Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a plurality of centrifugal throwing wheels within a blast drum contained within a blast cabinet such that the throwing wheels are carried by a set of tracks which permit the throwing wheels to be rolled into and out of the blast cabinet. A feed screw is located within the blast drum for transporting abrasive particles to the throwing wheels and cooling ducts are located within the blast drum for carrying a flow of air to the throwing wheels. The feed screw and cooling ducts are fixedly located within the blast drum and do not move when the throwing wheels are retracted therefrom.

Abstract: A portable blast head rigging apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suited for use in cleaning the sides of large storage tanks. The rigging employs a travel car having a winch mechanism thereon. By means of a cable connected to the top of the tank the car crawls up the side of the tank to the top where it is pivoted into a position from which it can travel around the entire circumference of the tank. Once in place the travel car hoists a rigging into position against the tank side suspended from the travel car. The blast head is then moved up and down within the rigging by operation of the travel car winch mechanism and the travel car is repositioned periodically to permit treatment of the entire tank.

Abstract: A cooling tower including a jacket composed of a non-self-supporting shell, a spacer ring and a ground support between which the shell is stretched, a mast composed at least in part of a metallic material, a main lifting ring attached to the mast, and cables connected between the spacer ring and the main lifting ring for supporting the spacer via the main lifting ring, is further provided with an auxiliary lifting ring attached to the mast, and the mast, the main lifting ring and the auxiliary lifting ring are each provided with a row of spaced bores, with the bores of each lifting ring being located adjacent the respective bores of the mast, and the bores of the mast extending at regular intervals from the top of the mast and over a significant portion of its height.

Abstract: A panel joint for joining two upstanding panel members at right angles to one another. A right angle joining member has slots which cooperate with spacers on the panel members. The spacers on at least one of the panel members include a cam surface which cooperates with a tapered transition portion of the slots in one of the leg portions of the right angle joining member, to facilitate joining panels having surfaces which may not be absolutely flat.

Abstract: A device for establishing and maintaining a predetermined gap spacing between a post which is supported in an upright orientation and a supporting base. The device is adjustable to permit lateral movement of the supported post while maintaining the gap spacing constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally insulating composite wall for any kind of tank on ships or on land. The wall comprises a self-supporting external wall, a bed of thermally insulating elements secured to said wall at least partially by means of a hardened packing material and a fluid-tight internal lining; said material may notably be a cellular material in contact with all the external surface of this bed and obtained by in situ expansion and subsequent hardening of a deformable product capable of spontaneous expansion which has been previously placed according to a discontinuous distribution.

Abstract: An extruded T-shaped edge finishing strip has its tongue divided by a series of narrow abutting fingers of oblong section arranged in parallel and diagonally with their centers spaced along the original line of junction between the tongue and the face of the strip. Corresponding ends of the fingers are offset relative to the other ends of the appropriate adjacent fingers to enable the fingers to slide relative to each other or to spread apart as the face is bent as required by the curvature of the edge to be finished by the strip.Apparatus for thus modifying the tongues of such strips has a flat support having a channel extending lengthwise thereof and dimensioned to receive the tongue of the strip with the undersurface of the face resting on the support.

Abstract: Accumulated coins are introduced among packaging rollers by a supporting rod and gripped by the packaging rollers together with a packaging paper supplied from a source thereof. A paper detecting means is provided for detecting the presence of the paper. A circuit means is provided for reversely rotating a packaging motor to cause the packaging rollers to move back up to the position wherein the accumulated coins are not gripped.

Abstract: A system for filling generally cylindrical barbell weight shells with a relatively viscous slurry of cementitious material comprises a roller conveyor which transports a plurality of carriers each supporting a plurality of barbell weight shells thereon through a plurality of stations. At a lubricating station, the exterior of the shells is coated with a light film of oil to facilitate subsequent cleaning thereof. At a filling station, a dispensing hopper having a plurality of downwardly projecting nozzles dispenses the cementitious slurry into the shells. Each of the carriers is positioned beneath the hopper, the shells thereon are aligned with the nozzles, and a lift table lifts the shells off of the roller conveyor into engagement with the nozzles. Vibrator and agitator devices induce the flow of the slurry from the hopper into the shells under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: Orchard fruit handling apparatus for conveying and delivering harvested fruit into a plurality of storage bins comprising a first conveyor for adjustable attachment to a conventional farm tractor for receiving and transporting fruit received thereon in a generally linear direction rearwardly of the tractor, and trailer means for attachment to the tractor containing a second conveyor for receiving harvested fruit from the first conveyor and selectively directing the fruit into a plurality of storage bins carried on the trailer. A plurality of deflecting blades or bars are selectively positionable across the second conveyor to selectively intercept and deflect the fruit into corresponding bin filler mechanisms located along the side of the second conveyor and above corresponding collection bins.

Abstract: An improved sealing machine cap pickup is disclosed. The cap pickup is mounted on a sealing machine to feed closure caps onto filled containers being carried through the machine and to lightly turn the caps onto the containers. The pickup includes an improved universally mounted cap guide which directs the caps to a cap applying means such as spaced resiliently mounted and relatively deep cap applying belts or cap rotating friction shoes. Pressure backup plates are positioned above the cap rotating means for urging the caps downwardly at the correct rate as they are turned onto the moving containers.

Abstract: A method for producing sealed packages filled with fluid material wherein a limited amount of the material is delivered into a predetermined length of flexible, thermoplastic tubing, the major portion of which is wound on a primary reel, and the remainder of which is wound on a secondary reel. The amount is less than that required to completely fill the tubing, thus providing a slug of fluid material in the tubing on the primary reel and a vacant space in the tubing on the secondary reel. The amount of tubing on the secondary reel is calculated in advance to be equal in length to that portion of tubing required for the production of heat-sealed closures along the length of the tubing. The slug of material is displaced toward the secondary reel, thus creating a vacant space at the end of the tubing on the primary reel, and the tubing is rewound onto the primary reel.

Abstract: A method of treating fibrous material such as textile products, e.g. garments or the like, which may be compressible, so as to permit the product to have improved wrinkle resistance particularly when such products are vacuum packaged or otherwise, wrinkling would occur. The method involves treating the material to reduce the segment mobility level of the fibrous material to a point below that prior to treatment and to lower the relative regain level of the material. The method also involves lowering, for fibrous materials, regain levels of such materials to preferably below 0.27. In the methods, the segment mobility and regain levels are preferably stabilized under a stabilization step before packaging.

Abstract: A device for applying a stretch film lid to a cup has a planar stretching member, including a relatively rigid peripheral portion, and a multiplicity of finger elements spaced thereabout and extending inwardly therefrom. The finger elements are readily displaceable from the plane of the stretching member, and define, upon displacement, a passageway configured to permit the cup to pass through. Securing means is engageable with the stretching member to secure a stretch film thereto. When a cup is urged against the stretching member, it displaces the finger elements, thereby defining the passageway, with the finger elements and securing means cooperating to extend the stretch film along a plurality of axes, to permit the application of the stretched film to the cup.

Abstract: A carton filling machine for receiving a plurality of tapered wall containers from a serial conveyor and loading them into cartons. The containers are assembled in a collecting area within the machine and engaged by a clamp head assembly. The clamp head assembly is moved horizontally to a position above a case conveyor. Opened cases on the case conveyor are moved vertically into a container receiving position below the cup clamp assembly to receive containers therefrom.

Abstract: The invention refers to an automatic apparatus for producing nearly parallelepipedal containers of flexible packaging material, particularly suitable for packaging liquids.

Abstract: A device for causing a horse's mane to lie flat for show purposes. The device includes a nonporous panel directly overlying the horse's mane. A mesh fabric collar fits around the horse's neck, and holds the panel in place. The panel causes a controlled amount of sweating which causes the mane to remain in a flat position when the collar is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for training horses. The apparatus contains an induction coil powered by batteries. It may be activated manually, remotely, or automatically by means of an inertia switch. It contains a neon light that operates whenever current flows from the induction coil. This indicator light shines brightly whenever the current passes from one electrode to the other. It serves to indicate when the unit is operating and in adjusting the inertia switch to the gravity force needed for its activation. A series of resistors and a potentiometer offer a selection of voltages after the current emerges from the induction coil. The unit is mounted on the rear billet of the saddle. The current reaches the horse through electrodes which protrude through the billet. These electrodes remain in contact with the horse. The unaltered high voltage current is used to teach a horse not to buck.

Abstract: A mowing machine adapted to be connected to a three-point lifting device of a tractor and powered by a power take-off therefrom, the mowing machine extending laterally to the side of the tractor and having two mowing assemblies, each of which includes a rotor which is powered by a gear chain and belts from the power take-off and is mounted by bearings to rotate about a substantially vertical axis which also contains a stationary shaft having the same longitudinal axis as the axis of rotation of the rotor. The vertical stationary shaft has a non-rotatable ring gear at its lower aspect which is surrounded by the rotor which, by a cover plate on its underside supports spur gears which mesh with the ring gear and also cutting elements, the arrangement being that the cutting elements rotate much faster than the rotor and are caused to rotate by the meshing of their individual spur gears with the ring gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanized harvesting of grass clippings comprises a vehicle with a T-shaped hydraulically driven extension platform for cutting and recovering grass clippings. The extension platform has a central arm with a lateral arm at the end thereof. A plurality of horizontally disposed reel-type scissor mower heads are mounted on the front and rear sides of the lateral arm, the outlets of the mower heads being directed into a horizontal trough within the lateral arm. The mower heads are operative to cut the grass and to throw the clippings into the trough. Within the trough are provided endless chains on pulleys to which are mounted spaced paddles which are operative to accumulate the grass clippings toward a central opening to a central trough within the central arm. Within the central trough are provided a plurality of endless chains and pulleys to which are mounted spaced paddles.

Abstract: A row-crop harvester has a frame displaceable along the ground and formed with a plurality of forwardly opening throats at each of which is provided an endless conveyor chain spanned over a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket. A fluid cylinder mounted on the frame is provided for each of the idler sprockets so that when this cylinder is pressurized it can urge the respective idler sprocket away from the respective drive sprocket and tension the respective conveyor chain. A pressure-responsive switch is connected to each of the fluid cylinders and to a magnetic clutch between the drive for the chopper and drive sprockets for the harvester. When the pressure drops suddenly in any of the cylinders, as happens when a chain breaks, his pressure-responsive switch will respond and open the clutch to shut down the harvester.

Abstract: A support system and height control mechanism for a flexible floating cutterbar to be used on a crop harvesting machine. The support system includes counterbalancing shoe support springs that are easily adjustable to regulate the lifting pressure for the cutterbar head by the use of a conventional tool. The height control mechanism is especially useful for the header of a machine having a flexible floating cutterbar mounted on the header where a cutterbar can follow the contour of the land wherein the highest point along the cutterbar is sensed and will control the height adjustment for the header. Sensor fingers along the bar back of the cutterbar are connected through a lost motion connection to a control for adjusting the height of the cutterbar in accordance with the contour of the land being harvested.

Abstract: A grass cutter and mulcher for a rotary lawn mower. A flat disc is mounted to the output drive shaft of a rotary lawn mower. A plurality of flexible rods are cantileveredly mounted to the disc and extend outwardly therefrom to cut grass as the disc is rotated by the mower. The rods are arranged in a nonradial direction and extend in an advancing manner preceding the direction of disc rotation to provide a slicing cut force upon the grass and an inwardly directed force upon the cut grass to limit the outward movement of the grass. A plurality of slots in the disc are aligned with the rods allowing insertion and removal of the rods.

Abstract: A combine reel weed shield includes a substantially flat panel member and a vertically oriented deflector plate attached along one longitudinal edge to the inwardly facing surface of the panel member. The weed shield includes means for attaching to a reel support arm of a combine and the weed shield is designed so as to cover a majority of the end of the reel and extend forward of the reel when the shield is attached to the support arm. The deflector plate is generally rectangular and its vertical length is substantially equal to the height of the panel member at the location of attachment of the plate to the panel member. The deflector plate is located forward of the forwardmost portion of the reel and the deflector plate is formed with a 135 degree bend such that it pivots away from the panel member at a 45 degree included angle. The deflector plate shields the corresponding hub portion of the reel on the end of the reel adjacent to where the weed shield is attached to the support arm.

Abstract: A pneumatic tow splicer for splicing a plurality of pairs of yarn segments into joints includes a device for dividing the tow into a plurality of substantially equal-sized segments prior to splicing. The dividing device includes a plurality of vertical flexible guides pressed together. A bundle of tow is pressed between the guides and the pressure on the guides is released and they spring apart separating the tow into substantially equal-sized segments.

Abstract: A device for pneumatically threading yarn for a double twist spindle supporting at least one yarn brake, is characterized in that said device comprises a pneumatic system operative firstly to retract the normally applied yarn brake and then to achieve the automatic threading of the yarn through the shaft of the spindle, likewise in pneumatic manner.

Abstract: A horological device is provided with an alarm switch in the form of an alarm wheel having a conductive path extending from a topside of the wheel to a bottom side of the wheel. The alarm wheel is adapted to operate in an alarm circuit arranged to generate audible signals at a predetermined time. An alarm setting pinion is engaged with the alarm switch to prevent undesired movement of the alarm wheel in case of mechanical shock.

Abstract: A connection terminal construction for connecting a driving coil terminal of an electro-mechanical converter such as a step motor or the like of electronic timepieces to an output terminal of a wiring circuit is disclosed. The construction comprises a terminal base formed of a flexible print substrate and provided at least one of upper and lower surfaces thereof with connection patterns. The terminal base is extended toward a circuit substrate substantially in alignment therewith and secured thereto by means of a screw.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an analog display including a time setting mechanism for correction of the hour hand independently of the other hands including an auxiliary circuit for supplying a rapid frequency train of pulses to a step motor for displacing a train of gear wheels by an amount equivalent to a complete turn of the second hand.

Abstract: A power plant essentially comprises a thermal prime mover, a pressurized-gas generator for generating hot producer gas from coal, the producer gas following separation out of dust and sulphur content being utilized as fuel for the power plant. Included is a pressure-charging group consisting of coupled compressor and gas turbine units, the compressor serving to compress air and deliver it to the pressurized gas generator, and the gas turbine being driven by the hot pressurized and unburned producer gas. Two dry-state dust separators for dust entrained in the producer gas are arranged in series in the flow path of the producer gas after leaving the pressurized-gas generator.

Abstract: A combustion chamber having an end-wall at the inlet side and an axial inlet opening, which is adjoined by an essentially cylindrical wall section provided with secondary air inlet openings; the end-wall thereby adjoins the inlet opening approximately hemispherically shaped with a sphere diameter which is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical wall section while the adjoining combustion chamber portion is again reduced to the adjacent cylindrical wall section by way of a combustion chamber wall substantially continuing the sphere shape; the fuel injection device is provided upstream of the inlet opening which injects fuel into the inlet opening, itself covered off by a deflection means.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor which may be of cylindrical or annular configuration has a concave inner surface at its upstream end, and means for directing combustion air along the concave surface towards the middle thereof so as to form a stable vortex pattern near the concave surface, the vortical flow being in an upstream direction in the region of the periphery of the concave surface. A fuel injector for directing fuel droplets into combustion air flowing over the surface may be located at the middle of the concave surface.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion noise suppressor for a jet engine combustor assembly of the annular, cannular, or canannular variety includes a resonant cavity-type or bulk absorber-type noise suppressor. The inner wall of the combustor assembly is configured to couple combustion noise, generated within the burner cavity formed by the inner combustor wall, into the airflow duct formed between the inner and outer walls of the combustor assembly. The outer wall is perforated to, in turn, couple the combustion noise from the airflow duct into the resonant cavity-type or bulk absorber-type noise suppressor that is mounted on the portion of the outer wall that is adjacent the burner cavity. The inner combustor wall can include a large number of small acoustic openings and/or a smaller number of larger openings that include airflow barriers to couple the combustion noise into the combustor airflow duct while simultaneously minimizing air flow into the burner cavity from the combustor airflow duct.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of increased effectiveness is disclosed. A porous metal matrix is disposed in a metal chamber or between walls through which a heat-transfer fluid is directed. The porous metal matrix has internal bonds and is bonded to the chamber in order to remove all thermal contact resistance within the composite structure. Utilization of the invention in a rocket chamber is disclosed as a specific use. Also disclosed is a method of constructing the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of operating a three-way catalyst which contains an oxygen storage material and which is mounted on the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In order to operate the three-way catalyst effectively, the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine is set to be richer than the stoichiometric ratio, and secondary air is intermittently supplied by an air pump into the exhaust system upstream of the three-way catalyst, thereby to alternately vary the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gases supplied to the three-way catalyst to become rich and lean with respect to the stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: A secondary air supply system for the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter with a three-way catalyst, having an air control valve which selectively supplies a part of compressed air to the exhaust system while relieving the rest of the air to the atmosphere, wherein the air control valve has a valve element balanced by oppositely acting springs to a neutral position where it supplies a predetermined amount of secondary air necessary to provide stoichiometric exhaust gases at a standard flow of exhaust gases and is shifted to opposite sides of the neutral position in accordance with oscillation of feedback control of the air/fuel ratio of exhaust gases, the neutral position being shifted in accordance with changes of the flow of exhaust gases from the standard flow by diaphragm means against the balancing spring force in order to make the neutral position follow the flow of exhaust gases.

Abstract: A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure.

Abstract: In an hydraulic system an unloader valve is located in a line between a pump and an hydraulic accumulator. The unloader valve is operative to prevent the accumulator from being overcharged and to allow the pump to re-charge the accumulator should the pressure stored therein fall below a desired minimum value. The unloader valve incorporates a control valve comprising a spool, and a pressure responsive slave which is operated by fluid pressure under the control of the control valve. Two springs bias the spool into a first position in which pump pressure can be supplied to the accumulator, and the second spring is inoperative when the spool is moved into a second position in which fluid pressure from the accumulator can act on the sleeve to reduce the pump pressure to that of the tank for the pump.

Abstract: A load sensing hydraulic system is disclosed of the type in which a load signal is communicated from downstream of a main flow control orifice to a device which is operable to vary the fluid delivery rate in response to changes in the load signal. Disposed in the load signal conduit is a load signal modulating valve which, in one position, communicates the load signal, substantially unchanged, to the variable fluid source. In another position of the modulating valve, the load signal chamber of the variable fluid source is drained to tank, while in intermediate positions of the modulating valve, a portion of the load signal is communicated to the variable fluid source, and a portion is bled to tank. Modulation of a load signal permits flow control in an hydraulic system, independent of the position or movement of the main spool valve. The input to the modulating valve may be manual or electric, and if electric, may be remote, or may be automatic in response to certain predetermined system conditions.

Abstract: A fluid transmission circuit in which three or more pumps, adapted to be driven in unison by a prime mover operating at constant power output, draw fluid from a reservoir and deliver it to a reversible fluid motor via a control valve incorporating forward, neutral and reverse positions, the motor being driven, when the circuit is in use, against a fluctuating resistive force. The fluid outputs of two or more of said pumps are controlled by the output of a diverting valve whose input is connected by a separate pressure-sensing line to the fluid flow through the motor and which is initially biassed into a position in which each of said fluid outputs from said pumps is delivered to the motor.

Abstract: A load responsive fluid power control system using servo type flow control valves and fluid motors supplied by a variable displacement pump. The pump displacement is either regulated by an electro-hydraulic control valve in response to an electrical signal proportional to motor load or the pump displacement is regulated to maintain a constant discharge pressure. The flow of pressurized fluid from the pump is automatically cut off from a servo type valve controlling a negative or aiding load once this load exceeds a certain minimum level and the inlet flow requirement of the actuator is supplied from a low pressure source bypassing the servo valve.

Abstract: A multi-cycle thermal reciprocating machine of the type commonly known as Stirling engine, which operates on a closed cycle with a compressible fluid as the operational medium. Double-acting pistons are combined into reciprocating members, each of which is in contact with the operational medium of at least four different Stirling cycles. These cycles occur simultaneously and are symmetrically phased, each performed in at least two different expansible chambers at two different temperatures, typically one hot expansion chamber connected to a cold compression chamber through a conduit containing two heat exchangers and one regenerator.

Abstract: An integrated control mechanism for regulating the communication of pressurized fluid from a source to a brake system and a steering system of a vehicle in response to independent operator brake and steering signals. The integrated control mechanism has a housing with a bore therein connected to a single source of fluid under pressure. A rotary valve located in the bore is rotated in response to an operator steering signal to control the communication of the pressurized fluid to the steering system from the bore and thereby provide a power assist in steering the vehicle. A spool valve, concentrically located in said bore with respect to said rotary valve, linearly moves in response to an operator braking signal to control the communication of the pressurized fluid from the bore to the brake system and thereby provide a power assist in effecting a brake application.

Abstract: A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure.

Abstract: A master cylinder for a vehicle braking system. The master cylinder including a housing defining a bore therewithin with a piston slidably mounted in said bore. The piston head and the housing bore define a pressure chamber in communication with at least one brake actuator. A conventional annular ring cooperates with the wall of the housing bore and with a radial surface of the piston head for controlling fluid communication between a supply chamber of the master cylinder which communicates with a reservoir and the pressure chamber. The annular ring has a lip which projects toward the radial surface so as to form a non-return valve which prevents fluid communication from the pressure chamber toward the supply chamber when the master-cylinder piston is out of its rest position.

Abstract: A system for prelubricating an engine wherein lubricating oil is delivered to relatively movable parts of the engine during starting in the form of an atomized mist generated by an atomizing spray nozzle operating under an extremely high pressure in the order of 250 to 10,000 psi, so that not only is the mist extremely fine but the oil particles thereof are projected from the nozzle at a high velocity that causes the mist to penetrate into every interstice between relatively movable parts and over every set of relatively movable surfaces so as to coat all parts of the engine which would be subjected to frictional wear were it not for the presence of the oil particles. Moreover, in such system, and particularly in a system employing parts that experience relative rotation at very high speeds such, for instance, as the journals and bearings of a turbocharger, the instant prelubricating system furnishes lubricating oil, e.g.

Abstract: In a pneumatic brake booster, positive and variable pressure chambers on opposite sides of a spring loaded diaphragm piston both communicate with an air pressure source under inoperative condition of the booster; only the positive pressure chamber communicates with the air pressure source while the variable pressure chamber communicates with atmospheric pressure in response to activation of the booster to operate the piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar powered heat pump useful for both heating and cooling building space and for providing refrigeration. The device operates on a chemical effect (adsorption) intermittent heat pump cycle in which the moderately high temperature heat generated by insolation is used to drive the desorber. The device has inherent thermal storage, can be factory built, sealed, and tested, can be electronically controlled for completely automatic operation, and includes a built-in back-up heater which obviates the need for installation of a separate back-up heating system. It can be manufactured from inexpensive materials such as glass, and implodes rather than explodes on failure.A preferred embodiment of the device is designed as a modular unit which can readily be combined with others of identical design to produce a solar powered battery panel for heating and cooling. This embodiment preferably comprises a tubular enclosure defining a pair of chambers separated by a valve.

Abstract: A radiation detector assembly is enclosed in a heat pipe which is positioned in a dewar flask. A thermo-electric cooler is joined to one end of the heat pipe. The heat exhaust of the thermo-electric cooler is communicated to a heat dissipation device in the form of a fin assembly. A thermistor senses the temperature at the heat pipe. When the thermistor indicates a temperature in excess of that corresponding to a reference signal, a control singal is produced by a control device to cause a power source to operate the thermo-electric cooler to remove heat from the heat pipe to the fin assembly. The vacuum within the dewar flask effectively limits the environmental heat passing to the heat pipe to radiant heat. The detector assembly and temperature stabilization system may extend to the interior of a conduit or other housing containing material whose radiation is to be detected, while the fin assembly is exposed to the atmosphere.