Abstract: Discloses methods and apparatus for use with road construction equipment and apparatus (such as, for example, pavers, road millers and cutters, graders, and the like) including sensing apparatus for sensing and determining a selected edge of an existing pavement structure and controlling the road construction equipment or apparatus (or an element of such equipment or apparatus) in a desired manner with respect to such selected edge.

Abstract: The invention provides a device arranged to be releasably clamped an object, such as a beverage container, and which thereafter provides fop the personal identification of such container. The device includes an arcuate member, which may be made from a flexible, resilient plastic material. The arcuate member has a semi-circular portion and leg portions extending from each end of the semi-circular portion, and also has an enlarged central region for receiving advertising copy as well as for receiving personal identification indicia. The semi-circular portion and the extending leg portions define an opening fop accommodating an object, such as a bottle or can, and are arranged such that when positioned on the outside of the object the device is tightly but releasably clamped to the outside of such object.

Abstract: A solar radiation collector system includes a curved rim, a collector assembly including a plurality of solar radiation transducer elements passing through the plane of and connected to the curved rim, and a plurality of relatively small diameter tension members connected in distributed manner between the curved rim and the collector assembly and forming a stiff, lightweight, bicycle wheel-type tension-compression support structure. The support structure is rotatably supported from the ground in a manner to allow for three dimensionally stable support and rotation of at least ninety degrees with respect to the ground. Rotation of the bicycle wheel-type tension-compression support structure provides for a desired primary tracking motion to adjust for the apparent motion of the sun, and movement of the transducer elements provides for a second dimension adjustment for the apparent motion of the sun.

Abstract: A differential hoist and drive includes a differential escapement mechanism arranged mechanically between and in combination with a pair of direction turning members, such as pulleys. An endless loop of a flexible force transmitting element (cable, chain, strap, or the like) interconnects the direction turning members and the differential escapement. The load can be connected to either the differential escapement or the direction turning members with the other being anchored as a fixed member. The load is restrained from swinging or from other unintended movement. A turnbuckle or other suitable device provides for a desired pretensioning of the loop of flexible force transmitting element.

Abstract: Discloses apparatus and methods for providing a longitudinal joint between a cold (previously laid) and a hot (freshly laid) mat of paving material, such as asphalt, and wherein after the rolling of the paving material the joint region between the cold and the hot mats is of a high and substantially uniform density. To this end, there is provided a quantity of additional fresh (hot) paving material formed into a shaped charge and disposed adjacent the edge of the cold mat section. The quantity of additional fresh paving material contained in the shaped charge and the configuration of the shaped charge are made such that after appropriate rolling of the paving material, the lateral and transverse compaction forces generated force sufficient fresh paving material into the joint region between the cold and hot mat sections to bring the density of the paving material in such joint region to substantially the specified density and substantially the same as that of the cold and hot mat sections.

Abstract: A powder-lubricated piston is disclosed for diesel engines, particularly adiabatic diesel engines and coal-water slurry fueled diesel engines. Rings are provided for the piston which flex in response to combustion within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus uses an influence coefficient calculating method to allow a rotor supported on active magnetic bearings to rotate about an inertial axis which, due to possible imbalances in the rotor, may be different from the geometric axis of the rotor, without transmitting imbalance forces to the housing of the active magnetic bearings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system employing an active magnetic bearing for controlling and isolating rotor vibrations. The invention includes an active magnetic bearing having a stator, an armature and an inner bearing located within the central bore of the armature. The active magnetic bearing has dynamic stiffness sufficiently low with respect to the inner bearing so that the inner bearing tracks shaft motion in an oscillatory manner while magnetically suspended during flotation of the active magnetic bearing. The inner bearing can be either a fluid film bearing or a rolling element bearing. The system allows for continued operation in the event of failure of the active magnetic bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating volatile organic compounds from a stream of process gas. An internal combustion engine drives a plurality of refrigeration systems, an electrical generator and an air compressor. The exhaust of the internal combustion engine drives an inert gas subsystem and a heater for the gas. A water jacket captures waste heat from the internal combustion engine and drives a second heater for the gas and possibly an additional refrigeration system for the supply of chilled water.The refrigeration systems mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine effect the precipitation of volatile organic compounds from the stream of gas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new teaching aid and support device for use with a windsurfer rig, which rig usually includes a mast, a boom, a sail, and a universal joint. The teaching aid and support device comprises a stationary base member for supporting the windsurfer rig. The stationary base member is in the form of a shallow, inverted receptacle having a top planar surface and depending side walls which are arranged and constructed so that when the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the base member are placed on the ground the base member is securely and non-rotatably supported from the ground. The top planar surface of the base member has a suitable mast receiver opening whose vertical center line is near the geometrical center of the base member. The device also includes an arrangement for securing the mast to the base member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Stirling free piston cryocooler in which the drive assembly is arranged in an in-line opposed piston arrangement. The displacer piston assembly is nested within the power piston assembly. In one embodiment the thermodynamic assembly is connected to the drive mechanism in a tee arrangement so that the opposed cryocooler pistons share a common expansion space. In another embodiment the thermodynamic assembly is connected to the drive mechanism in a double split tee arrangement with the thermodynamic components remotely located from the expansion and compression spaces and connected thereto by flexible tubes.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing rotating structure includes a rotor magnetically supported in a housing by a magnetic bearing. A back-up bearing arrangement is used to resist impact on the rotor, including a fixed bumper bearing for resisting a sudden impact, and an auxiliary bearing for rotatably supporting the rotor while the magnetic bearing resumes operation.

Abstract: A real-time machining control system is provided which includes a conventional computer numerical control and a dimensional measurement system which continually measures the actual diameter of the rotating workpiece and provides an error signal representing the difference between the actual diameter of the workpiece and that of the part program. The error signal is used to directly control the movement of the cutting tool to assure that the final actual machined profile and dimensions of the workpiece conform to the part program.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mean pressure control of a Stirling engine without the need for a compressor. The invention includes a multi-tank system in which there is at least one high pressure level tank and one low pressure level tank wherein gas flows through a maximum pressure and supply line from the engine to the high pressure tank when a first valve is opened until the maximum pressure of the engine drops below that of the high pressure tank opening an inlet regulator to permit gas flow from the engine to the low pressure tank. When gas flows toward the engine it flows through the minimum pressure supply line 2 when a second valve is opened from the low pressure tank until the tank reaches the engine's minimum pressure level at which time the outlet regulator opens permitting gas to be supplied from the high pressure tank to the engine. Check valves between the two tanks prevent any backflow of gas from occurring.

Abstract: A stray magnetic field control system compensates for the generation of stray magnetic flux by the magnetic structure (body) of a load support shaker apparatus. The circuit includes a Hall effect magnetic field sensor for measuring the stray magnetic field, an amplifier/filter connected to the sensor output, and an A/D converter connected to the output of the amplifier filter. A degauss coil for compensating for the stray flux is energized by an SCR phase controlled power supply which is in turn controlled as to its triggering time by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A holder for cups and similar articles which includes a plurality of elongated articulated members one of which members terminates at one end in an article holding means and at the other end in one-half of an intermeshing pair of joint elements which provide means for forming a positive detent-type joint means. One of the halves of the intermeshing pair of joint elements is in the form of a hub having a plurality of external teeth disposed thereon and the other half of the intermeshing pair of joint elements is in the form of a collar having a plurality of internal teeth arranged and constructed so that the collar fits over the hub element and the respective teeth intermesh to effect an adjustable positive detent joint means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control scheme for power modulation of a free-piston Stirling engine-linear alternator power generator system. The present invention includes connecting an autotransformer in series with a tuning capacitance between a linear alternator and a utility grid to maintain a constant displacement to piston stroke ratio and their relative phase angle over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A linkage in an electro-mechanical shaker. The linkage has link arms which have two end members coupled to a center member. The three members provide three pivoting points in an axial direction and prevent lateral movement between the relatively movable structures to which they are attached.

Abstract: A method of determining the displacement of a fiber optic sensor from a target in which a first lens is spaced from the target at a first distance an a second lens is spaced from said target at a second distance which provides the greatest intensity response at said first distance and thereafter spacing said first lens from said second lens to provide symmetrical slope values of response.