Abstract: A system for coupling a loading ramp to a ship which allows a substantial amount of movement of the ship relative to the pier. The end of the loading ramp secured to the ship includes a lever arm coupled to each side of the ramp. Each lever arm includes a foot structure at one end which rests directly on the deck of the ship. The other end of each lever arm hangs via a cable from overhead support structure on the ship.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing the condition of mechanical equipment, and particularly the condition of bearings in rotating machinery. Vibrations from the mechanical equipment are detected by a wide range acoustical detector. A sweep voltage generator causes a voltage controlled oscillator to scan through a bandwidth of interest. A synchronous detector receives inputs from the acoustical detector and the voltage controlled oscillator, and produces an output whenever the frequencies of the two signals match. A recorder having inputs from the synchronous detector and the sweep voltage generator charts the amplitude of the detected vibrations as a function of frequency. After a period of time has elapsed and it is desired to check the condition of the bearings, a second recording of amplitude of detected vibrations versus frequency is taken. The first and second recordings are then visually compared for significant differences which would indicate changing operating conditions of the bearings.

Abstract: An improved sextant which provides a very accurate angular measurement of the position of a celestial body relative to the horizon. The sextant is a typical prior art sextant having a horizon glass and an index mirror, and wherein the sextant is sighted by adjusting the angular position of the index mirror to align an image of the celestial body with a sighting of the horizon. An angular position encoder is coupled to the index mirror to provide a digital electrical output signal indicative of the exact angular position of the index mirror. The sextant includes an electrical clock for producing an electrical output signal which indicates the exact time the sighting is taken. The sextant includes electronics for automatically synchronizing the electrical output signal from the encoder with the electrical output signal from the clock.

Abstract: Pulses produced by a stream flowmeter, at a repetition rate proportional to the actual flowrate of a liquid, are compared in a counter arrangement with pulses whose repetition rate is the demand flowrate for this liquid. The circuit produces an alarm whenever the difference between the actual flowrate and the demand flowrate is greater than 6%, or 10%. The alarm is inhibited until after 45 seconds subsequent to startup of the blending system for which the said liquid serves as one component.

Abstract: In order to prevent malfunctioning of an automatic liquid fuel dispensing nozzle which is being used for vapor recovery while dispensing, the pressure inside the tank (into which liquid fuel is being dispensed) is used as a reference pressure for the actuating diaphragm of the nozzle cut-off arrangement, rather than using atmospheric pressure for this purpose.

Abstract: A system for controlling a pneumatic rising stem valve by a stepping motor is disclosed. A pressure regulator is connected to the stepping motor so that the air pressure applied to the valve can be varied according to the signals applied to the stepping motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of rotating case and fixed arm configuration having a plurality of orifices on the stationary arm to accomodate multi-phase flow whereby the mixed phase charge is separated and discharged at high pressure due to centrifugal force created by the case rotation.

Abstract: A fishing lure having a phosphorescent material applied thereto, which after irradiation will itself radiate light. A first embodiment of the invention illustrates a fishing spoon which is adapted to rotate in the water, and which has a phosphorescent coating applied to one section of the lure such that as the lure is trolled through the water it appears to flash on and off. A second embodiment of the invention illustrates an artificial plastic worm which has embedded in its translucent body a strip of phosphorescent material.

Abstract: A blending-type motor fuel dispensing apparatus operates to blend together, in various proportions, two liquid motor fuels (gasolines) of different octane ratings, to produce various grades of product. The quantity and cost displays, and also the automatic control of the blend during dispensing, are based upon the summation of two sets of pulses, the number of pulses in each set being proportional to the integrated flow rate of a corresponding one of the two fuels. The pulses are counted and multiplied by a price per gallon, which has been previously set for the grade being dispensed, to provide a cost display. A pulse comparison circuit, which compares pulses representative of the flow of one fuel with a percentage (settable for each blend) of the summed pulses, is used to control the proportioning of the two fuels.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting flow pulses in a fluid stream includes a thermistor placed in the fluid stream for sensing changes in the flow rate, an R-C filter in circuit with the thermistor for passing pulses having a specified minimum flow rate change, and a square wave generator for producing an output signal when the filter passes a pulse.