Abstract: There are disclosed means and method for improving the efficiency of combustion in an automatic gas-fired furnace through retardation, without restriction of the exhaust emission of the products of combustion, which are caused to dwell longer in the combustion chamber to elevate the temperature, not only through the impoundment of what would otherwise be waste heat, but by the conversion of CO gas and excess air to CO.sub.2 gas, thus, reducing the two former, increasing the latter, along with temperature. This reduces the condensate in the exhaust chimney. An enlarged chamber in the exhaust gas conduit is incorporated within the line of exhaust flow from furnace to chimney. A baffle plate, approximately equal in area to the cross-sectional area of the conduit, is immovably secured in the chamber normal to the line of exhaust flow. The chamber is completely closed except for the exhaust flow entry and exit ports.

Abstract: An analog-digital conversion circuit apparatus connectable to a microcomputer for measuring electric voltage and current of a vibrator of an ultrasonic wave oscillator is disclosed. An analog high-frequency wave voltage value signal and an analog high-frequency wave current value signal acquired from a vibration system are alternately input to a conversion-transmission section. A digital high-frequency wave voltage value signal and a digital high-frequency wave current value signal, which have been converted in the conversion-transmission section, are transmitted to the microcomputer for various uses connected with the electric voltage and current of the vibrator of the ultrasonic wave oscillator.

Abstract: An automatic ground softening apparatus for crushing underground earth layer into pieces by blowing out compressed air from tips of air nozzle pipes driven deep into the ground at several positions at a time, is mounted on the load-carrying platform of a truck. The automatic ground softening apparatus includes a plurality of piston-cylinder assemblies mounted on the truck's load-carrying platform at different positions thereof. The air nozzle pipes each depend from the lower end of the piston rod of each of the piston-cylinder assemblies. Some or all of the piston-cylinder assemblies are operable through centralized control by operating an operating panel provided aside a driver's seat in the truck. The depth of driving of each air nozzle pipe driven by each piston-cylinder assembly into the ground and the pressure of compressed air jet from the tip nozzle of the air nozzle pipe into the earth can be set to desired values by operating the operating panel.

Abstract: A method for oscillating ultrasonic waves and a microcomputer's built-in ultrasonic wave oscillator circuitry being capable of tracking and regulating ultrasonic wave vibrations automatically to be oscillated stably at a resonant frequency of a vibrator. An amplified excitation signal, having a necessary oscillating frequency regulated and amplified in accordance with an input adjusting voltage value signal, is output from an operating unit section. A high-frequency wave current value signal, flowing through a vibrator, after the amplified excitation signal is introduced, is issued from a vibration system to a conversion-transmission section. The adjusting voltage value signal and the high-frequency wave current value signal are converted and then transmitted to the operating unit section, and a microcomputer, respectively.

Abstract: A lettering machine is disclosed, which comprises a tracer support mechanism supporting a tracer at a corner such that the tracer can be freely moved to trace a letter or the like engraved on a tracing plate, a parallelogrammic horizontal component transmission mechanism via an inclination angle setting mechanism and capable of transmitting only the horizontal component of the tracing motion of the tracer on an equal scale, an enlarged scale or a reduced scale and/or a preset inclination angle, a parallelogrammic vertical component transmission mechanism coupled to the tracer support mechanism and capable of transmitting only the vertical component of the tracing motion of the tracer on an equal scale, an enlarged scale or a reduced scale, a resultant motion reproducing mechanism coupled to the parallelogrammic horizontal and vertical component transmission mechanisms and capable of combining the horizontal and vertical components of tracer motion transmitted from the respective transmission mechanisms to rep

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for guiding, positioning, and measuring through robot control, a tool and a work zone relative to each other, by a noncontacting probe of at least one transceiver for generating shock waves, and for sensing their reflections, with one or more multiple apertured lenses for focusing and concentrating such shock waves and their reflections.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous production of fried dough crusts is disclosed in which the dough pieces are retained between a pair of endless conveyors, one above the other, the upper conveyor being of balanced-weave construction, the lower conveyor being of flat-flex construction, the designs of said conveyors being incapable of registering with one another. The endless conveyors traverse a part of a hot oil bath, beneath the surface of the oil in uniform, spaced, parallel relation to each other, the spacing between the conveyors being maintained within the range of 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch for confinement of the dough pieces therebetween. The oil in the cooking zone of said bath is maintained at a temperature range of about 360.degree.-410.degree. F. After exiting from the cooking bath and prior to reaching a delivery point, crusts are continuously confined and rapidly cooled.

Abstract: The trolley pole is mounted on a cylindrical bearing member secured to the side of an electric mule or locomotive for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A latch mechanism provides a segmental plate horizontally disposed acentrically of said cylindrical bearing member for movement with it so as to turn in a horizontal path when the trolley pole and its mounting cylinder are turned, and a latch assembly adjacent said path fixed to a contiguous portion of the locomotive housing having a horizontally pivoted detent that normally rests with its free end within the path of the segmental plate in registration with the latter so as to lock the plate and its associated cylindrical mount and trolley pole in one selected position.

Abstract: Probe method and means are disclosed for guiding and positioning a robot-actuated tool, such as a gripper or a welding head, through at least one transceiver for generating and sensing focused shockwaves, the probe being associated with the tool for relative movement with respect to the object or objects being sensed, without physically contacting the same.

Abstract: There are disclosed means and method for improving the efficiency of combustion in an automatic gas-fired furnace through retardation, without restriction, of the exhaust emission of the products of combustion, which are caused to dwell longer in the combustion chamber to elevate the temperature, not only through the impoundment of what would otherwise be waste heat, but by the conversion of CO gas and excess air to CO.sub.2 gas, thus, reducing the two former, increasing the latter, along with temperature. This reduces the condensate in the exhaust chimney. An enlarged chamber in the exhaust gas conduit is incorporated within and beneath the line of exhaust flow from furnace to chimney. A baffle plate, approximately equal in area to the cross-sectional area of the conduit, is immovably secured in the top of the chamber normal to the line of exhaust flow. The chamber is completely closed except for the exhaust flow entry and exit ports.