Abstract: A safety latch for securing doors, windows and the like includes a plunger slidably received within a housing and movable between extended and retracted positions. A first end of the plunger is freely available for engagement with a hole, recess, strikeplate, or the like externally of the housing, and a second end of the plunger within the housing includes a cam member. A retracting member is interconnected with the plunger through the use of an intermediate member located between and connected at its opposite ends to the plunger and the retracting member. Either a first end of the intermediate member or the retracting member includes a cam follower engageable with the cam member included on the plunger. When a force is applied to the retracting member to pull the plunger into the housing from the extended position toward the retracted position, the plunger is freely movable within the housing to the retracted position.

Abstract: A reduced cost digital data modulation and demodulation scheme for very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite communication systems combines non-coherent frequency detection with trellis-coded, multi-frequency modulation. The technique is robust to phase noise and frequency uncertainty and is capable of achieving the performance of rate one-half phase shift keyed modulation. The code width of data to be transmitted bears a prescribed relationship to the size of a multiple frequency set and the selection of a given combination of frequencies within that set for transmission during a respective baud. One portion the data is convolutionally encoded and provides a pointer to one of plural groups of orthogonal signal sets associated with frequencies into which the multiple frequency set has been partitioned. Another portion of the data identifies the frequency combination within the group pointed to by the one portion. The combined portions encode a multi-frequency waveform transmitted to the receiver site.

Abstract: A system for injecting an additive within a fuel storage tank or the fuel tank (10) of a vehicle (12) including an additive injector (22) mounted within the tubular inlet (14) of the fuel tank (10). The additive injector (22) includes an additive pump (46) driven by impeller blades (50) on an end of a pump shaft (48). The fuel discharged from the fuel nozzle (58) strikes the blades (50) to rotate the impeller (47) of pump (46) for dispensing the additive. The additive container (51) has an additive line (56) extending to a pump (46) for the supply of additive thereto for discharge from additive nozzle (54) into the flowing fuel stream. The additive is blended with the flowing fuel stream when discharged. The additive injector (22) may be utilized as a retrofit unit on an existing fuel tank by the removal of fuel tank cap (18) and the insertion of additive dispenser (22) within the tubular inlet (14).

Abstract: An induction heating device having a pair of inductors in a sub-assembly connected by fluid conduits to a cooling apparatus and by electrical conductors to an inverter and impedance adjusting circuit has a quick disconnect terminal assembly arranged closely adjacent to the inductors. This permits the inductor sub-assembly to be quickly and easily disconnected from the conduits and conductors so that the inductor sub-assembly may be moved to a new location easily and quickly. A plurality of inductor subassemblies may be used with a single terminal assembly to provide an accelerated method of heating a series of items by successively moving the terminal assembly to a next inductor sub-assembly to begin heating and to then move the non-disconnected inductor assembly to a new location while the next inductor sub-assembly is operating.

Abstract: A reduced cost, robust data communication scheme for very small aperture terminal satellite communication systems combines non-coherent frequency detection and trellis-coded, multi-frequency modulation. The data code width is associated with the size of a multiple frequency set and the selection of a given combination of frequencies for transmission during a respective baud. One portion the data is convolutionally encoded and points to an orthogonal signal set associated with frequencies of a partitioned multiple frequency set. Another portion of the data identifies the frequency combination within the group pointed to by the one portion. The combined portions encode a multi-frequency transmission waveform. At the receiver, the multi-frequency tone sequence is detected by non-coherent frequency detection. For each baud, matched filters output a most likely set of frequencies transmitted during that baud, as soft decisions to a Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting containers which have vertical seams is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in label machines where, prior to the application of labels to the containers, the apparatus orients the containers around longitudinal axes, so that the ends of labels applied to such containers are positioned adjacent to the seams. Apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a star wheel with roller bearings which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets of the star wheel, a container drive wheel movable between a first position where it is operable, and a second position where it is inoperable, to cause rotation of a container which is in a pocket of the star wheel and means for moving the drive wheel between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computerized interactive control, measurement and documentation of are welding utilizing a single power source that facilitates continuous precision welding. Operational interactivity between the welding operations and the workpiece operations, in connection with predetermined optimum welding operational parameters, provides contemporaneous feedback of critical welding operational parameters to the welding operator, producing an alarm if welding is attempted outside a first predetermined range of deviation from optimum welding operational parameters and temporarily interrupting power to the welding operation if welding is attempted outside of a second predetermined range of deviation from the optimum welding operation parameters. A complete log of the welding operational parameters is stored for subsequent retrieval and display, providing training and evaluation of welding operators as well as verification of compliance with required welding practices and procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and quick-disconnect apparatus for disconnecting power to a three-phase motor. The present invention provides a quick-disconnect apparatus for efficiently and easily disconnecting three-phase power to a motor having a receptacle terminal box with a first plurality of quick-disconnect receptacles, a second plurality, half of the first plurality in number, of bus bars connecting pairs of the quick-disconnect receptacles, and the second plurality of power cables individually connected to the bus bars for providing current to the three-phase motor.

Abstract: A variable-density MLI-insulation employs unbonded, glass paper to separate radiation barriers. A layer-by-layer heat balance is conducted to determine the thickness of the various separation layers which vary from relatively thin at the warm wall to relatively thick at the cold wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a flexible bag (54B) containing dry particulate material within a hopper (25B) for dispensing of the dry particulate material from the hopper (25B) through a lower discharge opening into a mixing chamber for the mixing of the dry particulate material with a liquid as shown particularly in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11. An inflatable seal (49B) is mounted within the hopper (25B) about the receiving opening (14B). A pre-packaged flexible cylindrical bag (54B) has a rigid support member (59B) inserted therein prior to filling with dry particulate material. The upper end of bag (54A) is sealed upon the filling of bag (54B) with the dry particulate material. Upon insertion of the pre-packaged flexible bag (54B) within hopper (14B) the rigid support member (59B) is positioned in opposed relation to inflatable seal (49B).

Abstract: A self cleaning plug is positionable within a tube having an internal surface with a defined dimension. The plug is formed of a first rigid member, a compressible member, a bolt, a second rigid member and a cleaning device. The first rigid member has a threaded bore and an external dimension less than the defined dimension of the tube internal surface. The compressible member has a through bore large enough to receive a shank of the bolt. The bolt extends axially through the compressible member and into the threaded bore of the first rigid member. The second rigid member is preferably in the form of a thin disk and is carried on the bolt between the compressible member and a head of the bolt, such that rotation of said bolt into said rigid member will result in axial compression and radial expansion of the compressible member.

Abstract: A hole tapping device having a motor driven tapping tool with a bracing frame for resisting reverse torque on the motor frame caused by resistance of the rotation of the tapping tool within a bore being tapped. The bracing frame has adjustable arms which provide adjustment in the radial and angular direction and which clamp stationary protrusions on the workpiece with rollers to hold the bracing frame against rotation in both directions about the axis of the bore. The adjustments of the frame provide great geometric versatility. The rollers provide for a smooth translation of the motor and bracing frame along the axis of the bore being tapped. A single coupler and a series of inserts allow for a series of differently sized tap tools to be driven through the use of a single coupler.

Abstract: A method and system for removing a surface layer contaminated with radioactive and/or hazardous material and subsequently treating the waste to remove contaminants and provide an essentially contaminant-free final effluent. The contaminated material is removed by blasting the surface with a pressurized stream of air and sodium bicarbonate abrasive media, and the media is dissolved in water subsequent to the blasing operation. The resulting waste is treated in a sequence of steps including adjustment of pH, aeration and separation into primarily solid and liquid phases by precipitation of solids, which are removed for appropriate disposal. The primarily liquid phase is successively passed through a particle filter, a granulated activated carbon filter and a polishing unit to produce the clean final effluent.

Abstract: An adjustable die assembly having a ring structure with a clear central aperture for locating the ring structure along an axial length of a rod to have threads repaired or cut, and having a plurality of thread cutting chaser inserts connected to tool blocks which are slidable radially on said ring, each tool block connected to a threaded adjustment shaft, threaded into said ring for adjusting the radial position of each chaser insert. Alternatively, each threaded adjustment rod can be provided with a pinion gear, and a rim gear can be in mesh with each pinion gear, and a gear device can be provided for turning the rim gear to simultaneously adjust all chasers radially.

Abstract: A thread cutting tool which can be configured to cut threads in a variety of bore sizes using universal thread cutting chasers mounted in select radial extension such as by using variable length tool blocks which are themselves interfit within retaining slots in the head portion of the tool, or by providing alternate radial position notches an the head portion for mounting the cutting chasers. By using variable tool blocks mounted to the head portion of the tool, universal thread cutting chasers having a preselected thread pitch can be utilized for multiple bore sizes, thus saving the expense of providing chasers or head portions corresponding to each bore size. Alternately, by providing alternate radial position notches in the head portion for mounting the cutting chasers, a single tool can be used for different bore sizes, such as for undertaking a start thread cut in a bore and then undertaking a finish thread cut in the pre-cut bore using an alternate radial position for the chasers.

Abstract: A rod turning tool having a first sleeve with at least one open end and having an internal thread and an external tapering with second and third sleeves surrounding the first sleeve and arranged on uphill and downhill sides of the external tapering, the second and third sleeves having compatible taperings on the inside diameters thereof to be flush with the external tapering of the first sleeve, and a plurality of fasteners connecting the second and third sleeves axially. A tightening of the fasteners drawing the second and third sleeves together, sliding along the external tapering which acts to compress the first sleeve against a rod threaded into the internal threads of the first sleeve. In an alternate embodiment, the second sleeve is located against the external tapering and the third sleeve is fixed in axial position by an external flange of the first sleeve and the plurality of fasteners draws the second sleeve toward the fixed third sleeve to compress the first sleeve.

Abstract: A tool for rotating a rod is provided which is formed of three members. A first member is formed as a sleeve and has an internal opening size to receive the rod. This sleeve has a tapered, portion which is placed over the rod. A second member, which may also be in the form of a sleeve slips onto the first sleeve and engages against the tapered portion. A third member sleeve is axially fixed to one of the first and second members and engages against the other of the members. A mechanical arrangement is provided to selectively urge the third sleeve apart from the other members against which it engages in order to move the second member and the first member relative to one another along the tapered surfaces to collapse the end of the first member engaging the rod to increase the gripping force of the first member with the rod. The first member has a shaped contour for receiving a torque applying device, such as a wrench, so that the first member can be rotated, thus rotating the rod.