Abstract: A system for the effective utilization of low-grade heat sources such as solar energy, with a system including a molecular sieve material such as zeolite and a gaseous fluid adapted to be absorbed by the material which is in a closed container and circuit which includes a condenser and a gas expansion cooler member. When the container is heated, a gas is given off from the molecular sieve material, cooled in a condenser, and thereafter expaned for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, the cooled gas is received in a further container having absorbent material and subsequently, upon cooling of the first container, the gaseous fluid may be returned thereto via again a condenser and gas expansion cooler member to provide further cooling. In another embodiment, the molecular sieve material is formed by sintering same to form a pressure resistant divider across the container.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has soil working members, each of which includes a tine mounting wherein a horizontal support has a holder with a tine at one end, or both ends. Near the top of the fastening portion are one or two recess stops that are engaged by tightening elements to urge the fastening portion in tight engagement within an internal bore of the holder so that tension or compression is exerted on the interfit between bore and fastening portion. The fastening portion can taper upwardly and the bore is shaped with surfaces that conform to the taper of that portion. The tightening elements can be a nut and bolt combination, an externally threaded member or a pivoted cam that is turned with a tool. The fastening portion can have a region of reduced diameter so that it bears on two spaced apart areas of the bore.Additionally, the fastening portion can include a substantially U-shaped recess, which can be engaged by one of the nut and bolt combination or the externally threaded member.

Abstract: Decatizing apparatus comprises a steaming cylinder and a suction cylinder. Respective primary backing cloths are associated with the steaming and suction cylinders to press the fabric to be treated against the cylinders, the tension of each primary backing cloth being adjustable independently of the other backing cloth. An intermediate backing cloth is interposed between each primary backing cloth and the fabric in the zone of the cylinder, and moves over the cylinder with its associated primary backing cloth without slipping. The intermediate backing cloths permit the use of high surface pressures to be applied by the primary backing cloths.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a cultivating member that is driven to rotate about a support that defines a horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of travel. Radial arms fastened to brackets along the length of the support in helical rows mount freely rotatable discs or strips at their outer ends and the discs or strips each comprise means that rotate about corresponding axes of rotation that are non-perpendicularly inclined to the horizontal axis. Each soil working means is positioned along the length of said support to successively work an adjacent strip of land and the axes of rotation of the discs or strips are inclined to one another.

Abstract: A tine for use on rotary soil working members that are rotated about upwardly extending axes has a upper fastening portion joined to a lower soil working portion. Each of the portions has a longitudinal axis and one axis is preferably inclined to the other so that the soil working portion can be held in a trailing or a leading position. The soil working portion has a oval cross section region that merges into a polygonal cross section region towards the lower tip of the tine. The fastening portion has means for fastening the tine to support holders of a soil working member.

Abstract: A valve comprises a casing having two casing parts with a resilient membrane clamped between the parts. A switching member mounted within the casing deforms the membrane in each of a plurality of different switching positions, to selectively open and close communication between a plurality of connections of the valve.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a plurality of soil working members mounted on corresponding shafts that extend upwardy within a hollow frame portion. Each shaft is journalled in bearings within the frame portion and has a pinion gear in mesh with neighboring gears of adjacent soil working members. Either of two different sized transmission gears on top of the frame portion can be connected to the p.t.o. of a prime mover to rotate the soil working members at different speeds. The frame portion has similar upper and lower U-shaped pans that have rims detachably fastened to one another. The ends of the frame portion are closed by sector plates and a rear roller has arms pivoted to the harrow and adjustably connected to the sector plates to regulate the working depths of the soil working members. The roller is comprised of elongate elements mounted on hollow supports that have concave recesses around their perimeters.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has an elongated cultivating member that is rotatably mounted to turn about a horizontal axis that extends transverse to the direction of normal travel. A plurality of tined soil cultivating means is mounted on a support shaft of the member and that shaft defines the horizontal axis of rotation. Each cultivating means comprises a group of tines that is freely rotatable about a corresponding axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the cultivating means non-perpendicularly intersect the shaft and are formed by stub shafts that are journalled on brackets fastened to the shaft. Upon rotation of the cultivating member about the shaft, the tines of successive cultivating means engage the ground and the cultivating means each rotate to work a broad path of soil. The group of tines extend at angles to the axis of rotation of each cultivating means and twos of the cultivating means are mounted in opposing pairs that are offset with respect to adjacent pairs.

Abstract: A nickel innerlayer is sandwiched between a steel plate and a titanium plate in a steel assembly, the assembly being hermetically sealed and reduced in a hot rolling operation which results in a metallurgical bond with greatly improved ductility as measured by bending and shear tests. The nickel layer contains not more than 0.03 percent carbon and not less than about 0.05 percent of a carbide former in a ratio of between about 4-35 of carbide former to one of carbon.

Abstract: A system of subaqueous excavation and material removal having the combination of a hopper dredging vessel, hopper barges with independent dumping capacity and a prime mover vessel such as a tug, each barge having a stern notch and a bow portion which is contoured to be received in a like stern notch of an adjacent barge so that two or more barges can be arranged and affixed into an assemblage, end-to-end with bow portions fitting into the stern notches. Conduits to carry dredged material are located on the stern and bow of each barge and bow of the dredging vessel. The outlet conduit is received by the inlet conduit when the bow of the vessel or barge is received in the stern notch of the barge. The diameter of the outlet is about two feet less than the diameter of the inlet to minimize the possibility of the outlet not being received in the inlet due to a slight misalignment of the vessels.

Abstract: A raking machine that displaces crop lying on the ground has at least one, preferably two, raking members that rotate on upwardly extending axes. Each raking member has a felly-like or circular member around which tines or other crop gathering elements are displaceably mounted. The circular member can be a cylindrical or conical wall that is deformable or flexible during rotation so that tines secured by pivots or bolts near the bottom of the member can move in axial, radial or tangential directions responsive to ground undulations and/or control means, allowing crop to be deposited in a swath or at a predetermined point along the circumference of the raking member. The circular member can be foldable responsive to the control which can be driven along a track and unfolded to deposit crop as desired. Also, side-by-side raking members can have tines pivoted in assemblies in which crank arms are contacted by control means or elements on an adjacent rake wheel to turn the tines and deposit crop.

Abstract: An implement, preferrably a harrow having a row of soil working members mounted on upwardly extending shafts, has spraying nozzles for dispensing material on the ground adjacent the rear of the soil working members. The nozzles communicate with liquid material under pressure. The implement is coupled to a tractor and the operator of the tractor can monitor the material being sprayed by various devices in an electrical circuit that leads to the tractor. Wires are positioned to be bridged by the spray and indicator lights on the tractor dash board provide a visual signal when material is sprayed by each nozzle. Similarly, a micro switch or camera, or other actuation means can be located adjacent each nozzle to provide a signal for each nozzle spray. The nozzles communicate with an elongated pipe and the pipe is supported on the implement frame with adjusting means to change the direction of spray by the nozzles.

Abstract: A haymaking machine has at least one rake member mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis. Tines or groups of tines are supported around the circumference of the rake member on corresponding means that enables the tines to move up and down with respect to a central portion, independently of other tines supported on adjacent means. In one version, groups of tines are supported at the ends of outwardly extending arms which are pivoted to the central portion. The tines can be mounted with a ground engaging wall segment which subtends an angle of the rake member's circumference. Also the tines, or rake member as a whole, can be mounted on a shaft that is journalled at an angle in a ground engaging spherical wheel. In another version, the tines can be mounted on an elongated support element that is interconnected to the central portion and an adjustable ring on that portion, with chains that permit the tines to move vertically and radially with respect to the central portion.

Abstract: New amphoteric compounds which contain two basic groups, at least one of which is a quaternary ammonium group, and an anionic group of the carboxylic type and one or two lipophile chains. These compounds have excellent cationic characteristics while being less, and in some cases nonirritating to the mucous membrane of the eye.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement or rotary harrow has a row of soil-working members rotatably mounted on upwardly extending shafts. Driving means rotates the shafts and tools, preferably tines, are moved through the soil to work same. Fluid material from a container on a supporting structure is passed in the worked soil through injectors located adjacent the soil-working members. The injectors can be tubes arranged on a support in staggered formation across the working width of the implement, or each soil-working implement can comprise one or more injectors. The injectors extend into the ground and conduct fluid through ducts and passages from the container into the ground. A roller at the rear of the injectors smooths the worked soil.

Abstract: A rotary harrow or cultivator tine has an upper fastening portion that is tightly received in a holder. The fastening portion is integral with a lower soil working portion that terminates in a tip and the two portions are angled with respect to one another. The soil working portion has a generally round cross section for a part of its length that is tapered outwardly to form a leading rib with respect to the intended direction of rotation of the tine. In the lower region adjacent the tip, the cross section of the soil working portion becomes less round and can merge into a polygonal cross section region having grooves and flat sides.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a plurality of soil-working members rotatably mounted on upwardly extending shafts and the shafts are journalled in an elongated frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. A protective and supporting member of elongated and generally cylindrical configuration is secured to the frame portion by arms that are pivoted to that portion. The protective member can be rotatable or nonrotatable but is angularly displaceable about a horizontal axis that extends generally parallel to the frame portion. The protective member has an outer surface that can be of curved configuration and that outer surface extends adjacent the soil working members and is positioned relative to those members to direct debris downwardly to the ground. Stops on the frame portion and protective member limit the latter's movement relative to the remainder of the harrow.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a plurality of soil working members each of which has a support and a central shaft that forms the axis of rotation of said member. Each support has a holder at each end thereof and a downwardly extending tine secured in each holder. The holder is preferably inclined so that its top is located further from the central shaft than its bottom and also leads in the direction of normal rotation relative to the holder bottom. The holders are sleeves with integral screens and the sleeves receive the fastening portions of tines. The holders together with the support form tine mountings configured to minimize damage from stones and other debris. The tine fastening portions are held inclined to the vertical as well as soil working portions which are bent first towards one another then away, so that the lower tine tips are located further from the shaft axis than are the corresponding fastening portions.

Abstract: A raking machine has preferably two rake heads that are rotatable about upwardly extending axes. Each rake head has an outer circumference defined by a generally circular flexible wall with raking means supported on the circumference of the wall. The wall can have stiffening members to reinforce the wall and to hold tines or tine groups that can be pivotally mounted adjacent the lower portion of the wall. Also, the wall can be supported from a central hub by flexible spokes or chains. Alternatively, the wall can be foldable to an accordian configuration and hold crop within the folds which are controlled by a link chain and track with a driven sprocket member. The flexible wall is controlled to deposit crop at the desired place during rotation of the head or heads and crop guide members can be positioned with respect to the head or heads to arrange the crop in swaths.

Abstract: A cultivator has a row of soil working members or rotors mounted on axis shafts journalled on a frame portion. Each rotor has a single rotatable downwardly extending tine that is offset with respect to its axis shaft of rotation to work a diameter that is less than the spacing between adjacent axis shafts. Thus, unworked strips of soil are left between worked strips after the cultivator has traveled. A mechanism for depositing material is located to the rear of the soil working members and the mechanism includes delivery devices mounted on a common support that is linked to the frame portion by respective parallelogram linkages. The delivery devices can be drills positioned in line with the soil working members to deposit material selectively in the worked strips. Rear wheels can be attached to each linkage at the rear thereof so that each drill follows ground undulations.