Abstract: A logistics system for the collection and delivery of ocean freight which includes a carrying vessel adapted to hold a plurality of barge-like cargo modules individually suited for the carriage of containers or autos or liquid or dry bulk or deck cargo. Rather than berth at the ports served in its deployment, the carrying vessel anchors in close proximity to the origin or destination port, and floats off inbound barge modules which are immediately replaced by outbound barge modules, similarly floated on. Therefore, in a short period of time, the carrying vessel can exchange its entire cargo capacity. Harbor tugs ferry the barge-like cargo modules to and from a plurality of marine terminals for stevedoring operations. Meanwhile, the newly loaded carrying vessel is already on its way to its next port of call.

Abstract: A peripheral drive log lathe having no sliding surfaces susceptible to wear in either the log pinching apparatus or in the knife assembly. All loads are transferred to the frame members through rotary bearings. The knife assembly is self aligning to the thickness W of the veneer cut by the fixed distance W between the noseroll and the knife edge. The idler rolls are mounted on a carriage which can only move in parallel planes as determined by a three point translation scheme. A trio of ball screws and nuts provide synchronized drive to the three points. A rounding actuator controls the knife assembly until the log is rounded at which time the rounding actuator is de-energized and the becomes self aligning.

Abstract: A process for selectively abrading one surface of a veneer knife at a higher rate that the other face and includes a novel way of providing lubricating and cooling fluid to the faces of the knife wherein the majority of the lubricant is provided to the face which abrades slower to further enhance the self sharpening of the knife.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using a veneer type lathe of compact design for the pellitizing of a log portion directly from the log without intermediate steps. A log saddle with slide guides for the axles of the incisor rolls enables a significant reduction in the complexity of a peripheral drive veneer lathe and permits the use of a single press to clamp, incise and separate the pellets from the log.

Abstract: A new type of fuel pellet and method and apparatus for manufacturing. Pellets are cut directly from logs without requiring grinding and extruding. A veneer type lathe and rolls hold a log and the rolls incise the log surface to a depth larger than the veneer cut prior to cut off with the veneer knife so that all three dimensions of the pellet are precisely controlled as well as being clean cuts.

Abstract: A microprocessor based electronic teaching aid which enables a student viewing a display containing text material being studied to designate any word or portion of text for definition or for vocalization by synthesized speech techniques wherein the reading material being studied is supplied in the form of a programmed Source ROM which contains pointers to the start addresses for the words of the reading material with reference to an internally provided dictionary. A program causes the creation of the text display responsive to the Source ROM data, and includes techniques for being able to define and vocalize any selected word. This combination of hardware and software permits a significant reduction in the cost of this teaching aid by elimination of disk drives or tape drives.

Abstract: An electronic teaching aid which enables a student viewing a visual display containing text material being read or studied to designate any words or portion of said text for immediate audible vocalization or alternatively to designate any word of said test for immediate visual display of the definition of said designated word.

Abstract: Method of operation and apparatus for a salt gradient solar pond employing a novel barge carrying a plurality of two axis stabilized high temperature concentrator solar cell arrays including means to control the flow rate of the concentrator solar cell array cooling fluid to optimize power station characteristics.