Abstract: A set of hinged covers adapted to sealably close the rectangular hatch on the roof of a railway hopper car having a coaming running along the hatch perimeter. Each cover has a vaulted formation to shed water, the long edges of the cover being rolled to define canopies which protectively shield the coaming and a compressible gasket secured to the underside of the cover which presses against the coaming to effect a seal against contaminants. The cover structure is a sandwich laminate of high rigidity and strength constituted by an end grain balsa wood core panel to whose faces are bonded fiberglass skins. The skins are extended beyond the ends of the panel and are interlaminated to define channel-shaped end flanges which cooperate with hinged hold-down bars having an opposed channel formation within which a compressible gasket is nested to seal the ends of the cover.

Abstract: A rotating ring rotary compressor having a driven eccentric so mounted on the drive shaft that its eccentricity is adjustable from a minimum to a maximum, whereby at its maximum extension it presses the roller surface against the stator surface to cause it to roll around the stator with zero clearance and positive hermetic sealing. Because the extensible eccentric mounting is spring-biased, the resultant working pressure is controlled by the contribution of the spring bias to centrifugal force and any excess of pressure or interference causes the roller to reduce eccentricity, thereby internally bypassing excess pressure or overcoming interference.

Abstract: A lead-acid storage battery having a lead negative electrode, a lead dioxide positive electrode and a sulfuric acid electrolyte having an organic catalyst dissolved therein which prevents dissolution of the electrodes into lead sulfate whereby in the course of discharge, the lead dioxide is reduced to lead oxide and the lead is oxidized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter having a flow tube provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed electrodes, the fluid to be metered passing through the tube to intercept a magnetic field thereon, thereby inducing a signal at the electrodes which is a function of flow rate. In this arrangement, X is the axis connecting the electrodes, Z is the axis of the tube and Y is an axis mutually perpendicular to the X and Z axes. In order to minimize the adverse effect of disturbances in flow profile on the flow-induced signal, an electromagnetic field is established by an electromagnet assembly formed by two pairs of electromagnets, each pair being disposed at diametrically-opposed positions on the tube exterior to produce a magnetic field whose lines of flux are substantially parallel to the Y axis, the two paris being symmetrically disposed on either side of the X-Y electrode plane to create a combined magnetic field having a B.sub.

Abstract: A gravity flow disinfectant contactor adapted to enhance contact between a disinfectant solution such as chlorine and the water to be treated to effect a more rapid and efficient disinfection activity. The contactor is constituted by a rectangular conduit having a cross-sectional diffusion plane adjacent its inlet within which is an array of evenly-spaced diffuser tubes supplied with the disinfectant solution. The tubes each have a row of equi-spaced holes drilled diametrically therethrough to produce side-by-side opposing jets of disinfectant in the diffusion plane at right angles to the cross-flowing water stream. As a consequence, the water flowing through the conduit is subjected to a dense cross fire of multiple jets of disinfectant that are uniformly distributed throughout the diffusion plane and quickly interact with the water within a relatively short downstream distance.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through a flow tube provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed electrodes. The fluid intercepts a magnetic field established in the flow tube by a magnetizable core having a coil wound thereon through which an excitation current flows, thereby inducing a signal voltage in the electrodes. Because the permeability of the core is temperature-dependent, changes in temperature affect the strength of the magnetic field and adversely influence the signal voltage. Compensation means are provided to render the signal voltage independent of temperature, thereby producing an output signal accurately proportional to flow rate.

Abstract: A woodworking technique for creating an angled corner in a straight wood piece. Formed on the inner side of the piece is a cut-out that is symmetrical with respect to a transverse reference line, the cut-out being constituted by a converging entry zone whose opposing flat sides have complementary angles each equal to one-half of the corner angle, the entry zone leading into an oblong interior zone whose opposing arcuate sides follow the curvature of a pair of circles. The wood bridge joining the arcuate sides of the interior zone is steamed to permit bending thereof to cause the arcuate sides to meet and the flat sides to abut on the reference line, thereby defining a circular socket for receiving a leg or other furniture component.

Abstract: A method for effecting saccharification of raw cellulosic material taken from any available source. In the first step, the raw material is immersed in a caustic solution which swells the cellular structure to render it more reactive and acts to solubilize the lignins and other compounds contained therein, these being washed away to provide a prepared cellulosic material. In the second step, the prepared material is subjected to a viscose process to produce a viscous solution of sodium cellulose xanthate in sodium hydroxide, from which solution the aqueous phase is separated to provide a viscose intermediate. In the final step, the viscose intermediate is hydrolyzed by immersing it in a bath of anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride to yield usable glucose and other products.

Abstract: A gridworks storage system for a kitchen or any other room requiring wall-mounted storage facilities, the system being constituted by one or more grid modules formed of a network of intersecting wires in selective combination with wire-formed shelves, racks, bins and other accessory components. The module is attached to the wall by a set of columnar brackets whose hollow, resilient heads are split to define a pair of key-hole slots having inlets which are yieldable to permit a grid wire, at the point of attachment, to be forced into and trapped within the circular socket of the slot. The accessory components are connected to the grid module by double-headed couplers, each resilient head of which is split to define key-hole slots having yieldable inlets for linking a wire of the component to the grid module.

Abstract: An applicator for depositing toner particles onto an electrostatically-charged latent image formed on a photoconductive insulating layer to render visible and develop this image. The applicator includes a trough containing a supply of toner and provided with a flexible blade of dielectric material which engages the surface of a rotating carrier roll to form a tight nip. As the roll turns, toner particles at the bottom of the trough are advanced toward the blade and forced through the nip, the blade being deflected to admit a thin layer of particles which adhere to the roller surface. In the course of such passage, the particles are frictionally rubbed by the edge of the blade and thereby caused to assume a triboelectric charge.

Abstract: A voltage source adapted to excite a gas-ionization electrode so as to generate copious amounts of ionized gas without, however, producing measurable amounts of undesirable reactive or toxic chemical by-products. Yielded by the source is a unipolar voltage wave having a steady state DC component which, though below the ionization potential, serves to condition the gas to promote ionization. Imposed on the steady-state component is a gas-ionization component in the form of low-frequency surges, each composed of a short series of high-frequency pulses having a brief duration and an extremely high peak amplitude. The duration of the surge pulses is insufficient to break down the gas chemically, but the amplitude thereof is such as to effect intense gas ionization. The steady-state component prevents the electric field from collapsing completely in the intervals between pulses, thereby keeping the gas at a level approaching its ionization potential.

Abstract: A double-tank shipping container for general bulk liquid cargo, the container being constituted by a sea-going vessel having a single hull provided with a hold which defines the outer tank of the container and a prefabricated flexible bladder forming an inner tank received within the outer tank and readily removable therefrom. The inner tank has a configuration roughly conforming to the contours of the outer tank and yet capable of sustaining the liquid cargo in the event of a rupture in the outer tank, thereby to prevent spillage from the vessel and to avoid pollution of the seas.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for extracting particles and other contaminants from a gaseous stream to be purified, the contaminants being ionized by means of a discharge electrode structure which includes a column of dielectric material whose central axis is coincident with the axis of a collector tube within which the column is disposed. The column has a cross-sectional geometry that defines a circular series of longitudinally-extending niches. Supported between the ends of the column is a circular array of fine gauge wires each of which is suspended with a respective niche. A high voltage is impressed between the wires in the array and the inner surface of the collector tube to create an electrostatic field in the annular region between the discharge electrode structure and the tube to ionize contaminants in the gaseous stream passing therethrough.

Abstract: A lampstand providing a stable and properly-oriented support for a lampshade, particularly one constituted by an oriental lantern formed by a collapsible paper shell having polar openings, each of which is bridged by a strut having a central loop. The stand includes a vertical pole carrying a bulb socket and a harp formed by a triad of arms which encage the bulb and interconnect upper and lower rings. The lower ring is secured to the pole and the upper ring supports an extension rod in axial alignment with the pole. The lantern is mounted on the stand to envelop the bulb, the upper loop being attached to the head of the extension rod, the lower loop engaging the pole at a point just below resilient collar which embraces the pole and is shiftable to a position subjecting the lantern to tension to maintain the shell thereof in its fully expanded state. Extension rods of different length may be installed on the harp to allow for centering of the bulb for a range of shade sizes.

Abstract: A convertible women's ensemble capable of satisfying a range of apparel requirements, a single ensemble making it possible for the wearer to be appropriately dressed for active wear, for informal and formal occasions and for rain or shine. The ensemble is constituted by a long jacket and a pair of slacks, the jacket being preferably fabricated of waterproof material and having a removable hood in sac form equipped with a drawstring, whereby the hood is usable as a carrying bag. The jacket includes a removable liner which when removed functions as a long skirt to replace the slacks which are then stored in the carrying bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a word game in which each player is supplied with a multi-channel slide holder having strips slidable therein. The channels of the holder all lie in parallel relation and are transversely bridged at the holder midpoint by a crosspiece having a column of read-out windows therein, each overlying a respective channel. Each strip is provided with a central blank zone and a series of letters printed on either side of the blank zone, the letters having numerical subscripts which assign values thereto. When all strips are aligned on the holder at their neutral positions, the blank zones thereof are displayed in all windows of the crosspiece. By shifting the strips in their channels in either direction, the player may select various letters for display in the windows of the column in a sequence creating a desired word.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter in which fluid to be metered passes through a flow tube to intersect a magnetic field whereby the voltage induced in the field is transferred to a pair of electrodes mounted in the flow tube to yield a flow-induced signal. This field is established by an electromagnet supplied with excitation current through a periodically-operated switch to create a magnetic field which during each operating cycle is alternately turned on and off or reversed in flux direction at a predetermined drive frequency, as a consequence of which the signal includes undesirable noise components formed by even and odd harmonics of the drive frequency.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer constituted by a pressure sensor whose capacitance is caused to vary as a function of an applied pressure and a coupling assembly adapted to hydraulically convey the variable pressure of the fluid to be metered to the pressure sensor while isolating the structure of the sensor from the fluid. The sensor is formed by a cylinder, one end of which is enclosed by a deformable diaphragm that serves as one plate of a capacitor, deformation of the diaphragm in response to pressure acting to vary the dielectric spacing between the diaphragm plate and a second plate to produce a corresponding change in the value of the capacitance.

Abstract: A non-contacting, electro-optical system adapted automatically to measure the contours of helicopter rotor blades and other shaped objects at high speed and with a high degree of accuracy. An object to be measured is held in a fixture with its contoured surface presented to an electro-optical triangulation rangefinder assembly supported on a carriage that is caused to step incrementally from one end of the object to the other. The assembly is constituted by a pivoted laser beam illuminator and a pivoted automatic tracker mounted for rotation at spaced pivot points on a carriage beam, the line extending between these points forming a triangulation baseline. At each carriage step, the assembly is activated to cause the illuminator to swing through a sector whereby the laser beam spot scans across the surface of the object being tested from one edge to the other.