Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer apparatus having a plurality of hydraulic stabilizer actuators with each actuator having an integral isolation valve effective to enable operation of a sequentially operable device such as a boom cylinder only after ground-engaging feet associated with the actuators have been brought into firm contact with the ground or other supporting surface. Each actuator is mounted for bodily movement between upper and lower positions on an associated vehicle supported mounting pin. The actuator is caused to move to its upper position when the associated ground-engaging foot engages the ground and through a plunger and plunger spring associated with the isolation valve the position of the actuator is sensed. The isolation valve is in a hydraulic circuit to prevent operation of the boom cylinder unless the actuator is in its upper position.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing particulates comprises a vibratory bed including a motor with a vertically disposed shaft, separate remotely adjustable vibratory generating apparatus mounted on each end portion of the shaft and at least three contact structures between the vibratory bed and a flask or vessel containing the particulates. The uppermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the horizontal vibratory force component and the lowermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the vertical conical force component. The contact structures have conically shaped mating surfaces on pins and in recesses in sockets such that when at least one of the conically shaped surfaces are in contact the vessel is restrained to the same horizontal movement as the bed plate.

Abstract: A cooking pot of the waterless type has an electrical heating element in the thick base thereof. The heating element can be permanently embedded in the base. Alternatively the base can have a blind recess therein into which an electrical heating structure is inserted. This structure is removable from the recess. Various stands for supporting the pots and making electrical connections to the heating structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Losses in a diffuser 26 for a radial discharge compressor including an impeller 10 with impeller blades 16 terminating in radially outer discharge ends 18 are minimized by means of first and second stages of diffuser vanes 30 and 32, which vanes 30 and 32 have cross sectional shapes configured as supercritical airfoils.

Abstract: A vibratory material conveying apparatus has a tower with a spiral flight to be vibrated for conveying material vertically, a platform through which the tower extends, structure for resiliently supporting the platform above a support surface for the apparatus, structure for resiliently attaching the spiral flight to the platform, and structure for imparting vibration to the platform. The invention comprehends a two mass system with the platform and vibration imparting structure, a force member mass and a work member mass. The system permits large amplitude vibrations to be imparted to the work member with minimal dynamic reaction to the support surface from the force member vibration.

Abstract: A starch, hydrated with between 0.7 and 2.0 parts of water and which has been brought to the verge of gelatinization, is combined with a hydrocolloid gum, which also may have been pre-hydrated, to form a mixture. The mixing process is designed to achieve the following objectives: intimately mixing the hydrocolloid gum with the starch as the latter is gelatinizing; heating the uniform blend under pressure but under low enough shear to preclude starch degradation; and extruding it through a die so that it expands and creates a product with a large surface area to facilitate drying. As an objective measure of processing effectiveness, the product should yield water viscosities which are equal to those obtained from the raw materials when present in 10-20% excess. In subjective test the processed mixture should perform better at 10-20% less usage level than the unprocessed mixtures when used in stabilizing frozen desserts, sour cream and dressings.

Abstract: An adjustable speed transmission according to the present invention comprises a variable speed pulley drive system and a multiple speed gear drive system. The pulley system and gear system are combined with a reversible gear system to provide a speed transmission system which is variable over two non-overlapping speed ranges while utilizing a conventional belt type speed pulley system.

Abstract: A method of psychologically reinforcing a dieting regimen, which method consists of the steps of providing a container defining a storage space with an opening for gaining access to the storage space, placing edible materials in the storage space, placing a movable closure over the container access opening in a closed position to prohibit access to the edible materials within the storage space through the container opening, with the closure being movable between the closed position and an open position wherein access can be gained through the container opening to the edible material in the storage space, and providing structure for clearly indicating that the closure has been moved from its closed position to its open position.

Abstract: Radio glasses having an electronic radio receiver integrally mounted in eyeglasses. Earphones are connected to the receiver and removably mounted to the temple of the glasses, said earphones being stored when mounted and adapted for insertion into the wearer's ears for radio use when removed from the temples. Batteries, external switches and tuning and volume controls are all integral with the temples of the glasses.

Abstract: The inventive display device has a continuous wall structure with first and second, substantially flat, facing wall pairs and a flat shelf portion cut directly out of each of the walls of the wall pairs. The shelf portions are foldable relative to their respective walls between a collapsed position, wherein they are substantially parallel to their associated wall, and a display position, wherein they extend transversely to their associated wall. At at least one corner of the structure, two adjacent walls are foldable against and away from each other about a fold line. The shelf portions on the adjacent walls are interconnected so that with the walls folded against each other the shelf portions reside in their collapsed position and upon the walls being moved away from each other, the shelf portions draw each other away from their respective walls into the display position wherein they cooperatively define a display shelf.

Abstract: A moldable fibrous composite having thermal and acoustical insulating characteristics and methods of production thereof are provided. The composite structure comprises a substrate, a middle layer and a non-woven top layer. The substrate may be in the form of a fibrous web or, alternatively, a thermoplastic film. The middle layer comprises mineral fibers of a sufficiently short length to substantially preclude interlocking of any of the mineral fibers with other fibers of the structure and to provide the structure with desired flexibility. The mineral fibers are present in a quantity sufficient to impart desired heat and sound insulating properties to the structure. The top layer may be made of organic fibers or a substantially uniform mixture of organic and inorganic fibers. In making the invention composite structure, the middle layer and the top layer are introduced onto the substrate, respectively. The three layers are thereafter consolidated, such as through needle punching.

Abstract: A protective apertured shield for use about an inlet to a solar apparatus which includesd a cavity receiver for absorbing concentrated solar energy. A rigid support truss assembly is fixed to the periphery of the inlet and projects radially inwardly therefrom to define a generally central aperture area through which solar radiation can pass into the cavity receiver. A non-structural, laminated blanket is spread over the rigid support truss in such a manner as to define an outer surface area and an inner surface area diverging radially outwardly from the central aperture area toward the periphery of the inlet. The outer surface area faces away from the inlet and the inner surface area faces toward the cavity receiver. The laminated blanket includes at least one layer of material, such as ceramic fiber fabric, having high infra-red emittance and low solar absorption properties, and another layer, such as metallic foil, of low infra-red emittance properties.

Abstract: A splitter vane/shut-off valve system for use in a centrifugal pump which includes an impeller and an inlet to the impeller. A plurality of planar, anti-swirl vanes are arranged in a cross-configuration across the inlet adjacent the impeller to straighten the flow of fluid to the impeller and to prevent swirling of the fluid by the impeller. Edges of the planar vanes, facing the incoming fluid, define a valve seat. A plurality of petal valves are pivotally mounted at pivot points to the side of the inlet and movable toward and away from the center of the inlet. The petal valves engage the valve seat defined by the edges of the planar vanes for closing the inlet to allow removal of the impeller.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the adhesion of a substrate material which does not form stable bonds to a bondable material by applying high energy bondable ions to the surface of the substrate to create an interface alloy layer and then adhering a bondable material to the surface of the substrate material. The high energy ions used may be meal ions. Before adhering, the thickness of the interface layer may be increased to form a layer utilizing conventional processes such as flame spray, plasma spray or D-gun spray. Additionally, the method may be used to join similar or dissimilar first and second substrate materials.

Abstract: According to the invention, a rotary output shaft with an external drive surface defines an internal hollow portion in axial overlapping relationship with the drive surface. A drive motor is mounted at least partially within the hollow portion of the output shaft and is connected preferably through a planetary gear system to drive the output shaft. By placing the drive motor within the output shaft, essentially the only space requirement is for the output shaft itself.

Abstract: A circuit for connecting a monitor/defibrillator to a patient and a method for monitoring the condition of the heart and for selectively applying a pulse of energy to the patient for defibrillation. A first and a second electrode are adhesively secured to the patient. The electrodes form an assembly which is coupled to a connection circuit leading to the monitor/defibrillator. A switch module is mounted on the connection circuit and is positioned remotely from the patient. The switch module has a plurality of operator-actuated switches which, when depressed, cause the monitor/defibrillator to provide a pulse of energy to the electrodes for defibrillation. The switches are arranged so that both hands of the operator are required to simultaneously close them, thereby assuring that the ends of the operator are remote from the patient during defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical supply has a transient suppressor in which a transistor switch connects a resistor across the supply to dissipate an overvoltage condition. The control for the transistor switch turns the switch on at a first overvoltage condition and turns the switch off when the voltage drops to a level less than that of the first overvoltage level.

Abstract: The expense of provide pelletized metallic lithium for use in a heat exchanger for a thermal power source is eliminated by a construction including a closeable chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) with an ignition device (28) within the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22), and a reactant inlet (29) to the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) by disposing a body of fuel (24) in the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) which is made up of alternating layer of metallic lithium sheet (42, 44) and solid perhalogenated polymer sheet (40, 46).

Abstract: Poor fuel economy of a gas turbine power plant when operating at partial loads is avoided in a construction including a main power unit 10 with a low pressure turbine engine 40 and a high pressure turbine engine 42. In normal, full load operation, the engines 40 and 42 are connected so that combustion supporting gas is first compressed in the low pressure turbine engine 40 and subsequently further compressed in the high pressure turbine engine 42 before being directed to a combustor 90 to burn fuel which is then initially expanded in the high pressure turbine engine 42 and further expanded in the low pressure turbine engine 40. Fuel economy at partial load is obtained along with the generation of some power via the high pressure unit 42 by providing valves 76, 102 which may be operated to bypass the low pressure turbine engine 40 thereby reducing the air and corresponding consumption of fuel to that required to drive only the accessory unit 112.