Abstract: A shrimp grading mechanism is provided which incorporates a shrimp conveyer and orienter for conveying shrimp oriented in head-up, body-down position along a linear path. The conveyor incorporates a plurality of pan segments which collectively form a movable trough having a slot at the bottom portion thereof. Shrimp smaller than a preselected size range will fall through the slot while shrimp of the preselected size range will be gripped at the juncture of the heads and body and supported by the opposed pan segments of the conveyor. The conveyor pans engage the shrimp in a pivot-like manner thereby permitting the heavier body portions of the shrimp to pivot downwardly such that each of the shrimp is positioned in head-up, body-down relation while being conveyed to the end of the conveyor. Several shrimp grading machines may be placed in cascading relation with succeeding machines being adjusted for smaller size ranges of shrimp falling from the conveyor of the immediately preceding shrimp grading machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for watering hanging or potted plants including suspension of a drippage collection receptacle from the container of the hanging plant which has an upwardly directed opening of larger dimension than the dimension of the container of the hanging plant. A liquid transfer tube extends from an outlet connector disposed at the lower portion of the receptacle and being of sufficient length such that its free end is positionable above the upper end of the receptacle and is capable of extending downwardly a predetermined distance below the receptacle. A tube retainer is provided at the upper end of the receptacle for releasably positioning the free end of the liquid transfer tube above the liquid level in the receptacle. The liquid transfer tube may also include a pump for transfer of liquid from the receptacle to the container of the hanging plant such as for recirculation of water and nutrients to the hanging plant.

Abstract: An automatically positionable rear view mirror assembly for automotive vehicles having a turn signal lever. The mirror assembly incorporates a housing that is supported by automotive vehicle and encloses a movable mirror assembly adapted for movement to first and second positions relative to the mirror housing. Motor means such as a solenoid motor is located within the mirror housing and includes an actuating shaft operatively interconnected with the movable mirror. The motor means includes a control circuit having a switch coupled with the circuitry of the automotive vehicle, the switch being operated by the turn signal lever of the automotive vehicle, whereby the mirror is automatically positioned responsive to selective positioning of the turn signal lever. The mirror assembly preferably includes a fixed mirror segment and a movable mirror segment, the movable mirror segment being operated by the motor means.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump mechanism having a pump body forming a fluid inlet chamber and opposed pump cavities in communication with the fluid inlet chamber. The pump employs a piston having opposed pumping extremities adapted for pumping entry into the respective pumping cavities and is of a length such that with one pumping extremity positioned to its full extent within a pumping cavity the opposite pumping extremity there of is disposed in fluid inletting relation with the opposite pumping cavity. The piston may also include opposed drive shafts at least one of which extends from the pump body. One of the piston shafts may be adapted to be driven by any suitable reciprocating prime mover while the opposite piston shaft is adapted for connection to a similar exposed piston drive shaft of a similar double-acting piston pump to thereby provide for connection of the pumps in tandem driven relation by a single prime mover.

Abstract: A free floating fish catching device is provided having a large dimension, generally flat float structure having upper and lower surfaces. A connector projection extends upwardly from the central portion of the top surface and defines an aperture to receive one end of a swivel to which a fishing leader and hook are connected. The fish catching device is inverted by a biting fish to expose an attention attracting surface to provide an indication that a fish has been caught. A lifting loop is also provided to enable the device to be lifted from the water along with the fish. The inverted top surface of the device functions as a water brake to retard movement of the device by the fish and functions together with the leader connector element to cause a caught fish to swim in a circle rather than swimming away with the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving adiabatic heat ignition of combustible material, particularly explosive compositions which involves entrapping a quantity of gas in a chamber which is in communication with the combustible material and suddenly compressing the gas to the extent that the temperature thereof is increased adiabatically to the ignition temperature of the combustible material. The apparatus is particularly adaptable for use as an adiabatic ignition device for detonating cord and shaped charges of perforating guns for completion of wells. A quantity of high explosive within an explosive barrel is in detonating proximity with the detonating cord. A cylinder forms an air chamber which is in communication with the explosive composition and is provided with a piston for compression of the gas. One or more shear pins or other locking devices are provided to secure the piston in immovable relation with the cylinder.

Abstract: An optical fiber rotary measurement sensor for flow meters and other mechanical devices incorporates a housing having an encoder disc mounted by a drive shaft for driven rotation, the drive shaft being driven by a flow meter mechanism or by any other mechanical device. The encoder forms evenly spaced light absorbing and light reflecting areas at the outer periphery thereof and optical fibers are positioned to project light onto and receive reflected light from the outer periphery of the encoder disc. An opto-electronic signal processor receives reflected light pulses from the reflective surface areas and translates the light pulses into electrical pulses. The electrical pulses are in turn input to electronic display circuitry for providing a digital, analog or other suitable display representative of the rotation of the encoder disc and thus representative of rotary output movement of the flow meter or other mechanical device.

Abstract: A personnel activity sensor and alarm system is provided which incorporates one or more remote personnel safety units each incorporating a multi-axis motion detector and reset timing and logic circuit coupled with a radio transmitter or transceiver. Under the command of the logic circuit, the radio automatically transmits an alarm signal and causes the circuitry to generate a local audio signal in the event of personnel inactivity for a predetermined period of time. This enables personnel assistance to be initiated without delay. A base station is also provided which incorporates a radio transceiver to which is coupled control logic circuitry for commanding transmission of radio integration and control signals to the radio receiver of the remote personnel units for acknowledgment of alert signal reception and for cancellation of the radio alarm signal to clear the radio channel for other activities.

Abstract: An exerciser is provided for application of an anatomically applied force to the jaw for pivoting of the jaw at its tempero-mandibular joint or to provide a motion to the jaw, or resistance to motion of the jaw which is beneficial in facial orthopedics. A structure is provided having curvilinear guide tracks which guide movement of a carriage according to the character of movement that is desired. The carriage is movable to thereby allow corresponding movement of a mandibular jaw member supported by the carriage relative to a maxillary jaw member supported by the exerciser body. Through suitable linkages, motion may be imparted to the carriage or resistance exerted against its motion by manual action, by a spring or by a motor. The linkage may provide for adjustment of mechanical advantage or range of motion through selection of slots or holes formed in parts of the linkage structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering leaked fluid or directing fluid flow or propagation through utilization of negative pressure pulses occurring in a pressurized fluid system. The invention has particular application in double acting hydraulic fluid motors where leakage of hydraulic fluid past the output shaft seal may be efficiently collected and redirected into the pressurized hydraulic fluid system through utilization of negative pressure pulses that are developed periodically by fluid direction changes during operation of the hydraulic fluid motor.

Abstract: A muzzle brake for firearms including a housing positioned at the end of a gun barrel which defines a gas receiving expansion chamber. A plurality of vent slots or openings are formed in the housing and are oriented to direct escaping gases from the chamber in an upwardly or upwardly and rearwardly direction. The chamber and slotted housing are so defined that reverberating shock waves build up within the chamber and escape sequentially so as to substantially increase the duration of the upwardly and rearwardly directed gas venting pulse and thus retard upward muzzle jump of the gun barrel and minimize the felt recoil experienced by the user. The muzzle brake apparatus may be adjustable to provide for selective muzzle deflection in any suitable direction or to neutralize muzzle deflection.

Abstract: A collapsible carrying container for animals includes top, bottom and opposed side walls which are in hinged assembly by means of four elongate hinges that extend substantially the entire length of the container. The top, bottom and side walls are capable of forming a rectangular animal enclosure and are enabled by the hinges to collapse in the manner of a parallelogram to a substantially flat condition. Opposed end walls are hingedly connected to the bottom wall and include out-turned structural flanges on the top, bottom and sides thereof for enhancement of the structural integrity of the end portions of the animal carrier unit. The hinges are connected to the outer edges of the lower out-turned structural flanges, thus permitting the end walls to be positioned within the rectangular enclosure. Locks are provided at the end portions of the top wall and include hooks that engage about the superposed ends of the top wall and out-turned structural flanges to thereby lock the end walls in place.

Abstract: A lift-turn valve actuator is provided for tapered plug valve and slip assemblies that accomplishes vertical movement of the plug and retraction of the slips from sealing engagement with the valve body prior to rotation of the plug member 90.degree. to its open position. The valve actuator assembly includes inner fitting inner and outer sleeve members each having cam slots formed therein with the cam follower of a valve actuating stem being engaged with both cam slots. Rotation of the outer sleeve member with respect to the static inner sleeve imparts initial vertical movement to the actuator stem, valve stem and valve plug for slip retraction as an initial component of movement followed by simultaneous rotational and upward movement of the plug member until the plug member has rotated 90.degree. to its open position.

Abstract: A writing system is provided for use in both dry and wet environments and includes a holder adapted to be releasably supported by a wall surface and defining pen and note pad receptacles. The holder forms a perforate bottom wall permitting drainage of water from the receptacles. One receptacle supports a waterproof pen. The other receptacle receives a waterproof note pad composed of waterproof sheet material such as Tyvek paper-like material which are bound in assembly to form a note pad. To facilitate all weather use of written materials and writing materials, water-proof paper-like materials is employed on which is printed information with water-proof ink and/or written information with a water-proof writing instrument.

Abstract: A collapsible trailer/ramp assembly is provided which is formed by a pair of deck plates that are interconnected by a hinge along the longitudinal centerline of the deck. The downturned side and end edges of the plates and a plurality of longitudinal and transverse structural members provide the trailer or ramp structure with efficient structural integrity. These structural members also function to define a storage receptacle which is adapted to receive the drawbar structure, wheel assemblies, transverse structural bridge plates and locking pins of the trailer/ramp assembly. When the deck sections are folded the storage receptacle is completely closed to thereby prevent loss of any of the stored components of the trailer/ramp assembly. All of the component parts are assembled to the deck sections by means of manually insertible and removable pins so that tools and other equipment are not required for assembly and disassembly procedures.

Abstract: A windshield mounted combination emergency light/spotlight mechanism for automotive vehicles such a police cruisers, fire trucks, ambulances, etc. includes a housing which is mounted by bonded supports to the inner surface of the windshield, preferably at the same location normally occupied by a centrally located rearview mirror. Within the housing is located a movable spotlight and a pair of flashing emergency lights which can be incandescent lights or strobe lights. Filters are also located within the housing to provide colored flashing light. The spotlight, which may be a high intensity halogen spotlight, is mounted to a pivotal support which is selectively movable by a mechanical or electrical mechanism actuated by a manually actuated control lever. The housing fits intimately with the inner surface of the windshield and prevents rearward reflection or refraction of light into the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An energy conserving highly efficient hydraulically energized cooling tower fan system is provided having a rotary fan and hydraulic motor for operation thereof located at elevation within the upper portion of a cooling tower. An axial piston, variable displacement, pressure compensation hydraulic pump and its electric motor, together with a hydraulic fluid reservoir, hydraulic fluid filters and coolers arranged in closed loop assembly are located remotely from the hydraulic motor and fan assembly such as at ground level, to facilitate ease of maintenance and to minimized fire hazard and electrical hazard within the cooling tower itself. The rotational speed of the cooling tower fan is within a predetermined infinitely variable range and is controlled responsive to the temperature sensed in the cool water basin of the cooling tower by a temperature sensor and controller which controls the velocity of fluid output from the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A direct current electrical fan motor for use in small electrical equipment such as down sized personal computers and the like incorporates a fan housing forming a circular fan opening and having a bearing support located centrally of the fan housing. A plurality of electrical coils are supported by the housing in spaced relation about the inner periphery of the fan housing. The fan housing also forms a circular internal channel at the inner peripheral portion thereof. A fan is provided centrally of the housing and is rotatably supported by the bearing. The fan incorporates a plurality of fan blades radiating from a central rotor and having a circular structural member supporting the tips of the blades against vibration. A plurality of permanent magnets are supported by the circular structural member and are movable within the internal channel of the housing upon rotation of the fan, thus moving in close proximity to the spaced coils of the housing during rotation of the fan.