Abstract: A hydrogen generator apparatus for a vehicle a reservoir for electrolyte, and electrolyte chamber, an electrolyte feed line to the electrolyte chamber, at least one pair of electrodes chamber, a conduit from the electrolyte chamber to the air line of the engine, the electrodes being vertically disposed in the electrolyte chamber and being between 0.125 and 0.2 inch apart; a voltage supply to the electrodes in response to adjustment to the throttle of the engine and being determined by a signal from the spark plug/injector signals of the engine, the amount of hydrogen (and oxygen) produced being controlled to prevent stoichiometric excess having regard to the requirement of the engine for the combination of fuel and the gases, and a supply of fresh air to the electrolytic chamber to dislodge hydrogen and oxygen clinging to the electrodes.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for selectively dispensing articles from an inner cavity of a bin. The apparatus includes a pick-up head having a plurality of spaced suction cups which is moveably supported by a positioning assembly. The positioning assembly locates the pick-up head at various positions relative to the inner cavity of the bin to retrieve randomly organized articles within the bin. The dispensing apparatus includes a vacuum control assembly which is coupled to a vacuum source for selectively applying a suction pressure to the suction cups of the pick-up head. The suction pressure attracts the articles stored in the bin towards the suction cups to retrieve an article from the bin to be dispensed. A sensing assembly is coupled to each of the suction cups to determine whether an article is attached to the suction cup. The vacuum control assembly is coupled to the sensing assembly to selectively apply and release suction pressure to the suction cups.

Abstract: A railroad tank car is calibrated by continuously adding liquid into the tank car from a liquid supply means. The amount of liquid is measured by meter means as the liquid is being continuously added. Depth sensor means continuously determines the depth of liquid in the tank car. A computer is used to monitor the instruments and to obtain a measure of the volume of liquid in the tank car at pre-determined depths and to correlate the volume measure with the measured depth.

Abstract: A temporary rig of the jack-up type for oil and gas exploration. The rig is towed to a selected site where the legs are lowered to the ocean floor and the deck is raised out of the water. Piles are then pushed into the ocean floor by a series of extensions of hydraulic jacks to anchor the legs. The piles can be pulled up by contracting the jacks in a similar manner so that the rig can be moved to a new location. The jacking mechanisms move within pile guides that form parts of the legs.

Abstract: Piles that anchor off-shore oil and gas well towers are driven into the ground by successive extensions of a hydraulic jacking cylinder. The cylinder is positioned under water, just above the pile, and secured to an adjacent column to prevent it from moving upwardly. Preferably, the column is formed by a casing releasably latched to a selected pile-receiving guide at the bottom of the tower, the pile extending upwardly into the casing.

Abstract: Members, such as piles for off-shore oil and gas well platforms, are driven into the ground by the extension of a hydraulic jacking cylinder. The cylinder is held in position within a working tower in which the uppermost pile section is contained. Electro-osmosis may be used to reduce soil friction. Successive pile sections are brought into position by securing them to a horizontal loading door of the working tower and then raising the door pivotally. The section is then suspended within the working tower and aligned with the prececing section by an internal alignment tool prior to welding.

Abstract: A manned welding and inspection vehicle for working within the interior of a pipeline or the like, the vehicle including two annular seals for aligning the vehicle in the pipeline and for sealing portions of the environment about the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an automatic welding system, the welding head of which is located in the front end of the vehicle and capable of welding a 360.degree. arc. The welding head also includes a fine adjustment mechanism to compensate for misalignments. Driven by the engine of the vehicle is a driving mechanism which is rugged and compact, and a fan for creating the proper air flow around the vehicle without disturbing the air flow at the welding site.