Abstract: A motor vehicle steering shaft assembly having two complementary steering shaft pieces adapted to be connected to the vehicle steering gear and steering wheel, respectively. Each shaft piece has an end portion arranged in adjacent, overlapping relationship with the end portion of the other shaft piece. The two shaft pieces are connected by at least two independent, torque-transmitting plug connections which are axially spaced relative to each other along the overlapping end portions. Each of the plug connections includes projections or "plugs," attached and extending parallel to one of the shaft pieces, and corresponding receptacles, adapted to receive the projections, attached to the other shaft piece. As a result of this construction the two shaft pieces of the steering shaft assembly may be disconnected upon application of a predetermined axial force, but the steering shaft assembly will not bend upon application of a transverse force thereto.

Abstract: Cable guide apparatus for a bicycle or similar vehicle comprising a metallic tunnel member with an anti-friction cover member removably secured therein. The metallic tunnel member can be welded or brazed to the frame of the bicycle and the anti-friction cover member is engaged in the tunnel member after the welding or brazing. The anti-friction cover member has an opening for slidably receiving a control cable. The tunnel member is curved and internally receives the cover member along the length at which the cable bears. The cover member has a low coefficient of friction and preferably is a synthetic resin material. The tunnel member and the cover member have complementary locking elements for securing the cover member in the tunnel member in removable manner.

Abstract: Hard surfacing the wear surface of rib-type stabilizers formed on drill strings by welding pre-formed wear pads upon the stabilizers. The pads are made of flattened, steel tube-like, thin wall, sheaths, filled with a matrix formed of hard carbide particles and a soft alloy binder. After welding each pad in place, its exposed wall section is removed to now expose a flat, accurately dimensioned, smooth carbide-binder hard wear surface. When the wear surface becomes worn, the worn pads may be removed by breaking the weldings and then replacing the pads with new pads welded in their place.

Abstract: A motor driven rotary cam forces back a hammer against a spring and then suddenly releases it to provide an impact stroke to a pivoted massive lever which carries, at the end opposite the portion driven by a hammer, a lock pick needle held in a chuck. It is not necessary to feel out the position of the tumblers of the lock, because the impacts, repeated as necessary, drive the counter-pins away from the tumblers against their respective springs and an auxiliary tool carrying a weight, which does not need to be held in the hand of the operator, can turn the lock when the counter-pins have been propelled sufficiently far into the standing part of the lock. The force of the stroke, stroke length and repetition rate are all adjustable, as well as the torque applied by the auxiliary tool, in each case by a simple adjustment.

Abstract: A trim discharging device, for discharging the trim or scrap resulting from the trimming of the leading edge and of the trailing edge of a stack of panels fed to a cutting line on a panel support table, comprises two tiltable table portions, which by two adjacent edges define between them the cutting line. Each tiltable table portion is hinged along an axis which is parallel to the cutting line, and can be tilted so as to slope in the direction of a trim discharge zone, located below the cutting line.

Abstract: A single fluid power operated piston connected to a tool operating arm pivoted intermediate its opposite ends, undergoes movement through a predetermined stroke between limit positions to alternately perform punching and shearing operations at spaced stations along a common support bed of a metal working machine. The tool operating arm is held in one of its limit positions by the piston device under control of a selector valve while a foot pedal operated valve is displaced against a spring bias by the operator to effect powered displacement of the piston device to the other limit position in order to effect either a punching or shearing operation depending on the position of the selector valve. A shearing operation may also be performed through a second shear arm pivotally connected to the frame and actuated by the piston device.

Abstract: A simple direct acting mechanism moves a circular rotatable disc cutter or two such cutters first to rollably engage a hard surface and then to traverse the surface to part the stock between a side-by-side pair of cords or wires. The cutter or cutters are blunt edged, as well as unheated and so avoid baring the cords or wires while parting the stock without the undesired effect of sharp or hot knives. The cutter or cutters are shiftable along the axis or axes to accommodate deviation of the cords with respect to the travel of the cutter. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital arpeggio system for an electronic organ that through the use of digital techniques permits arpeggios, note sequences as well as strum, multi, organ, and normal modes of operation to be played automatically. Two counters scan by counting through an 8.times.8 matrix of 64 words covering the 61 notes of an organ in rapid sequence upon the playing of one or more organ keys. Each word is fed to a corresponding one of 61 decoders, one for each note of the keyboard. If a corresponding key has been played, the decoder provides a signal to a corresponding pulser circuit which enables a corresponding keyer to transmit an audio signal from an audio oscillator corresponding to the played key to an output system and loudspeaker. The two counters are stopped by a clock control while the note is sounded and then the counters are enabled by the counter control to continue counting through the matrix until the next actuated key is located.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprising a keyboard and related controls (i.e., foot pedals, stops or equivalent controls), which through electronic circuitry remotely direct the mechanical manipulation of taut strings of guitar gauge, enabling the keyboard musician to create the many sounds characteristic of the electric guitar. Apart from the mechanical apparatus engaged with the strings, this invention relates, to a large extent, to the employment and design of the controlling electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An expansion dowel of the type anchored within a prepared borehole, consists of a dowel body, an expansion element and a separating member. The expansion element is defined by a pair of slots cut in the dowel body. The slots do not intersect leaving a web connecting the expansion element to the dowel body. When the dowel is inserted into the borehole, the separating member breaks the web freeing the expansion element. The expansion element is wedge-shaped as is the recess in the dowel body defined by the slots.

Abstract: In a home bag sealer with an elongated box and lid where the box supports a roll of bag material and a heater is provided along the lid opening operative on lid closing to seal a selected size of bag, the device being provided with structure to cut the sealed bag, the invention provides an improved cutter assembly of a lengthwise slot in the lid inboard of the heater and having a pair of oppositely disposed supporting ribs contiguous along the slot substantially the length of the lid. Disposed in the slot is a removable cutter assembly supported on and spanning the ribs on each side thereof for sliding along the slot. The assembly includes a pair of facing nylon brackets each bracket having a leading edge with a narrow notch therein and a faired surface extending away from the notch. A cutter blade is located between the brackets and extends within the notch and an operating handle removably clamps the brackets above the ribs externally of the lid.

Abstract: An oven having dual-rotating mechanism whereby food-holding elements are arranged to be conveyed about the periphery of the inner housing of the oven, at which time the food-holding elements are individually rotated about their own axes, causing a dual-rotisserie action. The opposite ends of the food-holding elements are removably attached to a chain which is driven by a plurality of planetary gear assemblies driven by a motor, the food-holding elements being individually rotated by means of a stationary chain which is engaged to a sprocket attached to the food-holding elements assembly. Thus, a low-temperature cooking process can be employed therewith.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating liquids from soft particulate food solids, especially for cottage cheese. A tensioned belt is partially wrapped around a foraminous drum to compress a layer or bed of food particles advancing on the exterior of the drum wall through a separation zone beneath the belt. The belt run opposite the drum wall is free to flex and yield and to expand and contract the cross-sectional area of the separating zone, depending upon the thickness of the bed of food particles in said zone. Accordingly, delicate such particles will not be damaged or broken up into small particles, as would happen if a thick bed is forced through a zone of fixed cross-sectional area. Moreover, pressure is maintained on the bed when it is thin. A belt tightener is provided which will maintain a desired tension on the belt so that the belt will always exert a predetermined desired pressure on the bed.

Abstract: A method is provided for binding a first low density bale with a plurality of straps and then reusing sections of the straps to bind a second, smaller bale which is compressed from the first bale. A plurality of primary straps are provided with a multiple of discrete arrays of longitudinally spaced joint elements, the joint elements of each array being adapted to interlock with the joint elements of another array to form a sealless connection therebetween. Each primary strap is looped around the first low density bale and the ends of the strap are connected through two of the arrays of interlocking joint elements. Each primary strap further has, at spaced locations along its length, severance indicia and readily disengageable anti-reverse engaging tabs. When desired, the first bale may be subsequently further compressed to allow removal of the primary straps.

Abstract: As a part of the combination there is provided a trash container of the type which can be picked up and dumped by inverting it by the lift usually found on the front or rear end of a trash collection vehicle. However, because the invention contemplates compaction of the trash in the container before its contents are dumped into the vehicle, the container has flared end walls, such as to permit the compacted contents to fall freely from the container upon its inversion by the vehicle lift. To accomplish the desired in-container compaction, a vertical hydraulically driven ram is mounted in such a way that the container may be placed below it when the ram platen is raised to its first and upper position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mass compensation at a machine driven by means of a crank drive including a crankshaft, especially a punch press or stamping machine, comprising at least one compensation weight which is connected with a piston or cross-head and the crank drive in order to realize a mass compensation both of the oscillating masses and of the rotating masses. A double-lever is hingedly connected by means of its one end with the compensation weight in order to realize mass compensation of the rotating masses and is hingedly connected by means of its other end with the crank drive via a first guide or link. The one end of the double-lever is directly connected at the compensation weight, and an intermediate bearing means of the double-lever is hingedly connected via a second guide or link, directed towards the side of the crank shaft, with the machine housing or a component fixedly connected therewith.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, adjusts the ink and moisture feed rates upon machine start up to compensate for moisture evaporated from the system during shutdown.

Abstract: Relieved pattern of a resin original pattern plate, which does not exhibit fluidity at transferring temperature and possesses elastic modulus no smaller than 10 kg/cm.sup.2, preferably no smaller than 100 kg/cm.sup.2, is transferred onto thermoplastic resin material having fluidity at the transferring temperature (ASTM D1238, load 21.6 kg) of at least 0.01 dg/min, preferably at least 0.1 dg/min, by pressing the thermoplastic resin material to the original pattern plate under a pressure condition where elastic deformation of the original pattern plate is kept within 10%. The resin original pattern plate is prepared by controlling the photopolymerizable resin composition to adjust its cross-linkability and then photo-polymerizing, whereby the resulting resin original pattern plate possesses an elastic modulus of 10 kg/cm.sup.2 or higher at transferring temperature.

Abstract: An igniter for a detonator comprising, an electrode having a first face, a second electrode, having a second face disposed in a facing position a predetermined distance from the first face, and a particulate electrically resistive composition packed in the space between said faces.

Abstract: The top of a table such as a drafting table which may be adjustable in its elevation, is counterbalanced by counterbalancing elements exerting an approximately constant balancing force. The counterbalancing elements comprise at least one leaf spring forming a bow inserted between the table top and a counter abutment below the table top so that the leaf spring or springs is biassed to form said bow, whereby the load on the bow has a tendency to cause a lateral flexure of the bow. The arrangement is such, that the downwardly directed force component caused by the weight of the table top and the pressure exerted by the bent leaf spring or springs, are directed opposite to each other.

Abstract: A wet coal drying apparatus is provided for use in conjunction with a coal burning furnace for drying wet coal prior to loading the coal into the furnace. The drying apparatus of the present invention comprises a first conveyor means for transporting the coal from a storage area or coal crusher to an elevated position and a wet coal dryer means for transporting the coal from the elevated position to a utility conveyor while drying the coal. The wet coal dryer means includes an enclosed type conveyor whereby the coal is transported through the interior of the enclosed dryer means. In addition, a fluid conduit feeds hot gases, preferably either a diverted portion of the exhaust gases from the furnace or, alternatively, hot air from a heat exchanger, to the lower end of the dryer means so that the hot gases pass upwardly through the interior of the dryer means.

Abstract: Sluice gate members mounted for swinging movement about a shaft offset from the center of a furnace and arranged to be moved both gradually and discontinuously are interposed between an upper pyrolysis and precombustion chamber and a lower afterburning chamber. The movement of these sluice gate members causes particles of the fire bed supported on them to drop down into the afterburning chamber, largely in the form of embers, at about the same rate as additional waste material is added to the fire bed, so as to maintain a fire bed of approximately constant size. The sluice gate members are hollow and secondary air is blown into them near the shafts on which they are mounted and flows out through holes on their bottom surfaces and in their facing tip edges and then proceeds downward to contribute to the afterburning process.

Abstract: Ducts for carrying off hot gas given off from the combustion chamber of an incinerator are built into the outer walls of a pyrolysis chamber located above the combustion chamber. The pyrolysis chamber has cross-sectional dimensions that are small enough to assure that heat from the gas ducts in walls completely penetrate the fill of waste in the pyrolysis chamber. Sluice gates are provided between the pyrolysis chamber and the combustion chamber on which the fill of the pyrolysis chamber rests when the gates are quiescent. The gates are moved to allow fragments of the pyrolysis products to drop into the combustion chamber or to turn over material resting on the gates.

Abstract: A high-speed planting method and machine in which a plurality of plants are provided in a plurality of webs. The webs are flexible and each web carries a plurality of plants fixed in an array of a plurality of adjacent rows and substantially perpendicular ranks. In the method and machine, each web is bent in a curve about an axis parallel to the ranks of plants, and during the bending operation each leading rank of plants is ejected from the web as a group. Concurrently with that operation, each removed rank of plants is conveyed toward the ground, and each plant in each conveyed rank is successively set into the ground in spaced relation along a line.

Abstract: This device consists primarily of a main body with perforated sleeve means, for insertion into a ground surface, for the purpose of introducing a controlled amount of water and liquid fertilizer to plant roots underground. It includes a manually controlled valve, and is connectable in plurality with similar units that will receive liquids from drum means.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed in which electromechanical actuators are incorporated. By selectively supplying power to position the electromechanical actuators, the stitch forming instrumentalities of the sewing machine may be operatively controlled. In order to reduce heat dissipation within the sewing machine under abnormal conditions where the actuators are locked for long periods of time, the sewing machine main drive motor motion is monitored. After a predetermined period of inactivity of the sewing machine main drive motor, the power which can be supplied to the actuators is limited.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive is applied to a moving substrate in a pattern including at least two lines which extend transversely to one another, by conveying the substrate past a nozzle orifice through which a first line of molten adhesive is applied, as by extrusion, to the substrate parallel to the direction of substrate movement and, while continuing to move the substrate in the same direction, projecting another portion of the molten hot melt adhesive onto the substrate as a burst in the form of a flat sheet issuing from a fan spray orifice, this orifice being oriented so that the sheet is projected transversely to the direction of substrate movement, and terminating the burst so rapidly that the adhesive so projected is deposited on the moving substrate in the form of a line having a length in the crosswise direction that is several times its width.

Abstract: An improved technique for the restoration of paintings, documents and the like and in particular an improved apparatus for and associated method of lining a painting or document to restore and preserve the original texture thereof. For paintings with good texture requiring only lining, a cold adhesive system is preferably used employing a substrate adhesively coated on both sides finished with a lining cloth. For paintings having a surface that is intact but with irregularities (cuping) heat is applied preferably with a hot table accompanied with the use of softening solvents and controlled lateral tension is applied to the painting using a mechanical strainer constructed in accordance with this invention to apply lateral tension in all directions to correct deformations in the surface plane of the painting. The lining of the painting may then be accomplished by a cold or hot adhesive process.

Abstract: An animal feces disposal device is provided. The device includes a thin flexible sheet of water repellent material which has a stiffening member centrally mounted to it. A drawstring running about the periphery of the sheet serves to close the sheet after use. The stiffening member is arranged so that the feces will be centrally positioned within the device to avoid any hand contact by the user. After use the device may be disposed of as a unit.

Abstract: A sealed liquid filled tank is carried above a liquid containing reservoir. A pump in the reservoir forces liquid upwardly through an interconnecting conduit into the tank. An overflow pipe in the tank directs the liquid back into the reservoir through filters. Fish feeding means are provided in the conduit so that food can be supplied to the tank without unsealing it.

Abstract: A portable harness bag for collection of waste matter comprising a resilient frame supporting a light-weight bag of thin gauge plastic. A first tie means secures the frame to the hindquarters of the animal while a second tie means encircles the tail of the animal at the base thereof releasably securing the opposite edge of the frame thereto. The bag opening and central portion of the frame are aligned at the hindquarters of the animal to receive and collect solid waste matter. The tie means may be released to remove a filled bag and replace it with a fresh bag.In an alternative embodiment, the frame is provided with hingedly connected projections serving to releasably secure the bag to the frame when in the operative position.

Abstract: A superheater-separator of steam coming from a high-pressure expansion turbine, before its admission into an expansion turbine at a lower pressure. The superheater-separator is divided into several vertical sectors comprising (from a central zone outwards) a zone for separating the water entrained by the steam and a superheating zone, at least one vertical section comprising only a zone for separating the water entrained by the steam for bleeding off a fraction of the dried steam before it is superheated.

Abstract: A resistance circuit is connected to a differential signal generator to remove undesirable change of an air-fuel ratio control signal by compensating for temperature-dependent variation of internal resistance of an exhaust gas sensor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine installation with a carburetor of any of various conventional carburetor types having at least one main jet, optionally a slow running jet, as well as a throttle member controlled by an accelerator lever or pedal wherein are provided valve means for interrupting the fuel supply by blocking the one or several carburetor jets in response to a predetermined rotational speed of the engine or a predetermined degree of vacuum in the intake manifold, and optionally a return or release movement of the accelerator lever or pedal to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption and to reduce the amount of pollutants in the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A gas-oil separator includes a bowl shaped housing open to the bottom for mounting to the rocker arm cover of an internal combustion engine. The housing and an encircling gasket at the bottom is secured to the rocker arm cover by a pair of bolts passing through the top of the housing and threaded to a clamp plate positioned inside of the rocker arm cover. First, second, and third baffles are secured to the clamp plate and sequentially spaced therefrom so as to be disposed within the housing. The clamp plate contains a pair of openings for the flow of mixed engine blow-by gases and oil, and a pair of holes for exit of the separated oil; the housing contains an outlet port proximate the top for the exhaust of the separated blow-by gases. The first baffle plate contains three openings which are completely out of line with the two openings in the clamp plate.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving the oil and water pumps of an internal combustion engine in which the pumps are driven independently of the engine's speed. In one arrangement the oil pump is activated prior to starting the engine to provide adequate lubrication to the engine during the starting operation. The activation of the water pump may be controlled by the temperature of the engine such that it is not needlessly driven when the engine is cold.

Abstract: A motor vehicle equipped with a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine. A radiator is provided, the same having first and second regions which themselves have aligned edges that form an edge of the radiator. Conduits are provided for allowing the flow of coolant through the two regions of the radiator in opposite directions. A coolant chamber extends along the edge of the radiator, this coolant chamber being divided into first and second sub-chambers by a partition which extends transversely to the edge and which defines the demarcation between the first and second regions of the radiator. The first and second sub-chambers of the coolant chamber communicate with the first and second regions of the radiator, respectively. A thermostatic valve arrangement is provided which allows the flow of coolant from the first sub-chamber to the second sub-chamber, and hence through both the first and second radiator regions, only when the temperature of the coolant is above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An engine crankcase has oppositely inclined surfaces thereon, to which cylinders equipped with cooling fins are attached, to form a V-shaped engine. The crankcase has a crankshaft rotatably mounted therein, the front end of which projects from the front of the crankcase and has a cooling fan mounted thereon, the fan being housed within a cover adapted to pass cooling air backwards over the cylinders. A cam shaft is mounted vertically above the crankshaft, and the two are connected by gears mounted at the front of the crankcase. The rear end of the V-shaped region between the cylinders is open to provide for the escape of foreign matter, and the engine is balanced by locating the governor and the lubricant pump within the rear end of the crankcase.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a housing defining a pair of axially aligned and opposing cylinders with a lubricant chamber therebetween, a stationary piston in the housing extending through the lubricant chamber and having opposite ends disposed within the aligned cylinders, and a hollow cylindrical piston slidably received within the housing and around the stationary piston for reciprocal movement thereby forming a pair of first variable volume chambers between it and the aligned cylinders and a pair of second variable volume chambers between it and the stationary piston. A carburetor communicates with the second chambers through longitudinal passageways in the stationary piston so as to admit a charge of combustible fuel therein which is compressed and then injected into the first chambers for recompression and subsequent combustion, the compression and combustion cycles for the chambers on opposite ends being 180.degree. out of phase.

Abstract: A pick-up provides a square wave signal whose period corresponds to 720.degree. /N where N is the number of engine cylinders for a four stroke, two cycle internal combustion engine. An integrator is reset by both positive-going and negative-going edges of said square wave signal to produce a sawtooth waveform having a period equal to 360.degree. /N. A blanking circuit which is coupled with the pick-up blanks the sawtooth waveform of said integrator during alternate half cycles of the square wave. The blanked sawtooth waveform is supplied to one input of a comparator and a desired timing signal to the other input of said comparator. The comparator provides an engine timing signal when a predetermined relationship between the blanked sawtooth signal and the desired timing signal is attained. In this way, the engine timing signal is given once per cycle of said blanked sawtooth waveform with the timing thereof relative to said square wave being determined by the desired timing signal.

Abstract: A circuit to be used in association with a fuel mixture control system which includes an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system to determine the relative richness of the combustible mixture. When the engine operates at low speeds, its control response time becomes large due to decreased engine throughput. In order to prevent control oscillations from occcurring under these conditions, the time constant of integration of the oxygen sensor control loop is changed to accommodate to the longer engine response time. For this purpose, the zero crossings of the oxygen sensor signal are compared with the unstable time constant of a multivibrator and a transistor which normally shunts a timing resistor is blocked, thereby increasing the time constant of the control integrator.

Abstract: A closed loop integral control system for the air/fuel management of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An oxygen sensor positioned in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is biased with a constant current source to provide a signal indicative of the oxygen content of the exhaust gas over a significant range of air/fuel ratios. The signal waveform from the sensor is compared to a threshold value of a comparator to produce level changes in the comparator output depending on whether the output of the sensor is above or below the threshold. An integrator, receiving these level changes as commands to increase or decrease the fuel pulse widths, controls the air/fuel ratio of the engine in a limit cycle around a scheduled value. By changing the current bias on the sensor and thus modifying the unbiased waveform of the sensor to intercept the threshold value at various points different average air/fuel ratios are obtainable from the system.

Abstract: A recirculating and recombustion type of exhaust gas purification system for a compression ignition engine includes an expansion manifold communicating with auxiliary combustion chambers of each cylinder through separate passages. Cam operated valves are located in each of the separate passages. The exhaust gas in an auxiliary combustion chamber is expanded into the manifold through one of the cam operated valves and is then drawn into the auxiliary combustion chamber of another cylinder whose piston is near the bottom of its intake or suction stroke via another open cam operated valve. The thus recirculated or transferred exhaust gas is cooled by its expansion into the manifold, water jacketing within the cylinder head and air surrounding the exposed periphery. Further, in high load operation of the engine, a single butterfly valve disposed midway of the expansion manifold can control the amount of the exhaust gas circulation to improve the engine operation.

Abstract: The induction tube of an internal combustion engine is provided with a bypass conduit which feeds additional fresh air to the induction tube downstream of the carburetor and the main throttle plate. The flow through the bypass is controlled by a pneumatic control valve which is actuated by selective admission of a mixture of pressures taken from the main induction tube and from ambient sources. The selection takes place on the basis of transducer signals related to engine conditions which are processed by a regulator.

Abstract: An engine driven vacuum pump combining a two-stage, low noise demountable pump assembly with a camshaft driven eccentric drive arrangement having internal oil distribution and pumping means for lubricating the drive and pump pushrod elements. A check valve in the cover of the pump assembly defines a second stage pumping chamber which increases pump efficiency while at the same time cyclically closing the pump outlet to reduce external noise attributable to gas discharge from the primary pumping chamber.

Abstract: An improved archery bowstring release device is provided which includes a housing having a rear finger-receiving portion and a front portion, the latter with forwardly projecting flanges disposed in vertically spaced relation to define a longitudinal space therebetween. A bowstring draw cord defining a loop is preferably secured to the flanges and projects from the housing. A draw cord loop retainer is pivotally secured in the space to the flanges for movement between a locked bowstring-retaining position and an unlocked bowstring-releasing position. If desired, the retainer can be used directly to draw the bowstring rather than utilizing the draw cord, and the draw cord can then be removed from the device. The retainer projects laterally and rearwardly from the housing when in the locked position.

Abstract: An improved air intake system for a freestanding fireplace of the type having a tubular base secured to a floor support, a firepot mounted on the base, a substantially cylindrical firepot enclosure, and a conical hood having an internally mounted, upwardly spiraling, flange. The improvement includes an air conduit connecting the tubular base to an outside air source located below the floor support and a second conduit extending between the tubular base and the firepot enclosure, the second conduit terminating adjacent one edge of the firepot in a substantially horizontal direction to impart a circular motion to exiting air. Another conduit extending between the tubular base and the firepot enclosure, terminating adjacent an oppositely disposed edge of the firepot from the second conduit and terminating in a substantially horizontal direction opposite to that of the second conduit may be included.

Abstract: A flat plate collector of parallelepipedal configuration for a solar energy system, comprising a plane collective surface for the reception of solar energy with internal channels designed to maximize turbulent flow of heat-absorptive fluid therethrough and provide a maximum of heat absorptive surface in proportion to the volume of fluid content. As designed, the collector is adaptable to mass, low-cost production.

Abstract: A solar heat collector uses elongated, tubular, outer casings, in a fixed position with respect to the solar orbit, surrounding inner tubular sections, carrying heat-conductive fluid. The outer casings are highly transparent and the walls of the outer casings are of substantial thickness and of a high refractive index to admit solar heat energy and to focus it on or towards the inner tubular sections or tubes that are of highly conductive material and have dark, heat-absorbing surfaces.One of the sides of the outer casings faces toward the sun. The other of the sides of the outer casings are coated with a highly reflective material to reflect any solar heat energy that by-passes the tubes, back to the inner tubes.Each of the casings is mounted in a substantially vertical plane, and the solar heat collector would normally consist of a plurality of such casings, or units, mounted side by side in a fixed plane approximately normal to the noonday, winter sun, or perpendicular to the sun's orbit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a thermal vapor stream for injecting into a subterranean formation for the recovery of liquefiable minerals therefrom, including a pressure vessel containing a high pressure combustion chamber for producing a heating gas for introduction into a heating gas injector. The heating gas injector is partly immersed in a steam generating section of the pressure vessel such that the heating gas is passed through the steam generating section to produce steam and combustion products which are directed between the pressure vessel and the combustion chamber for simultaneously cooling of the combustion chamber by further heating of the steam and combustion gases.