Abstract: The primary components of a roof structure comprise a series of substantially identical metal panels having flanges that interlock when the panels are laid side by side and which are subsequently tightly seamed together to convert the individual panels into an integrated roof forming membrane. The interlock joints between adjacent panels are adapted for connection to flexible panel mounting clips that attach the panels to the purlins in such a way as to permit the panels to expand or contract in response to temperature and pressure changes, thereby minimizing roof stressing.

Abstract: A z-shaped beam for hook-in type shelving systems that can support mezzanine floors and walkways either with its top flange or its bottom flange, and in the latter case can act at the same time as kickplate and/or shelf-support while supporting the edge of the floor structure, thus allowing a series of these z-beams to completely support a floor structure by forming two sets of perpendicular beams, the distance between these beams being no more than the distance between posts.

Abstract: A coin packaging machine for packaging different kinds of coins is provided with means for supplying coins, means for transporting the supplied coins while selecting a kind of coins out during transportation, means for accumulating transported coins, delivery means for receiving accumulated coins and delivering the coins from receiving position to packaging position, means for supplying a web of paper within packaging zone and means for clamping the packaged coins. The coin packaging machine further includes means for making various adjustments of the above mentioned means in accordance with the thickness and the width of the coins to be packaged. The coin packaging machine is also provided with a packaging paper near end detecting device. The detecting device is constructed so that when no packaging paper is present, an alarm is issued and the machine is stopped after the completion of the packaging operation.

Abstract: A coin packaging machine in which different kinds of coins are packaged. The coin packaging machine is provided with means for supplying coins, means for transporting the supplied coins while selecting a kind of coins out during transportation, means for accumulating transported coins, delivery means for receiving accumulated coins and delivering the coins from receiving position to packaging position, means for supplying a web of paper within packaging zone and means for clamping the packaged coins. The coin packaging machine further includes means for making adjustments of various kinds of the above means in accordance with the thickness and the width of the coins to be packaged. The coin packaging machine is also provided with a quantity of packaging paper feed setting device in which the quantity of packaging paper feed is automatically determined in accordance with the diameter of the coins to be packaged.

Abstract: A method for continuous packaging in metal packages produced in situ, the invention comprises the fabrication of aluminum containers from aluminum sheet immediately prior to packaging of a material in the containers, the operations being conducted as part of a continuous flow process. The metal packages are produced by thermoforming, that is, the deformation of a heated metal body in a mold by pressure, thereby resulting in the production of containers which are aseptic and which can be easily coated with a protective layer of a plastic or similar material. The invention is particularly useful for the packaging of perishable produce.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for compressing filament tows to bales and packaging them with flexible packaging material and reinforcing strips by means of a novel baling press, the press ram of which is divided into a core ram (4) and a surrounding outer ram (5), so that the relative positions of these two rams may be varied during the compression operations. By means of fingers (10), the collar of packaging material formed on compression can be bent in such a manner when lifting the outer ram (5) that on renewed lowering of the outer ram (5) strip-reinforcement is not hindered any more.Bales of high unit weight are obtained which allow trouble-free processing of the filament tows.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling of unsealed slit boxes (2) of the type having at least at the bottom thereof two pairs of close flaps (3, 4), and which comprises a cradle-like support (11) in the form of a U-bar which is open at the top and which at the bottom is formed with a guide and lock bar (17) having two lock plates (19, 20) provided spaced one above the other and spaced from the bottom of the cradle support and between which two opposite close flaps (4) at the bottom of the slit box (2) can be introduced and moved in the longitudinal direction of the cradle support while retaining the slit box and preventing the slit box from moving upwards.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wrapping machine in which a length of packing material is wound around a cylindrical object, especially a roll of paper, said apparatus comprising endless members, such as belts or cords, led over rollers, said endless members being in contact with the applied length of packing material in the circumferential direction of the roll during winding and serving to tighten the length of packing material around the cylindrical object.

Abstract: A simple draft stabilizer is provided for a pull-type harvesting implement having a trailing and transversely extending harvesting header. The stabilizer includes a vertically adjustable earth-penetrating disk blade carried by and to one side of the fore-and-aft extending drawbar. The blade is supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and imparts a sidewards force that counters the fallback forces generated by the offset harvesting header. The blade is also mounted to rotate about an axis substantially transversely aligned with the axes of revolution of the wheels supporting the harvesting header to permit sharp turns and avoid skidding damage to the supporting wheel and its mounting structure.

Abstract: This invention is a device for attachment with a line trimmer to convert it to an edge trimmer. The device has a collar with support legs attached to it and wheels attached to the support legs. A U-shaped brace is attached between the support legs holding them at an angle to each other. The collar is placed loosely around the handle of an existing line trimmer, the line trimmer is inverted in order to make its face perpendicular to the ground, the legs are inserted into the collar and the collar is then secured to the handle with the head of the line trimmer between the ends of the U-shaped brace.

Abstract: A walk-behind mower includes a pair of vertically adjustable front wheels supported on a unitary axle having an offset central portion, which serves as a bumper to protect the mower deck from striking foreign objects when the wheels are set for lower cutting heights and which serves as a safety guard to prevent anyone's feet or other objects from engaging the cutting blade when the wheels are set for higher cutting heights.

Abstract: The hand tool in the exemplary situation constitutes a plastic rake head and a readily removable wooden handle. To assure retention of the handle, a chordal groove or transverse notch is provided near one end thereof, and the sleeve or socket portion of the rake into which the end of the handle is inserted is provided with a latch mechanism which includes a resilient tongue on the free end of which is carried a dog biased into the groove or notch through an opening in the sleeve so as to releasably latch the handle to the rake head. To prevent twisting of the handle, the bore of the sleeve is formed with a longitudinal key and a keyway is formed in the end portion of the wooden handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding tape around an elongate core comprises a frame structure which supports one or more reels of tape. The frame structure carries a bobbin which is rotatable with the frame structure about the core. Tape passes from the reel to the bobbin and extends between a pair of contacts before passing through a slit to the core. The contacts are normally open but if the tape touches one of these that contact closes and the speed of the motor, which drives the frame structure is adjusted to maintain the tape between the contacts. This arrangement ensures a substantially constant pitch of the tape around the core.

Abstract: In apparatus for SZ twisting twist elements of electric cables so that twisted units, in which the distance between the reversal points of the twist direction is about 500 to 1000 m, can be manufactured with apparatus of relatively short overall length, the basically straight accumulator section of the SZ twisting machine is divided into several subsections arranged in different, preferably parallel planes and connected to each other by deflection devices. The devices provided for guiding and deflecting the material to be twisted make possible or ensure the rotation of the material to be twisted in the region of the individual subsections of the accumulator.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece circuit including a data memory for storing time information and display information, and an operating circuit which renews the data stored in the data memory circuit. A program memory circuit stores a sequential program for determining generation of control signals supplied to the data memory circuit and the operating circuit. Two different command data systems are stored in the program memory circuit. One command data system consists of controlling commands which carry out time counting, time setting and display functions, and for pointing addresses in the data memory circuit. The other command data system consists of commands for judging conditions, for pointing addresses of the data memory and for pointing the jump address of the programs stored in the program memory circuit.

Abstract: An engine particularly adapted to travel at high supersonic and hypersonic velocities. The engine has a forward turbine positioned at the engine inlet and a rearwardly positioned compressor driven by the turbine through an interconnecting longitudinal shaft. In a first embodiment, a cryogenic fuel, such as hydrogen, is introduced into the engine at a location between the turbine and the compressor, with vaporization and heating of the fuel causing a reduction in the compressor inlet temperature and a consequent increase in compressor discharge for a given turbine power shaft input. The resulting fuel/air mixture passes through the compressor and then into a rearwardly positioned combustion chamber where it is ignited, with the combustion products then being expanded from the compressor discharge pressure to atmospheric pressure through an outlet nozzle as jet exhaust.

Abstract: An arrangement for generating and making available a vacuum for an auxiliary power system of a vehicle, such as a brake booster, comprises a throttle disposed in the intake system of an internal combustion engine between the carburetor and the engine, a vacuum conduit having one end connected to the auxiliary power system and the other end connected to the intake system between the throttle and the engine, a first sensor coupled to the conduit produces a first response when the vacuum has achieved at least a predetermined value, at least one second sensor responding to at least one other operating state of either the engine or the vehicle to produce a second response dependent on the operating state, and a control arrangement coupled to the first and second sensors and the throttle to control the throttle in response to the first and second responses.

Abstract: An air gallery connected to an air pump is formed in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. A bore is also formed in the cylinder head to communicate the air gallery with the exhaust port of the engine. Within the bore an air injection nozzle is securely inserted and projected through the wall surface of the exhaust port near the longitudinal axis of the exhaust port.

Abstract: A stream-powered turbine has an improved vane construction which insures that the flow pressure of the stream will be applied to the entire trailing surface of the vane. Each vane has a valve opening therethrough, and a flap valve pivotally mounted on the vane and selectively operable to close the valve opening. The improvement includes a dam-like shield at the outer end portion of the vane. This shield is provided with one or more control openings aligned with the flap valve. As the vane approaches the standing wave ahead of the turbine, water passes through the control openings to close the aligned flap valves, thereby insuring that the pressure of the flow will be applied to the entire trailing surface of the vane.

Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided for use on an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine having conventional intake and exhaust manifolds. The assembly includes a hollow section which has an inlet communicating with the exhaust manifold, and an outlet communicating with an exhaust gas entry into a chamber in which a turbine wheel is mounted. Rotatably mounted within the hollow section is a rotor which is adjustable to various selected positions. When in a first selected position, the rotor permits substantially unrestricted exhaust gas flow through the assembly. When in a second selected position, a predetermined amount of exhaust gas is diverted from the turbine wheel chamber through a bypass passageway formed in the hollow section. The end of the bypass passageway terminates downstream of the turbine wheel chamber. When in a third selected position of adjustment, the rotor effects substantial blockage of the exhaust gas flow through the assembly.

Abstract: Monochlorotetrafluoroethane is useful as a power fluid with particular suitability for large scale Rankine cycle applications based on systems with moderate temperature heat sources. The fluid is utilized in a Rankine cycle application by vaporizing the fluid by passing the same in heat exchange relationship with a heat source and utilizing the kinetic energy of the resulting expanding vapors to perform work. In this manner heat energy is converted to mechanical energy.

Abstract: 1,2-Dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane is useful as a power fluid with particular suitability for moderate scale Rankine cycle applications based on systems with moderate temperature heat sources. The fluid is utilized in a Rankine cycle application by vaporizing the fluid by passing the same in heat exchange relationship with a heat source and utilizing the kinetic energy of the resulting expanding vapors to perform work. In this manner heat energy is converted to mechanical energy. The fluid is particularly advantageous in a dual cycle system consisting of a Rankine power cycle combined with a vapor compression cooling or heating cycle.

Abstract: The variable speed condensing steam turbine is a simplified and effective steam expander which is built mainly of simple, low-cost sheet metal parts and is designed to provide a variable speed/torque output range.The turbine concept is based on the past Tesla turbine principle of equally spaced rotor discs to provide a long helical path for steam expansion with high operating efficiency and minimum friction. Unlike the cylindrical Tesla turbine this unit is in conical form with uniformly varying diameter discs used to provide a variable speed/torque power output range.A further purpose of having a uniform conical housing and uniformly increasing diameter discs is to achieve maximum steam expansion which will lead to rapid steam condensation, or a precondensation condition for the expended steam passing through the conical turbine.

Abstract: A split cycle engine apparatus and method, the apparatus including a combustion engine, a novel compressor apparatus driven by the combustion engine, a closed-cycle refrigeration system in cooperation with the compressor apparatus, and a pneumatic motor driven by compressed air from the compressor apparatus. Refrigerant in the compressor absorbs thermal energy from compressed air and assists in compressing the air. High pressure air from the compressor is stored in a storage tank and may be used to drive the pneumatic motor or other auxiliary equipment in addition to providing high pressure combustion air for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A gas-operated motor system of the stored energy type--as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,830--in which the gas exhausted from the motor is ducted to a chamber during operation of the motor and thereafter compressed back into the gas reservoir vessel. Recompression may be achieved e.g. by providing the exhaust gas chamber with a movable piston, or by running the motor in the reverse mode as a compressor.

Abstract: A method for the formation of a safe storage area to hold materials, where the storage area is in the form of an underground storage cavern in a preferably rock formation maintained at a different temperature from the natural temperature of the environs surrounding the walls, floor, and the ceiling of said storage cavern. The inside of the storage cavern is with or without insulation and an inner first circulation system surrounds the cavern. The circulation system has a plurality of channels regularly distributed around the cavern and near its surface parallel to the axis of the storage space. The system of tunnels formed of the channels together encloses and surrounds the cavern.

Abstract: A holding chamber may be supplied from a storage vessel system with a cryogen, such as liquid CO.sub.2, or it may itself be large enough to take the place of a separate storage vessel. The temperature within the holding chamber is reduced to the triple point or below to form a refrigeration reservoir of solid cryogen, as by removing vapor from the chamber to cause evaporation or by employing mechanical refrigeration. The stored cooling power of the reservoir is later employed to meet a large or a periodic refrigeration demand and is thereafter replenished over a number of hours, preferably during a period of non-peak electric demand. This storage principle can be incorporated into a variety of different refrigeration systems. For example, a CO.sub.2 storage system may be used to produce and store solid CO.sub.2 during a period of low demand upon a coupled mechanical refrigeration system; thereafter, the solid CO.sub.

Abstract: The apparatus for vaporizing LNG comprises a heat exchanger of the intermediate fluid type and a multitubular heat exchanger, both heat exchangers using estuarine water or warm effluent water as a heat source. The process for vaporizing LNG comprises the heat exchange steps between LNG and a heating medium and between the heating medium and estuarine water or warm effluent water in an intermediate fluid type heat exchanger, and the heat exchange step between the vaporized natural gas and estuarine water or warm effluent water in a multitubular heat exchanger.

Abstract: A chemical heat pump system is disclosed for use in heating and cooling structures such as residences or commercial buildings. The system is particularly adapted to utilizing solar energy, but also increases the efficiency of other forms of thermal energy when solar energy is not available. When solar energy is not available for relatively short periods of time, the heat storage capacity of the chemical heat pump is utilized to heat the structure as during nighttime hours. The design also permits home heating from solar energy when the sun is shining. The entire system may be conveniently rooftop located. In order to facilitate installation on existing structures, the absorber and vaporizer portions of the system may each be designed as flat, thin wall, thin pan vessels which materially increase the surface area available for heat transfer.

Abstract: A hot-water heating system for use by submarines, divers and the like in an underwater environment includes a heating-medium circuit and a hot-water circuit. The heating-medium circuit includes an electric-motor-driven compressor in a water-tight submersible housing for compressing a heating-medium fluid. The heating-medium circuit also includes a condenser heat exchanger, a throttle valve, and an evaporator heat exchanger connected in series between a discharge outlet and a suction inlet of the compressor. The evaporator heat exchanger can make thermal contact with water surrounding the water-tight housing to absorb heat from the water and the condenser heat exchanger make thermal contact with the water in the hot water circuit to transfer heat to the water.

Abstract: Heat exchanger apparatus for use with refrigeration cycle heating and cooling equipment is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, it cooperates with and modifies refrigeration equipment including a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil and a closed loop for cycling refrigerant. This apparatus is a sealed container adapted to be placed in a well extending into artesian (relatively heated or chilled) formations whereby the water of the formation stabilizes the temperature around the unit and enables heating and cooling. The sealed unit receives refrigerant from the top which flows along the sidewall at a reduced temperature, thereby condensing on the sidewall and trickling down the sidewall to collect in a sump at the bottom where the compressor pump picks up condensed refrigerant as a liquid and pumps it out of the artesian well to the connected refrigeration equipment.

Abstract: A tripod type universal joint wherein the ball rollers and the needle rollers on which they turn are retained on the trunnions by holding constructions which comprise each: a circlip engaged in a groove on the end of the trunnion; and an annular retainer, which is formed with an inner cylindrical surface which fits snugly over the trunnion, a cutaway with a tapered entrance which guides the circlip into the hole of the retainer and compresses it by a sliding and squeezing action, a circlip stop face which stops the retainer from coming off the trunnion, when the circlip has expanded so as to oppose the stop face, and ball roller and needle roller stop faces which retain the ball roller and the needle rollers on the trunnion.

Abstract: An elastic coupling comprises an outer ring and a hub. A plurality of radially extending stacks of leaf springs are attached to the outer ring and engage axially extending recesses in the hub. Each leaf spring comprises a set of radially extending axially adjacent coplanar strips in arrangement, namely of one or more central strips and axially outer strips on both sides of the central strips and having smaller width than the central strips. A continuous thin and flexible sheet metal plate covers the various strips and closes the gaps therebetween. Intermediate pieces are provided between the leaf springs along the inner surface of the outer ring. The cavity defined by outer ring, hub and cover plates on each end of the outer ring is sealed and filled with damping liquid. Sealing ledges are provided between the intermediate pieces and the hub to subdivide the cavity into chambers which are, in turn, subdivided by the leaf springs. Connecting passages with restrictors interconnect the chambers formed.

Abstract: A venting arrangement for a stroking universal joint comprises a split vent sleeve seated in a closed position in a shallow annular groove of the drive shaft and maintained therein by a clamped neck portion of a flexible elastomeric boot. The vent sleeve has an internal spiral groove which provides a vent passage for accommodating interior volume changes of the universal joint during stroking. The longitudinal ends of the vent sleeve defining the split are castellated in a complementary manner to provide intermeshing tongues and grooves and a radial slot located in the interior of the universal joint for purging grease from the spiral groove during universal joint rotation.

Abstract: A warp knitting machine having at least two guide bars, a needle bar, and a cooperating driving means utilizes a plurality of slider needles affixed to the needle bar and in combination with a trick plate member disposed between the guide bars in front of the needles is adapted to interact with the fall plate threads and the needles, to provide a trick plate weft thread lay in bound by the ground thread without the fall plate thread forming a stitch.

Abstract: A system and method for refurbishing and processing parachutes is disclosed including an overhead monorail conveyor system on which the parachute is suspended for horizontal conveyance. The parachute is first suspended in partially open tented configuration wherein open inspection of the canopy is permitted to remove debris and inspect all areas. Following inspection, the parachute is transported by the monorail conveyor to a washing and drying station with the parachute canopy mounted on the conveyor in a systematic arrangement which permits water and air to pass through the ribbon-like material of the canopy. Following drying of the parachute, the parachute is conveyed into an interior space where it is finally inspected and removed from the monorail conveyor and laid upon a table for folding. Following folding operations, the parachute is once again mounted on the conveyor in an elongated horizontal configuration and conveyed to a packing area for stowing the parachute in a deployment bag.

Abstract: An automatic washer which comprises a washer body used to receive water and provided with a water-draining passage; a rotary tub built in the washer body to hold water and material of washing and fitted with a stirring blade member; drive means for selectively rotating the stirring blade member or rotary tub; water guide passage extended between the water-draining passage and the bottom of the rotary tub and fitted with a valve in an intermediate position; and a timer which, during washing and rinsing steps, closes the valve to supply water to the rotary tub, rotates the stirring blade member to produce vertical streams of water for washing, and, during water drain and dehydration steps, opens the valve to expel water from the water guide passage, rotates the rotary tub, and discharges water into the washer body from above the rotary tub by a pumping action resulting from the rotation of the rotary tub, wherein that side of the valve of the water guide passage which faces the water-draining passage is designe

Abstract: In washing apparatus for continuously running webs of material which includes at least two drums arranged in a housing one above the other, around which the web of material is looped; at least one slit nozzle arranged beside the upper drum aimed toward the upper drum from the outside and extending over the width of the web of material, by means of which a flat water jet can be directed toward the web of material looped around the drum; and baffles arranged in the housing for conducting away the mass of water flowing down on the web of material after impingement, the web of material covers the upper portion of the lower drum in one looping zone and a baffle is disposed at the height of this zone beside the lower drum in such a manner that the water wave falling down from the point of impingement at the upper drum and impacting on the baffle is conducted toward the web of material in the looping region of the lower drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a watertight seal for padlock shackles to be used in combination with a waterproof cover therefor, such seal comprising a pair of continuous annular downwardly-facing abutments on the legs of the shackle cooperating in the closed position of the latter with the opposed surfaces of the lock cover to define an annular gap sized and adapted to receive and compress an O-ring seal encircling the shackle legs. In one form of the invention, annular grooves in the shackle legs receive inturned annular ribs on removable collars to maintain the latter in fixed position whereas, in a second form, this same objective is achieved by ear-like stops on the shackle itself. In yet another form, the shackle-receiving openings in the lid of the lock cover are bordered by annular grooves sized to receive and retain the O-rings. In the preferred form of the invention the shackle-receiving openings in the lock cover lid are oversized to loosely receive the shackle legs.

Abstract: A time lock for bank vault doors and the like having timer units of the settable dial type, a carrier assembly transversely movable in the housing between a locking position and a release position for locking and releasing a snubber bar blocking mechanism, the timer units having an actuator for engaging and moving the carrier assembly from said locking position to said release position when the dial reaches zero time position. The carrier assembly includes two relatively movable plates having abutment formations to be engaged by each actuator, the abutment formations of one plate extending a short distance ahead of the abutment formations of the other to be first engaged by the actuator and first move the one plate, and a pivoted deadbolt latch lever resiliently biased against a stationary stop for holding the carrier assembly against movement from said locking position and movable out of engagement with said stop upon movement of the one plate by the actuator.

Abstract: A key holder consisting of a short tubular member and a single strand, preferably of solid nylon monofilament, passed one or more times through openings of keys and through said tubular member, said strand having end portions extending in opposite directions through the tubular member and terminating in integral enlargements or knobs each of a size to prevent its passage through the tubular member for attaching the strand and the keys mounted thereon to the tubular member. Said knobs or enlargements are formed by subjecting the terminals of the strand to heat, and either terminal portion can be sheared off for detaching the strand from the tubular member and keys.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing extrusion profiles of a desired length, including the steps of processing a billet of preselected billet length in a press, measuring the extruded length during the extrusion process, and either switching off the extrusion process upon reaching the desired extruded length and varying the billet length such as to obtain the optimum butt thickness, or switching off the extrusion process upon reaching the minimum permissible butt thickness and enlarging the billet length such as to obtain the desired extrusion length. The apparatus for performing the method includes a billet hot shearing unit which has an adjustable longitudinal feed stop and cuts the billets to length. The billets are supplied to, and are processed in, a press in which a first length recorder measures the butt thickness and from which the extruded profile is drawn out by an extrusion drawing unit. A second length recorder measures the extrusion length.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for forming an opening in a composite metal panel. The edge of the panel is hammered to delineate a bond interface. The hammering includes both moving a hammering member to and fro against the edge while simultaneously rocking the member about the edge. This provides improved delineation of the bond interface for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of cold finishing of metals wherein a metal workpiece having a repeating cross section is advanced between a plurality of pairs of rollers and is driven through a die or cutting tool. The apparatus includes entry vee guides, a gimbaled die or cutting toolholder, special dies, and a special exit guide. The method results in bars having the usual cold finished qualities of accurate size, smooth surface finish, and uniform shape with the added quality of uniform residual stresses.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram at commencement of a forward strokes engages a cup-shaped article carrying it through metal working dies and against a doming die at reversal into a rearward stroke immediately followed by stripping of the article from the ram. The ram has an internal chamber constantly fed pressurized air through a rearward restricted orifice, the chamber opening freely of the ram forward end portion and internally of the article when thereon. By preselecting orifice size, chamber and article volumes matched with air pressure, a predetermined volume of air at predetermined pressure is confined in the ram forwardly against the article immediately prior to stripping and preferably engagement of the article by an external stripper results in an internal stripping assist by the confined pressurized air, the increasing exposed volume of the article increasing the air confinement volume reducing the air pressure progressively to substantially atmospheric at completion of article stripping.

Abstract: A frequency deviation meter provides a display of the error in a timepiece's internal oscillator, and includes a plurality of pickup devices among which are electrostatic and ultrasonic detectors. Frequency of the timepiece's oscillator and the frequency error is displayed as seconds lost or gained per month. An elongated aluminum alloy resonant column of tool stock material having a crystal pickup provides a sensitive vibration detector assembly.

Abstract: A cake sensor which includes a rotatable, hollow cylindrical shell adapted to be positioned within a flow of falling cake material and a piston within the shell. The shell has an opening therein through which the cake material will enter the shell, and to one end of the shell are connected a fluid source and a density sensor. The piston extends through the other end of the cylinder and is driven by a torque motor to compress cake material which falls into the cylinder through the opening. The various measurements developed by the density sensor, the torque developed by the torque motor, and the distance traveled by the piston are utilized to determine the characteristics of the cake material. A method for determining the quality of the cake material is also presented.

Abstract: A device for measuring the compactness of cylindrically shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes and the like, comprising a supply unit for bringing the articles to a positioning and delivering assembly,two units for measuring the compactness mounted on either side of said assembly, which assembly defines a rectilinear path extending substantially from one measuring unit to the other to allow each article to be moved from a central reception position towards an outermost measuring position,means for positioning the articles when in said reception position alternately in two different angular positions andmeans for displacing the articles along said path alternately towards one and the other measuring unit.

Abstract: A de-aerated aqueous solution having a short foam decay period is employed as a test fluid in a fuel system flow process. To minimize corrosion after testing, the solution is removed from the fuel system by applying subatmospheric pressure to the fuel system and by flowing air through the fuel system.

Abstract: Device for detecting breaks or tears and the end of the strip in a strip of any material, during its travel, which device comprises, mounted in proximity of the strip and positioned in correspondence with any of its sections which one wishes to explore, and being actuated any time by actuating a push button or the like control member: feeler means apt to feel the material of the strip, so as to follow the changes of direction and/or the oscillations as the strip travels, to feel said material preferably in the sense opposite to the direction of travel of the strip with a push adjustable in function of the limit of the mechanical resistance of the material of the strip, and to penetrate into the tear; and means for detecting the tear and the end of the strip, actuated by such feeler means when the latter penetrate into the cut of the tear or when the end of the strip is reached, said detecting means being capable to be connected to usual control means, so as to transmit to said means the information relative t