Abstract: A pilot operator and a relief valve are provided in the same housing. The pilot-operating mechanism is contained partially within the main closure element of the valve and partially within the valve cap. Inlet pressure to the valve is communicated to the pilot via an access passage extending through the main closure element. In response to high-pressure flow from the inlet, a pilot piston moves a spacer rod through the passage and into engagement with a spring-loaded vent closure. The piston-induced movement of the rod opens the vent to relieve the pressure behind the main closure element, which in turn permits the main closure element to open and relieve the inlet pressure through the valve outlet. Opening of the main closure element terminates flow through the access passage. When the inlet pressure is sufficiently reduced, the pilot piston is unseated by the spring force re-opening the access passage to allow the pressure behind the main closure element to increase and close the main closure element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling, completion, well workovers and well control, combining an integrated lifting unit and a coiled tubing unit, the method and apparatus permit running jointed pipe and coil tubing in combination, and standing multiple joints of pipe near the unit. The invention combines a hydraulic pipe hoisting system, pipe handling systems and pipe racking containment apparatus. A hydraulic workover jack is combined with a multifunction injector head and a standpipe for fluid circulation. The invention may also include a rotary table for rotating pipe and/or a rotating power swivel to allow fluid circulation during pipe rotation. Also included are a gin pole, a winching system for jointed pipe, and a traveling head with traveling slips and stationary slips to allow pipe movement in the well. Hydraulic systems allow insertion and extraction of tools in a work string.

Abstract: A belt support system for supporting a belt member along a portion thereof during a material transfer operation where a flow of material is allowed to impact the belt member at a predetermined impact location, the present system including a plurality of roller members housed in three separate members which are positioned in side-by-side relationship to each other, the center member being secured to a support structure and the two opposed end or wing members being each pivotally mounted to the center member and to the support structure so as to be angularly adjustable relative to the center member.

Abstract: A rotational alignment device centers a shaft-mounted transducer on a rotating shaft. The alignment device includes a moveable base that is configured to receive the shaft-mounted transducer through a coupling device; a mounting base that connects to the rotating shaft; and a radial alignment assembly which connects the moveable base to the mounting base in a manner whereby the alignment error between the transducer and the rotating shaft can be corrected. The alignment error is corrected by making polar-coordinate type adjustments (i.e., correcting angular error and radial offset error) rather than traditional X-Y coordinate type adjustments.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing between a conventional traffic signal's control monitor and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) replacing an incandescent lamp of the traffic signal is disclosed. The interface circuit includes a current source for driving the LEDs with a regulated power factor corrected current. Compatibility with traditional conflict monitors is achieved through a circuit that short circuits incoming current to indicate full turn off of the signal and opens up to indicate full turn on of the signal, and through an "OFC" circuit which presents an open circuit to the conflict monitor upon failure of the traffic signal LEDs. Quick turn-off of the traffic signal LEDs is accomplished with a switching circuit that reduces current flowing through the LEDs below the range for visible turn-off.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a wall mounted electrical device enclosure includes a mounting bracket that can be attached to the enclosure and a cover plate that is removeably installed onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a rigid latch tang and supports an opposed resilient catch. The face plate includes opposed latch recesses. To install the face plate, the resilient catch is engaged with one latch recess and then is resiliently deformed to permit the latch tang to engage the opposed latch recess. The face plate can be removed only by first moving it in the plane of the wall to deform the resilient catch.

Abstract: An oven for continuous cooking of products carried upon a open mesh wire conveyor provides the impingement of a cooking vapor from air discharge structure having ports arrayed above and below the conveyor. The discharge ports extend laterally of the conveyor and communicate with upper and lower plenums each charged by blower fans which draw cooking vapor from low pressure corridors alongside the product conveyor. Gas, electric or thermo fluid heaters are disposed in the corridors. The discharge ports are in slot form disposed about the apex of a Vee shaped riser spaced from the adjacent riser to provide a low pressure flow channel communicating with the corridors giving a rapid velocity change of the cooking vapor from turbulent to a less turbulent flow. The distance for vapor travel between the upper discharge ports and the product carrying conveyor is variable. Temperature and moisture content of the process vapor can be changed to suit cooking conditions.

Abstract: A radial flow fan wheel has a longitudinal axis and consists of an annular member and a plurality of first and second blade members. The first and second blade members depend from the annular member substantially parallel to the axis of the first blade members being disposed on a first pitch circle and the second blade member being disposed on a second pitch circle which has a radius less than a radius of the first pitch circle.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling small flows of gas, such as would be used by a satellite (or microsatellite) for orientation thrusters includes a photoetched silicon body etched to provide one or more particular flow paths, and optionally filters, where the flow path is defined by the silicon body and a sealing glass layer bonded thereto. Flow is controlled through the flow path(s) by heating the body to decrease the gas flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-line inducting additive into a fire fighting flow line before the pump, including automatic regulating of water flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the composition of coal and mineral ores on-line, by bombarding a sample stream with low energy X-rays and measuring the characteristic X-rays fluoresced. The assembly is comprised of one or more X-ray generators mounted in a specific geometry with one or more silicon detectors. A representative sample of a flow stream is obtained from a sampling system. Sample presentation to the analyzer is done with a plow or a flow cell to obtain a uniform interrogation zone for the analyzer. Elemental analysis (Aluminum through Silver on the Periodic Table) of the sample is computed from calibration curves generated from a linear relationship with count rates under each peak. Sample presentation to the analyzer is done with a plow or leveling plate to ensure that material flows past the analyzer at a constant level. The elemental analysis is determined by measuring counts under the characteristic peaks fluoresced by various elements in an energy spectrum resolved with a multi-channel analyzer.

Abstract: A dereeler for spooled strip and wire materials and the like includes a platform shaped to support a spool of coiled material in a horizontal orientation. A motor is operably connected with the platform and selectively rotates the same in a horizontal plane to pay the coiled material off of the spool. A material control post is disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted for axial rotation. A control is operably connected with the motor and the material control post to actuate the motor and uncoil the coiled material from the spool in response to tension applied to the material. A material guide is connected to the material control post for rotation therewith, and is shaped to pass uncoiled material thereover and apply a preselected tension to the material to facilitate smooth material feeding.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of economically and efficiently dispensing frozen beverages within a desired range of consistency in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. A sensor is used to monitor the level of the beverage in a container for providing the frozen beverage. The beverage is cooled by a cooling device which has a cooling capacity. A flow regulating device is used to regulate the flow rate of the beverage to the container. A controller is coupled with the sensor and the flow regulating device to regulate the flow rate of the beverage in response to the monitored beverage level and the cooling capacity of the cooling device. When properly tuned to match the cooling capacity of the cooling device with the flow rate of the beverage into the container, the controller maintains the desired consistency of the frozen beverage, while automatically refilling the beverage container to within a desired range of levels.

Abstract: A mixing device for mixing two air flows has plural first flexible curtains disposed between first edge regions of alternate pairs of air guides, and a plurality of second flexible curtains disposed between second edge regions of alternate pairs of air guides. Moveable air guides in each pair may be moved to control the flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the reduction of the effects of resonant mechanical waves that exert clockwise or counterclockwise forces that act upon the output shaft of a stepper motor such that the dynamic relationship between the stator and rotor in a stepper motor is adversely affected, thereby reducing torque or even stalling the stepper motor.

Abstract: A modular input/output (I/O) system for field wiring includes a plurality of base units into which electronics modules providing appropriate signal processing are plugged. A backplane in each base unit provides leads between the electronics module and associated terminals to which the field wiring is connected and also hosts a communications bus through which the electronics modules on serially connected base members communicate with a controller. Switching modules plugged into some of the base members selectively switch field signals applied to terminals for an associated electronics module to another electronics module for redundancy, or switch test signals into the associated electronics module in place of the field wiring signals. The test signals are generated by yet another of the electronics modules while still another electronics module generates control signals for the switching modules.

Abstract: A self-lubricating coating composition that is a curable admixture of two specific epoxy resin compositions; a di-epoxide reactive diluent; polytetrafluoroethylene; molybdenum disulfide, and mica. This composition, when cured, may be incorporated onto the undamaged surfaces or into damaged or worn areas of a substrate (e.g., aircraft fuel and oil pump housings).

Abstract: A pump inlet stabilizer for positive displacement reciprocating pumps, which reduces pressure fluctuations at the pump inlet and aids in filling the pump head with fluid during each inlet stroke. The pump inlet stabilizer comprises an accumulator housing with a bladder which creates a gas chamber which is fludically isolated from a fluid chamber within the housing, and a control unit. The control unit consists of a compound pressure gauge to measure positive and negative pressure levels in the gas chamber, a ball valve with an open and closed position for opening or closing an inlet into the gas chamber and a venturi pneumatically coupled to a compressed air source. The control unit is able to use the compressed air source, typically shop air, either to reduce the pressure in the gas chamber or increase the pressure in the gas chamber, depending upon whether the outlet of the venturi is blocked or unblocked.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing method for revealing surface and through defects in materials and articles. The method comprises filling up defects with a volatile penetrant, applying indicator material to a surface to be tested, removing the indicator material from the surface and registrating defects according to the presence color spots, shapes and dimensions which are functions of shapes and dimensions of real defects. The indicator material comprises a gas-permeable base with applied sulfonephthalein indicator in the range of 10.sup.-4 to 10.sup.-3 grams per 1 cubic centimeter of the base.