Abstract: N samples are irradiated simultaneously for a period which is N times longer than the period of subsequent measurement of a sample, by means of a device constituted by a transfer circuit in which stations are provided successively for introduction, irradiation, separation, measurement and discharge of samples. A portion of the circuit serves to transfer a sample-holder for N samples, means for positioning the sample-holder and extracting samples therefrom being provided at the separating station.

Abstract: An inverter circuit using transistors in the switch mode, suitable for induction heating for cooking and sonar applications. Diodes are used in the base circuit of the transistors to postpone conduction and prevent shoot-through, and diodes are used to limit diode recovery time closely to recovery time of transistor base while protecting against base-emitter avalanching.

Abstract: A resistance-welding head having a vertical-axis rotor with a roller electrode attached to the lower end thereof. Current is supplied to the roller electrode by means of a mercury-filled interstice formed between the walls of a chamber within the rotor and a current-transmission rod disposed within the chamber. The rod may be provided with a bore for receiving the mercury and having a stopper which also serves as a mercury-level indicator.

Abstract: A linerless diaper tab is formed of a single substrate which can be folded and refolded on itself in such a way as to (1) grip both sides of one part of a diaper adjacent an edge thereof and (2) provide linerless protected storage of an adhesive surface which is exposable for adherence to another part of the diaper, and (3) provide a resultant high-strength Y-configuration fastening between the two parts of the diaper.

Abstract: A thread-rolling head comprises three identical support pieces rotatingly and non-displaceably mounted in a bearing member. Each support piece has at its outer end a supporting journal on which a thread roller is rotatingly disposed between an annular shoulder of the support piece and a circlip which matingly engages a V-shaped annular groove; the side of the groove nearest the thread-roller is a flat shoulder and the other conical side has an outer diameter equal to that of the journal, the outer end face of which is flush with the outer face of the circlip.

Abstract: A safety cock for positively maintaining a coupled connection between a fluid delivery conduit and a chamber during fluid delivery to the chamber and for permitting the conduit to be uncoupled when fluid delivery is disestablished. The safety cock comprises a block having a valved passageway therethrough. A handle projects from the valve and prevents uncoupling of the fluid delivery conduit when the valve opens the passageway by blocking the conduit removal path, but permits uncoupling when the valve closes the passageway.

Abstract: A trailable houseboat is disclosed combining a travel trailer module and pontoons which are positioned along the roof of the trailer module cabin for land use. Such pontoons are supported by a power operated mechanism so that they can be moved from the highway position to a launch position, in which they extend along the sides of the cabin at a level sufficiently low to permit floating of the boat but sufficiently high to allow the boat to be rolled on its wheels. After launching, the trailer module is raised with respect to the pontoons to increase the freeboard and to raise the road wheels up out of the water. Folding decks are positioned adjacent to the ends of the cabin for highway use and extend between the ends of the pontoons in the water configuration. Folding walkways are also provided for water use to cooperate with the ends of the pontoons and the decks to provide a large level deck system completely around the cabin.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating contaminants from contaminated oil and which may be mounted in a variety of positions relative to an engine block is disclosed. The centrifugal separator has a shroud which defines a first chamber and has a hollow rotor rotatably mounted in the first chamber and defining a second chamber. Oil under pressure is admitted to the second chamber and flows into the first through tangential reaction nozzles in the rotor to cause contaminants to migrate toward the sidewall of the second chamber under the influence of centrifugal force. A jet pump is in fluid communication with the first chamber to prevent excess fluid buildup in the first chamber, which would inhibit rotation of the rotor. SUBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional fluid filters, such as oil filters, are basically mechanical strainers which include a filter element having pores which trap and segregate dirt from the fluid.

Abstract: A motor overload protector or the like is disclosed in which a bimetal snap disc is centrally supported by a stud which is press fitted into a bore within the body. The stud is knurled to provide axially extending teeth having a root diameter at least substantially equal to the diameter of the body stud receiving bore prior to the insertion of the stud so that sufficient friction is provided to maintain the stud in the calibrated position. Additional locking is provided where necessary by forming the stud with annular ribs which interlock with a potting material applied after assembly of the stud within the body. The device is calibrated by maintaining the disc at the desired operating temperature as the stud is pressed into the body stud receiving bore until the disc operates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a segment for forming part of a segmented flexible skirt for use on craft, vehicles or devices which can be supported on a cushion of pressurized fluid, comprising a sheet of flexible material folded into a substantially U-shape in plan view to form a curved front wall portion having an upper end and side wall portions having an upper end and a bottom end, said side wall portions in side elevation tapering from their said upper end towards their said bottom end, an upper portion of said front wall portion which extends from said upper end of the front wall portion being in a plane which lies at an angle relative to the remainder of the front wall portion.

Abstract: A multiple dolly system for transporting large loads in which individual dollies are simultaneously power-steered through a fluid linkage steering control. Castered wheels of the dollies are steered by fluid power actuators having appropriate ones of their working chambers connected in parallel circuit arrangements, wherein ground reaction forces on the castered steerable wheels are equalized by the tendency of the parallel fluid circuits and actuator chambers to reach a balanced minimum pressure, and whereby the wheels, seeking a path of least resistance, are self-synchronizing in their steering displacements.

Abstract: A ball header is disclosed in which the movable die is mounted directly on the machine frame rather than on the reciprocating slide. The position of the movable die is controlled by a cam driven pusher so that the movable die position is dependent of the position of the reciprocating slide. The machine provides a greater portion of the machine cycle for the movement of the transfer from between the dies after the blank is gripped and controlled by dies. The machine further provides a closed or bushing cutter to improve the shearing of the blanks from the wire stock so that the part formed by the machine can be closer to the finished size of the product to reduce the material content and the cost of finishing operations. The accuracy of the positioning of the movable die is also improved by the mounting of the movable die directly on the frame rather than on the reciprocating slide.

Abstract: A power-retractable feeder for an injection molding machine in which an actuator is adapted to forcibly seal a button-type outlet nozzle of the feeder against a side inlet port of a charging cylinder without developing an unbalanced lateral load on the cylinder. As disclosed, the reaction force developed on the actuator is transmitted to the side of the cylinder opposite the inlet. The actuator is selectively operable to retract the feeder nozzle from the cylinder for inspection, removal, maintenance, or the like. The disclosed feeder is of the screw type driven by a rotary motor through a coupler which isolates an axial reaction force on the screw from the motor. Also disclosed is a remote actuator and associated linkage for operating a shut-off valve in the feeder nozzle at either the extended or retracted position of the nozzle.

Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle, such as a local transportation vehicle, suburban runabout, light service vehicle or golf car, has a non-articulated frame with drive wheels associated with one end and a steerable wheel or wheels with the other end. Each of the drive wheels has its own permanent magnet direct current motor drive. The motors pass through a series-connected stage with unlimited differential action to a parallel-connected stage with limited differential action as the vehicle is brought up to speed from a stationary position. No mechanical differential is necessary and the vehicle may have a very low center of gravity and excellent center ground clearance. The drive system provides dynamic braking and energy restoration, with attendant control and energy saving advantages. This contributes to good traction and steerability under the varying operating conditions encountered.

Abstract: A brick handling system is disclosed for automatically unloading grids of bricks from a kiln car and for forming such bricks in a stack suitable for easy handling, storage, and shipment. A first transfer grips a plurality of grids and transfers such grids to a spreader table. The spreader table operates to insure alignment of the bricks in rows and to separate the rows by a predetermined distance. A puller slides the bricks across a transfer table onto a marshaling table which positions the rows of bricks for stacking. The system is operable to form voids in selected rows of bricks so that voids are provided in the finished stack. A storage system is provided for temporarily supporting a void layer until it is required in a subsequent stack.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled system is disclosed in which the thermostat is exposed to a zone of high moisture content. In order to prevent the accumulation of moisture within the thermostat which could cause tracking failures or over pressure failures in the device a vent opening is provided which vents the interior of the thermostat to a zone of low moisture content. The vent prevents the occurrence of vacuum within the thermostat and thereby eliminates the pumping of moisture into the thermostat from the zone of high moisture content. Also the vent allows for the escape of any moisture which might penetrate into the thermostat interior.

Abstract: A preset access housing assembly is disclosed for use in underfloor electrical distribution systems having a plurality of raceway cells extending below the floor surface. The housing includes a base wall bridging between two raceway cells and communicating with both cells. A conical member is connected to the base wall around its periphery and converges upwardly with reducing diameter to an open end substantially adjacent to but below the floor surface. Closure means are mounted on the conical member and can be opened to provide user access to the housing. The finished cover means include a finish ring which projects outwardly along the floor surface around the open end of the housing and a flange which extends down through the opening. A cover plate is removably mounted in the finish ring. A bracket is mounted in the housing to support a duplex receptacle and is shaped to isolate a zone within the housing from the remainder of the housing.

Abstract: A keel cooler type heat exchanger is disclosed which is mounted on the exterior of the hull of a vessel or the like. The hull is curved in the direction of the length of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a pair of spaced headers secured to the hull and helically fluted tubes connected between the headers and curved in the direction of their length to substantially match the curvature of the hull. One or more intermediate tube supports are located between the headers. The helically fluted tube is laterally bendable with less stress than corresponding non-helically fluted tubes. The headers include separable members having cooperating tube and gripping portions formed along the interface therebetween. Bolt fasteners extend between the lowermost header member and a mounting plate. Separate fasteners separately and temporarily secure the inner member against the mounting plate and intermediate members against the inner member to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the system.

Abstract: A fork lift truck having an improved arrangement providing convenient access to the engine compartment alone or to both the engine and drive train compartments. A shroud covers the engine and the drive train and a portion of the shroud is pivotally connected to the truck chassis so that the engine and drive train may be exposed for maintenance by lifting the shroud portion. A hatch, which comprises a part of the pivotal shroud portion, is pivotally connected to the chassis so that the hatch may be raised to expose only the engine for maintenance.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a stationary mold half and a movable mold half. The stationary and movable mold halves cooperatively define a mold cavity for injection molding an end closure article having a base and a recloseable tab molded in an open position relative to the base. A thermoplastic material is injected into the mold cavity to form the end closure article. The movable mold half is then separated from the stationary mold half to open the mold cavity, and the tab of the end closure article is closed prior to ejecting the end closure article from the open mold cavity.