Abstract: The apparatus comprises a delumper-sifter and a mixer used to prepare a mixture of peat and water which is placed in storage; the mixture is then passed to a forming device, is extruded in the form of continuous cylinder and is covered with a sheet of degradable paper; the covered product is cut up by means of a rotating spiral cutter, the rotational speed of which is synchronized with the speed at which the mixture emerges from the forming device, thus making it possible to obtain cylindrical extrusions of a predetermined length; the cut extrusions pass to a conveyor-distributor which arranges them in rows and then allows them to fall, in a vertical position, onto a supporting conveyor above which a drum, equipped with cylindrical protuberances, produces in the extrusions cavities in which seeds are subsequently placed and covered with sand; the final operation carried out by the apparatus is to group the seedling tubes thus produced and to wrap them in packages.

Abstract: Disclosed are plant seed coating compositions comprising water insoluble but water sensitive polyelectrolyte complexes. The polyelectrolyte complexes, which are formed by combining an acidic polymer with a basic polymer, provide protection for the seeds and may be used as a carrier for materials such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc. An important feature is the fact that the polyelectrolyte complex does not dissolve when contacted with water. Instead, it swells and falls away, thereby disrupting the coating, and the swelling and falling away continue until the coating is removed. An advantage of such a coating is that there is no dissolved material available to fill the pores of the seeds to thereby retard germination. The coating quickly disintegrates upon contact with water for releasing any carried substances and exposes the seeds to their natural environment.

Abstract: For the control of the pH value of a nutrient solution for growing plants the pH value is increased by supplying nitrate nitrogen and is decreased by supplying ammonium nitrogen to the nutrient solution.

Abstract: The subirrigation of soil in a container for container-grown plants is accomplished upwardly through an opening in the container bottom by placing the container on the upper surface of a capillary sheet in the form of a sheet wettable plastic having a multiplicity of capillary openings therein and by disposing the capillary sheet so that its undersurface directly overlies in unbonded face-to-face contacting relation an essentially continuous and substantially smooth wettable surface presented by a substantially flat member comprised in a support bed for the container as, for example, by a sheet of plastic overlying a substantially rigid member or by a substantially rigid slab comprised in the support bed and feeding an aqueous liquid into the interface between said surfaces as through feeder tubes by gravity or by capillary travel from a reservoir disposed below the interface, whereby the so fed aqueous liquid becomes distributed by capillary action to any portion of the capillary sheet directly underlying a

Abstract: A high thermal efficiency window which is comprised of a low conductivity ame carrying a spaced pair of panes or lites. The space between the panes is divided into a series of vertically spaced-apart cells by a blind structure disposed between the panes, the slats of the blinds being essentially in contact with the interior faces of the panes whereby convection losses are minimized. The device is characterized by the blind being shiftable between an open or see-through configuration and a privacy configuration, the longitudinal edges of the elements defining the blinds being in contact with the interior faces of the panes in both said see-through and privacy configurations thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal window frame in which balance mechanisms are positioned in the upper portions of the jambs adjacent the sides of a fixed pane or panes, the front faces of the housings for such mechanisms being in a plane parallel to the outer face of a sash that is slidable from a closed position in the lower portion of the frame to a fully open position in the upper portion thereof. The mechanisms and sash are coupled via identical foot structures which are attached to the lower ends of the balances, and which have hook portions extending through the plane of the outer face portion of the sash so as to maintain engagement with the lower end of the sash throughout its normal movement. Catches in the jambs limit the upper position of the foot structures when the sash is raised to an uppermost position for removal from the frame.

Abstract: A vacuum housing for a rotary tool, particularly a hand-held tool such as a grinder, consists of a tubular casing concentrically positioned around the tool. The casing features a telescopic nose portion.

Abstract: A finishing disk hub assembly includes a hub section composed of an internally threaded adapter surrounded by a support pad which section is arranged to be screwed onto a rotary threaded shaft. An annular socket is formed in the end of the adapter, a wall of the socket being provided with a set of spaced-apart radial threads. The assembly also includes a locking plate having a set of legs arranged to project through the central opening of a finishing disk into the socket by way of the gaps between the threads. Abutments are provided on the legs which interlock with the adapter threads when the legs are inserted into the adapter socket and the plate is turned through an angle relative to the adapter thereby drawing the plate toward the adapter and clamping the disk between the adapter and the plate.

Abstract: There is described a prefabricated building element which comprises at least one frame and at least one closing panel which extends between the inner edges of said frame, connecting means being provided between the frame and the panel, said means being so arranged as to let the frame and panel move relative to one another, along a direction substantially in parallel relationship with the element thickness, to lie in two end positions, the one position in which the panel is received within the thickness of the frame and the other position in which the panel projects relative so said frame.

Abstract: The roof structure includes a pair of cables (10, 12) intersecting at right angles to provide four cable segments and four quadrants, and clamping means clamping adjacent corners of four fabric panels (80) in the four quadrants, the clamping means including four elongated base plates (24, 34, 44, 54) mounted respectively on the four cable segments, each base plate (24, 34, 44, 54) having a pair of elongated lower clamping plates (60, 70) extending respectively along opposite longitudinal edge portions thereof, and each lower clamping plate (60, 70) having an elongated upper clamping plate (64, 74) secured thereto and clamping an edge portion of one of the fabric panels (80) therebetween. Only one end portion of each of the base plates (24, 34, 44, 54) is secured to its cable segment, and clearances between parts adjacent the cable intersection allow a limited amount of relative movement between the parts to provide stress relief in the fabric panels (80).

Abstract: An aerial lift is described which has a pivotable boom with a load end and a pivot end. The boom is constructed such that, as the pivot end of the boom pivots upwardly, the load end is raised substantially vertically. In one embodiment, the boom is mounted on a telescoping scaffold to provide the boom with a greater reaching range. In another embodiment, the boom itself is provided with telescoping members to extend its vertical reach.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a reusable modular interior wall and ceiling construction system for buildings.The system utilizes a modular wall panel unit formed by a rectangular frame having a peripheral surface forming a central recess and a pair of securing slots. Decorative panels are releasably held to the frame by magnetic means. An adjustable base supports the wall panels and provides hollow runs for concealing wiring for power and communication purposes. The panel slots and central recess provide for securing with adjacent panel units as well as providing a means for connecting the modular ceiling support members. The ceiling support members may also serve as ducting for heating and cooling as well as passageways for wiring.

Abstract: An arrangement for preventing seepage through a wall from running onto the poured concrete floor of a basement or the like, comprises a vertical channel member positioned between the wall and the floor and having spaced flat surfaces spaced from the wall, and a water impermeable facing strip abutting the flat surfaces which are spaced from the wall and against which the concrete floor is poured. A horizontal channel member has spaced flat surfaces abutting a footing which supports the walls, and alternate spaced flat surfaces spaced from the footing. The concrete floor is poured directly on the horizontal channel member.

Abstract: A grout-like material of a type which is initially liquid is poured or floated into the chamber beneath the cylindrical elements of conventional carding machines, or other textile machines which generate quantities of waste thereunder, to a desired level greater in depth than the largest crack between the carding machine frame and the surface on which it rests, so that the grout fills and covers all the cracks around the bottom of the frame. Upon drying the grout material adheres to the surface on which the card frame rests and the side walls of the frame and essentially seals the area beneath the machine as well as forming a slick surface over which lint and dust may be more easily moved by pneumatic undercard cleaning systems. Such a floor construction eliminates burrs or other areas where tags and lint might accumulate. If desired, the grout may be covered with a slick finish or outer coating, such as a urethane or acrylic type floor coating to provide an even smoother finish.

Abstract: There is described a method for passing through a wall or ceiling with elements such as electric cables, ducts, pipes, etc., whereby said wall has at least one passage opening for said elements or such an opening is made in said wall, which comprises making use of a cushion which is fireresistant enough, at least one surface of said cushion is covered with a fire-proof compound, said opening is closed with said cushion, a flange from fire-resisting material is arranged against at least one cushion surface for each element or element group, in such a way as to surround the element or element group, and the hollow space remaining inside the flange is filled with a fire-proof material.

Abstract: A one-piece panel clip is provided which is adapted to support a plurality of elongate ceiling panels so as to form a ceiling construction. The panel clip comprises a planar support strip which mates with the under surface of a ceiling support rail and includes a series of bendable tabs spaced along each side thereof for securing the panel clip to the support rail. Depending downwardly from the elongate support strip are panel hanging portions which are formed integrally with the support strip and which are used to support the ceiling panels, the panel hanging portions being shaped to engage longitudinal flanges formed on opposite sides of the ceiling panels.

Abstract: A multi-use metal building comprises a skeleton composed of vertical posts connected to upper and lower horizontal longitudinal girders, thus forming a frame ensuring transverse and longitudinal stability.In the horizontal plane, the skeleton comprises self-supporting metal trough elements modulated to the same width as the posts, with corrugated cross section, these trough elements resting on the upper longitudinal girders of the frame and serving on the one hand as floor support and on the other hand as roof.The vertical walls (posts, upper and lower longitudinal girders, outer skin made of asbestos and inner insulating partition) ensure the vertical stability in both directions.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for suspending gypsum board panels from a horizontal support member. The plate portion of the suspension assembly has panel piercing tangs of a novel twisted conformation projecting rearwardly to affix the plate to the panel. A narrow neck portion of the plate forms channel means to receive the upper portion of a separate suspension clip. The lower portion of the clip is inclined outwardly to engage the horizontal support member. A plurality of transverse lines of weakness comprising slots and notch means extending substantially across the width of the neck portion of the plate are designed such that when the gypsum board panel is suspended from the support member, the load applied between the clip and the plate causes the neck portion of the plate to bend outwardly from the panel along said lines of weakness, while the upper and lower plate portions remain affixed to the panel.

Abstract: A roof truss incorporates both metallic and non-metallic webs, in special locations to optimize truss performance.

Abstract: Trim structure for connecting ornamental trims or trim strips comprising a plastic substrate layer and a metal foil stuck on front surface of the substrate layer, wherein a half portion of a junction piece is adhered to the rear surface of the substrate layer at one terminal portion of the trim, and the terminal portion of another trim is fitted to the other half portion of the junction piece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically laying block units, such as bricks or concrete blocks, to form a wall-like structure. The block units are successively positioned beneath a gripping head which picks up each block unit and deposits it on a table which is mounted for lateral movement and for movement normal to this lateral movement. After each block is placed on the table, the latter is shifted laterally a block length until a course of block units is formed, after which the table is shifted a block height in the direction normal to the course. Then a second course of block units is formed against the first course of units. These operations are continued until a wall-like structure of predetermined dimensions is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for wrapping an object in a sheet. A retainer formed with a slot is moved along a work path. A piece of sheet is supplied across the opening of the slot; then the object is inserted into the slot and pushes the sheet to the back of the slot against the retainer, with the edges of the sheet sticking out between the object and the edges of the slot, with part of the surface of the object being free; then a pressure plate is placed adjacent to the free surface, the outward facing surface of this plate being smooth; then first one, and then the other, protruding edge of the sheet is wrapped round the object and over the pressure plate by an embracing arm, so that the edges of the sheet overlap; then these edges are joined by a joiner bearing against the smooth part of the pressure plate; and then the wrapped object is discharged from the retainer.

Abstract: Poutlry dropped from a moving conveyor is loaded into bags through a nozzle assembly that expands each bag in advance of bird entry by means of a two-stage motion. A ram packs each bird fully into the bag during the second stage of nozzle operation followed by detachment of the bag and drop onto a receiving surface.

Abstract: A device (10) for metering discrete lengths of filament utilized in a flexible filament vegetation cutting device is disclosed. The line metering device (10) is preferably used in flexible filament lawn mowers. An electric motor (28) rotatively drives a drive shaft (32) about its axis. A driving mechanism, preferably a spool (36) is coupled to the drive shaft (32) for rotation therewith whenever the drive shaft (32) is rotated. A driven mechanism, preferably a guide drum (84), is selectively coupled for rotation to the driving mechanism (36). The spool (36) has the flexible filament (66) wound about it and is coupled to one of the driven and driving mechanisms (84, 32) for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An air cushion lawn mower has a rotary grass cutting blade and a fan driven by a motor. A hood encloses the cutting blade and the fan and includes a generally vertical wall portion which is part cylindrical and which extends over an arc of 270.degree. about the axis of rotation of the blade and close to the path of rotation of the tips of the blade. The hood has an outwardly directed peripheral lip spaced outwardly of, and in a generally horizontal direction from, the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion. An outlet for cut grass is located in a position in relation to the vertical wall portion such that the cut grass is ejected through the outlet into a grass collecting container. The lowest surface of the peripheral lip is preferably in a horizontal plane which is below the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower of the hovering air cushion type, or of conventional design, is provided with a grass clearing plate which is preferably mounted on the front of the mower and projects a distance therefrom whereby a part of the mower housing and the grass clearing plate together provide a loading surface for the cut grass. The mowing and cut grass clearing operations occur at the same time, thus eliminating a separate after treatment of the cut lawn.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a haymaking machine with two or more rake heads, a chassis, and a beam, and also means which automatically and simultaneously cause a pivoting of the chassis of the rotary rake heads about a substantially horizontal spindle of a pivot when the said chassis is pivoted about a substantially vertical spindle of the said pivot to modify its orientation in relation to the direction of travel of the machine when the latter is changed from the central tedding position into the lateral windrowing position and vice versa.

Abstract: A transversely extendable tool bar for multiple hay rakes which is adapted to be mounted directly to the three-point hitch of a farm vehicle so that the gang of rakes mounted on the tool bar may be simultaneously lifted from or adjusted relative to the earth's surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spinning chambers of an apparatus for open-end spinning, which can be most effectively realized for producing yarns of low linear densities. This chamber comprises a housing shaped as a truncated cone with a larger open base and via this open end-face elimination of impurities from the yarn is performed.

Abstract: An open-end spinning unit is provided which has a spinning rotor open on one side and has a closed bottom and lateral sides. A closing component covers the open side of the rotor and includes a fiber supply duct directed at a slide wall part of the lateral wall of the rotor, a yarn take-off duct, and a suction duct. To optimize the air conveyance of fiber to the slide walls, at least a part of the suction duct orifice is disposed in the radial direction of the rotor closer to the slide wall than to the orifice of the fiber supply duct.

Abstract: A non-expansible linkage bracelet and method of manufacture thereof, wherein the bracelet includes: a set of laterally adjacent top links having channel-shaped sections with parallel side members joined by top members, one side member of each top link having at least one bendable locking lug protruding therefrom; and a set of laterally adjacent bottom links having channel-shaped sections inverted relative to the channel-shaped sections of the top links, the channel-shaped sections of the bottom links having parallel side members joined by bottom members with apertures therein. The side members of adjacent links of one set are arranged in a confronting relationship between the side members of individual links of the other set, with the locking lugs of the top links being received in the apertures in the bottom members of the bottom links.

Abstract: A timer mechanism for controlling the scheduling of the flow of fuel through a metering valve to a turbine engine in response to rotation of a scheduling cam by the movement of a power lever from a cut-off position. A temperature compensating apparatus connected to the turbine engine modifies the output of the scheduling cam to compensate for the temperature of the air supplied to the turbine engine and a pressure responsive apparatus connected to the timer mechanism further modifies the output of the scheduling cam to compensate for the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment to provide the optimum fuel flow for starting the turbine engine under varied operational conditions.

Abstract: A gas turbine plant having an ignition combustion chamber for applying heated gas to heat the fluidized bed material to ignition temperature. In starting up the plant, a starter motor is employed to rotate a turbine and thereby to cause a compressor to produce compressed air. Liquid or gaseous fuel is applied to the ignition combustion chamber and is ignited within the chamber to heat compressed air from the compressor. The compressed air is passed through the fluidized bed combustor to heat the bed material up to ignition temperature. During the start-up operation, bed material in the fluidized bed combustor is reduced to reduce the pressure requirements for the heated compressed air.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor and power turbine driven by gas flow across a nozzle arrangement that includes a partial admission gate valve therein movable into and out of overlying relationship with a limited number of vanes of the nozzle in order to control power output therefrom during part load operation of the engine.

Abstract: A lubrication supply system for providing lubricant to the bearings and the gear box assemblies of a gas turbine engine includes a three stage poppet control valve means interposed between the source of pressurized lubricant and the bearings. The control valve is responsive to the engine speed which determines the level of pressurization of the pressurized lubricant. The control valve by-passes all lubricant to a sump below a selected speed, opens a first passage to the bearings, etc. during idling speed and, modulates the opening of a second passage to the bearings, etc., at speeds above idling.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve has a housing with interior side walls defining a deltoid valve chamber with an inlet port opening thereto. Each of the three side walls defining the sides of the valve chamber has a discharge port extending therefrom. Each side wall also has a solenoid coil means associated therewith whereby flow to the respective ports can be controlled by a triangular shaped valve member. The valve member includes a hollow triangular shaped valve carrier having three armature valve elements movably positioned thereon. When any two solenoid coil means are energized, the corresponding valve elements are magnetically attracted to the respective solenoid coil means whereby to block flow out through the two associated ports, the valve carrier moving with these two valve elements effects movement of the remaining valve element to a position whereby to uncover the discharge port associated with the remaining de-energized solenoid coil means.

Abstract: A reversing system for gas turbine engines having, in addition to a conventional gas generator and power turbine, a reversing turbine coupled to the exhaust end of the power turbine output shaft, a gas flow proportioning inlet mechanism, and a movable blocking exhaust valve. Intermediate and full-stop power settings are achieved by proportioning the gas flow between the forward and the reverse turbines, and windage losses are minimized by selectively blocking the gas flow through the turbines.

Abstract: A volumetric pump, rotating at a velocity proportional to that of the ture engine, supplies fuel to a combustion chamber through two throttles mounted in cascade, the downstream throttle having a variable passage section; a control valve sensitive to the pressure drop across the two throttles controls a fuel bypass flow taken from between the two throttles, to maintain said pressure drop at a constant value.

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 hydraulic pump combined with a pressure regulator driven by a low press shaft of the jet engine, supplies a hydraulic fluid at a constant pressure into a feed conduit of a volumetric hydraulic motor coupled with a volumetric pump, which supplies fuel to the injectors of the combustion chamber of the jet engine.

Abstract: A control system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises a split engine control unit for operating the engine on partial cylinders when reduced engine power can adequately operate the vehicle, and first and second upstream exhaust conduits for directing exhaust gases from first and second group cylinders respectively to a common junction to which a common downstream exhaust conduit is connected for emitting the gases to the atmosphere. A first catalytic converter is disposed in the second exhaust conduit to be exposed to the stream of gases exhausted from the second group cylinders which are activated at all times and a second catalytic converter is disposed in the common downstream conduit to be exposed to the stream of gases exhausted from the first group cylinders directed through the first conduit and to the gases passed through the first catalytic converter. An exhaust gas sensor is provided in the common exhaust conduit upstream of the downstream converter.

Abstract: A secondary air supply control apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an air pump for producing the secondary air flow, a secondary air supply passage leading to an exhaust system of the engine, a bypass passage leading to the atmosphere, and a valve element connected to a diaphragm. The diaphragm constitutes one wall of a pressure chamber which is supplied with a negative intake pressure prevailing in an intake system of the engine, so as to move the valve element to a position at which the secondary air flow is directed to the secondary air supply passage when the negative intake pressure is higher than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fluid motor is disclosed which includes a rotor supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis by a hollow shaft. The rotor defines a plurality of chambers circumferentially spaced apart relative to the axis. A relatively large area flow passage extends from the trailing wall portion of each chamber to a succeeding chamber to enable fluid flow between said chambers in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor. A relatively dense working fluid partially occupies the rotor. Intake valving introduces a motive fluid into the rotor chambers disposed within a predetermined angular range relative to the axis so that the motive fluid displaces the working fluid from those chambers through associated respective flow passages and in so doing drives the rotor. Exhaust valving communicates with successive rotor chambers disposed in a second angular range relative to the axis for enabling motive fluid to exhaust from the chambers.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system for generating mechanical energy comprises a source of high-temperature and high-pressure fluid and a source of low-temperature and low-pressure fluid. Two coupled rotary elements form, respectively, a motor with an increasing volume chamber where the high-temperature, high pressure fluid expands to generate mechanical energy, and a compressor in which cold fluid is compressed. Two further elements with variable volume chambers are cyclically placed in communication with high-temperature source for the transfer of the fluid from the compressor towards said source and for the transfer of fluid from the source to the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed whereby cold subsurface water in a large body of water is upwelled by air-lifting in vertical jet streams to the surface of the body of water. The cold subsurface water eminates radially in all directions from the vertical jet streams, while floating on top of the body of water. The cold water then descends in vertical jet streams to the subsurface allowing the cycle to be repeated. The cold subsurface water brought to the surface in a number of places over a relatively large area of the body of water allows the temperature differential between the cold surface water and the warm surface water adjacent thereto and at the periphery thereof to be used by a fluid in a heat engine cycle to drive turbines and thereby generate electricity. The cold surface water also allows the production of electricity of air turbines which may be placed adjacent to the area having cold water thereon. The cold water cools the air above it creating strong winds which drive the air turbines.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor is automatically staged at low ambient temperature to improve refrigerant volume flow while facilitating subcooler operation and return of vaporized refrigerant from the subcooler to the inlet of the second stage cylinders of the compressor in the two stage mode. A solar evaporator substitutes for the outdoor coil when the solar heated storage tank temperature exceeds that of ambient. During staging mode, the wrist pins of the low side cylinders and the high side cylinder undergo proper load reversals, since intermediate suction pressure is applied to the wrist pin of the high side cylinders.

Abstract: Heat energy is supplied to the hot volume of a Vuilleumier cycle cryogenic refrigerator, or to a Stirling cycle heat engine, with and by the inventive heater module which is disposed within the hot working volume of the machine. The heater module is in contact with the working fluid within the hot volume, thereby more efficiently supplying heat energy to the machine. This invention accomplishes heat input to the most optimum place, namely: inside the hot volume. A preferred embodiment and a variation are taught.

Abstract: A pile of scrap turnings and pre-crushed sponge iron can undergo exothermic reactions, especially when wet. To reduce the temperature of the pile, an inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is introduced into the pile. This technique is particularly useful for a pile of turnings or sponge iron in a ship's hold. This technique can be used either alone, or in conjunction with introduction of nitrogen into the turnings or sponge iron as they are loaded into the ship's hold.

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 signal 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.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an electronically controlled apparatus for accurately charging and/or venting refrigerant for an air conditioning system having an air cooled condenser and capillary tube control. The system includes means for stabilizing the sensed pressure values, means for rapidly charging a refrigeration system having a gross undercharge, means for automatically terminating the operation of the charge adjuster and means utilizing condenser heat to increase the speed at which refrigerant may be added to the refrigeration apparatus.