Abstract: A network of local area audience response systems is coupled together at a central audience response processing station by a satellite communication system for real time audience response analysis, nationally or internationally. Each local area station and each response unit may be identified and verified by allocation of specific time slots for response preferably synchronously related to a TV picture program transmission carrying the audience questions to be answered. Wireless transmission of the question and answer signals in digital format of beeps of a single frequency keeps transmission channels narrow. The system may be operated in conjunction with TV broadcasting or independently.

Abstract: In a modular belt modular drive unit that can be independently mounted along a modular link belt system, a drive shaft comprises a drum having an integral outer circumferential surface with one or more axially oriented keying surface indentations for mounting mating sprocket wheels for moving axially along the shaft in response to dynamic conditions encountered in driving the belt. The belt is tracked in a preferred position along the shaft by means of a tracking sprocket wheel that has a confined degree of axial movement. Thus a circumferential indentation slot on the shaft surface receives the tracking sprocket wheel rotationally on the shaft so that it de-registers with the keying surface and is held axially in the slot. To use the tracking sprocket wheel as a drive wheel rotating with the shaft when disposed in the slot, the tracking wheel is linked to another sprocket wheel in a position axially confined in the slot.

Abstract: Wax, alloy or plastic molds for containers used in hot isostatic pressing of metal and/or ceramic powders are surface conditioned for electroplating, coated with several metallic layers and removed from the resulting container.

Abstract: Shrimp are cooked by methods and apparatus limiting the excessive amount of curl usually incurred to produce a generally J shaped configuration after cooking. Thus, the shrimp are cooked while held in a straightened configuration to thus induce in the cooked shrimp meat forces tending to hold the shrimp in a more straightened configuration than conventionally attained. In one embodiment the shrimp are aligned on conveyor belts between pairs of laterally disposed pan normally extending from the conveying surface and spaced for confining the shrimp in an elongated and straightened configuration. Thus, the conveyor belt carries the shrimp through a steam cooker to produce a desired J shaped shrimp configuration having reduced curl.

Abstract: A wire winding reel attachment for use on a tractor for winding electrical fence wire is journalled at a rear rotating shaft bearing at a vertical height established by a stanchion attachable to a vertically movable tractor draw bar. This draw bar may be raised to align the rotating shaft with the tractor power takeoff shaft for powered rotation. Vertical movement of the drawbar effects a tilting of the rotating shaft with respect to the oncoming wire so that the wire is caused to traverse the rotating shaft as it is wound thereon. A rotary slip clutch prevents overload of the reel either during winding or as a safety feature in the event that the reel or the wire is contacted by persons or livestock. A subassembly of the winding reel attachment tractor mount assembly permits removal of the winding reel and a shaft for rotatably mounting external to the tractor mount such as for unwinding wire wound on the reel.

Abstract: A programmable portable electronic computer by means of a twelve key keyboard array capable of entering a full range of alphameric characters and computer commands has room for a large area electronic display screen. This affords room for graphical presentations with alphanumeric notation, and enough rows of printed text to afford word processing capabilities. Thus, a tape recorder within the housing may include software and is coupled for use in dictating, storage, word processing and computer interfacing use, all under control of the keyboard keys.

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake actuator has a brake block holder (3) suspended therefrom (so as to be laterally movable during braking) by hangers (5) in the form of leaf springs. The hangers are rotatably attached to the lower end of the brake block holder by a stiff lower shaft (8) and to an actuator bracket (2) by pivot joints on a rotatable upper shaft (7).

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake actuator is provided with leaf spring hangers (4, 5) to laterally move to follow axial movement of wheels during braking. The hangers are rotatably attached to both a brake block holder and a shaft 7 on an actuator bracket (2). Rotary braking movement is provided by pivot joints having rubber O-rings and washers held together under prestress. The leaf spring hangers pivot laterally to follow axial wheel movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that heats liquid steel by means of induction in the tundishes of horizontal continuous casting machines.

Abstract: A retarding valve at a single-tower air drier for obtaining a controlled time for the flow of regenerating air from an air tank to a desiccant cartridge has a movable valve stem (7), which is provided with a piston (14) having a slightly smaller diameter than a chamber (13), in which it is movable in hydraulic oil (15), so that a narrow circumferential slit for the oil is formed. The valve stem with its piston is biased by a spring (16) from a position--at the beginning of each regenerating cycle--permitting flow through the valve to a position closing off flow through the valve.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for hoisting loads from ground level to a truck platform, which has particular advantages on flat bed trucks. Ramps are provided for rolling loaded dollies off a curbing or from the ground onto a lower lift platform position where they are raised by a motor powered hoisting mechanism with the lift platform up to the truck platform. The system is stowed and carried entirely beneath the truck platform so that it does not interfere with its utility or introduce any members above the truck platform. A pivotable lift platform permits storage in a vertically oriented position to prevent the system from extending significantly back of the truck platform. A low powered d-c reversible motor rotates vertical drive screws mating with a drive yoke attached to opposite ends of the lift platform. The lift platform is spring biassed upwardly to aid in lifting loads upwardly to the truck platform with a small motor.

Abstract: A reciprocating axial movement of a drive member (18) in a force actuator is generated by a prestressed tool (17) of Terfenol material being exposed to a pulsating magnetic field. The reciprocating movement is transformed to an axial movement in an application direction of a push rod (21) coaxial therewith. The drive member and the push rod are connected by a connection member (22), which is in self-locking thread engagement with a drive member and the push road and is subjected to a torque from a spiral spring (23) for its rotation during the idle stroke of the reciprocating movement in the direction for advancing the push rod in the application direction.

Abstract: A network of local area audience response systems is coupled together at a central audience response processing station by means of a satellite communication system for real time audience response analysis, nationally or internationally. Each local area station and each response unit may be identified and verified by allocation of specific time slots for response, preferable synchronously related to a TV picture program transmission carrying the audience questions to be answered. Wireless transmission of the question and answer signals in digital format of beeps of a single frequency keep transmission channels narrow. The system may be operated in conjunction with TV broadcasting or independently.

Abstract: A method of control of the porosity of wells with a fibrous fluid blocking layer disposed on formation faces is provided. By means of mineral fiber pellets of critical dimensions wherein the mineral fibers are highly soluble in acid, a fluid blocking layer formed of semi-dispersed pellets can bridge formation face pores subject to removal at will by acid treatment. Thus after well rework the plugging layer is treated by an acid solution after sealing the formation faces to prevent fluid losses to quickly dissolve the mineral fibers to the desired extent for control the porosity. A novel well workover product making the method possible is formed from raw material clinkers of highly acid soluble mineral fibers of between 5 to 15 microns in diameter by grinding in a hammermill into pellets of a range of 1/32 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter with an average being between 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch and with fiber lengths between 1/64 inch to 3/8 inch.

Abstract: An auxiliary energy source is connected to the manually operated lift head of a vacuum lift system for connection of an accessory. Thus, electrical or compressed air energy is made conveniently available to power a load rotating accessory, a clamp, or the like, preferably by means of feeding a conduit line coaxially within the flexible tubing of the lift system. This is particularly useful to prevent interference or disarray of an auxiliary line that must be manipulated in tandem with the lift head, and is operable with rotary type lift systems that permit 360 degree rotation of the lift head.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving hydroacoustic pulses used to determine the spatial separations between pairs of such apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus transmits hydroacoustic pulses having a selected shape and frequency at specific times and also determines the time of arrival of received hydroacoustic pulses having a known shape and carrier frequency. Included is a transducer for converting the hydroacoustic energy received from a body of water into electrical energy and for converting electric pulses into hydroacoustic pulses which are then coupled into the body of water. Electric pulses having a selected shape and carrier frequency are digitally synthesized in response to a count comparator.

Abstract: To alleviate the problem that a considerable amount of force is required by an archer to bend the bow by pulling or drawing the bowstring, this invention introduces an auxiliary force aid to supplement the manual force of the archer's arm for drawing the bowstring. Thus, an elastic member anchored to the archer's body is stretched to store a force when the archer's arm reaches for the bowstring to draw it, and the stored force from the stretched elastic member supplements the manual force provided by the archer's arm in a vectorial direction for drawing the bowstring thereby to make the drawstring easier to draw. The elastic member, typically a bungee cord, is affixed to a body harness held on the upper torso by a shoulder strap for movement and stretching along the line of travel of the archer's hand when reaching for the bowstring to draw it. Thus, the peak drawing force exerted by the archer is reduced by distributing it over the reciprocal reaching and drawing motions of the archer's arm.

Abstract: A manual powered hoist and ramp system for pickup trucks enables a single person to lift heavy objects located on handtrucks or dollies onto the loading platform of the truck. The truck tailgate has a pivoted flap extension to form a ramp inclined from the truck loading platform to the ground when pivoted into its opened ramp position with the flap extended. An accompanying hoist has a counterforce mechanism mounted on a pair of elevated stanchion posts on opposite sides of the truck loading platform for producing an upward assisting lifting force establishing tension in a line extending to the ground for attachment to a handtruck or dolly. That force directed substantially parallel to the ramp tending to move the load up the ramp thus enables a single person to handle a heavier load, such as a refrigerator, for hoisting onto the truck platform.

Abstract: A miniaturized electronic magnetic compass system, or the like, is mounted in a substantially cylindrical gimbal ring unit of about 0.75 in diameter, and 1.25 in length. Critical to the small size is the pendulum that positions the internal magnetic detector by gravity relative to the earth's surface. Thus, a pendulum formed of tungsten has its curved bottom surface formed of a central spherical surface and two flanking cylindrical surfaces meeting in two planes disposed at an angle intersecting with the pendulum axis of rotation. The mass of the detector is centered by resilient conductive spring plates bearing on gimbal pivot shafts, which also serve as electrical connectors for the detector. Thus, two separated shaft ends journalled in one gimbal ring, which is insulated to electrically isolate the shaft ends serve as two conductors. The gimbal system is damped in a perfluorocarbon oil.