Abstract: The invention provides a generally noninvasive device and method for detecting a reciprocative piston located within a cylinder bore. An ultrasonic transducer mounted on the outside of the cylinder wall selectively generates an ultrasonic transmission signal directed through the cylinder. The transducer then receives any desired ultrasonic signal produced by propagation of the ultrasonic transmission signal. Control circuitry processes electrical signals produced on the ultrasonic transducer by the propagated ultrasonic signal to indicate presence or absence of the piston.In presently preferred embodiments, the control circuitry determines whether the piston is present by comparing a signal level in the received ultrasonic signal during a sample time window in which the desired signal may be expected with a predetermined threshold level. To perform this function, electrical signals produced on the transducer by the propagated ultrasonic signal are first passed to an amplifier having a selected gain.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a liquid treatment plant comprises a tank and also a pressure line for the supply of the liquid to the tank. The pressure line has a nozzle which can be moved between a position in which it is connected to the filling aperture of the tank and a position not connected to the filling aperture, and also comprises means for periodic cleaning of the pressure line. In order to avoid mistakes in the connection, a return line for returning a cleaning fluid supplied through the pressure line is provided with a connecting piece which can be connected on the one hand to the nozzle of the pressure line removed from the filling aperture, in order to form a flow connection between pressure line and return line, and which can be connected on the other hand to the filling aperture, in order to shut it off.

Abstract: A pumpable mine assembly is provided having a pair of steel support structures forming the front and back surface of the seal. The support structures can be formed by either a row of vertically-disposed steel beams or a cable lattice secured by anchor bolts to the top and bottom surface of the mine entry. A separate wire mesh backing is provided on the inside of each of the pair of support structures. A seal bag placed within the wire mesh backing receives filling material, generally in the form of concrete. The filled seal bag forms a tight seal on the top, bottom and ribs of a mine entry or passageway.

Abstract: An austenitic steel alloy is provided having improved creep strength at high temperature. The improved creep strength performance is achieved by adding a limited amount of silicon to the steel alloy along with increased amounts of nitrogen and columbium, also known as niobium. The added columbium ties up the carbon in the alloy composition to prevent sensitization promotion and premature corrosion-fatigue failures. The resulting steel alloy provides improved strength, improved carburization resistance, and maintains good weldability.

Abstract: An optical architecture for receiving and slowing down high-speed data for high-speed digital testing applications is provided in which an input generating means transmits high-speed input test vectors to an apparatus under testing. In response, the apparatus under testing generates output test vectors. These high speed output test vectors are converted to slow-speed data signals by optically demultiplexing the high-speed vectors into high-speed parallel data signals and then expanding the parallel data signals to for slow-speed data signals. The slow-speed data signals are then compared with slow-speed reference vectors on a personal computer to determine whether the apparatus under testing is in error for any of its output channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising the abdominal and lower back muscles of a human exerciser is provided in which a frame supports a seat and a pivotable barrier. The exerciser adjusts the seat and the pivotable barrier along the length of the frame. A resilient member connects the pivotable barrier to the frame and opposes rotation of the barrier in a direction away from the seat. By opposing this rotation, the resilient member permits the user of the apparatus to exercise his abdominal muscles when he pushes against the barrier when he faces the barrier and to exercise his lower back muscles when he pushes against the barrier when he faces away from the barrier.

Abstract: A nozzle for applying filler material to a corner surface is provided having a generally cylindrical barrel. One end of the barrel has three beveled surfaces which taper to form a triangular spear shape. A central bore extends longitudinally throughout the extent of the barrel and forms a tip opening at the tapered end and a supply opening at the opposite end. Filler material proceeds through the central bore and out the tip opening on to the surface to which it is applied.

Abstract: A removable barrier adapted to co-operate with a concrete median barrier of a roadway to form, in situ, a barrier between a vehicle travelling in one direction on the roadway and a vehicle travelling in another direction, wherein:the removable barrier is adapted for movement such that, when desirable, the vehicle travelling in the one direction can transgress the barrier and travel on the opposite side of the roadway, and further whereinthe removable barrier comprises at least one shell conforming substantially to the outer shape of the concrete median barrier and is adapted for sliding movement relative to the concrete median barrier.

Abstract: Pavement line marking apparatus adapted to detect old line markings on a pavement surface and to repaint such markings or alternatively to paint new line markings to a desired pattern, the apparatus comprising a support beam (11) with a marking detection element (80) arranged at one end such that any old line markings are detectable thereby, upon movement of the detection element 80 over the desired pavement surface, paint applicator means (75, 76) arranged mounted from the support boom rearwardly from the marking detection element (80) for movement transversely of the direction of movement of the support boom (11) along the desired pavement surface, and control means actuable in response to a signal from the marking detection element to move said paint applicator means to a position over the old line markings and to operate the paint applicator means to deposit paint along the old line markings on the markings on the pavement surface.

Abstract: A combination tilting bed carrier and attached wheel lift for mounting on a chassis of a towing vehicle wherein the bed carrier is pivotably connected to the chassis and first motive devices extend between the chassis and the bed carrier for tilting the bed carrier. The wheel lift is positioned below the bed carrier and pivotably connected thereto. Second motive devices extend between the wheel lift and the bed carrier for independently tilting the wheel lift relative to the bed carrier and the chassis.

Abstract: An electrical bus bar assembly is provided in which an elongate conductor member having at least one generally flat surface with two spaced generally parallel channels having an opening through the flat surface narrower than a major section of the channel parallel to the flat surface and separate by a riser member extending above said surface are provided with at least one connector module made up of a top member with two depending legs bent inwardly at the end remote from the top member and terminating adjacent the riser member and having a foot member on each slidably engaged in the parallel channels through said opening, and clamp means in the top member acting to exert pressure on a wire inserted between the legs and on the riser to fix the wire in the connector module and the connector module in tight conductive relation on the conductor member. Lips provided on the legs interact with grooves provided on a T-shaped member to prevent the foot members from spreading apart.

Abstract: An electrical connector block is provided having a housing with a pair of generally parallel sidewalls extending from a base member and separated by a trough open on the side opposite the base member, a groove on each sidewall opposite the trough and spaced from the open side of the trough, a cap member having depending arms adapted to slide along the sides of the parallel sidewalls over the open trough, said arms having inturned flanges engaged in the grooves of the sidewall, at least one screw member threadingly engaged in said cap member and carrying a clamp member pivoted on the end thereof between the sidewalls for clamping a wire between the clamp member and base member.

Abstract: An offset bandsaw uses a drive pulley and a second pulley which is angularly offset from the first drive pulley. A bandsaw blade is formed by twisting the blade 360.degree. before welding the two ends together to form a continuous belt. The combination of the offset rollers and the 360.degree. twist permit the bandsaw blade to follow a more natural path which improves blade life. Rollers may be provided intermediate the drive pulley and top pulley to position the bandsaw blade portions in the same plane. Alternatively one may provide a third or fourth pulley to create a precision saw which can cut tight radii in a workpiece and make sizeable square cuts through stock of any length.

Abstract: A process for the removal of chlorine from reducing gases is provided wherein the reducing gases are contacted with cerium oxide. The chlorided cerium oxide is regenerated in an oxidizing atmosphere to provide cerium oxide. This cerium oxide regenerated is again capable of reacting with chlorine in reducing gases.

Abstract: A light-storing glaze comprising (a) a mixture of base components for a frit consisting of: per 100 parts by weight of the mixture (a), about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to about 10 parts by weight of ZnO, about 2 to about 15 parts by weight of Na.sub.2 O, 0 to about 60 parts by weight of SiO.sub.2, 0 to about 15 parts by weight of CaO, 0 to about 5 parts by weight of K.sub.2 O and 0 to about 5 parts by weight of MgO, and (b) about 20 to about 80 parts by weight of sulphide-type light-storing fluorescent material per 100 parts by weight of the mixture (a), and a light-storing fluorescent ceramic article having a surface coated with such glaze.

Abstract: Machine for milking animals, comprising a mobile carrier for taking a number of teat cups under an udder, the common carrier being a narrow oblong element carried by a supporting structure supported on the fixed surrounding area, and bearing on both sides one or more carriages which are movable along it independently of each other, each carriage carrying a teat cup and being able to move the teat cup from and to the carrier and up and down. Preferably the common carrier is connected to the supporting structure for a pivoting movement about an approximately horizontal axis at right angles to the lengthwise direction of the carrier, and each teat cup is approximately vertically movable with a holder in its carriage by a driver which exerts an elastic upward force thereon.

Abstract: A method for desulfurization of fuel gases resulting from the incomplete combustion of sulfur containing hydrocarbons whereby the gases are treated with lanthanide oxides containing large numbers of oxygen-ion vacancies providing ionic porosity which enhances the ability of the lanthanide oxides to react more rapidly and completely with the sulfur in the fuel gases whereby the sulfur in such gases is reduced to low levels suitable for fuels for firing into boilers of power plants generating electricity with steam turbine driven generators, gas turbines, fuel cells and precursors for liquid fuels such as methanol and the like.

Abstract: A multi-compartment refuse container is provided in which partitions provided within a container shell divide the container into a number of individual compartments. Pin holes provided on the top of each partition accept pins which are used to secure trash liners within each of the compartments. When used to collect refuse, each compartment can be dedicated to receive a certain form of recyclable refuse. This permits the easy collection and disposal of recyclable and non-recyclable refuse.

Abstract: A protector for use in sporting activities which is sized to cover the chest and abdomen of its wearer is provided with an outer layer formed of a light-weight leather or leather-like material, an inner layer formed of batting, and closed-cell foam pads provided intermediate the inner and outer layers. Optionally, a lightweight breathable material may be placed alongside the batting. The foam pads are sized and positioned to cover selected vulnerable portions of the chest and abdomen region from damage resulting from a direct impact thereto. The use of foam pads instead of a foam layer throughout the protector maintains the maneuverability of the protector without sacrificing an appreciable loss of protection to the wearer.

Abstract: A rescue lift is provided wherein a frame supporting a rescue net is pivotally attached to a work boat by means of a rotating drive shaft positioned on the boat. A float is provided on the end of the frame opposite the drive shaft to enable the bottom of the net to be submerged in the sea at all times. The frame is free to rotate about its pivotal attachment as the ship rolls and pitches, thereby providing a safe means to rescue an incapacitated person in rough sea conditions. The drive shaft rotates the rescue lift between a pick-up position in the sea and a discharge position extending upwardly above the work boat. The rescue lift can be positioned in a stowed position in order to fully utilize the deck space of the ship.