Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering and simultaneously partially refining hydrocarbon products such as liquid oil, oil vapor and combustible and noncombustible gases from oil shale, by subjecting the oil shale ore, in fragments between 5 and 10 cm, or larger, to microwave energy at frequencies between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz. The apparatus includes kiln structures closed to air and microwave leakage, and associated microwave generators for both continuous discrete and batch processes. The microwave energy may also be applied in situ to beds and deposits of the oil shale.

Abstract: A releasable clamp for use with a system for coupling modular pressure fluid components. Each component is formed with a head or body which may contain appropriate conduits and passages. On each side of the body there is provided transversely extending, downwardly tapered flanges which are engaged by correspondingly tapered cam surfaces on the interior surface of depending legs on a clamping yoke. The releasable clamp is formed by a bolt extending between the depending legs of the yoke and mounting a wedge block having a wedging surface which cammingly engages with cooperative wedging surfaces on the fitting components. Upon rotation of the bolt, the wedging surfaces coact to clamp and secure the yoke tightly over the modular components and hold them firmly in pressure-tight relationship.

Abstract: A garlic press with a cylindrical outer shell having a large open top end and a slightly smaller open bottom end. The botton end supports a foraminous plate onto which is placed the herb, such as garlic, which is to be crushed for juice. An inner cylindrical ram is integrally connected to a cap portion, which cap portion threads onto the outside of the larger open end of the outer shell. The ram is grooved with radial slots which contact the herb to be crushed and cooperate with holes in the foraminous plate to extract juice from the herb.

Abstract: A grinding machine for grinding and polishing metallographic specimens. A multiple-grinder, indexable, vertical grinder assembly is supported on a rigid frame enclosed within a housing. A rotating, vertically positionable specimen holder assembly is also supported on the frame within the said housing, for holding specimens in grinding position. A coolant and grinding fluid system supported on the frame supplies coolant and grinding fluid to specimens supported in said specimen holder during the grinding thereof. The specimen holder is vertically positionable relative to the grinder assembly, so that specimens held by the holder can be ground and polished by a selected successive plurality of grinders.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting flexible plastic conduit, formed by a pair of handled jaws pivotally connected intermediate their ends. One jaw is box shaped in cross-section and forms a handle which supports a knife blade, which has a longitudinal cutting edge. The other jaw is generally channel-shaped in cross-section and forms a handle with a semi-circular concave anvil at one end. The anvil has an axially extending slot therein for receiving the cutting edge of the knife blade when the handles are closed together with the box-shaped handle nested within the channel-shaped handle. A conduit supported in the semi-circular anvil is cut by the knife blade as the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: An operating device for use with a fireplace damper having a depending actuating lever within the firebox area. The operating mechanism extends through the front wall of the fireplace and operatively engaging the damper lever. The mechanism comprises a three section actuating rod which extends through the fireplace wall. A bracket on one end of the rod operatively engages the damper lever. A decorative handle or knob is mounted on the other end of the rod for gripping and for moving said rod inwardly to close the damper and pulling said rod outwardly to open the damper.

Abstract: A flue heat recovery device for furnaces or boilers comprises a rectangular housing with a corrosion-resistant or corrosion-proof wall in the housing dividing the space into an air chamber and a flue gas chamber. The flue gas chamber has a gas inlet opening which can be connected to the flue of a furnace, and a gas outlet opening for discharging the flue gas from the flue gas chamber to a chimney. The air chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet, with a fan connected to the outlet for drawing air through the air chamber in a direction opposite to the flow of flue gas in the flue gas chamber. A plurality of finned heat pipes extend through the corrosion-proof wall from the flue gas chamber into the air chamber. The chambers are mounted on a base tray with the air chamber supporting the heat pipes and separable from the flue gas chamber for cleaning.

Abstract: A resilient disc shaped wheel and supported abrasive belt for grinding glass. A central bore in the wheel provides for mounting to a rotating drive shaft driven by a motor. Circumferentially spaced radially extending slits are disposed incrementally around the entire circumference of the wheel, defining flexible teeth therebetween. The slits are cut only a portion of the way through the wheel leaving a continuous membrane of resilient material tending to hold the teeth in position upon rotation. An abrasive belt is positioned around the outer perimeter of the wheel, and held in place by the centrifugal forces imparted to the teeth.

Abstract: A modular clamping system for coupling pressure fluid components. Each component is formed with a head or body which may contain appropriate conduits and passages. On each side of the body there is provided transversely extending, downwardly tapered flanges which are engaged by corresponding cam surfaces on the interior surface of depending legs on a clamping yoke. A clamping or cam pin having a longitudinal flat is inserted through corresponding apertures in the depending legs and, upon rotation, tightly clamps the yoke to the component parts and thereby clamps the parts together in sealed relationship. An external mounting bracket may be provided on the yoke for mounting the assembly on a wall or other support.

Abstract: An Apparatus for producing leaded glass articles by cutting a sheet of glass to desired shapes and joining the cut shapes with lead came cut to the desired length. The sheet glass and lead came cutting apparatus includes a light box for placement of glass to be cut, a cutting device formed by a horizontally traversing multi-pivoting arm assembly for cutting the glass, and pliers-like nippers having flat angled cutting jaws for cutting lead came. A pattern representing the desired glass shape is prepared and affixed to a piece of sheet glass which is then placed upon the upper surface of the light box. The desired shape of glass, as represented by the outline of the pattern, is then cut by positioning the horizontally traversing multi-pivoting arm assembly over the surface of the light box, upon which rests the sheet glass. The cutting means is placed in contact with the sheet glass and is moved over the surface of the sheet glass along the outline of the pattern.

Abstract: A passive solar assistance device for use with a heat pump having a heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet, with means for circulating the fluid, a tank for containing an amount of the fluid, and at least one solar heat pipe having one end extending into the tank and adapted to be in contact with the fluid. At its opposite end the heat pipe is provided with a solar receiving device, such as an enclosed box having one or more transparent walls facing the sun or a plate construction comprising an extension of the heat pipe itself. In its heating mode, heat pipe is mounted at an angle of at least 30.degree., with the end associated with the solar receiving device in the lowermost position so that the heat pipe acts as a one way heat valve conducting heat from the solar receiving device to the fluid in the tank but not in the opposite direction. The heat pipe may be pivotally mounted to provide for either a heating mode or cooling mode.

Abstract: A releasable fastener for securing together lap belt straps, shoulder harness straps and a parachute ripcord lanyard. The fastener includes a buckle member or release assembly on one lap belt interengageable with a tongue member or link assembly on the other lap belt. A key on the end of the ripcord lanyard is releasably attached to the link assembly. The shoulder harness straps are engaged with the release assembly before it is coupled with the link assembly. The fastener provides for automatic release of the lap belt and shoulder harness straps to release the user from an aircraft ejection seat after its ejection from the aircraft, while retaining the parachute ripcord in attachment to the ejection seat for initiating automatic deployment of the parachute. Upon manual release of the fastener, the lap belt and shoulder harness straps are released and the ripcord lanyard key is positively ejected from the fastener to ensure its release.

Abstract: A bowl guard for mounting, containing and protecting a plastic or glass bowl of a compressed air system device. The bowl guard holds, protects and retains an opaque, transparent or translucent bowl such as a bowl which encloses a filter or lubricator device. The bowl guard is secured to a header of the device and locks the bowl in a sealed relationship with the header. The guard may have apertures so that the contents of the bowl may be observed. A drain through the bowl and guard can be provided when appropriate. A locking pin on the bowl guard insures that the entire assembly is held in alignment. When the bowl guard is latched into place and the system is under pressure the guard may not easily be withdrawn.