Abstract: A variable contour vice jaw. A vice (10) having variable contour vice jaws (12, 14) is disclosed for clamping of irregularly shaped objects. Housing (26, 126) receives piston (50, 150) which is truncated (58, 158) and has a jaw contact member (64, 163) removably affixed thereto. Plate (44, 144) is affixed to housing (26, 126) and prevents piston (50) from being removed from housing. Bore (28, 128) is filled with an incompressible fluid with pistons (50, 150) half extended. Jaw contact member (64, 163) move in and out to conform to the shape of an irregularly shaped member held within vice jaws (12, 14).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, synthesizing CO and H.sub.2 fuels from methanol in a first synthesizer, and also synthesizing H.sub.2 fuel from CO and water in a second synthesizer, thus upgrading a technically difficult to use fuel to a low polluting, easily usable fuel, by use of the energy from exhaust gas waste heat thus improving the fuel heating value by 20%; the engine fuel system also having an alternate energy source for synthesizing the fuel, the engine also having an additional alternate fuel source for engine starting and operation when the synthesized fuel reservoir is low and electrical battery energy is limited thus allowing time for the heat exchanger synthesizers to warm up to produce CO and H.sub.2 fuel, which is especially required during cold operating seasons.

Abstract: A spare tire bracket lock is provided to prevent the theft of a spare tire from a pick-up truck or a similar vehicle of the type wherein the spare tire is stored beneath the undercarriage of the vehicle. The spare tire is supported by an elongated mounting bracket, which bracket is in turn supported by a pair of bolts secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle. A nut engages the lower portion of one of the bolts for removably securing the bracket thereto. The nut includes a flange having an eye for receiving the shackle of a padlock. The spare tire bracket lock includes a lipped portion which is slid over one edge of the bracket, the flange of the nut being simultaneously slid through a slot in the spare tire bracket lock. Positioned adjacent opposite faces of the flange are locking members having holes aligned with the eye of the flange for allowing the shackle of a padlock to be simultaneously passed through the holes in the locking members and the eye of the flange.

Abstract: Structural elements such as X-type or V-type support posts for structures such as cooling towers are each prefabricated on the ground in the position which would be occupied on the theoretical assumption that, after erection, the post had been lowered to the ground in a movement of pivotal displacement about its foot. An articulated coupling is interposed between the foot of the post and the foundation footing of the structure. On completion of the prefabrication process, the post is lifted at one end by means of a hoisting machine and moved upwards in pivotal motion about the pivot-pin of the articulated coupling. After reaching its final position, the foot of the post is embedded in a concrete block cast on the foundation footing.

Abstract: In an automatic pistol safety means block the firing pin in a neutral position and prevent the lever and the arming rod from cooperating with each other and with the hammer. Automatic safety means intercept and block the hammer to prevent its contact with the firing pin. The firing pin can be immobilized in a neutral position with no possibility of being contacted by the hammer thereby preventing accidental firing of the pistol.

Abstract: A system for mooring a ship or like floating vessel, in particular, an oil-tanker, to an off-shore column, and for transferring a fluid cargo such as gas, petroleum oil or the like, by means of at least one articulated arm carried by the vessel, wherein the improvement consists in that the arm supports at its upper end a connector device capable of being fixedly placed on a mouth-piece, provided on the head of the column, and that mooring apparatus is provided to allow the vessel, once the connector device is thus placed, to be moored through the device and to move around the latter so as to be placed in the wind's eye.

Abstract: A method to control the welding transformer residual magnetizing current which normally continues circulating in the secondary circuit at the end of each welding pulse until the tips are opened. By utilizing a firing delay of the last half cycle in each welding pulse that brings the algebraic sum of the volt-seconds applied to the transformer to zero at the end of each welding pulse, the residual secondary current is nulled. This alleviates magnetizing current problems which occur in multiple pulse welding.

Abstract: A process and an installation for the control of the efficiency of the aerodynamic surfaces of an aircraft, whereincontrol of the stability of flying aircrafts with the assistance of orientable auxiliary aerodynamic surfaces is achieved,the surfaces are connected to their operating structure through a device providing at will an engaged condition or a disengaged condition, andthe process and installation may be used with profit on subsonic, supersonic and laboratory airplanes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of fruit and vegetable extracts in order to reduce the amount of bitter substances contained therein.This process comprises bringing the extract into contact with a solid ligneous adsorbent of vegetable origin, derived for example from carob, and then collecting the debittered extract after having separated it from the adsorbent.

Abstract: An underground combustion operation in which combustible material, in a selected geologic formation at a selected depth, is burned by forcing air under pressure down a first well into the formation, and collecting products of combustion at a second well, a selected distance away from the first well. The overburden above the formation is supported, in part, by the combustible material, which might be viscous oil, tar, etc. This material is ignited at the first well and a flame front is formed which burns in the form of a circular front, which moves radially outwardly as a function of time and the rate of air supply. A plurality of electronic tilt meters are positioned at or near the surface of the earth, in at least one linear array directed along the radius from the first well to the second well. Combustion air is provided and the outputs of the tilt meters are amplified and recorded as a function of time.

Abstract: New medical self-polymerizable sealing cement with an acrylic polymer and/or copolymer base, applicable for prosthetic implants, which is obtained by mixing a liquid phase and a solid phase. The liquid phase, being viscous, forms a collodion of an acrylic polymer and/or copolymer in at least one monomer, while the solid phase is composed of an acrylic polymer and/or copolymer possibly containing a mineral load.The new cement is not dangerous for the patient, due to an absence of monomer exudation and due to a polymerization temperature which is always lower than the mobilization temperature of human fat.

Abstract: Derivatives of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketones having anticonvulsant activity and methods of their preparation from heterocyclic phosphonium salts and acyclic phosphoranes are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel distribution device in a high velocity gase flow. The device consists of two coaxial, toric injection manifolds placed in close proximity with respect to each other, pierced by small diameter uniformly distributed orifices and arranged to introduce fuel into the flow. The orifices in the manifold located downstream with respect to the direction of the flow of gases, are arranged on the face turned upstream of the manifold, in a circular row coaxial with it.It is the object of the invention to reduce the drag induced in the flow by the devices presently in use, while improving the distribution of the fuel; it finds particularly advantageous applications in the afterburner ducts of gas turbine engines.

Abstract: A process and system for the rapid detection of a wind gradient or change r an aircraft. Such a system provides for, on the one hand, the rapid detection of important or significant wind gradients or changes which can occur during the final phase of approach preceding the landing of the aircraft and, on the other hand, to inform the pilot or the automatic flight control system of the existence of this wind gradient sufficiently early to permit necessary corrective action to be taken.

Abstract: A fuel control system comprises a probe in contact with the exhaust gases, a circuit for supplying fuel and air to the engine, having a solenoid valve for metering at least the fuel flow, a closed-loop electronic control circuit connected to the probe and energizing the solenoid valve in dependence on the signal from the probe. The loop is opened responsive to predetermined operating conditions of the engine. Further means control the solenoid valve in dependence on another engine operating parameter during open-loop operation. A memory is provided for storing a value representative of the control of the solenoid valve means during closed-loop operation.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is intended to measure the temperature of a flow traversing a blade grid, for example the valve blades of a turbojet turbine. This apparatus comprises a temperature sounder lodged within a gas escape circuit provided in a blade. In-flight monitoring of the gas temperature in an aircraft turbojet is possible with the present invention.

Abstract: A screen wiper blade with a replaceable rubber-blade comprises a deformable harness equipped with pairs of claws receiving the edges of a flexible vertebra on which a wiping blade rubber is mounted. The vertebra is constituted by an elongated thin metallic plate having a longitudinal slot over the major part of its length. The rubber blade is provided with a longitudinal bead turned towards the harness and separated from the body by a thin wall lodged in the said slot. Adjacent one of the extremities of the rubber blade and on the same side of the body as the bead is a nipple. The thin plate comprises at one extremity a cutaway portion forming a fork and the said nipple comprises in its lower part a groove facing the extremity of the blade rubber opposite to the said nipple, the said fork cooperating with the said groove.

Abstract: Magnetic alloys of a ternary composition as defined within the region A, B, C, D of the ternary diagram of FIG. 5, wherein X is one or more metals selected from the group which consists of iron, nickel, aluminum, copper, molybdenum and manganese and preferably includes 0.1 to 10% atomic (most advantageously 1 to 5% atomic chromium of the entire alloy), are cast and rendered ductile by the formation within the material during solidification of at least two phases. One of the phases is preferably ductile and formed essentially of fibers or dendrites of Co and the other phase or phases are from those normally found in rare-earth/cobalt magnets. The alloy is magnetically hardened by precipitation hardening. The chromium appears predominantly in the fiber or dendrite phase and promotes the formation of the latter.

Abstract: A wood-fired fireplace comprises a fire basket with log-retaining dogs, a back plate, a glass door, an upper part connected to a flue and provided with an anti-downdraft device, and a sweeping flap. A damper is operable by a lever, and an ashpan is raised upon a protection sheet. A hood has a hot air outlet grill, and there are means and ducts for regulating the admission and flow of combustion air and convection air.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens is described having a front face which is a surface of revolution and is located entirely in front of the transverse plane tangential to its center. The curve representing the half-meridian of this front face corresponds to the following general formula:x=ay.sup.2 +by.sup..alpha. +cy.sup..gamma.in which the coefficient a is different from zero and negative, at least one of the coefficients b and c is different from zero and positive, .alpha. is a real number which is greater than or equal to 3 and less than 4, and .gamma. is a real number which is greater than or equal to 4.