Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument of the type having keys, a system for controlling the volume of the sound produced by the instrument when the keys are depressed or struck. For each key, the system comprises a tone generator, a gate coupled between the tone generator and the speaker of the instrument; and control means for producing a control signal having an amplitude which is a function of the speed at which its associated key is moved while being depressed. The control signal is applied to the gate to pass the output of the tone generator to the speaker and to control the volume of the sound produced by the speaker.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use during earth boring operations when a wireline instrument is positioned within the drill string while drilling fluid is circulated, such as during directional drilling. The apparatus includes a circulating head connected to the top of the drill string that is connected to the drilling fluid pump. A wireline sealing apparatus is connected to and extends partially into the inner passage of the circulating head. The wireline sealing apparatus is of the type that has a flow tube closely fitted about the wireline and in communication with grease supplied under high pressure. The grease provides a seal while the line is stationary and while moving. Consequently, after the wireline instrument reaches the bottom of the drill string, the wireline may be pulled upward while drilling fluid is being circulated to remove slack. The wireline instrument also may be lowered and retrieved while drilling fluid is being circulated.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stabilized suspension of carbon in hydrocarbon fuel characterized by comminuting coal to form predetermined sized particles and coating the particles with at least a coating of an alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms and thereafter admixing the alcohol coated particles with a liquid hydrocarbon to form the substantially uniform admixture for serving as a fuel. In a preferred embodiment, coal particles are first compacted and comminuted to the predetermined size range to form an abundance of platey, lenticular, irregular and angular particles for forming a stabilized suspensoid that exhibits the property of shear thinning so as to be pumpable with a lower apparent viscosity than the at rest viscosity of the slurry of carbon in hydrocarbon. Also disclosed are specific details of the method and preferred embodiments, including the fuel composition, per se.

Abstract: A two post vehicle hoist suitable for use in the servicing of a vehicle, having a pair of adjustable lift arms on each post for lifting the vehicle, the hoist being characterized by transversely extending guides positioned one fore and the other aft of the guide posts, and longitudinally extending tracks supported by the guides into which a vehicle can be driven before being lifted for servicing.

Abstract: A method of treating subsurface layers of the earth to either control movement of the subsurface water or build strength of the subsurface layers, or both, characterized by injecting at a predetermined depth and at a plurality of predetermined, spaced apart locations a limefly ash slurry consisting essentially of water, particulate hydrated lime, particulate fly ash and a surfactant. Also disclosed are the preferred proportions, or concentrations, of the components of the slurry; and a finished product; such as, a railroad track subgrade and ballast supporting cross-ties and rails, the subgrade having been injected with masses of lime and fly ash slurry to leave residual masses of lime and fly ash disposed in fissures and any ballast pockets along the railroad track, the masses having a proportion of lime to fly ash in the range of one to 1:1 to 1:3.

Abstract: In a combination including a communications conduit containing pressurized fluid and a smaller conduit sealingly connected therewith for testing the pressure of the fluid therewithin, an improvement characterized by a controlled flow check valve connected serially with the smaller conduit and sealingly with the communications conduit, the controlled flow check valve having a conventional poppet and seat means for allowing full flow in one direction for pressurizing and blocking reverse flow for preventing depressurizing; and a controlled flow bypass structure allowing a controlled reverse flow sufficient to permit testing of pressure but insufficient to bleed the pressurized fluid from the communication conduit in a short time. Also disclosed are the specific preferred structural embodiments that are economical and readily manufactured in contrast to elaborate apparatus enabling accomplishing a similar result in the prior art.

Abstract: A utility trailer for towing behind a vehicle, for uses such as carrying a motorcycle. The frame is rectangular and comprised of tubular members, with longitudinal channels on top of the tubular members for receiving motorcycle wheels. A detachable castor wheel supports the frame and is connected to it by means of leaf springs attached to the wheel on opposite sides. Two hitches for connecting the trailer to a vehicle are spaced apart on the forward end of the frame. Each hitch has two tabs, one connected to the vehicle and one to the frame that are coupled together by a pin. The hitch portion that is connected to the frame is L-shaped so that it can be inverted to change the height for different vehicle sizes. The mounting system for securing motorcycles includes a pair of telescoping tubes that are threaded together so that their combined length may be varied.

Abstract: A recovery process and system wherein hydrogen and oxygen are introduced into a vented pressure vessel, known as a gas generator, located at the bottom of a borehole, and ignited and burned to produce steam. The hydrogen and oxygen may be introduced either as a stoichiometric mixture or the combustible mixture may be hydrogen-rich. Remotely controlled valves are located downhole near the gas generator for positive control of the hydrogen and oxygen. Provision is made for maintaining the desired hydrogen-oxygen ratio either by a hydrogen flow control slaved to a downhole thermocouple or by a special hydrogen-oxygen flow control employed in the event that ignition is carried out by a DC power supply located downhole. Although the preferred embodiment employs a fuel-oxidizer combination of hydrogen and oxygen, provision is made for employing other fuel-oxidizer combinations.

Abstract: A section of conduit is insulated by a thermoplastic outer pipe and an insulating layer of foamed or beaded insulating material disposed in the annular space between the outer pipe and the conduit. The annular layer is preformed to substantially the size of the annular space, then the outer pipe is heated to cause expansion of its diameter and facilitate insertion of the annular layer within the outer pipe. The inner pipe, or the conduit, may also be thermoplastic and may be cooled to cause contraction to facilitate insertion of the annular layer over it. After the outer pipe and inner pipe have returned to ambient temperature, the annular layer is retained within by a shrink fit, without chemical bonding between the annular layer and the pipes. Sections of the pipe are joined by simultaneously heating the ends of the inner pipe, annular layer, and outer pipe, placing the ends of one section against the ends of the other section, and allowing them to fuse while cooling.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base having bed support structure pivotally coupled thereto for rocking motion about an upper axis. The bed support structure includes a first guide fixedly connected thereto for rocking motion with the bed support structure. A second guide is pivotally connected to the base for rocking motion about a lower axis. A drive, crank, and linkage are employed for rocking the second guide. Coupling means couples the two guides together such that the first guide and hence the bed support structure is rocked about its axis as the second guide is rocked about its axis. Adjusting means adjusts the position of the coupling means relative to the two guides to adjust the angle through which the support structure may be rocked.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pipeline pig comprising an elongated cylindrical member having a front end and a rear end; a plurality of spaced annular flexible rings circumscribing the member and extending radially outward from the member for contacting the inside wall of the pipeline; and an elongated central aperture extending from the rear end of the member to a point beyond its midpoint and near the front end thereof for receiving fluid pressure to facilitate movement of the pig through a pipeline.

Abstract: A control system for operating a vacuum forming machine in a program mode and in an automatic mode. A plurality of switches movable to control and clear positions are employed to set up a sequence of steps for operating the machine in the program mode. The sequence of switch positions is stored in a memory system during the program mode and read out during the automatic mode to allow the machine to carry out and duplicate the sequence of steps in the same time relationship as occured during the program mode.

Abstract: An electrical connector backshell accessory body adapted to be confined within a coupling nut of the type having threads formed on its inside at one end and an inward extending shoulder spaced from the threads and located between the threads and the other end of the nut. The accessory body has a threaded shoulder adapted to be threaded into and beyond the nut threads to locate the threaded shoulder between the nut threads and the nut shoulder to confine the accessory body within the coupling nut but to allow the coupling nut and the accessory body to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the detection of larvae or worms in shelled pecans for separation and removal therefrom. In carrying out the process, the shelled pecans are soaked in a solution comprising a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material dissolved in water to coat the pecans with the material. The pecans are removed from the solution, dried, and illuminated with ultraviolet light. The material does not adhere to the worms whereby it does not affect their fluorescence but prevents the pecans from fluorescing whereby the worms may be readily detected and separated. The color of the material used is such that it does not significantly affect the appearance of the pecans when coated therewith.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to be inserted through an opening of a bulk head and attached thereto and which includes two electrical contacts which may be removed from either side of the connector.

Abstract: A system for measuring current or load for shutting down a motor of a walking beam type pumping unit in the event that pump-off occurs. The system employs a peak picker which picks either minimum current or maximum load and an integrator coupled to the peak picker for integrating current or load during each stroke cycle. A threshold device coupled to the output of the integrator produces a control signal for shutting down the motor if the integrator output fails to reach a predetermined threshold during each stroke cycle.

Abstract: A process of igniting a downhole generator having a fuel conduit and an oxidizing fluid conduit extending from the surface to the generator for supplying a fuel and an oxidizer to its chamber. Coupled to the two conduits near the generator are two solenoid control valves which are controlled from the surface. In carrying out the process, the valves are closed and a slug of hypergolic fuel is injected into the fuel conduit and an oxidizing fluid injected into the oxidizing fluid conduit. A generator fuel is injected into the fuel conduit behind the hypergolic fuel. The two valves are opened to allow the hypergolic fuel and oxidizer to pass into the chamber to cause spontaneous ignition of the hypergolic fuel to ignite the generator fuel and an oxidizer which follow.

Abstract: A process and system for insitu hydrogenation employing a gas generator in a borehole for burning a hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied downhole to the generator to form a hydrogen-rich combustible mixture in the combustion zone which is burned whereby hydrogen and steam are injected from the restricted outlet. The flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the generator is controlled to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gases at a level sufficient to crack the hydrocarbons in the formation into lighter segments for reaction with the excess hot hydrogen to form lighter and less viscous end products which are recovered from a production well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-blade fan assembly and method for manufacture, the fan assembly having a central hub having means for being attached to a driving assembly and having a plurality of fan blades connected therewith and extending radially therefrom; and further characterized by having the fan blades manufactured in accordance with subcritical aerodynamic air foil criteria so as to be efficient for moving ambient air at low relative speeds between the fan blade assembly and the air and for minimum power consumption and noise at high relative such speeds. Each of the fan blades has a length to width ratio L/W within the range of 1-9; has a length L in the range of 6-18 inches; has an artificially reduced chord thickness to length ratio within the range of 0.03-0.12; has a chord that is totally contained within a perpendicular planar cross section of the blade at the chord location and has a twist for obtaining a substantially uniform flow of air throughout the length of the blade.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a switch member having a normally bowed portion adapted to be flattened by a holding member to move an edge of the switch member to a position out of engagement with an electrically conducting member and to move the edge of the switch member to a position into engagement with the electrically conducting member when the holding member is removed and the normally bowed portion is allowed to assume its normally bowed position. The switch is particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with a CB antenna connected to a motor vehicle for sounding an alarm if the antenna is removed.