Abstract: A novel displacement instrument that can be used to measure the density or modulus of an aggregate pier upon which a multistory building or parking garage can be built. The aggregate piers are often 35 feet or deeper. These aggravate piers are constructed by adding lifts of approximately 12 to 18 inches of aggregate at a time and tamping it into the pier forming hole. Each lift of aggregate is being tamped or struck by a force of approximately 15,000 psi or greater. The displacement instrument allows aggregate piers to be constructed having a density or modulus that is consistent from the bottom of the hole to the top of the hole. The displacement instrument would be mounted on the side plate of a hydraulic breaker that is mounted on the end of a boom of a crane. The displacement instrument need not be permanently installed on the side of the hydraulic breaker and it is freely removed and installed on another crane.

Abstract: An identification marking system for objects involves giving each object its own electronic name tag. The electronic name tag can be specific amount of ferrite material that has been added to the object. An electronic reader system then measures the effect said object has on an identifying circuit as the object passes in close proximity to the identifying circuit. The measured effect is then compared to a pre-established value. The value on the electronic reader system becomes the electronic name tag for this specific object. It is not necessary to add ferrite to the objects to be identified. Most materials have a measurable effect on a variety of electronic circuits. An electronic name tag may well be established by simply placing an object in the vicinity of a particular circuit and measuring the results. The results are then compared to a pre-determined set of values. The results of this comparison will provide an electronic name tag for this specific object.

Abstract: A bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier forms an electric switch arranged to be connected in an alternating current supply circuit in series with an electric load to be controlled. The gate electrode of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected across the alternating current supply through the input of a full wave rectifier the output of which is connected across a unidirectional silicon controlled rectifier and the gate electrode of which is connected to the output of an oscillator which is controlled by the positive output pulses of a bistable multivibrator. The multivibrator is activated to each of its states by an electric trigger pulse which is generated when a person touches an electrically conductive proximity member connected to one plate of a capacitor, the other plate of which is connected through pulse shaping circuitry to the multivibrator. The output of the rectifier also supplies direct current for operation of the oscillator, multivibrator, proximity plate and shaper circuitry.

Abstract: Kernels of grain or other particulate harvester product, trapped with chaff and other trash being returned to the ground, are caused to drop onto an impact-sensitive transducer which thereupon produces corresponding electric signals which are counted and related to harvester ground speed and header width to provide a read-out of quantity per area of particulate product lost.

Abstract: A transducer, capable of converting noise signals to electrical voltage signals, is mounted in contact with a movable member and the electrical voltage output thereof is converted to a current function which then is converted to a DC signal which is directly proportional to the noise generated from the movable member. This DC signal then is compared with a generated, predetermined control signal that represents the desired motion at which an event can take place, such as the shifting of a vehicle transmission between forward and reverse conditions. When the DC signal matches the control signal the event can occur, either automatically or by manual manipulation.