Abstract: A hydraulic servo valve arangement of the type having a hydraulic amplifier followed by a spool type servo valve second stage, includes a deceleration control mechanism. A spindle-type positioner has first and second positions which respectively permit and block flow of fluid from the first amplifier stage to the first end of the second stage spool. The hydraulic actuator urges the positioner into its first position, and a spring urges the positioner into a second or closed position in the event a failure mode is encountered. A solenoid valve has a communicating port coupled through a dropping orifice to a source of fluid supply and a second port coupled to drain, such that in an actuated condition, input port is at high pressure but in an unactuated condition the input port drops to low pressure. Relief channels and in fluid communication with the one end of the spool member have metered orifices to limit the flow of hydraulic fluid when the spool transits to its null position.

Abstract: A cordless electric hair dryer and stand are provided in which the portable hair dryer unit has a rechargeable battery and a thermal heat reservoir. The fan blows ambient air over the thermal reservoir in heat exchange relationship to expel hot air from the dryer when in use. The stand has an electrical circuit inductivley coupled through a coil in the base of the stand to a coil in the rear of the housing of the dryer which provides power to charge the rechargeable battery in the handle of the dryer and to heat the thermal storage medium in the dryer. The heating is accomplished by resistors mounted in heat exchange relationship with the thermal reservoir material. The rechargeable battery is used only to run the fan during drying operation of the portable unit.

Abstract: A disposable paper template for accurately marking building panels to facilitate cutouts for windows, doors and other objects in a building wall. The template is formed from a thin transparent paper and is sized to conform to the panel for which it is to be used. The template carries thereon level lines and measuring scales to facilitate alignment and use.

Abstract: A modular building structure is provided for erection on a circular foundation. The building is formed from a plurality of truss members mounted between the circular foundation and a compression ring at the crown of each truss member. Roof panels fixed to said truss members form a generally spherical building shell for storage of all types of material. The truss members are made in modules or segments that are hinged together for easy erection and simple fastening together to form a unitary rigid box beam structure forming the structural framing of the building. The modular roof panels are formed to mount between adjacent pairs of truss members so as to overlap the truss members and abut each other to form a weather-tight sealed joint and roof structure. The spherical building requires no side wall structure and roofing materials may be used throughout to weather-proof the building.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of yarns in motion during various operations such as drawing or texturing includes an insulating enclosure which surrounds a heating block, the combination defining a lengthwise channel through which runs the yarn to be treated. Means for guiding the yarn through the channel is provided to ensure the desired positioning of the yarn inside the channel. The heating block consists of a unit comprising at least two cylindrical sections having different diameters and arranged in the extension of one another. The means for guiding the yarn is positioned along the length of the cylindrical sections so that the yarn may be kept at a constant distance from the surface of the cylinder of smaller diameter, with the result that the yarn passing above the smaller cylinder is heated by radiation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing isomerically enriched camphorsulfonates, and in particular a diastereomerically enriched glycidyl camphorsulfonate by bromide-casylate exchange between an alkyl casylate and the bromide analog of the desired casylate, followed by separation of a higher melting diastereomer by selective recrystallization. There is also shown the production of a desired casylate by reacting a racemic or enantiomerically enriched arenesulfonate with a quaternary casylate. Randomization and recycling of an isomerically enriched casylate is provided by reaction with an achiral bromide analog in the presence of a quaternary salt. Specially adapted apparatus for conducting the randomization reaction is provided. There is also shown a process for producing an alkyl casylate by the reaction of a metal casylate and a quaternary casylate with a trialkyl phosphite in the presence of a slight molar excess of sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting foliage having a rotating head and an annular ring mounted for independent rotation in the head. A cam follower is pivotally mounted in the ring and is guided along a circumferential camming surface formed in the head. The camming surface has spaced apart lobes located adjacent to stops. The free end of a supply line is passed over the cam follower and passed out of the ring to a predetermined cutting length. When the head is rotating at operational speed, the resultant centrifugal force of the follower and the line will hold the follower against the stop. If the line is worn or damaged the holding force is decreased and the follower is released and guided over the stop thus allowing the ring to turn relative to the head until the next stop is encountered. This causes a given amount of line to be played out to replenish the damaged or worn section.

Abstract: An equestrian saddle is made up of a saddle tree on which webbing is stretched between the cantle and head, and between the left and right frame members to provide a spring-like seat base. A seat cushion formed of a silicone dielectric gel is disposed on the seat base and is covered with a layer of muslin cloth and a pigskin or calfskin seat cover. Panels disposed beneath the saddle tree can also incorporate cushions of silicone dielectric gel. The gel material has a high energy absorbency to absorb shock and bounce of the rider on the saddle, and resilient displaceability under both vertical and lateral forces to distribute the rider's sitting weight evenly over the contact area of the saddle and avoid pressure concentrations within the contact area.

Abstract: A variable focus camera system for a borescope or endoscope has a camera or imager disposed within an imager sleeve and a braid and bladder assembly attached between the distal end of the imager sleeve and a lens assembly. A controlled pressure is applied through a pressure conduit into a confined volume defined by the imager sleeve, the braid and bladder assembly, and the lens assembly. The braid and bladder assembly expands axially but not radially, when pressure is applied, and changes the relative position of the imager and lens between a far focus and a near focus position.

Abstract: A drive-through dust hood assembly for transit mix trucks is provided by a pair of side curtains that are pivotally mounted on a top closure panel and which cooperate to close about the end of a truck and the mouth of the mixer drum to capture any dust created by filling thereof. The side curtains may be pivoted from the closed positon to an extended position for easy transit mix truck access when not exhausting dust. The side curtains of the closure are made of flexible sheet material that will conform to the irregular size and shape of various style trucks, so that filling dust does not escape to the ambient air. The exhausted dust is captured in a bag house or other suitable filtration facility for reuse or subsequent disposal. Swinging curtain closures are used for the back of the truck to permit efficient closing of the back area while allowing easy pivoting of the curtains should the truck not fully clear the open assembly.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for use in a moldboard assembly having a plurality of horizontally aligned trip blade units pivotally supported in the bottom of the moldboard frame so that the units move independently between a downwardly extended operative position and a rearwardly extended, fully tripped position. A biasing mechanism urges each unit into the operative position with a predetermined amount of force. A control mechanism further regulates the biasing force exerted on each unit so that the biasing force first increases as the unit moves out of the operative position and then decreases as the unit continues to move into the fully tripped position. The force exerted on each unit when in the fully tripped position is considerably less than that used to hold the unit in the operative position thereby preventing the assembly from lifting as it moves over an obstacle.

Abstract: A leak detection apparatus is shown for monitoring leakage from household water systems. Upon detection of a leak, the water supply valve is automatically shut off. A pair of spaced apart wires are imbedded in an insulating tape with liquid cell sensor elements formed at spaced intervals about uninsulated sections of the wires. The tape is placed about the pipe to be monitored so as to collect the leaking water within the liquid cell sensor elements to electrically connect the conductors within a cell. Electronic circuitry actuates a servo to turn off a supply valve and/or sound an alarm. The water collecting elements eliminate unintended alarms due to condensation.

Abstract: An improved multi-leaf spring assembly is provided that permits greater flexibility and smoother, smaller folding of a stethoscope without deforming an individual user's adjustment. The spring leaves are held together at the ends by a spring clip. A cylindrical ferrule at each end of one leaf snaps into a groove in the lower end of an ear tube and is secured against removal by a spring clip. The entire assembly is encapsulated in an elastomer material to maintain the assembled parts in position while allowing swiveling of the ear tubes.

Abstract: A dc-dc converter employs both half-bridge topology and current-mode switching control. The controller operates by sensing the current that flows through the transformer that is interposed between the node of two series switches and the node between the two split capacitors. The controller develops gating signals to close and open the switches based on the rise of current to a predetermined command level. A gate signal for the second switch, which is developed between actuations of the first switch, has its pulse width made equal to the period that the first switch was closed. This maintains a balanced voltage-time product, so that the series or split capacitors remain in balance. The controller can include a sample gating circuit with a comparator that receives the current sample signal and the command level. The track side signal which develops the gating pulse for the other switch can be developed with analog circuitry, i.e. by charging a capacitor, or else digitally, i.e. by clock pulse counting.