Abstract: An apparatus and method for teaching a person inspirational phrases. The method comprises a visual display of an inspirational symbol which imparts a sensation of movement towards the person via a steady increase in overall dimension. When the inspirational symbol had attained maximum dimension the words of an inspirational phrase are illuminated below. Simultaneously, an audio track reads aloud the displayed inspirational phrase. The apparatus comprises: shutters which pivotally open and slide into a housing revealing an exhibiting area for showing an inspirational symbol; a display area for exhibiting inspirational phrases; an audio system to broadcast the displayed inspirational verses; and an operating system for changing the displayed inspirational verses in conjunction with the audio system.

Abstract: A two row harvester running gear is of a tricycle type with all wheels being hydraulically driven and with a center rear wheel that is steerable and smaller than the two front wheels. The running gear configuration provides sharper turns in muddy fields without bulldozing, and space for side mounting pilers adjacent the front wheels and inboard of them to minimize the number and degree of changes of direction in cut cane travel. Closed loop and parallel connections of an hydraulic power system rotates all wheels for a common linear speed, and at torques relative to the size and positioning thereof for maximum traction.

Abstract: A marine structure comprising a cellular caisson which forms a stable platform for carrying out a variety of offshore operations in the arctic and sub-arctic regions is provided. The structure may be grounded on reasonably level sea bottom with a minimum of sea bed preparation in shallow water or mounted upon a previously prepared berm. Resistance to local ice forces is provided by the hexagonal cellular arrangement of the perimeter and interior walls which make up the cellular caisson. Global foundation resistance is obtained by introducing a suitable quantity of ballast into the structure. The design allows clusters of two or more structures to be grouped together to augment the offshore installation and to permit the offshore installation to be developed in stages at the site.

Abstract: Refractory fiber blankets are made suitable for use as baffles, curtains or partitions in furnaces and other high temperature equipment by reinforcement fabric woven from high temperature refractory fiber yarn. The curtains so formed are easily installed and replaced. The curtains exhibit insulation characteristics suitable for use at elevated (2200.degree. F. and above) temperatures and capabilities of resisting damage from impact by the furnace load or manipulators of such a load.

Abstract: An auxiliary rig is used in combination with a primary drilling or workover rig. The primary drilling rig typically includes an elongated upstanding drill tower, a base and a crown block. The auxiliary rig of the present invention includes a racking tower detachably mounted with the upper end of the drill tower to form an extension to the drill tower for receiving interconnected pairs of tubular members to reduce the tripping time of the tubular members into and out of the well. A movable slip and a controller therefor of the auxiliary rig are operably guided by the racking tower for releasably supporting the pairs of tubular members.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for vacuum drying a system, wherein the system is evacuated to effect vaporization of a liquid therein and facilitate its removal from the system, wherein at least one sample of the liquid is positioned within the system. The temperature of each sample and of the free space thereabove are monitored and the system is evacuated at a controlled rate so as to maintain the temperature of each sample at or above a pre-set temperature differential with respect to the free space thereinabove, as the temperature of the free space approaches the freezing point of the liquid until evaporation of all the samples is complete and the system is evacuated down to a practically achievable absolute pressure. The system is then isolated and the temperature of the system is allowed to rise, thereby causing any frozen liquid within the system to sublime or re-evaporate.

Abstract: A turbine wheel flow measuring transducer having a reaction turbine wheel measures low flow rates of a gas. A disk (D) is rotatably mounted in a chamber (C) formed within a housing (H) through which the gas to be measured passes through a nozzle assembly (N). Plural teeth (T) are formed around the periphery of disk (D) for receiving the impact of the gas from nozzle assembly (N). A photoelectric circuit (P) directs light onto side portions of disk (D) to measure the relative movement of disk (D) in response to the impact of the gas against teeth (T).

Abstract: The device comprises a control system (100) commanded by sensing means consisting of at least one optic fibre transmitting a radiation to at least one radiation detector, said sensing means co-operating with a rotating element driven by the engine, which consecutively intercepts the receipt of the radiation. The control system (100) determines the beginning and duration of injection at the injectors (11) incorporated in the fuel-transfer circuit (10), which circuit comprises two pipes, namely a fuel inlet pipe (19) and a fuel outlet pipe (20) which are interconnected and in heat exchange relation and are located at the back of each injector in order to obtain a closed transfer circuit and to ensure continuous circulation of fuel at the back of each injector, thus avoiding in-line vaporization of said fuel.

Abstract: A transportable hyperbaric chamber which is generally cylindrical in configuration and has a manway opening at one end, the chamber being of sufficient length and diameter to receive an injured person. The chamber is adapted to be temporarily connected to a deck chamber or other emergency chamber to receive an injured person and to subsequently be connected to a hospital or other more permanent chamber wherein such person may be treated over a longer period. The chamber is mounted on a support platform which is vertically adjustable at various points in order to align the chamber with such deck and hospital chambers. A pressure safe chamber door is mounted interiorly of the chamber and is movable between a closed, sealed position and an open position wherein the door is fully out of the path of the manway so that an injured person may be transferred without obstacle.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions comprising from about 35 to about 85% by weight of an alkanolaminium carboxylate have proven to be highly efficient absorption solvents for sulfur dioxide. Such solvents preferentially absorb sulfur dioxide from the gas streams containing large quantities of carbon dioxide. The rate at which dissolved sulfur dioxide oxidizes to non-regenerable sulfate salts is significantly reduced by such solvents.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus comprising a plurality of pipe supports having articulated arms for lifting a joint of pipe and moving it laterally across a recess by means of a temporary support spanning the recess and thereafter moving the pipe back into a trough received in the recess. The apparatus also includes means for tipping trough to roll out a joint of pipe carried therein and inclined guide means for guiding and directing the pipe as it is discharged from the trough.

Abstract: A ledge bed overlay for use with conventional patient care beds whereby a ledge can be formed to facilitate placing a bedpan or a bathtub beneath a patient without having to physically lift the patient.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus for washing soiled tubular members in a cleaning fluid wherein the apparatus includes a cleaning fluid tank for containing the cleaning fluid therein, support members with the cleaning fluid tank for supporting the tubular member between positions in and out of the cleaning fluid tank, along with directing means for directing cleaning fluid against the soiled tubular member and collection members with the cleaning fluid tank for collecting sludge formed during the washing of the tubular member.

Abstract: An applicator is provided for coating the uncovered end portions or stubs of pipe sections after they have been welded together. A belt is maintained in tension out of contact with the pipe until the pipe stubs are welded together and coating operations are to begin. The belt is then wrapped onto the pipes forming an annular cavity about the welded stubs. Chain reinforcing mesh is also applied to the exterior of the belt for support. An expanding foam which sets into a hard coating is then injected into the cavity. Once the foam hardens and fills the cavity, the belt and reinforcement are unwrapped from the coated joint and moved away from the pipe.

Abstract: A circuit and method for measuring the capacitance of a circuit element. A reference capacitor, a voltage source, and a switching circuit are arranged such that the circuit element and the reference capacitor are alternately charged and discharged from the voltage source at the same frequency, the charging of the circuit element being synchronized with either the charging or the discharging of the reference capacitor. Currents of the circuit element and the reference capacitor, for example the discharge currents, are supplied to a reservoir capacitor circuit and compared to provide a measure of the difference between the capacitances of the circuit element and the reference capacitor. The comparison is made by monitoring the feedback current necessary to maintain the charge of the reservoir capacitor circuit substantially constant.

Abstract: In an electrical power transmission system, transmitter-receiver pairs at stations which communicate with similar pairs at other stations to block tripping of circuit breakers or for other control functions are periodically tested. An electrical circuit periodically activates a transmitter to send a test signal from a first station over a power line to a receiver at another station in the system. The receiver at the other station activates the associated transmitter in response to receipt of the incoming signal to send a signal back to the receiver of the first station. If this cycle is not completed in a specified time, indicating loss of communication between the two transmitter-receiver pairs, an alarm is activated.

Abstract: A new and improved inner seal and support rod assembly for a blowout preventer including an inner seal assembly for improved sealing and configured to promote ease of maintenance and removal thereof in cooperation with substantially horizontally disposed, vertically aligned support rods of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A thermal acidization and recovery process for increasing production of heavy viscous petroleum crude oil and synthetic fuels from subterranean hydrocarbon formations containing clay particles creating adverse permeability effects is described. The method comprises injecting a thermal vapor stream through a well bore penetrating such formations to clean the formation face of hydrocarbonaceous materials which restrict the flow of fluids into the petroleum-bearing formation. Vaporized hydrogen chloride is then injected simultaneously to react with calcium and magnesium salts in the formation surrounding the bore hole to form water soluble chloride salts. Vaporized hydrogen fluoride is then injected simultaneously with its thermal vapor to dissolve water-sensitive clay particles thus increasing permeability. Thereafter, the thermal vapors are injected until the formation is sufficiently heated to permit increased recovery rates of the petroleum.

Abstract: A bichromatic sorter for agricultural products such as coffee beans, peanuts, beans and other types of agricultural products is provided to sort and reject undesired product based on color characteristics of the product in at least two component colors. Problems of synchronization between component color signals are overcome by the optical scanning portion of the sorter. The complexity of the electronics portion of the sorter is materially reduced by multiplexing or time sharing certain functions the electronics must perform.