Abstract: This invention relates to redundant robotic apparatus and methods of deploying them. The specification teaches the methodology and construction of a robotic arm device capable of accessing machinery and equipment, which is otherwise difficult access for maintenance and repair, and is particularly useful in the aeronautical, turbine and nuclear industries. In particular the invention includes apparatus which comprises a support arm comprising a plurality of longitudinal segments each capable of movement one with respect to the other to define a serpentine path or shape, work head carrying means at or towards the distal end of said arm and adapted to carry a work and or examination tool and control means for at least some of said segments to permit control of the shape of the associated segment so that different segments constituting the arm may assume different shapes whereby the arm may advance longitudinally along a predetermined access path to present said tool at said site.

Abstract: An HVAC evaporator core temperature probe apparatus and assembly method in which the temperature probe has a seal member mounted intermediate opposed ends. First and second apertures are formed in the HVAC housing, one adjacent the mounted position of the probe sensing end and the other end spaced from the access aperture and receiving the seal member to dispose the electrical connector on the other end of the probe conductor exteriorly of the housing. The temperature probe is inserted in the evaporator prior to mounting the evaporator core in the HVAC housing. The seal member is snap mounted in the first aperture in the housing to dispose the electrical connector exteriorly of the housing. After separation of the probe sensing end from the evaporator core and separation of the seal member from the first aperture, an existing temperature probe is removable through the second aperture in the housing.

Abstract: A device for handling documents comprising a housing containing at least three document receiving stations for shredding a document, folding a document, punching holes in a document, fastening a document, and opening an envelope. The stations corresponding to the shredding means, the folding means, and the envelope means may be adjacent, such that they may be driven by a common drive motor. The common motor enables the device to be compact, such that it may be placed on desk for easy access.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of Formula (I); where Q completes an optionally substituted 5-or 6-member saturated carbocyclic ring and R is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl which comprises the rearrangement of a compound of Formula (II); where Q and R are as defined in relation to Formula (I) in a polar aprotic, dipolar aprotic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a moderate base and an azole.

Abstract: An improved closed cell polymer foam and foaming agent involving the use of a hydrogen-containing halocarbon blowing agent (e.g., HCFC-22) in combination with an effective amount of a hydrogen bond forming blocking agent (e.g., organic ether, ester or ketone). The presence of the blocking agent is shown to significantly reduce the escape of blowing agent from and entry of air into the foam resulting in low thermal conductivity over a longer period of time and improved thermal insulation value. A closed cell thermoplastic foam such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, among others, is disclosed produced by means of an environmentally friendly nonflammable blowing agent substantially free of halogen substituents other than fluorine and comprising HFC-134 (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane).

Abstract: A sealing machine and method are described as used for sealing the edges of documents so that envelopes are not needed. In known such machines, particularly when used for sealing the documents by pressure, problems arise if documents overlap either partially or fully (i.e. a double document) because the pressure rollers in the machine easily jam. The documents being sealed may be very valuable (e.g. pay slips) and any loss or damage is a serious problem. The invention therefore provides means for sensing the presence of double or overlapping documents in a feed path of the machine and means for diverting such double or overlapping documents upstream of the sealing means. Both the thickness and the length of the documents are measured and compared to preset values, such as may be stored in a microprocessor either from ideal figures or from measurements taken during a controlled start-up procedure.

Abstract: A hollow in the ground is filled in by positioning a base facing unit (10) adjacent a side of the hollow (29), positioning a plurality of further facing units (1) extending upwardly from the first facing unit (1), filling in the gap between the facing (20) and the side of the hollow (29), and filling in the remainder of the hollow in the ground. The facing (20) has a smooth face to prevent damage to a liner (26) of impervious material that is laid over the facing (20) to prevent transfer of pollutants from the material in the hollow. Adjacent facing units (1) are held in interlocking engagement by tongues (21) which are anchored by tethers (30) to the material in the gap between the facing (20) and the side of the hollow (29).

Abstract: A plastic molded shelf assembly is comprised of rectangular shelf units. Each shelf unit is comprised of a grid having a beam structure which includes a channel depending from the grid periphery and a longitudinal central channel, the channels having generally U-shaped cross-sections.

Abstract: A bottle closure for a beverage bottle is disclosed. A threaded bottle neck receives a hollow extractor having threads complementary to those of the bottle neck. The extractor is engaged with the bottle neck. The extractor has a crown portion including an aperture that is coaxial with a bottle opening; it also has an annular protuberance that is coaxial with the bottle opening. A bottle cork may be inserted through the extractor and into the bottle neck to seal the bottle. An upper portion of the cork is grasped by the annular protuberance such that the extractor grips the cork more firmly then the bottle does. Disengaging the extractor from the bottle neck withdraws the cork from within the bottle; engaging the extractor with the bottle neck advances the cork into the bottle to thereby seal it.

Abstract: A liner element for a housing of a rotary piston machine is manufactured from a flexible metal strip and is deformed for example by pressing on one side thereof such that when the liner is assembled in a semi-cylindrical bore in the housing, the inner surface of the liner element has a trochoidal shaped surface to receive the rotor of the rotary piston machine.

Abstract: This invention concerns the solubilization of phosphate values in phosphate bearing rock which contains high contents of aluminium and/or iron by attacking the phosphate rock with a nitric acid leach solution for a time suitable to produce a phosphate rich leach solution containing no more than 10 parts Fe and Al in solution calculated as R.sub.2 O.sub.3 per 100 parts of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in solution.

Abstract: The bearing for a railway vehicle axle comprises a bearing block of aluminium alloy having a thermal conductivity in excess of 0.20 of cal/sec/cm. cube/.degree.C. The block has a part-cylindrical bore and a bearing surface of babbitt is provided on the bore and ends of the block to support an axle of a railway vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine comprising a housing having a bore to receive a three apexed rotor. The bore has a lining formed with a trochoidal surface. The lobes of the surface are formed on curved flexible metal elements and the re-entrant portions of the surface are formed on rigid bridging pieces between the ends of elements.