Abstract: A brake assembly permits axial rotation of a shaft in a first direction and retarding axial rotation of the shaft in an opposite, reverse direction. The brake assembly includes a rotary member for mounting to and rotation with the shaft; a fluid actuated brake mechanism for retarding the rotation of the rotary member and consequently the shaft upon pressure build up in the brake mechanism; a bi-direction pump for conveying fluid from a reservoir, the pump being driven by rotation of the shaft; and a control manifold for directing circulating the fluid from the pump through the brake mechanism and back to the reservoir without pressure build up, the circulation of the fluid preventing the accumulation of gas in the brake mechanism, when the shaft turns in the first direction and or directing fluid to the brake mechanism for activating the brake mechanism by fluid pressure build up to retard rotation of the shaft when the shaft turns in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A relatively simple hydraulically operated disc brake mechanism for drive systems which store torsion by reason of being under torque is disclosed. Certain drive systems such as the drive strings for deep well submersible pumps store considerable torsion due to torque and elasticity. Such torsion must be controllably released if drive power is interrupted. The disc brake mechanism includes a housing that defines a reservoir for lubricating oil for the bearings of a shaft that drives a bi-directional hydraulic pump. When the shaft turns in an operating direction, the pump conveys the lubricating oil in a closed circuit by way of a control manifold through the brake mechanism and back to the reservoir, without activating the brake mechanism. This flushes the complete lubricating oil circuit including the control manifold and the brake mechanism to prevent accumulation of gas pockets therein at locations of little or no fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing sites for planting tree seedlings, and more particularly establishing mounds on the ground surface formed of soil scooped from the ground. The apparatus may be of the pull type having a pair of scoops and scoop operators for moving the scoop through a ground penetrating and mound depositing cycle. A control times the cycling of the operations so that the mounds formed during a constant movement in the forward direction are arranged in two lines and wherein the mounds in the two lines may be in a staggered relationship. The apparatus has rear wheels and a front towbar. Actuators are provided for moving the wheels up or down relating to the frame and also moving the towbar so that the height, as well as the fore and aft tilt, of the frame relative to the ground can be varied to control the depth of penetration of the scoops. The wheels also have actuators which allows adjustment of the tread of the wheels.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for actuating a reciprocating member such as a polished rod in a pump jack device, and for acting as a counterbalance and/or for energy conservation. The system has two hydraulic circuits and a prime mover. A first circuit includes a cylinder for driving an output member which may be connected to the polished rod, a first pump of the variable displacement, reversible flow type, together with a pair of fluid lines forming with the cylinder a closed-loop circuit. A controller is programmed to control the setting of the first pump so as to establish the velocity profile of the output member. A second hydraulic circuit is also in the form of a closed-loop containing first and second pumps, at least one of which is of the variable displacement type and is also controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump of the type having a stator member and a rotor member disposed within a cavity in the stator member and being rotated while being permitted to orbit about a central axis of the stator in operation, one of the members being formed of resilient material and the other of rigid material. The rotor is of helical formation having a constant circular transverse cross-section and defining a single-start thread of a preselected pitch and direction, and the cavity of the stator is in the form of a two start thread of the same direction as the rotor and twice the pitch, the cavity in transverse cross-section has an outline defined by a pair of spaced semi-circular concave ends and a pair of sides joining the semi-circular ends. The semi-circular ends have a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the cross-section of the rotor for establishing an interference fit between the rigid and resilient members.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting dual wheels on small trucks normally equipped with single wheels, including a spacer assembly connected by elongated studs which thread onto the conventional wheel studs projecting axially from the hub flange. The elongated studs secure the spacer assembly to the flange and have outer ends projecting axially outwardly from the spacer assembly and receive wheel nuts which secure dual rims to the outer end of the spacer assembly. The adapter is easily mounted and ensures a coaxial relationship with the hub flange. The rims may be changed without removing or disturbing the spacer assembly.

Abstract: A gravity operated emergency system for a multi-story building is disclosed including an elongate track having a central rack which is disposed along an outside wall of the building. A traveller is provided which moves along the track and has a pinion which rotatably engages the rack. A pair of bearing members engage opposite sides of the track and these bearing members are pivotally attached to the traveller so that as the pinion is brought into contact with the rack the bearing members clear the respective sides of the track and when the pinion is fully engaged in the rack the bearing members are resiliently urged into contact with an inside face of the track. A velocity control mechanism is provided to control the rotational speed of the pinion in the rack, and hence the speed of the traveller relative to the track. During an emergency, the user is received in a harness which is connected to the traveller and the traveller slowly lowers the user to safety along the track.

Abstract: A device for magnetically treating seeds prior to planting so as to increase the yield of plants grown from the seeds. The device includes a tubular member provided with an internal support for securing a permanent magnet therein so that as seeds are poured through the tubular member, they are magnetically treated. The magnet, which has opposite poles disposed at opposite ends thereof, is oriented with its longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the passage, the passage adjacent the magnet being of substantially annular shape in cross-section whereby a uniform cylindrical shaped magnetic field occupies the annular passage through which the grain must pass. The tubular member has a converging portion in the direction of seed travel so as to provide an area of maximum constriction adjacent the magnet which results in the seeds being funnelled radially inward towards the more concentrated magnetic field closest to the magnet.

Abstract: A pump jack, such as the type capable of use in pumping crude oil from an oil well, the pump jack including a double acting piston and cylinder motor with the piston rod of the motor being adapted to be connected to the polished rod projecting upwardly from a well head. A variable displacement hydraulic pump, which is driven by a motor or engine, is included in a closed hydraulic loop wherein conduits are connected to a pair of output ports of the pump. A pump control means controls the direction and volume of flow in the loop so as to establish the stroke of the piston rod. A compressible fluid counterbalance is provided for accumulation of energy during a down stroke of the piston rod so that the energy may be returned to the piston during the up stroke. An economical and versatile unit may be produced by mounting a counterbalance cylinder coaxially above the motor and providing the counterbalance with an additional closed chamber in fluid communication with a charged chamber of the counterbalance.

Abstract: A jack pump, such as the type capable of use in pumping crude oil from an oil well, the jack pump including a double acting piston and cylinder motor with the piston rod of the motor being adapted to be connected to the polished rod projecting upwardly from a well head. A variable displacement hydraulic pump, which is driven by a motor or engine, is included in a closed hydraulic loop wherein conduits are connected to a pair of output ports of the pump. A pump control means controls the direction and volume of flow in the loop so as to establish a total velocity profile during the complete pumping cycle and to determine the length and position of the stroke of the piston rod.