Abstract: Performance measurement and/or malfunction detection of rotating machinery can be accomplished by using one or more strain measuring devices attached to a journal bearing housing, using the strain measuring device or devices to generate an electrically measurable output in response to a change of a force in at least part of the journal bearing housing, using a Wheatstone bridge circuit to convert the electrically measurable output to an analog electrical signal, converting the analog electrical signal to a digital electrical signal and analyzing the digital electrical signal to determine the performance of the machinery and/or existence of a malfunction in the rotating machinery.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a failure of a fluid film bearing is disclosed. The system and method use one or more non-laser based strain transducers to detect changes in the frequency spectrum of the pressure of the fluid film at one or more locations in the bearing to identify failure or the risk of failure of the bearing. The system and can use metallic film, piezoelectric, and piezoresistive strain sensors to generate alarms when particular frequency bands become present in the strain frequency spectrum. The system and method can also generate strain orbit plots and perform waveform analysis of the time varying strains in the bearing housing caused by time-varying changes in the pressure of the fluid film.

Abstract: An auto-loading system of disk playback apparatus includes a door open/close detecting device for detecting that a door is being closed when a disk is being ejected, and loads the disk into the disk playback apparatus by the detection signal therefrom. According to another aspect, the apparatus generates an alarm immediately when detection is made thereby that the door is being closed when the disk is being ejected.

Abstract: A proportionally extendable multi section boom crane is provided with an automatically erectable mast pivotally carried by one of the boom sections. The mast, which has a secondary sheave on the outer end thereof, normally rests in a stowed position adjacent the boom section on which it is mounted. The load line of the crane extending from the winch at the base of the boom section is trained over the secondary sheave, as well as sheave structure on the outermost end of the outer boom section. Elongated rod structure carried by one of the extendable boom sections outwardly of the crane has coupling means thereon engageable with the mast to initiate erection thereof after the proportionally movable boom sections have been extended a predetermined extent, normally after about 50% extension thereof.

Abstract: A mobile crane having frame structure supporting a boom and turret unit between the front and rear wheel axles of the crane is provided with four outrigger arms which are extensible to present an extended perimeter X-shaped pattern. The outrigger arms are each swingably attached to the crane for swinging movement from retracted positions adjacent the turret of the crane, to extended X-pattern defining dispositions where the ground engaging pads of the two forwardmost extended outrigger arms are generally aligned with the axis of the front axle of the crane, and the ground engaging pads of the two rearmost outrigger arms are generally aligned with the axis of the rear axle of the crane. Each of the outrigger arms is constructed such that the outer pad supporting ends move through an essentially upright path of travel as they approach, move toward and then move below ground level at the wheels of a crane.

Abstract: A crane apparatus includes an upstanding mainframe and a boom unit supported for pivoting movement on the mainframe about a horizontal axis. The boom unit includes a base boom, an outer boom section of one or more outer booms, and a fluid-actuated piston-and-cylinder assembly. A pair of space mounting walls are presented by the base boom in which a hole is defined, and the piston-and-cylinder assembly includes a proximal transverse sleeve sized for receipt between the spaced walls of the base boom in alignment with the hole. A pin is provided that is sized for receipt in the hole and the tubular sleeve for securing the piston-and-cylinder assembly to the base boom. Removal of the pin enables the outer boom section and piston-and-cylinder assembly to be removed from the base boom.

Abstract: A crane apparatus includes an upstanding mainframe and a boom unit that is supported for rotation on the mainframe through a range of movement of about 500.degree.. The crane is provided with a plurality of fluid transmission lines having first ends fixed relative to the mainframe and second ends fixed relative to the boom unit. An elongated guide tube supports the lines relative to the boom unit and presents a lower end that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation of the boom unit for sweeping the lines along an arcuate path around the axis as the boom unit is rotated, coiling the lines beneath the guide element to inhibit kinking. This management of the lines reduces the amount of twisting per unit length of line and prevents kinking within the range of allowed movement of the boom unit.

Abstract: The Multiple Concavity Surfing Ship and Transition System is an improvement for a surfing ship that generates a singular water wave and rides on its crest efficiently at high speeds. The improved system now adds provisions to aid in the ship's transition in lifting the ship upwards from its low speed displacement mode deep in the water to its high speed surfing mode on top of the ocean surface and to enhance stability and control during transition and cruise. Two complementary features to assist in this transition are provided, the first comprising one or more pairs of hydrofoils on either side of the ship near its bottom to increase surface area and span to lift the ship upwards at the low speed beginning of its transition, and second, one or more sets of concavities preferably symmetric nested concavities, of increasing camber on the bottom of the ship itself to reduce the wetted area in a controlled manner as the ship approaches its cruise mode at high speeds.