Abstract: A propulsion system for a submarine vessel includes a thruster including a magnetic flux generating stator, a shaftless propellant rotor, electrical conductors to supply electrical current to the thruster, an electronic controller to regulate such electrical current and a mounting unit to attach the thruster to the vessel. The stator includes a plurality of magnetizable pole pieces each associated with windings of conductive wires electrically connected to a power supply via the controller. The rotor includes a propeller ring containing a plurality of permanent magnets to be torqued by the magnetic flux from the stator pole pieces and a plurality of propeller blades. The rotation of the rotor (armature) provides position signals to the controller which then energizes the proper field windings of the stator to continue the motion and provide full torque regardless of rotor speed.

Abstract: Shellfish harvesting devices including a frame to move over the submarine surface of a shellfish growing substrate and a plurality of tines extending down from it for penetration into the substrate, are improved by addition of a vibrator to impart a vibratory motion to the tines, but not appreciably vibrate other parts of the frame, e.g., runners. The harvesting of clams or like bivalves with the tines vibrating while being pulled through the substrate mitigates environmental damage to the shellfish growing area and reduces the energy required to pull the devices forward on the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cultchless cultivation of marine bivalve mollusks, e.g., oysters and clams, has a plurality of quadilrateral compartments connected together by a pair of longitudinal cords in the form of a continuous belt. In use of the apparatus, spat is placed in the culture chambers of the belt which then is immersed in an aquaculture plot and the spat is allowed to grow in such chambers. Later, portions of the belt are lifted out of the water while allowing the remainder of the belt to remain immersed and compartments in the withdrawn portion of the belt are cleaned and/or opened to process mollusks contained therein.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analysis method particularly designed for determination of carbon content in liquid samples comprises breaking, at a work station, the tops of ampoules containing samples to be analyzed positioned in a sealed chamber by lowering a purge tube from above into the chamber, flowing a gas through the purge tube into the liquid sample in the opened ampoule and then out the chamber to a gas analyzer. Successive samples are conveyed by a turret to the work station and moved into the sealed chamber by a piston device for automated, repeated analysis.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analysis device particularly designed for determination of carbon content in liquid samples comprises a turret with peripheral cavities to receive and transport tubular encased liquid sample ampoules, a base plate on which the turret is journaled for rotation, a conveyor to deliver the encased ampoules into the turret cavities, an index unit to position ampoules at a work station, a sealable chamber into which encased ampoules may be inserted, a plunger to raise the encased ampoules into the chamber, a purge tube extending into the chamber from above, a gas supply to the purge tube and a piston to move the purge tube up and down in the chamber.The method of analysis comprises breaking the tops of ampoules when positioned in the chamber by lowering the purge tube and then flowing a gas through the tube into the liquid sample in the opened ampoule and then out the chamber to a gas analyzer. Successive samples are moved by the turret to the work station for automated, repeated analysis.