Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic seal is provided for very large structures, such as domed stadiums provided with retractable roof structures. Because of the necessarily large cross sectional configuration, required for closing large designed clearances in stadium roof sections, the cross section of the seal must be maintained under control during non-working periods. A structure is provided which is pressurized to one cross sectional configuration for closing and sealing purposes and pressurized to a second cross sectional configuration for maintaining cross sectional control during periods when the seal is inactive.

Abstract: The Removable Bottom Founded Structure (RBFS) is an offshore platform for petroleum drilling and producing operations intended for deployment in waters with severe weather and iceberg conditions. It is a two-part structure comprising (1) a platform which is made up of a deck structure, multiple columns and braces; and (2) a reinforced concrete subbase that rests on the sea floor and upon which the platform is founded. The structure is normally held down by gravity for standard platform operations, but during the deballasting procedure due to an iceberg emergency a hold-down system is employed to keep the platform on the subbase until full deballasting is achieved. The system that is used to hold the platform down onto the subbase is located where the platform meets the subbase. It operates on the principle of hydrostatics. On the underside of the columns there are multiple chambers which may be evacuated by pumping and which are vented to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A novel inflatable plug for interrupting fluid flow in a pipe is provided which effects a stable, rigid seal while at the same time has a minimal axial length so as to be easily maneuverable. The plug is made from flexible, impermeable fabric and is provided with finely distributed, flexible inelastic connector elements or threads running in the axial direction and secured to opposed walls. When the plug is inflated, the threads prevent the opposed walls from separating a greater distance than the length of the threads. A complete plug assembly is also disclosed, comprising three such plugs in series, mounted on a bracing support frame and provided with a fail-safe inflation system.

Abstract: A ball and socket mount (13) for supporting the housing (11) of a light source and/or detector device is disclosed. The ball and socket mount (13) includes: a ball (23) affixed to one end of the housing (11); and, a socket formed by a collar that surrounds the ball. The collar comprises two identical U-shaped pieces (31a and 31b). When joined, the two collar pieces (31a and 31b) define an aperture having a spherical inner surface that mates with the spherical outer surface of the ball (23). The ball (23) includes a circumferential groove (29) oriented so as to be surrounded by the collar. A pair of mounting bolts (39) pass through the aligned holes in the collar pieces and the groove. The width of the groove (29) is substantially greater than the diameter of the bolts (39). As a result, the ball (23) and, thus, the photoelectric device is alignable in three dimensions when the bolts are loose. Specifically, the groove ( 29) allows rotation through 360.degree.

Abstract: A non-binding particle trap to outer sheath contact for use in gas insulated transmission lines having a corrugated outer conductor. The non-binding feature of the contact according to the teachings of the invention is accomplished by having a lever arm rotatably attached to a particle trap by a pivot support axis disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the inner conductor/insulator/particle trap assembly.

Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes a corrugated outer conductor, an inner conductor disposed within and insulated from the outer conductor by means of support insulators and an insulating gas, and a non-binding transport device for supporting and permitting movement of the inner conductor/insulating support assembly axially along the corrugated outer conductor without radial displacement and for moving without binding along corrugations of any slope less than vertical. The transport device includes two movable contacts, such as skids or rollers, supported on a common pivot lever, the pivot lever being rotatably disposed about a pivot lever axis, which pivot lever axis is in turn disposed on the periphery of a support insulator or particle trap if one is used.

Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes a corrugated outer conductor, an inner conductor disposed within and insulated from the outer conductor by means of support insulators and an insulating gas, and a transport device for supporting and permitting movement of the inner conductor/insulating support assembly axially along the corrugated outer conductor without radial displacement. The transport device includes two movable contacts, such as skids or rollers, supported on a common pivot lever, the pivot lever being rotatably disposed about a pivot lever axis, which pivot lever axis is in turn disposed on the periphery of a support insulator or particle trap if one is used. The movable contacts are separated axially a distance equal to the axial distance between the peaks and valleys of the corrugations of the outer conductor and separated radially a distance equal to the radial distance between the peaks and valleys of the corrugations of the outer conductor.

Abstract: A particle trap to outer elongated conductor or sheath contact for gas-insulated transmission lines. The particle trap to outer sheath contact of the invention is applicable to gas-insulated transmission lines having either corrugated or non-corrugated outer sheaths. The contact of the invention includes an electrical contact disposed on a lever arm which in turn is rotatably disposed on the particle trap and biased in a direction to maintain contact between the electrical contact and the outer sheath.

Abstract: A gas insulated transmission line having radially flexible field control means for reducing the electric field along the periphery of the inner conductor at predetermined locations wherein the support insulators are located. The radially flexible field control means of the invention includes several structural variations of the inner conductor, wherein careful controlling of the length to depth of surface depressions produces regions of reduced electric field. Several embodiments of the invention dispose a flexible connector at the predetermined location along the inner conductor where the surface depressions that control the reduced electric field are located.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter uses a dielectric liquid such as sulphur hexachloride to extinguish arcs in an interrupter. The liquid is injected at a relatively high pressure by a pump piston with a relatively high mass and an accumulator acts as a pressure fly wheel to effectively reduce high pressure maximums and increase low pressure minimums because of the much lower mass of the accumulator piston. In addition, a double fluid flow interrupter is provided.

Abstract: A minimum liquid circuit interrupter provides a relatively remote cooled storage unit for the dielectric liquid and fills a cylinder which is in close proximity to the insulating nozzle of the interrupter, the cylinder being driven at one end by a piston and closed at the other by the moving contact of the interrupter.

Abstract: An improved circuit interrupter for high voltage and low current provides reactor and capacitor switching functions with fewer serial interrupters. Improved electrical field configuration is provided by moving and stationary contact shields, surrounding the main contacts, which aid the plain break operation of the device by elimination of critical points of dielectric stress. The plain break feature provides less mechanical complexity and consequent higher reliability.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic operating mechanism construction is provided including the usual stationary operating cylinder with a movable reciprocally-operable driving piston member movable therewithin, and having an extremely-fast pneumatic valve-device cooperable with a movable valve-sealing member attached to, and carried by, the driving side of the movable driving piston. Additionally, a valve-piston bore is provided internally within the stationary valve-housing member, within which reciprocally pneumatically operates the movable valve piston.An exhaust-port opening is provided being pneumatically communicating to the region interposed between the movable valve piston and the movable valve-sealing member, which is carried by the movable driving piston. The result is an extremely-fast valve action providing for high-pressure operating fluid, such as compressed air, for example, to be provided to the driving face of the movable driving piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is a generally five-sided inflatable evacuation slide in which one corner of the slide is supported on the aircraft wing surfaces and the sliding surface is both banked and canted away from the elevated egress of the aircraft.