Abstract: Two pressure control valves have most components in common. One valve is a direct-acting sequence valve and the other a vented counterbalance valve with pilot assist. Both valves have a set opening pressure which is insensitive to secondary port pressure. Both valves may provide free reverse flow. The valves include a spring force reduction chamber which receives hydraulic fluid at primary port pressure. Part of the opening force exerted at the primary port is offset by pressure in the spring force reduction chamber so that a spring having a smaller spring constant may be used to resist opening force. This offsetting force may be readily modified by changing the diameter of the piston shaft of the valve.

Abstract: A system for receiving and removing contaminants from soil, sand, etc. which has been contaminated by liquid contaminants. The contaminated material is heated in a rotating chamber sufficiently to volatilize the contaminants. The volatilized contaminents flow from one end of the chamber while the separated material is discharged from the other end as an uncontaminated material. Dust is removed from the volatilized contaminants and they are fed into a combustion chamber for conversion to harmless products of combustion.

Abstract: A hollow fiber formed of hydrophilic material and having permeable walls is treated to enhance the permeability. Reactions used to treat the fiber have a gas inside and gas outside, a gas inside and liquid outside, a liquid inside and gas outside, and a liquid inside and a liquid outside. The treatments generally involve the plasticizing of the fiber material while having the inside of the fiber at a higher pressure than the outside. These treatments produce a structural change in the fiber from a flexible tube having strong walls to expanded, rigid and somewhat fragile walls. Where more than a short length of the treated fiber is to be used, an open mesh cage is used to confine the fiber to a desired volume during treatment and to protect it subsequently. A technique for joining flexible tubing to the treated fiber is presented. The treated fiber may be used in apparatus and methods involving osmosis and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: An asphalt recycling conveyor system has a substantially horizontal collecting trough for receiving returned, unused hot mix asphalt. Deflecting plates are provided at the back and ends of this trough, and spaced guard rails extend across it. Asphalt is moved in the trough by an auger having standard pitch to a hopper at one end of the trough. Asphalt lump breaking rods extend from the auger shaft above the hopper to prevent these lumps from bridging the hopper opening. An elevating trough may receive the asphalt from the collection trough hopper and carry it to a higher elevation. The elevating trough has an auger having one-half standard pitch and is turned at a faster speed than the collection trough auger. Heat trace lines are provided on the bottom of the troughs to prevent asphalt buildup.

Abstract: A frozen open-celled material is prepared by saturating the material with a solution of 30 to 60 grams of salt to one liter of water. Preferably from 40 to 50 grams of salt to one liter of water. The saturated material, preferably open-celled polyurethane foam, is then frozen. Deterioration of the foam which occurs when plain water is used is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A normally closed fluid switching logic element has a plurality of radial ports to a first chamber. A poppet, connected to a piston within the element, moves between an open position off its poppet seat and a closed position. In the open position another port is provided to the first chamber permitting fluid flow. The poppet is biased to the closed position by a spring, but also by fluid pressure at either or both ports. The poppet may be displaced only by pressure in a second chamber behind the piston. In one configuration this opening pressure is provided from an external source. In other configurations, the opening pressure is derived from the first chamber, from the pressure outside the poppet and from either of these.

Abstract: A hydrofoil attachment for swimming pool vacuum cleaner heads provides downward thrust during the pulling stroke. The hydrofoils pivot so as not to impede the pushing stroke. The hydrofoils are pivotally supported on a laterally extending rod. The rod is supported by triangular plates which mount on the axles of the wheels of the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed which can be attached to equipment such as appliances or automobiles, or built in as a part thereof. The control system includes an enabling/disabling device such as a relay in a circuit in the equipment. A time setting device is used to program a microprocessor with the times when the relay will open and close--thereby disabling and enabling the equipment. The time setting device can only be used to set the times by a person having an authentic authorization device such as a card or a key. The card is read by a card reader and the information obtained is compared by the microprocessor with the authentic information. In the case where a key is the authorization device, it is used to close a circuit to the microprocessor. A liquid crystal display is provided to display time information, and a rechargeable battery is included to prevent changing the time by unplugging the equipment.

Abstract: Inside and outside electrical control adaptors are provided for the installation of heat pump systems where only two or three conductors extend between the inside components and the outside components of the system. The inside adaptor has two relays which provide alternate circuits between the inside to outside conductors and the indoor control wiring. The outside adaptor similarly provides alternate circuits between the inside to outside conductors and the outdoor control wiring.

Abstract: An infinity mirror display is disclosed in which light is introduced between the totally reflecting mirror and the partially reflecting mirror by holes through the totally reflecting mirror. This light may be incandescent bulbs extending through the holes or fiber optics conveying light through the holes from a light source behind the totally reflecting mirror. It is preferred that the light source extend to the partially reflecting mirror to produce images which appear to be a continuous column which diminishes in size and intensity.

Abstract: A commonly available five gallon pail is used as the base structure for a fishing accessory container. A compartmented insert is sized to fit in the pail and is supported by a rim which overlies the rim of the pail. A lid, which may be a domed lid hinged to the insert, provides a cover for the insert. This arrangement provides space in the pail below the insert, compartments within the insert, and space above the insert, all of which may be used to convey various accouterments for a fishing expedition.

Abstract: A beverage container caddy for bicycles has a rigid cage providing front and rear container restraints and a container support base. The cage is sized to hold an open beverage container (or the container with an insultating cover) in an upright position in front of the handle bars of the bicycle. The cage has an arcuate brace to which a T-shaped support is secured by intermediate members. At the ends of the arms of the "T" are provided curved links which can be secured about the handle bars.

Abstract: A disposable catch pan for catching and holding engine oil which leaks from the joint between the engine and the transmission housing is disclosed. In one embodiment the catch pan has an oil impervious shell and contains a medium providing a porous filling or a filling providing interstices. The filling serves to retard movement of the held oil. In another embodiment the catch pan is formed of absorbant material. This embodiment may also have an oil impervious shell.

Abstract: A kit for retrofitting automobiles, primarily standard passenger cars, with a rear deck warning light to warn the drivers of following vehicles of the removal of the driver's foot from the accelerator pedal. The kit includes a self-adhesive rear deck lamp housing, a length of double wire cable that may be fed through the body of the car to the trunk and attached to leads from the lamp housing; an adjustable switch bracket for mounting to the depending pivot bracket of an accelerator pedal pivoting linkage; a switch mounted on the bracket and wiring leads for connection to the cable; a device for tapping into a source of voltage at the fuse box of the vehicle; and a self-adhering miniature lamp electrically connected to the switch by a self-adhering flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A solar cell array is disclosed having a support structure, cover, and mechanically joined solar cell panels. Each panel, or group of panels, is electrically connected across a separate battery and a diode is provided to provide separate charging of each battery and to prevent flow of current to the solar cells from the batteries.

Abstract: A direct-acting, differential piston relief valve has a spring chamber pressurized with fluid from a passage through the piston. The fluid within the chamber is at the same pressure as that at the inlet valve and provides a valve closing pressure against the inner face of the piston. The piston face at the inlet valve has an annular extension. The inner circumference of this extension meets the spherical valve seat when the valve is closed. The diameter of the inner face of the piston is smaller than the diameter of the piston face annular extension. Inlet pressure working on this area difference produces the hydraulic force which is opposed by the spring. No piston face area is exposed to forces tending to close the valve due to Bernoulli effects when the valve begins to open. The spring within the spring chamber has spring guides at each end which contain a ball. The ball transmits the spring force to the piston on one end and a sealed closure at the other end.

Abstract: Flashing for a pipe is produced by joining a lead sheet having a hole in it for passing over the pipe, and a lead cylinder which is to surround the pipe and be bent into the top thereof. The joint is formed by producing mating flares on the lead sheet and cylinder and welding the two together. The weld is performed in the presence of an inert gas by drawing an arc between an electrode and the joint. The portion of the joint being welded is brought to a horizontal orientation by having the flares at a 45 degree angle and supporting the two parts on a rotating table inclined at 45 degrees.

Abstract: Two lead members are juxtaposed on an electrically conductive surface forming a first electrode. A direct current electric arc is struck between a second electrode and at least one of the lead members. Inert gas is directed at the area being welded and the arc and work are moved relative to each other. The lead members are typically sheet members and the welds may be of the general types of welds formed with other metals. No metal is added in the welding process.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed in which passenger carrying coaches are guided along paths defined by a trackway. The trackway has bottom, top and side tracks which limit movement of the coaches orthogonally to the trackway. The coaches proceed, for the most part, without touching the tracks, being supported by stub wings, mounted on pylons carried by the coaches. Motive power is supplied by a jet engine and primary control of a coach is by airfoil type control surfaces. Auxiliary control is supplied by nozzles which expel pressurized gas to provide corrective reactive forces. The position of a coach along the trackway is derived from location sensors carried by the coach, while the spacing of the coach from the trackway is derived from proximity sensors. The sensor signals are fed to central processing unit which compares this information with benchmark information contained in memory. The location information is used to command the motive power jet and flaps on the stub wings.

Abstract: A console having annunciator lights and a cigar lighter receptacle compatible telescoping plug is mounted in the cigar lighter receptacle of an automobile. The plug is inserted in the receptacle using the console as a handle and telescopes within the console until the console abuts the dash board. Temperature sensing switch elements contained in an encapsulating capsule are connected by conductors to the lights and the receptacle power connections. The capsule is inserted in the transmission dip stick tube and the conductors pass through an existing opening in the fire wall.