Abstract: Electrostatic discharge properties of materials are quantitatively measured and ranked. Samples (20) are rotated on a turntable (15) beneath selectable, co-available electrostatic chargers (30/40), one being a corona charging element (30) and the other a sample-engaging triboelectric charging element (40). They then pass under a voltage meter (25) to measure the amount of residual charge on the samples (20). After charging is discontinued, measurements are continued to record the charge decay history over time.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting high pressure, low volume air to low pressure, high volume filtered air in order to successfully atomize fluids, such as paint, of various viscosities. The invention makes it possible to utilize safe, economical compressor air to atomize fluids by a portable enclosure including a variable jet venturi induction pump which separates the pump from the area of application and other potentially contaminating elements. Ambient air is introduced into the portable enclosure after regulation and filtration. A low pressure field is established in the induction pump by increasing the velocity of the compressor air in a venturi section of the pump but is free of contaminates generated, for example, by overspray in the vicinity of the area of application.

Abstract: A portable lock mechanism to secure safety chain latch devices is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking mechanism having a member coupled therewith which is adapted to be coupled with a safety chain latch slide plate. Also, a mechanism to retain the safety chain is coupled with the locking mechanism. The retaining member is coupled with the locking mechanism such that in a first position the safety chain is removably coupled with the retaining member which, in turn, is unlocked with the locking mechanism and in a second position the safety chain is nonremovably coupled with the retaining member which, in turn, is locked with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A pot hole filling formulation comprises a polyolefin preferably ethylene acrylic acid in combination with an aggregate preferably gravel particles of one-quarter inch dimension or larger. The polyolefin, preferably in pellet form is mixed with the aggregate and applied to the pot hole. A heat source melts the polyolefin and causes it to flow within the pot hole to fill up the crevices in the pot hole. A second layer of aggregate is applied to the top surface of the fill before the polyolefin hardens to improve the skid resistant qualities of the fill as well as to minimize any deleterious effects of ultraviolet light from the sun.

Abstract: A point of sale wood chip classifier includes apparatus for receiving and discharging unclassified wood chips onto a longitudinally extending downwardly angled trough-shaped vibratory classification bed which includes a plurality of rotating disks for promoting tumbling of the chips toward an overflow end, the bed including openings between the disks defining a plurality of classification zones of increasing size along the bed in the downhill direction. A plurality of collection bins are located below the classification zones for receiving the classified chips, the classification bins being carried on respective load cells which signal the individual weights of a sample to a microcomputer for calculation of totality of chips and percentages of each classified component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying measures of distortion present at the outputs of a quadrature demodulator. From each of the in-phase and quadrature channels of the demodulator there are acquired n parallel bits, m of these bits being the demodulator data output of the associated channel and (n-m) bits being error bits for the channel. The n bits for each channel are converted to a signal acceptable to a plot display device and applied to orthogonal axes of the device. In addition, an absolute value of the (n-m) error bits for each channel is derived. This absolute value is filtered and displayed, as by a meter, for each channel.

Abstract: A yarn feeder mechanism for circular knitting machines has a plurality of feed fingers with yarn feed extremities at the front thereof and movable between a low feed position and a high inactive position, means for selectively lowering the feed fingers, and a latchguard plate which is liftable to a non-obstructing position. The feed fingers are associated with abutment means for engaging the feed fingers to the rear of the respective yarn feed extremities and means are provided for simultaneously lifting the yarn feed extremities and the latchguard plate to the non-obstructing inactive position while maintaining the latchguard plate in spaced relationship to the yarn feed extremities in the non-obstructing position.

Abstract: The invention provides a circular knitting machine having a control mechanism with a rackable cam drum. A rackable timing drum carrying control elements for the speed of progress of the timing drum and activation of the cam drum racking, and a quick re-zeroing control for racking the cam drum quickly to a zero position independently of the control elements in which a racking means is arranged to rack the timing drum at every stroke with a length of stroke in excess of the timing drum racking strokes during normal knitting. A control member controls the racking means to inactivate it during normal knitting and activate it when re-zeroing so as to re-zero both the cam drum and the timing drum quickly while all knitting stations are inoperative.

Abstract: An improved hand tool includes a well at the top of the handle into which the upper end of the shank extends. The well is adapted to receive a torque producing socket wrench drive which engages the shank in order to transmit the torque producing drive directly to the tip of the hand drive tool. In the preferred embodiment the shank which extends into a well has a hexagonal cross-section and is adapted to cooperate with a standard socket wrench. Tips of various configuration may be employed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coal-water slurry atomizer for use a high-pressure dryer employed in a pumping system utilized to feed coal into a pressurized coal gasifier. The slurry atomizer is provided with a venturi, constant area slurry injection conduit, and a plurality of tangentially disposed steam injection ports. Superheated steam is injected into the atomizer through these ports to provide a vortical flow of the steam, which, in turn, shears slurry emerging from the slurry injection conduit. The droplets of slurry are rapidly dispersed in the dryer through the venturi where the water is vaporized from the slurry by the steam prior to deleterious heating of the coal.

Abstract: In a disk screen apparatus of the type having a series of corotating shafts, each of which has a longitudinal series of concentric screen disks which mesh with the screen disks of the adjacent shafts, the screen disks are carried by tubular modules mounted in end-to-end relation on the shafts. Each module comprises a tubular hub having a set of centrally apertured screen disks concentrically mounted in radially extending relation on the hub, which projects through the central apertures of the disks, the disks being attached to the hub in substantially accurately spaced relation to one another axially along the hub. A method is provided for making the modules, and also for making a disk screen apparatus embodying the modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately producing relieved cutting tools and other relieved shapes by electrical erosion, whereby the workpiece is maintained in a horizontal position and a wire electrode is tilted at the desired relief angle from vertical after which they are moved relative to each other in a manner such that the spacing between them in a horizontal plane is compensated for the elliptical cross-section of the working gap in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A wood chip rechipping method and apparatus are provided wherein a slotted, cylindrical drum rotates about a concentrically mounted rotatable anvil rotor having a plurality of arms, each of which has a blade at its outer extremity. The drum and anvil rotor arms rotate in the same direction, but at different speeds. The rotating apparatus induces centrifugal force on the wood chips to position them against the inner periphery of the drum where the blades on the relatively faster rotating anvil arms shear off a chip slice having a predetermined thickness. This shearing action continues until each chip has been rechipped into slices capable of passing through one of the drum knife slots and into the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic material separator having adjacent generally vertical sorting ducts and a generally vertical discharge duct communicating with the tops of the sorting ducts is disclosed. Particulate material introduced into a first sorting duct is separated by an upwardly moving column of gas into an upwardly moving lighter fraction and a downwardly moving heavy fraction. The lighter fraction is carried to a position over a second sorting duct where the gas velocity is reduced. The heaviest particles of the lighter fraction fall into the second sorting duct while the remainder of the lighter fraction is discharged through the discharge duct.

Abstract: An improved screwdriver includes a well at the top of the handle adapted to receive a torque producing socket wrench drive and couple the torque producing drive directly to the shank of the screwdriver. In one embodiment, the well is defined as a square cross-section opening, adapted to receive the drive stud of a conventional socket wrench drive. In another embodiment the screwdriver shank, adapted to receive a standard socket wrench, extends into the well.

Abstract: A pneumatic material separator having adjacent generally vertical sorting ducts and a generally vertical discharge duct communicating with the tops of the sorting ducts is disclosed. Particulate material introduced into a first sorting duct is separated by an upwardly moving column of gas into an upwardly moving lighter fraction and a downwardly moving heavy fraction. The light fraction is carried to a position over a second sorting duct where the gas velocity is reduced. The heaviest particles of the lighter fraction fall into the second sorting duct while the remainder of the lighter fraction is discharged through the discharge duct.