Abstract: A hinge assembly for a sunroof panel having its effective transverse pivot axis slightly rearward of the vertical plane containing the front edge of the panel to minimize compressive wear on the elastomer panel seal when the panel is closed. A U-shaped channel secured to the panel having a rounded forward edge fitting into a groove and held therein by the elasticity of the elastomeric seal and the channel. A protective cowl surrounding the channel and capable of being pivoted about a pivot axis by a finger pull to affect the contact of the channel with the panel so that the channel falls downwardly to allow the hinge assembly to open to raise the panel.

Abstract: An earth battery which includes a first electrode which is a veined material located in the earth, a second electrode electrically connected to the surface of the earth and disposed in a hole which extends from the surface of the earth into the first electrode, an electrolyte disposed in the hole and in contact with the first and second electrodes, and means for electrically connecting the first electrode to the surface of the earth. A seam of coal is preferred as the first electrode. A method of mining metals located in the earth using the earth battery and a method of drilling holes in the earth are also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient enclosure treatment center includes an outer room and an inner enclosure. The outer room is formed of a floor, a plurality of walls and a ceiling and is environmentally pleasant. The inner enclosure, positioned on the outer room floor, is free of furniture. The top of the inner enclosure is open to the environment of the outer room and is formed of a barrier and a padded floor within the periphery of said inner enclosure. The barrier extends vertically from the floor about the periphery of the inner enclosure, is padded on its interior surface, and is of sufficient height to protect a patient. The barrier further includes means for entering and exiting the inner enclosure and means for viewing the interior of said enclosure. The padded floor lies on top of the outer room floor and contacts the lower portion of the barrier. The inner enclosure must be of a size sufficient to allow a patient to move freely within the inner enclosure.

Abstract: An improved method of growing an Easter lily or other species of the genus Lilium is disclosed. A bulb scale from a substantially pathogen-free lily plant is propagated in a growing medium to form a bulblet which is thereafter grown in plant form rather than bulb form. The bulblet is planted and the young plant is grown under conditions of short days to prevent flowering and encourage foliage and root formation. After the initial short-day growing period of approximately thirty-four weeks, a three week period of long-day conditions initiates flowering. Subsequently, a three month period of natural lighting effects the final growth and finishing of the desired lily plant.

Abstract: A system for controlling production in an oil well comprises a controller for activating the means for causing reciprocation of the sucker-rods; a sensing means secured to the outer surface of the production tubing near the lower end thereof comprising a radioactive source spaced from a radioactivity detector such that oil at that level will fill the said space, means associated with said radioactivity detector for counting the output of the detector and establishing an "off signal" when the frequency of the output is indicative of no oil in the said space; means for converting the "off signal" into an acoustical signal directed up the borehole; and receiving means at the top of the borehole for detecting the acoustical representation of the "off signal" and transmitting it as an electric signal to said controller.

Abstract: A dispenser unit for use with a cutting machine for cutting metal parts from metal workpieces. The cutting machine has a main beam movable in a first direction which carries at least one cutting torch which is movable along the beam in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A cutting table with a planar cutting surface is located below the main beam. The dispenser unit carries a plurality of individual point support members for supporting workpieces to be cut on the cutting table. The dispenser unit includes an elongated tube with an open lower end which is mounted on the main beam for movement along the beam in the second direction.

Abstract: A device for shifting a compensator roller in a printing press, comprising an actuator assembly which may be controlled for either high speed or low speed movement of the compensator roller.

Abstract: A ceramic structure comprises a reticulated ceramic portion defined by a plurality of interconnecting webs having a pore distribution of between 5 and 125 (ppi) pores per linear inch and a ceramic coating portion sintered to the webs along a surface defined by one face of said coating. The coating has a thickness less than about 3 millimeters. The ratio of average thickness of the coating to the thickness of the web forming the reticulated ceramic is between 1 and 10.

Abstract: Weight training apparatus which includes an elongated handle and a plurality of separate weights mounted to each other and mounted to the handle is disclosed. The handle has a cylindrical male connector on each end and the weights each have a body portion with a cylindrical male and female connector on each side of the body portion. The diameter of the male connector is at least about one-half of the diameter of the body portion of the weights. Each weight preferably includes a cylindrical opening extending axially therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal closing disk with an essentially bar-shaped metal elevation of smaller diameter and with an insulating layer applied at least to the elevation surface side of the closing disk and consisting of a plastic or elastomer, especially for closing electrolytic can-type capacitors, and also to a process for improving the seal in closing disks of this type. Since it has been possible for an electrolyte to creep between the insulating layer and the underside of the closing disk in known closing disks provided with an insulating layer at least on the inner face and intended for electrolytic can-type capacitors, thus resulting in reforming actions and changes in capacitance, the object of the invention is to prevent this. Consequently, in a closing disk according to the invention, the insulating layer is made to adjoin flush the base region of the metal elevation formed on, so that the complete surface of the underside of the closing disk is consequently covered.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal is provided. The process involves cleaning the coal of debris and pulverizing it. The pulverized coal is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of active nitrogen containing compounds, aqueous solutions of organic compounds containing at least one hydroxyl group, surfactants containing active ammonium groups and combinations thereof. The coal is washed with water and dried.

Abstract: A surface active agent is comprised of lignin sulfonic acids, and optionally, an alkylaryl sulfonic free acid with at least 10 carbon atoms and a polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 2,500 to about 15,000. In addition, a disperse dye composition is provided which includes solid particles of a dye or pigment which have a particle size of less than 2 microns with the surface active agent disposed at the surface of the particles.

Abstract: A cement mixing and distribution apparatus is disclosed and includes a metering wheel assembly and an adjustable bearing assembly for an auger shaft in a trough. The metering wheel includes a hollow, cylindrical drum rotatably mounted to a drum shaft, a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially extending vanes mounted on the exterior surface of the drum and a plurality of hammer assemblies located within the drum and disposed along the length of the metering wheel. The hammer assemblies each include an inwardly directed impact plate and pusher plate angularly spaced apart and mounted on the inner surface of the drum, and a hammer rotatably mounted on the drum shaft and positioned between the impact plate and the pusher plate. Impact of the hammer against the impact plate vibrates the metering wheel.

Abstract: A process of rolling steel in a reversing mill by passing the steel back and forth through the mill for a selected number of passes to achieve the desired thickness and on at least two early passes, each in a different direction, tapering the ends of the steel during taper passes by adjusting the roll gap, the roll gap adjustment (.DELTA.H) being a function (F(.DELTA.F.sub.m)) of the change in roll force (.DELTA.F.sub.m) above a lock-on force (F.sub.1) which lock-on force is established on the instant taper pass.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing pavement involves the orientation of a sheet of elastomeric material reinforced by a plurality of substantially parallel, high tensile strength tire cords embedded therein and bonded thereto on a roadbed so that the tire cord fibers extend in the direction of the stress on the roadbed. The elastomeric material and the tire cord fibers are bonded to the existing roadbed and the roadbed is paved.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device includes a sensor for continuously measuring the pressure on a patient's skin at the interface between the skin and a surface exerting pressure on the skin. A monitoring device monitors the pressure exerted on the skin and the elapsed time period during which the skin has been exposed to the measured pressure. An alarm then indicates when the combination of the pressure and the elapsed time is approaching a previously determined level in order to prevent damage to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A switching amplifier comprises an input terminal connected to a d.c. power supply and an output terminal connected to a load. At least one power transistor is placed in series with the input and output terminals. A PWM circuit outputs a pulse width modulated signal. An isolating driver circuit between the PWM circuit and the control terminal of the power transistor comprises a low voltage power supply; a transformer having primary and secondary windings; an oscillator for outputting a high frequency signal; means for gating the high frequency signal from the oscillator to the primary winding of the transformer in response to the pulse width modulated signal from the PWM circuit; a MOSFET; means for rectifying the voltage in the secondary winding of the transformer and for applying the rectified voltage to the gate of the MOSFET; and switching means for rapidly discharging the gate of the MOSFET when the high frequency signal is no longer gated to the transformer.

Abstract: Stable aqueous dispersions of crosslinked polyurethane particles are disclosed. Preferably the aqueous dispersions coalesce, upon drying, to form continuous films. The aqueous dispersions of crosslinked polyurethane particles are formed by reacting a mixture of polyfunctional hydrogen compounds, one of which has an ionically neutralizable solubilizing group thereon and one of which has a functionality of three or more, with a diisocyanate to form a non-crosslinked or ungelled prepolymer. The solubilizing group is neutralized and the prepolymer is dispersed in water. The prepolymer is chain extended with water or an aqueous solution of a water soluble diamine to form an isocyanate free dispersion of crosslinked polyurethane polymer.

Abstract: A video image of an electron diffraction pattern is digitized and captured as a two dimensional array of intensity values. From the array of intensity values, the frequency distribution of said intensity values is obtained. It is determined that the diffraction pattern is composed of only diffraction spots, only diffraction rings, or both diffraction spots and rings by analyzing said frequency distribution. The diffraction pattern is thus analyzed easily and automatically.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer has a uniform magnetic field and an electric field. Further, the spectrometer is equipped with three spaced electrostatic quadrupole lenses. The deflection angle .phi..sub.m of the beam in the magnetic field, the radius r.sub.m of the circle described by the beam in the magnetic field, the deflection angle .phi..sub.e of the beam in the electric field, and the radius r.sub.e of the circle described by the beam in the electric field are so set as to satisfy the following relations:82.degree..ltoreq..phi..sub.e .ltoreq.88.degree.;39.degree..ltoreq..phi..sub.m .ltoreq.41.degree.0.715.ltoreq.r.sub.e /r.sub.m .ltoreq.0.755.The spectrometer can measure masses over a wide range even if it is built as a small-sized instrument. Thus, the instrument is able to measure molecular ions of large masses.