Abstract: A filter having filter elements with outwardly flanged ends sealed together. The seal may be secured by use of a rod extending in a lengthwise direction through apertures in the flanged ends. The rod has one end releasably securing the filter element and a second end secured to the housing. A frame can cover the filter elements, and a jack screw in the frame can be used to apply force to the filter elements to secure the seals. The filter may have a cleaning apparatus capable of suctioning material from the filter element.

Abstract: A turbine disposed in a water passageway includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The water passageway includes a spherically-shaped discharge ring that conforms to the outer edges of the blades to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability. The turbine hub may also include a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region swept by the inner edges of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch, as well as seals attached to the inner edges of the blades. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to enhance the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough, includes a rotating shaft and a runner secured to the shaft. The runner includes a crown, a band and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade is defined by an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. At least one blade includes an integrally formed gas passage in fluid communication with a gas admission aperture in the crown. The gas passage may extend to the trailing edge. Alternatively, the gas passage may extend to the band, and the band then includes a gas discharge means. A method for making a blade having an integral gas passage includes securing a member with a first groove to an insert with a cooperating second grove. A turbine having a hub and a plurality of rotatable blades includes a plurality of groups of gas passages extending to at least one exterior region of the hub associated with a blade.

Abstract: An electrical insulation system for the turns of multiturn stator coils, found in the windings of high voltage hydroelectric generators and other dynamoelectric machines, having only one of the outer strands of each turn insulated with mica with the remaining strands insulated with DACRON-glass. This construction, while offering adequate turn to turn dielectric strength in machines where the turn to turn voltages are moderate, allows the coils to be manufactured at a lower cost and permits the use of strands of significantly larger copper cross-section area.

Abstract: A non-venting current limiting fuse for mounting in a cutout comprises a high current fuse component and a low current fuse component housed in separate compartments of a housing and connected in series. Interruption of a low current overload results in operation of the low current fuse component only, with the high current component being unaffected. The low current fuse component is removable from the housing such that when a low current overload situation exists, the low current fuse component can be simply removed and replaced without the need for replacement of the more costly high current fuse component.

Abstract: A turbine installation having reduced inner and outer gaps comprises a water passageway and a turbine runner disposed in the passageway downstream of a discharge ring. The turbine runner includes a hollow hub having spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil having an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis so that its inner edge is proximate the hub. Each blade is rotatable between a maximum pitch position and a minimum pitch position. The discharge ring has a spherical configuration cooperable with the outer edge of each of the blades to reduce an outer gap formed between the outer edge of each of the blades and the passageway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-line tritium-in-water monitoring in which a sample of water is vaporized at a temperature sufficient to transform it to dry water vapor substantially free of liquid water droplets. The water vapor is transferred to a tritium detection device having a chamber heated to a temperature at which there is substantially no condensation of the water vapor, the detection device comprising volume detection device adapted to detect .beta.-decay of tritium atoms in the water vapor. The volume detection device may comprise ionization chamber detector, gas scintillation counting detector and gas electron multiplier detector. The method and apparatus are preferably used to detect leaks of tritiated water from the primary to secondary side of the heat transport systems associated with certain types of nuclear reactors, and when used on an in-line, continuous basis, provide a time response as low as 10 seconds with the detection limits depending on the type of volume detection equipment used.

Abstract: A runner for a hydraulic turbine or pump includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub at spaced intervals therearound. Each blade includes an inner edge secured to the hub and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge, and a curved suction surface and an opposed curved pressure surface. At least one of the blades is fabricated from a curved pressure-side member and a curved suction-side member secured together. The pressure-side member includes at least a substantial portion of the curved pressure surface and an opposed first inner surface. The suction-side member includes at least a substantial portion of the curved suction surface and an opposed second inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces face each other, and at least a portion of the first inner surface is spaced from at least a portion of the second inner surface to form a cavity within the blade. A method of making the hollow blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes a bobbin extending longitudinally, at least one magnet disposed within the bobbin for producing a magnetic polarity, and a coil extending longitudinally on each side of the bobbin for damping hum in the sensor assembly due to stray magnetic fields.

Abstract: An elongated string support for a stringed musical instrument includes a finger-board surface having a bass side and a treble side and extending between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the stringed musical instrument to support strings in close proximity thereto. The finger-board surface follows a longitudinally twisted path with an angle of twist increasing progressively from the proximal end to the distal end and the finger-board surface has a non-uniform radius extending between at least either one of the bass side and the treble side and one of the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes at least one magnet disposed generally perpendicular to the at least one magnet and generating a magnetic field adjacent the strings, a primary winding creating a primary current from a disruption in the magnetic field by the strings, the primary current creating a primary electromagnetic flux, and at least one secondary winding spaced below the movable strings and adjacent to the primary winding and transforming the primary electromagnetic flux into a secondary current which is passed out of the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes at least one magnet generating a magnetic field adjacent the strings, a primary winding creating a primary current from a disruption in the magnetic field by the strings, the primary current creating a primary electromagnetic flux, at least one secondary winding spaced from the primary winding and transforming the primary electromagnetic flux into a secondary current which is passed out of the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes a case having a longitudinal channel, a magnetic lining disposed in the longitudinal channel, at least one coil disposed in the longitudinal channel, and at least one secondary magnet disposed in the longitudinal channel between the magnetic lining and the coil.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a reflective stretched membrane mirror for use in the collection and focusing of solar energy includes a tensioning fixture to which a plurality of air-actuated cylinders are attached. The piston arm of each cylinder is in turn connected to an air-actuated clamp which is designed to hold a portion of the peripheral edge of the reflective film which is to be stretched. Depending upon the properties of the film and its tensioning characteristics, cylinders which need the same air pressure are connected in common to a single regulator. The regulators are then connected to an air compressor and the sheet of reflective film is tensioned to a desired level at which point it is adhesively bonded to a circular frame. Once a first reflective film is bonded to a top side of the frame, the process is repeated with a second reflective film bonded to the back or opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for processing a mailing consisting of a plurality of identical printed items to be grouped into bundles having an identical general address. Information as to bulk mailing centers (BMC) is accessed, which information provides an associated BMC for each group of zip codes, based generally on geographical proximity to a certain BMC. Information as to postal zones and rates to a particular zip code from the BMCs is also accessed, so that postal rates for each bundle can be calculated. Addressee information is provided to the system, including a general address having a zip code and particularized information for each addressee. The addresses should preferably be compatible with the particular bulk mailing procedures being used. Alternatively, the addresses can be screened for compatibility after being input into the system. The labeling, bundling and palletizing of the items are optimized for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A mass fluid flow controller has a valve which is controlled by a controller rod which is substantially pivotally mounted on a metallic diaphragm which stretches and unstretches with the movement of the rod. The actuation of the rod movement is by the expansion and contraction of an actuator wire which is heated for the expansion and allowed to cool for the contraction. The primary fluid flow path through the controller is straight. A sensor conduit, providing a parallel sensor fluid flow path, is connected in position using metallic sealer members which extend into openings to the primary fluid flow path and which are rounded along the direction through such openings. The pressure drop, along the primary fluid flow path, to create flow through the sensor conduit, is provided by a fluid flow restrictor having a core and having lengths of wire along the core which are squeezed between the core and a tapered fluid flow path wall in the vicinity of the sensor conduit input and output connections.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings including a case having a longitudinal channel, at least one magnet disposed in the longitudinal channel, at least one coil assembly disposed adjacent the magnet in the longitudinal channel, and an acoustic vibration receptor movable about the coil assembly wherein the acoustic vibration receptor receives acoustic vibrations created by the movable strings to create secondary vibrations receivable by the coil assembly.

Abstract: An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis includes at least one inhibitor disposed within the vehicle wheel to selectively engage the vehicle wheel to prevent the vehicle wheel from rotating about its rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system also includes a rotatable structure disposed within the vehicle wheel and cooperating with the inhibitor for moving the inhibitor between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the vehicle wheel.