Abstract: In a fusion reaction system where ions from two sources travel along helical paths toward each other in opposite senses and directions at a common radius in a cylindrical reaction zone, electrically conductive coil means are formed as a helix and placed in the zone whereby coupling of spontaneous space charge waves and helical coils is damped.

Abstract: An insulating cover is provided for a beverage container (24). A resilient cylindrical sidewall member (10) is slit (18) with overlapping edges (20 and 22) for expansion and contraction. A plurality of bottom segments (12) depend from the sidewall in an iris-like configuration to enlarge or contract with the sidewall (10) while maintaining support for the enclosed container (24).

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (10) is disclosed for cleaning the leg sections (16) of forms such as a double leg form (12). A plurality of individual cleaning brushes (76) are positioned along the length of a brush shaft (64). The brush shaft (64) and cleaning brushes (76) are rotated and the cleaning brushes (76) are urged against the sloping sides (24) of the leg section (16) to clean the sides. As the brushes wear, they can be moved along the shaft in the direction where the sides slope together to obtain maximum use from the brushes. When a brush has become too worn to be effective, it is removed from the section of the brush shaft adjacent the end plate (84). Replacement brushes can be added to the brush shaft adjacent the locking nut (88).

Abstract: Well servicing agents and processes for use with fluids circulated into wells penetrating subterranean formations in the earth's crust. Circulation losses of well servicing fluids including drilling muds, workover and completion fluids, and the like, are alleviated by incorporating a particulate material into the servicing liquid. The particulate material is formed of a thermoplastic polymer in a flexible, elongated laminar form in which its length is substantially greater than its width and its width substantially greater than its thickness. A second particulate material in a rigid granular form may be employed an admixture with the laminar particulate material. A particular lost circulation agent is a blend of a particulate thermoplastic polymer in a flexible, elongated form and a particulate thermoset polymer in a rigid granular form with the ratio of the laminar material to the granular material being at least 1:6.

Abstract: A support (12, 28) is provided for a person to sit on the rocking device (10) to achieve a stable, but pleasing, motion. Front (18) and rear (20) leg pairs are provided for elevating the support (12, 28). Corresponding front (30) and rear (32) arcuate rocker members are provided for rotating on a surface. The rotating motion is converted to a rocking motion by eccentrically and rotatably mounting the legs (18, 20) outboard of the center of rotation of the rocker members (30, 32). Further rocking action is obtained by rotatably mounting the front (18) or rear (20) leg pairs to the support (12, 28). Rotation of the rocker members (30, 32) is synchronized by rotating tie rods (40) mounted along radials from the rotation centers for said rocker members (30, 32).

Abstract: A pneumatically amplified conservation valve controls a flow of gas, such as oxygen, to a hospital patient. A sense tube monitors pressure variations as a result of exhalation by the user. The exhalation pressure variation deflects a diaphragm which closes a check valve that serves to vent gas through a bleed port. When the check valve closes the bleed gas is restricted in a chamber which deflects the diaphragm which in turn drives a connector that pushes a plunger to close a port that is connected to the source of gas through a supply tube. The gas is normally supplied through the supply tube and a normally open pneumatic valve to an output tube and then to the user. The pneumatically amplified conservation valve provides gas to the user except when the user is exhaling thereby substantially saving the amount of gas that must be provided to a user.

Abstract: A torque orientation device (10) selectively orients a space craft without the use of jets or the ejection of any material. Pedestals (12, 14) support a gimbal (16) which is selectively driven by a motor (20). The gimbal (16) includes a frame (24) which supports an axle (30), a motor (26) and a commutator (28). Mass members (36, 38) are driven about the axle (30) by the motor (26). The moment of inertia about the primary axle (18) of the gimbal (16) is a function of the angular position of the mass members (36, 38) about the axle (30). The motor (20) applies selective torque impulses at periods (T1, T2) to the primary axle (18) in synchronism with the angular position of the mass members (36, 38) about the axle (30). The resulting counter torque from the motor (20) is passed to the space craft to cause the space craft to rotate toward the desired angular position.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus which eliminates knife edges, levers and linkages comprising a plurality of load bearing fluid cylinders supported by a base, a weighing platform supported by the load bearing cylinders. A plurality of secondary cylinders, hydraulically connected to the load bearing cylinders. The secondary cylinder being located under one end of a pivotal torque plate and a summing cylinder located under the other end of the plate. The summing cylinder being connected to a readout means.

Abstract: A steering control (10) is foot operated to provide directional control for a trolling motor (72). The control (10) is mounted by a plate (18) to a boat (74). A foot pedal (12) is pivotally supported by a member (16) which is connected to a plate (18). An electrical switch (28) is mounted on the toe portion of the foot pedal (12). A guide rod (32) is mounted at one end to an upright member (20) which is mounted on the toe end of the foot pedal (12). The second end of the guide rod (32) is connected to one end of a bracket (50). The opposite end of the bracket (50) is clamped to a vertical shaft (70) of the trolling motor (72). When an operator causes the foot pedal to pivot, the rod (32) is moved longitudinally to move the bracket (50) and thereby cause the shaft (70) to pivot thus providing steering control for the trolling motor (72).

Abstract: An automatic irrigation sprinkler controller (10) for controlling a plurality of sprinkler stations is provided. A processor (50) is provided for storing irrigation information and for generating control signals (96, 98) applied to the plurality of sprinkler stations. A function selector switch (18) is provided for allowing the operator to select a function and automatically input selected irrigation information associated with the selected function to the processor (50). Switches (20, 22) are provided for allowing the operator to select irrigation information for the function selected by the function selector switch (18).

Abstract: An air deflector unit for use on a vehicle to improve aerodynamic flow of air around the vehicle includes a forward facing shield having a forward facing air inlet therein and an inwardly facing air exhaust. An air flow passage is defined between the air inlet and the air exhaust. An air conditioning compressor is mounted in the air flow passage. Flow of air through the condenser is controlled by controlling louvers positioned in the inlet. Control is in response to the operation of the air conditioning system of which the compressor is a part.

Abstract: A pipeline flow measurement proving system has a custody transfer insertion turbine meter mounted at a first location on a fluid pipeline. A proving insertion turbine flow meter is mounted at a second location on the pipeline upstream from the custody meter at a distance of approximately ten diameters of the pipeline. This offset spacing reduces the fluid turbulence which may be produced by the turbine head of the proving meter. The proving meter is calibrated against a standard at the National Bureau of Standards. Each of the flow meters produces a pulse signal which is proportional to the rotation of the corresponding turbine head. The calibration is carried out by counting the number of pulses produced by the two meters during a selected time period. The ratio of the counts of the pulses comprises a calibration constant which is utilized by a custody transfer flow computer for producing a flow measurement.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is used to determine minority carrier lifetime and photosensitivity for production-processed integrated circuits and devices. The device structure family described herein permits determination of the minority carrier lifetime and photosensitivity at high throughput rates using automated test equipment in a normal test facility environment.

Abstract: A pedal actuated laterally swinging gate comprises the gate, a wheel-engaged pedal mechanism at each side of the closed gate for causing the gate to open in the direction away from an approaching vehicle, and a fence-like board barrier to guide vehicles to the pedals, to protect the pedal mechanisms from livestock and to support the unit which flings the gate open, leaving the gate easy to open manually and permitting the gate to be an easily swung structure.

Abstract: Modular constructions and connector assemblies therefore. The modular construction comprises a plurality of spode units with elongated key members extending between the spode units and interconnected to form a modular framework. Adapter collars and retaining collars are employed to connect the key members to the spode units to carry torsional and longitudinal stress. In one embodiment, the spode units include union joints having a plurality of spaced slots which are adapted to receive conforming projecting lugs on the adapter collars. The slots and lugs are symmetrically located so that the adapter collar and key member can be connected to the spode unit in a plurality of angularly displaced relationships. The key member-spode unit structure may be provided with a cover tube so that the structure will carry or transmit fluid.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser and collapsible bag, the bag preferably having a self-sealing valve inherently formed from the sides of the bag, the bag being equipped with clips to engage clip receiving structure on the dispenser. The dispenser having a frame, with a bag support structure, a pump structure, and a clip receiving structure to engage the bag clips for the opening and closing of the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively estimating the intracranial pressures of a subject is provided. A sensory stimulus is directed towards the subject thereby generating electrical brain activity. A peak in the second negative-going wave of the brain activity is identified and the latency of such peak is measured. The intracranial pressure of the subject is estimated by comparing value of the latency with known latency/intracranial pressure correlations.

Abstract: An underwater communicator device (10) is disclosed which permits acoustic communication with another diver by use of a voice synthesizer (42) cooperating with an acoustic transducer (40). A display (34A) is also provided to visually communicate the message. The keyboard (18) of the device (10) permits the diver to communicate stored messages by activating a single key 54 or to enter a complete arbitrary message by keying in the actual message. In other forms, the device (10) can include an air pressure transducer (60) for monitoring air tank pressure with a warning of low pressure. A depth pressure transducer (64) can be incorporated into the device (10) to monitor the depth of the device and diver. A bottom timer can be incorporated within the device for measuring the time of the depth. These functions can be continuously displayed to the diver on display screen 34B.

Abstract: Three embodiments of a metering unit (10, 140, 200) are provided for metering fluid from a container (14) for infusion into a patient. The first embodiment of the metering unit (10) includes a cassette (26) formed of halves (28, 30). The halves (28, 30) each have a concave reservoir portion (36) formed on the inner face (32) thereon. Entry and exit channels (38, 42) extend from the reservoir portions adjacent entry and exit orifices (40, 44). Entry and exit port portions (46, 50) are formed in each half (28, 30). Flexible entry and exit valves (58, 64, 86 and 88) are movable between an open position, permitting fluid to flow through the orifices, to a closed position, preventing fluid from flowing through the orifices. The halves are separated by a flexible diaphragm (70) which divides a reservoir (76) into first and second compartments (78, 80).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for radiological investigation of subterranean multicomponent media such as borehole fluids, and subterranean earth formations. The formation under investigation or other medium is irradiated with penetrating radiation having a plurality of discrete energy levels. The radiation at the several energy levels may be applied simultaneously or sequentially. In either case, the absorption of the applied radiation within the medium under investigation varies from one energy level to another. Radiation emanating from the medium is detected for each of the discrete energy levels and the intensity of the detected radiation for each energy level is correlated with the intensity of the applied radiation for each of the energy levels.