Abstract: A fan accessory for recovering heated air generated by a heater in which ambient and heated air are passed through a housing in separate passageways and wherein the ambient air flowing through its passageway provides an aspirating effect on the heated air to increase the flow of heated air through its passageway and out of the housing and to facilitate blending of the ambient and heated air outside the housing.

Abstract: A heat saving and recovery system which includes a rectangular housing insert for a furnace flue gas duct incorporating a coil carrying a heat transfer fluid such was water. The coil communicates with a cold return conduit or other heat transfer device in a forced flow system to transfer heat from the chimney conduit to the return fluid intended to be heated by the furnace.

Abstract: A trigger to initiate crystallization of a supercoated salt solution comprises,(a) a thin strip having a perimeter,(b) said strip having a multiplicity of slits formed therein, each slit characterized as having opposed elongated edges which face one another in near touching relation,(c) the strip further characterized as having two configurations between which it is bendable with snap-displacement causing the slit edges to initiate progressive exothermic crystallization of said salt in the solution.

Abstract: This solar hot air system is designed to trap and hold heat radiation from the sun, so as to heat one's home and reduce fuel consumption. It consists primarily of a glass, a screen, a collector, and air chambers, the combination of which utilizes two sheets of aluminum to trap and hold heat waves, until removed from the unit. It further includes a powerful small fan, to extract maximum heat from the collector while the sun is shining, and the unit is such, that it may be installed upon a vertical exterior wall, on a sloping roof, or upon a flat roof.

Abstract: A traction bench for treatment of the vertebral column and extremities of the human body comprises a table-like support on which a patient to be treated lies, the support being mounted on a pedestal base with a table support frame and including at least two longitudinally aligned table top sections. At least one of the table top sections, and preferably both, is journalled in the frame for free sliding motion longitudinally of the traction bench, fixation means for securing the patient to the traction bench and the table top sections and their associated frames are also so mounted that they may be displaced laterally relative to one another, and so that each section may also be tilted selectively about a first axis extending transversely of the bench and about a second axis extending longitudinally of the bench. The bench also includes and further includes power traction means of the hydraulic cylinder type for applying a traction force to the patient.

Abstract: To receive the weight of the body from the pelvis and distribute it evenly to the shaft of a fractured femur while bracing the fractured femur, an intramedullary hip pin engages a plate secured to the lateral cortex of the shaft. The hip pin has an enlarged end portion positionable within the head and neck of the femur to receive and distribute forces from the pelvis and to impede protrusion of the pin through the head of the femur. The hip pin also includes an expansible member in the form of a cage for tightly securing the hip pin within the head and neck of the femur. The plate is adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the femur and includes an inclined, tubular, pin-receiving portion extending partially into an opening formed through the surface of the femur and into the neck of the femur.

Abstract: A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module is selectively movable by an operator into and out of operative association with one or more pump rotors. The module includes a housing which supports two or more flexible conduits, which together define a prearranged fluid circuit. Portions of the flexible fluid conduits are outwardly disposed from the housing in upright, freestanding positions, even when the module is out of operative association with the pump rotors. The upright portions are purposely arranged relative to each other to facilitate only a particular operative relationship between the fluid circuit and the pump rotors when the module is subsequently moved into operative association therewith.

Abstract: An infusion system with a self-generating pressure assembly includes a flexible infusion container which contains a fluid, such as blood and an expandible envelope which contains a pair of chemical agents which generate a gas when mixed. In use, the chemical agents are mixed by manual manipulation of the expandable envelope, creating a gas which expands causing the expandible envelope to bear against the flexible infusion container creating fluid pressure therein which causes the infusion fluid to flow out of the infusion container. The assembly may comprise a sleeve surrounding both the infusion container and expandible envelope, or a flexible panel secured to the side edges of the expandible envelope and forming a sleeve-like opening into which the infusion container is inserted.

Abstract: A dosage form that coadministers a drug and a percutaneous absorption enhancer to a defined area of the skin. The dosage form comprises a body that contains supplies of drug and enhancer and has a basal surface that contacts the area of skin and transmits the drug and enhancer to the area for absorption thereby. The drug is provided to the basal surface at a rate at least as great as the rate at which the skin is able to absorb the drug whereas the enhancer is via a rate controlling means at a substantially constant rate that increases the permeability of the treated area of skin to the drug to a level at which the drug is absorbed at a therapeutically effective rate.

Abstract: Medical suction apparatus is disclosed including in combination a rigid outer canister having a cover and a disposable semi-rigid inner liner or container. Mounting assembly means coacts with the canister and cover to seal the container within the canister. The container is a cup-like member which maintains its cup-like shape before, during and after use within the canister. A simple and efficient snap-fit mounting assembly includes an annular sealing support lid on the upper peripheral lip of the container. The lid is snap-fit mounted to the rim of the canister to support the container therefrom. This mounting also establishes a gap between the container and canister, as well as sealing such gap. The cover is snap-fit mounted to the annular lid to compress the container lip and an upper section of the container sidewall between the cover and the lid. This mounting seals the interior of the container. The lid may be released from the canister without breaking the seal between the cover and container.

Abstract: An indicator for a surgical stapler viewable through a window adjacent the handle when the stapler magazine is within a spaced relation range to the stapler anvil; whereby, the staples are properly deformed and the stapled tissue is not inordinately crushed.

Abstract: A trocar sleeve of the kind having a widened part forming a housing between the distal portion of the sleeve and its proximal portion, which latter extends from a plug for the widened housing part, and a ball valve in the widened housing part which ball valve is closable by resilient means and which is openable by a trocar passing through the sleeve.In this invention, the widened part forming the housing receives an insert of U-shaped cross-section which is securable to the plug to stress an inserted sealing gasket of deformation-resistant plastics material which is to be drilled through to form a valve seating. The space in the U formed by the insert forms a space for the ball of the ball valve to move in, the ball, before the insert is screwed to the plug, being connected to a shaft insertable in the insert and carrying a tangentially loaded helical spring and being placed under stress by connecting the insert to the plug.

Abstract: A demand cardiac pacemaker of the type having sense amplifier circuitry for detecting the occurrence of natural heart activity which establishes a first level representative of sensed extraneous repetitive noise and a second level greater in absolute value than the reference by an amount representative of sensed heart activity. Circuitry differentially responsive to the difference between the reference and second level detects the occurrence of natural heart activity. The sense amplifier circuitry is blanked, that is disconnected from the terminals coupled to the heart, for a blanking interval following stimulation to avoid saturation of the sense amplifier stages and the erroneous detection of a pacing stimulus. Any reference level voltages developed by extraneous repetitive noise are retained during blanking to prevent the differential circuitry from interpreting the noise signal sensed at the end of the blanking interval as a heart signal.

Abstract: A method of removing cardiac artifact during monitoring of a patient's respiration using impedance plethysmography when the patient has a regular, substantially periodic heartbeat. This method comprises generating an impedance signal responsive to both cardiac and respiration activity in the patient's chest. The signal is filtered by removing the cardiac activity component due to its substantially periodic character. An output signal is produced from the filter apparatus which is a function of substantially only the patient's respiration rate.An improved impedance plethysmograph carries out the method substantially as described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermographic apparatus intended in particular for diagnosing disturbances in circulation in the extremities of a patient, by recording the temperature distribution along a selected line extending from the ankle of a patient up to the thigh on both legs of the patient, whereafter any asymmetry in the two registered temperature profiles is used for the basis of a diagnosis. The apparatus comprises a temperature transducer (4), preferably an IR-detector, which is carried on one end of an extendable and retractable arm (6), so that the transducer can be moved manually along a selected line on the leg (2) of the patient. Coupled to the arm (6) is a position transducer (11) for generating an electric signal representative of the distance moved by the temperature transducer. The apparatus also includes a recorder (10) to which both the temperature signal and the position signal are transmitted and which is arranged to record the measured temperature profile simultaneously.

Abstract: A catheter electrode assembly having four equally spaced in-line electrodes along the exterior of the sheath at the distal end and are interconnected to terminals at the proximal end by sets of individually insulated stranded stainless steel wire. The catheter electrode assembly is used for spinal cord stimulation and may be connected by a percutaneous extension to the exterior of the body for testing and evaluation. A permanent full length or partial length stiffening wire or a removable stylet may be provided interior the sheath.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a knee cage for providing additional orthopedic support to the knee wherein a multicentric hinge is employed to permit natural knee flexure and high lateral support. A flexible cover of fabric having loops defined in the outer surface thereof is wrapped about the knee and held in an embracing manner by elastic straps. Hinge means each formed by a pair of hinge elements interconnected by multicentric pivot means are removably mounted upon lateral portions of the cover permitting the hinge means to be adjustably secured to the cover permitting optimum location thereon. Elongated elements of the hinge means are received within pockets having hooks defined thereon for cooperating with the cover loops to adjustably affix the hinge means to the cover.

Abstract: Reducing sugars are reacted with ammonium hydroxide or ammonium salts in the presence of a trace amount of certain amino acids to produce reaction flavors for use in smoking compositions and particularly those having a high content of tobacco stems.

Abstract: Process for producing a filtering structure, in particular for cigarette filters from a fibrous mass comprising a homogeneous mixture of fibres of different types. Some of the fibres are necessarily thermofusible synthetic fibres having a low melting point and adhesive properties in the molten state, and the others are absorbent with respect to harmful products of tobacco smoke and stable at the melting temperature of the thermofusible fibres. The fibrous mixture is shaped into a cylindrical rod which is in state which is not yet coherent but homogeneous and comprises fibrous networks which are closely imbricated relative to each other.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a counting device for use in a coin sorting and counting apparatus including a coin path for moving coins to be sorted and for guiding the same such that the coins being moved change their courses and leave the coin path in succession at predetermined positions according to the sizes or diameters of the coins. Further included is a coin feeding mechanism for feeding the coin path with the coins one by one. The counting device has a plurality of vibrating elements arranged at the respective positions, where the coins leave the coin path, so that they are vibrated by the coming coins, respectively, when they come into contact. A plurality of vibration sensors are connected with the vibrating elements, respectively, for converting the vibrations of the elements into electric signals. As customary, the calculating means receives the electric signals for separately calculating the numbers and sums of the coins of different sizes.

Abstract: A washing unit for an offset duplicating machine, with the washing unit including a washing tank for accommodating a cleaning fluid and a washing roller arranged in the washing tank in such a manner so that at least a portion thereof is dipped in the cleaning fluid accommodated in the washing tank. The washing tank is connected to a circulatory system for recirculating the cleaning fluid. The circulatory system includes a pump for pumping the cleaning fluid through the circulatory system and a filter for filtering the cleaning fluid while the cleaning fluid is being recirculated in the circulatory system.

Abstract: A ventilator for a boat mooring cover or the like including a support plate on the underside of the cover and a cover plate on the outer side of the cover. The support plate and cover each include passages therein in fluid communication with each other and with an aperture provided in the cover. An extensible and retractible support is provided for adjustably positioning the ventilator at different levels. The support plate includes an annular groove while the cover plate includes an annular detent or clamping rib which cooperates with the groove in the support plate to pinch and displace a portion of the cover therebetween to attach the ventilator to the cover.

Abstract: A multilobe bonnet is provided for the upper end of a fire hydrant with the multiple lobes thereof projecting upwardly from the bonnet at points spaced about and radially outwardly from the conventional pentagonal upper terminal end of the hydrant valve control rod, the upper terminal end projecting above the upper surfaces of the bonnet disposed centrally between the upwardly projecting lobes disposed thereabout. In addition, the side outlet closure caps of the hydrant are formed in a similar manner with the lobes on the bonnet preventing the engagement of a convention wrench with the valve control rod upper terminal end and the lobes on the closure caps similarly preventing engagement of conventional wrenches with the central pentagonal projections on the caps.

Abstract: In the housing of a closing cap 2, a valve seat plate 3 is held in place by means of a resilient ring 8 forming at the same time a seal relative to the tank connection to which the closing cap is screwed by its internal thread 1. The valve seat plate 3 supports a sub-pressure valve 4 and an excess-pressure valve 5. Aside from its seal ring 13, the closing member 4 of the sub-pressure valve is made in one piece.The excess-pressure valve 5 comprises a loose valve disc 28 cooperating with a valve seat 27 of the valve seat plate 3. The closing spring 30 is non-rotatably secured to the valve disc 28 and bears by its other open end against a stop 37 so that, by turning the valve disc, the spring pressure is increased or reduced. For this purpose, the valve disc is actuated by a tool introduced through the outlet aperture 21.

Abstract: A thread protector apparatus is disclosed for drill pipe. The apparatus is similarly constructed for both male and female threads. The apparatus utilizes an encircling tubular member which is spaced away from and concentric with the threaded portion of the drill pipe. At the edge of the tubular portion next to the end of the pipe, it is turned radially outwardly. The tubular portion supports a layer of resilient material adjacent to the threads. The resilient material is jammed against the threads by a wedge-shaped member which latches against the tubular member. The tubular member is provided with a number of tabs which protrude outwardly along angled directions to receive the tapered lock member. The tabs are adjacent a parallel protective ridge. The tapered lock is slidably inserted and removed. The tapered lock member has angled edges which match the angled directions of the upset members.For both male and female versions of the apparatus, a cup-shaped end closure is disclosed.

Abstract: An end of thermoplastic tubing which is exposed to a temperature capable of causing dimensional distortion of the tubing end may be maintained by enclosing the tubing end with a tubular end cap. The end cap defines an inner member projecting axially into the bore of the tubing end, with the inner member defining an outer diameter of essentially the diameter of the bore of the tubing end, so that the dimensional integrity of the tubing end is maintained during the heating step to thereafter sealingly receive a luer.

Abstract: A longitudinally divided cable sleeve which is composed of a shrinkable sleeve member of a shrinkable material having a bead on each edge for engagement with a sealing bar to form a sealing system characterized by each of the beads having a non-shrinkable longitudinally extending strengthening element embedded therein and the sealing bar having a pair of side elements interconnected by a central web, said side elements projecting from the central web to form an undercut groove on each side of said web so that the sealing bar is a cross-sectional configuration of a pair of C-shaped profiles facing in opposite directions and each groove receives one bead of the sleeve member to close said cable sleeve. The sealing bar is preferably made of a material having a good heat conduction property to improve the heating of the inner sealing zones during a shrinking process. If desired, a coating of a fusible adhesive can be applied in the area of the sealing zones to increase the sealing effect.

Abstract: In an attempt to form a compact arrangement of a control unit for a weaving machine, according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,298, undesired distortions result in the sequence of movement of the heddle frame due to the installation of a short connecting rod. To prevent this, the heddle frame actuating mechanism has one double arm lever pivotally supported on an arm of a further double arm lever, a connecting rod hingedly connected at its one end to a still further double arm lever. The arm of the further double arm lever and the arm of the one double arm lever are in alignment rectilinearly in the center-shed position and are together equal in length to the length of a first arm of the still further double arm lever, so that these two arms, the connecting rod and a connecting line extending between the fixedly arranged pivot axles for the further double arm lever and the still further double arm lever form a parallelogram.

Abstract: Two elongated members are coaxially movable relative to one another with one member rigidly attached to a working head such as an elongated wedge or the like. In one embodiment, the inner member is fixed to the working head while the outer member movably surrounds the inner member. The outer member is dimensioned so that its lower perimeter edge is small enough to allow the members to be reciprocated so as to drive the head into a log or other material without the outer member being held against coaxial reciprocal movement by the material. The members can be secured as for lifting, withdrawing, transporting, and the like with a flexible collar on the outer member for cooperating with a hole therethrough for gripping the inner member. The outer member can be fixed to the working head and the inner member reciprocally movable therein. Shock absorbing handles and an impact surface cushion insert are also shown which reduce jarring and fatigue in an operator's hands and arms.

Abstract: A veneer lathe charger system utilizing automated equipment for scanning and positioning a log to obtain optimum production of veneer therefrom. The charger has mechanical features specially designed to provide a degree of accuracy in the physical manipulation of the log comparable to the degree of accuracy provided by the automated scanning and positioning equipment. These include log manipulation features emphasizing engagement of the log only at its opposing ends during and after scanning and especially during transfer from one manipulating device to another, avoidance of end engagement by two different manipulating devices in identical end areas of the log, minimal movement of log positioning devices by the employment of dual scanning steps and features for retaining the accuracy of the manipulation devices despite wear thereof. The charger further includes features for improving its rate of production by reducing time delays between successive log manipulating steps.

Abstract: A veneer lathe charger system utilizing automated equipment for scanning and positioning a log to obtain optimum production of veneer therefrom. The charger has mechanical features specially designed to provide a degree of accuracy in the physical manipulation of the log comparable to the degree of accuracy provided by the automated scanning and positioning equipment. These include log manipulation features emphasizing engagement of the log only at its opposing ends during and after scanning and especially during transfer from one manipulating device to another, avoidance of end engagement by two different manipulating devices in identical end areas of the log, minimal movement of log positioning devices by the employment of dual scanning steps and features for retaining the accuracy of the manipulation devices despite wear thereof. The charger further includes features for improving its rate of production by reducing time delays between successive log manipulating steps.

Abstract: A folding overhead door assembly is provided having a guide means up of two superimposed oval channels on each side of a door opening, the channels having side-by-side vertical legs and spaced apart horizontal legs, a plurality of normally coplanar door sections mounted for movement at top and bottom of each side in one of said channels, and means pivotally attaching adjacent door sections together along like horizontal edge portions whereby the door sections remain in a substantially vertical plane from their coplanar position in a door opening to a side-by-side position on the spaced horizontal legs of the channels.

Abstract: An improved roller assembly is provided for guiding movement of a beverage truck overhead door, and for preventing lateral misalignment of lettering or decals on the outside of such door. The improved roller assembly includes a roller, a dished washer, and a shaft. The shaft has self-tapping exteriorly-threaded shank portion, which is received in a hinge section of a door panel.

Abstract: An energy efficient garage door construction comprising a plurality of interconnected door sections. Each of the sections includes a pair of symmetrical metal panels forming the opposed sides and long edges of the section, an expanded polystyrene core to which the metal panels are adhesively bonded, and a pair of generally U-shaped end pieces nestingly received between the metal panels. The metal panels form oppositely facing recesses along one side edge and tongues along the other side edge so that adjacent panels interfit to create a baffle effect, and the panels are held together by C-shaped retaining plates which serve the secondary function of hinge reinforcement members.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting various articles in connection with the present invention comprises a structure for operating a retractable door which includes a shaft member, a flexible door member carried by and windable on the shaft member, a motor structure for driving the shaft member, and a gear train mechanically linking the motor and shaft member. The gear train includes a drive gear and a driven gear with the driven gear being connected to the shaft member and the drive gear being connected to and driven by the motor. The drive gear and driven gear both comprise gear teeth about only a portion of the respective circumferences. A switch member for controlling the motor is provided, and an actuating control structure is provided with respect to the drive gear for controlling the switch member.

Abstract: Production of boron-containing steel slabs free from surface defects by continuous casting, particularly prevention of the slab surface crackings by cooling the slab with a specific cooling rate through the temperature range from the melting point to 900.degree. C. so as to prevent boron-containing compounds such as BN from precipitating along the austenite grain boundary. Great advantage over the conventional art is that boron-containing molten steels which could not be continuously cast can be successfully continuously cast into slabs free from surface defects.

Abstract: A method of controlling heating and cooling sources utilizes a computer or an electronic thermostat to control a plurality of heating or cooling resources for regulating indoor temperature within a narrow temperature range. The method maintains a temperature within the control range by activating a required number of heating or cooling sources and proportionally controlling one of the sources within the control range. An additional heat source is activated each time the indoor temperature falls below a preset "add heat" temperature, and a heat source is deactivated each time the indoor temperature passes a preset "delete Heat" temperature. Similarly, when the method is operating in the cooling mode, an additional cooling source is activated when the indoor temperature passes an "add cooling" temperature, and an additional cooling source is deactivated each time the indoor temperature passes a "delete cooling" temperature.

Abstract: A solid-state control for a variable air volume (VAV) temperature conditioning system adapted to control a plurality of refrigerant cooling stages, and in particular, to modulate an outdoor air economizer. The control includes both an outdoor ambient air and a discharge air temperature sensor. Further included are means for selectively modulating the economizer either in response to the deviation of the discharge air temperature from a setpoint or in response to the discharge air temperature, depending upon the relative magnitudes of the outdoor and discharge air temperature, and upon one or more stages of cooling being energized.

Abstract: A wet/dry steam condenser in accordance with the present invention includes two spaced-apart, vertically aligned groups of heat pipes with each group having the lower, evaporator sections of their respective heat pipes exposed to the interior of an associated, longitudinally extending steam-receiving plenum. The upper condensing section of each heat pipe is cooled by a fan-induced air flow and has a portion that is finned. The other portion of the condensing section of each pipe is cooled by deluge water from either a flood water trough and/or a spray-head assembly in addition to being cooled by a fan-induced air flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of layered units of tube assemblies, each tube assembly unit comprising a tube made by two plates having a refrigerant inlet opening and a refrigerant outlet opening, and a spacer block is disposed between the upper and lower tube assemblies for forming an air passage having an air inlet side and an air outlet side. The refrigerant inlet opening is provided in the lower plate of the tube adjacent the air inlet side. The upper and lower tube assembly units are alternately arranged with respect to the refrigerant inlet and outlet openings. The spacer block has an opening for communicating the refrigerant outlet opening of the lower tube assembly unit with the refrigerant inlet opening of the upper tube assembly unit, such that the refrigerant mainly flows in a portion in the tube adjacent the air inlet side.

Abstract: An intermeshing passage manifold is a device for subdividing each of two passages of ducts connected to it into multiple adjacent separate intermeshed passages. The intermeshing passage manifold is to be used for heat exchangers and fluid mixing devices in order to minimize pressure (energy) losses and to satisfy geometric constraints in many applications. The intermeshing passage manifold consists of a number of manifold sections adjacent in an end-to-end manner. Each of the manifold sections consists of a number of passage modules adjacent in a side-by-side manner. Each passage module consists of two passages; the orientation of these passages at one end of a module is at right angles to the orientation of the passages at the other end of the module, however, the cross-section shape of the module remains the same throughout its length.

Abstract: An improved latch device for releasably locking in a recess in a well flow conductor. The latch is attachable to a well tool which may be positioned and operated to latch and lock in and later be retrieved from the flow conductor using wireline or TFL pumpdown tools and methods. An expandable c-ring is utilized as the latching element for the latch device.

Abstract: An enhanced recovery process in which liquid sulfur is burned in an oyxgen-containing gas underground to form SO.sub.2. The SO.sub.2 may itself act as a drive fluid for the recovery of oil or it may react with limestone in the formation to form CO.sub.2, an alternate drive fluid.

Abstract: A method for treating and removing unwanted asphaltene deposits from oil and gas wells, surface equipment, flow lines, and pore spaces of oil-baring formations comprises treatment with an amine-activated aliphatic disulfide oil as an asphaltene solvent. In a preferred aspect, the aliphatic disulfide oil is a dialkyl disulfide oil and is activated by the addition of 10 weight percent of diethylamine. In a specific use, the activated disulfide oil is used to remove asphaltene deposits from an oil-bearing formation and a producing well penetrating the formation.

Abstract: A leveling system for a wheeled implement wherein the implement includes a frame with ground-engaging tools, a forwardly extending hitch structure, support wheels mounted to the frame, and wheel lift cylinders attached between the frame and the support wheels for raising or lowering the frame relative to the ground. The leveling system includes a fore-and-aft leveling mechanism and a controller. The fore-and-aft leveling mechanism is attached between the frame and the hitch structure for maintaining the frame substantially parallel to the ground during both transport and working operations. The controller uses a control lever which activates both the wheel lift cylinders and the fore-and-aft leveling mechanism. Movement of the control lever permits the frame and the hitch structure to move relative to the ground so that the frame can remain parallel to the ground at all times, even when the frame is being raised or lowered on the support wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus for a pneumatic impact wrench driven by an air motor.

Abstract: A wireline protection sub (70) for a directional drilling system having a bit (92) and downhole motor (90), a bent angle sub (84), a jar (74) and a wireline directional tool (94) mounted within the drill string between the jar and the bit with a conductive wireline (96) extending from the directional tool to a surface location, wherein the wireline protection sub comprises a landing member (110) having a longitudinal passage and a stop member (130) operable to connect to the wireline (96) and engage the landing member (110) to support the wireline within the directional drilling string above the jar (74) to minimize coiling of the wireline adjacent the jar and reduce the tendency of the jar to kink or break the wireline during dynamic action of the jar.

Abstract: Drill string stabilizing sleeves (20, 24) are provided for use on a drill string (10) to guide the drill string during drilling. The stabilizer sleeves are replacable and may be manufactured at relatively low cost. Each sleeve includes a cylindrical body (28) having a number of well bore contacting surfaces (34) formed on the outer surface thereof. The surfaces are separated by grooves (38) to permit flow past the stabilizer sleeve. Slots (40, 42) are formed through the cylindrical body on diametrically opposed sides. The slots pass through the well bore contacting surfaces to the inner surface of the body. Flats (44, 46) are provided in opposed sides of the drill string section where the stabilizing is to be performed. Cylindrical segments (54, 56) are positioned within the flats and continue the arc of curvature of the drill string section. Each of the cylindrical segments, in turn, includes a flat (66, 68) for accepting locking blocks (78, 80) inserted through the slots in the cylindrical body (28).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a representative average weight reading is disclosed, based on a series of weight readings from a scale subject to vibrations. Signals are generated at regular intervals, representative of the weight readings from said scale. Each new weight signal is compared with the previous weight signal, and one of two alternative labels is assigned to each new weight signal according to whether it is greater or less than the previous weight signal, and the opposite of the previous label is assigned if the signals are equal. The weight signals occurring in a weight averaging interval, which extends from a label change in one direction to the next label change in the same direction, are then averaged.

Abstract: This invention relates to a weight measuring balance especially adapted for the proportioning of a liquid product mixture from cumulative formulas expressed in weight.The balance comprises a pan borne by a centrally fixed stress gauge captor, mounted upon a fixed frame and which furnishes a signal representative of the load's weight, whatever may be the position of the load on the pan, to a measuring device carrying out the display of the weight thus detected on a first display device.The invention is especially applied to the formulations of paints used in automobile body shops from cumulative formulas expressed in weight.