Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and subsequent playback of selected dynagraphs for wells employing sucker-rod pumping units to determine well faults which cause well shutdown. Calibration data from well monitoring equipment is stored in a first "endless tape" type of memory during calibration of the well and operation data from the monitoring equipment is stored in a second "endless tape" memory during well operation. After well shutdown the stored data can be retrieved and the operation data stored immediately prior to well shutdown compared with calibration data to determine what type of fault caused well shutdown.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a crane are described and require a minimum of set up and strip down time. Each embodiment includes auxiliary frame means that is slightly wider in outside dimension than the tracks for supporting the main boom and gantry at its forward end, and supporting counterweights at its rear end with rollers on both ends permitting rotation of the auxiliary frame and vertically movable components supported thereon about a vertical axis. The rollers rest upon a horizontal steel ring supported by the ground during working of the crane, and the auxiliary frame and vertically movable components operatively connected thereto are moved upwardly to provide adequate road clearance when it is desired to move the vehicle from one site to the next. In one embodiment the ring is an inexpensive thin steel ring secured to a previously constructed concrete foundation and permits the relatively narrow vehicle to be driven over a portion of the ring onto and off of each preconstructed foundation.

Abstract: A closed loop method and apparatus is disclosed for spray processing an article such as alodine processing of aluminum. The apparatus includes valved supply and return piping connecting a processing tank with the article therein to a plurality of supply tanks each containing a liquid that is different from the liquid in the other tanks. The valves and two pumps are preferably computer controlled for initiating major steps by circulating liquids from one supply tank at a time through the processing tank for return to the same supply tank. Each major step is followed by an air purging step of at least the return piping for returning sbstantially all flowable liquid into the supply tank from which it originated thereby minimizing contamination of the other liquids. Other apparatus cleans the air of toxic fluids with the environmentally safe air discharged to the atmosphere and the toxic liquids separated into two groups for reuse.

Abstract: A telescopic boom is disclosed having a plurality of generally tubular boom sections each having its corners defined by angled corner plates converging upwardly and inwardly at equal angles relative to a central vertical plane containing the longitudinal axes of all boom sections when properly aligned. Boom shoes secured to the outer surfaces and near the inner ends of the angled corner plates of all boom sections except the largest section slidably engaging the adjacent angled corner plates of the next larger boom section; and similar boom shoes secured to the inner surfaces of the angled corner plates near the outer end of all boom sections except the smallest section slidably engaging the outer angled surfaces of the next smaller section.

Abstract: A troughed belt conveyor has a roll supporting base beam with downwardly diverging flanges, one of which supports the bottom roll with the other supporting the angled side rolls. The side rolls are longitudinally offset from the bottom roll and the upper end portions of adjacent rolls are laterally overlapped. The frame structure units for the conveyor are joined by U-section wedges that slidably fit wedge-receiving apertures and which have outwardly bent wedge-retaining tabs.

Abstract: A pendant supported extensible boom is disclosed having the boom and a live mast pivoted to a base about an axis near the lowermost surface of the boom for providing a stowed mast-boom angle of about 10.degree., and a fixed length pendant is provided to maintain a predetermined mast-boom working angle. A live pendant is trained over a winch, a boom supporting hoist, and a pendant take-up hoist connected between the mast and an outer end portion of the boom. Driving the winch to haul in pendant controllably raised the mast to its mast-boom working angle and then raises the boom to its desired working angle. When extending or retracting the boom, the boom working angle is maintained constant by paying out pendant from the winch, respectively. The boom and mast are controllably returned to a stowed position by paying out line from the boom supporting hoise and pendant take-up hoist.

Abstract: A reaction differential is disclosed which is preferably used in a hydrostatic steering differential for accurately steering a casemate vehicle at very low speeds for precise aiming of a gun which is aimed in azimuth by steering. The reaction differential is driven in selected direction by a hydrostatic motor only after the motor is rotated at an rpm which will provide smooth motor performance before sufficient torque is provided to initiate steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention concerns the heating of a liquid, such as milk, by steam infusion and involves the formation of the liquid into a descending curtain that is initially generally frusto-conical in configuration and later is generally cylindrical as it passes through an atmosphere of steam. The curtain is of relatively small diameter at its upper end and continually increases its diameter as it moves downwardly, thus, not only causing the thickness of the film to progressively decrease but also causing the surface area of the film to be greatly enlarged.

Abstract: A pendant control system for pendant supported multi-section telescopic boom is disclosed for paying out or hauling in sufficient pendant rope in response to detecting changes in the boom-mast angle from a desired angle Y thereby preventing the free end of the boom from raising due to extension and dropping due to retraction of the boom when the outer end of the boom is supported by pendant ropes. The system also provides means for pivoting the mast between a raised boom supporting position and a lowered transport position while maintaining tension on the pendant lines.

Abstract: The dynamic properties of a machine are defined by its kinetic energy, potential energy and dissipation functions. The machine is also identifiable by the nonviscous friction therein. These properties form the basis for the dynamic analysis of any machine. When the response of a single degree of freedom machine is observed while being driven by a forced periodic input torque, information is obtained whereby these functions together with the nonviscous friction characteristic may be determined. The apparatus and method by which such determinations may be made have applications in machinery development, quality control and diagnosis.

Abstract: A large caliber cannon such as a 155 mm Howitzer uses ammunition rounds consisting of a projectile and a propellant charge which are loaded in sequence into the breech of the cannon. The cannon is mounted on a gun carriage and is free to move in elevation on the carriage about an elevation axis. The carriage is controllable in azimuth for gun pointing. Storage drums for holding a plurality of projectiles and charges are mounted on the carriage. Projectile trays and propellant charge trays are positioned to receive the projectiles and their propellant charges from the storage drums. The trays are pivotally mounted on cradle arms so that they may be rotated between a receiving position and a gun loading position. The cradle arms are pivotally mounted on the gun carriage so that they may be moved between the elevation of the receiving position and a position in alignment with the breech when the cannon is being trained.

Abstract: A multiple flight elevator system is disclosed for use in a mobile sweeper in combination with a pick-up broom and a debris receiving hopper. The elevator features the combination of mechanical elevating means which moves heavy articles or bulky masses of debris upwardly within the hopper while relying on a low volume blower for moving light articles and dust into the hopper providing a cleaner swept surface and minimizing the exhaust dust problem. Two embodiments are disclosed each including a plurality of independently driven flexible resilient paddle wheels in combination with a low volume blower for progressively raising the debris from the broom through an elevator housing and into the hopper. The lower end of the housing of the first embodiment is disposed close to the surface being cleaned and the housing is pivoted to the sweeper chassis in order to move over contacted abutments.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing decayed portions from the exterior of potatoes is disclosed. The potatoes are supported and advanced on a series of rollers some of which include a plurality of resilient fingers which disrupt the decayed portions of the potato surface while leaving the remaining portions of the surface intact, and then advance the potatoes relative to a plurality of water spray nozzles, said rollers adapted to orient the potatoes so that the entire surface of the potato is subjected to spray emanating from said nozzles. The water sprays have sufficient force to disrupt and remove decayed portions of the potatoes while leaving the remaining portions of the potatoes substantially intact.

Abstract: An off the car wheel unbalance measuring system has a rotationally driven wheel mounting shaft supported in a framework pedestal together with a pair of force transducers mounted in the pedestal and in mechanical communication with and spaced along the shaft. The angular position of the shaft is monitored with respect to an angular reference position at a predetermined number of angular increments during each full revolution of the shaft by a shaft encoder. The encoder provides a reference pulse once each shaft revolution and a plurality of angular shaft position increment pulses each shaft revolution. The angular increment pulses are in the form of a dual signal the components of which have a predetermined phase relationship. The shaft reference pulse and the angular increment pulse are required to provide a reference indication as well as a predetermined number of angular increment indications in each shaft revolution.

Abstract: A basic crane capable of lifting a predetermined load is equipped with an outrigger unit which, in one orientation, engages the ground to increase the lifting capacity of the crane to an intermediate level and, in a second orientation relative to the crane, is arranged to coact with members of heavy duty equipment which may be added to the basic crane to give it a heavy duty lifting capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically removing loose debris from harvesters such as grape harvesters moving along a row of living plants from which it dislodges grapes along with elongated canes and other debris, all of which are collected and moved rearwardly of the harvester to a debris collecting point. The grapes and some debris are then moved transversely outward from the living plants. At least one vine engaging finger is moved through the collecting point for engaging long pieces of debris, such as canes, and deflecting the canes into snagging engagement with the plants which pull the canes and other debris attached thereto free of the harvester as the harvester moves away from the snagged canes.

Abstract: A welding fixture mounts a self-clearing workpiece clamp having an arm that is pivotally mounted on the fixture and carries over-center toggle linkage for a clamp jaw. A trigger connected to the linkage is engaged by a moving welding head for releasing the clamp jaw, whereupon a spring swings the clamp arm clear of the welding head.

Abstract: A wheel alignment process using manually operable alignment apparatus wherein all four wheels of a vehicle having a front steerable wheel pair and a rear nonsteerable wheel pair may be set in toe without turning the vehicle around part way through the process. The process provides for setting both front and rear toe relative to the chassis centerline in one aspect of the disclosure and for setting rear toe as close as practical to the chassis centerline and the front toe relative to the rear wheel rolling direction in another aspect of the disclosure. A lock is also disclosed which assures stability of the reference for the front and rear toe settings during the practice of the toe setting process.

Abstract: A constant motion pipe swivel joint having a greatly improved useful life without leakage of fluid from the joint. The swivel joint includes a plurality of sealing discs rotatably positioned between an outer joint member and an inner joint member. One side of each disc is coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction and the other side of each disc is bonded to a layer of elastomeric material such as rubber. The discs are pressed together by the inner and outer members to provide a seal which prevents leakage of fluid from the joint. The rubber stretches to allow small degrees of rotation of the joint without any slippage of one disc over another, and the surfaces of the discs are free to slip over each other to allow a large amount of rotation of the outer joint member relative to the inner joint member.

Abstract: A telescopic boom includes at least two sections and a manual section is sections being extended and retracted by a single hydraulic ram. A first coupling selectively connects or releases the ram's cylinder case from the second boom section while a second coupling connects or releases the other end of the cylinder case to the manual section. The first coupling includes a crank for coupling and uncoupling the cylinder case and second section. The second coupling includes a retrieval pin movable into position for connecting the cylinder case to the manual section when retracting the manual section within the second section, and releasable lock mechanisms are provided to lock the manual section in extended position. The method of operating the boom includes the step of pivoting the boom to a near vertical position prior to extending the manual section relative to the second section.