Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support device for installation within seats, and particularly vehicular seats, to enable a seat occupant to adjust a seat back to provide a desired amount of support for the lumbar region of the back. The adjustable lumbar seat support includes a pair of leaf spring members which are joined at their opposite edges with hinge members. Application of pressure to or release of pressure from the hinge members causes movement of the leaf members and a corresponding change in the central spacing between the leaf spring members such that the adjustable lumbar seat support is expanded or contracted. A flexion control device is provided to variably regulate the expansion and contraction of the hinge members such that the central spacing between the leaf spring members is changed and the adjustable lumbar seat support is expanded or contracted as desired. An actuator is also provided to enable the effortless operation of the flexion control device and use the adjustable lumbar seat support.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support device for installation within seats, and particularly vehicular seats, to enable a seat occupant to adjust a seat back to provide a desired amount of support for the lumbar region of the back. The adjustable lumbar seat support includes a pair of leaf spring members which are joined at their opposite edges with hinge members. Application of pressure to or release of pressure from the hinge members causes movement of the leaf members and a corresponding change in the central spacing between the leaf spring members such that the adjustable lumbar seat support is expanded or contracted. A flexion control device is provided to variably regulate the expansion and contraction of the hinge members such that the central spacing between the leaf spring members is changed and the adjustable lumbar seat support is expanded or contracted as desired. An actuator is also provided to enable the effortless operation of the flexion control device and use the adjustable lumbar seat support.

Abstract: A pulper includes a pulping chamber, a pulping mechanism, and a non-pulpas collection chamber attached to a bottom of the pulping chamber below a top of the pulping mechanism in an annular area outside of the pulping mechanism. The collection chamber includes a container with openings at first and second ends; a basket having an opening at a first end and disposed inside the container wherein at least a bottom portion of the basket includes perforations; a pipe connection located at the second end of the container; means for removing the basket from the container; and means for preventing material from entering a space between the basket and the container; wherein the first end of the container is inserted into the pulping chamber. The collection chamber does not interfere with the fluid flow around the pulping mechanism and can collect a relatively large amount of non-pulpables without requiring pulper shutdown.

Abstract: A pulper includes a pulping chamber, a pulping mechanism, and a non-pulpas collection chamber attached to a bottom of the pulping chamber below a top of the pulping mechanism in an annular area outside of the pulping mechanism. The collection chamber includes a container with openings at first and second ends; a basket having an opening at a first end and disposed inside the container wherein at least a bottom portion of the basket includes perforations; a pipe connection located at the second end of the container; means for removing the basket from the container; and means for preventing material from entering a space between the basket and the container; wherein the first end of the container is inserted into the pulping chamber. The collection chamber does not interfere with the fluid flow around the pulping mechanism and can collect a relatively large amount of non-pulpables without requiring pulper shutdown.

Abstract: A safety latch for securing a cover on a machine integrating a safety swi with a latching swing bolt. The swing bolt for securing the cover pivots between a latched position and an unlatched position. The switch for energizing and de-energizing the machine is switchable between a closed position and an open position. An interlock flag must be moved to a predetermined position before the latch can be released. Moving the flag to the predetermined position causes the safety switch to open, de-energizing the machine. A portion of the swing bolt obstructs the interlock flag from closing the switch, thus preventing the machine from being energized when the cover is unlatched. The swing bolt is preferably threaded and a nut is provided to clamp the threaded swing bolt in the latched position and secure the cover. A shoulder of the interlock flag prevents the nut from being loosened unless the interlock flag is moved to the predetermined position in which the machine is de-energized.

Abstract: A solid waste pulper including a pulping chamber, oriented at an angle, hng a first inlet port for introducing solid waste material to be pulped, and a second inlet port in the pulping chamber for introducing water into the chamber. A blade assembly, preferably formed of a plurality of rotatable blades and a plurality of fixed blades, is mounted in the chamber for pulping the solid waste material introduced in the chamber, the water mixing with the pulped waste material to form a slurry. A sizing ring is provided in the pulping chamber through which the slurry must pass to be discharged, the sizing ring having a predetermined area for limiting the size of the pulped waste material in the slurry which can be discharged from the pulping chamber.

Abstract: An integral marine propulsion unit utilizes both collective and cyclic propeller blade pitch angle variations to generate a thrust vector in any of three degrees of motion for use with both the submersible and surface marine vessels. The present marine propulsion unit eliminates the need for extraneous drag generating control surfaces and rudders for motion control of a marine vessel by incorporating a flat plate mechanism which includes an Oldham coupler coupled to a pair of plates and a slotted plate coupled with one of the plates. The slotted plate and the one plate coupled to the slotted plate are relatively rotatable about a fixed axis. The flat plate mechanism permits relative angular displacement between the slotted plate and the one plate to collectively pivot all of the propeller blades and permits radial movement of the slotted plate along with propeller blades.

Abstract: A pumping mechanism featuring integration of a fixed-displacement radial ton pump within an electric drive motor and cooperative operation of a radially inwardly facing piston-actuating cam with a pair of opposing axially inwardly facing spool-valve actuating cams. The piston-actuating cam is effectively the inner surface of the rotating motor rotor, the pistons extending radially from a fixed central body. Consequent benefits of the integrated configuration are greater quietness, compactness, efficiency and corrosion resistance. The external motor unit provides protection, there is a damping effect, and there are fewer parts which are subject to damage or malfunction. Further reductions in noise and leakage are gained by synchronized operation, in terms of fluid pumping, of the spool-valve actuating cams and the piston-actuating cam.

Abstract: An improved integral marine propulsion unit is disclosed that can generate a thrust vector in any of three degrees of motion. The unit utilizes both collective and cyclic propeller blade pitch angle variation to generate these thrust. This unit obviates the need for control surfaces and rudders for motion control of a marine vessel. Additionally, this unit provides flexibility in external propulsor arrangements on a marine hull. The unit integrates the swash plate mechanism and actuators within the central bore of a ring type prime mover.

Abstract: The invention is a new linkage for connecting the piston and the piston actuator in a high pressure pump. All of the compression forces transmitted from the piston actuator to the piston by this linkage will be axial forces parallel to the axis of the piston since the linkage will not transmit forces to the piston which are transverse to its axis. This linkage allows the use of hard brittle materials such as ceramic materials in the piston because any misalignment between the axises of the piston actuator and the piston will not result in bending forces being applied to the piston which would cause it to break.

Abstract: A pilot hydrauic fluid pressure operated valve having the function of a 4sition 5-way valve for controlling the flow of high pressure corrosive media in a high pressure environment such as the deep ocean. The valve body contains two double-ended axially aligned poppet pistons each of which comprise a large pilot actuated piston in the center of the "spool" and each of which have a valve poppet at each end of the "spool" for control of the media which may be sea water ballast of a deep submergence vehicle for example.