Abstract: A tire illumination arrangement for an articulated tractor. The tractor has front and rear sections pivotally connected along an axis of articulation with a source of electric current mounted on one of the sections. The front and rear sections are each supported by a pair of ground engaging tires, which are mounted on and for rotation with an axle. In addition, the front section tires each have an inner surface which face opposite sides of the front section. The arrangement utilizes a lighting device which is electrically connected to the source of electric current. The lighting device is mounted on the front section, below and rearward of the front axle. This arrangement also utilizes a mechanism, interposed in the electrical connection between the lighting device and the source of electric current, to selectively supply the device with a flow of electric current from the source.

Abstract: A cotton harvester (10) is provided with several independently hydraulically adjustable heater units (16) that are movable in unison or completely independently depending on ground plane elevation. A rotary flow divider (30) is positioned in the supply conduit (42) to the header units (16) to control synchronous movement of the units.

Abstract: An implement that includes a pair of furrow forming disks, a seed tube located between the disks for depositing seed in the furrow, a seed firming wheel rotatably supported between the disks for movement in the furrow generally adjacent the tube exit and a pair of pivotally mounted furrow closing and gauge wheels located generally adjacent the seed firming wheel. The elements of the implement are particularly constructed and arranged primarily to achieve accurate seed depth control.

Abstract: Methods of converting essentially unpolymerized precursors into polyimides in which the precursors are exposed to microwave radiation. Preheating, thermal post-curing, and other techniques may be employed to promote the development of optimum properties; and reinforcements can be employed to impart strength and rigidity to the final product. Also disclosed are processes for making various composite artifacts in which non-polymeric precursors are converted to polyimides by using the techniques described above.

Abstract: A motor truck door check and holding device comprising a spring bar having a cylindrical end portion pivotally connected to a swingable hinge half and having an elongated cam portion passing through an opening in the stationary hinge half. The cam portion has a hump which passes through the opening and springs upwardly and engages with the solid surface around the opening to hold the door in an open door position.

Abstract: Polyimide fibers which have a porous, microcellular structure. Methods of making such fibers from a precursor under conditions which cause the precursor to foam and undergo imidization.

Abstract: A shift gate 22 allowing movement of a control lever 12 in a fore and aft plane is provided with a pivotable plate 46 having a recess 60 located in the midsection of said pivotable plate corresponding to a neutral position of a control lever. The control lever 12 will be locked in neutral when the pivotable plate is swung into position and an attached security knob 56 draws the pivotable plate 46 into a restrained position.

Abstract: A control lever 10 is restrained in a neutral position through the interaction of a perforated hinged plate 24 with a horizontal rod 16 extending from said control lever 10. The hinged plate 24 is provided with a spring 44 to urge the plate 24 into engagement with the upwardly extending end portion 20 of the rod 16 attached to the control lever 10. The spring 44 also urges the hinged plate 24 into a disengaged over-center position when the lever trap is in a disengaged mode.

Abstract: Methods of preparing polyimides and polyimide precursors from liquid resins containing tetracarboxylic acid esters and primary diamines which involve spray drying the resin.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a turbine with internally cooled, stationary nozzles incorporated into first and second stage nozzle segments and a system for supplying air to the nozzles, for effecting a flow of cooling air into impingement and film cooling relationships with a tip shoe mounted in the nozzle case, and for generating a flow of air which first impingement cools a nozzle case lip supporting the upstream ends of the second stage nozzle segments and then acts as a buffer, keeping hot gases from entering the space between the nozzles and the nozzle case.

Abstract: An articulated tractor that has its front and rear sections pivotally connected along the tractor's axis of articulation. The lead surface of the rear section and the trailing surface of the front section form an articulation space which is in close proximity to the articulation axis. To improve this arrangement, a cover is provided which substantially encompasses the articulation space with an enclosure. The enclosure incorporates at least two flexible bellows, which are opaque between their forward, rearward, top and bottom edges. The enclosure also includes four bands, a plurality of elements rigidly securing one of the bands to each of the forward and rearward edges of the bellows, and a plurality of members rigidly secured to the bands. The cover also utilizes a support to pivotally support the enclosure. This support is rigidly secured to either the front or the rear section of the tractor.

Abstract: A fuel tank arrangement for a tractor which stores its fuel in an auxiliary tank and a main tank that are spaced apart in the tractor. The tractor's engine receives its supply of fuel from a fuel pump after it has passed through a primary fuel filter. The fuel tank arrangement incorporates a first line fluidly connecting the main tank to the fuel pump. The arrangement also utilizes a main vent to connect the forwardmost portion of the upper section of the main tank to the atmosphere, and an auxiliary vent to connect the rearwardmost portion of the upper section of the auxiliary tank to the atmosphere. The next element of the arrangement is a supply system which requires all of the fuel to pass through the main tank to reach the fuel pump. The supply system fluidly connects the bottom section of the auxiliary tank with the forwardmost portion of the top section of the main tank through a second line.

Abstract: Booster providing both hydraulic feed-back and hydraulic feel-back in a two-stage operation in which we boost-brake a vehicle. Concentric, nesting, inner and outer control parts include, as the sliding outer part, a brake-pedal-connected input signal spool or sleeve for developing a desired signal pressure varying linearly along the length of, and therefore according to the sliding position of, the sleeve; the inner part constitutes a captive, telescoping metering spool with its ends in corresponding ends of the spool sleeve.

Abstract: An implement that includes a central subframe, a center frame, a pair of wing frames pivotally connected to the ends of the center frame for movement between a transversely aligned operating position and a rearwardly folded transport position, and a set of extendable transport wheels mounted on the rear end of the subframe generally adjacent the wing transport wheels, wherein the noted transport wheels provide the sole ground contact of the implement during transport for desirable handling characteristics.

Abstract: A two pump, two motor hydrostatic drive vehicle is provided with service brakes having an operating linkage interconnected with the speed control linkage for the hydrostatic pump in such a manner that depressing the brake pedal returns the pump swash plate control arms to neutral and releasing the brake pedal returns the control arms to the forward speed position previously set by the operator speed control lever.

Abstract: A motor truck hood opening damper restraint in the form of a vertically mounted, hydraulic hood damper or dash pot which restricts the speed of travel of the hood past an overcenter position, cushions the hood at the stop at the open position and permits unrestricted speed of travel when closing the hood.

Abstract: A fusible terminal device for protecting electrical cable networks from detrimental effects of overloads.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed planter utilizing air pressure to dispense the seeds in a central hopper to a plurality of laterally spaced seed planting assemblies. Mounted on the planter is a system for dispensing granular chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides from a separate hopper to the rows planted by the planting assemblies. The system uses air pressure from the planter (rather than a mechanical drive) to convey the granular material out of the separate hopper to the planting assemblies. Air is directed upwardly through an opening in the bottom of the chemical hopper and into a material conveyor tube spaced from the opening. The granular chemical is drawn through the space and into the conveyor tube by the air stream. A plurality of delivery tubes is connected to the conveyor tube for directing the chemical to the respective plurality of planting assemblies.

Abstract: A hardened agricultural disk, which is manufactured from a straight rolled steel, is provided with concentric rows of softened oblong areas or oblong openings, which are arranged radially inwardly of the periphery of the disk in non-diametrical alignment and in such a manner that a directional radial crack must pass into one of the areas, or openings, in one of the concentric rows, and be arrested in that row.