Abstract: An improvement in railway trucks having a flexible frame and independent drive mechanism particularly adapted to accommodate the flexing frame. The frame includes parallel first and second frame members, a first cross-member rigidly attached to the first frame member and loosely attached to the second frame member. A second cross-member is rigidly connected to the second frame member and loosely engaged by the first frame member. Hydraulic motors are pivotally connected to the second cross-member by pivotal arms and pivotally secured to a pair of rail way truck axles supporting the frame members such that flexion of the frames and cross-members will not affect the distance between the motor and the axles. Chain and sprocket assemblies are provided to operatively connect the motors and the axles. An engine and hydraulic pumps are connected to the first cross-member to drive the motors. The pumps are operatively connected to the motors with flexible conduit.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a mine roof bolt within a hole preformed within a rock strata. The anchor comprises a plurality of transversely bent plastic leaves, each having an aperture through which the roof bolt is received, a support nut threadably connected to the bolt for supporting the plastic leaves, a stirrup supported on the support nut and on which the leaves are rested and a bifurcated compression nut having a biasing member threadably connected to the roof bolt and a horizontal member slidably connected to the bolt below the biasing member and above the leaves for compressing the leaves against the stirrup responsive to the rotation of the roof bolt in a selected direction. As the transversely bent leaves are compressed the edges thereof are urged against the strata to grip the same and thereby secure the roof bolt within the hole. The stirrup and the horizontal member are shaped to maintain the leaves at a selected inclination during compression.

Abstract: Method for removing suspended solids from a stream of waste water for subsequent use as an animal feed, wherein bentonite and an anionic polymer are added to the waste water which is maintained within a predetermined pH range. No metallic salts or other materials unacceptable as food additives are added to the waste water stream to facilitate flocculation of the bentonite and suspended solids. The pH range, maintained from 3.5 to 9.0 and optimally from 4.0 to 5.0, facilitates the coagulation of the suspended solids without the use of the metallic salts or other such additives. Microscopic air bubbles are used to float the flocculated bentonite and solids to the surface. In some cases the materials may be floated by gravity forces alone without the use of air bubbles. These floated materials are removed by skimmers or other top-floating solids removing apparatus commonly known in the industry and rendered into animal feed products.

Abstract: A reusable hypodermic syringe assembly (200) comprising a syringe (218) having a barrel shaped portion (214) with an opening (280) therein, a cartridge (202) insertable into and removable from the barrel shaped portion (214) of the syringe and containing a medication (262) into a patient from the cartridge (202) with the needle (210) and the medication (262) being sealably contained within first (204) and second (260) separately sealed compartments, respectively, within the cartridge (202) before injection of the medication. A plunger (224) functions to push on the second compartment (204) and thereby extends the distal end of the needle (210) out of the cartridge (202) and the proximal end of the needle (213) into the sealed second compartment (204) containing the medication before the injection of the medication (262), without the needle (210) being touched by human hands.

Abstract: In an animal confinement structure having a contactor control device which controls a temperature control apparatus utilized for applying heating or cooling to the structure responsive to the ambient temperature sensed, a secondary system employed for control of temperature outside a preselected temperature regime, upon the failure of the contactor control device or loss of power. A remote temperature sensor is operatively connected to a pair of electronic thermostatic circuits for independently sensing the ambient temperature for comparison to the preselected range, and connected to a power supply utilized for energizing a relay resulting in the temperature control apparatus by independently actuated responsive to the sensed ambient temperature. The secondary system may be selectively used to control a temperature control apparatus which provides either heating or cooling.

Abstract: A hybrid engine is disclosed which utilizes the heat from the exhausted combustion gases of an internal combustion engine to generate steam externally of the cylinders of the engine. The steam is used to power turbines which may be effectively connected to augment the power supplied by the internal combustion engine or to act as a power transfer medium. The device includes a modified exhaust manifold which incorporates one way valves and water injection ports to enable steam pressurization within the manifold. Steam spent in the turbines is condensed and returned to the system with exhaust gases being vented to atmosphere subsequent to the utilization of their previously wasted heat energy for power production.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a mine roof bolt within a hole preformed within a rock strata. The anchor comprises a plurality of transversely bent plastic leaves, each having an aperture through which the roof bolt is received, a support nut threadably connected to the bolt for supporting the plastic leaves, a stirrup supported on the support nut and on which the leaves are rested and a compression nut threadably connected to the roof bolt above the leaves for compressing the leaves against the stirrup responsive to the rotation of the roof bolt in a selected direction. As the transversely bent leaves are compressed the edges thereof are urged against the strata to grip the same and thereby secure the roof bolt within the hole. The stirrup and the compression nut are shaped to maintain the leaves at a selected inclinations during compression.

Abstract: An improved tumbler for use in pad driven machinery or the like utilizes a plurality of replaceable wear members mounted to a reel assembly on the conventional tumbler hub. The wear members engage the cleats of the pads to impart relative motion and bear the brunt of the wear generated thereby. The wear members are designed to wear faster than the cleat or reel assembly and are mounted for relatively easy replacement, thus eliminating replacement of worn tumblers.

Abstract: A stretcher operated by one or more persons for transporting an injured patient and including a body board for supporting a patient's upper legs and body, a slide member received within the body board and extendible selected distances therefrom, and a base portion connected to the slide member opposite the body board for supporting a patient's feet and ankles. The body board has a pair of protective skids which slide on a subjacent supporting surface with the skids supporting the body board and base portion a selected distance above the supporting surface. Wheels rotably connected to the base portion support the stretcher when the stretcher is tilted relative to the supporting surface such that an individual may transport a patient on the stretcher. The wheels are supported above the skids and thus do not interfere with the sliding movement thereof. A pivotal foot rest is connected to the base portion and supports the patient when the stretcher is tilted about a transverse axis.

Abstract: An improved rotary blowout preventer having a rotary housing rotably mounted within an outer housing and carrying an annular packer assembly hydraulically actuated by fluid circulated through the outer housing by hydraulic pumps. An annular adapter is detachably and reattachably connected to an upper rim of the rotary housing. The adapter has a tubular, elastomeric sleeve detachably and reattachably connected thereto that depends within the rotary housing adjacent the packer assembly. A drill pipe is received within the sleeve and is sealably engaged thereby when the packer assembly is urged inwardly by the circulated hydraulic fluid. The sleeve protects the packer assembly from wear and is easily replaced with other sleeves of like configuration. The sleeve has a plurality of rigid grippers seated therein which extend flush with an inner surface thereof for gripping the drill pipe to facilitate concomitant rotation of the sleeve and rotary housing therewith.

Abstract: An expansion anchor received within a predrilled bore for mounting a platelike panel to a portion of stratum in which the bore is drilled and including a bolt having a head on a lower end thereof, an upper portion, distal the head, defining a set of right hand threads thereon and a lower portion, intermediate the upper portion and the head, defining a set of left hand threads thereon. A destructible thrust nut having at least one groove therein is threadably connected to the lower portion and moves upwardly thereon when the rod is rotated in a clockwise direction. A cutting member, having an annular base supported by the thrust nut for sliding movement along the bolt and a plurality of cutting fingers connected to the base in divergent relation to the bolt, is urged upwardly by the thrust nut when the rod is rotated in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A clumping biodegradable animal litter and method for manufacturing such litter. The animal litter includes a biodegradable carrier such as granulated peanut shells having a grain flour intermixed therewith and attached thereto with oil. The carrier will absorb liquid applied thereto which will interact with the flour to facilitate the agglomeration of the carrier, flour and liquid into a mass having sufficient cohesive strength to allow physical removal of the agglomerated mass.

Abstract: A material handling system employs a sheet separator capable of handling sheets of varied thickness and flexibility and a positioner which repetitively positions sheets relative to a pressing unit in a fixed location. A sheet stacker receives and stacks the processed sheets at a rate of up to five sheets per minute.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting coal into useful motor fuels and metallurgical coke using a self-cleaning coal pyrolyzer wherein coal is heated in the absence of air at temperatures greater than 800.degree. F. to remove volatile hydrocarbon gases therefrom. Char remaining after such pyrolyzation is cooled and pulverized and mixed with selected binders at temperatures ranging from 125.degree. to 200.degree. F. to form briquettes. The briquettes are calcined at temperatures ranging from 1800.degree. to 2000.degree. F. to form metallurgical coke. The gaseous hydrocarbons are separated into liquid coal fuels, non-condensable gases and water vapor. The liquid coal fuels are further separated into various motor fuels while the non-condensable gases are used to fuel the coal pyrolyzer.

Abstract: A biological tissue slicer having improvements therein which enable an inexperienced operator to rapidly prepare minimally traumatized tissue slices of excellent viability and of very uniform shape and dimension. The improvements limit contact of the cutting edge of the blade with the tissue to avoid irregular surfaces and trauma to the tissue sample. The device utilizes two pins and one or more magnets to hold the blade to a rapidly reciprocally moving blade holder such that uniform tissue slices of defined dimensions are produced by eliminating excessive lateral and vertical movement of the blade.