Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the conductivity of a solution has a conductivity cell with a grounded cell electrode that is operated at a distance from the reading station. A shielded cable houses the signal carrying conductors and the free end of the cable shield is purposely not grounded.

Abstract: A roof, or the like, composed of a plurality of blocks of relatively rigid insulating material which may be formed of Styrofoam. The relatively rigid blocks of insulating material being so configured that adjacent blocks will mate together forming a sealing means for the roof, or the like, which constitutes, in effect, a hermetic seal to thereby eliminate the possibility of temperature, moisture, etc. from entering between the blocks. The concept also involves the method of laying the plurality of blocks, whereby the sealing between adjacent blocks is aided by what I shall term an "UP" and "DOWN" arrangement of alternate blocks. The medium, which is rigid insulation, is intended to be used to form the insulating blocks will not accept adhesive so that a rubber or plastic sheet may not be caused to adhere to these relatively rigid insulating blocks when laid thereover.

Abstract: A system involving a pair of oppositely disposed sight glass units wherein each unit includes an inner glass and an outer glass. One application of these sight glasses is in continuous vulcanization of multiconductor cables in a saturated steam atmosphere. The cable is steam wiped prior to its travel through a chamber between the sight glass units to remove accumulated condensation therefrom. Since the inner surfaces of the glasses of each sight glass unit may be clouded or dirty, wiping means is provided for each wet-side surface to provide and maintain clear and unobstructed viewing to permit scanning of the cable as it passes through the chamber between the sight glass units, and means for sealing the glasses in the units.

Abstract: A circuit for indicating the ratio of an unknown part value to a known part value, or the percentage error between an unknown part value and a known part value, or the direct value of an electrical part to be measured, has a first operational amplifier for developing a voltage proportional to the ratio of an unknown part value to a known part value and a second operational amplifier for subtracting a predetermined amount from said ratio voltage so that the resultant output from said second amplifier provides the desired percentage error of the unknown part value to that of known part value.

Abstract: A smoke stack which receives at the lower end thereof dirty hot waste gases and receives adjacent the upper and thereof a constant flow of raw cold juice, the juice and the gases flowing in contra directions. A dual purpose is achieved since the cold juice flowing downwardly against the upward flow of the hot gases will result in the separation of charcoal and other impurities from the hot gas and the cold juice will be heated to the boiling point without the necessity of using separate fuel to produce steam for this purpose.

Abstract: A structure of generally dome shape including a supporting framework formed of circumferentially spaced vertical members and laterally extending members on each side thereof and means for clamping said laterally extending members to a vertical member. The laterally extending members being spaced apart substantially the same distance as the diameter of the vertical member to which they are clamped. An inside shell formed in any suitable manner of concrete, mesh and reinforcing members and an outside shell spaced from said inside shell and formed generally similarly to the inside shell, the inside and outside shells being connected to and supported by the spaced laterally extending members and fixed thereto providing an airspace between the inside and outside shells. A modification of the structure provides a solar heating arrangement on a part of the dome shaped structure which has a generally southern exposure.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting an electrical outlet box on vertical metal studs in a building or the like structure. The bracket including a channel shaped sheet metal element adapted to be clamped on and affixed to the vertical metal stud. The clamping element, including a pair of arms spaced apart by means of a web and one of said arms, is doubled back or lapped on itself and spotwelded or otherwise affixed to the arm. Welded or otherwise affixed to the doubled back portion of the arm laterally extends a member provided with an opening therein beyond which extends a solid portion. The opening receives a standard electrical plaster or dry wall ring with is joined to a standard electrical outlet box by screws. The dry wall ring is provided with open-ended slots therein through which the screws extend and are threaded into the outlet box, the position of the outlet box relative to the dry wall ring being adjustable by merely sliding the screws out of the open-ended slots in the dry wall ring.

Abstract: An evaporator which is specifically adapted for the evaporation of sugar cane juices, however, it is a versatile apparatus and may be used with equal facility in various evaporating situations. Instead of using steam as is conventional, the heating medium to produce the required evaporation comprises waste combustion gases. Gas orienting means is included through which the hot waste gases flow to an enclosed area of generally hour glass shape. The entire apparatus is of generally circular configuration and includes a circular evaporating area into which the juices are pumped and are under pressure and in which they are evaporated. The circular evaporating area into which the juices are pumped and where evaporation occurs is in heat transfer relationship with the enclosed area through which the hot waste gases flow.

Abstract: A self-propelled tiller-planter including a motor providing hydraulic motive power for various operating mechanisms. A tiller pushed by said planter and hydraulic means is provided for lifting and lowering the tiller assembly into inoperative position above the ground and into operative tilling position in contact with the ground. A pivoting cradle is provided to which the motor is fixed, the cradle rocking simultaneously with the up and down movements of the tiller insuring that the shaft to the tiller assembly is in alignment with the motor. Since the tiller is pushed at the front of the planter the soil being worked thereby may be packed down by the wheels which follow the tiller and means are provided at the rear of the rear wheels of the planter to rework the soil for the planting operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement providing the safe descent to the ground of the fuselage of an aircraft when it has been disabled. The pilot of the aircraft when it is disabled actuates any suitable control mechanism on the dash panel to automatically release a parachute, the cables depending therefrom being affixed to the center of gravity of the aircraft for the safe descent thereof under the action of the parachute. The parachute is stored within a cradle or the like housing which is maintained in inoperative position within a storage well provided in the fuselage and this storage well is closed by a releasable closure member to which the cradle is affixed.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for shaft torque measuring systems of the type having a transducer producing an electrical signal representing shaft torque and a brush and slip ring assembly providing an output connection for the electrical shaft torque signal includes an operational amplifier having the electrical shaft torque signal connected across an inverting input terminal and an output terminal with a capacitor providing negative feedback between the inverting input and output terminal and a resistor connected in series with the inverting input terminal to form with the capacitor a low pass filter such that resistance variations and circuit interruptions in the electrical shaft torque signal producing circuit do not adversely effect the output signal.

Abstract: A Cultivator Planter comprising a traction wheel assembly of substantial width which is releasably connected to a steerable portion to push the steerable portion. The traction wheel assembly comprising two sections which are releasably connected together for removing one section from the other to substantially reduce the width of the assembly so that the apparatus may be driven over the roads of conventional width. Lateral movement of the other section relative to the steerable portion causing the other section to be released from said steerable portion. Power mechanism coactive between the steerable portion and the one section of the traction wheel assembly to move the steerable portion laterally relative to the one section of the traction wheel assembly so that the section is in proper position behind the steerable portion.

Abstract: A conductivity cell for measuring the conductivity of a liquid comprising a pair of spaced apart electrodes insulated from each other. The proper spacing of the electrodes is provided by a washer formed of insulating material and it is strong, rigid and highly stable chemically and mechanically and is substantially unaffected by wide temperature variations. A single electric conducting element extends through the cell and at one end is electrically fixed to one of the electrodes. The single electric conducting element is adjustable to maintain the two electrodes and insulating washer in proper position. A protective and insulating shield is provided for detachable connection to the conductivity cell to protect the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a manually operated jack which is particularly adapted to hold cargo in place in moving trucks, railroad cars or to store merchandise in warehouses and in other generally similar environments. The cargo holder jack generally involves a hollow pedestal member upon which the operating components of the jack are operatively mounted. The pedestal is mounted on a base or foot element which is pivotally connected thereto. An operating rod is provided which is mounted for reciprocal movement and this operating rod is free of the pedestal so it may reciprocate therein and independently thereof. On the end of the operating rod, which is opposite to the portion thereof which reciprocates within the pedestal, is pivotally mounted a base or foot member. A box-like structure composed of two elements is mounted on the pedestal and operatively mounted therein are the various operating components which are associated with the operating rod to cause reciprocal movement thereof.

Abstract: A portable back rest, composed of one planar sheet of material adapted particularly, but not exclusively, for use on stadium, or the like, bleacher or plank seats which are not provided with backs. The back rest is of unitary one piece construction and comprises a sheet of material in generally planar configuration which may be stamped or molded into the proper flat configuration for ease of transport and storage. The material from which the back rest is stamped or molded, is flexible so that it may be flexed from its flat transport and storage condition to its operative condition for combination with a bleacher seat. The one piece planar sheet of material from which the back rest is made, has an inherent "memory," or self adjusting characteristic, which urges it at all times to assume its flat transport and storage condition. The back rest is provided with means integral therewith for releasably clamping or locking the back rest in operative position on a bleacher seat.

Abstract: A planter having a body portion provided with an absorbent medium in the bottom thereof. The planter being open at its upper end and an annular cap-like element being provided for releasable attachment to the upper end of the planter. The body portion of the planter having a water intake opening in the circumferential wall thereof. The water intake opening being disposed therein at a distance from the bottom of the planter on the order of 11/4 inches. A water overflow opening in the body portion of the planter in a horizontal plane below the water intake opening and diametrically disposed relative thereto. The overflow opening being above the top surface of the absorbent medium. It is desirable, when watering the potting soil in the planter, to have the planter tilted towards the overflow opening, it is also desirable to have the overflow opening at the center of the tilting axis and means is provided which ensure that the overflow opening is at the center line of the tilting axis.

Abstract: A self propelled apparatus providing a cultivator, planter units and fertilizer tanks. A traction wheel assembly composed of a plurality of wheels adapted to propel the entire apparatus forwardly by pushing. The plurality of traction wheels being mounted from a traction wheel assembly frame and the traction wheel assembly frame being formed in two sections which are pivoted together at the mid-point thereof. The plurality of traction wheels being arranged in pairs and adjacent pairs of traction wheels being connected together for co-action therebetween. Separate means are provided for driving the traction wheels and such wheels being balanced and mounted from the pivotal frame will impart substantially no compacting forces to the treated soil. The apparatus includes structure and mechanism whereby the sections of the traction wheel assembly frame may be separated to thereby reduce the width of the traction wheel assembly and traction wheel assembly frame for road transport.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the conductivity of a solution has a four probe conductivity cell which is supplied by a constant current source to provide a signal proportional to the conductivity. A thermistor is connected in the feedback circuit of an operational amplifier and responds to temperature changes in the solution to change the gain of the amplifier and maintain the circuit output at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A heat pump conversion system includes an electric furnace located within a building and having a first coil heat exchanger therein, an outside heat exchanger unit having a refrigerant compressor, a second coil heat exchanger and pipe and valve means for selectively connecting the first and second coil heat exchangers and the compressor for reversing the cycle of the heat pump to provide cooling and heating, and a thermostat disposed in a space to be heated within the building having a cooling switch for operating the heat pump in a cooling mode of operation, a first stage heating switch to operate the heat pump in a heating mode of operation when the temperature in the space drops below a set temperature, and a second stage heating switch for operating electrical heating elements in the electric furnace when the temperature in the space drops to a predetermined level below the set temperature.

Abstract: A system for determining the resistance of an electrolyte into which a conductivity probe is immersed, the system including a thermistor network, a probe or conductivity cell, and amplifiers all of which are so combined that the changes in electrolyte concentrations causing variations in resistance are measured with corrections being made for electrolyte temperature variation. The probe and thermistor networks control the feedback of the amplifier, and the probe and thermistor networks being arranged to adjust the output whereby the signal is in true proportion to conductivity.