Abstract: An improved process for polymerization of lactones or mixtures of lactones in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst is disclosed wherein the initiator is an organic compound having at least one non-cyclic ester group and having no reactive hydrogen substituents. A polyester having blocked end groups is produced.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic article which comprises internal electrodes and/or conductors is formed by producing a sintered ceramic body that has areas of ceramic material extending to an outer face thereof, said areas having an open structure characterized by interconnected voids, and thereafter providing a conductor in said porous areas. The ceramic body may be formed by depositing, for example by screen printing, on sheets of a powdered dielectric or insulating ceramic material bonded with a temporary bond, an area of a temporarily bonded powdered ceramic material which on firing becomes porous, i.e. open-structured, consolidating a plurality of such sheets, and sintering them. Subsequently, electrodes or conductors may be provided in the open-structured areas by impregnating said areas with a metal or alloy and providing a termination electrode on the said outer face. If desired, an open-structured permeable barrier can be provided on said outer face before such impregnation.

Abstract: Ship or similar floating installation, equipped with a working deck, a lower intermediate deck and below this a bottom below water level. The intermediate deck is provided with spaces for the assembly of apparatus, which can be lowered through an opening. On the bottom and next to the opening the ship is provided with a dock with gates at the side of the opening and accessible from the intermediate deck, which gates can be opened and when closed allow the dock to be pumped dry.

Abstract: One or more guide elements support a pile at the region where the chance of bending or collapse of the pile is most likely and during the process of pile driving, the guide element is moved along with the pile to eliminate the need for puncheons or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle having an operators enclosure and an hydraulic circuit is provided with a heat exchanger to warm the enclosure. The heat exchanger is supplied with fluid from the return side of the hydraulic circuit thus eliminating the conventional engine coolant pipes.

Abstract: A power steering system has a valve between the pump and steering unit. The valve maintains a constant pressure differential so that the pump is unable to deliver aerated fluid to the unit in the event of loss of fluid or fracture of a pipe.

Abstract: A buckle and tongue combination comprising a ferrule, channeled for acceptance of a bifurcated tongue. A latch member straddling the ferrule, and pivoted thereto, is biased for latching engagement with the tongue. The tongue may be disengaged by pressure in opposition to the bias, applied to a lever which constitutes an extension of the latching member.

Abstract: A ventilator is disclosed having a power unit for driving the ventilator which includes fluidic timing control means, gas input means and gas output means. The gas input means is connected to the timing control means via pressure regulating means. Display means are provided responsive to the pressure of the gas which is provided to the timing control means. The timing control means is connected to the output means and is alternately conductive and non-conductive of gas from the input means to the output means. The ratio of the periods of conductivity to non-conductivity remain fixed even where the frequency of alternation varies to maintain a fixed ratio of the inspiratory to expiratory phase time.

Abstract: The crop gathering reel of a combine is mounted on a pair of reel support arms each in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly having widely spaced load-bearing lands which enable the arms to withstand the bending loads arising from supporting the reel in cantilever fashion while permitting adjustment of the reel position forwards and rearwards.

Abstract: Braking system, primarily for wheeled excavators, having a first hydropneumatic brake acting on all wheels and a second auxiliary brake acting on the transmission, a first actuating device to operate the first brake when driving on the road and a second actuating device to operate first and second brakes when the excavator is stationary and working on site, the second actuating device being arranged so that on its operation both brakes are applied simultaneously.

Abstract: A profiled roller for pressing sheet material evenly against a roller that applies a film of liquid to the material, without collecting or forming a meniscus of the liquid in the absence of material to be moistened, comprises on a core a sleeve composed of many contiguous identical rings each provided with a peripheral series of protuberances that recur n times circumferentially thereof with each ring turned circumferentially relative to a contiguous ring at an angle thereto of less than 360.degree./n. The tops of the protuberances, each having a surface area of less than 0.5 mm.sup.2, define a cylindrical roller outline and are spaced apart by a distance of 1.5 to 4 mm, providing between them open spaces that will not retain the liquid by capillary action. The opposite sides of each ring are formed with complementary profiles disposed circumferentially apart at the said angle so that the rings may be readily assembled in the required angular disposition on the core.

Abstract: In a bearing assembly having at least two relatively rotatable members, a device having means for generating a magnetic field and means for sensing variation in the magnetic field, said bearing assembly including means for inducing variations in the magnetic flux which variations have a frequency proportional to the rotational speed of one member relative to other member, said inducing means being associated with one of said members and said means for sensing variations being associated with said other bearing member and seal means partly defined by said members completely sealing said inducing and sensing means.

Abstract: Suspension fertilizers containing humic acid as a crystallization inhibitor and crystal growth modifier. Suspension fertilizers containing from 0.05% to 3% humic acid and from 0.25%-3% bentonite have excellent stability as evidenced by a low concentration of crystals, a low crystal growth rate, good suspension characteristics and good rheological properties. An improved method of manufacturing suspension fertilizers which consists of adding from 0.05% to 3% by weight humic acid to the suspension fertilizer, and a method of inhibiting the formation and growth of crystals from a supersaturated solution of at least one fertilizer chemical which comprises adding from 0.05% to 3% by weight humic acid to the solution before it becomes supersaturated.

Abstract: A copying apparatus provided with a system for transferring electrostatic or powder images from a moving image supplying surface to a moving intermediate surface for temporary retention on the latter, wherein the respective supports of the surfaces are pressed together during image transfer and are kept apart at other times, is made with an arrangement which assures synchronized movement of the two surfaces for image transfer by driving the supports at slightly different speeds yet causing one of them to be driven by friction with the other, precisely at its speed, while and at the location where the surfaces are pressed together for image transfer.

Abstract: Holder for a welding head for carrying out welds on the innerside of a substantially closed body, said holder being in the form of an elongated member, the end portion of which is provided with a holding member for the welding head adapted to pivot from an axial position to a radial position, and wherein means are provided for controlling said holding member.

Abstract: A magnetic roller comprising a diamagnetic cylinder rotatable about magnetic poles which extend axially inside the cylinder and are each formed by similar poles of magnets lying axially beside each other is made to generate a substantially homogeneous magnetic field over its full working width, thus enabling the magnets to be made of strongly ferromagnetic, anisotropic material, by the provision, over and along one or more of the magnetic poles between the magnetic pole and the diamagnetic cylinder, of a material having high magnetic permeability, such as a strip of soft iron of between 0.1 and 1 mm. in thickness fixed to and not wider than the surface of the magnetic pole.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut for use in a vehicle suspension system for vehicles having sprung and unsprung portions, the strut including a telescopic shock absorbing device having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod, means for securing one end of the clyinder to one of the vehicle portions and for securing one end of the piston rod to the other of the vehicle portions, a conversion assembly for selectively converting the strut such that it is adjustable in response to the supply of a pressurized fluid, the assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member and first and second attachment means adapted to be removably connected to the shock absorber so as to define therewith a variable volume gas chamber, and means for selectively communicating a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, to and from the chamber to effect selectively expansion and contraction thereof.

Abstract: An improved grain elevator is provided for a combine to transfer clean grain from the cleaning mechanism to a temporary, pivotally mounted, grain holding tank. The grain transfer elevator comprises a generally transversely and horizontally extending first auger disposed below the cleaning mechanism and connected to a second auger which extends upwardly in a transverse inclined direction through the bottom wall of the grain tank to a position at the top middle of the tank for discharging clean grain therein. The second auger includes separate parts releasably coupled together to thereby permit disengagement thereof for allowing the grain tank to be tipped for unloading.

Abstract: A magnetic roller comprising a diamagnetic cylinder rotatable about magnets extending axially inside the cylinder is made to inhibit escape of magnetically attractable powder particles from the surface of the cylinder by providing the magnets, or a cylindrical magnet composed of several of them, with means which form in the magnetic field near each end of the cylinder a spirally extending bandlike field range which deviates in field strength from that existing in other regions of the cylinder surface. The bandlike ranges preferably have a reduced field strength and are formed by grooves made in the surface of the magnets and/or by applied strips of material having a greater magnetic permeability than air. They preferably extend from the extremities of the magnets spirally inward in the direction of the rotation of the cylinder, so that powder particles will be displaced inwardly from them as the cylinder rotates.