Abstract: A system for the control, selection and synchronization of the movement of magnetic tape and filmstrip in a film projection system which may include a sound program. Film advance is synchronized with the sound reproduction by means of recorded signals on the magnetic tape which unambiguously specify the filmstrip frame number appropriate to the magnetic tape sound program. Means are provided to allow the operator to rapidly access a particular filmstrip frame by specifying its number. When a sound program is included, the invention assures automatic synchronization of the sound program with the filmstrip frame.

Abstract: A novel process for slicing veneer comprises the steps of (1) submerging a piece of lumber in a water bath maintained at an elevated temperature for a period of time sufficient to eliminate excessive curling upon slicing, (2) slicing a single slice of veneer from the lumber, and (3) returning the lumber to the bath for an additional soak period before running the wood through the veneer slicer. Soaking between each slice produces greater uniformity in the slices, which are dried more easily with consumption of less energy.

Abstract: A valve operator utilizes a disconnectable worm gear arrangement to drive a valve spindle. An hand crank may be used to disengage the power-driven worm gear arrangement and to manually drive the valve spindle, if necessary, by pivoting a bracket holding the end of the worm shaft. The worm gear is self-locking so that reaction forces from the valve cannot move the worm gear. A torque-sensing lever, responsive to axial movement of a highly torqued drive shaft, pivots against the force of a biasing spring to operate a microswitch to cut off electrical power to the drive motor for the valve operator should the torque exceed a predetermined amount. Additional protection against torque overload is provided by an adjustable mechanical clutch which operates in the event of control element failure or misadjustments. One or more microswitches, adjustable in position, are engaged by a traveler which moves along a lead screw driven by a gear arrangement coupled to the valve spindle to control operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A rotor for a nutating motor has an annular cavity formed in one face thereof, which cavity receives a helically wound ring of magnetically permeable material.A gate valve operator assembly couples the hollow output shaft of a nutating motor to a valve stem, which axially moves within the hollow output shaft. An internally threaded spindle, or stem nut, is rotatably mounted to engage the externally threaded valve stem. The spindle and the hollow motor shaft are coupled together by means of a tab engaging a correspondingly formed notch. Axial movement of the spindle is prevented by means of a flanged radially extending circumferential rim formed as part of the spindle.

Abstract: A variable speed multi-cylinder assembly is provided with expandable bushing seals to block leakage of fluid from higher speed stages to lower speed stages.

Abstract: The apparatus described is designed to distribute particles of lignocellulosic material falling by gravity uniformly over the inlet area of an electrostatic orientation unit. The particles are metered onto a conveyor belt which discharges an even flow of particles between a pair of contrarotating squirrel-cage rolls whose direction of rotation is such that one part of the flow of particles passes between the rolls and two other parts of the flow are deflected outwardly from the contrarotating rolls. The three portions of the particle flow from the contrarotating rolls are directed respectively to larger squirrel-cage distribution rolls positioned within distribution chambers beneath the contrarotating rolls for even distribution. Various vanes and deflectors are provided to direct the flow of particles within the apparatus.

Abstract: A self-releasing choker has ferrule holding jaws in a casing movable between a ferrule accepting station, a load carrying station, and a ferrule releasing station located intermediate the other two stations. Locking means holds the jaws closed while in the load carrying station and releasing means permits the jaws to open only while they are moving past the ferrule releasing station in the direction of the ferrule accepting station. Dampening means provides a time delay to keep the jaws from moving all of the way to the ferrule releasing station when the load is only momentarily taken off the ferrule.

Abstract: A magnetic motor has K stators (K=any integer) and preferably K+1 rotors with each stator having 4n electromagnetic coils (n=any integer), and each coacting rotor has p=3/2n permanent magnets with their poles alternating in polarity. The coils on each stator are arranged in two sets, and a distributor cycles current to the sets so that each set reverses polarity each successive time it is charged.

Abstract: A floating mooring device adapted to be used with one or more piles projecting upwardly in a body of water. The device includes a float which is fastened to a cylindrical collar loosely surrounding the piles so that the float can move upwardly or downwardly along the pile in response to tidal action. A conventional mooring cleat or ring is carried by either the float or collar to which a line extending from a moored vessel may be fastened. Since vertical movement of the vessel responsive to tidal action is matched by the vertical movement of the float, the line may be tautly fastened to the float in order to prevent excessive movement of the vessel, yet tension of the line remains constant responsive to tidal action. The embodiment of the device used with a single pile includes a cylindrical float extending around a cylindrical inner sleeve which loosely surrounds the pile.

Abstract: A drive train for a winch from a continuously rotating input source to an intermittently rotated drum in which the drive train is through a clutch, then to a shaft, then through a continuously driven internal brake which forms a part of the drive train from the shaft, then to the drive train to the drum, with the shaft being provided with a one-way clutch so that the brake automatically is engaged for lowering the load by reversing the drum. A free-spool circuit is provided which can be operated only in the brake release position for safety and is operated off the brake release hydraulic control fluid pressure. A static or manual pump control fluid circuit is provided for operating the clutch, brake and/or free spool. A combination driving clutch and drag clutch are energized by opposite directional movement of a single piston for coupling an input to an output or stopping movement of the output.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for telescoped round ammunition for a rapid fire gun in which the loading occurs during the recoil and counter-recoil movements of the gun with the recoil and counter-recoil movements of the gun being employed to position a new round into the chamber, discharge the old round from the chamber and reposition the chamber in the breech. One or two magazines of new rounds can be selectively used. The chamber can be moved along tracks out of the breech and back into the breech or can be swung out of and into the breech.

Abstract: A marine float having a concrete casing surrounding a core of buoyant foam. The casing includes conventional side walls, end walls and a bottom along with a specially constructed deck. The deck includes at least one longitudinally extending utility trench which is easily accessible by removing a cover which is releasably secured to the deck. Elongated wales extend along the upper edges of the side walls, and tie rods loosely surrounded by through-tubes extend from one side wall to the other beneath the utility trench. The ends of the tie rods project through the wales, and fastening members are secured thereto thereby securing the wales to the casing and compressively loading the deck. Utility conduits positioned in the utility trench are connected to utility outlets mounted along the side edges of the deck by either transverse utility trenches or transversely extending tubular conduit embedded in the deck.

Abstract: A bridge for alpine skiing is positioned to span over the toepiece of a conventional downhill, releasable ski binding. In one embodiment, the bridge is an elongated platform pivotable forwardly of the toepiece of the downhill binding and supported between the toepiece and the heelpiece of the downhill binding by an adjustable post. In another embodiment, a platform is stationarily mounted ahead of the toepiece of the downhill binding, with a separate heel support secured to the ski between the downhill toepiece and heelpiece.

Abstract: A throttling valve develops a pressure to bring recoiling parts of a weapon to rest with a constant force. Counter-recoil is provided from recuperator pressure. The throttling valve is biased with a force proportional to the sine of the gun elevational angle to compensate for the gravitational component inline with recoil. Counter recoil force is controlled by a valve that regulates the recuperator pressure available for counter-recoil by an amount that is proportional to the sine of the gun elevation angle.

Abstract: A device for increasing the tension in a taut rope segment by increasing the path length which the rope must travel. The path length is increased by first engaging an essentially straight line segment of rope at two points spaced apart on the rope segment and physically restricting the ability of the rope to move in one transverse direction at these points. The path length of the rope is then increased by deflecting the rope outward, away from the straight line pathway at a point between the two points of restricted motion.

Abstract: An improved engine comprises a primary piston and primary cylinder in which air and fuel is precombusted. The piston is reciprocated in the cylinder by an external prime mover. The exhaust of the precombusted air/fuel mixture is controlled by a floating exhaust valve piston which seats against the exhaust port and has its other end pressurized at a set pressure preferably by an inert gas. The precombusted air/fuel mixtures are exhausted to secondary combustion chambers where additional air, fuel and prime mover exhaust gases are added to increase the velocity and pressure of the gas and provide for more complete combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: Having a beveled prying edge and a notch for frictional interfitting with a chisel shaft, the removable chisel blade of this invention provides a significant improvement to the process of removing mortar leakage, grout, or spalling from the surfaces of concrete walls. The heat-treated, hardened steel blades have a sharp edge to pry the grout drippage from the surfaces without driving the grout into the surface and without biting into the surface itself. A notch is cut in the body of the blade so that the blade will slide into a throat on a chisel shaft and will frictionally interfit through wedging action with the chisel shaft. Beveled side portions of the tapered notch sides provide improved frictional interfitting. Also, beveled inset grooves on the body of the chiseled blade provide improved frictional interfitting and reduce the tendency of the chisel blade to wiggle in the plane of the blade.

Abstract: A miniature size doughnut fryer has a portable hopper easily removed from the frying machine and which is automatically positioned in an aligned cutting position when installed on the machine. An improved safety cut-out device is provided for a belt drive to assure that the doughnut conveyor stops in an overload condition but which signals the operator that the overload condition is existing. The drive and safety cut-out are provided housed within the heater housing adjacent the frying tank of the machine for ease of assembly and manufacturing cost. The heater element housing is mounted on pivots which allow easy pivotal removal of the heating elements from the frying tank as well as providing a wide stance support for the heating elements when pivoted out of the tank. The drive and control circuitry for the conveyor and the cutter head are interlocked to prevent repetitive cycling of the cutter head during a conveyor overload position. An improved dual head doughnut cutter is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed from the particles, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine dimension and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered or composite mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells (30,32) for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through a high-voltage electrostatic orienting field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed. The orienting field may be formed between at least two uniformly spaced, electrically charged plates (60).