Abstract: An emergency release valve apparatus for releasably connecting a pair of pipes together includes a pair of tubular housings, a ball valve member, a rotating shaft and a retaining mechanism. Each housing is secured at one end to a respective one of the pipes. The housings include retaining portions having generally hemispherical interiors adjacent to their other ends. The housings are releasably coupled together so that the hemispherical interiors cooperate to define a generally spherical space inside the housings. The ball valve member is disposed in the spherical space, and includes a pair of generally hemispherical valve elements which are releasably coupled together and respectively accommodated in the retaining portions in sealing relation thereto. The ball valve member is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a fluid passage formed therethrough.

Abstract: A tool magazine for an automatic machine producing various machining operations with the aid of machine tools held by a machine spindle. The magazine for replaceable tool is adapted to hold a plurality of tools each in tool holding mechanisms being held on a tool pallet mounted on a rotary table of the automatic machine. The spindle cooperates with the magazine so as to be in alignment with a tool holding mechanism of the magazine at a tool replacement position; whereby a new tool can be withdrawn from the tool holding mechanisms by the spindle or a used tool held by the spindle can be inserted into the tool holding mechanism. In addition, the magazine is indexed, to align the several tool holding mechanisms, one at a time, with the spindle at the tool replacement position by transmitting spindle movement, preferably through a tool, to the magazine.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the rotation of a rotary mechanism such as a propeller housing in a Z-type propulsion apparatus is provided. A command signal and a feedback signal both relating to the rotation of the rotary mechanism are compared with each other. And a control signal which varies at a predetermined inclination is generated when the command and feedback signals differ in amplitude from each other. And a drive unit rotates the rotary mechanism in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A tool magazine for an automatic machine producing various machining operations with the aid of machine tools held by a machine spindle. The magazine for replaceable tool is adapted to hold a plurality of tools each in tool holding mechanisms being held on a tool pallet mounted on a rotary table of the automatic machine. The spindle cooperates with the magazine so as to be in alignment with a tool holding mechanism of the magazine at a tool replacement position; whereby a new tool can be withdrawn from the tool holding mechanisms by the spindle or a used tool held by the spindle can be inserted into the tool holding mechanism. In addition, the magazine is indexed, to align the several tool holding mechanisms, one at a time, with the spindle at the tool replacement position by transmitting spindle movement, preferably through a tool, to the magazine.

Abstract: There is provided a rotation control system for a Z-type propulsion apparatus which can achieve an optimum turning of a vessel under any steering conditions of the vessel by controlling the rotation speed of a hollow rotary housing of the Z-type propulsion apparatus in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, the number of revolution of a propeller provided in the rotary housing, or the combination thereof. A difference between a signal representative of an angle of a steering handle and a signal representative of an angle of the rotary housing is first detected. The detected signal, which is representative of the difference between the angle of the steering handle and the angle of the rotary housing, is then limited in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, speed of the vessel, or the combination thereof, and the rotary housing is driven in accordance with the limited signal.

Abstract: There is provided a system for controlling the rotation of a rotary housing mounting a propeller unit of a Z-type propulsion apparatus in which the rotary housing does not rotate in the direction opposite to that of rotation of a steering handle even when the steering handle for commanding the rotary housing to rotate is angularly moved by more than .+-.180.degree.. A vector calculation circuit either produces a sinusoidal signal representative of a sine of the difference of angle between the steering angle of the steering handle and the follow-up angle of the rotary housing and a cosine signal representative of a cosine of the difference of angle or produces the sinusoidal and cosine signals and a second sinusoidal signal representative of an angle obtained by adding 45.degree. to the difference of angle.

Abstract: An articulate joint for use in a laser processing machine includes first and second hollow arms that are interconnected by a hinge so that they are freely bendble in a single plane; a mirror; and a mirror mounting mechanism for mounting the mirror in the hinge so that the mirror is angularly movable in response to relative angular movement between the two arms through an angle which is one-half of an angle of the relative angular movement between the arms, so that a laser beam coming from the first arm can be transmitted into the second arm.

Abstract: An emergency line disconnector for an LNG loading/unloading line or the like is made capable of accommodating bi-directional fluid flow. Sliders within the fluid passageways are arranged such that a substantially uniform cross-sectional flow path is provided for the fluid. Sealing devices are mounted on the sliders to cut off fluid flow through the device, and such devices are designed so as to be resiliently operable at the extremely low temperatures of LNG. To dissipate the fluid shock due to rapid closure of the device, a fluid shock absorber employing restrictive passageways may be used to slow the advance of the sliders to their cut-off positions.

Abstract: A new method for preparation of organic compost by incorporating zeolite into excretions from domestic animals. In the method, zeolite of about 10 to 30% relative to the total weight of excretions is homogeneously mixed and then piled for a predetermined period so that the water content of a surface portion of the pile of the mixture decreases to about 25% by weight or less, and the average water content of the entire pile decreases to about 55% by weight or less. The piled mixture is then supplied to a fermentation vessel in which it is scooped and turned over such that a high water content portion inside the low water content surface portion is divided into small masses and the low water content surface portion is divided into fine powders, so that the fine powders are spread around the small masses to thereby achieve effective aerobic fermentation in the vessel.

Abstract: A fluid transport line for conveying a dangerous fluid such as LNG is provided with an emergency disconnector which severs the line in an emergency situation after cutting off the flow of fluid therein. The cutoff system includes a pair of seal pistons urged toward one another to cut off the fluid passageway while allowing fluid trapped between the pistons to escape back into the line, and an external clamp mechanism which allows the line to be separated after the fluid flow has been cut off.

Abstract: An emergency line disconnector for an LNG loading/unloading line or the like is made capable of accommodating bi-directional fluid flow. Sliders within the fluid passageways are arranged such that a substantially uniform cross-sectional flow path is provided for the fluid. Sealing devices are mounted on the sliders to cut off fluid flow through the device, and such devices are designed so as to be resiliently operable at the extremely low temperatures of LNG. To dissipate the fluid shock due to rapid closure of the device, a fluid shock absorber employing restrictive passageways may be used to slow the advance of the sliders to their cut-off positions.

Abstract: A fluid passage change over valve unit for use in concrete pumps wherein a passage change over valve member located within a hopper is connected at its outlet port to a delivery line for pivoting about the latter so that an inlet port thereof is swung to alternately communicate with a pair of piston pumps having pump openings into the hopper. The valve unit is provided with a pair of guide members disposed along both sides of the valve member. One end of each guide member opens upwards and the other end is disposed to come into alignment with the opening of corresponding one of the piston pumps for guiding a fluid concrete within the hopper to the one pump when the valve member communicates with the other pump.

Abstract: A rotary snow plough vehicle having an auxiliary auger pivotable along a vertical plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of the vehicle. The auxiliary auger is rotatably secured about its axis by a supporting arm through bearings. Said supporting arm is positioned above a main auger and is swingable about a central shaft extending in parallel with the advancing direction of the vehicle. A tiltable cylinder is pivotably disposed between a frame and the supporting arm. By the extension and retraction of a piston rod of the cylinder, the supporting arm together with the auxiliary auger are swingably movable about the central shaft. The central shaft is extended from a deceleration means adapted to transmit the rotation of the main auger to the auxiliary auger. The auxiliary auger can be further provided with an extension auger in alignment therewith.

Abstract: A method for reducing the bacterial population of a blood powder having a moisture content of about 30% by weight or less, comprising heating the powder at a heating temperature of about 80 to about 160.degree. C. for a period of time to reduce the bacterial population of the blood powder so as to obtain blood products having a solubility of at least 50% without denaturing the blood protein. The blood product is useful for a foodstuff material and a rheological binding agent suitable for the improvement of the quality of a processed foodstuff.

Abstract: A leveling device for an asphalt finisher or the like including a pair of screeds disposed at front and rear portions of the device on auxiliary frames which are slidably coupled to a main frame. The main frame is pivotably mounted to a pair of supporting arms extending from the vehicle body. The screeds are both movable laterally and tiltable sidewards so that a predetermined depth of asphalt coating can be attained and a crown portion provided if desired.

Abstract: A snow-blowing chute apparatus of a snow-plough vehicle includes an arcuate stationary duct and at least one arcuate movable duct. These ducts have axial curvatures equal with each other. The movable duct is vertically movable to extend from said stationary duct in an operative state and is superimposed therewith during a non-operative state in response to the operation of a means for moving said movable duct.

Abstract: Apparatus for maneuvering a ship having Z-type propeller structure. A maneuvering handle provides a proportional relationship of ship speed and ship direction with its inclination angle and rotation direction respectively. A generally cylindrical rotation frame is rotatably supported by a stationary frame, a rotation shaft is disposed along the diametrical direction of the rotation frame, and a maneuvering handle is positioned at the approximately central portion of the rotation shaft. The lower end of the maneuvering handle is connected to the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is rotated about its axis by the pivotal movement of the handle. Furthermore, a hollow shaft is rotatably disposed coaxial with the rotation frame. The hollow shaft is provided with first and second central gears. A central shaft rotatably disposed in the hollow shaft has one end provided with an ahead-astern changing gear and the other end provided with an arm member.

Abstract: The sealing oil in a sealing device for an underwater propeller shaft as maintained at the optimum operating pressure by providing a pressure increasing device in which an oil chamber communicating with the sealing oil and a sea water chamber communicating with the sea water in the vicinity of the propeller shaft are separated by a movable member, e.g., a bellows.

Abstract: A method and a unit for wastewater treatment with microorganisms, in which at least one non-woven fibrous mat having a three-dimensional network structure is disposed as a supporting media in an aeration tank, microorganisms are retained on the surface of and in the interstices of the non-woven fibrous mat, and organic polluting matter in the wastewater is oxidatively decomposed by the microorganisms in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A valve means for changing over concrete material passage is disclosed, wherein a rotational frusto-conical valve body is provided in a hopper. The interior of the valve body is provided with curved circular concrete material intake and discharge passages, the openings of which are alternatingly communicated with openings of double cylinders having pistons therein by rotating the valve body. The other end of the discharge passage is rotatably connected to a pipe to supply the concrete material into the outside of the hopper.