Abstract: A down-hole drilling apparatus having a drill tool assembly with a cutting head at one end connected to an umbilical which extends to a retrieval reel on the surface. The umbilical provides electrical power, drilling fluid and means for instrumentation and control signals to be transmitted between the drill tool assembly and a processing device on the surface. The drill tool assembly can propel itself into or out of a bore hole by the cyclical actuation of anchor and ram units or change the direction of drilling by actuation of thruster assemblies in response to control signals sent manually by an operator or automatically by the processing device.

Abstract: A gas stream detection apparatus having a balanced resistive bridge network enclosed within a housing and an electronic power supply for driving the bridge network. The power supply includes a voltage source feeding a voltage-to-current converter with two differential inputs, a current sensing resistor between the converter and bridge, twin feedback paths to the differential inputs, and a large source resistance connected to the voltage source and in parallel with a smaller source resistance, each connected to separate differential inputs. The resistance R of two bridge filaments increase by .DELTA.R when exposed to high sample gas concentration causing variations in a current I supplied to the bridge. As .DELTA.R increases, a bridge output voltage E.sub.O decreases. The dependence of current I on .DELTA.R depends on circuit parameters. The difference between the source resistances permits the voltage source to be non-constant and load dependent.

Abstract: An analog selector circuit for providing an analog output signal of a value approximate to the median value of the analog input signals, having a plurality of comparator means equal to the number of analog input signals, each comparator means being connected to receive one of the input signals and comparing the received signal with the analog output signal of the selector circuit, a plurality of electronic control valves connected to receive the output signals from the plurality of comparator means, the valves being connected such that a number of said valves equal in number to the majority of analog input signals are connected in series to form a series combination and there are a sufficient number of such series combinations to receive all combinations of the majority of voltage output signals, and each series combination connected to receive a voltage potential input signal and providing the output signals of the series combinations to a common terminal to form the analog output signal; and a resistive net

Abstract: A portable support assembly for mounting a doorway comprising means for engaging a first horizontal bar to the interior of a door jamb and the means for supporting a second horizontal support bar outwardly from the door jamb and above the elevation of the door jamb.

Abstract: An optimum acceleration deceleration circuit for stepper motors wherein an error signal is fed to a rate limiter circuit which generates a speed output voltage. The speed output voltage is fed back to the rate limiter circuit through a non-linear gain amplifier and summing amps.

Abstract: A planar magnetron sputtering device having a movable magnetic source which is hydraulically moved with respect to a target and substrate to cause lines magnetic flux parallel to the surface of the target to sweep over the surface of the target during the sputtering process.

Abstract: A method for cold-forming light gauge polymer sheet material by application of localized heat to the area of the fold. In the manufacture of Lexan polycarbonate flexible magnetic disk jackets, heat is applied to the folded edge by a heating element generally maintained uniformly at 375.degree. F. The heating element contacts the folded Lexan polycarbonate edge in a U-shaped trough having planar sidewalls generally perpendicular to a planar bottom wall.

Abstract: A loadlock apparatus for a workpiece processing chamber such as those incorporated in vacuum processing systems. The apparatus includes an isolation chamber having evacuation apertures and workpiece transfer apertures with independently operable doors for closing and sealing the workpiece transfer apertures and an independent operable workpiece transfer mechanism. The doors and workpiece transfer mechanisms may be contained within the isolation chamber and the chamber may be closed and sealed while containing a workpiece. The door and workpiece transfer mechanisms may be adapted such that they are not positioned over the workpiece, thereby reducing the possibility of workpiece particulate contamination.The preferred embodiment of the workpiece transfer mechanism moves a workpiece through the isolation chamber along a path which is essentially a straight line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solvent extraction of bitumen oils from tar-sands and their separation into synthetic crude oil and synthetic fuel oil comprising the operations of mixing the tar-sands with hot water so as to form a slurry in conjunction with solvent, separating that slurry into the solvent and dissolved bitumen oils and the solid materials of the tar-sands, separating the bitumen oils from the solvent, contacting the bitumen oils thus obtained with an extractant in order to separating them into synthetic crude oil and synthetic fuel oil, recovering an reusing again within the process the solvent, the water and the extractant.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved nutrient, in particle form, for use in enhancing fungus growth, and particularly directed to edible mushrooms. The nutrient is in the form of conglomerate particles including an irregularly shaped matrix particle and a plurality of enhancer droplets attached to the matrix particle at various recessed attachment positions. The matrix material is denatured protein while the enhancer droplets are fatty oil and phospholipid material microencapsulated in a layer of activated protein mixed with mycelium growth stimulators. The present invention further includes a method for preparing nutrient particles for increasing the growth and yield of mushrooms.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing growth and nutritional enhancement additives for use with mushroom cultivation and products prepared therefrom. The process includes subprocesses for preparing an activator particle containing ingredients which help maximize growth activity in the fungus and a combination particle which includes activator particles and delayed release nutrient material which helps to sustain optimal growth. The particles produced by the process, namely the activator particle, the combination particle and a method for bringing the particles into contact with mushroom mycelia at the optimum time are also included. The invention is intended to maximize efficient, rapid and healthy growth in commercial mushroom strains.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder interface for high speed loading into a computer of data stored on cassette tapes. The interface receives signals from a cassette tape recorder modified to have the play head engaged while in the fast forward wind mode. The interface includes a comparator, a separator for separating clock and data pulses, a serial-to-parallel converter, control logic, and interface program memory.

Abstract: A temperature controlled oven apparatus having a central chamber with a heater element and a pivotal inner baffle door, located within a removable outer access door, periodically opened or closed to regulate the exhaust of oven air and the admission of ambient air into the oven through a preheated plenum chamber.

Abstract: An improved floppy disk having a liner material into the fibers of which has been compounded identically the same lubricant as that compounded into the surface of the magnetic recording disk.

Abstract: An improved print medium driving mechanism for a line or serial printer adapted for advancing either individual cut sheets or a continuous web having regularly spaced perforations preformed along its edges. The driving mechanism operates in either a friction drive mode or a spur drive mode. In friction drive mode, print medium inserted into the mechanism, is guided to a driven friction feed roller. The medium is then clamped between the feed roller and a plurality of pressure rollers. Driven by the feed roller, the medium is advanced and guided around that roller and then between immediately adjacent surfaces of a printhead and a platen. If cut sheets are being driven, they are inserted between lateral guides adjusted to the width of the sheet. Such sheets, after being advanced past the platen, contact a deflector surface of a cover which guides them into a second clamping, driven engagement in a friction feed assembly.

Abstract: A process for extracting metals having lead affinity from mineral ores. The process is in steps including, pulverizing the ore material, drying the ore, melting elemental lead in a melting chamber and maintaining the molten lead within a preselected temperature range, introducing the ore into the lower portion of the melting chamber, agitating the molten mixture, transferring the molten mixture to a cooling vessel, removing the slag and refining the remaining metallic mixture to separate the metallic components. Also, a device for extracting metals from ores including a melting chamber, heating means, an ore tube and an auger for inserting ore into the melting chamber and an agitation rod. The process and device are utilized for either small scale assaying of ore samples or commercial extraction of metals from mineral ores.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat transfer apparatus adapted for installation in a mobile liquid container such as a railroad tank car. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of a continuous finned pipe. The continuous finned pipe extends within the container to provide a surface for conductive heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid flowing through the pipe to the contents of the container.The continuous finned pipe is provided with shock absorbers and flexible loop portions to prevent damage to the apparatus from inertial shocks to the container. A preferred embodiment is designed particularly for use in railroad tank cars adapted to carry molten sulfur. The apparatus is used to remelt the sulfur, which has solidified in transit, for unloading. The present invention accomplishes this purpose in a shorter time period, more economically and with lower construction and maintenance expense than prior art apparati.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for energizing one or more gaseous-discharge lamps and for regulating the power consumed thereby, the ballast including a power supply for providing a source of DC power between a pair of outputs, a pair of transistors connected as switches in series between the power-supply outputs, the transistors for selectively coupling to the juncture thereof positive and negative potentials, a voltage-conditioning and current-limiting network for energizing the lamp from the potential developed between the transistor juncture and a power-supply common, and a pulse generator for developing pulses for driving each of the transistors in turn whereby a potential is developed at the transistor juncture which alternates as positive-going and negative-going pulses each separated by a dead time, the pulse generator for monitoring the power consumption level of the lamp and responsive thereto operative to vary the frequency and/or the width of the transistor driving pulses whereby the lamp consumption is re

Abstract: A circuit for electronic damping of stepper motors capable of generating a pulse train for a wide range of steps such that the pulse train is contained within a period or periods of the resonant frequency of the rotor of the stepper motor to pre-condition for the delayed last step and the last pulse is delayed by a half-period of the resonant frequency. A frequency synthesizer generates a clock signal having a frequency which is an integer multiple of the natural frequency of the rotor of the stepper motor. The clock signal is fed through a gate to a digitally controllable counter which generates an output after one full period of the stepper motor rotor's natural frequency. The output of the digitally controllable counter closes the gate to block the clock signal and triggers a delay circuit which generates the last pulse after a half-period of the natural frequency of the rotor of the stepper motor.

Abstract: A spiral meat slicer is provided particularly for slicing ham, wherein a ham is mounted vertically on a slowly rotating spiked platform. A rotating, substantially horizontal disk blade is pivotally mounted on the meat slicer to permit the blade to be biased by spring means toward and into the ham to spirally cut the ham to the bone. A non-rotating arm is carried in bearings below the spiked platform, this arm reaching up above the ham and containing a spiked, rotatable top support that is pressed into the top portion of the ham to steady the ham against pressure of the cutting blade. The spiked platform is mounted on a vertical lead screw, that causes the ham to be lowered steadily as the ham rotates to produce a spiral cut around the ham bone. The weight of the ham aids in moving the ham down steadily, permitting the ham to be automatically sliced substantially from one end to the other, including around the aitch bone without requiring manual manipulation.