Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for coupling together conduit sections to form a pipeline while submerged in a fluid medium. During the operation of laying the pipeline while submerged in a fluid meduim, such as the ocean, adjacent pipe sections to be joined are subjected to a reduction in internal fluid pressure with a pump or the like so that during the joining operation, the pressure inside the adjacent pipe sections is lower than the exterior fluid pressure causing the pipes to readily come together and seat properly.

Abstract: A mine roof support arranged for propulsion over a mine floor by means of an advancing jack wherein the advancing jack is arranged to exert an inclined force on the support of which one component is parallel to the floor for propelling the support along the floor and the other component lifts or tends to lift the support from the floor thereby reducing frictional engagement with the floor.

Abstract: A flexible supportive joint is provided between a buoyancy chamber of flotation means and a sub-sea well riser conduit upon which the flotation means is mounted. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, such flexible supportive joint comprises an assembly of coaxial, telescopically oriented pipe sections with a cylindrical elastomeric member bonded therebetween to flexibly join the two sections in load bearing relation, one section being connected to the riser conduit with the other section being connected to the flotation means buoyancy chamber. In a first alternative exemplary embodiment, the flexible supportive joint is provided by a ball and socket-like connection while in a second alternative construction, the flexible supportive joint is provided by a combination of an elastomeric member in load bearing relation with coaxial conduit sections and a ball and socket-like joint between the sections.

Abstract: Offshore platform for resisting the pressure of external ice formations in which the base is generally frustoconical having upwardly and inwardly sloping surfaces. The upper part of the structure is an inverted cone frustum with upwardly and outwardly sloping surfaces to deflect the ice as it rides up and base. The waist surface is rounded. The interior of the platform is formed of vertical tubes which are filled with frozen hard material to assist the structure in resisting external forces.

Abstract: A boat dock structure horizontally suspended on the edge of a shore of a body of water in a cantilever mode. Guard rail stanchions are fastened onto the top of the dock structure so that no part of the dock is in contact with the water. The dock structure may be connected to a pillar assembly which is adjustable in height.

Abstract: Where a pipeline is to cross an earthquake fault zone, a trench is dug in the earth substantially wider and deeper than the diameter of the pipeline. The pipeline is installed in the trench in a bed of spherical bodies, which thereafter function during an earthquake to partially absorb compression and shear waves, and to disperse forces acting on the pipeline, whereby the effect of such forces on the pipeline is minimized with the result that rupture does not occur.

Abstract: A method of controlling a CO.sub.2 snow-making operation which is promptly self-correcting should an upset occur that results in incomplete separation of CO.sub.2 snow from the cold CO.sub.2 vapor. The separated snow is fed to a generally closed chamber, while a major portion of the cold CO.sub.2 vapor is passed in heat-exchange relationship with warmer liquid CO.sub.2 flowing toward the expansion nozzle. The temperature and/or pressure of the CO.sub.2 vapor exiting the heat-exchanger is monitored, and upon detecting a condition indicative of incomplete separation of snow from vapor, the flow of vapor through the heat-exchanger is temporarily reduced while flow of a minor portion of CO.sub.2 vapor is permitted to exit from the generally closed chamber. Prompt correction of the situation causing the incomplete separation automatically results.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage tank characterised by the provision of a space between the outer walls of the tank and the ground surrounding same, and means for introducing heated air into said space at the lower regions thereof for flow upwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A sled supports a hydraulic motor drive digging wheel in the bottom of a body of water with a cable guide conduit feeding cable into the trench behind the wheel; hydraulic cylinders adjust the depth of the trench with all means being controlled from a support barge or the like providing hydraulic power and control fluid.

Abstract: An energy saving refrigeration system as for refrigerated display cases in stores, free of the usual winter head pressure controls on the condenser equipment, capable of functioning satisfactorily with two-phase, liquid-gas mixtures of refrigerant inlet flow, there being a pair of valves immediately upstream of the evaporator, one being an expansion valve, and the other being a pressure regulator just upstream of the expansion valve adjusted such as to maintain a fixed discharge pressure to the expansion valve, this regulator discharge pressure set sufficiently above the evaporator boiling pressure and set sufficiently below the minimum inlet pressure to the pressure regulator.

Abstract: An automatic ice cream maker add-on accessory for use in the freezer compartment of a domestic refrigerator including a rear freezing air intake with a fan induced forward split flow path. A dual state thermostat provides cycling sequencing and hold control by means of first bimetal contacts to control cycling of the unit from a combined dasher and fan operation to a fan only operation by means of a voltage drop resistor to change the voltage on the motor when a predetermined mix temperature is reached under load. A second bimetal contact member, also sensitive to the temperature of the ice cream, provides a long term feature on the completion of the mixing operation.

Abstract: An automatic expansion valve for controlling refrigerant flow from a condenser to an evaporator in which the valve includes a deflectable member which defines a refrigerant expansion orifice with other structure within the valve, and with the flow passage arrangement in the valve body being such as to subject at least part of the opposite faces of the deflectable member to the different pressures resulting from refrigerant flow through the expansion orifice so that changes in the deflection of the deflectable member are in accordance with differential pressure across the orifice and accordingly effects changes in the effective opening of the expansion orifice.

Abstract: Viable fluids such as blood components are rapidly frozen in plastic or the like pouches for transportation and/or storage by placing a flat pouch slack filled with fluid between two substantially planar parallel restraining surfaces such as metal plates of greater perimeter than the flattened slack filled pouch which are rigid enough to prevent sagging of the pouch when it is vertically disposed and flexible enough to accommodate expansion of the pouch flat sides during the freezing operation. The restraining surfaces are retained against separation by retaining means applied against at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each pouch restraining means and the entire assembly is immersed in a cryogenic medium to rapidly freeze the fluid.

Abstract: A reversing valve means for use with a reversible refrigerating cycle system in which a selector valve is actuated by pressure difference in the refrigerant gas and not by any mechanical means such as spring or the like. Said valve means is simple in construction and excellent in durability, enabling sure switchover of a heating cycle to a cooling cycle and vice versa.

Abstract: A portable, convenient to use, self-contained apparatus for freezing liquids, such as ice cream, without the necessity of using ice and salt. The apparatus includes a housing with a heat conductive wall therein defining a cooling chamber of generally circular cross-section having an open upper end. A refrigeration device is contained in the housing and cooperates with the heat conductive wall over substantially the entire extent thereof for uniformly cooling the inner surface of the wall. A liquid container of generally circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of the cooling chamber is removably positioned within the cooling chamber in closely spaced relation with the uniformly cooled surface of the heat conductive wall and is adapted for rotation relative thereto. A drive mechanism provided in the housing is disengageably connected to the liquid container for rotating the container within the cooling chamber to thereby provide agitation for the liquid in the container during freezing thereof.

Abstract: A clear ice maker has an improved stationary open-top water tray comprising a plastic frame with metal inserts in the tray side, end and bottom walls for containing a predetermined quantity of water. The tray receives a removable grid having a plurality of open-bottom, open-top ice mold cavities and flexible filler means between the cavities to displace substantially all of the water into the cavities when the grid is in the tray. The tray side and end metal inserts have heaters thereon which are activated prior to ice harvest to melt the ice bond between the grid and tray permitting release of the grid. The tray bottom wall metal insert has continuously energized heater means thereon and is formed to provide a raised area beneath each grid cavity, thereby preventing freezing through the bottom of the grid cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling goods by contacting the goods with low temperature gas while transferring intermittently the goods. The low temperature gas is circulated forcedly in a section while being flowed in a direction reverse to the direction of transferring goods.

Abstract: Apparatus for quick freezing aqueous solutions or suspensions to be submitted to lyophilization by means of which also the lyophilization time is strongly reduced, characterized in that it comprises:A. a tiltably hinged tank with refrigerated bottom and walls, the top being shut by a removable air-tight cover;B. one or more plates or rotating frames for carrying materials to be frozen, rotated at an adjustable speed by means of one or more driven shafts passing through the bottom of the tank.The rotating plate/s may be refrigerated independently from the external tank or, alternatively, may be only a frame, while a suitable stream of refrigerated air is created by means of an impeller fixed internally to the cover.

Abstract: The present invention includes a ventilator for use in equalizing pressures within and without an enclosure, such as a coldroom or the like. A heated valve assembly is situated within an enclosure wall opening such that it is freely exposed to both environmental and internal fluid air pressures. A fluid impervious wall formed with inlet and outlet ports therethrough is partially covered by inner and outer closure members, both of which are supported and keyed by a common rod or shaft. These closure members are each biased by a common helical spring toward sealed and closed positions in which the inlet and outlet ports are covered. Pressure differentials are equalized by displacement of at least one of said closure members, thereby permitting air flow through one of the respective ports. By preselecting the spring rate of the helical spring, the minimum forces required to displace the closure members are controlled and predetermined.

Abstract: A high pressure gas tank has its output closely connected to the input of a Joule Thomson cryostat. When the tank is permitted to discharge its gas, Simon cooling of the inlet gas to the cryostat decreases the time to cool down at the cold point in the cryostat.

Abstract: A chain is trained around two substantially coaxial sprockets. A chain fastener comprises two fastener members connected to respective ends of the chain and a locking pin adapted to assume a first position, in which the locking pin locks the two fastener members together, and a second position, in which the locking pin permits the two fastener members to be separated from each other. The locking pin is movable between the first and second positions in a plane which is normal to the axis of the sprockets.

Abstract: A resilient drive comprises rotary driving and driven members interconnected by a resilient coupling. The coupling comprises a pair of coil springs and a plurality of spherical balls abutting the springs in circumferentially disposed relationship therewith. A pressurized fluid, such as oil, is continuously communicated to the coupling to aid in the damping function thereof.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an elastic coupling using rubber or an elastomer as an elastic element. The elastic coupling includes an inner metal ring having its radially outer surface radially curvilinearly convexed, an outer metal ring having its radially inner surface radially curvilinearly convexed, and an elastomer ring interposed between the inner and outer metal rings and having its radially inner and outer surfaces correspoindingly radially cirvilinearly concaved as to be fitably secured, respectively, to the outer surface of the inner metal ring and to the inner surface of the outer metal ring. Thus, the modulus of shearing strain of the surface portions of the elastomer ring at the side is smaller than that of an inside portion of the same so as to eliminate any pretension of the surfaces of the elastomer ring.

Abstract: The accuracy of axial alignment of rotary shafts which are connected to each other by face gears is determined by micrometer screws which are moved into contact with annular control surfaces of the shafts. The control surfaces are normal to the axes of the respective shafts and, if their planes are not exactly parallel to each other, selected teeth of the mating face gears are elastically deformed to a greater or lesser extent to thereby tilt at least one of the shafts with respect to the other shaft until the two axes are accurately aligned with each other. The elastic deformation of selected gear teeth can be effected by bolts and nuts which connect the two shafts and extend in parallelism with their axes or by a composite annular clamp whose arcuate sections engage tapering surfaces on the flanges of the shafts and are held together by bolts which can tilt the shafts relative to each other by changing the width of gaps between neighboring sections.

Abstract: Improvements in or relating to the drive cam ring sets for the needles, cam followers and the like on circular knitting machines. The cams are divided into units, each of the cam units being formed on a discrete rigid plate. The individual plates having a plurality of cams thereon are in turn attachable on a rigid skirt surrounding the needle cylinder.

Abstract: A novel compensation lever is associated with the guide and dropper bars of a warp knitting machine equipped with conventional Jacquard controls. In conventional warp knitting machinery equipped with Jacquard controls, the droppers of the dropper bar often impart an undesirable force to the guide bars during the knitting operation. The novel compensation lever of this invention is so arranged that when the dropper bar is displaced in a predetermined direction, a certain proportion of the displacing impetus is transferred to the guide bar in order to bias the guide bar in the same direction as the force of the return spring attached thereto.

Abstract: A knit fabric is provided in which warp knit stitch chains are formed at spaces between inlaid warp ends and have loops thereof sinuously interlaced with filling ends laid at opposite sides of the warp ends so that the filling ends are held against the warp ends and both warp and filling ends are caused to interact in a manner producing an appearance approaching that of a woven structure. The method of forming this fabric and means for doing so are also disclosed.

Abstract: The closer mechanism of a warp knitting machine equipped with slide needles includes an apparatus which allows the closers to automatically align themselves with respect to the slide needles. The self-aligning apparatus includes a closer mounting means which is slideably engagable in a slot in a closer mounting bar. As the closers engage the slide needles, the self-aligning apparatus allows the closers to become aligned relative to the needles in a position of least resistance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for dyeing yarns as they are fed from their cones into a knitting machine. Each yarn passes through a container in which there is a liquid dye of a color selected for that particular yarn. Although a quick-drying dye is used, to insure that each yarn is completely dried prior to its reaching a respective knitting needle, a jet of air is directed against each yarn as it exits from its respective dye container.

Abstract: A stopping apparatus for a rectilinear knitting machine comprising at least two needlebed parts arranged in roof form and provided with needles, a carriage being displaced in an oscillating movement above the frame parts for the control of the needles during its displacement in alternating directions, and at least one apparatus forming one piece with said knitting carriage to move the fabric away from the knitting area of the needles, said stopping means comprising a switch feed means arranged parallel with the direction of movement of the knitting carriage and control means for this switch.

Abstract: A control device for a textile machine, in particular for a knitting machine having at least one yarn feeding device, with each yarn feeding device being provided with two stop-motion devices each respectively having an electrical stop-motion switch associated therewith. The stop-motion switches of the yarn feeding device are connected to a rectifier circuit such that the two stop-motion switches of the yarn feeding device are supplied with voltage half-waves of different polarity. A control unit is provided which is common to all stop-motion switches and which is capable of surpressing voltage half-waves of one polarity in order to neutralize the stop-motion switch supplied with the voltage halfwaves of said one polarity with reference to a relay which stops the mechanical drive of the textile machine.

Abstract: Warp knit denim fabrics wherein differentially colored or colorable yarn sets or groups are knit together in a fabric having a dominant, typically darker, color forming a background wherein flecks of a less dominant, typically lighter, color are present substantially uniformly throughout the surface of the fabric, thereby giving a fabric whose visual appearance is similar to woven denim fabrics, but which possesses superior fabric qualities. After knitting, the differentially colorable yarn sets may be dyed to selectively color one or more of the yarn sets. The denim effect may be enhanced by sanding or napping the denim surface of the fabric to abrade and/or break the dominant color yarns and blend the lighter color therewith. The fabric may be thereafter calendered, and finished in conventional manner.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow diversion arrangement for use with an additive dispensing system in an automatic washer. Included is a liquid flow diverter of the transverse pressure differential type having control ports coupled to atmosphere by tubes whose open ends terminate at the machine sequence control timer. Means are provided associated with the timer for closing the open ends of the tubes and thereby the control ports at predetermined times to effect liquid flow diversion. A check valve is provided at the outer end of each control port for preventing liquid from escaping from the fluid diverter. A chamber is coupled by a segment of the tubing between each control port and the timer for accumulating liquid that may bypass the check valves and further, for preventing audible sonic oscillations which may occur in the liquid flow diversion arrangement due to the inherent ability of the diverter to amplify resonance in the system.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the fresh water flow through, vertical axis, wobble type has a dynamic system which includes a single imperforate wash basket arranged for rotation and oscillation about its vertical axis and a diametrically opposed set of masses arranged for rotation about the same vertical axis. A hollow vertical shaft couples the rotatable wash basket and the rotatable mass system to a shifting nodal point, damped gyratory suspension system mounted upon the cabinet base. During the washing operation, the basket is prevented from rotation and oscillatory motion is transferred thereto as a result of the rotation of the system of masses. The system of masses is only slightly statically unbalanced but the members are vertically offset with respect to each other such that they form a dynamically unbalanced couple, the effect of vibration of which is to cause turnover and simultaneous circumverential tumbling of clothes placed within the wash basket.

Abstract: A machine for dyeing or other wet-treatment of knitted, crocheted or woven textile goods, and of the kind in which the textile goods in web form is driven around through a bath of treatment liquid by means of a driving nozzle supplied with treatment liquid under pressure and through which the textile goods is passed in the form of a string or rope, wherein the driving nozzle is directed towards a guide surface deflecting the liquid jet along with the accompanying textile string or rope leaving the driving nozzle in a downward direction, owing to the driving nozzle being disposed in such a position relative to the guide surface as to cause the jet and the textile string or rope to impinge the guide surface at an acute angle, and simultaneously spreading the jet along with the string or rope laterally to cause the textile goods to enter the liquid bath spread out into web form.

Abstract: An exposed shackle padlock including a casing and a U-shaped shackle movable between an outer open position and an inner locked position. A fence plate is supported for rocking movement within the casing about a pivot lug between locking and unlocking relations with a notch in a shorter leg of the shackle. One or more peripherally gated rotatable tumbler wheel members adjacent a fence formation on the fence plate normally prevent its movement to the unlocking position and may form either a key operated locking mechanism or a dial operated combination locking mechanism. The tumbler members in the combination lock form are scrambled during opening movement of the shackle and the fence plate is displaceable relative to the pivot lug to permit return of the shackle to locked position.

Abstract: This invention relates to padlocks. The padlock comprises a plurality of superimposed metal plates arranged one on top of the other and bolted together. A decorative bumper band surrounds a group of said plates spaced from the lowermost and uppermost of said plurality of plates. The end plates of said group of plates are formed with projections received in notches at the upper and lower perimetric edges of the band to hold the band in place.

Abstract: A multiple dial type combination lock in a luggage case handle stud employs an elongated, longitudinally movable puller formed to engage a cooperable hasp and having longitudinally spaced slots receiving dials. The dials, which are keyed for rotation with associated sleeve means by interfitting teeth, are cooperable with respective lugs on the puller for blocking movement of the puller from latching position when the dials are off combination. Each sleeve means has a missing tooth portion for receiving the respective lug on the puller when the dials are on combination, thereby permitting movement of the puller between latching and unlatching positions, the dials being shifted longitudinally with the puller during this motion. In the preferred embodiment, the opening combination may be set to a combination of one's own choice.

Abstract: A permutation lock assembly incorporated into a door knob and latch mechanism mountable in the standard openings in conventional swinging doors, using conventional door latch hardware. Rotation of an outer dial in a first direction causes rotation of an inner dial which is visible through a window until a number on the inner dial appears at the center of the window. Upon rotation of the outer dial in an opposite direction until a number thereon is aligned with a center mark, the door is unlocked and may be readily opened. When the proper combination is known, the combination may be changed, within a few seconds, from one combination to another. Also incorporated is a clutch device in the external knob that permits the knob to turn in either direction when the door is locked and excessive force is applied, thus preventing damage to the assembly.

Abstract: A lock assembly useful in coupling a tire assembly to a wheel which is locked and unlocked by a magnetic key.

Abstract: A protective device for mounting on and encasing a lock operating member, such as, a door knob to preclude access thereto and operation thereof. The casing includes a generally rectangular front opening through which the knob projects and a slide member vertically slidable therein which is adaptable to receive a locking means for securing the casing in position to prevent the locking mechanism of the knob from being actuated or removal of the knob.

Abstract: A maximum security padlock of the type having a monolithic lock body or case with a plurality of shackle and lock-receiving bores therein is made of a compressed and sintered powder metal alloy of an austenitic stainless steel. As a consequence of this unique material, the lock body is readily made with most or all of the bores formed in compressing the powder metal. While the resulting sintered lock body is relatively, substantially, softer than a conventional lock body and the shackle, when an attempt is made to saw or otherwise cut through the body the stainless steel work-hardens to resist and slow down further cutting. Improvements in the lock mechanism augment the characteristics provided by powder metal fabrication.

Abstract: The bearing and elastohydrodynamic lubrication film test method and apparatus provides measurements related to acoustic resonance frequencies of the ball - raceway - lubricant system of a ball bearing, which frequencies are found to be related to bearing ball, race, and lubricant behavior, the measurements being made while the bearing is actually operating in its normal environment such as for example in a production gyroscopic instrument assembly.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprising as a gas sensible material a spinel-type ferrite represented by the general formula AFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 in which A stands for at least one member selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb is provided. In many cases, a catalyzer or a recovering agent need not be incorporated in this gas sensor, and it is characterized in that it is hardly influenced by moisture in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A seal permitting wire, rod or the like to be fed continuously into a vacuum treatment chamber comprises two die-shaped elements conforming to the peripheral shape of the wire, rod or the like in spaced holders with a tube sealed between the holders and a removable insert in the tube externally fitting closely within the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for winding long rod-like material, such as tubes, into coils by continuously coiling the material and depositing it into a rotating coiler adapted to collect a selected coil of material and then eject it into a delivery receptacle rotating in substantial synchronism with the coiler, stopping the delivery receptacle for removal of the ejected coil and then reaccelerating the delivery receptacle to substantially the speed of the coiler for receipt of the next completed coil.

Abstract: A sizing mill is provided for reducing tubes having a number of roll stands arranged one behind the other and in which the sizing pass of at least the first stand is so out of round that the first sizing pass can effect tube reduction over the whole range of external diameters of tubes to be rolled in any given rolling program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing aluminum wires for communication cables, insulated electric wires, etc., from aluminum for electrical purposes or as an aluminum alloy for electric conductors containing various additive elements, which is characterized in that cold working of 80% or more is given to the product after hot working, then low temperature intermediate annealing is carried out at a temperature of 100.degree. - 280.degree.C, then cold drawing of 50% or more is given and a continuous annealing is carried out. A manufacturing method is thus provided for aluminum wires for communication cables, insulated electric wires, etc., having excellent overall properties of strength, electrical conductivity, ductility, etc., which is suitable for the modernized high-speed manufacturing line and which is superior with respect to productivity and workability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending beams by which a beam is subjected to pure moment bending in a critically oriented plane to avoid twist and to maintain single plane bending in a beam of arbitrary cross section. As disclosed, a pair of bending heads laterally engage a beam at longitudinally spaced points. Force actuator means connected directly between the heads is energized to rotate one of the heads relative to the other to produce a bending moment in a work area in the beam between the heads. The actuator means is arranged to produce a force couple on the heads which avoids transverse loading of the beam and resultant twist and which is adapted to selectively orient the plane of the applied couple relative to the desired bending plane to maintain single plane bending in beams of nonsymmetric cross section.

Abstract: An air lead-in for a can body former of the type comprising a ram having a can-forming punch at its end which draws and wall-irons a metal blank by forcing it through a series of rings, the ram and punch having air passages therein through which compressed air is pulsed in a programmed series to faciliate stripping a formed can from the punch. The lead-in comprises novel linkage having articulatingly connected oscillating sections with interconnected air passages therein one end of the linkage having a pivot connection to the ram passages at one end and the other end having a connection to a rocker drive arm air passages from a source external of the arm.