Abstract: A spindle assembly for a machine tool generally including a first housing having a bore provided with a lining formed of a structural polymer, a second housing disposed in the first housing bore in sliding engagement with the lining therein, a first spindle journaled in the first housing, a second spindle journaled in the second housing in axial alignment with the first spindle and operatively connected thereto for axial displacement relative thereto and rotational movement therewith and means for displacing the second housing relative to the first housing to correspondingly axially displace the spindles.

Abstract: A bag dumping station for receiving particulate materials from rupturable bags or other portable containers is provided with a vacuum facility with a direct inlet to the hopper of the station and includes an ejector for providing motive gas for vacuum conveying particulate solids from a drum or spilled materials from broken bags.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing a shock absorber and/or suspension system while in situ in a motor vehicle. The method comprising first raising a wheel and the bodywork or chassis of a motor vehicle under test from a ground engaging position to a raised position by means of a lifting device in supportive engagement with the wheel, and moving the lifting device away from the wheel to allow the wheel to return to the ground engaging position under free fall whereby relative vertical motion occurs between the wheel and the bodywork during the fall. Characteristics of the relative motion of the vehicle as a consequence of the fall are assessed and compared to a corresponding characteristic obtained for the motor vehicle having new or as new shock absorbers and suspension system whereupon the condition of the shock absorber and/or suspension system of the tested vehicle is established.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for mounting equipment (12) to a foundation (14) and for isolating the equipment from shock loads and acoustic vibrations comprises an outer retaining member (16) secured to the equipment, an intermediate retaining member (18) secured to the foundation and an inner retaining member (20) secured to the equipment. A first resilient member (22) is secured in position for sliding contact with an inner surface (86) of the outer retaining member during static loading, axial loading causing movement of the foundation and/or equipment toward the other or transverse loading, whereby the first resilient member is loaded predominately in compression. A second resilient member (24) is secured in position for sliding contact with an inner surface (96) of the intermediate retaining member during axial loading causing movement of the foundation and/or equipment away from each other or transverse loading, whereby the second resilient member is loaded predominately in compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a closed metallic canister with a gas under pressure comprising means for forming a gas filling opening in the canister, and dispensing means for sequentially injecting a high pressure gas through the gas filling opening to charge the canister, and depositing and fusing a fusible body in the gas filling opening, while continuing to inject gas into the canister and utilize the force of the gas to urge the dispensing means into sealing engagement with the canister being charged.

Abstract: A filter apparatus generally including a housing defining an air plenum having an inlet and at least one outlet, a filter member having an outlet, disposable within the air plenum in a preoperative position with the outlet thereof in registry with the housing outlet, means selectively operable when the filter member is in the preoperative position for displacing the filter member into an operative position with the filter member outlet communicating with the housing outlet and the filter member in sealing engagement with the housing about the housing outlet, and means for producing an airflow from the housing inlet and through the filter member and the housing outlet whereby airborne particles entrained in airflow drawn through the housing inlet are caused to be removed by the filter member.

Abstract: A rotary piston internal combustion engine includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber in the form of a circular ring. An even number of pistons circulate in the piston chamber and are of a circular cross-section adapted to the cylinder chamber. Two piston carriers mounted rotatably about the axis of the cylinder chamber each carry half the number of pistons, the peripheral surfaces of the piston carriers being such that they supplement the internal surface of the cylinder chamber to constitute a circular cross-section which corresponds to the pistons and against which piston rings on the pistons seal. At least one sealing ring is accommodated between the piston carriers and between each piston carrier and an oppositely disposed wall of the housing in an annular groove of the housing or a piston carrier respectively. The sealing ring bears against a co-operating surface of the respective piston carrier under a force which acts out of the annular groove.

Abstract: Particulate material is conveyed in a dense phase in either a batch mode of conveyance or a continuous mode. In either mode, during the conveyance cycle, the flow rate of compressed gas to the transporter vessel is adjusted to control material conveyance. During start-up the flow rate is decreased to allow material to build in the vessel, then the rate is increased to a normal conveyance value. At the end of the cycle, the flow rate is again decreased to avoid surges and high velocity flow. During the normal conveyance cycle, the flow rate is decreased if the material level in the vessel falls below a minimum value and increased if it rises above a maximum value. The flow rate is adjusted by opening and closing the throat in a venturi tube in an adjustable valve in the gas flow line connected to the vessel.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for connecting stacked vehicle body elements of a light alloy using stamped rivets. Using the disclosed process and device, damaged vehicular body elements may be easily removed and replaced. A first body element and damaged second body element attached thereto by means of stamped rivets are separated and the damaged second body element replaced by a third body element. Process steps include forcing out an old stamped rivet, restoring a stamped rivet area on a first body element, placing a third body element in position, and punching and riveting the third body element and the first body element. A device related to the disclosed process includes pneumatically compressible tong arms for holding tool inserts. A variety of tool inserts are adapted for forcing out an old rivet, restoring stamped area in the first body element and punching hole and stamping a countersink in the third body element.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for use in a common-rail system includes a nozzle body with an actuator piston. In the closed condition of the nozzle the nozzle body bears against a seat and upstream of the seat delimits a nozzle chamber communicated with the high-pressure line of the common-rail system. A working chamber of the actuator piston is communicated with the high-pressure line by way of a feed throttle means, the active surface area of the actuator piston being larger than the surface area of the nozzle body which is effective in the nozzle chamber. A return line leads from the working chamber through a return valve. An actuating means is operated by an electrical signal for actuating the valve member of the return valve. The actuating means is a means which displaces the return valve member in analog relationship with the electrical signal so that the return valve forms in the return line a throttle of variable cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for instructing an impaired individual to perform an act using:a voice recorder capable of recording a series of different voice recordings of a person whose voice is recognized by the individual to provide a series of different recorded instructions to the impaired individual, a playback capable of playing seriatim one of the series of said recorded instructions in the series, a repeating means connected to the playback and capable of repeating the playing of said recorded instructions until stopped, a timer connected with the playback, the timer capable of activating said playback at multiple, preselected time intervals to provide for a series of multiple timed recorded instructions played seriatim during the day to the impaired individual, and a switch for the repeating means operated by the impaired individual to stop the repeating means after anyone of a selected playback of a recorded instruction.

Abstract: An improved coupling assembly is disclosed for use in bulk material conveying systems. The coupling assembly includes a first tubular section having an annular flange. The assembly receives an endless rope assembly with spaced disks for moving bulk material including powdered, pelletized, and granulated material. A second tubular section has a portion extending into the first tubular section secured with first and second coupling members including a section overlying and engaging a portion of the second tubular section. A first flange section is disclosed which mates with a laterally projecting flange section of the first tubular section and a second flange section. Sealing elements for sealing the assembly from the escape of fluidizing gasses are disposed between the first flange sections of the coupling members and the laterally projecting flange portion of the first tubular section and between the first and second tubular sections.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating aryl phosphates and esters and hydrolysates thereof from water in an aqueous mixture thereof. A superposed layer of the mixture is decanted from a lower layer of the phosphates, esters and hydrolysates. The superposed layer is filtered with a filter having a pore size of between 1 micron and 25 microns to remove globules and solid particles. The effluent is then subjected to demineralization with an anion exchange resin to remove most of the hydrolysates. Thereafter a sorber composed of an organic polymeric material such as polypropylene removes any remaining phosphates and esters down to less than 250 ppb.

Abstract: An axe is provided with an open cavity in the handle for receiving a removably secured secondary tool. A securing assembly includes a spring biased projecting member extending from the secondary tool passing through a hole in the axe handle. The securing assembly maintains the tool in the axe handle while permitting its easy release. The axe handle is made of a lightweight, high strength material such as fiberglass reinforced nylon.

Abstract: The static pressure within an air-supported structure is monitored and controlled in accordance with monitored environmental conditions. The static pressure is kept at the minimum value required to maintain the structure's integrity, thereby using a minimum amount of energy. As outside wind velocity incrementally increases, the static pressure is increased incrementally. Under certain weather conditions such as high winds and frozen precipitation, the static pressure is increased to a maximum limit. As a safety feature, a secondary inflation device is activated to assist a primary inflation device to quickly increase pressure in the structure in response to a sudden loss in pressure.

Abstract: A pad mountable either on an end or side portion of a drive shaft of a floor working machine with at least one stratum of a porous, non-woven, air-layered fibrous material secured together with an adhesive binder. The stratum having a first opening for receiving a fastener and at least one set of a plurality of circumferentially spaced, arcuate weakened segments, disposed concentrically relative to the first opening providing a plurality of unweakened segments disposed between the weakened segments, whereby the pad selectively may be mounted on an end portion of a drive shaft of a machine of a fastening device being inserted through the first opening. The pad alternatively may be mounted on the side portion of a drive shaft by severing the pad along the weakened and unweakened segments to provide an opening for receiving the drive shaft therethrough and securing the pad thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes an arch frame that moves on rails over and along the length of a vehicle. A rack support arm is rotatively connected to a horizontal cross member of the frame and a rack with vertically depending cleaning strips is connected to the support arm. Prior to activation, the vertically depending cleaning strips are located on the side(s) of the frame so that an unobstructed vehicle entry and exit way is provided. Once activated, the cleaning strips are rotated into position in contact with the vehicle. Thereafter, the rack support arm is reciprocated to move the strips back and forth across the vehicle as the frame moves. A dual-rod cylinder provides movement of the rack support arm into an active position with the cleaning strips in contact with the vehicle and also provides the reciprocating action. A rocker panel cleaning assembly is provided to clean the sides of the vehicle as the frame moves and the rack support arm reciprocates.

Abstract: D-.beta.-Lysylmethanediamine represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## or a salt or a hydrate thereof has now been found to have an activity of inhibiting the infection with AIDS virus (a virus causative of acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome), mamely HIV. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compound or a salt or hydrate thereof as active ingredient is provided and expectable as one of remedial agents for treating AIDS which is now thought to be difficult to cure.

Abstract: A grommet for sealing an opening in a panel such as the firewall of an automobile having a sealing passageway for engaging a member passing through the panel and being supported by the grommet. A base portion of the grommet is made from a softer and more resilient material having a durometer hardness in the range of 20 to 90 Shore A. A harder portion of the grommet which forms a locking element, a wing and an axially extending sealing surface has a durometer hardness in the range of 40 to 90 Shore D. The grommet seals to the panel and to the member passing through the grommet and panel.