Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the moisture content of a planted surface. The system includes a plurality of drain conduits located beneath the planted surface for collecting liquid from the planted surface. The system also includes a sealed collection tank coupled to the plurality of drain conduits. The collection tank is located beneath the planted surface to collect liquid passing through the plurality of drain conduits. The system also includes a vacuum pump coupled to the collection tank for removing air from the collection tank to provide a suction force in the collection tank and in the plurality of drain conduits to draw liquid from the planted surface through the plurality of drain conduits and into the collection tank. An elevated air tank is coupled between the vacuum pump and the collection tank. The elevated air tank is located at a remote location spaced apart from the collection tank.

Abstract: A propulsion device comprises a circular series of inclined airfoil elements. Each airfoil element is connected along its lower side to a rigid plate member, which is adapted to be rotated at high speed via a motor output shaft. The airfoil elements are oriented on the plate such that their vacuum-inducing surfaces face upwardly and inwardly of the circular series, and their pressure surfaces face downwardly and outwardly of the circular series.

Abstract: A propulsion device comprises a circular series of inclined airfoil elements. Each airfoil element is connected along its upper side to a rigid plate member, which is adapted to be rotated at high speed via a motor output shaft. The airfoil elements are oriented on the plate such that their vacuum-inducing surfaces face upwardly and outwardly of the circular series, and their pressure surfaces face downwardly and inwardly of the circular series.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the moisture content of a planted surface. The system includes a plurality of drain conduits located beneath the planted surface for collecting liquid from the planted surface. The system also includes a sealed collection tank coupled to the plurality of drain conduits. The collection tank is located beneath the planted surface to collect liquid passing through the plurality of drain conduits. The system also includes a vacuum pump coupled to the collection tank for removing air from the collection tank to provide a suction force in the collection tank and in the plurality of drain conduits to draw liquid from the planted surface through the plurality of drain conduits and into the collection tank. An elevated air tank is coupled between the vacuum pump and the collection tank. The elevated air tank is located at a remote location spaced apart from the collection tank.

Abstract: A vacuum pump, denoted "VUMP", comprises a pair of nested conical or bell-shaped housings, wherein at least the outer bell-shaped housing forms a part of the pump chamber and has a central inlet. The impeller structure of the pump comprises a circular series of airfoil elements so disposed as to at least partially occupy the annular space defined by the nested conical or bell-shaped members. The airfoil elements each have a vacuum surface directed axially of the impeller towards the central pump inlet. Fluid conveyed through the pump is introduced to the central inlet and directed peripherally of the pump chamber by the inner conical member. Rotation of the circular series of airfoil elements produces a strong vacuum force within the pump that serves to impel fluid through the pump by volumetric displacement.

Abstract: A pump has an impeller with a circular series of airfoil vanes rigidly mounted thereon. The impeller is mounted in a casing which has a radially outwardly increasing internal axial extent, such that fluid flowing through the pump has a less constricted path peripherally of the pump chamber than centrally of the pump chamber. The vanes are of airfoil configuration and create regions of decreased pressure on their radially inner surfaces and regions of increased pressure on their radially outer surfaces, upon movement of the series of vanes through a fluid. The radially outwardly increasing axial extent of the pump chamber is measured from a front chamber wall to a surface opposite the front chamber wall, and occurs radially inwardly of the path of the vanes from the inlet to the vanes.

Abstract: A pump has an impeller with a circular series of airfoil vanes rigidly mounted thereon. The impeller is mounted in a casing which has a radially outwardly increasing internal axial extent, such that fluid flowing through the pump has a less constricted path peripherally of the pump chamber than centrally of the pump chamber. In another aspect of the invention, the impeller comprises two axially adjacent series of vanes separated by a radially extending partition which divides the interior of the pump casing into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber interconnected by a hole formed in the center of the partition. At least one of the central partition and the impeller plate are conical in shape, thereby to impart a radially outwardly expanding axial extent to the vacuum chamber, and a decreasing axial extent to the pressure chamber.

Abstract: In a vertical take-off and landing craft, a pair of nested dome-shaped shells are spaced apart and rigidly interconnected by struts. The outer shell has a central opening formed in its top, and the shape of the shells is such that the space between the two shells progressively widens from the central top part of the shells to the peripheral bottom part of the shells. A circular series of arcuate airfoil units is disposed in the annular space between the bottoms of the shells, and is driven in rotation by an engine mounted on the inner shell. Upon rotation of the circular series of arcuate airfoil units, low pressure is generated above the airfoil units and high pressure below, such that air is drawn down through the central opening of the outer shell to produce a thrust which permits vertical displacement of the aircraft.

Abstract: A fixed cutting tool shape for improved rock drilling performance of drag-type rotary bits includes a cemented tungsten carbide cutter body and a plow-shaped cutter element. In a preferred embodiment, the cutter element is a composite compact of polycrystalline diamond on a cemented tungsten carbide substrate, and defines a generally V-shaped cutter to create a plowing action and direct rock ship flow away from the working surface.

Abstract: Composite compacts comprising a cluster of abrasive particles selected from among diamond, cubic boron nitride and wurtzite boron nitride on a support medium, are securely bonded to metal tool parts by a process comprising providing a bond initiator between, and in contact with, a surface of the composite compact and a surface of the tool part, passing a short duration, high electrical current pulse through the contacting surfaces sufficient to cause melting of the bond initiator without raising the temperature of the abrasive particles to their decomposition temperature, forcing the composite compact and tool part together under an applied magnetic force pulse while the bond initiator is molten, and recovering the article.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a drill bit comprising a plurality of composite compact cutters by furnace brazing each cutter in a recess in the crown of the drill bit. In one embodiment, each cutter is comprised of a mass of bonded polycrystalline abrasive, a substrate bonded to said abrasive mass and a thin layer of brazing filler metal coating the exposed surface of the substrate. In another embodiment, the cutter comprises a composite compact cutter blank bonded to one end of a cemented carbide pin, and a thin layer of brazing filler material coating the substrate of the blank and the carbide pin. In both embodiments, the coating of brazing filler metal is applied to the cutters by dipping in a molten bath of the filler metal.

Abstract: A simulated deadlock for doors simulates and has the physical form of only that portion of a genuine deadlock which extends beyond the outer or exposed plane of the door. The simulation comprises a hollow plastic shell which outwardly reproduces the contours and color of a genuine deadlock but which terminates rearwardly in a flat plate having an adhesive thereon by which the simulation is secured to the door without piercing the door. Unauthorized entry is thus discouraged at a much lower cost than if a genuine deadlock were installed.

Abstract: An aerator for bodies of water comprises a submerged water intake with a filter on it, that leads to the axial inlet of a centrifugal pump of the type that can handle substantial quantities of air. An air inlet to the axial pump inlet introduces the air centrally into the pump chamber, where it is admixed with water and discharged from a peripheral outlet to a point beneath the surface of the water. The pump can be of the type that has a rotor with a plurality of vanes of airfoil configuration.

Abstract: A Kentucky bluegrass plant which exhibits strong rhizome spread and thus predominates over other adjacent bluegrasses. The plant is a medium to light green color and this contributes to more drouth tolerance than dark green bluegrasses characteristically have. The new variety has moderate leafspot and powdery mildew resistance and is ideally suited for roadside use where competition from weeds is intense. The density and wear resistance of the new variety also make it useful for athletic fields, playgrounds, parks, and other surfaces where a high wear factor is involved. The new variety of Kentucky bluegrass was developed from clones originally discovered during 1952 among a collection of 24 bluegrasses taken from fairways of the Chicago Golf Club of Wheaton, Ill., in a cultivated area. The new variety was the result of six generations as reported hereinafter, and the variety has been named "Wabash". The instant plant was asexually reproduced by cuttings through succeeding propagations.