Abstract: The invention is a pressure rig for repetitive casting of metal. The pressure rig performs like a piston for feeding molten metal into a mold. Pressure is applied to an expandable rubber diaphragm 22 which expands like a balloon to force the metal into the mold. A ceramic cavity 26 which holds molten metal is lined with blanket-type insulating material 11, 15, necessitating only a relining for subsequent use and eliminating the lengthy cavity preparation inherent in previous rigs. In addition, the expandable rubber diaphragm 22 is protected by the insulating material 14 thereby decreasing its vulnerability to heat damage. As a result of the improved design the like expectancy of the pressure rig contemplated by the present invention if more than doubled. Moreover, the improved heat protection has allowed the casting of brass and other alloys with higher melting temperatures than possible in conventional pressure rigs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence of trace amounts of a halogen gas in ambient air by changes in conductivity of a negative corona in an electrical sensing gap due to the presence therein of such electro-negative gas molecules, utilizes a digital feedback loop sensitive to gap corona current to adjust the high voltage producing the corona discharge to obtain the optimum corona current for best sensitivity irrespective of the concentration of the halogen contaminant present. The presence of the halogen gas contaminant in the air is indicated by a bi-level audible alarm consisting of a periodically interrupted tone the frequency of which goes above or below a base line value to indicate small variations in impurity concentration above or below the base line concentration, and the tone interruption rate of which, at the same time, increases for large impurity concentrations.

Abstract: A passive "core catcher" is provided for preventing the escape of radiation in the unlikely event of a major failure of a nuclear reactor by melt-down of the core. The "core-catcher" structure includes a narrow vertically downwardly extending isolation tube, and aligned narrow heat-exchange structure forming a chilled wall crucible in which the molten uranium oxide forms a container for itself including a "frozen" or solid layer of uranium oxide adjacent the heat exchanger wall. A passive cooling system may include a water tower adjacent the above-ground reactor structure, which dissipates heat from the core-catcher heat exchanger, and from within the above-ground reactor structure by a second local heat exchanger.

Abstract: An expendable spool for threads, yarns and the like, having a hub and flanges at both ends of the hub. The flanges are formed by two mirror symmetrical portions with each flange portion having a radial slot for receiving a projection of the other flange portion thereby forming interlockable but separable portions. The hub also comprises two mirror symmetrical portions, each of which is secured to a flange portion at each end so that the spool can be separated into mirror symmetrical halves. The flanges have central apertures and the hub has a central passage which is continuous between the flanges. The inner wall of the hub is provided with ribs having a triangular cross-section, the apices of which lie in a cylindrical surface for securing the hub to a spindle for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An engine system operates on liquid air and LNG, with the LNG being burned to obtain more energy from an expansion engine using the liquid air as the working fluid; and the liquid air is employed to trap or prevent the undesired venting of LNG fumes, which could otherwise burn or explode.

Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air plus a small amount of solid or liquid fossil fuel. The liquid is an efficient method of storing the energy of liquefaction. To get extended range and use of energy effectively some fuel is used to increase the temperature of this gas before it is introduced into the expansion engine. Two methods of using this fuel may be employed--one burns fuel internally in the expansion engine cylinders essentially at constant volume so a liquid form of the fossil fuel must be used; while the second method heats the gaseous working medium at constant pressure external from the expansion engine in a furnace so it can burn a wide range of either liquid or solid fossil fuels.With either system of operation the air/nitrogen as liquid is pumped at the rate of use from the insulated cold storage container up to high intial operation pressure (about 200 atmospheres) then passes through heat exchangers to bring it up to the intial temperature for expansion.

Abstract: A fishing device is provided which in a single structure can be used to perform a plurality of fishing operations, such as a motorized jigging operation, a casting operation, a trolling operation and a motorized jigging trolling operation. The device imparts a lifelike swimming action and oscillatory movement to lures, to baits and to live or plastic minnows. This imparted action and movement is caused by an electric motor in the handle which revolves an eccentric striker arm to deflect a length of line positioned in the path of the striker arm. Two separate control means permit the device to impart such movements to lures and baits of differing weights, sizes, buoyancies and physical structures. The first control is a variable rheostat which varies the angular velocity of the striker arm and thus varies the rate at which the striker arm contacts the length of fishing line positioned in the path of the striker arm.

Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air and gasoline. The liquid air is initially pumped up to a high pressure such as 200 atmospheres (or 200 bars) and is then warmed toward the ambient temperature in a heat exchange and changes to the gaseous state. Subsequently, it is permitted to expand, doing useful work on a piston or other known type of expansion engine. The gas is then passed through an additional heat exchanger where heat is absorbed from the ambient, and is combined with a small amount of fuel such as gasoline. The gasoline is ignited, under constant volume conditions thereby bringing the pressure back up to approximately 200 bars and at a temperature in the order of 1200 degrees. The gas is then allowed to expand in a cylinder containing an additional piston, and as a final cycle, additional fuel is added and ignited, and the resultant gases expand to drive an additional piston and provide further power to the engine.

Abstract: A gasoline internal combustion engine is operated at all times with a full charge of air and is thus unthrottled. At low power levels for such an engine, the ratio of gasoline to air is too lean for normal combustion; therefore, special arrangements are provided by this invention for ensuring combustion.

Abstract: A sewing machine bobbin adapted for disposal in a bobbin case. The bobbin includes a hollow cylindrical core on which a thread mass is wound adapted for slidable disposal over a center post mounted in the bobbin case, and a latch is mounted on the post for securing the cylindrical core and the thread mass in the bobbin case, the post and the latch having a combined axial length greater than the axial width of the bobbin case. The improvement of the invention comprises constructing the hollow cylindrical core so that the edge of at least one end thereof is axially tapered radially inwardly along the axis of the core away from its end towards the center post of the bobbin case and has an axial length which is greater than the axial distance between the bobbin case and the latch. The thread mass is wound on the core so that the tapered edge extends axially outwardly along the core axis beyond the surface of the thread mass.

Abstract: A fishing device having a handle, an elongate rod secured to and extending from the handle, a line having one end secured to the handle and a free end hanging from the rod, guide members secured to the handle for supporting an intermediate portion of the line spaced from the rod, a motor, and an eccentric arm rotatively driven by the motor to engage and deflect the intermediate portion of the line spaced from the rod so that the free end of the line is jigged. The guide members are adjustably secured to the handle so that the attitude or angle of the intermediate portion of the line relative to the eccentric arm is adjustable to vary the line deflection. The rod is secured to the handle so that it may be telescoped relative to the handle to change its operative length. A weight is adjustably disposed on the rod so that the center of gravity of the rod may be redistributed.