Abstract: An unmanned material handling system for servicing a plurality of vertically spaced levels of a structure is provided. This system includes an unmanned, selfpropelled vehicle driven by an electromechanical device such as an electric motor. The vehicle includes an energy storage device, such as a flywheel, for storing energy and for supplying that energy to the electro-mechanical device. The vehicle can be moved from one level to another within the structure by an elevator. One half of a split transformer is embedded in the floor of the elevator and, when the vehicle is disposed thereover, that half of the split transformer is energized and becomes electromagnetically coupled with a second half of the split transformer which is disposed within the vehicle. This coupling provides electrical energy to drive a motor/generator which, in turn, causes the flywheel to rotate and store energy.

Abstract: A visual signaling system including at least two light sources. Graphic indicators positioned adjacent to the light sources for identifying the light sources. The indicators including codes for identifying a particular light source with which it is associated and permitting one to distinguish one light source from another relying on the code.The indicator, in one form of the invention, may consist of a band positioned adjacent to the light source with the code being the extent of shading of the band. In one form of the invention, a circular band is provided with discrete levels of shading corresponding to particular light sources. The system may be a warning or alarm system with the extent of shading being a function of the relative importance of the particular light source.

Abstract: A DC power supply is disclosed which returns excessive regenerative energy to the AC line. The regenerative power supply generates a DC bus voltage from an AC power line and regulates the maximum DC bus voltage by returning to the AC power line energy supplied through the DC bus from the load. A conventional full wave rectifier bridge is used to rectify the incoming AC power line voltage into a DC bus voltage. A capacitor is connected across the DC bus to dampen high frequency transient voltages which may be present on the DC bus voltage. In anti-parallel with each of the rectifying diode circuits is a power transistor which is controllable to allow current conduction in a direction opposite to its associated rectifying diode. Control circuitry, associated with each of the anti-parallel transistors, senses excessive DC bus voltage and initiates conduction of the transistor when the AC power line phases are at the correct potential for receiving the regenerative energy.

Abstract: An ion milling machine specimen elevator comprising a vertically oriented piston which supports a specimen holder at its top and is movable between a lowered operating position and a raised viewing position. When the piston is in the lowered operating position, it is slowly rotated about its vertical axis by a suitable drive. The elongated piston passes through an O-ring seal into an evacuated ion milling or work chamber. At the bottom of the work chamber is disposed a pneumatic control cylinder into which the piston extends. The piston can be moved up or down by altering the pressure in the pneumatic cylinder. During ion milling the piston is at its lowest position in the evacuated work chamber and is held there by pressurized gas in the pneumatic control cylinder. A second small chamber is provided above the work chamber for specimen viewing and specimen exchange.

Abstract: A power processor having a switching type output is provided with protection against short circuit current flow. A transformer is provided with the primary windings connected in series with the main current flow path. The secondary transformer windings have a voltage signal induced therein which is indicative of a rapidly rising short circuit current flow. A threshold detector connected to the output from the secondary windings determines when the voltage signal from the secondary windings exceeds a predetermined value. The signal from the threshold detector is used to activate over current protection circuitry which shuts down the output switching devices and prevents the occurrence of large short circuit currents.

Abstract: A belt grinding machine wherein the belt is maintained at a selected position on the drive and idler pulleys and the drive and idler pulleys are supported from a column which is oscillated relative to the work piece holder. The drive pulley or contact wheel is directly driven by a drive motor which is also supported from the oscillating column. The column is supported for movement transverse to an elongated bed which supports a reciprocating table. The reciprocating table holds the article to be ground. The speed and distance of movement of the table and column are variable. The grinding belt is positioned automatically, through photo sensors and hydraulic controls, on the idler and drive pulleys. The idler pulley is supported by bearings from an eccentric spindle which can be rotated in steps by a hydraulic cylinder to change slightly the idler pulley alignment for proper steering of the belt. When the belt moves from its desired position, it is slowly moved back to the desired location.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a bath of molten iron contained in a vessel comprising the steps of injecting particulate lime and a carbon-containing particulate with a non-oxidizing carrier gas beneath the surface of the bath to remove sulfur from the iron, while controlling the rate of injection of the carbon-containing particles to prevent substantial ejection of the bath from the vessel. The preferred carbon-containing materials are graphite and a compound containing at least carbon and hydrogen in proportions ranging from CH.sub.>0 to CH.sub.2. The preferred carrier gas is a hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: A grinding machine wherein the grinding head is positioned on the work piece at a selected pressure to prevent overloading of the drive motor. The head consists of two vertical slides supported on roundway roller bearings from a vertical column. The bottom slide supports a driven contact wheel and the top slide supports an idler wheel. A coated abrasive belt is positioned around the contact wheel and the idler wheel. A pair of pneumatic cylinders are provided between the two slides to bias them apart and apply tension to the coated abrasive belt. A double acting hydraulic cylinder is supported by the vertical column and connected to the bottom slide for positioning the grinding head. Hydraulic pressure for down feeding of the head is regulated so that the drive motor cannot be overloaded. An incremental feed is provided for feeding the head down a selected increment each time the work table reciprocates. An adjustable fixed stop is provided for limiting downward movement of the bottom slide.

Abstract: A scarfing torch adapted for manual manipulation which includes means disposed in said torch to provide a component of force upon the torch to offset forces upon the torch generated either by the flow of oxygen gas used in the scarfing process or gravity. The offsetting force is provided by the release of a secondary fluid from the torch in the appropriate direction. The secondary fluid may be released to impinge upon the surface of the workpiece being scarfed.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for use in processing heat sensitive polymeric materials and a process for plasticating such materials. The screw has an inlet end, a discharge end, means for mounting a backflow valve on the discharge end, and at least one section which applies high shear and high compression to the polymeric material and controls the material flow rate. A flighted screw section is disposed between the high shear and high compression section and the discharge end; that screw section includes means for decompressing the polymeric material and pumping it to the discharge end of the screw in the decompressed state at a rate at least equal to the pumping rate of the zone of high shear and high compression.

Abstract: A landfill for the permanent disposal of wastewater sludge. The landfill includes an impoundment having a base that is substantially liquid impervious. Dikes supported by the base surround the perimeter of the base where needed. A liquid collection and conveying system is embedded in a liquid pervious layer which overlies the base; this system operates to dewater wastewater sludge deposited within the impoundment. The impoundment is adapted to be closed after the sludge is dewatered by spreading a liquid impervious layer over the dewatered sludge.

Abstract: A rubber tired self powered mine vehicle utilizing a low profile fork lift assembly for handling palletized materials underground. The fork lift assembly consists of a fork lift plate and a parallel spaced apart base plate. The base plate is attached to the front of a mining vehicle by bucket mounting hole. The position of the base plate relative to the mine vehicle may be adjustable. The upper part of the fork lift plate is attached to the upper part of the base plate by set of horizontally spaced apart pivot links. The lower part of the fork lift plate is attached to the lower part of the base plate by a set of spaced apart pitmans. The long arm of each pitman extends between the base plate and the fork lift plate, while the short arm extends upward from the connection to the base plate. The short arm of the pitmans are engaged by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering forks which extend from the fork lift plate.

Abstract: An improved construction for the refining gas passage of a tuyere for use in refining molten metal in a converter. The transverse section of the refining gas passage has a continuous outer enclosure and a central opening defining a plurality of radially extending branches whose total perimeter exceeds the circumference of a circle having an area equivalent to the central opening.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for use in processing heat sensitive polymeric materials and a process for plasticating such materials. The screw has an inlet end, a discharge end, means for mounting a backflow valve on the discharge end, and at least one section which applies high shear and high compression to the polymeric material and controls the material flow rate. A flighted screw section is disposed between the high shear and high compression section and the discharge end; that screw section includes means for decompressing the polymeric material and pumping it to the discharge end of the screw in the decompressed state at a rate at least equal to the pumping rate of the zone of high shear and high compression.

Abstract: A vertically symmetrical mechanical stirrer adapted for submersion in a metallurgical melt includes an entrance canal in the bottom of the stirrer and at least two discharge canals in communication with the entrance canal. The community or common zone of the entrance canal and the discharge canals defines an inner mixing and degassing chamber. The entrance canal has a length which is not more than twice its inner diameter; the discharge canals have a length at least twice their average inner diameter and inner diameter of which uniformly diminish in the direction of flow from the mixing chamber to the point of discharge. The discharge canals are inclined upwardly at an angle from the horizontal of at least 10.degree.. The distance between the lowest points at the entrances to the discharge canals proximate to the mixing chamber is at least 20 percent greater than the inner diameter of the entrance canal.

Abstract: A battery plug and receptacle each of which is formed from individual cartridges for each member. The cartridges are molded in a section of a circle. When installed enough cartridges are utilized to form a full circle. A keeper is provided for containing the cartridges within the housing. Lead screws which hold the line conductors in place are put in the side of the cartridges so that when the plugs are assembled the retainers cannot back out. A polarity adapter is provided on the male plug section which also acts as the keeper for the various cartridges. Three relatively large connectors are provided for positive battery terminal, negative battery terminal and ground. Two smaller connectors are provided for fault detection and control. The male plug control prong can be made slightly smaller than the other male prongs so that the control circuit is broken first when the plug is disconnected. This construction can be used to drop out relays and prevent the power circuit from being broken at the plug.

Abstract: A bun marking machine is disclosed in which a formed heating member is brought into contact with a baked bun for marking the top of the baked bun with a distinctive pattern. The heated member in the disclosed bun marking machine is an electrically heated element supported in a detachable head. The heating element is formed into a selected shape and sheet metal bun branding patterns are attached thereto. During operation the element gets very hot and also heats the marking pattern hot enough to mark a baked bun when brought in contact therewith. Various detachable heads are provided having different marking patterns formed thereon. A bun holding slide is provided for holding and positioning the bun beneath the heated pattern. The detachable heating element head is attached to a support arm assembly which extends from the vertical portion of a support frame.

Abstract: A conveyor system which is particularly suitable for moving large very heavy dense loads such as steel coils. The conveyor includes a stationary portion and a movable portion which is raised and moved forward to move the load forward. The movable portion is then lowered, so that the load is supported on the stationary portion, and moved backward to be in position for another movement of the load. The movable portion is supported on air bearings during the forward and return steps to reduce friction. The disclosed conveyor can be used for moving loads a relatively long distance, often over 1000 ft. (304.9 meters). Thus, for a practical device low friction operation is necessary. Adjustable guides are provided so that the movable load support can be accurately positioned with respect to the stationary load support. Air lifting units are provided for raising and lowering the movable load support. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for moving the movable load support back and forth.