Abstract: An improved vibratory pile conveyor system has an input chute with independently controlled pile covered feeder surfaces that directs elongated articles into an accumulator. The accumulator is also composed of independently controlled feeder surfaces covered with directional pile material Elongated articles are randomly circulated within the accumulator in a direction dictated by the pile material until the articles are transferred onto a pile-covered delivery feeder surface. An endless belt conveyor driven by a variable speed drive motor is positioned at the output end of the delivery feeder surface. The endless belt conveyor is rotated at a speed so that as the elongated articles leave the delivery feeder surface and enter onto a loading station section of the belt, their longitudinal axes are automatically positioned parallel to the direction of travel of the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A low DC input, low wattage, high efficacy metal halide arc discharge lamp apparatus is provided which has a simplified control system including a regulated power supply, a forty kilohertz oscillator and driver for powering the bulb a main power transformer connected to the metal halide bulb; a starting and filtering inductive/capacitive network connected to the secondary of said main power transformer for start up and running the arc discharge bulb, and a power output sensing and emergency shutdown control circuit for safety shutdown of the system should a failure occur in the lamp or associated circuitry that could cause undesired sparking. An automatic mechanism for compensating for aging of the discharge bulb is also provided.

Abstract: A rear viewing arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle to permit the operator to view traffic conditions to rearward from left and right sides of the vehicle, as well as directly behind the vehicle. Left and right video cameras are mounted on the left and right sides of the motor vehicle forwardly of the drivers position. Each camera attachment has a miniature video camera viewing angle directed generally rearwards, and a housing or shroud that is in the form of an aerodynamic fairing disposed over the associated camera to protect the same and to minimize the amount of protuberance laterally from the side of the vehicle. The fairing also avoids unnecessary airflow turbulence, thereby streamlining the vehicle. The images viewed from these camera assemblies reproduced on an LCD viewing screen, which is integrated with the instrument cluster on the vehicle dashboard. The operator can easily observe the conditions to rearward without having to divert his or her attention from the road ahead.

Abstract: A machine for compacting a row of vehicle tires is provided in which the tires are compressed between a fixed and a movable compactor plate with the movable plate being actuated by an hydraulic cylinder. A safety mandrel is inserted through the center of the tires and locked in engagement with the movable compactor plate so that the tires to be compacted cannot be misaligned or ejected from the machine during the compaction process. Four tie wires are provided for each bundle which are fed through slots and wire guides through the center of the tires and hooked about the outside to hold the tires in the compressed condition after the hydraulic pressure is released. The length of the compressed bundle is set by adjusting the position of the compacting cylinder relative to the fixed compactor plate. Movable cylinder support means are provided to prevent misalignment of the cylinder and piston rod at the extreme limits of the extended stroke of the system.

Abstract: A cooling stand for preconditioning a cooling probe containing a refrigerant that includes a well in which the probe is removably mounted against a heat transfer interface and a heat pump in the stand for removing energy from a thermal storage material to pre-cool the probe prior to use. In one embodiment of the invention, a cold reservoir containing a phase change material is mounted in the stand which acts as a heat sink for the heat pump. The heat pump is reversed when the probe is removed to cool the reservoir.

Abstract: Metal or metal boride films are deposited by CVD using a metal borane cluster compound as a precursor. For a nickel film, NiCl.sub.2 is vaporized in a reactor tube in the presence of B.sub.10 H.sub.14 or another polyborane. For an aluminum film, Al(BH.sub.4).sub.3 is formed by reacting AlCl.sub.3 with NaBH.sub.4, and using the Al(BH.sub.4).sub.3 as a precursor borane cluster compound. The substrate is heated to a selected temperature so that the deposited film has a controlled stoichiometry of metal and boron.

Abstract: A color camera employs a monochrome imager and a color filter plate that is divided into a plurality of primary color filter sections. The filter sections can be individually shuttered electronically for transmitting color sequential images onto the imager. In one embodiment there are red, blue, and green color filter sectors that radiate from a center at the optic axis of the camera. In an alternative embodiment, concentric annular color filters are provided.

Abstract: The insertion tube body of a borescope or endoscope is constructed to avoid leakage current. An inner coil is covered with a tubular urethane jacket over which a tubular braid is disposed. Terminators having sleeve portions are attached by inserting the sleeve portions between the coil and the jacket. The terminators are secured using epoxy and the braid is bound using a winding or wrap of thread. The braid does not contact the terminator or the coil, and floats electrically. A layer of a flexible tough material such as polyurethane is applied over the braid and onto the terminators.

Abstract: A bow stand for a boat trailer has a swingable bow arm assembly pivotally mounted on the bow stand post or column. A base plate permits mounting on the trailer tongue and a winch plate on the top of the post positions the boat winch above the base plate. The bow arm assembly is mounted on a transverse pivot to the post and carries a bow stop, e.g. a bow roller, at its free end. A spring yieldably urges the bow arm assembly to its normal raised position where the stop limits forward movement of the boat on the trailer. The spring permits the bow stop to deflect downward during boat launch to prevent the boat from hanging up on the bow stop when the boat is released from the trailer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing an alkyl casylate by the reaction of a metal casylate or an enantiomer of a quaternary casylate with a trialkyl phosphite in the presence of a slight molar excess of sulfuric acid. According to one aspect of the invention the reaction is conducted under heat in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. When the reaction is complete, an organic layer that contains the alkyl casylate is isolated. In another aspect of the invention at least 1.0 equivalents of a trialkyl phosphite is added to a thoroughly dried enantiomer of camphorsulfonic acid, and the mixture optionally heated to about 80.degree. C. The reaction is allowed to proceed until camphorsulfonic acid is no longer present. Thereafter all phosphorus-containing species are selectively removed by distillation at reduced pressure to obtain a pure alkyl casylate in high yield.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled self-contained multi-functional hand tool including a hydraulic ram portion with a rod that activates two blades or arms. The blades articulate about a common pin and are mounted on a fork joint which is securely fixed to the body of the ram. Opening and closing of the blades is achieved by means of a system of links controlled directly by the rod associated with the hydraulic ram. The movement of the blades is obtained by means of an assembly which is integrated into the body of the tool. Said assembly includes an electric motor powered by a battery; drive means for compressing a fluid contained within a leaktight chamber, and a flexible membrane arranged in the chamber to compensate for fluid volume differences and to prevent formation of a vacuum in the chamber when fluid is moved to activate the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location and stability of location of the edges of an object such as an extruded blown film polymeric material annulus. By real time detection of the edge location and mathematical and statistical manipulation of the data in both time and frequency domains, the stability and effects of extrusion parameters on the object can be determined.

Abstract: A small vertical tire compacting machine is provided in which a series of sets, each set containing a small quantity of tires to be compacted are sequentially and incrementally compacted between compacting heads, at least one of which is moveable hydraulically or otherwise. Upon addition and compaction of the final set of tires the fully compacted bundle is banded and removed for further handling and/or storage. The already compacted tires are retained on the machine, together with the about to be compacted tires, by a mandrel with retractable/expandable cams, or otherwise during the repeated operation of the machine.

Abstract: An improved filtration system for an aquarium having a water-filled habitation area with the water being aerated and circulated. The filtration system comprises a perforated platform adapted to be placed on a bottom surface of the aquarium and covered by a layer of porous material. The platform and the bottom surface define a subspace therebetween, and perforations admit water that circulates between the habitation area and the subspace. A hollow column, having an interior in fluid communication with the subspace, and carrying water circulating therethrough, extends through the platform and at its terminus discharges the circulating water back into the aquarium. A plurality of media elements, located in the column, each has a large surface area portion that is exposed to the circulating water.

Abstract: An exploiting or readout circuit for a linear or matrix type photodetector array is of the multiplex type, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD). The exploiting circuit has a number of input stages corresponding to the number of photodetectors or similar photosites, and the gains of the input stages are established as a function of the fields of view of their associated photodetectors. In one embodiment the input stages each comprise a storage device formed of a first and a second storage electrode separated by a dividing electrode, the storage electrodes having respective surface areas selected in a relation that varies as a function of solid angle field of view of the respective photodetector. In another embodiment the input stage can include an OpAmp with a negative feedback capacitor whose value is selected as a function of the viewing solid angle of the respective photodetector.

Abstract: A sound absorbing noise barrier panel has a precast reinforced concrete skin with a series of integral horizontal reinforcing ribs that provide a structurally strong panel that will resist wind loading and other requirements. The ribs form compartments on one surface of the panel skin which are filled with a sound absorbing material. A metal screen protective mesh is used to cover the compartments containing the sound absorbing material A decorative fabric is placed over the mesh and a protective decorative glass reinforced concrete lattice is used to finish the panel, resulting in a noise reduction coefficient of 0.95 to 1.0.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous production of a covered elastane-based yarn in which a partially stretched multi-filament yarn is twisted about a tensioned bare elastane yarn, at less than 500 revolutions per meter, and then heated and stretched again to complete the residual stretching of both parts of the covered yarn.

Abstract: A sequencing gate for a side-by-side milking parlor employs a gate member formed as a loop having an open center. The gate member has lower and upper rail portions with a distal portion joining the distal ends of the upper and lower portions, and a proximal portion joining the proximal ends of these portions. A vertical pivot member extends downward from the lower horizontal rail portion into a supporting journal member but does not extend into the open central part of the loop. With this arrangement, the cows can be positioned to stand with their barrels touching one another through the open center of the gate. The gate has no fixed vertical member which would obstruct movement of the cow's barrel as she enters or exits the milking parlor stall.

Abstract: A sensor for a capacitance pressure gauge having a diaphragm and a base is formed with a series of thin metallic electrode sections formed on the inside of the diaphragm and base. Electrical connection is made to the base electrode sections through the base and one or two pairs of series connected capacitances are formed with the diaphragm electrodes. No direct electrical connection needs to be made to the diaphragm.