Abstract: A coupling for preventing the buildup of static electricity between adjacent conduits includes a sleeve enclosed by pivotally connected semicircular segments. The semicircular segments are in electrical contact with first and second conduits via bonding wires. The semicircular segments, bonding wires, and/or flanges are coated with a hard metallic ductile conductive coating, which is preferably a boron-nickel coating, to provide electrical conductivity between the conduits. The coupling may be entirely coated with the boron-nickel coating, or selectively coated to provide the required electrical conductivity between the conduits. The conduits include flanges mounted on the ends thereof. Each flange is selectively coated with a hard anodized, dry-lube, thin-film non-conductive, or other insulating coating to reduce or prevent arcing on the interior of the coupling under lighting strike or other hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A coupling for preventing the buildup of static electricity between adjacent conduits includes first and second threadably engageable coupling members in electrical contact with the adjacent conduits. The threads are coated with a hard metallic ductile conductive coating which is preferably a boron-nickel coating, to provide electrical conductivity between the coupling members. The coating has a relatively low co-efficient of friction so as to prevent binding of the threads during threading. In one embodiment, a detent spring, which includes one or more resilient detents, is rotatable with one coupling member and engages with a notch or notches on the other coupling member to provide a frictional force against relative rotation between the coupling members as the coupling members threadably engage. The coupling members may be entirely coated with the boron-nickel coating, or selectively coated to provide the required electrical conductivity between the coupling members.

Abstract: A hydraulic fuse or cut-off device divides fluid flow into: (i) a primary fluid stream; and (ii) a secondary fluid stream having a substantially constant, but small ratio of flow to said primary stream. The secondary stream exerts pressure on a timing piston which thereby monitors the entire flow and causes the fuse to cut-off when a predetermined volume of fluid has passed through the device. The fuse includes a regulating piston for building inlet pressure to a value sufficient to develop the power necessary to drive the timing piston. Greater simplicity of the component parts and decreased sensitivity to contamination results from the use of a small fluid orifice to control the secondary stream. This is achieved by fitting the regulating piston with an inwardly directed flange, just touching the peripheral surface of a slightly tapered, central pin--whereby the taper of the pin causes the orifice to be created as the regulating piston is caused to slide as a result of the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A container for housing a plurality of canister assemblies containing radioactive material and disposed in a longitudinally spaced relation within a carrier to form a payload package concentrically mounted within the container. The payload package includes a spacer for each canister assembly, said spacer comprising a base member longitudinally spacing adjacent canister assemblies from each other and a sleeve surrounding the associated canister assembly for centering the same and conducting heat from the radioactive material in a desired flow path.

Abstract: A gimbaled cup supporting device for holding cups in a level position in a moving vehicle while at the same time isolating the cup from shock and vibration transmitted from the moving vehicle to the support mechanism. A shock absorber is described in which the central portion supports a collar and shaft attached to the cup holding mechanism and an annular ring portion displaced from the central portion is attached to a supporting shaft that is removably attached to the supporting vehicle. The rubber shock absorber isolates the supporting shaft from the gimbaled cup supporter while supporting it in the conventional manner.