Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from scrap metal is disclosed. The process is carried out in a furnace maintained at a relatively constant temperature and having a first zone in which volatiles contained on the surface of the metal are vaporized and a second zone in which carbon contained on the surface of the metal is pyrolyzed. The furnace also has a conveyor for transporting metal therethrough at a specific speed to ensure complete vaporization and pyrolysis of the contaminants. The process includes the steps of sufficiently vaporizing the volatiles without oxidizing the metal, the vaporizing producing fumes containing unburned hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon fumes are then burned to produce hot gas which is recirculated to the furnace. The hot gas contacts the incoming metal and vaporizes the volatiles contained thereon.

Abstract: The surface texture of a moving transparent film is determined by applying a beam of collimated electromagnetic radiation at an angle of incidence sufficient to produce detectable backscattered radiation; collecting the backscattered electromagnetic radiation while avoiding specularly reflected radiation; and evaluating the intensity of the collected radiation for two components, a first component corresponding to the haze percent of the film and arising from the scattering of the collimated electromagnetic radiation by microscopic and submicroscopic features of the film surfaces, and a second component produced by the scattering of the collimated electromagnetic radiation by macroscopic surface blemishes, gouges and gel-like particles on each surface of the transparent film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the on-line determination of the bonding strength of a plural layer laminate having at least one outer layer transparent to electromagnetic radiation, said method comprising: directing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the substantially flat surface of said laminate at an incident angle substantially greater than a normal to the surface of said laminate; measuring the reflected intensity of said electromagnetic radiation at two substantially different diffuse reflectance angles; converting said reflected intensity to an intensity ratio by dividing the greater intensity value by the lesser intensity value to obtain a value which is proportional to the adhesion of the laminate based upon a pre-determined relationship of the bonding strength of said laminate and the value of said intensity ratio.

Abstract: An internal shoe drum brake having a pair of hydraulically actuated brake shoes and an automatic brake adjusting mechanism. The brake adjusting mechanism includes a variable length strut disposed between the two brake shoes and actuated to increase in length by use of of a notched wheel which is rotated through engagement with a lever pivotally connected to one of the brake shoes and biased to rotate the wheel by use of a compression spring. The action of the one lever is controlled by a second lever also pivotally connected to the brake shoe and engageable by the strut and the one lever so that pivotal movement of the second lever permits a pivotal movement of the one lever of approximately three times the movement of the second lever away from the strut as great of the first lever.

Abstract: DC power control system for use in an electric vehicular system has DC power supply and power conductors. A meter relay in a control unit enclosure displayably measures the DC current in the conductors and simultaneously establishes an overcurrent limit for tripping out the conductors when the limit is exceeded. Meter calibration and tripping function are testable by a test switch for substituting an adjustable DC test source in place of a conductor meter shunt to the meter relay. Application of DC to shorted power conductors is prevented by preliminary low power DC isolated AC relaying across the conductors. The test switch substitutes a low resistance for the power conductors to also test the AC tripping action. If the power conductors are already energized from a remote power supply, the local power supply is prevented from access by DC responsive relaying during a preliminary time period. After a problem is detected, the control system locks out so as to demand operator attention if the problem persists.

Abstract: An improved automatic energy-efficient temperature control system for a room or suite of rooms. This system is used in addition to the normal temperature responsive switch which is used to control a heating and/or cooling unit. This system involves a second temperature sensitive switch, set to a temperature which utilizes less heating or cooling. While using the normal operating temperature while persons are in the room, the second temperature responsive switch is short-circuited by a manual switch, or one operated by a magnetic or gravity means. The control of the shorting switch is made responsive to the entry or departure of persons from the room. Thus while they are present, a more comfortable operating temperature is provided and when they are absent from the room, a more energy-efficient situation is imposed.

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe, useful for light scattering and luminescence measurements, which comprises at least one optical fiber for transmitting light into a sample and at least two optical fibers for collecting light from the sample. The probe may further comprise a shield surrounding the fibers and having an optical window at one end to protect the fibers from hostile environments. When used in conjunction with a laser as a light source, the probe is particularly suited for Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A light source for providing controllable illumination having the red, green, and blue components in selected intensity proportion, uses a lamp/filter assembly which projects light through a diffusing plate into a mixing chamber from the output end of which mixed light is emitted for illuminating photographic paper through a negative. The chamber is rectilinear, and the red and green lamps project toward opposite corners while the blue lamp projects along the axis of the chamber. A light pipe which has an input end facing the output end of the chamber extends into the chamber and extracts light which is processed in red, green, and blue channels having temperature stabilized phototransducer circuitry and control circuitry wherein signals corresponding to the intensity of the color components are processed in the channels and are modified by control signals which can be produced in the photo printer control computer.

Abstract: A scanning light source system for projecting onto each area of a complete painting or other planar subject a beam of light and for moving said beam vertically and horizontally. The vertical movements comprise a succession of sweeps across the painting for the purpose of consecutively illuminating each part of the painting sufficiently strongly so that the whole may be photographically reproduced more satisfactorily than has been possible heretofore, i.e. through the use in combination of Kodak #6121 duplicating film or another gamma 1.0 film, polarizing filters, and a lens aperture of f22 or smaller. The horizontal movements position the light source for each vertical sweep. Said system enables a beam of light to be projected onto each part of the entire surface of the subject painting at an angle of greater than 40.degree. and less than 80.degree., thereby enabling brush-stroke and texture detail of a painting to be accurately rendered in a photographic reproduction.

Abstract: A mechanical parking brake mechanism having a self adjusting feature to compensate for friction pad wear suitable for use with a hydraulic disc brake is disclosed. The embodiment disclosed teaches a parking brake mechanism separate and independent of the hydraulic brake actuating mechanism. Thus the parking brake mechanism may be combined with any disc brake as an add-on device for use on motor vehicles.

Abstract: A pin type floating caliper low drag disc brake for a vehicle is disclosed in which the braking torque is transferred directly to a vehicle frame member for a non-steerable wheel and directly to a wheel spindle for a steerable wheel. An outboard brake pad assembly is mounted on the caliper which floats on a first pin located adjacent the leading edge of the caliper and an inboard brake pad assembly floats on a second pin located adjacent the trailing edge of the caliper. The braking torque is transferred through the pins to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved auger for use in drilling holes in the earth. The auger has a helical flight which is wound in a direction opposite to the normal direction of rotation of the auger. Thus an auger which is to be rotated in a clockwise manner has its flight directed in a counterclockwise manner. As the auger enters the earth with its clockwise rotation the tailings created thereby encounter a downhole force created by the reverse flight and they are forced outwardly from the auger so that they enter natural fissures or porous zones of the earth along the wall of the hole. No tailings reach the surface of the earth to create environmental problems. When water is used, as in drilling deeper as for seismic exploration, the water and tailings enter the wall of the hole and create a form of cement which prevents wall collapse. Drilling is faster and more economical, with fewer breakdowns, than with conventional augers.

Abstract: A replaceable handle assembly for coupling a handle to a valve stem comprising a connector for gripping the spline of a valve stem, a base member positioned over the connector and nonrotatably engaging the connector through a rectangular-shaped fitting, and a screw securing the base and connector to a valve stem. A post fits into an upwardly-opening recess in the base through a rectangular fitting and a small set screw secures the post to the base. A handle threads onto the post above the set screw to at least partially conceal the set screw.

Abstract: The turbine blades of a high pressure turbine in a gas turbine jet engine are cooled by cooling air injected into cooling channels in the blade using angled nozzles supplied with high pressure air from the engine compressor. The nozzles project the high pressure air across a lower-pressure gap into slots which lead to internal channels in the turbine disk without requiring the use of seals to produce a pressure differential to encourage the flow of cooling air. Maximum air transfer into the internal channels in the turbine blades occurs when the air impacting slots in the turbine wheel is travelling at an angle with respect to the slots which is approximately parallel to the axes of the internal channels. A relatively narrow range of angular misalignment for aiming the nozzles is permitted. The pressure of the air from the plenum may be reduced by employing two or more flow channels in series before projecting the air across the gap to the turbine wheel.