Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved annular shaped charge of a type to be used in the shaped charge carrier of pipe cutting or severing apparatus. The improved annular shaped charge is made up of eight or more shaped charge segments disposed in side to side abutting relation. Each shaped charge segment has a die formed metal band and charge load. The invention also pertains to methods of making said annular shaped charge and the shaped charge segments, which methods are described.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improvement in a tubing clamping apparatus in which a hose carrying a fluid is to be connected in fluid tight relationship with an appliance; such as, a welding torch, pressure regulator or the like; the improvement being characterized by a hose barb sealingly connected at one end with the appliance and having an outwardly extending free end having an enlarged inverted frusto-conical section thereon for sealingly receiving the hose inserted thereover, a hose inserted over the hose barb, a thermoplastic clamping means disposed about the hose and encompassing the hose between the clamping means and the hose barb to hold the hose sealingly and frictionally in place, and a retainer means for retaining the clamping means in clamping relationship with the hose and the hose barb; the retaining means being forced toward the appliance so as to apply a radially inwardly biasing force on the clamping means.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a heat pump apparatus for conditioning a fluid characterized by a fluid handler and path for circulating the fluid in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant fluid; at least two refrigerant heat exchangers, one for effecting heat exchange with the fluid and a second for effecting heat exchange between refrigerant and a heat exchange fluid and the ambient air; a compressor for efficiently compressing the refrigerant; at least one throttling valve for throttling liquid refrigerant; a refrigerant circuit; refrigerant; a source of heat exchange fluid; heat exchange fluid circulating device and heat exchange fluid circuit for circulating the heat exchange fluid in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant; and valves or switches for selecting the heat exchangers and direction of flow of the refrigerant therethrough for selecting a particular mode of operation.

Abstract: Passive type electronic marker device is hoop shaped, with the hoop thickness in the radial direction being substantially less than the hoop width in the axial direction and with a tuned circuit disposed within the hoop. Improved structure and the method involves a mandrel portion on which the tuned circuit coil is wound, a mating cover band, and special peripheral hermetic seals.

Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus for fracturing subterranean formation by explosive fracture wherein opposed end charges are detonated to enhance the explosive capability of a central charge, the improvement comprising intermediate driver charges intermediate the central charge in each of the respective end charges; the driver charges being detonated by the end charges to provide a sustained pressure wave for enhancing the rubblizing and fracturing of the subterranean formation and extend the fracture more deeply into the subterranean formation. Also disclosed are improved apparatus enabling carrying out the split second detonating of the respective explosive charges, containing the explosive charges without entangling cable and the like downhole and preventing misfiring.

Abstract: This specification discloses method and apparatus for treating surface layers of the earth to obtain stabilization, build strength and permeability characteristics; characterized by slaking quicklime (CaO) in a mixing tank to form an elevated temperature, hydrated lime [Ca(OH).sub.2 ] slurry and working the resulting elevated temperature lime slurry into the surface of the earth at the local where the stabilization of the soil is to be achieved. This achieves a cost reduction, has greater reliability in obtaining materials, achieves better results, saves energy and extends the soil-stabilization season into cold weather previously considered prohibitive. Also disclosed are the details of preferred embodiments for admixing the unslaked lime.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a traveling torch comprising a carriage mounted on wheels and adapted to traverse a track; motor and variable speed traction drive transmission for moving the carriage along the track and carried by the carriage with the weight of the motor toward a first side; a torch rack holder for holding a torch, the torch rack holder being carried by the carriage with its weight toward a first side, the torch rack holder being asymmetrically mounted and extending above and across the carriage so as to carry the torch laterally beyond the second side of the carriage; a torch having a body, tip, and respective fuel and oxygen passageways connected with respective fuel and oxygen conduit means for conveying respective fuel and oxygen to respective fuel and oxygen passageways in the torch and flexible fuel and oxygen conduits connected with respective sources.

Abstract: An improvement in a fuel metering system having an engine, carburetor, a fluid fuel at super atmospheric pressure and a throttle for controlling the speed and power, the improvement being characterized by a fuel pressure regulator and an obstruction and regulator for controlling pressure drop across the obstruction proportional to the pressure drop across the butterfly within the carburetor so as to obtain a substantially constant fuel-air ratio being fed to the engine regardless of the carburetor demand. Also disclosed are a variety of means for accomplishing the obstruction and regulation of pressure drop thereacross, as well as the improved regulators, per se.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improvement in a heat pump water heater wherein the elements are disposed in a thermoplastic, molded base atop the hot water storage tank. The molded base has a drain for draining off liquid condensate. The condenser is in the form of a coil having the respective refrigerant and water paths for flowing in heat exchange relationship and disposed atop the hot water storage tank. The water has its own respective pump for being circulated through the condenser for heating the water while condensing the refrigerant. The evaporator is disposed peripherally around the top of the hot water storage tank so that the air that vaporizes the refrigerant is cooled and can be vented back to the air conditioned space. A self-supporting air filter is provided.

Abstract: A combination floor, jack and trailer assemblies characterized by a precast floor assembly having a pair of longitudinal beams and a plurality of transverse beams, including end beams, the longitudinal and end beams forming underpenning for a modular home; a jack assembly for attaching to said floor assembly even at ground level and for lifting said floor assembly sufficiently for the running thereunder of a trailer assembly, the jack assembly having a superstructure, lift bar for lifting the superstructure and the attached floor assembly, top fastener for fastening the lifting bar to prevent upward movement, interconnection means for connecting the jack with the floor assembly, extensible leg having a plurality of stations therealong for fastening the base along the leg and a jack for raising the floor assembly by forcing the extensible leg and the lift bar apart by one or more cycles so that the trailer assembly can be run underneath; and a trailer assembly including front and rear units having respective f

Abstract: A flowmeter for monitoring and controlling the flow of gaseous fluid at a predetermined pressure characterized by a body having a sealingly received flowtube in the center surrounded by a cover having a vent passageway and, intermediate the two, a burst capsule sealingly connected with the flowtube and the vent passage of the cover so as to allow flow therebetween until its burst strength is exceeded and thereafter rupturing to vent the gaseous fluid and prevent an explosion. Preferably, the flowmeter has a valve in an outlet passageway for controlling the flow; and the flowtube and cover are transparent with a flow bob and variable passageway for monitoring flow in the manner of a rotameter; the rotameter bob and the indicia being visible to an operator controlling the flow.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a tip for a cutting torch for beveling steels at angles greater than 45.degree. with respect to the perpendicular and characterized by an inner piece having a cutting oxygen aperture drilled through the center and fluted around its periphery and conformably fitting within an outer piece, the outer piece extending beyond the inner piece and with an exit diameter smaller than the chamber downstream of the inner piece and with critical relationships between the diameter of the exit aperture, the cutting oxygen aperture and diamensions of the chamber defined downstream of the inner piece and upstream of the exit aperture of the outer piece such that a bulbous flame is obtained at the tip of the outer piece that will cut smoothly at beveled angles of from 45.degree. to 90.degree. with respect to the perpendicular.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing smoke from an enclosure characterized by a truck transporting a suction-blower unit that can suck or blow the smoke from an enclosure. Respective first and second conduits are connected alternatively and optionally with the suction and discharge side of the suction-blower unit for removing the smoke. Aperture engaging mechanism is connected at the free end of the first conduit. The second conduit has an adjustable head for pointing its opening in any direction. An inert gas injection mechanism is provided in conjunction with the suction-blower unit for replacing the smoke with an inert gas to squelch combustion. Also disclosed are specific preferred construction elements.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a heat pump apparatus for conditioning a fluid characterized by a fluid handler for circulating the fluid in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant fluid; two refrigerant heat exchangers; one for effecting the heat exchange with the fluid and a second refrigerant-heat exchange fluid heat exchanger for effecting a low pressure ratio of compression of the refrigerant; a rotary compressor for compressing the refrigerant with low power consumption at the low pressure ratio; at least one throttling valve connecting at the inlet side of heat exchanger in which liquid refrigerant is vaporized; a refrigerant circuit serially connecting the above elements; refrigerant in the circuit; a source of heat exchange fluid; heat exchange fluid circulating device and heat exchange fluid circuit for circulating the heat exchange fluid in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for doing work characterized by the steps of establishing respective hot and cold zones within a constant volume chamber; providing a flow path intermediate the zones and encompassing a caloric energy storage means for extracting heat from gases that are hotter and for delivering heat to gases that are colder as the respective gases are flowed therepast; separating the respective hot and cold zones by reciprocally movable member that is movable longitudinally of its cylinder and periodically reciprocally moving the member whereby to effect the following steps; (a) taking in the relatively cool ambient air into the cold zone; (b) moving the cool ambient air past the caloric energy storage means to pick up heat and become relatively hotter to tend to expand and increase pressure; (c) passing the hotter air from the chamber to an engine means for producing work; (d) passing a high temperature fluid in heat exchange relationship with the caloric energy storage means to again heat the calor

Abstract: An improved kelly valve of a type wherein a flexible inner valve body closes the valve passageway responsive to the pressure of a gaseous control fluid contained within a sealed chamber and opens the passageway responsive to exterior pressure of drilling fluid or of tools being passed through the valve. The improvements enhance the operating life of the flexible member and simplify the valve structure and assembly and disassembly procedures.

Abstract: An improvement in an environment heating and cooling system in which air is circulated in heat exchange relationship with a first heat exchanger and the enclosed space to be air conditioned characterized by hot and cold heat exchangers at the surface connected in respective heating and cooling fluid circuits with, respectively, remote buried heat and cold storage areas; with respective pump means for pumping in both directions through the respective heat and cold storage areas for putting either heat or cold into the storage areas and removing therefrom, heat or cooling capacity. Also disclosed are preferred embodiments, piping interconnections and the like, including an embodiment in which a supplemental mechanical refrigeration unit is employed for use during time of bargain electrical rates to store excess cooling capacity in the cold storage area.

Abstract: A method of denitrogenating viscous oils containing a relatively high content of nitrogenous compounds and of disposing of a resulting high nitrogen content oil stream, characterized by forming a raw oil stream and a first viscous bottoms stream that would not be operably pumpable to a partial oxidation unit without the inclusion of viscosity lowering constituents; extracting the nitrogenous compounds from the raw oil stream with an operable acid solvent to produce a raffinate oil of low nitrogen content oil and an extract stream of low viscosity, high nitrogen content oil; recovering the acid solvent from the extract stream, simultaneously producing a small volume stream of low viscosity, high nitrogen content oil; admixing the low viscosity high nitrogen content oil with the high viscosity bottoms stream to provide a pumpable mixed stream; sending the mixed stream to a partial oxidation unit to produce hydrogen; employing the produced hydrogen for hydrogenation of the raffinate oil at mild conditions; and r

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improvement in a method of anodizing aluminum alloy parts to meet predetermined specifications regarding salt spray corrosion resistance, fatigue failure resistance, paint adhesion and coating weights and including the steps of connecting the aluminum alloy parts to an anode of a direct current voltage source that is positive with respect to a cathode, immersing the aluminum part near the immersed cathode in an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of chromic acid; and carrying out the anodizing under a predetermined voltage differential for a predetermined time with the electrolyte at a predetermined temperature. The improvement comprises employing a differential voltage in the range of 15-25 volts direct current between the anode and cathode, maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte in the range of 85.degree. F.-110.degree. F. and carrying out the anodizing for a time interval in the range of 20-60 minutes.