Abstract: Apparatus for converting rotary motion into reciprocating linear motion utilizing a plurality of magnetic segments secured to a rotary member; a pair of magnets affixed to a reciprocating member to be acted upon as the rotary member moves and a pair of fixed magnetic members, disposed outside of the magnets attached to the reciprocating member to control the length of stroke and return speed of the reciprocating member. The plurality of magnetic segments are supported from the rotatable member for rotation therewith. The elongated member has the linear movable magnets secured thereto. As the rotatable member revolves, the magnetic segments either repel or attract the magnets attached to the linear movable member causing reciprocating linear motion. Aligned with, but mounted outside of the linear movable magnets, are a pair of magnetic stop members. These stop or push block magnets limit linear movement of the elongated member and provide a return force on the linear movable magnets.

Abstract: Mobile apparatus for simultaneously dispensing multiple strands of fencing wire. The apparatus includes a plurality of stacked, individually rotatable spools each of which carries a coil of fencing wire. The apparatus is provided with skids for towing it along the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining the attenuation coefficients within a body of material by transmitting sonic pressure pulses into the material, analyzing the spectrum amplitude of the echoes returning from the boundaries within the material, calculating the attenuation coefficients of the material between the boundaries and comparing the measured coefficients to those of normal and abnormal tissue. The wave shape of the transmitted pulses is adjusted so that the pulses generate echoes with uniform spectrum amplitude (white echoes) from each boundary within the material. Given the characteristics of the pulses which generate white echoes from the boundaries of each tissue segment and given the thickness of the material between each pair of boundaries, the attenuation coefficients of the material are calculated. The attenuation coefficients are displayed in any manner desired, including traditional B- and M-mode displays.

Abstract: A brushless tachometer is disclosed which provides a DC output voltage which is a direct function of an instrumented shaft's rotational velocity. The DC voltage is bi-directional, changing sign when the shafts direction of rotation is reversed. The disclosed tachometer preferably utilizes a brushless printed circuit resolver having a large number of poles. The sine and cosine outputs from the resolver are fed to a phase shifting circuit which provides two output signals whose frequencies are related to the speed of rotation of the shaft being instrumented. The frequency of one of the signals increases as the shaft speed increases while the frequency of the other signal decreases as the shaft speed increases. These two signals having frequencies related to shaft speed are fed to frequency to voltage converters. The outputs from the frequency to voltage converters are fed to a differential amplifier whose output is the DC signal which is indicative of the direction and the speed of rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: Side covers which do not utilize any exposed fasteners are provided around the edges of the movable conveyor belt and the associated tray. A high molecular weight polyethylene transition piece is provided between the tray and the movable conveyor for facilitating movement of items from the flat moving carrying surface into the accumulation tray. The covers include an inward extending portion which overlap the ends of the movable conveyor belt. Elongated wood guides are provided for the edges of the conveyor belt along the length of the top flat horizontal moving surface to eliminate tracking problems and belt damage. No portion of the conveyor belt or the associated drive is lower than the side covers. The frame is supported from the floor by rigid tubular steel legs which provide a strong stable structure and allow access to the bottom of the conveyor and the floor. Wooden blocks are provided at the bottom of the tubular legs for support from the floor.

Abstract: The mining machine consists of a main frame having a front portion and a rearwardly extending portion, and cutter heads disposed for movement across the front portion for dislodging mineral. A conveyor system is provided which extends across of the front of the main frame and along the rearwardly extending portion thereof for carrying dislodge mineral from the mine face. Forward roof support jacks, which are attached to the main frame for unitary movement therewith, provide temporary roof support as the entry is being formed. Rear roof support jacks, disposed behind the forward roof support jacks, also provide temporary roof support. Sumping cylinders, which are disposed generally parallel to the mine floor, connect the rear roof support jacks to the main frame and are used for moving the mining machine. The sumping cylinders are connected to the main frame with a universal joint connection to permit free movement of each sumping cylinder around its point of connection to the main frame.

Abstract: A weather tight fastener, for joining two or more adjacent members, having a flanged sleeve member which is disposed through aligned openings in the members and a rod member having an enlarged end, engaging a portion of the tubular member for collapsing the unflanged end of the tubular member in a controlled fashion. The end of the rod member which is not enlarged, projects from the flanged end of the tubular member and is engaged by a holding plate which is slidable in one direction only. Disposed between the slidable holding plate and the exposed surface of the members to be joined are a rigid washer and a resilient washer which are necessary for proper setting and providing a secure weather tight seal. The rigid washer has a counterbore of the same general size as the flanged end of the sleeve. The steel washer is disposed with the flanged end of the sleeve nested in the counterbore.

Abstract: A scaffolding bracket comprising a horizontal member arranged to act as a support for scaffold boards and a vertical member arranged to lie adjacent a vertical surface, the bracket having a plate for securing the bracket to the vertical surface and coupling means pivotally mounted within the angle formed between the horizontal and vertical members and arranged to receive a scaffold support member. The extremity of the support member may be provided with a swivel shoe plate.

Abstract: A mine life line system utilizing a life line having direction indicating means for indicating, when touched, the direction towards the outside of the mine. The direction indicating means is formed so that as the miner walks towards the outside of the mine, running his hand along the life line, his hand meets little resistance if he is going in the proper direction. The direction indicating means can be an enlargement which is formed integral with or attached to the life line. The enlargement can be formed with a gradual slope on one side along which a hand can easily move when traveling in the right direction, and a stop or abrupt slope, which tends to stop the hand, when traveling in the wrong direction. The direction indicating means and/or the life line can be formed from luminesce or reflective material. A spring loaded reusable support is provided for supporting the life line.

Abstract: An inline ball valve of a relatively small outer diameter, with external connecting portions formed at the ends thereof, which when open provides a passage therethrough which is free of voids. The external connecting portions for making an inline connection of the valve can be threaded, flanged, or adapted for quick clamps. A two-piece cage is provided inside of the ball valve for rotatably supporting the internal ball. The two-piece cage is formed with openings, one through each piece, which are aligned with the openings in the valve body. Each cage piece includes an annular surface, formed around the opening in a plane perpendicular to the flow passage, which is engaged by a mating annular surface on the valve body, to force the cage pieces together and into high pressure contact with the ball when the valve body is assembled. High pressure contact between the cage and the ball occurs in proximity to the annular cage surfaces.

Abstract: A gardening tool with a long handle, having a small flat planar portion disposed at approximately right angles to the handle and connected to the handle by a semi-circular rectangular rod portion. A straight portion is formed, extending from the partial circular portion, to attach to the long handle. The small flat portion has a taper both in depth and in width to a free cutting edge. A notch is formed in the middle of the free cutting edge. Carbide tips can be provided on the free cutting edge for increased wear resistance. The garden tool can be used for cultivating or furrowing a row to a depth of five to six inches for seed planting. When pulled through the earth, the partial circular portion easily rolls the dirt away so that there is no jam up of soil in the rod support portion. The rod member is formed from spring steel to provide for a strong, resilient tool member. The length of the flat planar portion is relatively small being of only slighter greater length than width.

Abstract: A process for refining molten non-ferrous matte by injecting an oxidizing gas into the matte through at least one multiple, concentric tube tuyere submerged beneath the surface of the matte. The tuyere is cooled by injecting liquid sulfur through the outermost tube of the tuyere.

Abstract: A movable carriage which is connected to a smooth actuating rod for movement therewith to a desired position where it is locked to a fixed bridge permitting the actuating rod to move with respect thereto. The movable carriage or head is clamped to the actuating rod with a continual friction force which is easily overcome by the force with which the carriage is locked to the fixed bridge. The actuating rod is movable back and forth along its longitudinal axis by manual or automatic positioning apparatus. By successive moving and locking operations for the carriage, the carriage can be moved along the entire bridge while the movement of the actuating rod is more limited. The actuating rod can be a smooth metallic rod with the carriages permanently clamped thereto with a determinable friction force, alternately the carriage can be clamped to the actuating rod until the carriage is clamped to the fixed bridge. A drive motor is used for moving the actuating rod back and forth.

Abstract: A rotary vane machine utilizing tapered vanes which are rotatably connected to a stationary center shaft and which extend through openings in the wall of an off-center hollow cylindrical rotor into sliding contact with an inner wall of the machine. Working chambers are formed between the vanes outside of the hollow rotor. Roller seals are provided in the rotor wall openings to isolate the inside of the rotor from the working chambers. Rollers which form the seals are disposed, with a close tolerance, in slots formed in the rotor wall openings on each side of the tapered vanes. A small opening, which communicates with one of the working chambers, is formed in the back of each roller slot to admit pressurized fluid from the working chamber to help bias the roller seals into contact with the tapered vanes. A check valve may be provided in the small opening to maintain pressure behind the roller seal.

Abstract: A meditation aid is provided which has a rigid frame whose periphery defines a geometric shape. A plurality of identical flexible means for suspending the frame are attached to it and joined at a single point. The suspending means and frame define a three dimensional geometric figure such as a cone, pyramid or the like. Means are provided for adjusting the distance from the joinder point to the frame along with means for hanging the flexible means from a superstructure. Further means are provided for raising and lowering the frame.

Abstract: Underground dwelling live fish bait is preserved by sterilizing the bait and packing it in a media containing nutrients, an antibiotic and a stress reliever. The packed bait is maintained at a temperature between 33 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Surface dwelling fish bait is preserved by packing it in a media containing nutrients, an antibiotic and a stress reliever and maintaining the temperature between 33 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An improved process for reducing the rate of wear and for minimizing the amount of liquid cooling agent supplied to a tuyere used for blowing oxidizing gas in the refining of molten metal. The fluid passageway of the tuyere is provided with an outlet having a reduced cross-sectional area and the cooling agent is injected at a flow rate between 0.05 and 0.14 liters per minute per centimeter of the circumference of the fluid passageway.

Abstract: Scaffolding apparatus requiring no cross bracing and having adjustable outriggers for facilitating work on a contoured surface. The disclosed scaffolding arrangement defines a plurality of horizontal levels which are spaced apart from the contoured surface. The horizontal levels are formed from horizontally disposed structural members which are supported solely from the vertical columns. No cross bracing is required between the horizontal levels of the scaffolding. Except for the vertical support columns, the horizontal levels or work areas are open. The open work areas permit easy movement of men, material and equipment. Outriggers which are adjustable in length are provided between the fixed horizontal work platforms and the contoured surface. These adjustable outriggers can be extended outward into close proximity with the contoured surface. Thus the horizontal work platform can be extended as close as desired to the contoured surface.

Abstract: An adsorption-regeneration column section is provided for treating a fluid effluent. A column section has means, which do not contact the adsorbent, for feeding an effluent into the column section and a means for uniformly distributing the effluent across the column diameter at the inlet thereof. An adsorbent is supported within the column section and occupies less than the entire column section. The column section is further provided with means for removably connecting a second column section with said column section along a single vertical axis without substantially restricting the flow path of the effluent. When two of the column sections are joined each having adsorbent therein, a staging space is provided between the adsorbents within the column sections for disengagement of the effluent from the adsorbent.