Abstract: A shearer drum for a mining machine used in underground mining is provided with cutter picks and nozzles on the periphery of the drum. The nozzles are subdivided into groups which extend substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the drum and each group of nozzles can, when disposed opposite the mine face, be connected by a controllable valve associated with the group to a line for supplying high-pressure liquid. An independent control valve and at least one cutter pick are associated with each nozzle group. The cutter pick is resiliently mounted and cutting pressure triggered by movement of the cutter pick into a mine face actuates the control valve and connects the nozzles to the high-press line.

Abstract: To overcome problems concerning storage of entombment caskets in crypts or mausoleums, particularly garden crypts, there is provided an air-tight end-capped casket-enclosing article made of suitable material, such as rotation-molded polyethylene or other suitable synthetic resinous (plastic) material, alone or reinforced with suitable other fibrous material, such as fiberglass.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a housing having a cylindrical internal surface on which seals are supported to prevent the flow of gases from spaces between two rotating pistons on separate but concentrically-arranged shafts. Three sets of gearing control relative rotation of the pistons which move toward and away from each other to compress gases between the pistons. A drive shaft is connected by the first gear set to a first of the concentrically-arranged shafts. The drive shaft is also connected by a second gear set to the other of the concentrically-arranged shafts. The third gear set, comprised of non-circular gears, connects the drive shaft to an output shaft.

Abstract: A device turns ON and OFF electrical power in a building in response to entry and exit of people. Four sets of infra red light emitters and receivers supply receiver signals to entry and exit monitor circuits having integrated circuits connected together to deliver down pulses by discrimination between the occurrence of infrared receiver signals. The count pulses are delivered to a counting circuit which is preset by a manually operated switch which supplies a preset signal to a comparator circuits which also receives the signal from the counting circuit to produce an ON-OFF signal. A controller circuit receives this ON-OFF signal and controls the electrical power in an electricity supply line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water storage pool. The individual rods are drawn upwardly through a transition funnel from the fuel rod assembly into a fuel rod container. Individual pulling elements extend through the fuel rod container and through the transition funnel. The pulling members each includes a renewable metal cap and an electrode for welding the cap to the top end of an individual fuel rod within a fuel rod assembly. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the fuel rod container.

Abstract: A rail car skid insertion device for remotely inserting a skid onto a rail head of a rail spur to impede movement of a rail car is disclosed. The device includes a skid removably attached to a carrier arm mounted on a slide bar. The skid is attached to the carrier arm at a safe distance from a rail head. The slide bar may then be translated such that the skid is positioned on the rail head. The removable attachment allows a wheel of a moving rail car to drag the skid off of the carrier arm. The skid prevents the rail car wheel from rotating, thereby reducing the speed of the rail car. After the skid has been removed from the carrier arm, the slide bar may be retracted, and another skid attached, thereby allowing remote insertion of another skid onto the rail head after the wheel of the rail car moves from the skid, the skid rails on the rail head and falls automatically on the road bed at one side of the rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water-storage pool. The individual rods are moved from a fuel assembly and through a transition funnel by movable grippers at opposite ends of the funnel. One movable gripper reciprocates between gripping and release positions in a gap between the fuel assembly and the transition funnel. A stationary gripper can be located in the gap at the entry side of the funnel to hold the fuel rods while the movable gripper returns from a release position to the gripping position. Both grippers include members which can be pressed into frictional engagement with the spaced apart array of fuel rods. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the transition funnel and emerge as a bundle.

Abstract: A shaft cooler for dry quenching of coke includes an inner masonry ring that is an independent structure suspended on the top edge of the outer masonry of the shaft cooler. The weight of the inner masonry ring is carried by stays which bear on the top edge of the outer masonry. The tubular stays are disposed in one embodiment inside the masonry ring and in another embodiment outside the masonry ring. The tubular stays are connected to ring mains for conducting a coolant medium. When the tubular stays are disposed outside the masonry ring, parallel tubes are interconnected along their entire length by webs to form a closed steel ring. Ring tubes are welded to the top and bottom ends to serve as a heat exchanger and are connected to the evaporator section of a waste-heat boiler of the shaft cooler. Flue-gas passages are formed at the bottom edge of the masonry ring by radially, spaced-apart webs.

Abstract: A highly-resilient shaft coupling includes a hub for rotating about a longitudinal axis, a drive ring, a resilient ring assembly including two axially-continuous circular ring parts bearing radially on the hub. Each ring part includes elastomeric ring sectors and ring sector plates adhered to opposite axial ends of each elastomeric ring sector. An elastomeric ring sector of one circular ring part spans parts of two elastomeric ring sectors of the other ring part. A drive ring drivingly interconnects the hub and the resilient ring assembly at one axial end thereof. Fastener means secure together the ring sector plates at one axial end of each of the two circular ring parts, in a confronting relation. Passageways for cooling air extend between the ring sectors which are secure together. A coupling part is secured to one of the ring sectors at the end which is opposite the drive ring.

Abstract: A striker carrier assembly for a railway coupler is constructed to engage and support the shank of the coupler at an adjustably established elevation. For an E-type coupler, the striker carrier assembly includes a spacer retained on the stirker carrier by an overlying wear plate which includes downwardly extending lugs on opposite sides of the wear plate. For an F-type coupler, the striker carrier includes a striker casting supported by springs against a stop in a carrier basket. A spacer is held on top of the striker casting by a wear plate through the use of prongs which extend downwardly from the plate through openings in both the spacer and striker casting.

Abstract: A plug valve comprises a plug rotatable in a body of plastics. The plug fits closely within a thin walled metal can. The valve body is formed by moulding around the can and plug, the can thereafter remaining fixed within the valve body, while the plug is rotatable in the can. Seals which are also embedded in the valve body during moulding project through the fluid passage openings in the can to engage the surface of the plug. The provision of the can prevents damage to the plug during moulding of the valve body and prevents the plug from being bonded to the valve body, or the valve body shrinking onto the plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel rod assembly into a different nuclear fuel rod container wherein the spent fuel rods have a higher fuel rod density, whereby a greater number of spent fuel rods can be stored in a water storage pool. The individual rods are drawn upwardly through a transition funnel from the fuel rod assembly into a fuel rod container. Individual wires extend through the fuel rod container, through the transition funnel and are secured to the top ends of the individual fuel rods within a fuel rod assembly. All of the fuel rods are withdrawn concurrently and are merged toward one another into a tighter array within the fuel rod container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking an arrow and/or game animal shot in the sport of archery hunting is disclosed. The arrow contains a radio-frequency transmitter in a circuit also containing a power supply, and an inertia-activation switch in the shaft thereof. The circuit is of a size and weight so as not to alter the flight characteristics of the arrow. Once shot, the inertia-activation switch momentarily closes, causing the transmitter to transmit a signal. The archer carries a radio-frequency receiver with a directional antenna and a magnitude indicator and earphone coupled thereto to allow tracking and retrieval of the arrow and game animal.

Abstract: A cervical appliance for preventing ventral flexion of the head to reduce the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome and/or adult sleep apnea, both of which have common characteristics which are at least partially obviated with the use of the invention.

Abstract: Use of a solution of alpha-chymotrypsin in a physiological solution medium, especially of a physiological saline solution or of a solution of glutathion-bicarbonate according to Edelhauser in a dilution of 1:20,000 to 1:30,000, preferably 1:25,000, corresponding to a ratio of amounts of 1 milligram of alpha-chymotrypsin to 20 to 30 milliliters, preferably 25 milliliters of the solution medium, for the treatment and cleaning of the posterior lens capsule left behind in an extracapsular cataract operation.

Abstract: A process is provided by which aluminum particles are treated by inorganic reagents in essentially organic media to avoid inefficiencies of aqueous treatments. Particles may be treated separately, or they may be treated in situ during comminution. Inorganic reagent is induced to enter the organic phase through the employment of water, a coupling agent, or both.

Abstract: A broadband high temperature radome includes a high density outer skin layer and a low density core layer made from a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride and barium-aluminum silicate. Silicon nitride is sintered, reaction-sintered or chemically vapor-deposited. The outer skin has a moderate dielectric constant of about 5.0 and the core layer has a low dielectric constant of about 1.8. Both dielectric constants do not sigificantly vary at temperatures up to 1500.degree. C. Low thermal expansion of the core and skin layers are matched by the thermal expansion of a base connector constructed in a laminated form of graphite/polyimide. The thickness of the core layer to the thickness of the skin layer is given by the ratio of about 15:1 where the skin layer thickness is about 0.030 inch. Polyimide resin is used for the high temperature adhesive to adhere the connector to the core and skin layers. The core layer is impregnated with a dielectric filler, if desired.

Abstract: For firing bullets or cartridges of different lengths but the same caliber, there is provided a barrel which is threaded at both ends and reversible, with different-length bores in each end. There is desirably also a protective cap for the threads at the distal end of the firearm, and also, at each end of the barrel, a lug or projection with opening therein to aid in securing the reversible barrel onto the part of the firearm proximal to the user.

Abstract: A light modulator for generating a beam of phase modulated light including a source of polarized light, at least one and preferably two liquid crystal cells having a thin layer of nematic liquid crystals of positive dielectric anistropy through which the polarized light is directed to produce a beam of light having a phase shift corresponding to a modulating electrical signal which is applied to each of the liquid crystal cells. The liquid crystal cells in addition have a continuing electrical bias applied across the layers in order to achieve the rapid response times necessary to achieve modulation of the polarized light. Demodulation of the polarized light occurs by splitting the modulated light beam into its quadrature components and developing an electrical signal corresponding to the phase difference between the two quadrature components. A communication system involving its modulators and demodulators delivers communication through light as a transmission medium.