Abstract: A system for locally measuring the surface reflectance and emittance of mainly opaque objects of arbitrary size, shape and curvature. The basic component is a measurement head having a radiation enclosure consisting of surfaces which are uniquely related by a set of mathematical equations relating their relative view of one another. One surface is a pair of radiation emitters. The second surface is a measurement device positioned directly adjacent a third surface which is open to accommodate the local area on an arbitrarily shaped test object. Radiant energy from the emitters is reflected from the surface of the object to the measurement device. Since the intensity of the radiant energy emitted is relatively constant the intensity of the energy incident on the measurement device is proportional to the reflectance of the surface on the object under test which wholly or partially blocks the open third surface of the radiation enclosure.

Abstract: An adjustable hydraulic makeup and control system is provided for supplementing the primary hydraulic flow to overcome leakage and thus be able to maintain a constant pulling load on a drill pipe or other tool in a well hole for an indefinite length of time.

Abstract: A detonator having an open-ended metal jacket containing a small explosive charge remotely ignited through a pair of wires extending through one end of the jacket. The explosive charge projects toward one end of the jacket thereby forming an air gap between the explosive charge and the jacket. The air gap absorbs and attenuates the explosive shock so that relatively thin jacket walls are of sufficient strength to withstand detonation of the explosive charge, thereby making the detonator incapable of causing bodily injury. The detonator can be used to ignite a detonating cord by inserting the cord through the open end of the jacket into a jacket cavity until the explosive core of the cord contacts the projecting charge with the casing of the cord occupying the air gap to enclose the explosive charge.

Abstract: A heat exchanger heats fresh air moving to a product dryer by running the fresh air around hot exhaust tubes which are discharging from the dryer. Detergent sprays may be positioned to direct cleaning fluid into the tubes. The fresh air is introduced into a pre-dryer through pipes having nozzles which are at 30.degree. angles to the product path.

Abstract: Various pipe handling systems including bridge crane and swing crane embodiments for storing and moving small diameter drill pipe, larger diameter casing pipe and still larger diameter riser pipe to and from a common axial transport means between a drilling rig platform and storage racks. Unique components of the systems include a piggyback riser and casing skate, spin rolls for uncoupling the pipe located between the racks and the axial transport means, and a modular stabber which can accommodate all three basic sizes of pipe.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus and method, for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a detection device constructed in accordance with the disclosures contained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,198, issued July 17, 1962, to Dolan et al. When the detection device is operated in a current saturated condition it becomes sensitive even to substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of nine or less. A change in the level of the current through the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This current level change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small current level change through the detection device may be easily discerned despite the fact that the base current is on the order of milliamperes by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment.

Abstract: A vertically sliding sash window is provided with elongated slide bars seated in recesses of the jambs with the elongated slide bars being pivotally connected to an upper end of the sliding vent of the window. The opposite end of the sliding vent is releasably locked to the slide bars. The sliding vent can thus be slid up and down as a conventional sliding sash window or be pivoted inward for cleaning.

Abstract: A Photocoagulating scalpel system including a scalpel having a sharp, transparent blade for forming an incision, and a laser optically coupled to the blade for coagulating blood adjacent the incision. Laser radiation is transported to the blade through a low-loss fiberoptic waveguide. The radiation propagates through the waveguide and blade by means of multimode optical waveguide propagation wherein each mode has a discrete angle of incidence with respect to the blade surface. As the radiation reaches the beveled cutting edge of the blade, the angle of the blade surface changes causing the radiation to be emitted from the blade because the incident angles of individual modes fall below the critical internal reflection angle of the blade. Radiation leakage is further increased by the presence of blood on the blade surface which increases the critical internal reflection angle of the blade.

Abstract: Synthetic, substantially water-insoluble organic polymers having a backbone or main chain including repeating units of at least one polymer forming biologically active component such as a pesticide are capable of slowly degrading in the medium where their activity is desired to slowly release the free biologically active component and thereby prolong the period of effectiveness of the biologically active component.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating separation of peel from fruit in which the fruit is sequentially loaded into a plurality of pockets extending around the circumference of a vertical, rotating reel. The reel is mounted in a tank holding a caustic treating solution so that the fruit in the pockets is carried downwardly into the solution as the reel rotates. Incoming fruit is conveyed into a receiving tank containing the solution so that the solution cushions the fall of the fruit from the conveyor. The solution is heated and recirculated into the receiving tank thereby carrying the fruit over a weir and into the pockets in the reel. The pockets are formed by a plurality of spaced apart paddles or dividers extending from a relatively large hub to the outer periphery of the wheel. The inner portions of the paddles are perforated so that the solution flows between pockets and through the fruit which, being less dense than the solution, is urged toward the hub by buoyant forces.

Abstract: A system for measuring and displaying the side and top profiles of an underwater pipeline as the pipeline is being laid on the sea floor by a pipe laying vessel. The profiles are determined by sequentially measuring the position of points spaced apart along the pipeline with respect to a point on the vessel. The measurements are accomplished by sequentially transmitting an acoustic signal from three, non-colinear transducers. The acoustic signals from each transmission is detected by a plurality of receivers spaced apart along the pipeline. As each receiver detects a transmission it produces an indicating signal on a pair of electrical conductors which are connected to the vessel and all of the receivers on the pipeline. The elapsed time between a transmission from a given transducer and detection of that transmission by each receiver is an indication of the distance between the transducer and each receiver.

Abstract: A combination floating breakwater and wave energy collecting system in which a pair of joint floating spread wings are provided between which a vessel can be moored. The spread angle of the wings is adjustable and the wings can be jointly swung about their juncture so as to extend from the juncture generally in the direction of wave and wind travel so that the vee-shaped area between the wings is on the lee side. The wings have rows of improved wave energy collecting cells used to drive air turbines coupled to electric generators without intermediate compressed air storage and this energy conversion assists in dampening the wave action in the moorage zone between the wings.

Abstract: A single operator shake mill having a frame adjoining a workman operating station is provided with a surface for supporting a pre-kerfed shake block. A stop member is inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward the operator station to apply a downward and rearward force on the block whereas a splitting bar at the operator station is pulled through a kerf in the block to split an uppermost shake from the block by the application of a downward and forward pulling force which holds the block tight against the stop member and supporting surface while splitting. A reversible motor rotates sprockets which pull chains connected to the forward end of the splitting bar for providing the pulling force on the splitting bar. The control for this motor is at the operator's station so that the operator is free to set the block in place, split the shakes, and trim and stack the shakes without leaving the operator station. A shake trimming apparatus is also shown.

Abstract: A dipole resonent loop antenna having a pair of semicircular, quarter-wave antenna elements curving away from each other in a generally circular configuration. The ends of the antenna elements are connected to each other through a pair of generally T-shaped insulative couplers having their center legs extending toward each other. A hollow boom positioned diametrically in the circular configuration has its ends secured to the center legs of the couplers. The center of the boom is then mounted on a vertical mast so that the mast extends generally along the axis of the circular configuration. A co-axial cable having a pair of conductors runs along the outside of the mast and passes into the interior of the boom through a center aperture. The conductors extend along the interior of the boom toward one of the couplers where they exit through an aperture in the outer wall of the coupler and are secured to respective antenna elements by screws passing through the coupler and the antenna elements.

Abstract: A large diameter rotary drum has an open top and a floor in which are mounted a plurality of freely rotating sprockets having sharpened teeth. Wood wastes, large blocks, trimmings from shake mill operations, broken shakes and the like are deposited into the drum and are carried over the sprockets. The rolling action of the teeth on the wastes grinds the wastes to much smaller pieces which fall through openings around the sprockets and are carried away by a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a nail into a relatively inaccessible surface. The nail driver includes an elongated cylindrical housing having a bore extending between its front and rear ends, the rear end covered by an end cap. A rigid rod of lesser diameter than the bore of the housing is slidably received in the bore, with the rear end of the rod projecting rearwardly through the end cap when the front end of the rod is adjacent the front end of the housing. The rear end of the rod carries a weighted handle. The front end of the rod includes a magnetized end portion of about the same diameter as the bore of the housing. A first compression spring extends between the end cap and the weighted handle to absorb the momentum of the weighted handle at the forward end of a stroke, and a second compression spring surrounds the rod within the housing and extends between the end cap and the end portion of the rod for resiliently biasing the rod in a forward direction.

Abstract: A strapping machine and method for applying flexible, heat sealable straps around objects in which the supply coil of strap and the feed rollers for a strap accumulating compartment are driven by a common rotatable drive for synchronous feeding. A strap feeding unit for feeding flexible strap in which a feed and pinch roller extend through opposed slots which intersect a strap carrying groove which totally confines the strap.A strap tensioning mechanism in which rough tensioning and final tensioning are achieved by the movement of a single mechanical plate. A cutting and sealing head in which feeding of a new strap around the object can occur simultaneously with the sealing of the previous strap. A track opening mechanism which is operated by components of the sealing and cutting head.

Abstract: An input shaft is provided with circumferentially spaced ramps which confront opposed ramps on a coaxially aligned ramp shaft. The ramp shaft is provided with a sun gear which can rotate only through a one-way clutch and a plurality of brake discs. The sun gear drives a drum through a planetary drive system. The ramps each are provided with a shoulder. Balls are trapped between the ramps. Rotation of the input shaft in a hoisting direction drives the ramp shaft bypassing the brake through the one-way clutch. Thus the drum is rotated by the torque through the balls and shoulders. The brake discs are set by springs so that the load remains braked when hoisting is stopped. In the power down condition the input shaft rotates relative to the ramp shaft so that the balls move along the ramps spreading the shafts and compressing the springs so that the brake discs are released.

Abstract: A circular saw is disclosed which employs unique tooth forms contributing to reduced noise. The saw in operation, because of the design of the tooth forms, reduces vibration of the saw plate caused by air turbulence as well as reduces air flow through the gullet of the saw blade. The overall result is a quieter saw. A narrow, shallow and generally square design gullet configuration contributes to noise reduction.

Abstract: Floride and aluminum values, as well as carbon, are recovered from waste cathode liner material from aluminum electrolytic cells by leaching of the liner at ambient temperature with a caustic solution, followed by precipitation of sodium fluoride by saturating the leach liquor with a compound which suppresses the solubility of sodium fluoride in the leach liquor. Ammonia is a preferred compound. Aluminum compounds, as well as the carbon values, are also recovered. Treating chemicals used in the process are recycled. The process is essentially a closed-cycle process with substantially no discharge of effluent.