Abstract: A liquification system for an organic waste management system includes a hopper that is oriented vertically such that organic waste added to the hopper is biased by gravity toward a bottom end of the hopper; an agitator that is disposed within the hopper and is movable in a first rotational direction that moves organic waste downward and in a second rotational direction that moves organic waste upward; a motor configured to selectively move the agitator in the first and second rotational directions under control of the controller; and a side grinding and drainage system disposed toward the bottom end of the hopper and preferably on a tapered portion of the hopper for grinding and liquefying organic waste.

Abstract: Magnetic fluid seals containing housings, magnets, pole pieces, gaps, magnetic fluids, shafts and bearings of standard type are modified to permit operation at two levels of magnetic intensity in the gaps. During exposure to the operating pressure difference that a seal is designed to withhold, the magnetic field intensity in the gaps is maintained at a relatively low intensity. Subsequently, the magnetic field intensity in the gaps is increased to yield burst-free operation. Various embodiments for adjusting the magnetic field intensity are disclosed. These include: magnetic fluid seal with a variable magnet to pole-block spacing; seal with hollow-shaft flux intensifier; seal with surrounding flux diverter; and seal with an internal magnetic coil that furnishes opposing magnetomotive force.

Abstract: An on-site fillable ferrofluidic seal comprises a ferrofluidic seal having at least one ferrofluid conducting channel extending through either the magnet, through one of the pole pieces which sandwich the opposing pole ends of the magnet, or through both the magnet and a pole piece. The conducting channel extends to a location where deposited ferrofluid will be drawn to the gaps between the pole pieces and the shaft. In another embodiment a multi-stage seal is filled by displacing the pole piece/magnet assembly axially relative to the shaft so that each pole piece projection falls halfway axially between two shaft projections. The displacement alters the normal magnetic field pattern to create a substantially uniform magnetic field throughout the pole piece/shaft interface region such that ferrofluid can be drawn through the region.

Abstract: A ferrofluidic seal is fitted with a centering ring having an inner edge adapted for engagement with a rotating shaft for centering the seal about the rotating shaft. The centering ring automatically engages the shaft and centers the seal when the seal is fitted onto the shaft. The centering ring is affixed to the housing, and/or magnet and pole module. In one embodiment, the centering ring may be removed after it performs its centering function. In another embodiment, the centering ring is non-removable and remains within the seal permanently. According to this latter embodiment, the centering ring serves the additional purpose of retaining ferrofluid, expelled from the seal during "bursting", within magnetic reach of the seal so as to be re-drawn into the seal, thus extending seal life. Additionally, a ferrofluid retaining ring absent a centering function may be employed.

Abstract: An on-site fillable ferrofluidic seal comprises a ferrofluidic seal having at least one ferrofluid conducting channel extending through either the magnet, through one of the pole pieces which sandwich the opposing pole ends of the magnet, or through both the magnet and a pole piece. The conducting channel extends to a location where deposited ferrofluid will be drawn to the gaps between the pole pieces and the shaft. In another embodiment a multi-stage seal is filled by displacing the pole piece/magnet assembly axially relative to the shaft so that each pole piece projection falls halfway axially between two shaft projections. The displacement alters the normal magnetic field pattern to create a substantially uniform magnetic field throughout the pole piece/shaft interface region such that ferrofluid can be drawn through the region.

Abstract: An on-site fillable ferrofluidic seal comprises a ferrofluidic seal having at least one ferrofluid conducting channel extending through either the magnet, through one of the pole pieces which sandwich the opposing pole ends of the magnet, or through both the magnet and a pole piece. The conducting channel extends to a location where deposited ferrofluid will be drawn to the gaps between the pole pieces and the shaft. In another embodiment a multi-stage seal is filled by displacing the pole piece/magnet assembly axially relative to the shaft so that each pole piece projection falls halfway axially between two shaft projections. The displacement alters the normal magnetic field pattern to create a substantially uniform magnetic field throughout the pole piece/shaft interface region such that ferrofluid can be drawn through the region.

Abstract: A ferrofluidic seal arrangement for sealing a high-speed rotary shaft which passes between an environment at atmospheric or high pressure and an environment at high-vacuum is provided, which is especially useful in a high-speed rotating anode apparatus for generating x-rays in a CAT Scan apparatus or the like. A differentially-pumped region between a multi-stage ferrofluidic seal and a single-stage seal insures that no seal bursting into the high-vacuum region occurs. Bearings supporting the shaft are arranged in a mechanically-stable arrangement but are isolated from the high-vacuum environment. Thus, neither the high-vacuum environment nor the differentially-pumped region need be continually mechanically pumped, and a relatively light-weight apparatus results.

Abstract: Automatic welding apparatus of the type comprising a carriage self-propelled along a guide track encircling end-to-end adjoining metal tube sections through a welding pass therearound for forming a weld bead joint therebetween is provided with a welding head pivotally mounted on the carriage for pivotal movement thereon in the plane of the weld joint, about a pivot point located approximately at the tip end of the wire electrode projecting from the nozzle end of the welding head, between an initial forwardly inclined drag angle welding position at the top of the adjoining horizontally disposed tube sections to a rearwardly inclined push angle welding position when the welding head reaches around 120.degree. to 135.degree. of its welding pass around the weld joint.

Abstract: A ferrofluid seal apparatus and a method of assembling the seal apparatus, the seal apparatus comprising a housing, an annular permanent magnet and at least one annular pole-piece element, and a sealing ring to secure and seal the permanent magnet and the pole-piece element within the housing, the sealing ring having an inwardly extending shoulder at one radial end, to retain the permanent magnet and pole piece within the sealing ring. The sealing ring is composed of a deformable material and retains, by compressive force, the permanent magnet and pole piece, by press-fitting the sealing ring into the annular space between the outer surface of the permanent magnet and the annular pole piece and the inner surface of the housing, to secure the permanent magnet and pole piece within the housing.

Abstract: An automatic fixturing system for printed circuit board testing including a magazine for temporarily storing probes, and a test head adapted to receive selected ones of the probes and position the probes in a pattern matching test points on the printed circuit board. The test head is supported adjacent to the magazine so that selected ones of the probes may be transferred. A base member is positioned adjacent the test head on one side thereof in a position to contact the base of each probe, and the printed circuit board is supported adjacent the test head with the head of each probe adapted to contact a test point on the printed circuit board. The test head includes a probe plate and a base plate positioned in parallel and separated by a spacing substantially the same as the probe length. Separate injector rods are provided for transferring individual probes to the test head.

Abstract: A self-activating ferrofluid seal apparatus and method, which seal apparatus comprises a permanent-magnet ring and a pair of pole pieces which form a cavity therebetween, and which seal apparatus includes magnetically permeable, extending elements in the cavity to form a ferrofluid-retaining gap therebetween, the pole pieces forming a radial gap with the surface of the shaft to be sealed, the ferrofluid-retaining gap having a magnetic-field intensity sufficient to retain the ferrofluid therebetween and sufficiently larger in gap width than the radial gap, whereby, on insertion of the shaft element, the ferrofluid, based on the change in magnetic flux path, will move from the retaining gap to the radial gap to form a ferrofluid seal about the shaft element.

Abstract: A programmable thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature within a preselected zone of an enclosed environment. The device can be readily installed and utilizes an interface unit through which the heating, ventilation and cooling system of a building and/or residence are connected to the device outputs. An operator is guided through the programming of the device by cueing or prompting lights which sequentially indicate the information to be entered on the keypad. The device is processor-based and controls the heating and cooling systems to maintain a preselected temperature range, and to establish a preselected temperature within the controlled zone at a predetermined time. The temperature within the control zone is established and/or maintained with maximum efficiency by controlling the stage and duration of energization of the heating and air conditioning units.

Abstract: A improved planetary drive employs a pair of radially inner and outer nonorbiting members between which is radially disposed an annular orbiting member. The inner nonorbiting member and the inner surface of the inner wall of the orbiting member are formed with opposing surface in meshing engagement to form one stage of a planetary drive, while the opposing surfaces of the outer nonorbiting member and the orbiting member are formed with teeth in meshing engagement to form a second stage of a planetary drive. All of the orbiting and nonorbiting members and their teeth lie in the same plane or planes disposed radially outward from the means for orbiting the orbiting member so that when that member is orbited, the forces exerted on the orbiting means are in said plane or planes. Various combinations of rollers and lobed surfaces to formed the gear stages are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for arc welding of a pair of spaced steel plates from one side only using a grooved back-up plate which gives a good weld bead shape on the under side, gives high linear welding speeds, and avoids contamination of the deposited weld metal by the metal from the back-up plate. A pair of consumable electrodes connected in electrical series between the output terminals of the power source and with one connected by an independent connection to the workpiece are advanced into the weld gap on lines of movement which intersect at a point above the lower surfaces of the plates so that an arc is maintained between the electrodes spaced from the base of the back-up plate groove. A separately energized electrode trails the first two electrodes and deposits a weld bead on the first deposited weld metal while it is still hot.