Abstract: A heat exchanger having an openable casing for the removable reception of a fluid carrying coil for a first fluid. The coil includes a straight section surrounded by helical turns. The helical turns contacting the interior surface of the casing to thereby form a complimentary helical fluid flow path for a second fluid. The casing is provided with an inlet and an outlet for the second fluid, the first fluid entering one end of the coil and exiting from the other end of the coil.

Abstract: Heat exchanger of a nuclear reactor, whose vessel is sealed by a slab, the exchanger being of the type which has within a vertically axed outer ferrule a plurality of heat exchange modules with substantially straight tubes, each of the said modules having a secondary fluid inlet chamber and a secondary fluid outlet chamber and means for introducing and removing the primary fluid with respect to the exchange modules, wherein it comprises a base plate peripherally fixed to the said outer ferrule, means for supporting the outer ferrule by the slab, supporting ferrules for the modules, each ferrule traversing the base plate and being connected on the one hand to the upper end of the module and on the other to the said base plate, a plurality of pipes for the supply and removal of the secondary fluid sealingly traversing the base plate, a supply manifold and a discharge manifold for the secondary fluid positioned within the outer ferrule above the base plate, said manifolds being respectively connected to the supp

Abstract: Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring member and a hub member coupled together by an elastomer member. The hub member may be in the form of a disc and is adapted to be coupled to a rotating shaft subject to torsional vibrations, the elastomer and inertia ring member acting in a known manner to damp torsional vibrations. According to this invention a seal, termed a dust and oil slinger, is mounted on the hub. The seal overlies the elastomer and protects it from dust or other particles and from corrosive fumes and liquids. The seal may additional serve as a sacrificial member which will, in certain corrosive ambients, degrade prior to degradation of the elastomer connecting the hub and inertia ring. The seal is either integral with the working elastomer member, or is formed by adhering to the working elastomer member a sealing material of a different composition.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring secured to a hub, the hub being coupled to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Elastomer members are sandwiched between the hub and inertia ring. The improvement of this invention relates to a radially inwardly extending tongue carried by the inertia ring, a portion of which is sandwiched by the elastomer members. A viscous shear liquid is carried by an annular internal cavity of the hub, the radially innermost portion of the tongue immersed in the shear liquid.

Abstract: Electron multiplier tube, comprising along the principal axis an electron-emitting surface, several dynode stages with distributed structure, capable of reflux secondary electron emission, and an electron-receiving surface, as well as means producing an electron-accelerating electric field generally oriented along the principal axis, from the electron-emitting surface to the electron-receiving surface. With it is associated coil means producing a magnetic field generally oriented along the principal axis of the tube.Particular example is a photomultiplier with high spatial resolution.

Abstract: A prism sheet for a compact microfiche reader. Light from a microfiche or cassette microfilm is projected and undergoes several reflections in the reader apparatus prior to striking a viewing screen. One of the reflecting surfaces is defined by the prism sheet of this invention, the sheet having a multiplicity of prisms. Light is both reflected by and passes through the prism sheet, the prism sheet thus defining a dual-function optical surface. This makes possible a more compact viewer.

Abstract: A combined window and blind unit having a window frame, an inner glass assembly and an outer glass assembly. First and second spaced-apart mounting means are provided on the frame for mounting the inner and outer glass assemblies. A blind is stored adjacent the glass assemblies and means are provided for moving the blind from its stored position into the space between the glass assemblies through an opening in the frame. Guide means for the blind are provided between the first and second mounting means. The guide means preferably is made from a material which acts as a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A constant-tension spring device for the accessory belt of an automobile engine. The device includes a cylinder having an elastomer ring mounted within each of its ends. A rod passes through each elastomer ring, the rod having spaced shoulders each bearing against one end of a respective elastomer ring. Abutments within the cylinder position and retain the elastomer rings. Upon sufficient axial motion between the rod and cylinder, the elastomer rings are distorted by twisting and display a flat segment of the load vs. deflection curve between the rod and cylinder. The spring device maintains a desired tension within the accessory belt, compensating for temperature, humidity, and ageing changes in belt length which would otherwise result in change of belt tension.

Abstract: An easily openable cover member for a container which is formed from thermoplastic synthetic resin of high flexibility and which integrally has unsealing means for opening an openable portion defined by a thinned portion and said unsealing means is integral with and extends upwardly of the openable portion. The cover member has been formed by injection-molding synthetic resin so as to have the openable portion integrally formed with the unsealing means.

Abstract: An easily openable cover member for a container which is formed from thermoplastic synthetic resin of high flexibility and which integrally has unsealing means for opening an openable portion defined by a thinned portion and said unsealing means is integral with and extends upwardly of the openable portion. The cover member has been formed by injection-molding synthetic resin so as to have the openable portion integrally formed with the unsealing means.

Abstract: A mixer is provided comprising a container having a circumferential wall, and a mixing mechanism arranged for concentric rotation with respect to the container. The mixing mechanism comprises a rotatably mounted shaft carrying at least one pair of radially extending arms each of which has a mixing tool therein. One mixing tool of the or each pair is located in the immediate vicinity of the container wall, and the other mixing tool of the or each pair is located at a smaller radial distance from the shaft. The latter mixing tool is disposed in advance of the former mixing tool, as considered in the direction of rotation of the mixing mechanism. In an embodiment, a single radially extending arm is employed. This arm carries a mixing tool and a second arm, the latter in turn provided with a second mixing tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fault detector for light bulbs. It comprises an inductance connected in series between the bulb and a control switch, the arrangement being supplied with direct current. An alarm device, connected to the junction point between the bulb and inductance, is polarized in order to trip the alarm when the control switch is closed unless prevented from so doing by a tripping control circuit. The tripping control circuit responds to current flowing to the bulb subsequent to the closure of the control switch to prevent the actuation of the alarm device throughout the period of closure of the control switch.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by an elastomer member. The inertia ring is formed of two axially spaced ring parts. Each ring part carries an annular groove. A radially extending disc locking element (in the form of a flat washer) carries an axially extending key, the ends of the key being deformed towards a radially extending position by pushing the two ring parts together, the deformed key ends thus holding the two ring parts in assembly. The disc locking element also is compressed and thus exerts an axial force urging the two ring parts apart. In an embodiment, the disc locking element carries a second axially extending key, radially spaced from the first key and is similarly deformed into a second annular groove. In still another embodiment, one inertia ring part carries an integral, axially extending locking key. This key is received by a complementary annular groove in the other ring part, the disc locking element being optionally omitted.

Abstract: An elastomer torsional vibration damper having a hub of low mass. The hub is preferably formed of a rigid plastic such as a phenol-formaldehyde, or of glass filled nylon. According to the invention, the hub is formed of a material having a minimum specific volume of 12 cubic inches per pound to thereby reduce the parasitic inertia of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an elastomeric torsional vibration damper by oscillating the hub thereof on a shaker table to thereby simulate actual conditions of use. Prior testing methods and apparatus have not compensated for changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer which often occur during testing. Such changes are usually due to build-up of heat within the elastomer. According to the practice of this invention, changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer are compensated for by continuously monitoring the phase difference between the hub and the inertia ring. If the phase difference varies from a predetermined amount, the hub input frequency is then varied in such a manner as to maintain the predetermined phase difference between the hub and inertia ring. In this manner a predetermined phase difference may be maintained throughout the test.

Abstract: A hub construction for a torsional vibration damper. The hub is formed of aluminum to obtain the known damper performance advantages of a lower moment of inertia. The hub is coated with a Teflon anodized layer to (1) protect it from oxidation, to (2) prevent the formation of aluminum oxide particles at the elastomer-hub interface. The coating is of a surface roughness of 60-70 micro inches, being a roughness in excess of that recommended by seal manufacturers. Unexpectedly, the coating does not injure a seal used with the damper, thus yielding a third advantage.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning device has a scraper blade element, preferably supported by a carrier, which is urged into contact with a surface to be scraped by a pressurized flexible-walled bag. The pressurization of the bag maintains the scraper blade in contact with the belt and ensures a uniform contact pressure over the entire length of the blade.

Abstract: A system for the measurement, storing, and subsequent display of the amount of time a rotary element dwells within a predetermined speed range. The system exhibits utility for the measurement of rotary speeds of the driving and of the driven rotary elements of a fluid coupled fan drive of the type commonly employed with diesel engines.

Abstract: A sprinkler system control valve has a "wet" valve which is maintained seated against a mains water inlet by water pressure applied to a piston of larger effective area than the wet valve. The sprinkler system downstream of the wet valve is charged with air at a relatively low pressure, this air pressure also being supplied to an actuator chamber so as to maintain a deadweight in a lifted position. Upon operation of a sprinkler head the air pressure in the system drops rapidly, causing the deadweight to descend, operating a trip valve through a self-locking cam. Once operated, the trip valve vents the pressure on the piston to an exhaust port allowing the wet valve to open, and at the same time cutting off the actuator chamber from the sprinkler system by the entry of a sealing O-ring into an internal bore in the wet valve housing.