Abstract: An elongated buoyant body portion has a slot in the lower end thereof which tapers upwardly to a narrowed dimension. This lower portion of the body includes a guide passageway for a fish line in an arrangement such that when the body portion is disposed in a normal horizontal floating position, the fish line which extends through the slot and over a guide edge in the guide path is freely movable through the bobber but when the bobber is disposed in an upright floating position, such as when it is under the influence of opposed pulling forces, the fish line is gripped by the slot and stopped. The structure of the bobber allows for controlled movement of the line therethrough to position a hook at a desired hanging distance from the bobber and also to release the bobber from the line when a fish strikes.

Abstract: A pinata for containing a plurality of small items in a substantially enclosed cavity formed by first and second walls. The first and second walls are held in an assembled relationship by a line having one end attached to a pull-pin located in the second wall, the line and pull-pin maintaining the first wall in a fixed relationship to the second wall. The pull-pin has attached to one end a pull-line which is concealed among a plurality of decorative ribbons or strings extending downwardly from the pinata. Pulling on the pull-line dislodges the pin thereby releasing the first wall of the pinata and allowing small items contained within the cavity to drop to the floor.

Abstract: A trimming fence comprised of individual modules each having a pair of planar parallel surfaces and sidewalls forming the V shape end. Each sidewall is formed by intersecting planar surfaces forming a V including an obtuse angle. The planar surfaces of the sidewalls converging at a linear edge at the apex of the V, the edge having a V shaped outline which is in a plane at an angle other than a right angle to the parallel planar surfaces of the member.

Abstract: A plant carrier is disclosed herein for holding a plant and its soil which includes an open-ended enclosure having a bottom integrally formed at its peripheral edge with an upwardly projecting continuous sidewall diverging outwardly from the bottom. The bottom further includes a downwardly depending cup-like portion having a plurality of holes or openings formed in the annular sidewall thereof for drainage purposes. A central opening is provided in the cup-like portion which is releasably matable with a projection centrally located on a dish member so that a snap-lock releasable engagement is produced. The releasable snap-lock members cooperate not only for releasably holding the dish member to the cup-like portion but serves as a self-locating system for aligning the dish member with the cup-like portion.

Abstract: A centerless grinder having a feed mechanism for introducing members at a uniform rate into the grinder. The feed mechanism comprises an escapement mechanism for diverting a member such as a pellet from a stream and into the grinder along with a feed wheel with equally spaced radial wires mounted around its periphery to engage each member and push the member into the grinding wheel.

Abstract: An automatically controllable projecting contour grinding machine comprising a grinding disc support, a grinding disc, actuator elements, an optical projection device, a projection surface, numerical control means, and a marking, wherein said grinding disc support is displaceable along two mutually perpendicular axes, said actuator elements are arranged to manually displace said grinding disc support, and said numerical control means automatically controls displacement of said grinding disc support, said optical projection device forming an image of said grinding disc and of a workpiece to be machined on said projection surface, and said marking being provided on said projection surface and indicating the starting position of said grinding disc.

Abstract: Grinding machine adapted for changing of grinding wheels on a grinding spindle bolt of the kind in which the grinding wheel is fixed to the grinding spindle by introducing the spindle bolt in a bushing provided in a centrally located bore in the grinding wheel, and is removed from the spindle bolt by being axially pulled off said spindle bolt, characterized by that the envelope surface of the spindle bolt is provided with at least one ridge, which is arranged in the form of a helix with a great pitch.

Abstract: A swimming pool sectional wall construction having connectors permitting quick assembly of wall components into a rigid, self-aligning structure. Panels comprising wall components have longitudinal flanges formed along each side edge defining an acute angle with the plane of each panel whereby flanges on adjacent panel edges diverge from each other. A connector, having a pair of opposed converging faces adapted to receive said diverging flanges, secures the adjacent panels in tight-fitting abutment.Novel copings seated on the wall top edge permits detachable securement of a post liner thereto.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting precious stones such as gem blanks in a cutting and/or polishing machine comprising a self-clamping type chuck in an adjustable threaded engagement with a first inner detent ring provided with divisions for interstices and semi-interstices for defining a plurality of predetermined angular positions, the first detent ring being fitted into a second external detent ring likewise provided with a predetermined division and serving as a guide for the first inner detent ring. The chuck is mounted within a carrier having a bore for a shaft portion of the chuck. The angular position of the chuck is adjusted and locked by the detent ring assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for pivotally connecting both the roof fabric and the restraining cables of an air-supported roof for pivotal movement about a common axis at a supporting structure such as a compression ring. A frame for attachment of the fabric is mounted co-pivotally with a cable attachment member and provides a continuous coupling of the roof fabric around the cable connection to avoid stress concentrations and the like. A flexible boot is provided for covering the connector assembly.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor installation in underground construction having a tunnel extending from a location at the surface of the earth to an underground concrete tank includes an auxiliary tunnel extending from a branching location of the first-mentioned tunnel to a location at the surface of the earth different than that from which the first-mentioned tunnel extends, the auxiliary tunnel having a cross section smaller than that of the first-mentioned tunnel and having means disposed therein for blocking the auxiliary tunnel, the blocking means being openable during operation of the nuclear reactor installation, the first-mentioned tunnel being substantially rectilinear and being continuously closed during operation of the nuclear reactor installation between the branching location thereof and the location at the surface of the earth from which the first-mentioned tunnel extends.

Abstract: An energy efficient, secure and economical patio door features hinged and fixed door panels with a strike mullion connected to the fixed door panel through a metal stiffener and with the strike mullion forming an integral part of the door frame by being tied thereto through head and sill members. The assembly is reversible end-to-end and therefore non-handed. The number of door panels can be increased or decreased and the assembly is fully weather-stripped.

Abstract: A panel assembly for constructing a building, comprising a plurality of panel elements in juxtaposed relation. The panel elements are generally rectangular and have peripheral rims and a flange extending from each of a pair of opposed sides of the rims. The panel elements have a lightweight core of hard plastic foam with a fiber glass reinforced resin covering and reinforcement rods (e.g. at the corners of the panel element) embedded in the resin and bonded to the core and the covering. An apertured reinforcing plate is preferably welded to each of a pair of adjacent reinforcement rods on a panel element. A stud bolt secures a panel element to a juxtaposed panel element or another structural member, e.g., on the foundation, and is tightened on the reinforcing plate. The reinforcing plate is in the rim or on the flanges. When joining two juxtaposed panel elements a single stud bolt secures a pair of reinforcing members together.

Abstract: A knock-down roof truss structure having a top chord comprising a composite rafter and a bottom chord or tie member connected to the top chord by one or more web members, the heel portion of the rafter being connected to the tie member at the point where the load is transferred to the bearing support for the truss. At least one collapsible suspension web member connects each rafter to said tie member.

Abstract: A chute filling device for handling cigarette filter tubes has a funnel and a chute divided by partitions, as well as a discharge opening and a pushing arm, wherein the partitions are loosely suspended with play in slots in a swing frame, the partitions being capable of being set to oscillating in such manner that the cigarette filter tubes are braked as they fall by frequent contact with the chute walls and move downwardly while maintaining their horizontal attitude.

Abstract: A sealing device suitable for use in a vacuum packaging machine. The device is provided with a sealing tool and a resilient sealing backing cooperating with said sealing tool to seal two webs of heat-sealable packaging material therebetween when the sealing tool is moved towards the sealing backing. The sealing backing has a milled or knurled contacting surface structure comprising protrusions and/or depressions which may be pyramidal in shape, and the sealing tool has a substantially smooth or planar sealing surface. Adherence of the packaging material to the backing and to the sealing tool is avoided by cooperation of the protrusions and/or depressions with the smooth or planar surface of the sealing tool.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a plurality of wheels each having a shaft, and housing means carrying a cutting element and drive means for driving the latter. The housing means are connected to the shafts movably relative to the same so as to change the distance between the housing means and the shafts to thereby correspondingly change the cutting height of the cutting element. Energy storing means are provided between the housing means and at least one of the shafts and adapted to counteract the weight of the housing means, the drive means and the cutting element so as to aid a user in upwardly adjusting the cutting element. The energy storing means may be formed as a spring, one end portion of which is connected to the housing means and another end portion is connected to a bracket provided on at least one shaft.

Abstract: A spindle for twisting frames comprises a stabilization whorl at an angle to the shaft of said spindle intended to maintain the bobbin-carrying and piece angularly fixed. The whorl is a single block formed with a radial bore therein which is traversed with clearance by a member formed on a rotating flange connected to the spindle axis and which holds the usual disk for driving the thread to be twisted.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling fuel flow in a one spool type gas turbine with a heat exchanger, particularly applicable during the start-up or acceleration of engine operation. The speed of the gas turbine, temperature at a portion of the gas turbine and compressed air pressure at a portion of the gas turbine are detected as electric signals by sensors. The pressure signal is transmitted to two arithmetic units which perform operations separately to output a starting fuel flow signal Gf.sub.1 and an accelerating fuel flow signal Gf.sub.2, which signals Gf.sub.1 and Gf.sub.2 are alternatively selected by a fuel signal change-over device so that when the speed of the gas turbine is at or above a predetermined value, a reference fuel flow signal Gf corresponding to Gf.sub.1 is transmitted by the change-over device, and when the speed is below the predetermined value, a reference fuel flow signal Gf corresponding to Gf.sub.2 is transmitted by the change-over device.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes gas and steam turbines and steam generators and a digital/analog control system. In the automatic and manual modes of operation, the control system develops a fuel reference signal for the throttle valve position control by means of a speed/load control which functions on a feedforward speed control basis without speed feedback correction. An electrical overspeed protection control is directly coupled to the throttle valve position control to limit turbine speed to a first reference value when the breaker is closed and to limit turbine speed to a lower reference value when the breaker is open. Electrical and mechanical overspeed protection systems directly trip the turbine at higher speed references.

Abstract: Gas turbine engines with interfaces between a compressor and a combustor which minimize disturbances in the pattern of air flowing from the compressor to the combustor. Provision is also made for dissipating disturbances which may have been created and for supplying compressor discharge air to the turbine of the engine to cool specified turbine components.

Abstract: A horizontally exposed pumping unit including a hollow base structure containing a volume of hydraulic fluid and compressed air, the base structure supporting a horizontally aligned reciprocating piston assembly deployed for horizontal translation along a support track formed thereon. The piston assembly terminates at the free end in a roller attached to the cylinder structure, the piston rod in turn being secured to yet another fixed roller. A sheave chain connected to the cylinder exterior passes around the rollers to be played out along the track, the chain being turned around the translating roller to a guide roller deployed above an oil well. The articulation of the piston assembly is achieved by way of an electrically driven hydraulic pump communicating between the hollow base structure and the cylinder. Two reversing switches are deployed within the track to change the direction of the hydraulic pump according to the stroke position of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources by direct contact heat exchange with a working fluid, such as a hydrocarbon working fluid, e.g. isobutane. The process and system consists of a plurality of stages, each stage including mixing and settling units. In the first stage, hot brine and arm working fluid are intimately mixed and passed into a settler wherein the brine settles to the bottom of the settler and the hot working fluid rises to the top. The hot working fluid is passed to a heat engine or turbine to produce work and the working fluid is then recycled back into the system. The system is comprised of a series of stages each containing a settler and mixer, and wherein the working fluid and the brine flow in a countercurrent manner through the stages to recover the heat from the brine in increments and raise the temperature of the working fluid in increments.

Abstract: A method for removing water-soluble inorganic salts and ice from refrigerated heat exchange surfaces by contacting the surfaces with a methanol-water mixture.

Abstract: Heat available at a lower temperature level is converted to heat at a higher temperature level, by dissolving a gaseous fraction of a working fluid into a liquid phase, thereby producing heat at the higher temperature level, desorbing at least a portion of said gaseous fraction with a stripping gas, taking heat at said lower temperature level, fractionating the resulting gaseous mixture by partial liquefaction, separation and vaporization, into at least two gaseous fractions and recycling said fractions respectively as working fluid and as stripping gas.

Abstract: A system for refrigerating food products utilizes a saturated gaseous refrigerant, commonly called "cool gas" for defrosting an evaporator or set of evaporators. When defrost is to occur, the saturated gaseous refrigerant flows from a receiver through the evaporator or set thereof being defrosted. A differential pressure control switch operates to prevent flow of refrigerant to the receiver from the liquid supply line through which said refrigerant normally flows from the condenser to the evaporators. The flow from the liquid line to the receiver is prevented whenever the pressure in the liquid line exceeds the pressure in the receiver by a predetermined value.

Abstract: A roughing machine having a support for supporting bottom-up a shoe assembly formed of a last having an insole located on its bottom and an upper mounted thereon with the margin of the upper secured to the bottom of the insole and a roughing tool located above the shoe assembly and yieldably urged downwardly against the shoe assembly so as to rough the upper margin during movement of the support to move the upper margin past the roughing tool. The shoe assembly bottom has its heel seat portion, its shank portion and its forepart portion lying in different planes. The support is so constructed as to be rockable in such a manner that the heel seat portion, the shank portion, and the forepart portion of the upper margin all lie in horizontal planes during their movement past the roughing tool.

Abstract: A solenoid enabled draw lock for securing a cabinet door to a vending machine cabinet and the like to prevent pilferage of the cabinet's contents. A door-mounted solenoid actuated dead bolt extends through coaxial apertures in the lock housing, lock cylinder and handle to permit extension of the lock handle only when the solenoid is retractably energized and otherwise restrains the handle in its retracted position.

Abstract: A rolling mill section for rolling or roughing slab, plate, billet or structural section is provided with a load sensing arrangement for determining if the extent of non-synchronization between the respective drive motors of the rougher stand and the edger stand is sufficient to cause significant tensile or compressive loading in the member being rolled, as it passes between the two stands. The existence of such loading is determined by providing a coupling or utilizing existing mechanical connection of the one or both structures of the stands, and measuring reactive forces generated thereat by the passage of the member being rolled, tending to displace one stand relative to the other. A readout from the force measuring means is used to control the relative torques of the respective stand motors so as to promote synchronicity of the two drives, in order to reduce damaging overloads in the edger or in the rougher which otherwise result when significant lack of synchronicity is present.

Abstract: A method for finish rolling workpieces of substantially circular cross-section to a selected diameter, in which the workpiece is engaged at circumferentially spaced portions by two rolls, at least one of which is driven for rotation about its axis, and in which at least one of the rolls is moved towards the other, until the portions of the rolls engaging the workpiece have reached a predetermined distance from each other in accordance with the selected diameter of the workpiece, and in which reaching of the predetermined distance is determined by measuring the distance of the peripheral surfaces of the rolls at selected points spaced from the portions thereof engaging the workpiece, and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: For inserting and removing packers into and from a rolling mill stand having roll adjusting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies in the top of each stand housing, a packer-carrying sledge runs on tracks extending into the stand below the lowermost rolls of the stand. The sledge is located in the stand during rolling and can carry packers which are located operatively between the chocks of the lowermost roll and the housings.

Abstract: An adjustable hole-engaging hook device has a body connectable to a pulling element, such as a chain, and a hook assembly mounted on the body and arrangeable in a hole as conventionally provided in a vehicle frame member for permitting a force to be exerted on the frame of the vehicle. A gripping arrangement is provided on the body of the device for positively engaging the vehicle frame member which is provided with a hole in which the hook assembly is removably engageable.

Abstract: Small passive solid state track recorders used for measuring radiation, functionally change physical characteristics of latent radiation tracks when subjected to higher temperature thermal environs, during or after radiation. These changes in physical characteristics of the latent radiation tracks may be observed and compared to known standards to determine some thermal history and especially measure of attained temperature of the solid state track recorder.

Abstract: Testing of rheological properties of a fluid is performed between a pair of members having cooperating faces, each characterized by minute, randomly interspersed land portions and cavity portions. The land portions of each face are planar and are disposed geometrically in a common plane. The cavity portions are irregular and are disposed in a network subordinate to the common plane. Testing involves the steps of placing a sample of the fluid between the cooperating faces, pressing the cooperating faces into flush contact with each other, and pulling the cooperating faces from each other. The force required for rupture of the fluid within itself, without first breaking its contact with the cooperating faces, is a function of the shear stress, yield point and other rheological properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing geological assessments of a formation located along a borehole, which includes a boring tool that bores a pair of holes into the walls of the borehole and into the surrounding strata, and a pair of probes installed in the holes. One of the probes applies an input such as a current or pressured fluid, and the other probe senses a corresponding input which it receives from the strata. The boring tool can include a series of rigid bore segments that can be easily installed in a housing that lies in the borehole, and apparatus for connecting the bore segments in series while also advancing them into the strata surrounding the borehole, so that a straight hole can be bored in the strata.

Abstract: A machine for testing the force applied to jaws of an aneurysm clip. A pair of jaw support plates receive the jaws of the aneurysm clip on end portions thereof. One of the jaw support plates moves between a closed position and an open position in which the end portions of the jaw support plates are spaced so that the clip is open. A motor opens said one of the jaw support plates. Electric current supplied to the motor is measured to provide a measure of the force on the jaws of the clip.

Abstract: A head-up display system for an aircraft has a display unit which projects a display of symbology representing the aircraft flight parameters onto a separately mounted partially-transparent reflector positioned in front of the aircraft pilot, so that the pilot sees an image of the display against the external scene. The display unit has a sensor which receives an image of the display via the reflector. The sensor responds to displacement of this image from a reference established with respect to the display unit, caused by movement of the reflector relative to the display unit, and the display is correspondingly modified to compensate for such movement. The display unit may include a cathode-ray tube for providing the display which can be modified by adjustment of the deflection of the cathode-ray beam. In this case the reference established with respect to the display unit may be an instantaneous point image of the cathode-ray beam.

Abstract: A device for measuring the mass flow or flow rate of a gas which entrains ions produced by an electrode positioned in the path of the gas flow, this electrode being brought to a certain potential with respect to at least one other electrode also arranged in the flow path.

Abstract: An oscillating-ball flowmeter for accurately measuring and transmitting extremely low flow rates. The meter includes a vertically-positioned flow tube having a ferromagnetic ball therein which is subjected to the force of gravity as well as the drag force imposed thereon by the upward flow of fluid being metered. An electro-optical sensor associated with the tube produces a control signal when the ball is intercepted by a light beam. This signal activates a magnet driver which energizes an electromagnet positioned above the sensing beam to generate a magnetic force that lifts the ball upwardly away from the light beam. The driver is thereafter de-activated to cause the lifted ball to fall and again intercept the light beam to re-activate the driver to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the heat energy lost by air infiltration through electrical outlets. A film is used to measure air flow through the outlet. Air flow is cross indexed with a climatic factor determined from a geographic chart to arrive at an energy loss figure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling the composition of fluid flowing through a conduit which includes a sampling conduit having an inlet disposed within said conduit and transverse to the axis of fluid flow in said conduit and an outlet connected to said conduit downstream of said inlet, and means for measuring the composition of fluid flowing through the sampling conduit. The sampling conduit is sized in relation to the conduit to cause isokinetic withdrawal of fluid from said conduit into said sampling conduit.

Abstract: A wheel fixing device for a wheel balancer, by which all types of vehicle wheels can be mounted in a simple manner between a flange portion of an adapter and a push member which includes a plurality of links, each link having a pin for holding a vehicle wheel, the number and the position of the pin being changed according to the type of the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring frequency of rotation of a shaft, connectable to his shaft through a reducing gear having a solenoid clutch at the output thereof, has the output shaft of this solenoid clutch associated with a driver and a return spring. The driver is adapted to rotate a memory mechanism through an actuator fast with the shaft of this mechanism. The shaft of the memory mechanism carries an indicator of the frequency of rotation of the shaft and an overrunning clutch operatively connected with a solenoid brake controlled by a pulse generator. The pulse generator is successively connectable to the solenoid clutch to perform a measurement of the frequency of rotation of the main shaft, and to the outer cage of the overrunning clutch to register the frequency of rotation of the shaft, which is being measured.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave bridge for rotation measurement which uses acoustic waves propagated in opposite directions about the circumference of a rotor. The acoustic waves are generated by a transducer adjacent the rotor which is excited by an rf electric field. Clockwise and counterclockwise waves in the surface of the rotor interfere with each other adjacent the transducer to form a bridge system which produces a null when the waves are out of phase. The rf frequency of the electric field is varied to obtain the null and, thus, is a measurement of the rotation rate of the rotor.For the measurement of slow rotation rates two transducers are used to generate the counterrotating acoustic waves in a helical pattern such that the acoustic wave generated by one transducer is received by the other. The outputs of the transducers are detected and provide an approximately linear measurement of slow rotational rates.

Abstract: A precision ultrasonic evaluation and recording system is provided which s immersed ultrasonics for locating and inspecting structural integrity flaws in general metal cylinders, expecially warheads, and for recording point-to-point structural integrity flaw information.

Abstract: A self-contained pressure sensing cell responsive to an applied input pressure to produce a force for deflecting the pivoted force beam in the transducer section of a transmitter for converting the pressure into a corresponding signal. The cell includes a housing that is seatable within a well formed in the meter body of the transmitter and communicating with a chamber therein into which the lower end of the beam is extended. The cell housing is divided into a rear section, a mid section and a front section. Disposed within the rear section and integral with the wall thereof at its junction with the mid section is a wafer functioning as a flat sensing diaphragm. The flat diaphragm is provided with a connector pin that projects into the body chamber and is joinable to the beam whereby deflection of the flat diaphragm results in a corresponding beam deflection.

Abstract: A programmed actuation and an accurate stoppage of a mechanism in a predemined position after performance of a predetermined number of revolutions is achieved by provision of a main shaft driven through a claw clutch and of an auxiliary shaft driven from the main shaft through a transmission, the auxiliary shaft having actuating means for disconnecting the claw clutch after a number of revolutions of the main shaft determined by the transmission ratio of both shafts.

Abstract: A drive unit for varying the transmission ratio between two parallel rotatable shafts is provided with a disk mounted on each shaft for rotation therewith, the disks being formed with a plurality of radial grooves in which respective bearings are provided. Each bearing is provided with a wheel, at least one of which on each disk is engaged by an endless chain, the bearing being radially displaceable in the grooves by a nut provided in each bearing which is limitedly radially displaceable relative thereto and is in engagement with a rotatable radial screw provided in each groove for displacing the nut. Between the nut and the bearing there are provided respectively a compression spring and cam means for enabling the nut to be displaced by the rotating screw when the respective wheel of the respective bearing is engaged by the chain without the bearing being displaced, the bearing being displaced upon disengagement from the chain.

Abstract: A demountable rear-wheel axle of a bicycle, carrying a set of sprockets of progressively decreasing diameters, is detachably held in a forked frame member next to a generally crescent-shaped stationary supporting element secured to that frame member, the supporting element having an arcuate edge generally paralleling about half the periphery of the adjoining smallest diameter sprocket. A guide bracket movable generally parallel to the wheel axle, engaging the driving chain of the bicycle, can be aligned not only with the several sprockets but also with the stationary supporting element to let the chain embrace that element when it is desired to remove the rear wheel; the movement of the guide bracket is controlled by a hand lever which normally is blocked by a releasable latch from aligning that bracket with the supporting element.

Abstract: A control system for use in controlling the operation of an overdrive transmission of a vehicle. The system includes a circuit containing a relay coil and a limit switch in series relationship with the governor switch of the transmission. The relay has two sets of double acting contacts, one set being provided to control current flow to the coil of a solenoid used to actuate the overdrive and the other set providing a grounding effect for the distributor side of the ignition coil of the vehicle. The limit switch is mounted so that it is actuated and deactuated by merely moving the gear shift lever of the vehicle. To this end, the gear shift lever has a bracket which engages a switch arm of the limit switch to move the switch arm as a function of the movement of the gear shift lever.