Abstract: Two turbine engines are connected to a common gear box to drive a common load, such as a helicopter rotor, and circuitry is provided for controlling the two mechanically intercoupled engines in order to provide: (1) individual temperature shutoff for the engines, (2) limitation on the maximum total torque supplied by the two engines to avoid exceeding the power handling capability of the gear box for the associated load, (3) speed control for the engines, and (4) substantially equal sharing of the torque load by the two engines. By suitably combining the signals which require analysis, and supplying a single properly conditioned signal to the fuel control unit of each engine, tight control without oscillation or cycling may be achieved. Notch filtering to avoid reinforcement of mechanical resonances, and a variable response characteristic depending on the magnitude of the error signal may be included in the circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an unformed quantity of dough into a plurality of uniformly sized and shaped dough bodies has dough divider means for converting an unformed quantity of dough into at least one uniform ribbon of dough, moving the ribbon of dough through an outlet and severing the ribbon of dough into a plurality of uniformly sized pieces at an outlet of the dough divider; and dough forming means communicating with the dough divider means for engaging the ribbon of dough at the outlet of the dough divider means and drawing portions of the ribbon of dough away from the outlet in an initial drawing operation prior to severing the portion of dough from the ribbon of dough.

Abstract: A press for clamping order blank pads, or the like, for gluing, includes upper and lower press plates and arrangements for applying firm clamping pressure to a stack of pads, with a few up to a large number of pads included in the stack, with a single motion of a clamping lever. The weight of the upper press plate is counter-balanced with an extension spring and parallelogram-type arrangement, whereby the upper press plate will remain in a fixed position wherever the operator locates it, so that the order blank pads to be clamped and glued may easily be placed in position between the two press plates.

Abstract: The motion of an electromechanical device such as a relay may be analyzed through the use of the present system. A bundle of fiber optic filaments are located with one end adjacent the movable object which is to be sensed or analyzed. This movable object may, for example, be the armature of an electromagnet. With regard to the fiber optic probe, half of the fiber optic elements may be provided with input illumination and the other half of the bundle may be connected to transmit reflected light from the moving armature to a remotely located light-sensitive element such as an opto-transistor. An oscilloscope is provided to monitor the response of the electromagnet to applied signals. An actuating circuit is connected not only to apply energizing current to the electromagnet, but also to trigger the sweep of the oscilloscope.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller is disclosed particularly adapted for maintaining a variable value constant volume fluid flow through a conduit supplying fluid to a zone. A spring biased vane is disposed across the diameter of the conduit to provide a motion signal proportional to the average volume flow pressure across the diameter of the conduit. The motion signal from the vane and a transducer within a zone to which the fluid is being conducted responsive to an environmental parameter in the zone are connected to a controller assembly connected to control an actuator moving a damper within the conduit. The controller is adapted to position the damper to maintain the motion signal from the vane and the signal from the transducer within the controlled zone in balance.This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 711,066 filed Aug. 2, 1976, now abandoned.

Abstract: Esters of 2-[4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid and bis-(hydroxyalkylthio)-alkanes of the formula: ##STR1## IN WHICH R is hydrogen or methyl are particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia.

Abstract: A gravity feed inclined retort apparatus provides for a distillation process in which oil is removed from shale ore in the inclined portion of the retort, and the gaseous oil is removed to a vapor condenser/separator in which the vapor is condensed into the product oil. The retorted shale is fed onto a continuous chain stoker, or other similar conveying device, where the coke portion of the retorted shale is burned as fuel for the retort. Hot gases from the combustion zone where air is directed through the burning coke are used to preheat the shale ore above the dew point of the oil, through a heat exchange plate; and the hot gases then flow through the shale ore in the retort chamber, picking up the oil vapors from the heated shale, and carrying this oil-filled gas into a vapor condenser/separator. Some of the oil vapors are also condensed onto cooled side walls extending along the retort chamber and this condensed oil flows into oil collection gutters.

Abstract: A termination means for a plurality of riser pipes at a floating platform including a termination member for supporting said plurality of riser pipes, said termination member being supported and suspended by constant tension means on said platform. The plurality of riser pipes include a central riser pipe and satellite riser pipes arranged around said central riser pipe. Each of the satellite riser pipes extend through the termination member and are supported from said termination member by fluid pressure actuated tension compensator means which serve to tension each of the riser pipes. The termination means is adapted to both rigid and flexible riser pipes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder and instrument tip protector device has a base of a non-skid sterilizable material for receiving a surgical instrument positioned thereon and a protective layer formed of a sterilizable resilient material and overlying at least a portion of the base to provide a resilient pouch of sterilizable material into which the tip end of a surgical instrument may be placed for preventing the instrument tip from puncturing a sterile container for the instrument, for preventing damage to the instrument tip, and for protecting a user against injury due to contact with the surgical instrument tip while handling the surgical instrument holder and instrument tip protector device.

Abstract: A tubular section is provided through which fluid can flow. A paddle is mounted in the tubular section and is biased by a spring to a "no-flow" position, at least partially across the tubular section. Fluid flowing through the tubular section rotates the paddle to a "flow" position which is aligned and not across the tubular section. The device has been improved by having a signaling means in the form of a magnet mounted on the paddle in the tubular section for signaling when the paddle is in one of its positions. A switch mounted adjacent the tubular section receives the signal from the magnet and activates an indicator when it receives the signal so that the indicator indicates the position of the paddle. The paddle covers approximately one half of the cross section of the tubular section when the paddle is in the no-flow position. A baffle may be provided adjacent the paddle to direct flow to the portion of the tubular section through which the paddle moves.

Abstract: The tumbler includes a connection between an outer gate ring and an inner drive member of a tumbler wheel together. The gate ring includes a leg on the gate ring with a gripping portion thereon. The leg normally biases the gripping portion to a securing position against the drive member to grip it so that the gate ring and drive member normally rotate together. An opening is provided in the gate ring adjacent the leg having a curved portion about its periphery for receiving a key having a curved portion about its periphery. The key rotates against the curved surface of the opening, and a cam section of the key cams a cam follower portion of the leg when the key is rotated to a releasing position for urging the gripping portion away from the drive member. The camming surface, opening and cam follower are so provided that on rotation of the key in the opening to the releasing position, the biasing effect of the leg is prevented from tending to return the key to the securing position.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for rapidly charging a capacitive holding device to a voltage level within a predetermined range of acquired samples. One or more supercharging circuits can be provided to supplement the input signal in charging the signal holding device when the input signal by itself is not capable of providing enough current for rapid operation. The supercharging circuits compare the input signal with the held signal and provide supplemental charging current when the differential between these signals exceeds a predetermined threshold amount. Above this threshold the supplemental charging current varies progressively and preferably linearly with the signal differential, until a terminal point is reached above which the supercharging current remains constant. Provision is also made for inhibiting leakage of the held signal back into the charging circuit.

Abstract: An electrode structure for use in emitting electromagnetic radiation for localized heating of tissue in medical therapy and capable of permitting deep heat penetration while skin surfaces and subcutaneous tissue remain at lower and physiologic temperatures not harmful to living tissue. An electrode structure having a wall with an emitting surface adapted to be placed in direct facial contact or in close proximity with external skin surfaces, the wall forming part of a cooling chamber through which cooling fluid is circulated to maintain the wall and adjacent tissue at selected relatively cool temperature. The electrode wall is connected to a radio frequency generator through impedance matching circuitry. In one embodiment, the wall surface is suitably curved for direct uniform contact with the surface configuration of the body to which it is applied.

Abstract: Pharmacologically valuable esters of isobutyric acid have the general formula ##STR1## in which R is biphenylyl, norbornyl or para-cyclohexylphenyl and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each lower alkyl groups or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked is a saturated heterocyclic group which may contain an additional hetero atom. The esters may be used in the form of their salts with pharmaceutically acceptable acids.The esters and their salts possess spasmolytic and vasodilatory activity and are useful in the treatment of arterial disorders.

Abstract: A load or cargo lifting and moving apparatus for use with a hoisting hook includes a sling or cable for securing to a load, and a special pulley for balancing the loaded sling and lifting it. The pulley includes a shackle and a roller having a deeply grooved and knurled surface for engaging the sling, and a pin for locking the roller against rotation in the shackle. In operation the sling is initially secured to the load, the pulley is raised with the roller free to rotate, until the load is balanced, and the roller is then pinned against rotation as the load is moved to its final location. The sling may be provided with hooks for engaging a load, which could be a long unbalanced pipe, for example.

Abstract: The outputs of individual stages in a digital to analog converter are each trimmed by independent circuitry which includes a plurality of transistors connected to a common output terminal, the physical dimensions of each transistor being scaled in proportion to desired levels of current flow, and selectable switches connected in circuit with each of the transistors. Selectable switches are actuable to produce an output trimming current of a desired magnitude, which current is used to correct the untrimmed stage output. The invention includes circuitry for controlling the polarity of the trimming current relative to the stage, and for selectively expanding or contracting the trimming range to optimize the trimming currents for the particular characteristics of the converter. A favorable balance between trimming accuracy and the area occupied by the trimming circuitry is attained by the use of both emitter-scaled and multicollector transistors in the trimming circuits.

Abstract: A device or attachment for a bag filling and weighing machine in which filled bags of pliant material and containing discrete articles are transferred from the filling machine to a bag closing means including sewing head means and wherein a filled bag is moved in upright position with the upper end of the bag secured in a bag holder and then released from the bag holder for movement in upright position to the sewing head means. The transfer device includes a pair of endless chains having inboard lays which extend from the vicinity of the release of the bags from the bag holder to the reengagement of the bag by bag closing means. The endless flexible members include pointed elements which penetrate and engage upper wall portions of the bag above the contents thereof and below the bag holder so as to retain and guide upper wall portions of the pliant bag to the bag closing means.

Abstract: A box metering system for use with a box filling and weighing system in which a box forming machine discharges two-piece partially ensleeved box parts in partial assembled relation to a conveyor leading to the box filling and weighing stations. The box metering system includes a reciprocally movable box stop member which in one position stops a box and causes actuation of a box completion assembly device to complete the assembly of the box before advancement to a filling and weighing station. The completely assembled box is released by movement of the box stop member to a retracted position in response to movement of leading boxes toward the filling and weighing stations.

Abstract: A bag filling and weighing machine including an endless conveyor with bag holding means carried thereby and releasably suspending pliant bags in open condition. The machine includes an intermittently actuated endless conveyor for stopping the bag holding means at a main feed station and dribble feed station for two-stage filling and weighing. Weighing means are located adjacent to, at one side of, and at the approximate level of the endless conveyor means. One side of each bag-holding means is connected to the endless conveyor means and rotatable disc means concentric with conveyor sprocket means are provided for supporting bag-holder means as the bag holder changes direction around the end of the endless conveyor means. A novel driving and mounting connection for a bag holder to a single drive chain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a center pivot irrigation system including a plurality of span units, each having a drive carriage having a hydraulically driven motor means for operating associated carriage wheels in response to hydraulic fluid supplied thereto under pressure through hydraulic fluid lines from a source thereof, is operated by supplying hydraulic fluid at a selectable value of constant volume fluid flow to the system to drive the system at a selectable average speed about its center pivot, the flow rate of fluid to individual motor means of individual span units which are ahead or behind of a predetermined relative alignment with the other span units being varied in response to changes in angularity sensed between adjacent span units in both forward and backward directions relative to the direction of travel of the system about its center pivot while the constant volume fluid flow through the system is being maintained at a selectable constant flow rate.