Abstract: An airborne tree trimming apparatus for installation on a helicopter or the like is described. The apparatus is designed to prevent arcing from power lines and includes a saw assembly having a housing that is at least partially non-conductive; an internal combustion engine operatively connected to the saw assembly; a boom extension having a lower end connected to the engine, and an upper end attachable to the helicopter, at least a part of the boom extension being non-conductive; and a safety cable extending through the boom extension, at least a part of the cable being non-conductive.

Abstract: A rotary air preheater 10 includes a housing 12 having a rotor 14. The rotor 14 has opposing ends 20,24 and is divided into sections by diaphragms 48. Sector plates 28 include one sector plate 28 in sealing relation with one of opposing ends 20,24 of the rotor 14. The air preheater 10 includes a flange 56 and a sensing device 49 coupled to at least one of the sector plates 28. The sensing device 49 provides non-contact sensing of a distance between the sector plate 28 and the flange 56. The sensing device 49 includes a conduit 54 that directs a jet of compressed air onto the flange 56, a first pressure sensor 60 and a second pressure sensor 70. The first pressure sensor 60 senses pressure inside the sensing device 49, and the second pressure sensor 70 senses pressure outside the sensing device 49. The distance between the sector plate and the flange is a pressure difference measured by the first and the second pressure sensors 60,70.

Abstract: A rotary air preheater 10 includes a housing 12 having a rotor 14. The rotor 14 has opposing ends 20,24 and is divided into sections by diaphragms 48. Sector plates 28 include one sector plate 28 in sealing relation with one of opposing ends 20,24 of the rotor 14. The air preheater 10 includes a flange 56 and a sensing device 49 coupled to at least one of the sector plates 28. The sensing device 49 provides non-contact sensing of a distance between the sector plate 28 and the flange 56. The sensing device 49 includes a conduit 54 that directs a jet of compressed air onto the flange 56, a first pressure sensor 60 and a second pressure sensor 70. The first pressure sensor 60 senses pressure inside the sensing device 49, and the second pressure sensor 70 senses pressure outside the sensing device 49. The distance between the sector plate and the flange is a pressure difference measured by the first and the second pressure sensors 60,70.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminate having flame and chemical resistance, which may be used to form protective fabrics. The laminate contains a first layer of a spunlace fabric having a fire retardant additive applied thereto; and a second layer of a polymeric film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminate having flame and chemical resistance, which may be used to form protective fabrics. The laminate contains a first layer of a spunlace fabric having a fire retardant additive applied thereto; and a second layer of a polymeric film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminate having flame and chemical resistance, which may be used to form protective fabrics. The laminate contains a first layer of a spunlace fabric having a fire retardant additive applied thereto; and a second layer of a polymeric film.

Abstract: A trisector air preheater includes sector plates between the primary air sector and the flue gas sector and between the secondary air sector and the flue gas sector which are of a large size so as to provide double radial seals. However, the sector plate between the primary and secondary air sectors is small and provides only a single radial seal. The one smaller sector plate reduces the pressure drop through the air preheater while sacrificing increased leakage only between air sectors. The axial seal between the primary and secondary air sectors may be maintained at a double seal size.

Abstract: The rotor for a rotary regenerative air preheater is fabricated from a combination of shop assembled rotor sector modules and field assembled components so as to eliminate the double plate diaphragms of conventional modular rotors. The shop assembled modules comprise one or more sectors and the field assembled components fit between the spaced shop assembled modules spaced around the rotor hub. The support gratings between the diaphragm plates support modular heat exchange baskets which are loaded into the rotor radially from the periphery.

Abstract: An improvement in a device for applying heat-transferrable decalcomania to a generally curved container surface such as a mug comprising a multiple segment tightening band surrounding a cushioned blanket surrounding a heating element, the segments being hingedly connected so that the band firmly applies the cushioned blanket heating element against the decalcomania and the contiguous curved container surface to effect transfer of the decalcomania design to the container surface.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the temperature of a heat detector disposed on a heat exchanger. The control system includes a temperature detector (42) for determining the temperature of the hot spot sensor (32), non-liquid cooling means (50,52) for cooling the detector when its temperature is above the desired temperature range, and non-liquid heating means (48,53) for heating the detector when its temperature is below the temperatures range. The control system includes control means (82) coupling the temperature sensing means to the non-liquid heating and cooling means. By keeping the heat detector at a generally constant temperature, the accuracy of the hot spot sensor on the heat exchanger is improved.

Abstract: A trapeze mount for mounting an airborne tree trimming apparatus on a helicopter or the like and operating the airborne tree trimming apparatus independently of the helicopter. The trapeze mount is designed to suspend a boom from the helicopter by means of a boom mount bar, which boom supports a plurality of circular saw blades arranged in tandem, coplanar relationship. The trapeze mount includes a pair of downwardly-extending pivot bars, the upper ends of which are pivotally attached to the helicopter fuselage and the opposite, lower ends connected by a cross-bar. A sliding collar is pivotally mounted on the cross-bar by means of a trapeze pivot joint and the sliding collar slidably engages the boom mount bar, which is pivotally attached at one end to a conventional quick-release hook mounted on the fuselage of the helicopter between the pivot bars.

Abstract: An airborne tree trimming apparatus for installation on a helicopter or the like, and operating independently of the helicopter, which apparatus includes a boom extension vertically suspended from the helicopter and a plurality of circular saw blades arranged in tandem, coplanar relationship on an operating boom which is attached to the boom extension by means of a boom pivot. The circular saw blades are designed to rotate about parallel, substantially horizontal axes which are oriented substantially at right angles to the normal direction of motion of the helicopter and are belt-driven by an internal combustion engine which is also mounted on the operating boom, above the circular saw blades. A pair of ground-located cradles not attached to the operating boom, permit the apparatus to be landed with the operating boom elevated from ground level, by maneuvering the helicopter to lay the operating boom and circular saw blades on the cradles in front of the helicopter.

Abstract: A detector (32) monitors infrared ray emissions from an air preheater (10) rotor (14) to detect a temperature rise that precedes a fire within air preheater (10) with each sensor output being processed independently by signal processing electronics. The instantaneous minus the average temperature of rotor (14) is calculated and compared to a variable trip level signal to determine whether a hot spot has been detected. The detector (32) scans across the face of rotor (14) until an initial hot spot is detected, whereupon the scanner motor (58) ceases operation thereby locating the scanner over the rotor radial position of the detected hot spot. If the same hot spot is detected on the next subsequent rotor pass, a hot spot alarm (60) is energized. If the hot spot is not detected on the next subsequent rotor pass, detector scanning is resumed by energizing scan motor (58).

Abstract: A vehicle adapted for transporting and manipulating objects within a confined space, such as a tunnel. The vehicle comprises a pair of side frames interconnected by vertically adjustable front and rear interconnecting members that include horizontal portions onto which a boom is slideably and pivotally connected. Raising and lowering of one or two of the interconnecting members and lateral traversing of one or two of the connected boom portions provides for manipulation of an object or tool attached to the boom.