vessel to maintain vertical alignment of the hoist rig with respect to the pipe string as the vessel rolls and pitches during pipe stabbing and removal operations. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe string is supported by a slip bowl and a second resilient bearing member disposed intermediate the slip bowl and the hoist rig, and a system is provided for locking the hoist rig in a fixed position with respect to the vessel for permitting the vessel and hoist rig to roll and pitch with respect to the slip bowl in response to movements of the ocean in a passive support operating mode.

Abstract: An improved biomedical electrode comprising two snap together portions which may be assembled with a layer of elastic fabric between the two portions. At least one of the portions carries a conductive electrode and a lead for making connection to a recording system. An improved electrode cap comprises an elastic cap carrying a plurality of the snap together electrodes. An improved method of assembly includes the use of a generally head shaped block having a plurality of rods extending from the surface to hold one portion of the electrodes while the elastic cap is stretched over the block so that the rods may be used for alignment of the electrode second portions with the first portions and allow the assembly to be snapped together and simultaneously permanently mounted on the cap.

Abstract: Circuitry for applying electrical power to one or more load devices under control of a remotely located manually operable switch coupled to the circuitry by a single power transmission line. The circuitry responds to toggling of the remotely located switch to, for example, in a first state apply power to a first load, in a second state apply power to the second load, and in a third state apply power to both the first and second loads.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece including timekeeping means, an electro-optical time display, and a circuit for setting the display is disposed within an electrically conductive case and an electrically conductive, optically transmissive face cover. A battery is coupled to energize the timekeeping means continuously and the display setting circuit selectively. The electrically conductive face cover and the electrically conductive case are insulated from one another and constitute electrodes of a switching circuit for selectively connecting the battery to energize the display circuit. The battery is electrically connected in series with the conductive case and display circuit, and the display circuit is electrically connected in series with the conductive face cover and battery, whereby the display circuit may be selectively energized by simultaneously contacting the exterior conductive surfaces of the face cover and case with a conductive body disposed outside of the case.

Abstract: A data communications terminal is provided for interfacing with a central data processing system to handle a variety of data acquisition and control functions including the minitoring and control of security devices and pay television receivers. The terminal includes a microcomputer unit for receiving and processing data from the central processing system and from remote units which generate data signals in response to abnormal conditions. A data reception and transmission unit include a radio frequency modem for converting data to and from a frequency modulated format and a data converter for changing the serial bit data to parallel word data. An identification unit provides data to the microcomputer regarding the identification of the terminal which can be compared to the address portion of the incoming data from the central processing system. Data generating means are provided for generating and transmitting response data to the microcomputer for transmission to the central processing system.

Abstract: A visor for automotive use including a plurality of air directing channels for reducing the aerodynamic drag of the visor. The visor is formed from a single sheet of material and the channels are formed by flat bottomed depressions beginning near the front edge of the visor and becoming progressively deeper to a point near the back edge of the visor. From this point, the bottom of the depression abruptly rises back to the visor surface. The depressions have a maximum width near the front edge and taper to half this width near the back edge of the visor. The channels direct air from under the visor through openings formed between the visor and the vehicle and exhaust the air with essentially laminar flow.

Abstract: A high voltage transformer bushing having an inner conductor extending from a lower end to a point spaced from an upper end and having a side terminal at that point connected to a fuse link which is in turn connected to a high voltage line connector supported on the upper end of the bushing. A lightning arrester supported by and grounded to the transformer casing has an upper end spaced from the high voltage line connector to provide a spark gap.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating color print photographs in which a light source is mounted along the axis of rotation of a display cabinet having transparent or translucent upstanding sides on which are mounted color photograph prints so that light from the light source passes through the color photo prints and creates a glowing pictorial display.

Abstract: The frequency of a reference oscillator is controlled by a reference voltage which is altered at the beginning of an output cycle to equal the instantaneous value of the averaged outputs of a first oscillator and a second oscillator. In a preferred embodiment, the outputs from the reference oscillator and the second oscillator are summed, and this voltage is used to control the power output to a load.

Abstract: An improved oil well pump timer including means for detecting periods of power outage and providing a pumping period following the outage of sufficient length to maintain an essentially constant duty cycle. Clock controlled timers determine preselected on and off cycle periods. Power failure detecting circuitry inhibits on timer operation and counts the number of off time cycles occurring during the outage. Upon reestablishment of power, control circuitry inhibits the off timer and provides a number of on time cycles equal to the number of off cycles during the outage.