Abstract: A liquid dispensing system comprises a container containing at least one flexible bag. A first liquid is contained in the bag. A manifold chamber is in communication with the bag via a first metering orifice, and with the interior of the container via a second metering orifice. A second liquid is introduced under pressure into the container. The thus introduced second liquid serves to pressurize the first liquid in the bag, with the first and second metering orifices serving to respectively admit metered amounts of the first and second liquids into the manifold chamber for combination into a liquid mixture dispensed through an outlet.

Abstract: A regulating valve includes an outer housing comprised of a cap joined to a base. The housing is internally subdivided by a barrier wall into a head section and a base section, the latter being further subdivided by a modulating assembly into a fluid chamber and a spring chamber. An inlet and a 90° outlet in the cap communicate with the fluid chamber. Fluid at a variable pressure is admitted into the fluid chamber via the inlet, with the modulating assembly serving to maintain the fluid exiting the fluid chamber via the outlet at a substantially constant pressure.

Abstract: A dual valve assembly includes two regulating valves. Each valve includes an outer housing comprised of a cap joined to a base. The housing is internally subdivided by a barrier wall into a head section and a base section, the latter being further subdivided by a modulating assembly into a fluid chamber and a spring chamber. An inlet and a 90° outlet in the cap communicate with the fluid chamber. Fluid at a variable pressure is admitted into the fluid chamber via the inlet, with the modulating assembly serving to maintain the fluid exiting the fluid chamber via the outlet at a substantially constant pressure. A smaller one of the valves has its base nested within the spring chamber of the other larger valve.

Abstract: A modular liquid injection mixing and delivery system comprises: a mixing chamber; a first supply line for supplying a liquid diluent via a first constant flow valve and a first downstream metering orifice to the mixing chamber; at least one second supply line for supplying a liquid concentrate via a second constant flow valve and a second downstream metering orifice to the mixing chamber for combination with the liquid diluent to produce a liquid solution; and a discharge line communicating with the mixing chamber and through which the liquid solution is discharged from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a non-carbonated beverage mixture comprises a manifold having a mixing chamber. A first inlet orifice is in communication with and is sized to admit a metered flow of a first liquid into the mixing chamber. A second inlet orifice is in communication with and is sized to admit a metered flow of a second liquid into the mixing chamber. The first and second liquids are combined into a mixture in the mixing chamber. An outlet communicates with the mixing chamber. The mixture exits the manifold through the outlet. A first constant flow valve is in communication with the first inlet orifice and is configured to provide a constant flow of the first liquid to the first inlet. A second constant flow valve is in communication with the second inlet orifice and is configured to provide a constant flow of the second liquid to the second inlet. A dispensing mechanism is in communication with the outlet.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and mixing metered amounts of first and second liquid components of a soft drink. The system comprises a mixing chamber connected by separate feed conduits to pressurized sources of the first and second liquid components. First normally closed valves are located in and demarcate the feed conduits into upstream and downstream sections. The first valves are opened automatically in response to pressure above a threshold level in their respective upstream conduit sections, and are operative when open to deliver a constant flow of liquid through their respective downstream conduit sections to the mixing chamber. Second normally closed valves are located in the upstream conduit sections. The second valves are opened in response to a command signal, and each second valve automatically closes in response to a drop in pressure below the threshold level in the upstream conduit section of the other second valve.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing and mixing metered amounts of first and second liquid components of a soft drink. The system comprises a mixing chamber connected by separate feed conduits to pressurized sources of the first and second liquid components. First normally closed valves are located in and demarcate the feed conduits into upstream and downstream sections. The first valves are opened automatically in response to pressure above a threshold level in their respective upstream conduit sections, and are operative when open to deliver a constant flow of liquid through their respective downstream conduit sections to the mixing chamber. Second normally closed valves are located in the upstream conduit sections. The second valves are opened in response to a command signal, and each second valve automatically closes in response to a drop in pressure below the threshold level in the upstream conduit section of the other second valve.

Abstract: A rudder for a sailboat or other vessel formed by a lightweight core having the combined shape of the blade and the stock of the rudder, and a fiber-reinforced resin skin enveloping the core and conforming thereto to create a monocoque structure in which the skin bears the major portion of the torsional and bending stresses to which the rudder is subjected when in use. The pre-cast foam-plastic core of the rudder is formed by a blade section and a stock section having a root received in a slot in the blade section, the stock section being wrapped with a layer of reinforcing fibers before being combined with the blade section. To produce the rudder, the pre-cast core is placed in the cavity of a mold lined with reinforcing fibers which wrap the core inserted therein.

Abstract: A regulating valve is disclosed for controlling the flow of fluid from a variable pressure fluid supply. The valve includes a diaphragm which is resiliently biased into a normally closed position, and which shifts to an open position when exposed to a fluid pressure above a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: A ball and socket bearing assembly adapted to receive the vertical post of a rudder installed in the stern of a boat. The assembly consists of a molded journal box having a spheroidal cavity therein defining a socket in which is nested a ball-like bearing formed of UHMW polyethylene or of a material having similar non-stick properties, the post passing through an axial bore in the bearing. The assembly is produced by placing the preformed bearing in a mold to create an annular space between the bearing and the inner wall of the mold. This space is then flooded with a curable liquid resin monomer whereby when the monomer is polymerized and rigidified, it does not bond to the non-stick bearing. The bearing is therefore free to rotate in the cavity and align itself with the rudder post regardless of the degree to which the post deviates from the vertical as a result of hydrodynamic or other forces imposed on the rudder.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve adapted to be interposed between a pressurized liquid supply whose pressure varies and a spray nozzle or other liquid applicator from which the liquid is discharged. The valve, actuated only when the pressure of the incoming liquid exceeds a predetermined minimum level, functions to maintain the flow of liquid fed to the applicator at a substantially constant pressure level regardless of variations in the pressure of the liquid supply, and to cut off flow automatically should the supply pressure fall below an acceptable level.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a rotary drive shaft that extends through the hull of a boat, the outboard end of the shaft being coupled to a propeller and the inboard end to a marine engine for rotating the propeller. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing joined by a flexible hose to a tube in the stern of the boat through which the shaft passes. Received within the housing is an annular bearing whose bore diameter depends on the size of the shaft whereby the bearing installed in the housing has an internal diameter appropriate to the size of the shaft being sealed by the assembly. Coupled to one end of the housing is an annular cap having an elastomeric lip seal therein that frictionally engages the shaft to prevent sea water from leaking into the boat. A reservoir defined by an annular space within the housing between the lip seal and the bearing is continuously fed with water to cool and lubricate the lip seal.

Abstract: An underwater exhaust system for a water-cooled marine engine installed in a boat whose hull is molded of fiber-reinforced resin. The system is adapted to exhaust underwater the gases and cooling water discharged from the engine via an internal fitting. The internal fitting is created by an exhaust port integral with the hull and formed of the same material, having a hydrodynamically-shaped main section defining a cavity whose mouth merges with the outer surface of the hull and an input section joined to the main section into which is fed the discharge from the engine. Telescoped into the cavity of the main section of the exhaust port and bonded thereto is a like-shaped main section of an external fitting having an output section joined to the main section to form an exhaust outlet from which the engine discharge is exhausted underwater.

Abstract: A method for molding a composite article by injecting a plastics material resin into the fibers within a mold by a continuous web of fibers that is laid in a mold in such fashion that a honeycomb structure is produced without the web crossing itself.

Abstract: A ball and socket assembly adapted to receive the rotatable shaft of a rudder installed in a boat. The assembly is composed of a journal box having a spheroidal cavity in which is socketed a ball-like bearing having an axial bore to accommodate the rudder shaft, the bearing being free to rotate within the cavity and thereby align itself with the rudder shaft as it deviates from the vertical as a result of forces imposed on the rudder. The ball-like bearing is formed by a cylindrical tube of UHMW polyethylene which is heated to an annealing temperature and thereby expanded to accept a fiber-reinforced resin sleeve which when the UHMW tube cools is compressed thereby. The resultant sleeve-lined tube is then machined to assume the ball-like shape of the bearing.

Abstract: A marine bearing assembly for a propeller shaft suitable for a vessel which travels in intensely cold seawater where a conventional bearing, as a result of its contraction, would seize the shaft and prevent it from rotating. The assembly includes a cylindrical body having an axial bore therein to receive the rotating shaft, the body being formed of UHMW polyethylene having a low coefficient of friction and a high coefficient of thermal contraction. To complete the assembly, the body is exposed to a temperature below the freezing point of water to cause it to contract. The contracted body is then press-fitted into a sleeve whose internal diameter matches the contracted diameter of the body, whereby at higher temperatures the body seeks to expand, but being confined within the sleeve it is held under compression.

Abstract: A molded fiberglass-reinforced resin boat hull provided with in situ holes to accommodate through-hull fittings, such as a fitting adapted to receive a rudder post. The boat hull is molded on a female mold having locating holes drilled therein in registration with the holes to be formed in the hull. Anchored by a bolt locked in each locating hole is a plug of non-stick material which projects above the mold and has a configuration defining the hole to be formed in situ in the hull. Laid down on the female mold and surrounding the projecting plugs are the reinforcing fiberglass materials and flowable uncured resin for creating the hull. When the resin is cured, it is not bonded to the plugs and the plugs and their anchoring bolts are removed to expose the in situ holes. The finished hull is then withdrawn from the female mold.

Abstract: A sealing system for a drive shaft extending through the hull of a vessel, the outboard end of the shaft being coupled to a propeller and the inboard end to the transmission of a marine engine turning the propeller. The system includes a bearing surrounding the shaft and an elastomeric lip seal coaxial with the shaft mounted adjacent one end of the bearing to prevent water from leaking into the vessel. The system is installed by passing the inboard end of the shaft through the bearing and the seal. Prior to such installation a protector sleeve is telescoped into the lip seal to shield its inner surface and thereby prevent damage thereto by sharp edges on the inboard end of the shaft, the sleeve having a brim which then rests against the end of the bearing. Upon completion of the installation, the sleeve is pulled by its brim out of the seal and is then ripped off the shaft.

Abstract: An amorphous silica, especially precipitated silica, suitable for use in toothpastes, has a high abrasivity represented by a perspex abrasion value in the range from about 23 to about 35.

Abstract: A sealing system for effecting a seal around a rotatable cylindrical shaft. The system is intended to be employed with a shaft which extends through a wall, such as a boat hull, into an aqueous environment. The system employs an elastomeric seal which defines an aperture therewithin, and the seal is intended to be fitted around the rotatable shaft which it is intended to seal. Structure is provided to mount the seal at a location generally coaxial with the shaft and spaced from the wall on a side thereof opposite that of the fluid environment.