Abstract: A land irrigation system having an elongated support boom including a water distribution pipe supported above and moved laterally over the area to be irrigated, and a plurality of elongated conduits are supported for movement with and are connected to the water distribution pipe in generally parallel, equally spaced relation to one another and generally transverse to the water distribution pipe. A plurality of sprinkler heads are connected to each elongated conduit in spaced relation to one another with the spray heads on the plurality of elongated conduits cooperating to apply a water spray to a strip of land extending along the water distribution pipe and having a width greater than the length of the elongated conduits.

Abstract: A land irrigation system in which a continuously traveling sprinkler line is supplied with water from a stationary water supply conduit extending in the direction of the movement of the sprinkler line, the apparatus of the invention being designed to continuously supply water to the sprinkler from spaced risers forming part of the water supply conduit. A conveyance moves along the water supply conduit, the conveyance carrying a rotating water manifold with a plurality of water carrying arms extending from the water manifold in angularly spaced relation to each other for successive connection to water outlet valves on the risers as the conveyance moves along the water supply conduit. The water outlet from the water manifold is connected to the water inlet of the sprinkler line in such a manner that the water manifold and water carrying arms can rotate relative to the inlet of the sprinkler line.

Abstract: A land irrigation system is illustrated in which an elongated sprinkler line continuously travels in a direction transverse to its length along the length dimension of a stationary water main and is continuously supplied with water from upstanding hydrants spaced along the length of the water main. A driven tractor moves along the water main at substantially the same rate as the sprinkler line and a plurality of elongated water carrying pipe connector devices each have one end portion connected to the sprinkler line and their other end portions movable into position for automatic connection to and disconnection from successive hydrants along the main, to permit substantially continuous movement of the tractor along the water main and movement of the respective water carrying connecting size devices into position for connection to the hydrants.

Abstract: A free standing outdoor telephone booth is provided with a photo voltaic (PV) array, one or more rechargeable storage batteries and electrical control circuit which includes a temperature compensated control for limiting the supply of electrical energy from the PV array to the rechargeable battery to avoid over charging the battery, an ambient light (solar insolation) sensing circuit for controlling the electrical lamp load, to turn the lamp ON during dark ambient and OFF during light ambient conditions. In addition, the total discharge limit of the storage battery is controlled to a safe operating limit and a means is disclosed to power a fluorescent lamp at energy conserving intensities with energy derived from the rechargeable storage battery. The lamp control circuitry is preferably constituted by a high frequency power inverter with regulated output power to energize a low wattage fluorescent lamp and to dim the fluorescent lamp when the telephone is not in use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus adaptable to continuous production of hydrogen sulfide by chemical reaction of sulfur with a gaseous sulfur-reducing reactant selected from methane or other hydrocarbons, hydrogen, carbon-containing compounds such as carbon disulfide, gases with high CO contents, e.g. from gasification of coal, or mixtures of such gases are provided utilizing a separately-fired sulfur heater to vaporize liquid sulfur feedstock. Adding steam with the sulfur reduces the temperature level requirements of the sulfur vapors and provides H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 for the hydrolysis reactions. Control of the temperature of the sulfur vapors and steam delivered into the system through the sulfur vaporizer is used to modulate sulfiding reaction temperatures. A major portion of the steam is introduced with the sulfur vapors; a minor portion of the steam can be added with the feedstock reductant gas to assist in heat recovery from the reaction product gases and to facilitate standby conditions.

Abstract: A glue foamable to high density comprises an aqueous alkaline thermosetting resin and a surfactant comprising (1) a fatty acid amide of the alkanol-amines or (2) a tertiary amine oxide used in amount sufficient to render the glue foamable to a stable foam having a density of at least 0.5 and a viscosity of from 1,000 to 20,000 centipoises upon being beaten with air. The glue is useful particularly in the manufacture of plywood.

Abstract: A barrier-type metal wire fabric which is substantially free of transverse passages while providing desired travel path flexibility is disclosed along with methods and means for its manufacture. Shaped wire with at least two diametrically opposed planar surfaces is helically wound with a planar surface confronting the working surface of the winding mandrel. Left-hand wound and right-hand wound spirals are assembled with individual loop portions of each being nested within the loops of its next adjacent oppositely-wound spiral. A connector rod inserted within longitudinally overlapping internal loop portions of such spirals provides for pivotal relative movement between adjacent spirals and desired travel path flexibility while the dimensional relationships and assembly taught substantially eliminate non-rotational relative movement between metal wire elements of the fabric.

Abstract: Air removal is completed and ascertained, in steam sterilization systems which use steam flow through a sterilizing chamber to facilitate air removal, by methods which enable steam-table values for a dependent variable relationship of pressure and temperature, as exhibited by confined saturated steam, to be utilized under steam flow conditions.Apparatus for controlling and measuring chamber conditions are provided so that such established steam-table values for confined steam can be readily and reliably used to establish and ascertain complete air removal while steam is flowing through the chamber.In a representative embodiment, chamber pressure is held substantially constant while the remaining variable chamber temperature is measured. Venting of chamber atmosphere is continuous during such control of chamber pressure with chamber temperature being measured until a value is reached corresponding to the steam-table value at the level of the chamber pressure being held.

Abstract: The present invention improves the processing and products of coprecipitation of Fe and other metals selected from Mn, Zn, Ni, and Mg as carbonates and hydroxides in the manufacture of magnetically soft ferrites. Teachings are provided which enable control of the characteristics, especially the particle shape of coprecipitated metal carbonates and hydroxides, to bring about significant advantages in further processing such as relief of critical sintering requirements to meet commercial specifications, improved intermediate products which can be more easily handled during processing, and improved quality magnetically-soft, compacted, ferrite components.In the manufacture of MnZn ferrites, sintering furnace temperatures encountered by components from the same batch can vary as much as 100.degree. C. while maintaining specifications of permeability and loss factor whereas, with prior ferrite materials, a variation of as little as 5.degree. C. to 10.degree. C.

Abstract: Volleyball practice apparatus especially useful in training players in spiking the ball includes a lightweight, flexible support harness closely engaging and confining a volleyball, and a pair of flexible, elastically extensible lines having one end attached to the harness and their other end attached one to each of a pair of upwardly extending supports adjustably mounted on a lightweight structural frame adapted to be attached to the volleyball net to support the volleyball above and to one side of the net in position for spiking. The elastically extensible support lines permit the ball to be projected down and across the net in substantially the same manner as in spiking a free ball. The extensible lines then return the ball upward and back across the net into position to be spiked again.

Abstract: An improved tab opener and retained-tab easy-open structure and end closure assembly method are disclosed. The tab opener is fabricated from flat-rolled sheet metal to present a rounded edge periphery. In preparing an end closure for assembly on a can body, the tab opener is secured to the end closure such that the raw edge sheet metal of the rounded periphery is disposed outwardly in relation to the can body. The raw edge metal, scorelines, and other portions of the end closure needing repair can be repaired simultaneously after securing the tab opener to the end closure.

Abstract: A nozzle and associated apparatus for controlling the thickness of liquid coating on continuous webs which produces a thin jet of fluid for impingement across the width of moving web having a liquid coating thereon, the fluid in the portions of the jet on either side of the center of the nozzle having components of motion toward the edges of the web. One form of nozzle structure for achieving such lateral movement of the fluid issuing from the nozzle has a centrally positioned fluid inlet port to an inner plenum chamber, the port having a cross sectional area at least several times the cross sectional area of the nozzle orifice. Another form of nozzle structure for accomplishing this purpose involves baffle means in the path of the fluid flowing through the nozzle which changes the direction of flow of the fluid so as to give the fluid on either side of the center of the nozzle a component of motion toward the edges of the nozzle.

Abstract: Improved ironing material and structure for drawing and ironing can bodies from lightweight flat rolled sheet metal while facilitating stripping from the ironing mandrel and providing desired flanging metal are disclosed. The exterior surface of the mandrel is provided with a uniform-taper transition zone contiguous to the trim height for a can body being formed such that sidewall metal thickness increases uniformly above the main body portion of the can body and expires along the tapered surface of the transition zone. The tapered surface extends beyond formed can body height so that stripping means approach the open end of an ironed can body along a portion of the mandrel having a smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the mandrel mounted can body.

Abstract: A single reflective afocal optical module collects and concentrates solar energy onto a receiving surface extending substantially parallel to the focal axis of the optical system and to the central axis of the module. The reflective surface of the collector is shaped to reflect incoming energy and distribute it uniformly over the full surface of the receiver, with the reflective surface preferably consisting of a plurality of discrete reflective surface portions each distributing its portion of reflected energy over the full receiver surface so that the energy portions from the respective reflective surface portions are superimposed on one another on the receiver. The reflector and receiver are housed in a sealed enclosure having a transparent window for admitting incoming energy, and heat extracting means removes excess heat from the enclosure.

Abstract: A passenger conveyance vehicle loading and unloading ramp has one end pivotally supported adjacent a terminal building and the other end supported for movement into and away from a loading position at a vehicle door includes an enlarged generally cylindrical head mounted adjacent the outer end of the ramp for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the ramp, and a cab or vestibule mounted on the enlarged head for movement therewith and for pivotal movement about a generaly vertical axis for contact with the vehicle throughout a wide range of angles between the longitudinal axes of the ramp and of the conveyance vehicle. The vestibule is supported entirely from its bottom portion whereby the vestibule structure may be relatively lightweight since only minimal loads will have to be transferred between the top and bottom of the vestibule structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus adaptable to continuous production of hydrogen sulfide from chemical reaction of sulfur with various gaseous sulfur-reducing reactants selected from hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon-containing compounds such as carbon disulfide, hydrogen, of mixtures of such gases are provided utilizing a fired process sulfur heater to vaporize liquid sulfur feed stock.Control of the temperature of the sulfur vapors and the amount of liquid sulfur feed are used to modulate sulfiding reaction temperatures.Viscosity of the liquid sulfur feed stock is modified by contact with product gases in order to facilitate flow rate control as liquid sulfur is pumped into the sulfur vaporizer where its temperature increases above about 300.degree. F.Steam for hydrolysis purposes is introduced with the sulfur vapors, to augment temperature modulation of the sulfiding reactions, and/or with the reductant gas to assist in heat recovery from the reaction product gases.