Abstract: Smoke detector initiated, shape-memory alloy triggered fire extinguisher apparatus creates a reliable, material non-destructive, life sustaining system to suppress or extinguish fires. Low power consumption allows the apparatus to remain latent for long periods of time, be non-destructively tested, and cause fire extinguishers to reliably discharge upon detection of persistent, unsafe smoke conditions. All classes of approved fire extinguishers are controlled. Life forms, sensitive electronic equipment, and other critical mechanisms are protected when liquified gas type fire extinguishers are controlled. The apparatus may be installed in existing unprotected facilities, be installed as primary protection for new facilities, or added as a fast reacting, non-destructive, protection to facilities presently equipped with slower responding sprinkler systems.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising an engine including an exhaust outlet, a lower unit including a high-speed exhaust outlet and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a generally vertical conduit communicating with the high-speed exhaust outlet, a wall surrounding the conduit and defining a water jacket between the wall and the conduit, the water jacket including a lower portion filled with water, a foward portion, and an exhaust gas inlet located above the level of the water and communicating with the engine exhaust outlet, and an adaptor connecting the engine to the lower unit, the adaptor including a first passage communicating between the engine exhaust outlet and the conduit, a port located forwardly of the passage and communicating with the forward portion of the water jacket at a point above the level of the water in the water jacket, a low-speed exhaust cutlet located rearwardly of the first passage, and a second passage extending interiorly of the adaptor and communicating between th

Abstract: A volume of gas is enclosed by a cap around a fastener that is through a composite structure on an aircraft. The gas provides spark suppression for arcing that may occur between the composite structure and the metal fastener during a lightning strike. The volume of gas is sufficiently large to absorb the energy of small, very hot particles of graphite, epoxy, etc., that may be present resulting from arcing. High-pressure gas regions between the fastener and composite member vent to the larger volume of gas and are absorbed. This provides effective spark suppression for particular areas in an aircraft, such as a fuel tank, etc.

Abstract: A quick disconnect boom mount having integral fluid conduits for use with master part transfer booms having changeable part handling spider booms. The coupling utilizes a rotary locking member, having an eccentric cam disposed thereon, which rigidly clamps the part handling spider to the master boom by engaging guide rods configured in a male/female arrangement and inserted from a first coupling block attached to the spider boom into the second coupling block attached to the master boom.

Abstract: An overhoist prevention system suitable for use on a crane comprises (a) a proximity switch (17), (b) a movable detector plate (10) normally biassed away from the proximity switch, (c) an actuator (5) adapted for use with the hoist wire (4) for moving the detector plate towards the proximity switch and (d) a relay (21). The relay is actuated by a signal from the proximity switch and controls the operation of an alarm and/or the supply of the power to the winding drum of the crane.

Abstract: A load carrying attachment has a supporting frame mounted on an elevationally movable carriage assembly mounted uprights of a lift mast and a load engaging frame having a load engaging device. A connecting device connects the load engaging frame to the supporting frame and guides the load engaging frame for movement in a preselected plane in directions transverse the uprights. The load engaging frame is freely transversely movable in the plane in response to an external force being applied to the load engaging frame and alleviates damage to the load engaging frame or a carried load due to misalignment with a transporter. A sensing device is provided for sensing the position of the load engaging frame and delivering a vehicle braking signal in response to the load engaging frame being at either a first or a second preselected transverse position. The load carrying attachment is particularly suited for use on an automatic guided vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure equalizing cabinet for instruments intended to be submerged in water is described. The device includes a source of compressed air and a piston in a cylinder. One side of the piston is in communication with the interior of the cabinet and the other side is in communication with the ambient. The piston also mounts a needle valve at a port in a conduit between this source of compressed air and the cabinet interior. When the pressure in the ambient exceeds the internal pressure, the piston is displaced to admit a flow of compressed air into the cabinet. When the pressure in the cabinet exceeds the ambient the piston closes the valve. A bleed valve is also provided for venting excess pressure within the cabinet during ascent.

Abstract: A marine stern drive (10) has an engine output coupler (60) driven to rotate about an axis and having a hub (70) with a splined axial opening (72) therein which is open-ended at the front and rear. A splined output driveshaft (78) is received in the splined axial opening (72) of the coupler hub (70) and is operatively coupled to the boat propeller (20) to drive same. The coupler hub (70) has a grease fitting (74) therein and a grease passage (76) extending from the grease fitting (74) and communicating with the splines (80, 82) to lubricate same. Front and rear sealing O-rings (84, 86) trap and retain the grease therebetween to maintain lubrication of the splines. The axial opening in the hub has a forward splined section (88) and a rearward nonsplined section (90). The driveshaft has a forward nonsplined section (90), a splined section (94) axially rearward of the forward section (92), and another nonsplined section (96) axially rearward of the splined section (94).

Abstract: A planing boat hull including a bow, a transom, a keel and an underside having:a. a transverse step adjacent the transom which extends partially the width of the underside; andb. a recess bounded by the transverse step and a pair of side walls and having an open transom end.The hull underside may further include a pair of substantially planar portions wherein each portion is located adjacent to a respective side wall of the recess. The hull underside may further include a plurality of lift strakes including an outermost lift strake terminating at or adjacent the transom, one or more intermediate lift strakes terminating short of the transom and the outermost lift strake and an innermost lift strake located adjacent to the keel terminating short of the transom end(s) of the one or more intermediate lift strakes.

Abstract: A vacuum loading apparatus is adapted to be mounted on the bed of a conventional pick-up truck and includes a primary particulate settling chamber and an integrally attached filter chamber having open communication with the settling chamber through a common separating wall. A pair of cylindrical filter units are mounted in the filter chamber, each filter unit has a pleated filter media disposed with its outer surface exposed to the particulate-carrying air. The open interior of the filter unit, comprising a clean air chamber, is divided into two sub-chambers by an impervious axially disposed separator and a compressed air nozzle is disposed adjacent the opening to each sub-chamber to direct a backflush jet of compressed air through the filter media to clean the entrained particulates therefrom.

Abstract: A boat slide channel assembly for use in the installation of marine canvas products has a slide channel member of a one-piece PVC extrusion having a mounting base and upwardly projecting sidewalls which form a groove track located substantially directly over the mounting base. The slide channel member easily fits to a multi-facet surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering handle device for small jet-propelled boats in which the stern of the boat is used as a floor deck on which the rider stands, and the engine is mounted on the front of the floor deck. A handle post is pivotally connected to the bow of the boat by a horizontal shaft. A base board for attaching the handle bar is integrated with the rear or upper end of the handle post overhanging the floor deck, and an attaching plate for the handle bar is pivotally connected to the base board by a vertical shaft. The rider steers using the handle bar and by changing the position at which he/she applies foot pressure to the boat. The steering handle device is characterized by the handle bar being constructed substantially in a H-shape as seen from a front view. The handle bar assembly consists of a handle bar body horizontally extending transversely of the boat, and a pair of grips vertically extending from the opposite ends of the handle bar body.

Abstract: A hydraulic jet propelling apparatus has an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the opposite end for a fluid passing therethrough. Between the inlet and outlet openings, a centrifugal accelerator member defines a divergent annular passageway for the fluid, with a frusto-conical external sleeve and a frusto-conical central vaned rotor member keyed together on a driving shaft. A stationary cup shaped wall projects from an outlet of the accelerator member, an internal face of which, seen in axial section, having a curvature variable from the outlet of the accelerator member to define at an outer end thereof a straight direction substantially axial to said internal face. The internal face being provided with a plurality of vanes for guiding and progressively changing direction of the accelerated fluid from a diverging and rotative trajectory when leaving the accelerator member to a trajectory parallel to the straight direction when leaving the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fire protection sprinkler head having a base constructed for connection to a source of fire retardant fluid under pressure, a throat in the base through which fire retardant fluid can flow, a valve seat defined by the base about the periphery of the throat, and a resiliently flexible valve disk disposed across the throat and impressed upon the valve seat in sealing engagement. The valve seat has an arcuate profile segment, with a protuberant ridge disposed about the periphery of the throat and adjacent thereto. The ridge, in the region of its crest, defines a valve seat surface. The valve seat further has a recessed surface segment disposed radially outwardly of the throat, and divergent from a plane of the crest of the protuberant ridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wedge device designed to be mounted on a water ski in a position where the wedge will underlie the rear foot of the skier. The wedge only supports the rear portion of the foot and allows the ball of the foot to directly contact the ski and thereby helps achieve proper slalom skiing body position with improved balance, stability, ski control, consistency and performance.

Abstract: A weedguard for attachment to electric trolling motors having a motor housing and a motor support shaft, the weedguard comprising a lower triangular frame member portion and an upper arm portion, the triangular frame portion having a flange for attachment to the motor housing so that the triangular frame portion has one apex toward the front of the motor housing and extends downwardly and rearwardly from the apex with respect to the motor housing; the upper arm portion being secured to the triangular frame portion at that apex and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom, and a rearward extension member extending from the upper arm portion toward the motor shaft for attachment to the motor shaft.

Abstract: A rocket-powered, air-deployed, lift-assisted booster vehicle (ALBV) is disclosed for efficiently carrying small payloads to orbital, supraorbital or suborbital altitudes and velocities. The ALBV is secured beneath a conventional carrier aircraft and dropped therefrom at launch altitude and velocity, which contributes significant total energy to the ALBV's ascent trajectory. The ALBV has wings, which generate aerodynamic lift to assist in vehicle ascent, and tail fins, which perform attitude control while the vehicle is in the sensible atmosphere. After drop launch, an innovative "vertical-S" maneuver is performed using aerodynamic control, causing the ALBV to ascend on a near-theoretical optimal trajectory. In the preferred embodiment, the wings and tail fins are jettisoned as the vehicle exits the sensible atmosphere and aerodynamic lift ceases.

Abstract: A yaw fin deployment apparatus provides a continuous depolyment force to fin during the entire range of deployment. A shaft, a movable sleeve bearing for riding along the shaft, a strut connected between the sleeve bearing and the fin, and a lanyard for continuously pulling the sleeve bearing along the shaft are provided. The momentum created when the ejection seat separates from the aircraft is transmitted to the lanyard, to the sleeve bearing, and to the strut for deploying the fin. A pulley is attached to the seat and is located near the aft end of the shaft and guides the lanyard to assure that the actuation force exerted on the sleeve bearing is in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. When the fin is fully deployed, the lanyard separates from the sleeve bearing through a split ring at the bottom of the sleeve bearing. A primary spring-loaded latch located at the aft end of the shaft locks the fin in a fully deployed position.

Abstract: A weight bearing trolley moves along a track having flanges between which a guide wheel of said trolley is positioned. The movement of the trolley is monitored to determine when braking is desired and, when desired, pressure is applied to said guide wheel, forcing it into contact with one of said flanges and producing frictional retarding force braking said trolley. A fail-safe actuator utilizes fluid pressure to keep a brake operating spring compressed when braking is not wanted.

Abstract: The semisubmersible drilling vessel has two spaced, parallel, horizontal, elongated submersible hulls which support a deck and a deck mounting structure. The deck has a central opening overhanging the space between the two hulls and is surmounted by a derrick. The mounting structure includes at least two vertical columns which connect the ends of the hulls to the deck and at least two hollow columns facing and spaced from one another substantially in the center of each hull. These central hollow columns form caissons on the interior of which is provided pipe manipulation apparatus which accommodates the handling and vertical storage of pipes associated with drilling a well.