Abstract: During grinding of successive workparts with a superabrasive wheel in a rough grind stage at a high wheel infeed rate and a finish grind stage at a relatively low infeed rate with spark-out stages after each of the rough and finish grind stages, the duration of the spark-out stage after rough grinding is made dependent on the condition of the grinding wheel and corresponds to the time needed for removing workpart material for the reduction of the grinding wheel motor power from the high rough grind level to the lower finish grind level. The duration of the spark-out stage will therefore be variable from one workpart to the next as the condition of the wheel changes. In addition, the interval of wheel retruing or dressing (i.e. number of workparts ground between wheel retruing) is variable as determined by the condition of the wheel. In particular, when the rough spark-out stage for a workpart is completed in a time shorter than a preselected minimum time indicative of a wheel that is in need of retruing.

Abstract: A lawnmower apparatus having a plurality of elongated lines or cables fabricated from a plastic material and the like that are arranged for movement about an axis. The lines are attached to rotatable plates or discs such that the apparatus acts as a reel-type lawnmower to cut grass in conjunction with an elongated bar. A resilient assembly maintains appropriate tensioning of the lines during operation of the lawnmower.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing bivalves for human consumption which includes depositing the bivalves in a fresh salt water bath maintained at a temperature of from about 46.degree. F. to about 54.degree. F. wherein the water is provided from an aquifer of not more than about 200 feet below the surface of the earth at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 gallons per minute per bushel, and preferably about 1 gallon per minute per bushel. The oxygen level in the fresh salt water is maintained at a level of from about 4 to about 10 ppm. As a result of the present invention, bivalves recovered, even from uncertified waters, can be sufficiently purified for human consumption in 48 hours without degrading the quality of the bivalves.

Abstract: A high pressure sealing system is disposed between a housing and a reciprocating member. One version has a reciprocating plunger and in another version is a reciprocating piston associated with a free floating piston.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly with integral valve for a gas turbine engine includes an inlet fitting with a tubular wash-type fuel filter therein between a central fuel passage and an annular primary fuel manifold therearound to filter primary fuel flowing through the passage to the annular primary fuel manifold chamber on the inlet fitting. The manifold chamber is in fuel flow relation in the valve housing with a primary fuel take-off passage therein for providing primary fuel flow to a fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph system is provided with an improved electrolytic conductivity cell (16) for detecting a selected material species in a fluid stream from conventional gas chromatograph (10, 12) having both gas and liquid phases. Planar electrodes (80, 82) are spaced by an insulator (84) and define borehole diameters (88, 90, 92) which enhance the generated signal-to-noise ratio by providing a short fluid transit time within the conductivity detecting volume compared with the effective time of the chromatographic event of interest. A pneumatic damper (108) may be further included to reduce generated system signal noise.

Abstract: A robot intended to the assembly of constitutive parts of objects comprises at least one working head (4) provided with a tool (8) effecting above a working area (9) motions controlled by a program according to at least three degrees of freedom and, within said working area (9), a device (14) providing for the accurate positioning of the parts to be manipulated in predetermined positions and orientations. It is characterized in that it comprises at least one removable preformed receptacle (17) providing for the collective transport of parts to be assembled to or from the working area (9), said receptacle being configured to maintain with a certain tolerance said parts in relative positions and orientations similar to those determined by the device (14) and arranged to cooperate with the latter. Assembly process implementing a robot such as hereabove defined and its application to the assembly in series of constitutive parts of objects.

Abstract: A package with spreader is hermetically sealed for storing relatively stiff spreadable materials such as butter until ready for use. The package includes a base having a relatively stiff spreader blade partially defined by a blade spread side surface and an opposed base supply side. The base also includes a deformable blister for holding the spreadable material. The blister is open through the blade to its spread side surface and extends outwardly from the blade on the supply side of the base. A peelable membrane initially seals the butter inside of the blister by being in sealing relation to the spread side surface of the blade. A portion of the membrane is manually peelable from sealing relation with respect to part of the blade and uncovers a portion of the blister to provide a butter delivery opening through which the butter can be forced by digital pressure on the outside of the blister. The butter can then be immediately spread using the sealing side surface of the blade.

Abstract: There is described a lighter for ovens, open hearths and similar, which comprises a holder the one end of which on the one hand is extended with a support from fire-proof non-conducting material wherein an incandescent resistor is supported, which resistor may be engaged directly with the solid fuel to be lighted, such as wood or coal, and the other end of which on the other hand, is provided with a handle which is connectable to an electric power source.

Abstract: A bucket wheel cutting device with two cutting wheels for a floating dredge with suction tube conveyance, has its suction tube arranged to end in two suction chambers separated by a central partition, one of the cutting wheels being provided at each of the two sides thereof. The suction chambers can be closed alternately, relative to the suction tube, by means of an adjustable flap.

Abstract: An improved method of measuring film thickness of the film layer on a certain material is disclosed. The method is carried out by way of the steps of measuring reflection intensity spectrum, determining extreme values of wavelength relative to the spectrum, preparing an expected value table relative to the reflection interference orders associated with the extreme values of wavelength, calculating a group of expected values of film thickness with reference to the expected value table, calculating deviated values among the values of film thickness in association with the group of expected values, determining the expected orders which minimize absolute values corresponding to deviated values as true interference orders and determining a required film thickness with reference to the thus determined interference orders.

Abstract: A multi-function directional handle with control elements mounted for turning in both directions is arranged as a single structural unit, in which unit an axially supported control spoke with hand-grippable, individually movable control levers at its ends is provided adjustably fixed in a position within the region of grip in front of the driver's seat of a construction machine. The control levers each define an opening, wherein finger-displaceable dump lever is mounted in each such opening, the axes of swing of the control and dump levers extending, approximately parallel, to the pivot axes of the controlled tool parts, and the direction of turn of the human control movements agreeing with that of the movements controlled.

Abstract: Roller-path system for the transportation of persons and goods, having an endless tread-plate band reversed around a horizontal axis as well as either a freely supported or a roller supported traction chain and self-supporting tread plates, each plate having two pull and two drag support-rod parts arranged close to the slate corners, respectively, opposite each other, where these plates can either directly support themselves, freely supporting rollers and the pull support-rod parts in addition to the traction chain, or can indirectly support themselves, having the pull support-rod parts mounted in traction chains with intermediate rollers and fork-shaped tread-plate resting elements which are attached by drag support-rod parts. The support-rod parts are provided as replaceably arranged system-adaptable pull and drag bolts.

Abstract: An EDM head has a single servo-controlled electric motor and a high ratio gear system that drives a wire electrode during both an EDM machining operation and a wire erosion compensation operation. An associated control system can be programmed to selectively drive the electrode to compensate for wire erosion and to control blind hole breakout.

Abstract: A chain adjustment arrangement including a drive gear having a fixed axis, an idler gear having a movable axis, and a driven gear having a movable axis, a first rigid link mounted between the axes of the drive gear and the idler gear, and a second rigid link mounted between the axes of the idler gear and the driven gear. The first and second links serve to maintain the idler gear in engagement between the drive gear and the driven gear upon manual movement of the driven gear to take up stretch in the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A method of inserting field windings in the core of an axial flux induction electric machine, the method includes providing a former about which wire is wound to form a plurality of convolutions, aligning the former with a radial face of the core and then moving the convolutions from the former into slots in the radial face to thereby form a field winding.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel of the type used with disposable paper filters. The interior bottom surface of the funnel is provided with ribs which prevent the disposable filters when wet from engaging the interior bottom surface. The bottom of the funnel has a radially extending drainage sump with a drainage or discharge port. A three-part removable screen filter assembly is mounted in the drainage port. One part of the filter is a bushing which seats in the drainage port and has exteriorly threaded nipples projecting above and below the drainage port. The bottom end of a enclosed, generally cylindrical and finger-like rigid filter is secured to a nut which is screwed onto the upwardly projecting nipple of the bushing. A separate nut is screwed onto the downwardly projecting nipple and secures the bushing in place in the discharge port.