Abstract: A reduction in the size of a CD player is achieved by making the transfer roller horizontally displaceable between a first position, adjacent the disk storage magazine, and a second position, adjacent the turntable. The roller is displaced to the first position while a disk is being played. Further size reduction is achieved by making the turntable horizontally displaceable between a first position, remote from the storage magazine, and a second position, closer thereto. The turntable is in the second position while a disk is being played.

Abstract: A gutter system includes a strap for supporting a screen on the gutter. The strap is an elongate, planar member, preferably formed of the same material as the gutter. A first end of the strap is inserted under the roof shingles, between the keyways. The second end is configured to both project into a channel formed in the distal edge of the gutter and to overlie a horizontal wall of the channel, with a return portion to engagingly retain an edge of the screen.

Abstract: In a supercritical oxidation process, the oxidized supercritical fluid effluent (46) discharged from the upper region of the reactor vessel (10) is contacted with a cold quench liquid (66) so as to produce a relatively solids free vapor stream (53) and a liquid stream (51) containing the bulk of the precipitates and other solids carried over in the oxidized supercritical fluid effluent (46). The temperature of the resultant liquid stream (51) is maintained at a temperature below the solids solubility inversion temperature, typically below 600.degree. F., so as to dissolve a substantial portion of the precipitates and other solids collected therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting streaks in a moving sheet of material utilizes the signal generating and processing means of an existing spot/hole detection system which provides a series of spot measurement signals generated sequentially as a machine direction series of cross-machine sets and assigns a cross-direction location to each signal. Means are provided for calculating an exponential average of the signals for each of the cross-machine locations. This average is compared with a predetermined standard and an output signal, including a cross-machine location, is generated when the average exceeds the standard.

Abstract: In a regenerative bed incinerator 10 of type wherein the direction of gas flow through the bed 14 is periodically switched via a gas switching valve 30, a controller 80 is provided to periodically activate the gas switching valve 30 to reverse the direction of gas flow through the bed 14 in response to the temperature of the cooled incinerated process exhaust gases 5 as measured by gas sensing means 90.

Abstract: A regenerative bed incinerator 10 is provided with a gas recirculation duct 80 through which a controlled amount of incinerated process exhaust gases 7 are recirculated to the regenerative bed incinerator 10 to again pass through the combustion zone within the bed 14 housed therein so as to improve overall hydrocarbon destruction efficiency without exceeding permissible temperature limits.

Abstract: A linear weight actuator includes a clamp assembly adjustably connecting the power screw to the output spindle. The assembly includes an integrally formed key, riding in a slot formed in the actuator housing, which obviates the need for a separate key element. A mounting plate is adjustably clamped to the actuator housing, by a threaded mounting nut, such that the plate may be conveniently rotated relative to the housing. A linear bearing disposed in the mounting nut provides lateral support for the output spindle at a point spaced from the clamp assembly. A clamping ring encircles a thinned segment of the power nut and urges it against the power screw to prevent backlash.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a moving web includes an elongate support frame, disposed transverse the web, and a number of heater modules releasably attached thereto. The heater modules each include a housing and an inner panel assembly releasably captured therein. An openable cover, in the housing, provides for ready insertion or removal of the inner panel assembly, which rests on two mutually perpendicular support members and is clamped against one of them by the closed cover. A number of heating elements are operatively supported on the inner panel assembly by means which include a locking member displaceable between a first position, whereat all of the heater elements are locked in position, and a second position, whereat the heater elements may be removed.

Abstract: A device for aligning nuclear fuel pellets, for insertion into fuel rods, comprises a vibrating table and a conveyor assembly adapted to receive pellets poured from a container and to deposit them in a single layer on the table. The upper surface of the table is formed with a number of parallel, substantially v-shaped grooves in which the pellets become aligned. The conveyor assembly, which comprises a horizontal traveling belt and an inclined planar slide, is slid along above the table to facilitate the distribution of pellets thereon. An inspection station, adjacent the table, comprises a number of rotating, parallel rollers in columnar-flow communication with the table grooves. Aligned pellets from the table are delivered onto the rollers where they slowly rotate, presenting their circumferential surfaces for visual inspection. A displaceable control member, transversely disposed between the table and the inspection station, controls transfer of pellets therebetween.

Abstract: An improved element basket for a rotary air preheater includes a tubular structural element disposed in each of the four corners of the basket frame and extending therethrough in mutually parallel relation. During installation of the basket into the preheater rotor, rods are provided each having an attachment member formed in one end. The rods are inserted into the tubular elements and retaining clamps are attached thereto to prevent withdrawal. A chain or rope is attached to the attachment members, thus allowing the basket to be conveniently drawn into a desired position in the rotor.

Abstract: A thickening or suspending agent for imparting thixotropic properties to aqueous compositions, particularly LADD formulations, comprises a kaolinite clay admixed to the formulation at a level ranging from about 2% to about 5% by weight. While the thickening or suspending properties of the kaolinite clay are exhibited over a very broad range of particle size products, the kaolinite clay used advantageously has a particle size distribution of at least about 50% of the kaolin particles thereof have a particle size less than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, more preferably at least about 80% and, most perferably, at least about 95%. When utilized in a slurry form, the kaolinite clay based thickening or suspending agent most advantageously comprises an aqueous slurry of kaolinite particles at a solids level of at least 65% solids by weight.

Abstract: A pressurized feed material (30) in aqueous suspension is oxidized in a supercritical temperature reaction zone (20) in an upper region of a vertically elongated, cyclindrical walled, closed pressure vessel (10) to form an oxidized super fluid phase (46) which is removed from the upper region of the vessel and a brine (44) containing precipitates and other solids which are collected in and removed from a subcritical temperature zone (16) in the lower region of the vessel. The wall (12) of the cylindrical pressure vessel (10) is scraped by rotatable scraper means (60) which upon rotation will dislodge precipitated solids from the wall (12).

Abstract: A device for measuring the gap between the radiation source and the radiation sensor of a basis weight gauge. A caliper sensor measures the thickness of a sheet of material as it passes through the gap, while the caliper contact shoe rides on the sheet and urges it against a first side of the gap. A linear variable differential transformer measures the distance between a reference point on the contact shoe and the opposed side of the gap. The gap dimension is the sum of the sheet thickness, the distance between the caliper reference point and the second side of the gap, and a readily measurable constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of absolute position of a movable machine member is provided. The machine member is moved by a motor and reduction device producing rotation of the machine member in proportion to relative rotation of the motor rotor and motor stator. Two angular position measuring devices provide output signals representing relative positions related to the machine member position and differentiated one from another.

Abstract: A heat pipe air preheater includes a multiplicity of heat pipes arranged in a plurality of superposed planar rows inclined relative to the horizontal, the rows of heat pipes including a first group of rows inclined at a first inclination angle and a second group inclined at a second inclination angle. Means are provided for removing collections of soot or other particulate matter from the evaporator ends of the heat pipes, the rows of the first group being disposed on one side of these means while the rows of the second group are disposed on the other side, the rows of the two groups converging in the direction of the heat pipe condenser ends.

Abstract: A pneumatic stepper motor weight actuator captures the advantages of polymeric harmonic gears while occupying less space and eliminating the problems associated with air entrapment in the stator grooves. Air entrapment is eliminated by providing orificed air passages from the bottom of the longitudinal stator grooves to the center stator hole. Advantageously, the actuator includes a rigid gear comprising a toothed polymeric sleeve adhesively bonded inside a metal cup.

Abstract: An improved element basket for a rotary air preheater includes at least one imperforate steel sheet, tack welded to the basket exterior, completely covering one side of the basket. A distal edge portion of the sheet is bent back upon itself and is biasable against a wall surface of the air preheater rotor. The side sealing member fills the gaps between the element basket and the adjacent rotor compartment wall, preventing gas or cold air from bypassing the heat transfer elements in the basket.

Abstract: A cordless vacuum cleaner includes provision for snap-on attachment of a power brush to a rigid dust bowl thereof. Cooperating electrical contacts in the power brush and the dust bowl connect a brush motor in the power brush for concerted operation with a vacuum cleaner motor in the cordless vacuum cleaner. Cooperating latch members in the dust bowl and the power brush enable snapping the two elements together and facilitate their separation. Clam-shell construction is utilized to accept parts of the latch members and a contact retainer suppporting both electrical contacts for application of power from the cordless vacuum cleaner to the power brush. An integrated base provides means for retaining both the cordless vacuum cleaner and the power brush attachment.

Abstract: A communication device capable of receiving, processing and sending analog signals, characterized in that the device is coupled to the audio input/output ports of a built-in or external sound board attached to a computer, through standard audio plugs. The device may be installed as a stand-alone unit between the audio board and a telephone line, or as a part of the audio board. During its operation the device is constantly under the control of software operating in the computer side. Signals entering through the audio inport and are digitized, filtered, and analyzed by software modules, and the software then manages the information-outputs information and/or saves voice message messages, etc. in accordance with the contents of these signals.