Abstract: A closed-loop heat-transfer system includes in combination an exhaust chamber for positioning in series with a chimney flue of a heating system wherein the exhaust chamber has an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet opening adapted for connecting the chamber to the chimney flue. The exhaust chamber includes a first heat exchanger having a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening and a coiled conduit positioned interior to the chamber interconnecting the fluid inlet and outlet openings. The heat-transfer system also includes a second heat exchanger for positioning in a location remote to the chimney flue, and the second heat exchanger also has a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening. A conduit couples the fluid openings of the first heat exchanger to the fluid openings of the second heat exchanger to form a closed circulatory loop for a heat-transferring fluid.

Abstract: A process for cleaning tank interiors uses a rotary element and a cleanser discharge nozzle and monitors the completion of each full revolution of the rotary element. The cleanser quantity made available per unit of time is monitored and/or controlled or regulated. In the process, the time of each revolution of the rotary element is monitored in such a fashion that said time is represented by the spacing in time of two voltage pulses, with the last voltage pulse serving as a reset pulse for the monitoring time. The monitoring time represents the requirement of a sufficient cleaning effect and exceeds by an adjustable percentage the set time of revolution for a rotary element. In the event each rotary element revolution is completed within the monitoring time, the monitoring begins anew. In the event that the time of revolution of the rotary element exceeds the monitoring time, an electrical, optical, or acoustical malfunction or control signal is given.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels and a framework for supporting the wheels. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is selectively adjustable such that, when the wheels are in the use orientation, the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element. A storage hopper is attached to the support framework for storing the retrieved flexible element.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry by-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A locking gas cap for a threaded filler neck having a sealing lip extending peripherally about its axis, the cap comprising a closure member threaded to engage and close the filler neck, a gasket on the closure member for engaging and sealing against the lip, an outer shell providing a hand grip secured to the closure member for rotation thereon, a key-operated lock and at least one lock-actuable bolt connected to the shell for rotation therewith. A race is disposed for rotation in the shell, and a driving connection is provided between the race and the closure member which is torque limited in the direction which advances the closure member on the filler neck and positive in the cap removal direction. A spring is provided for yieldably urging the bolt into engagement with the race. The spring cooperates with a plurality of engaging pockets in the race to provide a positive driving connection between the shell and race in the direction which advances the closure onto the filler neck.

Abstract: A pilot assembly as for locating a workpiece in successive forming stages of a machine, such as a punch press, where the workpiece is progressively moved through the forming stages of the machine. The pilot assembly includes a pilot pin mounted to a movable die member of the machine for guiding entry into a previously formed hole in a workpiece or in a companion die member as the die members are moved toward each other, the pin being axially retractable in its mounting in the event it strikes an obstruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling plywood laminate structures on a plywood assembly line utilize a first conveyor extending through an assembly area. Plywood back sheets are loaded onto the entry end of the first conveyor in end-to-end abutting relationship and the first conveyor conveys the back sheets, additional laminate layers (such as core layers), and complete laminate structures at constant speed from the entry end to the first conveyor's exit end. The method and apparatus utilize a first curtain coater to coat the top side of the back sheets with a laminating adhesive. The first curtain coater is positioned upstream from and adjacent the entry of the first conveyor. Additional side conveyors convey plywood core laminate layers and face sheets to assembly stations along the first conveyor. Additional curtain coaters are utilized as required to coat the top sides of the core laminate layers moving along such additional conveyors with laminating adhesive.

Abstract: A biasing spring especially for a doorknob keeper or other knob to knob-sleeve connector and the combination thereof with a knob connector of any of various types, but in particular a plate mounted for radial movement in a plane normal to the axis of a knob sleeve and having a lug projecting radially into engagement with a surrounding knob portion. The spring has a central angular bight embracing a central tongue on the retainer plate at one side of the sleeve, and side legs straddling a central clearance space in the knob sleeve and extending into stressed camming engagement with converging inside faces of the opposite half of the sleeve. The spring legs may have end portions interlocked with the plate to secure the spring in place, or may be otherwise retained.

Abstract: An armored vehicle having a full-circle swivelable turret and a weapon which outside the turret is elevationally aimable on a weapon support connected to the turret includes a mechanism for selectively securing, releasing, and partially releasing the weapon support exclusively from the turret interior and for triggering a signal when the weapon support is secured. When the weapon support is secured the weapon is maintained in a fixed position, and when the weapon support is released the weapon can be moved into any firing position. The mechanism allows personnel to remain inside the armored protection when securing and releasing the weapon support.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the level of at least one fluid includes an elongated transparent tubular member open at both ends, one of the ends being vertically insertable into the fluid to a reference point below the fluid surface to establish a column of the fluid in the tubular member having a length generally equal to the distance between the reference point and the fluid surface, a stiff tether slightly longer in length than the tubular member and threaded therethrough, a plug connected to one end of the tether for closing at least the inserted end of the tubular member prior to withdrawing it from the fluid to contain the column of the fluid in the tubular member for measurement after the tubular member is withdrawn from the fluid, and a grip connected to the other end of the cable for remotely controlling the plug to close the inserted end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A lawn trimmer has a tubular shaft assembly which structurally and drivingly connects an upper power head to a lower rotary tool head in a lawn-trimming tool. The assembly includes a bent portion to dispose its opposite ends at an angle to each other, and comprises an outer frame shaft of relatively large diameter and structural strength and an inner sheath tube of relatively smaller diameter formed of rigid but bendable tubing extending coaxially of the frame tube. The sheath tube is supported over the bent length of the assembly by a continuous semirigid bushing, and its lower end is held coaxial with the lower end of the frame tube by a substantially rigid bushing. The lower end of the frame tube, beyond such rigid bushing, is expanded to form a sleeve of enlarged diameter and predetermined length, and an arbor assembly is mounted in such sleeve and consists of a pair of ball bearings mounted by their inner races on the arbor and having their outer races supportingly received in the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for advancing a strand of wire a specific and predetermined distance. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a cutting device alone, or with a forming device to also produce articles of desired shapes. An additional aspect of the invention is an anti-backing chuck to hold and move the wire in the advancing apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for electrostatically dispersing lubricating particles onto the surfaces of electrically conductive substrates. In the method and apparatus, discrete sheets, for example, of electrically conductive substrate are moved through a housing in which the lubricating particles are deposited. The conveying means that carry the sheets through the housing electrically isolate the sheets in space while they are exposed to deposition of the particles. To avoid the accumulation of voltage on the sheets during deposition and to avoid inhibition of deposition that may result therefrom, at least two deposition chambers are used and each deposition chamber receives a supply of lubricating particles for deposition on the sheets. Independent electrode means are provided in each deposition chamber.

Abstract: A tube-to-plate connection and method for making it utilize a plate defining an aperture where the tube is to be attached to the plate, with the portion of the plate surrounding the aperture including a flange extending away from the plane of the plate. The tube side wall lies generally within the flange. The flange and tube wall are simultaneously cut or staked radially by a piercing cutter-staker which pierces the walls of both flange and tube wall to prevent axial movement or rotation of the tube with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A load-entry assembly for a conveyor system includes a conveyor section having laterally spaced side frame members supporting a plurality of load-carrying rollers for rotation about transverse axes which are arranged in a common plane above the side frame members to transport a load in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end of the conveyor section. A pair of first elongated tracks is mounted longitudinally to opposed sides of the conveyor section, and each track includes a lower horizontal track section, an upper horizontal track section, and an inclined track section connecting the lower and upper horizontal track sections in angular relationship thereto. A pair of second elongated tracks is also mounted longitudinally to opposed sides of the conveyor section.

Abstract: A power-driven apparatus for rotating a tubular member such as pipe includes a carriage for rotatably supporting a first rotatable member for receiving the tubular member, a second rotatable member for rotating the first rotatable member, and a bi-directional motor for rotating the second rotatable member in first and second directions to thereby rotate the first rotatable member in first and second directions. A pair of jaws for gripping the tubular member is pivotally mounted in opposed relationship to the first rotatable member, and roller bearings are carried by the second rotatable member for pivoting the jaws to engage the tubular member and through frictional contact with the jaws to rotate the tubular member and the first rotatable member in response to rotation of the second rotatable member in both the first and second directions. The second rotatable member is rotatably supported by and independently rotatable with respect to the first rotatable member.

Abstract: An electrostatic, coating-dispensing apparatus includes an electrode upon which an electrostatic potential is impressed. The electrostatic potential is developed by a switching circuit, autotransformer and voltage multiplier from rectified line voltage. The entire apparatus is housed in a hand-held applicator to which line voltage is supplied. In one embodiment, suitable for the hobbyist, the apparatus includes a socket defined at one end thereof for interchangeably receiving containers holding various colors or types of coating material. Each container includes an electrode for contacting the first-mentioned electrode. The containers are shaped to fit snugly into the socket to hold the two electrodes in contact. An outer end wall of each container has a mesh portion through which charged particles of coating material from the interior of the container pass when the apparatus is activated.

Abstract: A projectile deployed cable weapons system for defeating helicopter rotor systems is disclosed. The deployed cable is intended to settle on the target helicopter from above, and damage is inflicted on the main rotor blade or tail rotor blade of the helicopter by sudden stoppage or castastrophic failure of the contacted rotor system.A particularly advantageous assemblage for deploying an amount of cable to defeat helicopter rotor systems is also disclosed. The weapons assemblage includes a first cavity for receiving a projectile, a second cavity containing an amount of cable, and a snaring means attached to the first cable and situated with respect to the first cavity so as to intercept the projectile when projected. Most advantageously the assemblage consists of a field container containing both the projectile and cable as a single operating unit to be attached to the muzzle of a mortar cannon of conventional design.

Abstract: A method for measuring the amount of a gas, such as carbon dioxide, dissolved in a liquid in a sealed thin-walled container without piercing the container or breaking the seal of the container. This is accomplished by deforming the thin-walled container by exerting a known force thereon, measuring the resulting deflection of the container, and measuring the ambient temperature of the liquid. By reference to a pre-calibrated chart, one can then find the amount of gas dissolved in the liquid at the known temperature and calculated pressure.