Abstract: Track maintenance apparatus for use in railroad track maintenance utilizes a forward cribber unit to remove ballast from between the crossties and a rear adzer unit to smoothen any irregularities in the crosstie surface during a track re-laying operation. A single worker can perform both the cribbing and adzing tasks without dismounting from the apparatus.
Abstract: A radiation therapy positioning device utilizes a plurality of orthogonally adjustable members to present a patient bite block for insertion in a patient's mouth during radiation therapy. The apparatus is designed to insure repeatability of positioning and maximum access to the patient for treatment from various angles.
Abstract: A portable container configured to fit behind the seat of a pickup truck utilizes an outer wedge shape to maximize the available volume. An upper and lower portion are hingedly mounted along a horizontal axis such that the upper portion may be utilized for storage, thus increasing the usable volume. A handle is provided which also serves as a support for the upper portion when in the open position. The container may be found in multiple configurations including an ice chest, a tool box, or a fishing tackle box.
Abstract: A combined tamper and compaction apparatus for use on a railroad track leveling machine utilizes hollow tamping tools which are inserted in loose ballast on either side of a cross tie. The tamping tools are vibrated to "fluidize" the ballast and plungers mounted within the tamping tools force the ballast therein downwardly and outwardly beneath the ties. Thereafter the tamping tools with plungers extended are raised and lowered to compact the ballast.
Abstract: A filter press utilizes a continuous loop tube having at least one longitudinal segment made of filter media and an insert frame encapsulated within the tube. The tube is driven by a roller chain/link chain combination such that the tube is repeatedly inverted and drawn through the frame. A liquid/solid slurry is introduced at one end of the tube and passes through the frame therewith wherein hydrostatic and hydraulic forces urge the liquid outwardly through the filter media which retain the solids until they have passed through the restricted volume of the frame. No lateral seals are required in as much as the tube completely encircles the slurry.
Abstract: An improved package wind cutter utilizes a specially configured guide hook carried on the periphery of a reduced diameter winder dome to eliminate the need for a pressure roller mounted internally of the winder dome, thereby simplifying the manufacture, operation and maintenance of the apparatus and appreciably improving the strand distribution characteristics of the cutter as the relative speed of the cutter reel and winder dome are varied. The improved guide hook passes the strand from the dome to the reel with minimum separation from both the reel and the remaining pressure roller.
Abstract: A portable container having a generally wedge shaped configuration utilizes a base portion and an upper portion hingedly connected at the vertical midpoint for separate storage compartments. The base portion includes a hingedly mounted door which latches to the base. The upper portion is secured in a closed position by the lip carried by the door which fits within a groove formed on the front of the top portion. An internal horizontal divider assures separation between the base and upper portion.
Abstract: A dead front fuse mounting assembly supports the fuse on a hingedly mounted plate which can pivot through a 90.degree. arc to allow access to the fuse. The plate can be latched in a circuit closed position and cannot be released therefrom until a high voltage elbow connector is removed from across a latch operator. Pivotal motion of the plate from the closed circuit position disengages the fuse from a second high voltage contact and releases a shutter to isolate this contact from the remainder of the fuse enclosure. The shutter is opened when the plate pivots back to its closed circuit position.
Abstract: A construction for a retaining wall member utilizes a preformed channel in the member communicating through a slit formed between the channel and one face of the member for retention of a tieback utilized to affix the member to an underlying mass. The tieback may be retained by the mechanical interference between the walls of the slit and an enlarged portion of the tieback located within the channel. Alternatively, an interference rod may be inserted into the channel to retain the tieback.
Abstract: A waste heat powered cooling apparatus utilizes a waste heat collector to convert wasted energy into heat stored in water. An evacuated chamber houses a desiccant bed and a sprayer which introduces an adsorbate into contact with a heat exchanger conduit extending within the chamber. Evaporation of the adsorbate in contact with the conduit cools a medium circulated within the conduit between the chamber and a chilled water reservoir. The evaporated adsorbate is adsorbed by the desiccant bed until a predetermined temperature or saturation level is reached, at which point, heated water from the waste heat collector is passed through heat exchanger conduits in the desiccant bed to regenerate the desiccant bed. Iterative adsorption and regeneration cycles maintain the chilled water in a desired temperature range.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for sonication of blood to reduce Na.sup.+ K.sup.+ ATPase activity utilizes an extravascular sonication chamber and a blood pump to control the sonication parameters to prevent morphological damage to the blood cells. Secondary damage to surrounding tissues is avoided by sonicating the blood externally of the body. The sonicated blood may either be stored or returned directly to the body.
Abstract: A crossconnect system utilizes a computer accessed matrix of crosspoints formed by a set of parallel conductors oriented perpendicular to a second set of parallel conductors with the sets lying in parallel planes. The crosspoints form open contacts which can be closed by stepper motor driven spring contacts to connect selected conductors from one set with selected conductors from the other set. A microprocessor system drives the stepper motor and implements movement of the spring contacts to the selected crosspoints.
Abstract: Apparatus for us in intraocular surgical procedures utilizes a plurality of flexible conduits and a control valve to selectively supply an infusion cannula with either fluid or air. The air and fluid are pressurized for infusion by a continuous infusion air pump and supplied to the valve by parallel lengths of flexible tubing. The apparatus may be used to monitor and control the infusion pressure or to switch the infusion agent in a minimal time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 1987
Date of Patent:
March 21, 1989
Assignee:
Vitreoretinal Development, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert E. Morris, Clark D. Witherspoon, William E. Goggans, Jr.
Abstract: A railroad platform using outriggers for stability utilizes a set of detachable rollers positioned intermediate the outriggers and the platform as weight bearing members. The rollers enable the platform to move along the outrigger as needed to re-align the wheels with the railroad track.
Abstract: A multi-position contact for use in high voltage switchgear utilizes a multi-laminar electrical contact and a movable contact blade to maintain continuous electrical contact with a first circuit component and a switch blade assembly movable concomitantly with said movable contact blade for selective connection to second or third circuit components.
Abstract: A continuous air monitoring apparatus utilizes a solid sorbent preconcentrator to concentrate airborne sorbent compounds for gas chromatographic analysis. Direct connection between the preconcentrator and gas chromatographic column allows direct desorption of the compounds into the column with minimal dead space. Temperature control on the column allows sharp chromatographic peaks to be attained with cryogenic focussing.
Abstract: A steel wear pin or shaft product utilizes three separate alloys each having opposing metallurgical properties in a core and outer layers which form a structure optimizing the desired properties of each alloy, thus providing a superior product with a substantially improved service life.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 1987
Date of Patent:
February 14, 1989
Assignee:
Tricon Metals & Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Grant J. Murphy, Jr., Howard S. Turnipseed