Abstract: Apparatus for washing an article, especially an automobile, comprises an article through which the article can pass, nozzles mounted on the framework, a tank provided with means for maintaining pressure therein and connected to the nozzles, a valve for controlling the flow of liquid from the tank to the nozzles and a timer. Upon actuation, the timer opens the valve for a predetermined interval, thereby allowing liquid to flow from the nozzles and wash the article passing through the framework. The pressure within the tank ensures that at least a predetermined quantity of liquid is sprayed during the interval fixed by the timer, even if the pressure in a water main supplying the apparatus fluctuates.

Abstract: A monitoring method and apparatus for storing video data is provided comprising storing at a video-computer interface location data defining a selected area of a video frame to be stored, supplying video data to the interface, identifying the beginning of a frame of video data and storing the data of the selected area of the frame as it is supplied to the interface.

Abstract: An improved optical portion of a vision system for controlling an automated arc welding system. Collimated, image bearing light is rotated through an angle to maintain the weld scene at the identical orientation upon the video camera regardless of actual orientation changes during welding operation. An iris reduces the light intensity to maintain the light which is incident upon the video camera from the more intense weld pool region, within the range of the camera while light from the joint region is integrated over multiple frames so that good resolution is also obtained for the image of the joint region.

Abstract: A blow-molded creeper includes a flat upper surface having a head rest for the mechanic. The shell of the creeper includes an upper sheet and a lower sheet. In the lower sheet are a plurality of ribs and truncated cones which project upwardly into engagement with the thermo-plastic upper sheet which forms the upper surface of the creeper. The ribs and truncated cones are bonded to the upper surface to provide structural integrity.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptides may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: A tear-off tab structure applicable to a self-closing dispensing valve structure of the toggle type mounted on a spout in which passage to the outlet is normally-closed by an axially inwardly-extending flexible wall structure that can be flexed by a toggle lever carried thereby to complete a discharge passage to the outlet. The tear-off tab structure substantially covers the outlet and to give access to the spout through the outlet the tab structure must be disturbed thereby giving evidence of tampering.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for converting coal to gas, liquid and solid products. The coal is subjected to a pyrolysis reaction at a temperature of at least about 260.degree. C. in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas, and the resultant solid residue subjected to a gasification reaction with oxygen and steam at a temperature of at least about 482.degree. C. thereby generating the necessary hydrogen-containing gas for the pyrolysis reaction and producing a solid product. Heat generated in the exothermic gasification reaction is transferred to the pyrolysis reaction, so the apparatus does not require any external source of heat except for means (88) to control the temperature of the gases passing to the pyrolysis reaction chamber. The gaseous fraction generated in the pyrolysis reaction is cooled to produce liquid and gas products, preferably after having first been subjected to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction.

Abstract: A roof-drilling system for use in subterranean mining applications and the like in which the drill head of a roof drilling machine is arranged such that the receiving cavity of its chuck is configured having lost motion association with the drive-in portion of starter and driver drill steel rods. The lower surface of a retainer fixed to the drill head and having a non-circular aperture formed therein serves to define one bearing surface for utilizing the drill head itself to pull the assemblage of drill steel from a completed bore. To remove the drill steel driver component from the drill head chuck, the miner grasps the lowermost portion and rotates it a relatively small amount. To provide for interlocking of various components of the drill steel, i.e.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tagging methane by adding thereto one or more of the tracer compounds sulfur hexafluoride and chloropentafluoroethane. The methane being tagged is normally being stored in underground storage fields to provide identity and proof of ownership of the gas. The two tracer compounds are readily detectable at very low concentrations by electron capture gas chromatography apparatus which can be made portable and thus suitable for use in the field.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptides may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are either two hydrogen atoms or together form a methylene group, and each X is a bromo, iodo or tosyloxy group and the dotted bonds indicate that the central linkage is attached to the two phenyl rings at positions which are either meta to both CH.sub.2 X groups or para to both such groups, possess anti-cancer activity.The active compounds are prepared by multi-step syntheses beginning with dimethoxymethylbenzaldehydes or di(hydroxymethyl)methoxyphenols; many of the intermediates involved are themselves novel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the work produced by a compressor comprises pressure sensors for measuring the suction and discharge pressures of the compressor and a device for measuring the operating speed of the compressor. The apparatus further comprises a data processor for receiving signals representative of the suction and discharge pressures of the compressor and its operating speed, and generating a signal representative of the work performed by the compressor during a predetermined time interval. Desirably, the data processor is designed to integrate the work output of the compressor over a series of time intervals to generate a cumulative horsepower-hour reading for the compressor over an extended period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a side scanning sonar apparatus for detecting gas bubbles in water. This apparatus transmits low frequency sonar signals horizontally through the water and detects the resultant echoes. The echoes due to bubble columns can be discriminated from those due to simple reflection from solid objects. The invention also provides a special handling apparatus to permit launching and recovery of a towed sonar apparatus in which the upper part of the fairing is relatively fragile.

Abstract: An improved electrode mounting structure for a gas tungsten arc welding torch having a coaxial imaging system. The electrode mounting structure includes a support having a central hub and a plurality of spokes which extend from the hub generally radially with respect to the axis of the torch into supporting engagement with the interior walls of the torch. The spaces between the spokes are optical passages for transmission of light to form the image. A tubular collet holder is threadedly engaged at its upper end to the hub and extends downwardly toward the open end of the torch. The collet holder has an inwardly tapering constriction near its lower end. An electrode-retaining, tubular collet is mounted within the collet holder and has a longitudinally split and tapered end seating against the tapered constriction. A spring seats against the upper end of the collet and forces the split end against the tapered constriction to wedge the split end radially inwardly to grip the electrode within the collet.

Abstract: A porous shield of silicon carbide is incorporated into the outlet of a furnace for shielding the downstream components from radiation of heat from the furnace and to minimize the heat radiated from the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus functioning as a high-efficiency water heater. This apparatus passes a combustible mixture of gas and air from an impeller into the hollow interior of a cylindrical gas burner. The combustible mixture flows out through apertures in the cylindrical walls of the gas burner and is burned on a cylindrical flame holder as it emerges; the size of the apertures prevents flash-back of the flames of the combustible mixture into the gas burner. Heat is transferred from the flame to the walls of a cylindrical combustion chamber surrounding the gas burner and the combustion products generated pass to a heat exchanger comprising a vertical riser and a downwardly extending helical section which ensures maximum heat transfer to water in a tank surrounding the combustion chamber and heat exchanger. Hot water is discharged from the tank as needed for domestic uses and to another heat exchanger in an air heating duct.

Abstract: A process and composition for supplying fatty acids to ruminants comprising feeding the fatty acids to the ruminants in the form of their calcium salts. The calcium salts may be added to conventional cattle feed preferably in an amount not exceeding about 5% of the dry solids content of the feed.

Abstract: Compost is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium, and/or diseases caused thereby by adding to the compost, desirably after peak heating has been achieved but before substantial recolonization of the compost by mesophilic microorganisms has occurred, one or more microorganisms antagonistic to the plant pathogen. Desirably the inoculated antagonistic microoganisms comprise Trichoderma hamatum species A.T.C.C. No. 20765 or 20764, together with a Pseudomonas maltophilia bacterium species A.T.C.C. No. 53199 or a Flavobacterium species, A.T.C.C. No. 53198.

Abstract: A motor mount for a motorcycle motor has one end attached to the motorcycle frame and the other to the motor. Intermediate the ends is a socket having a reciprocal piston therein. The piston is held within the socket by a threaded plug having an opening therein to allow the extension of a piston rod to engage one of the motor mount ends. The opposite end of the motor mount is attached to one end of the socket. Each end of the piston within the socket is abutted by an elastomeric member for purposes of dampening vibration and minimizing wear on the ends of the mount.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. Within the chamber is conditioning apparatus which includes an electric motor, an open top reservoir of water, a disc on the electric motor which dips into the water reservoir to fling a curtain of water across the chamber and a plurality of filters to clean, cool humidify and homogenize the air exiting the chamber.