Abstract: An optical data record playback apparatus is described for simultaneously scanning a plurality of data tracks on the optical record by employing two or more light beams controlled by closed loop servos. First and second optical servo means respectively, are employed to deflect the light beams for tracking of such beams during scanning along the data tracks and for maintaining the proper spacing between beams to cause each beam to follow a different track. In addition, a time adjust means, which may be a third optical servo or an electronic signal delay means, is employed to adjust the time relationship of the two readout signals produced by such light beams. The optical servos may include either movable mirrors or light refraction plates. Alternatively, an electromagnetically deflected bundle of optical fibers can be employed as the first servo and a zoom lens at the output of such fibers as the second servo.

Abstract: A portable bridge structure for carrying trucks and other large vehicles is described including two longitudinal bridge sections which are transported separately to the bridge site and are fastened together after installation by means of pivotable diaphragm members. The pivotable diaphragm members are pivotally attached to one bridge section and after pivoting into position, are bolted to bracing flanges on both sections to fixedly secure the sections together. Each bridge section includes at least one longitudinal support member and a plurality of cross members extending across the top of such support member to provide a support frame of a generally T-shaped cross section. The longitudinal support member may be either a hollow built-up beam member or it may be formed by two I-beams which are joined together by rigid interconnecting members. The portable bridge of the present invention is especially useful on logging roads, and can be releasably mounted for removal at the end of the logging operation.

Abstract: A vertical shaft engine is mounted by a bracket on the side of a cart beam serving as a hydraulic reservoir. The engine drives a pump which is selectively connected by a manual valve to drive positive displacement hydraulic motors in series to rotate a bull gear. The bull gear turns a torque tube to rotate an irrigation pipe and wheels keyed to the pipe. The torque tube also drives sprockets to rotate wheels of a cart supporting the beam.

Abstract: Oily water is introduced into the lower ends of outer vessels and flows upwardly in annular spaces between the outer vessels and inner separating vessels and into the inner vessels below inwardly spaced, shallowly cupped, annular separating discs. Larger particles of oil flow past the discs directly to the tops of caps on the outer vessels. The smaller particles of oil coalesce on and flow slowly along the bottoms of the discs to central openings in the discs, and up into the caps. The oil flows out of the caps when valves are opened by ultrasonic sensing probes actuated by accumulation of predetermined quantities of oil in the caps. The water flows out of outlets positioned near the bottoms of the inner vessels. In an alternate embodiment, a filter member of foam plastic is inclined to the flow toward the water outlet and coalesces any oil yet remaining in the water.

Abstract: A land vehicle such as an electric motor-operated power shovel working on the floor of an open pit mine is supplied with electrical power from a remote source by a flexible electric power cable. To prevent vehicles working within and moving along the floor and terraced sides of the mine pit from being obstructed by or traveling over and damaging the power cable, such cable is suspended between its ends from a lighter-than-air balloon tethered at an elevation above the shovel and terrain between the power source and the shovel. The balloon is tethered to a support cable anchored at one end near the power source and at the other end to the shovel. Connectors placed at intervals along the support cable interconnect the support cable and the power cable while enabling the power cable to slide in opposite directions along the support cable. The support cable is connected to the shovel in a manner enabling the shovel to rotate while working without twisting the cables.

Abstract: A container adapted to receive a beer keg includes a cup-like top section fitting telescopically into the upper portion of a cup-like bottom section having a ring-like rim rolled at opposite points to provide handles. The rim has pairs of slots therethrough for binding straps and also has holes for binding ropes. Each section has an outer skin of a tough plastic with inner and outer walls with the spaces between the walls filled with a plastic foam. The sections are adapted to nest in each other for shipping and handling, and the bottom section has lugs designed to engage the rim of the top section. The top section has an elliptical bung hole to provide access to bungs of different makes of kegs, and a tubular stack may be fitted therein to retain ice for cooling and sealing. The bottom section has a bung access hole in its side which can be sealed by a truncated hollow ball having an opening to receive a tap connected to a lower bung of a keg.

Abstract: A trench containing a pipeline is backfilled by temporarily supporting the pipeline at grade in the trench on deflatable airbags spaced along the bottom of the trench. The trench is then backfilled below and around the pipe by pneumatically blowing a granular fill material into the trench first beneath the pipe and then progressively upwardly about its opposite sides to about its spring line so as simultaneously to backfill the trench and uniformly compact the fill material about the pipe without leaving any voids. The fill material is blown into the trench through a pair of opposed air ducts with upturned lower outlet ends extending into the trench on opposite sides of the pipe so that backfilling progresses upwardly on opposite sides of the pipe simultaneously. As backfilling operation progresses along the trench and approaches each support pad, the pad is deflated and removed so that the operation can proceed uninterruptedly.

Abstract: Plates of a tension ring and launch connectors are pressed radially outwardly relative to a circular dome supporting structure by thrust bolts mounted by bearing plates secured to anchor bolts embedded in a bond beam supported by columns to pre-tension the tension ring and load the bond beam in compression. The tension ring plates bear against bolts trapped in connector plates clamped to the bearing plates.

Abstract: A process for the liquefaction of solid hydrocarbonaceous materials is disclosed. Particles of such materials are electroplated with a metal catalyst and are then suspended in a hydrocarbon oil and subjected to hydrogenolysis to liquefy the solid hydrocarbonaceous material. A liquid product oil is separated from residue solid material containing char and the catalyst metal. The catalyst is recovered from the solid material by electrolysis for reuse. A portion of the product oil can be employed as the hydrocarbon oil for suspending additional particles of catalyst coated solid carbonaceous material for hydrogenolysis.

Abstract: The effective resolution of a TV presentation reproduced from digitally encoded samples is improved by shifting the sampling points back and forth at a relatively rapid rate. Alternate lines of the original television raster are sampled at shifted points, wherein the shift is less than the sampling interval and suitably one half the sampling interval. Since a TV raster includes an odd number of horizontal lines, a particular line location on the reproduced raster will be formed of samples which shift back and forth at one half the TV frame rate, i.e. 15 cycles per second.

Abstract: A flared distributor cap of a rotated impeller assembly directs material to be crushed radially outwardly to scoop-like impeller shoes which fling the material outwardly against breaker bars. The impeller shoes hook over mounting blocks and a pin and a screw will retain a shoe in place should the hook break. An annular distributor table carrying the mounting blocks and shoes has an annular, undercut groove in which interchangeable arcuate segmental wear plates fit. An undercut peripheral edge of a distributor cap overlies beveled, inner peripheral edges of the wear plates to lock them in position. Upper wear plates are secured to an annular distributor table cover, and have undercut grooves into which the cover fits.

Abstract: A blood pump system, typically employed in dialysis, includes a blood pump for withdrawing blood via a single hypodermic needle and valve means operated in synchronism therewith for returning treated blood via the same hypodermic needle. The operation of the blood pump is cyclically interrupted and the valve means opened for the alternate withdrawal and return of blood.

Abstract: A solar heat-collecting structure comprises a series of interconnected transparent lenses forming a dome-shaped roof for receiving direct solar radiation and for transmitting such radiation through the lenses into the enclosure formed thereby and focusing it on a shallow tray of water forming a floor of the enclosure. The inner surfaces of the lenses are coated with a solar radiation-reflective film so that radiation reflected from within the enclosure toward the roof is re-reflected toward the heat-collecting water surface. Means are provided for removing heated water from the tray and replacing it with water to be heated. Each lens in the roof lens system has a focal length dependent on its position on the roof with respect to the water surface so as to concentrate solar radiation at the water surface and thereby maximize the heating effect of such solar radiation in various sun positions.

Abstract: A standby control attachment for an x-ray film processor uses infrared light reflection to detect the presence of a film in the infeed tray of the processor. A trigger circuit produces a control signal to activate a timer when film is detected. The timer operates processor control relays to switch processor components from a normal standby mode to a processing mode only for a preset timing interval to minimize water and energy consumption and processor wear. Multiple infrared detectors, each with its own trigger circuit, are arranged above the tray and across the film path so that detection of film by one or more of the detectors activates the timer. Control signals from the separate trigger circuits are also applied to auxiliary control devices, one of which activates a darkroom interlock system to lock darkroom access doors and break its white light circuit when film is in the tray.

Abstract: Discarded rubber automotive tires are processed into bales for disposal and use as landfill, fish habitats and other purposes by compressing a stack of such tires endwise into a compact annular bale and then securing the bale with ties at circumferentially spaced locations thereon. Preferably during compression of the stack, it is slit lengthwise from end to end at multiple circumferential locations between the wires. The resulting slits extend inwardly from the outer toward the inner periphery of the bale but terminate short of the inner tire bead and rim to permit the escape of air and water from the annular interior spaces of the tires and yet maintain the integrity of the bale. The compressed, tied and slit baled product is particularly useful in forming artifical reefs in bodies of water for use as fish habitats because of its lack of buoyancy and resulting ease and accuracy of placement.

Abstract: Brushes and sprays wash and rinse cars and foam wax then is sprayed on the cars and is buffed by a top brush and side brushes, immediately after which a sealing wax in an aqueous solution is sprayed onto the cars. Then the cars are passed through a blower, which removes the excess aqueous solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel hybrid tea rose plant characterized by its deep red blossom color with imbricated form, borne on vigorous, upright stems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel variety of Shumard Oak, distinguished by its immature leaf color which is maroon until late spring or early summer, then turning into green.

Abstract: A novel mountain ash characterized by its rapid growth rate, remarkably straight trunk, and large foilage which is dark green.

Abstract: A novel hybrid tea rose cultivar characterized by a vigorous, upright growth habit, white blossoms, and resistance to powdery mildew.