Abstract: An apparatus and method for fumigating stored agricultural commodities such as grain and the like, includes an applicator for porous envelopes or sachets of prepackaged pesticides of the type which react with moisture in the air and produce a toxic gas. The applicator comprises an elongate strip constructed of a flexible, porous, non-hygroscopic material. The strip has two plies which are arranged in an overlying relationship and are interconnected along a side edge thereof, and includes a plurality of seams which extend laterally across the strip and regularly interconnect the plies, and form pockets shaped for receiving the prepackaged pesticide sachets therein. The seams form a flexible hinge between adjacent pockets and interconnect the same to facilitate folding. A sachet is inserted into each pocket, the pocket is closed, and the filled applicator is deployed onto the free surface of an aggregation of stored commodity and arranged in a flat and fully extended position thereover.

Abstract: A multiple block set to be assembled into multiple different positions of an animated character. At least one of the blocks includes a portion of the body shaped as a cube from which an appendage of an animal character extends and at least some of the other blocks have flat square surfaces engageable with the cubular section of the one block to enable the blocks to be stacked without the use of connectors in multiple different positions.

Abstract: A hoop of hollow construction of a shape to fit substantially snugly about a user's waist which has a ball internally freely mounted in the hoop so that the ball may rotate through the interior passageway of the hoop in response to motion of the wearer's body. The hollow cavity of the hollow hoop can have ridge rings running radially across the body of the hoop, which rings can also be formed on the exterior of the hoop.

Abstract: A toy television set with a musical box whereby words, television scenes on a plurality of leaves can be seen in succession through a transparent screen with the accompaniment of music played by the musical box. The device has a case modeled after the cabinet of a real TV set, a transparent screen on the front side of the case, a horizontal shaft disposed in the case in alignment with a line extending across the center of the screen, a musical box, a prime mover for driving the shaft and musical box, a pair of discs disposed at both ends of the horizontal shaft, each of the discs having a plurality of apertures along the periphery thereof, and a plurality of leaves on which pictures, words, etc., are drawn, each of said leaves having extending from both sides of the lower end of each leaf insert elements inserted into corresponding apertures in said discs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sonic toy device, and particularly to a gun-like toy. In accordance with the invention, a pair of closely spaced rolls are mounted on a frame to define a nip therebetween. A hand crank is provided for rotating at least one of the rolls and an elongate, stretchable plastic film defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced sealed air pockets is mounted in driving connection in the nip between the rolls, the thickness of the pockets exceeding the spacing of the rolls at the nip whereby, on rotation of the rolls, the strip is progressively advanced through the nip and the pockets are burst, with the accompanying production of a sound at each burst.

Abstract: A field transplant system including a machine for sequentially forming groups of polymerized soil plugs having seed receiving recesses in one end thereof and supported on a carrier, and in certain cases interconnected by strips, the carrier being used to transport the soil plugs through a seeding station and then to a germination station and then to a growing station either in the flat or on a plant turning machine in a greenhouse to grow the germinated seeds to transplant size, and then using the carrier to transport the soil plugs with the transplants growing therein to the field for transplanting by an automatic transplanter; several forms of soil plugs are disclosed, and several methods for supplying seeds to the soil plugs are disclosed, as well as an improved method of mounting a mat of soil plugs on the cylinder of a plant turning machine.

Abstract: A formed wire frame has secured against each side thereof a quantity of sphagnum moss of generally circular configuration one side of which is formed with shallow depression for the interfitting reception of the base of an air plant to be supported for growing. The frame has peripherally outwardly projecting loop portions to which hooks are attached for hangingly supporting or anchoring the assemblage after an air plant has been attached thereto for growing into the sphagnum moss. The sphagnum moss and plant are secured in place by an enveloping fabric sack having a draw-string adjustable opening for marginally securing the base of the plant in place.

Abstract: An operating rod assembly for use with a sliding plug door of a railway freight car. The operating rod extends vertically and it is connected with a manually actuated mechanism. Both the upper and lower ends of the operating rod are connected with adapter rods of each door crank member which move the plug door into and from the door opening. At both the upper and lower ends of the operating rod there is a telescoping connection between the operating rod and the associated crank. The telescoping connection is secured by a fastener which interconnects the operating rod to each crank attached adapter rod. When the door is in the locked position the fastener is in a captured position adjacent the door to prevent disassembly or accidental separation of the rod members during transit.

Abstract: A splicing system for the butt splicing of endless flexible abrasive belts which employs an adhesive having a multiplicity of unidirectionally oriented reinforcing fibers spanning the butt-joint to form a durable long lasting splice. The fibers which are embedded in a cohesive member form a reinforcement strip which is bonded to the abrasive belt surface. The fibers are high-modulus organic fibers, preferably having a tensile modulus in excess of about 15.times.10.sup.6 psi, and with a tensile strength in excess of 200,000 psi.

Abstract: An auxiliary or storm window is installed inside of a conventional prime window of diverse dimensions. Plastic extrusions are cut to size on the job and are fastened around the periphery of the inside of the window. The extrusions have slots which receive plastic panels. The panels form a closure for the inside of the window. Vertical and horizontal support members are installed between the sill and header and between the side flanges on large windows to accommodate a plurality of panels which make up the closure.

Abstract: A three dimensional corner fixture for a flexible joint or the like is prepared from a continuous belt or strip of flexible flat material. The strip is partially slitted from an edge, and an insert is secured between the opposed edges of the slit to allow the material to substantially conform to the shape of a flanged corner, preferably with a leg or tab extending from the insert and secured at least through the radius at the corner.

Abstract: A method for installing insulation on cast-in-place concrete walls. The method makes efficient use of expensive wall ties used during cast-in-place construction and provides for a quick, easy to learn, cost and labor saving method for insulating concrete walls. Furring strips are firmly and permanently affixed to cement walls by slotting the furring, placing them over the wall ties and driving a wedge-like member through the aperture of each wall tie which extends past the furring so that the furring is pressed tightly against the wall. Insulation panels are then affixed to the furring. The method may be easily adapted for insulating cast-in-place concrete ceilings.

Abstract: An apparatus for making, filling, closing and boxing bags includes a vertically oriented hollow mandrel about which a hose of sealable sheet is continuously formed, a device for cylindrically providing a transverse seam on the hose; a cutting device for cyclically severing the hose at the transverse seam for providing precedingly filled, sealed bags; a base plate situated underneath the mandrel for supporting thereon serially positioned and advanced, upright-oriented bag-receiving boxes open at their top and bottom; an opening provided in the base plate and aligned with the mandrel; and a vertically displaceably supported bag grasping device for penetrating through the opening into a box positioned underneath the mandrel and for downwardly pulling a filled and closed bag into the box.

Abstract: An article retarding device for use with a grid set of a case loading machine for breaking the fall of articles as they are dropped through the grid set into a case. The grid set includes a trip-bar assembly which is shifted to drop the articles. Positioned below the trip-bar assembly are a plurality of pivotally supported downwardly extending fingers carried in the form of a matrix which guide the articles into the case as they are being loaded. A camming mechanism selectively forces the fingers of respective passages to the center of the passages for breaking the fall of articles into the case. Means is provided for retracting the camming mechanism to a second position so that the articles can be gently loaded into the case.

Abstract: Cartons of the leakproof type comprising a rectangular sleeve each end of which is formed with crease lines to present four closure wall portions or flaps, two of said flaps being further provided with crease lines defining triangular portions to provide gussets, are closed by apparatus comprising means for holding a carton in position for closure, a pair of angularly movable pressure plates adapted to engage the triangular portions of the end wall flaps and to partially fold inwardly the end and side wall flaps, a pair of spaced pressure rods to further fold inwardly the end and side wall flaps so that the free ends of the side wall flaps are in overlapping engagement, and a pressure bar provided to engage the overlapping side wall flaps along a previously applied line of adhesive. A reaction plate may be provided to co-act with the pressure bar. The end closure apparatus may be incorporated in an installation for filling and closing cartons.

Abstract: A machine for packing objects into boxes comprises a platform comprising two horizontal flaps 15 on which an array of objects 11 to be dropped vertically into a box to form a layer therein is built up. When a complete array is sensed, a plunger 34 moves down to a position above or in contact with the array whereupon the flaps move first down to impart a vertically downward movement to the array and then flip quickly to a vertical position allowing the objects to fall past in their array with the plunger 34 maintaining position.The operation of the flaps and the plunger is controlled by a rotating cam that drives a con-rod connected to the plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a substance in closed bags formed from two continuous ribbons of a thin fragile material in which the ribbons are sealed to each other as they pass downwardly between first and second pairs of horizontal nipping rollers. A bag open at the top is produced from a portion of the ribbons by sealing and is filled with a predetermined amount of the substance to be packaged. The top of the bag is subsequently sealed to close the bag after the ribbons have advanced downwardly a predetermined distance. These operations take place sequentially on successive portions of the ribbons as they advance toward the second pair of nipping rollers, forming a series of sealed bags. At least one of the first pair of nipping rollers has a generally smooth annular concave portion extending between the end portions thereof, while at least one of the second pair of nipping rollers has a generally cylindrical portion of reduced diameter extending between its end portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tray blank into a tray about its contents. The apparatus includes leading and trailing tray flap folders and side flap folders. The flaps on the tray blank have end tabs which are interconnected in angled oblique relation when the tray blank is formed into a tray, thus to create beveled or oblique corners of the tray. The leading and trailing tray flap folders have oblique fingers which engage the end tabs on the leading and trailing tray flaps to fold the end tabs into oblique position when the flaps are folded. The end tabs on the side flaps of the tray blank have notches into which the fingers are received. A conveyor moves the tray and its contents through the various folding elements.

Abstract: A mowing machine which extends laterally of a tractor and is connected to the lifting device of a tractor which has a frame and two rotors driven through gearing from the power take-off of the tractor. Each rotor includes a hollow tube driven by gears in the frame which causes the rotor to rotate and each rotor carries two cutter members which are driven by rotation of the rotor and through meshing with a stationary gear mounted from a stationary tube which is coaxial with the hollow shaft in the rotor. Six cutters extend from each cutting member and are thus rotated in a direction opposite that of the rotor at a substantially greater speed. A plate member extends from each hollow shaft which has tines connected thereto for moving crop cut by the cutters under the frame and to the rear. The rotors shield the cutters through about 180 degrees of their rotation. Swath forming members are connected to the frame to receive cut crop moved to the rear by rotors whereby same is formed into a swath.

Abstract: A multi-row crop header for a forage harvester having a plurality of forwardly extending dividers to provide crop passageways therebetween, the inner ends of said dividers being adjustably connected to a transverse frame member to vary the spacings between said passageways, and a rotatable feed assist roller mounted adjacent the inner end of the outermost divider to assist in guidng down crops picked up by said dividers to the inner ends of said passageways for discharge therefrom and prevent hairpinning of said down crops from jamming said header thereby.

Abstract: An improved lawn rake incorporates a plastic molded head with individually replaceable tines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding thermoplastic coated strands into a composite cable wherein the strands are first twisted around one another into a cable and then heat is applied to melt the thermoplastic coating. A plurality of rotatably mounted spools of thermoplastic coated strands are rotated about a common axis while the strands are pulled from the spools. The strands are drawn together by a collimating means and then passed through a heating means before being wound onto a take-up spool.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for manufacturing drawn and twisted multifilament synthetic yarn an extruded and partially drawn filamentary synthetic yarn is subjected to a supplementary, simultaneous, drawing and twisting operation using a double twist spindle rotated such that the tension in the yarn causes drawing. After the spinning and drawing, the yarn is subjected to heat treatment under controlled tension and is then wound up.

Abstract: The invention is a digital electronic watch housed within the same casing as a writing instrument. Terminals are disposed in proximity to the metallic pocket clip to provide an electrical contact to initiate the digital readout display which is housed in a section of the casing having a window for the readout display. The internal components of the writing instrument are constructed in a way to provide an unobstructed axial passage in the writing instrument for the writing and a retraction mechanism of the instrument to be used. The relationship of the means for energizing the display to the pocket clip are such that inadvertent actuation is avoided when carrying the writing instrument in a pocket.

Abstract: A mechanical watch movement of the type wherein a balance-cock supports a balance arranged to pivot in bearings about a fixed axis, and a balance-spring is fixed at its inner end to the balance and at its outer end to a bent arm of a thin, blanked plate constituting a support member detachable from the remainder of the movement.

Abstract: A low noise, high power, light weight, compact rotary expander engine of Wankel type which features minimum unbalanced forces and elimination of balance weights because its rotating parts rotate about their centers of mass. The high inertia of its rotating housing eliminates the need for a flywheel and rotation in a plane normal to the centerline of the engine results in a preferential directivity to any residual disturbing forces. The elimination of balance weights and fly wheel provides a means for minimizing clearance volume from the inlet valve to the working space.

Abstract: A cooling system for a low noise, high power, light weight, compact rotary xpander engine of the Wankel type having two hot zones at the operating temperatures wherein a coolant path is provided which permits the coolest coolant to be delivered at the two hottest points. This increases the heat transfer area exposed to the coolant and delivers and rejects the coolant with an absolute minimum of plumbing.

Abstract: An improved combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. Techniques for reducing the level of noxious pollutants emitted by the combustor are developed. In one embodiment, a combination of serpentine geometried, fuel-mixing tubes discharging to the radially outward area of the combustor and an axially oriented, fuel-mixing tube near the center of the combustor are adapted to generate a strong centrifugal force field within the combustor. The tube near the center of the combustor has a convergent section at the upstream end thereof and a divergent section at the downstream end thereof. Fuel supply means is adapted to discharge fuel into the convergent section of the tube. Vaporization of the fuel in the tube is aided by maintaining a differential axial velocity over the length of the tube. The force field promotes rapid mixing and combustion within the chamber to reduce both the magnitude of the combustor temperature and the period of exposure of the medium gases to that temperature.

Abstract: Fluid mixing apparatus for mixing the coaxially flowing streams of fan air and primary exhaust within a turbofan engine are disclosed. Each of the disclosed arrangements include a generally tubular mixer section that extends axially rearward from the engine turbine flange. The mixing apparatus includes axially extending regions in which contiguous portions of the fan stream are induced to flow radially inward to penetrate the primary flowstream and includes axially extending regions in which contiguous portions of the primary flowstream are induced to flow radially outward to penetrate the fan stream. The regions inducing the outwardly directed flow of the primary flowstream and the regions inducing the inwardly directed flow of the fan stream are circumferentially interspersed with one another to establish a flow pattern which causes mixing to occur along the axial length of the mixing apparatus and causes mixing to continue within a common exhaust duct located aft of the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of suppressing infrared radiation emitted from hot metal parts at the aft end of a gas turbine engine and from the exhaust gas plume thereof are provided and such apparatus comprises a dual purpose ejector vane assembly operatively associated with the engine for introducing cooling ambient air into the hot engine exhaust gases and hiding the hot metal parts wherein the assembly comprises a tubular duct structure comprised of two cooperating portions defined by an upstream portion and a downstream portion with the upstream portion having a discharge end of a particular area and the downstream portion having an inlet end provided with an inlet area which is larger than the particular area to define an annular space therebetween for receiving cooling ambient air therethrough by ejector action during operation of the engine, and one of the portions has at least one vane providing at least one stream of cooling ambient air by ejector action completely across the duct structure which ser

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one outlet passage for exhausting the burned gases, terminating at the exterior surface of the engine, and, alternatively, connectable to the afterburning device or to a by-pass line by-passing the afterburning device. A control regulated as a function of temperature is provided to direct the burned gases through the by-pass line at high temperature and through the afterburning device at low temperature.

Abstract: For use in an automobile multi-cylinder engine having exhaust port ducts leading from engine cylinders and through which exhaust gases are emitted subsequent to combustion of air-fuel mixture, an exhaust gas purifying apparatus which has a reducing catalyst unit and an oxidizing catalyst unit disposed in a main exhaust manifold connected on one hand to a first group of the exhaust port ducts and on the other hand to the atmosphere, and an auxiliary exhaust manifold connected on one hand to a second group of the exhaust port ducts and on the other hand to a portion of the main exhaust manifold at a position downstream of the reducing catalyst unit and upstream of the oxidizing catalyst unit. The apparatus further has a pressure operated valve disposed in a secondary air supply passage for introducing secondary air into the auxiliary exhaust manifold by the utilization of a pulsating flow of the exhaust gases through the auxiliary exhaust manifold.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for use in an automobile multi-cylinder engine of the type which has exhaust port ducts leading from engine cylinders and through which exhaust gases are emitted subsequent to combustion of an air-fuel mixture, the exhaust gas purifying apparatus having a reducing catalyst unit and an oxidizing catalyst unit disposed in a main exhaust manifold which is corrected on one side, to a first group of the exhaust port ducts and, on the other side to the atmosphere, an auxiliary exhaust manifold is connected, on one side to a second group of the exhaust port ducts and on the other side to a portion of the main exhaust manifold which is downstream from the reducing catalyst unit and upstream of the oxidizing catalyst unit.

Abstract: For use in an automobile multi-cylinder engine having exhaust ports leading from engine cylinders and through which exhaust gases are emitted, an exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprising a reducing catalyst unit and an oxidizing catalyst unit disposed in a main exhaust manifold communicated through exhaust ducts to a first group of the exhaust ports and, on the other hand, to the atmosphere, an auxiliary exhaust manifold communicated to a second group of the exhaust port and, on the other hand, to a portion of the main exhaust manifold at a position intermediately between the reducing and oxidizing catalyst units, a secondary air supply passage extending from a source of secondary air to the auxiliary exhaust manifold, and an additional secondary air supply passage extending from the secondary air source to any one of the collecting ducts communicated to the exhaust ports of the first group.

Abstract: An exhuast gas purifying apparatus for use in an automobile multi-cylinder engine of the type which has exhaust ports communicating with engine cylinders and through which exhaust gases are emitted subsequent to combustion of an air-fuel mixture. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprising a reducing catalyst unit and a three-way catalyst unit which are disposed in a main exhaust manifold which is connected at one end to a first group of the exhaust ports and at the other end to the atmosphere, and an auxiliary exhaust manifold connected at one end to a second group of the exhaust ports and at the other end to a portion of the main exhaust manifold at a location downstream of the reducing catalyst unit and upstream from the three-way catalyst unit. A pressure operated valve is disposed in a secondary air supply passage for introducing a secondary air into the auxiliary exhaust manifold by the utilization of the pulsating flow of the exhaust gases through the auxiliary exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for linear and nonlinear control of a hydraulic press is provided with a feedback loop allowing the operation of a variable displacement pump to be selectively controlled with respect to either hydraulic pressure moving a piston in a cylinder, or the velocity of the piston. During controlled movement of the piston, a directional valve blocks a pump compensator so that the pump operates as a fixed displacement pump to provide fast response to feedback signals. Simultaneously, the directional valve connects a proportional pressure controller to a relief valve. During a period when the piston is maintained in fixed position, the directional valve is switched so that the proportional pressure controller now controls the pump compensator and the relief valve is blocked, so that energy consumption is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Method of generating rotary or turbine power within a deepsea environment, for drilling a hole in the seabed and dropping of a mooring pile in the hole so drilled. Rotary turbine power is developed by admitting water through a submerged turbine and into an evacuated sphere. The turbine drives an auger which engages and drills a hole in the seabed. An inorganic polymer may be supported in the evacuated sphere, so as to be reactant with admitted seawater for bleeding off of pure water and hydrogen gas at a surface location.

Abstract: A motor vehicle engine is arranged to drive the vehicle wheels through a mechanical transmission, an hydraulic system including a variable-output, reversible, hydraulic pump, a variable-output hydraulic motor usable reversibly as a pump and a two-speed gear box. The outlet and inlet of the pump are reversibly connected by delivery and return conduits respectively, through a distributor, to the inlet and outlet of the motor and an hydraulic accumulator is connected through a closable valve to the delivery conduit, the operation of the system being controlled by a microcomputer so that when the vehicle decelerates at a rate greater than that due to natural resistance, kinetic energy which is normally lost in the engine is stored in the accumulator and can subsequently be reused to drive the vehicle wheels, the engine being cut out or maintained at minimum power.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission control system including a variable displacement pump driving a constant displacement motor arranged in a hydraulic circuit having a controlled by-pass valve interconnected for positioning the pump swash plate in two established positions corresponding respectively to a stand still position or a full speed position of the motor. A thermosensitive element is coupled to the valve control spool for bypassing the flow of the pump in the event of motor jamming.

Abstract: This specification discloses an off-road type vehicle employing an improved hydrostatic drive system having a variable displacement pump having an actuating member for varying displacement in at least one direction, wheel motors representing actuatable devices operable by fluid from the pump, hydraulic reservoir, serially interconnecting supply and return lines and an improvement comprising an over control compensation that includes high pressure relief valves on the high pressure supply lines; a neutralizing means for moving the actuating member back toward its neutral position responsive to hydraulic pressure released by the relief valves, and a bleed-off means connected with the neutralizing means and adapted to bleed-off high pressure hydraulic fluid to allow restoring operation and a bleed-off return for returning the bleed-off hydraulic fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a free-piston regenerative hydraulic engine including a displacer piston which is driven pneumatically by a high-pressure or low-pressure gas. Actuation of the displacer piston circulates the working fluid through a heater, a regenerator and a cooler. The present invention includes an inertial mass such as a piston or a hydraulic fluid column to effectively store and supply energy during portions of the cycle. Power is transmitted from the working fluid to a hydraulic fluid across a diaphragm or lightweight piston to achieve a hydraulic power output. The displacer piston of the present invention may be driven pneumatically, hydraulically or electromagnetically. In addition, the displacer piston and the inertial mass of the present invention may be positioned on the same side of the diaphragm member or may be separated by the diaphragm member.

Abstract: A combustor system for use with a turbocharged combustion engine comprises a combustor connected for continuous passage of engine exhaust gases. The combustor includes an integrated fuel control and purge system for supplying fuel to the combustor in response to engine operating conditions, and for purging fuel from the system when the combustor is shut down.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operating the same, which engine includes a supercharger having an exhaust gas turbine and a charging air compressor with a charging air line supplying charging air to the internal combustion engine. A bypass line is provided for connecting the charging air line with the exhaust gas line and a combustion chamber is disposed in one of the exhaust gas line and the bypass line. A return line for recycling exhaust gases branches off from the line in which the combustion chamber is disposed and a connecting line is provided for connecting the exhaust gas line with the charging air line. Arrangements are provided for at least one of selectively restricting and blocking at least one of the charging air line, bypass line, exhaust gas line and return line.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system comprises a first reservoir containing liquid at an elevated temperature, solar collecting means exposed to solar radiation for collecting solar energy and means disposed in thermal exchange relationship with said first reservoir for transmitting heat energy from said solar collecting means to said first reservoir, a second reservoir containing a liquid disposed in thermal exchange relationship with a portion of the earth, means for blending liquids derived respectively from thermal exchange relationship with said first and second reservoirs, a heat engine having first and second refrigerant coils, one of said refrigerant coils disposed in thermal exchange relationship with an atmosphere to be heated or cooled, and valve means responsive to the refrigerant pressure in said other coil for delivering blended liquor from said blending valve to thermal exchange relationship with said other refrigerant coil, whereby heat energy to be extracted from or delivered to said other refrigeran

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating a power generating assembly which assembly comprises a steam generator and a turbine, and said method comprises controlling the quantity of heat released by the steam generator by a signal which is representative of the difference between the predicted stresses which will exist at the instant to+T on that part of the turbine which undergoes the greatest thermal stress and the maximum permissible stress on this same part at the same instant, to being the present instant and T being a period of time close to the time constant of the power production assembly.

Abstract: An efficient split cycle solar energy conversion system utilizes sensible heat storage to isolate a solar receiver loop from a Brayton cycle engine loop. In this system a sensible heat storage unit is first charged by the solar receiver, is then switched to the inlet to the Brayton cycle turbine where it is discharged, and finally may be utilized as a high temperature, high effectiveness recuperator to recapture waste heat from the Brayton cycle turbine. With high effectiveness sensible heat storage recuperation, the Brayton cycle engine runs at extremely high efficiency. Moreover, since these storage devices can be run efficiently at low gas velocity, and since recuperated Brayton cycle engines become very efficient at extremely low pressure ratios, an overall thermal/electric conversion efficiency in excess of 60% can be obtained.

Abstract: Frost control apparatus is disclosed for a temperature conditioning system such as a heat pump or the like, wherein a compressor circulates a volatile fluid through the closed system. Frost-buildup on the indoor and outdoor coils of the system is controlled by means of respective defrost cycles which occur in accordance with the conditions sensed by temperature sensing elements positioned at various points in the system. The defrost cycle for the indoor coil is maintained throughout a predetermined temperature range of ambient indoor air. The defrost cycle for the outdoor coil is initiated as a function of the differential between the temperature of the outdoor coil and that of ambient outdoor air and it varies in magnitude as a function of ambient outdoor air temperature. The termination of the outdoor coil defrost cycle is determined by a sensed temperature condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a hot gas defrost system wherein superheated gas from the system compressor outlet is conducted directly into the heat exchanger to be defrosted, by-passing the condenser and thermal expansion valve to effect removal of the frost and ice accumulation on the heat exchanger surface. A portion of the hot compressor discharge gas is conducted directly into an accumulator with the liquid refrigerant received from the heat exchanger to be defrosted, the liquid refrigerant resulting from the gaseous refrigerant being condensed in the heat exchanger as the ice is melted. The refrigerant condensed to a liquid during defrost is vaporized in the accumulator thereby providing a supply of gaseous refrigerant to the compressor suction line, said gaseous refrigerant being a combination of the non-condensed discharge gas conducted to the accumulator and the liquid refrigerant vaporized in the accumulator.

Abstract: A device as utilized in conjunction with a finger ring for purposes of securement of the ring upon the finger of the wearer includes a size-reducing element configured for fitting within the opening of the ring for interposition between an inner peripheral surface of the opening and a palmer surface of the finger. A hinge arrangement is provided for securement to an outer peripheral surface of the ring, there being an arm engaging said element and the hinge structure. The arm is pivotally secured with respect to the hinge structure to provide pivoting movement of the size-reducing element between an open position, permitting unencumbered insertion of the finger within the opening, and a closed position, wherein the size-reducing element is located within the opening for substantially preventing the ring from being withdrawn from the finger. The device is equipped for resiliently retaining the size-reducing element in the closed position.

Abstract: A rotatable lock plug having a key slot formed entirely axially therethrough has a barrier secured in the lock plug adjacent the key slot inner end between an inner end of a key received in the key slot and a torque blade operably connected to the lock plug inner end for providing a barrier denying surreptitious access through the key slot. The barrier has edge portions received in appropriate lock plug recesses and preferably a flat portion transversely spanning the key slot. In one form, the barrier may be an axially slotted pin receiving the key end within the slot, and in other forms may be edge secured, flat plates.