Abstract: The invention provides a viscosity cup with an upward extending tube or lip, which provides a cut off point for paint draining through an orifice, providing more consistent viscosity measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed as a passive armor system for use on the side walls and sloping front wall of a military vehicle as reactive armor which adds the element of erosion and disruption of the flyplates thereby improves performance especially against kinetic energy threats but also by shaped charge weapons without substantially increasing the weight of the vehicle and without the aid of explosive charges.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is disclosed which may be used as lightweight armor or for other impact or wear resisting purposes. The ceramic composite may comprise distinct phases of AlN and SiC; may be a solid solution of SiC; or may contain AlN or SiC, or both AlN and SiC as residual phase(s) in a solid solution matrix of SiC and AlN.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for managing retort over-pressure during pressure cooling. The invention allows the specification of an initial cooling temperature and a final cooling temperature and a final cooling pressure. Using these values the invention provides a pressure ramping to manage retort over-pressure.

Abstract: A single head grape and raisin harvester is disclosed having a single driven oscillating shaker head mounted on a sub-frame enabling the shaker head to center itself on the row of grape vines being harvested. The single row harvester is also provided with a stretchable conveyor belt mounted on interconnected plastic chain links for reliably transporting grapes or raisins to an elongated discharge conveyor which is positioned transversely when collecting and discharging grapes from the harvester into trucks or boxes and is pivoted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when moving along roadways.

Abstract: The method and apparatus disclosed herein relates to harnessing plasma to ignite, pressurize and distribute plasma, plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel throughout a propellant mass. Particularly, the present invention enables the creation of a progressive burning surface whereby the propellant reaches maximum pressure controllably and losses pressure much more slowly thus creating high piezometric efficiency. More particularly, in gun-charge-projectile systems, by using radial perforations designed to provide a balanced plasma discharge through a capillary wall and by developing forward accelerating thrust components, induced by the plasma pressure on a plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel mixture, the propelling charge travels down the gun tube with the projectile thus exerting substantial uniform pressure throughout the tube length and yielding a high ballistic efficiency which results in the attainment of high muzzle velocities.

Abstract: A valve seat member in a gate valve has a circular or crescent shaped slot cut on the inside diameter parallel to and underneath the seat surface to create a seat with increased flexibility at areas on the seat surface where high compressive stress during valve operation is observed. As a result galling of the gate is reduced, and valve reliability and life are increased.

Abstract: A self-adjustable mobile force balanced grape and raisin harvester is disclosed having a pair of driven oscillating shaker heads mounted on sub-frames enabling each shaker head to center itself on the row of grape vines being harvested even when the foliage of the vines are not aligned in a linear path. The harvester is also provided with a pair of stretchable belts mounted on interconnected plastic chain links for reliably transporting grapes or raisins to an elongated discharge conveyor which is positioned transversely when collecting and discharging grapes from the harvester and is pivoted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when moving along roadways.

Abstract: The invention provides a canister which holds two missiles, which is the same size as prior art canisters that held a single missile. The inventive canister provides improved structural strength, simpler operation for the closure and electronics and an improved shock isolation system. The improved structure uses tubes and a lattice structure. The closure is hinged and uses gravity or the missile blast to complete closing. The electronics uses a flip flop switch. The shock isolation system utilizes urethane pads with apertures or air pockets and a silicon coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for purification and color sortation of waste glass, a glass beneficiation process and apparatus. The invention crushes the glass into pieces less than 3 inches in size, delables the glass, and then sorts the glass according to the light transmissive properties of the glass utilizing an array of lamps electrically connected to a control module.

Abstract: The invention provides a controlling device which comprises a control box, a power box, a right sensor control unit attached to a plurality of proximity detectors, a left sensor control unit attached to a plurality of proximity detectors, and a valve box control unit, wherein each proximity detector comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a first circuit for handshaking, noise reduction and voltage regulation, and a second and third circuit for digital signal generation, analog reception and digital conversion, wherein the first circuit is connected between a left or right sensor control and second and third circuits of a proximity detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a wheel balancer that is able to determine if its measurements are accurate. The invention takes a set of measurements and determines if the measurements are sufficiently consistent. If they are sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention rejects at least one data point and collects more measurements until either the invention yields sufficiently close data points or the machine is stopped. A display is provided for diagnostic messages.

Abstract: A pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption system is disclosed which continuously purges contaminants such as nuclear, biological and chemical warfare agents from intake air and provides cool clean air to the crew compartment of a vehicle by progressively directing contaminated air through a first adsorption bed to clean the air, while simultaneously directing hot exhaust gases at about 600.degree. F. through a second adsorption bed for purging contaminants therefrom, while simultaneously cooling a third adsorption bed for enhancing adsorption of contaminants in the purging bed upon repeating the cycles of operation.

Abstract: A propulsion system for using a pair of electric induction motors to power a pair of vehicle drive wheels. The motors are driven by pulses of electric current from a common dc bus. The inductance of stator windings cause electric current to power the motors during the time between pulses so power from the dc bus is low. When a vehicle is making a tight turn, an inside motor provides an electric current to the dc bus to supply additional power to an outside motor. Speed and steering signals operate the electric motors and control speed of an engine and an alternator which supply power to the dc bus.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch apparatus allows for welding on such surfaces that otherwise could not be welded with linear or 90.degree. bend welding torch apparatuses, by providing a bend greater than 282.degree..

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a product to a plurality of workpieces having a variety of sizes and shapes. An imager captures an image of each workpiece and develops image signals which a systems controller and a processor use to regulate delivery of a product to each workpiece. The apparatus reduces overspray and waste while providing coverage of each workpiece by the product.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which includes two side-by-side planar light sensors. A light stop is spaced from one light sensor in position to stop or shade half of the light sensor surface from a projected light beam when the beam is orthogonal thereto. The other light sensor is completely exposed to the projected light beam. The one light sensor is exposed to more or less of the light beam dependent upon the beam's departure in one direction or the other from orthogonality to the plane of the one light sensor. A ratio of the output from the one light sensor to the output from the other provides beam angle information relative to the plane of the one light sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical switch which reduces arcing by utilizing slidably mating members. In addition the switch provides large area gold contacts. Because of the above characteristics the invention provides a switch that can handle high and low current and allows dry current switching. In addition the inventive switch provides a switch which closes an alternative circuit to indicate that the normal circuit is open.

Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to a precision capillary discharge switch to deliver a predetermined power across a gap at the ends of electrodes enclosed in a containment envelop with a fluid media therein. A method of calibration is used to assign specific operating and arc triggering voltages based on a given gap dimension, ionization properties of the fluid or gas media and pressure within the containment envelope. The ends of the electrodes at the calibrated gap include tip geometry designed to reliably transfer power across the gap when the desired operating voltage range is reached.

Abstract: The invention provides a harvester or other such vehicle with front wheel, and front and rear wheel steering. Steering, at various times, is only provided by the front wheels and at other times provided by the front and rear wheels. For four wheel vehicles, this is called two wheel and four wheel steering.