Abstract: A reduced oil volume piston assembly for a hydrostatic unit includes a piston assembly having a piston body and a stem formed separately from the piston body. A cavity is formed in one end of the piston body. The stem includes an enlarged head and an elongated neck extending upwardly from the head. The neck lossely inserts into the cavity of the piston body so as to at least partially fill the cavity. The head is unattached to the piston body and cannot enter the cavity, but its shape allows fluid flow into the cavity around the stem. These components can be incorporated into the cylinder block assembly as separate components or the stems can be integrally cast with the cylinder block or attached thereto as a stem ring assembly.

Abstract: A fluid dampening system for a printing machine has a frame and a printing roll on the frame for holding a circular printing plate. A fluid reservoir is on the frame and a fountain roll is on the frame and is partially immersed in the fluid reservoir. A second roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A third roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A plurality of additional rolls are on the frame sequentially in surface contact with each other and with the third roll and the printing roll so that when all of the aforesaid rolls are rotated and in surface contact with each other, fluid will be transferred from the surface of the fountain roll to the surface of the third roll and sequentially on the surface of the additional rolls to the surface of the printing roll.

Abstract: A method of extending playing time and prize winning opportunities in a crane game includes the steps of checking for additional coins at any point during the playing time and recalculating the allotted playing time accordingly. An alarm signal can be provided when the allotted time is about to expire. The method can also allow the player to continue playing and winning multiple prizes so long as the allotted time has not expired.

Abstract: A hydrostatic loop dump valve for reducing the starting torque required for a hydrostatic unit includes a normally biased open dump valve connecting one or more of the system pressure lines to the reservoir. The dump valve(s) will automatically open and oil will drain out by gravity when the engine is not running. When the engine turns the hydrostatic unit at sufficient speeds to generate significant charge pressure, the dump valves will close and the unit will operate as normal. Thus, the input torque required to start the engine and the hydrostatic unit is minimized without damaging the hydrostatic unit.

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus for gymnastic bar assemblies has an elongated floor plate with outer and inner ends. A vertical post having upper and lower ends is pivotally secured by its lower end to the outer end of the floor plate. A length adjustable bar having opposite ends extends between the upper end of the post and the inner end of the floor plate. The bar has opposite ends which are pivotally secured to the upper end of the post and the inner end of the plate. A pulley assembly is secured to the upper end of the post.

Abstract: A dump valve for a high pressure fluid line includes a base, a fitting secured to the base and adapted to be interposed along the high pressure fluid line. The fitting defined an internal manifold having a dump port in communication with the manifold. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is mounted on the base at a position for forcing a valve member into a valve closed position in engagement with a valve seat within the dump port. The fluid cylinder exerts a continuous force to maintain the valve member in the valve closed position against the urging of fluid pressure within the manifold. In an emergency condition, the fluid cylinder allows the valve member to withdraw from the valve seat, thereby ejecting pressurized fluid from the dump port.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing grain from a grain storage device, which uses a plurality of augers. An unloading auger is used to begin removal of grain from a grain storage device. As the amount of grain decreases, a proximity sensor sends an activation signal to a cross auger that rests horizontally on the bottom of the grain storage device. The cross auger will pull the remaining grain to the entry point of an unloading auger. The unloading auger then removes the grain from the grain storage device.

Abstract: A lifting force is applied to a wheel rake arm through a spring assembly wherein a coil spring is placed in compression rather than tension. In the preferred embodiment a rod is connected at one end to a rake wheel arm and the free end of the rod extends through a sleeve and then a coil spring which engages a stop at the opposite end of the rod. The sleeve is connected by linkages to an actuating rod.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulated ceiling includes attaching an insulated panel to the lower flange of the purlins to form an insulatable space between the panel, the purlins, and the exterior skin of a building. The space is then filled with insulation material. An insulation delivery system can be utilized for the filling process, especially when loose-fill insulation is used. The delivery system includes a blower connected to a source of blowable insulating material, and a special manifold connected to the blower and adapted to deliver the material into the space. The manifold has a manifold plate that is slidingly insertable in the space. The manifold plate includes a peripheral seal and at least one air hole therethrough so that air can escape the space while the insulation is being blown in. The manifold allows the space to be filled with insulating material to a desired density or R-value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuously processing an elongated strand (1) of plastic edible material coated with a coagulated coating. A co-extruder (6) has interchangeable parts (9B) to provide strands of varying diameter. The strand is conveyed through a closed tubular conveyor (106) through which a brine fluid is simultaneously passed. The drying of the strand includes an infrared drier (3). A linker and/or crimper (2) is provided.

Abstract: A washing machine lid includes a fluid chamber on its lower surface. The fluid chamber has a fill opening and a dispensing opening. A removable valve is within the dispensing opening. The lid includes a lid frame and a housing detachably mounted to one another.

Abstract: A fluid balancing ring includes a plurality of partitions forming a circular array of sub-chambers around its circumference. A valve is associated with each of the partitions and is movable in response to the centrifugal force of the rotating balance ring from a closed position preventing fluid communication through the partitions to an open position permitting fluid communication through the partitions. A spring urges the valve to its closed position.

Abstract: A cover for an earth boring tool having a canopy with opposite sides, opposite ends, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A plurality of straps are secured to one side of canopy, extend across the open bottom portion, and are detachably secured to the opposite side of the canopy. The end straps, when detachably secured, align with the edges of the opposite ends to form a temporary seal.

Abstract: Plant cell expansion is regulated by wall relaxation and yielding, which is thought to be catalyzed by elusive “wall loosening” enzymes. By employing a reconstitution approach, we initially found that a crude protein extract from the cell walls of growing cucumber seedlings possessed the ability to induce the extension of isolated cell walls. This activity was restricted to the growing region of the stem and could induce the extension of isolated cell walls from various dicots and monocots, but was less effective on grass coleoptile walls. Sequential HPLC fractionation of the active wall extract revealed two proteins with molecular masses of 29 and 30 kD, as measured by SDS-PAGE, associated with such activity. Each protein, by itself, could induce wall extension without detectable hydrolytic breakdown of the wall. We proposed the name “expansins” for this class of proteins.

Abstract: A twister mechanism for sausage encasing has a first housing member (12) having a center bore. A rotatable ring (22) has a center bore (26) concentric with the center bore of the housing. A rotatable sleeve (24) is mounted on the ring and forms the center bore of the ring and being rotatable with the ring. A second housing member (14) is secured to the first housing member and has a center bore receiving the sleeve. A bearing member extending around the sleeve and extending radially to engage a surface of the second housing member. The ring includes a circular disk (28) extending outwardly from the center bore, and has an outer peripheral edge. A plurality of radially spaced vanes (32A) are on the disk extending outwardly therefrom. The vanes are spaced from the second housing member and the bearing to enhance the cooling of the mechanism when the ring is rotated.

Abstract: A method for determining system parameters, such as the operating speed, working pressure and pivot angle of an axial piston unit in which the operating speed, working pressure and pivot angle are determined by means of a frequency analysis of a detected solid-borne sound signal from an axial piston unit of a hydrostatic drive mechanism. A liquid-borne sound signal of airborne sound signal can be used, in which case a respective system parameter is determined by means of a frequency analysis of a detected liquid-borne sound signal or airborne sound signal from the axial piston unit.

Abstract: An device for use in an electro-pyrotechnic initiator comprises a header, a foil resistive strip, a substrate, and a current source. The substrate is mounted on the header. The foil resistive strip is mounted on the substrate. The energy source is connected to the resistive strip. When current flows through the resistive strip, the resistive strip generates enough heat to spark autoignition of a pyrotechnic material. The pyrotechnic material is in direct contact with the resistive strip. For an energy input of up to 115 microjoules, the resistive strip can cause autoignition in less than 25 microseconds. In a second embodiment, an electro-pyrotechnic initiator for use in a “smart” airbag system comprises a header, a foil resistive strip, a substrate, a current source connected to the resistive strip, and a control circuit. The control circuit is designed such that it will cause current to flow through the resistive strip when the circuit receives an appropriate signal.

Abstract: Stain removing compositions which can be granular detergents, liquid detergents, granular stain removers, liquid stain removers, household cleaners, food industrial cleaners, and the like, containing proteolytic enzymes derived from bacterium No. 177, are effective low temperature (0° C.-50° C.) stain removers.