Abstract: A winch mounting assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch receiver of a vehicle enables simultaneous use of a stowable winch and attachment of a trailer. The assembly comprises a horizontal extension tube and a vertical tube, the latter receiving a removable winch platform from which a mounting post extends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coherent light-generating semiconductor structure comprising: at least one active region including a pumped portion for achieving optical gain; a first optical waveguide for confining light waves in the transverse direction and for propagating light waves along the optical axis of said first optical waveguide; first and second reflective means, the first and second reflective means being spaced apart from one another and defining a resonant optical cavity therebetween, the pumped portion of the at least one active region being located at least partially within the resonant optical cavity, and the resonant optical cavity encompassing at least a portion of the optical waveguide; the active region, the optical waveguide, and the resonant optical cavity having properties necessary to establish and maintain a principal optical mode; a grating located in at least a portion of the resonant optical cavity, the grating having grating teeth oriented at an angle relative to the first and

Abstract: A process for producing a high solids aqueous slurry of a beneficiated kaolin. An impure crude kaolin clay is initially subjected to wet processing including a size classification step, to recover a beneficiated fine particle size kaolin fraction which is formed into a dilute aqueous slurry of deflocculated kaolin particles. The dilute slurry is filtered by flowing it generally parallel to and in contact with the surface of a microporous barrier while maintaining a pressure drop across the barrier in a direction transverse to the slurry flow. A gel permeation layer is thereby formed of kaolin overlying the surface of the microporous barrier. The gel permeation layer and underlaying surface are substantially impervious to the passage of clay solids while being pervious to the passage of water molecules, ions and dissolved salts; whereby water molecules, ions and dissolved salts are caused to pass through the barrier, thereby increasing the concentration of the solids in the kaolin slurry.

Abstract: A process for producing a high brightness, high solids kaolin clay aqueous slurry. An aqueous low solids suspension of crude kaolin clay is degritted, and subjected to a particle size classification. The aqueous suspension of the fine particle fraction is acidified to a pH of 5.0 or lower to produce an acid flocculated suspension which is treated with a bleaching agent to reduce ferric ion impurities to ferrous ion impurities. A ferrous ion chelating agent is added to the bleached acid flocculated suspension after which an alkaline agent is added to raise the pH to a level greater than 5.0 to form a dispersed aqueous suspension of the beneficiated kaolin. The dispersed suspension is then subjected to membrane filtration to partially dewater same, and additional water is thermally evaporated from the partially dewatered dispersed kaolin suspension to produce the high solids product suspension.

Abstract: An aqueous beneficiated clay slurry is concentrated from a lower solids content to a higher solids content by evaporating water therefrom by passing the aqueous clay slurry through one or more non-contact evaporative heat exchangers in indirect heat exchange relationship with a hot drying fluid. The driving fluid, that is the heating medium which is passed in indirect heat exchange relationship with the aqueous clay slurry to initiate the evaporation process, comprises a hot liquid, preferably a moderate temperature hot liquid such as hot water having a temperature ranging from about 120.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: A die closing and locking apparatus for use in a die press includes a two-part linkage and cylinder combination wherein one part includes a toggle mechanism and the other part includes an annular hydraulic cylinder. The toggle mechanism operates on the closing portion of the die so as to move it into position rapidly and with the minimum time required. The annular hydraulic cylinder acts upon the die in the closing portion so as to apply the required closing force on the die, via the toggle mechanism, prior to the casting or molding operation.

Abstract: A die-casting machine for the production of miniature die-cast parts of the type having a parting line and a plurality of cores includes a frame member having a plurality of tie bars and a first movable platen on one side of a parting line and a second movable platen on the opposite side of the parting line. The movable platens are slidably received by the tie bars and a pair of lever arms are provided wherein a first lever arm supports the first movable platen and a second lever arm supports the second movable platen. The die block is arranged into two halves about its own parting line such that one half is mounted to the first movable platen and the other half is mounted to the second movable platen. The particular arrangement of lever arms enables the die block to be positioned relative to the remainder of machine such that an arrangement of six retractable cores can be utilized as part of the die-cast part wherein there are three coaxial pairs configured for movement along conventional X, Y and Z axes.

Abstract: A die casting metal hald mold comprising a front wall incorporating a die casting area, side walls extending rearwardly from the front wall, a backing member closing the base of said side walls, means to fasten the backing member to the bottom of said side walls, the front wall, side walls and backing member forming a high pressure heat exchange cavity, a valve for introducing fluid under pressure into said high pressure heat exchange cavity and a valve for releasing gas under pressure from said high pressure heat exchange cavity.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly providing improved wiping characteristics. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a superstructure, and a flexible wiper insert received within the superstructure. The wiper insert includes a flexible elongate beam received within the superstructure at both ends and which serves to uniformly distribute the force transmitted by the superstructure from the wiper arm along the length of a flexible wiper strip which forms a part for the wiper insert. In its unflexed configuration, the elongate beam is characterized by a first surface which is elliptically curved convexly along the length of the beam and a second oppositely disposed surface which is flat. When the elliptically curved surface is flexed due to the application of a force from the superstructure at each end of the beam the force is equally distributed along the length of the beam.

Abstract: A die-casting apparatus for the die-casting of metal into a specific part shape includes a pair of die-cast mold portions which are movable relative to one another and which define a die-mold cavity therebetween. The mold portions are initially separated so as to provide a venting gap and further include a communicating passageway between the die-mold cavity and the shot tube for the apparatus. The shot tube includes a metal inlet port and a cooperating plunger which is suitably designed and arranged to push the molten metal into the die-mold cavity. The shot tube is also fitted with gas inlets which are coupled to a supply of oxygen and a supply of combustion gas whereby an ignited flame may be injected into the shot tube.

Abstract: A die casting system comprises a machine of the balanced, dual movement type wherein the part is cast and trimmed without any lateral movement. Both halves of the molds or dies are moved equal distances to and from the part plane. The machine incorporates a system of metal injection on the mold parting line with a runner-drain provision; provision for supporting the part at a plurality of points after the die opening; hydraulic fluid volumetric flow reduction; various nozzle configuration options and a heat transfer system for the dies. In addition, a part trimming machine is disclosed together with a cable transfer for moving the part from the casting machine to the trimming machine.

Abstract: A ball valve operable between a fully-open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow includes a valve body machined and arranged with a flow passageway extending completely therethrough and receiving at each end a fluid fitting for coupling to flow lines. Disposed within the interior of the valve body is a ball plug member which is supported below by a stem and needle bearing arrangement and is operable to be turned 90 degrees by a handle, stem and bonnet arrangement. The internal position of the ball plug member is maintained by a pair of ball seats which are centrally disposed within the flow passageway and are held in position by means of adapter cylinders which are in turn held in position by retainer plates. In order to maintain spring-loaded pressure and to provide a sealed interface between the ball seat and the adapter cylinder, spring seal assemblies are disposed within the adapter cylinder and between the ball seat and corresponding retainer plate.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly providing improved wiping characteristics. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a superstructure, and a flexible wiper insert received within the superstructure. The wiper insert includes a flexible elongate beam received within the superstructure at both ends and which serves to uniformly distribute the force transmitted by the superstructure from the wiper arm along the length of a flexible wiper strip which forms a part for the wiper insert. In its unflexed configuration, the elongate beam is characterized by a first surface which is elliptically curved convexly along the length of the beam and a second oppositely disposed surface which is flat. When the elliptically curved surface is flexed due to the application of a force from the superstructure at each end of the beam the force is equally distributed along the length of the beam.

Abstract: A die casting system comprises a machine of the balanced, dual movement type wherein the part is cast and trimmed without any lateral movement. Both halves of the molds or dies are moved equal distances to and from the part plane. The machine incorporates a system of metal injection on the mold parting line with a runner-drain provision; provision for supporting the part at a plurality of points after the die opening; hydraulic fluid volumetric flow reduction; various nozzle configuration options and a heat transfer system for the dies. In addition, a part trimming machine is disclosed together with a cable transfer for moving the part from the casting machine to the trimming machine.

Abstract: An ambient pressure lamp for automobiles and related conveyances includes a parabolic reflector having an inner reflective surface, an outer surface, a base portion and an outer peripheral edge wherein the base portion includes a centrally located clearance aperture for receipt of a lamp filament socket. The reflector member is enclosed by a lens member which as a stepped inner surface and a surrounding lip portion which is sealingly attached to the outer peripheral edge of the reflector member in order to define an inner chamber wherein a lamp filament is positioned. An expandable membrane is sealingly joined around the outer surface of the reflector member and around the lamp filament socket so as to define an expansion chamber between the outer surface and the membrane.

Abstract: A ball valve operable between a fully-open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow includes a valve body machined and arranged with a flow passageway extending completely therethrough and receiving at each end a fluid fitting for coupling to flow lines. Disposed within the interior of the valve body is a ball plug member which is supported below by a stem and needle bearing arrangement and is operable to be turned 90 degrees by a handle, stem and bonnet arrangement. The internal position of the ball plug member is maintained by a pair of ball seats which are centrally disposed within the flow passageway and are held in position by means of adapter cylinders which are in turn held in position by retainer plates. In order to maintain spring-loaded pressure and to provide a sealed interface between the ball seat and the adapter cylinder, spring seal assemblies are disposed within the adapter cylinder and between the ball seat and corresponding retainer plate.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror mounting apparatus for attaching a rear-view mirror to a windshield includes a substantially flat, receiving member and a hollow, inserting member which is slidably received within the receiving member. The receiving member includes a tapered, dovetail-like receiving channel which is symmetrical about the longitudinal centerline of the receiving member. The inserting member is contoured at one end with a spherical element suitable for receipt by a pivot mechanism or similar interconnection means and the opposite end is contoured with a flared, conical shape. The bottom edge of this flared, conical shape includes a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion and two side edge portions. The two side edge portions are disposed in a first plane and the leading and trailing edge portions are disposed in a second geometric plane parallel to the first, the two side portions are suitably sized and spaced so as to fit beneath the undercut side edges of the receiving channel.

Abstract: A die casting system comprises a machine of the balanced, dual movement type wherein the part is cast and trimmed without any lateral movement. Both halves of the molds or dies are moved equal distances to and from the part plane. The machine incorporates a system of metal injection on the mold parting line with a runner-drain provision; provision for supporting the part at a plurality of points after the die opening; hydraulic fluid volumetric flow reduction; various nozzle configuration options and a heat transfer system for the dies. In addition, a part trimming machine is disclosed together with a cable transfer for moving the part from the casting machine to the trimming machine.