Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a trolling motor. The apparatus may include a first and second semi-circular portions configured to connect together to substantially enclose a hydro-drive device, and a semi-circular bracket coupled to each semi-circular portion, the semi-circular brackets together capable of fixedly coupling the first and second semi-circular portions to a trolling motor housing. The apparatus may also include an annular portion configured to couple to an aft opening formed by the first and second semi-circular portions.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a hydro-drive device. The apparatus may include a shroud having a first opening for the ingress of water, and a second opening for the egress of water, a diverter connected with the shroud and angled in a direction selected to direct water to form a vortex as the water exits the shroud, and a screen connected with the second opening and configured to allow a substantially free flow of water and to prevent marine, plant, animal, and human life from contacting the hydro-drive device. The system may include a motor, a hydro-drive device coupled to the motor, and the apparatus.

Abstract: A scooter motor assembly for easily attaching and detaching from a scooter. The assembly may include a housing containing components such as a battery and an electric motor. An arm and attachment lever may be movably attached to the housing. The assembly may also include a motor support for attaching to the front of the scooter. The motor support may be configured to allow the housing to move in a vertical direction with respect to the scooter. The housing may be spring biased to allow contact with the scooter front wheel so that the motor assembly is adjustable and can be used with scooters having different sized front wheels. The housing may be easily attached and detached from the scooter by operating the release arm. Thus, the scooter may be used with or without the motor.

Abstract: A trailer, as part of a tractor-trailer combination, wherein the trailer is an enclosed van having a collapsible goose neck which connects the trailer to the tractor and provides a ramp into the interior of the van, which is a substantially enclosed structure providing protection for its contents. The goose-neck has a raised and a lowered position and comprises a pair of opposing side plates, a platform, and a tongue. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are provided to lift the van, thus enabling the van to be unhitched from the tractor. A pair of pneumatic cylinders retain the goose neck in its raised position, until a fork lift engages the tongue. After engagement the cylinders are retracted and the goose neck is lowered and once doors carried by the van are opened, access into the interior of the van is available. In the lowered position, the supporting blocks support the trailer with the platform extending approximately parallel to the floor of the van.

Abstract: A method for coating a substrate with a coating solution. In a first step (31), a semiconductor wafer is placed on a turntable. In a second step (32), the substrate is spun at a high speed and a coating solution is dispensed onto the substrate. In a third step (33), the turntable is spun at a low speed and additional coating solution is dispensed onto the substrate.

Abstract: A rack for shipping a set of objects such as vehicle hoods comprises a base, two folding sides, a folding bumper, and several sets of pivotable clamps attached to the sides. The rack is employed by unfolding the sides to the upstanding, spaced-apart position, and loading the objects one at a time onto a set of clamps pivoted to the operative position from a storage position. As each object is put in position, the next set of clamps is pivoted into the operative position and loaded with the next object. The clamps are tightened and loosened by turning a bolt on each one with an air wrench. Pivotable clamps enable closer nesting of the objects. The bumper separates adjacent racks so the objects held by them do not interfere.

Abstract: A batch-type dryer, such as for sludge, having a generally upwardly-opening channel-like drying chamber which is closed at opposite ends. The chamber is defined by a generally U-shaped sidewall having an arcuate bottom portion generated about a radius so as to define a generally semi-cylindrical configuration. The edges of this semi-cylindrical bottom wall are joined to straight sidewall parts which project upwardly in generally parallel relationship. An auger-type rotor extends axially along the bottom of the chamber to agitate the material therein. A heat exchanger is associated with and extends around at least the arcuate bottom wall of the chamber. The U-shaped wall of the chamber has the central upwardly-extending plane thereof disposed at a selected angle, preferably about 30.degree., relative to the vertical so that the material, when the agitator rotates, remains in intimate heat-transfer contact with the arcuate bottom wall over substantially the full 180.degree. extent thereof.

Abstract: A sealed joint having two adjacent, axially aligned sleeves separated by a rotating seal, one joint being movable with respect to the other. The joints contain a tubular passageway surrounded by a motor and a harmonic drive. A tachometer and a brake help to control the motor and a position encoder measures rotational motion between the sleeves. All components are mounted in sealed relation with respect to the outside of the sleeves. A sealable port communicates with the interior of the tubular passageway for each sleeve so that control cables and fluid conduits may pass into the joint through one port, along the tubular passageway and out of the other port.

Abstract: A tool interface has a rotatable tool changer for holding a tool on the end of a robot arm. The tool changer is a socket chuck having spring jaws in a socket for clamping the tool. A spring actuated sleeve slides longitudinally into wedging engagement with an inclined surface on the jaws. Fluid pressure moves an annular piston against the spring to disengage the sleeve from the jaws, and thus release the tool. A motor couples through a harmonic wave generator to a shaft on the axis of the tool changer for rotating a tool. An angular position sensor and encoder, such as an inductosyn, is used to determine the orientation of the tool. Fluid and electrical supply lines from the robot arm are connected to the tool changer for supplying electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and vacuum connections to the tool.

Abstract: The disclosed invention employs an optical heterodyne technique that depends upon coherent detection of phase modulated light from individual particles, and does not depend on measurement of light scattered at a specific angle from particles. A collimated coherent beam of light is generated and separated into a subject beam and a reference beam. The subject beam is focused at the inspection region and light is gathered from the inspection region. The gathered light and the reference beam are combined and a photodetector is responsive to the combined light for producing an electrical signal representative of the combined light. The phase shift of light scattered from an individual particle passing through the inspection region is then determined by measuring the power in the phase modulated sidebands of the electrical signal. The phase shift is indicative of the size of the particle passing through the inspection region.