Abstract: A composite floor structure is disclosed in which a plurality of corrugated sheets having crest portions which slope downwardly at each end thereof are supported on the top surface of a plurality of spaced I-section supporting beams. Studs are welded directly to the top surface of the I-beams directly over the beam's webbing to securely connect the beams to an overlying concrete slab, thereby creating a composite action between the beam and slab and increasing the load carrying ability of the I-beams. By providing a sufficient volume of concrete around the studs, each stud is completely effective. Embossments may be provided in the sheets to also create a composite action between the sheets and the slab causing the entire structure to act as a single composite unit to resist vertical gravity loads (bending) and in plane horizontal wind or seismic loads (shear).

Abstract: ICMUs (insulated concrete masonry units) having an inner load-bearing portion and one or two outer insulating portions are disclosed. Disregarding the insulation cores, heat flows from the outer side wall or walls to the inner portion through outer end walls and, in some embodiments, webs. These outer side walls and webs are heat bridges and are thinner and of significantly lower density than the other walls of the ICMU, thereby providing improved thermal insulation.Also disclosed are ICMUs with a vertical or horizontal recess in one outer insulating portion. Electrical conduit and/or plumbing can be placed into these recesses. In addition, corner ICMUs are disclosed which provide increased structural strength when used to construct a 90.degree. corner between two structural walls because of a special mid-wall in the corner ICMU.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field of composition shingles and in particular the types of shingle known as strip or tab shingles. Heretofore shingles having nonuniform random or jagged butt edges have relied on locating indicia on the upper covered portions of the leading and trailing edges thereof, or on the upper edge of the overall shingle, to aid in positioning these shingles relative to one another on a roof deck. Tab shingles have been able to eliminate at least some of the locating indicia in these areas by relying on uniformly sized and positioned slot cutouts to locate the uniform butt edges of the overlapping shingle relative to the shingle being overlapped. The present shingle includes at least one slot dividing the butt edge into two tabs. The lower edge of the tabs corresponding to a portion of the butt edge of the shingle include specifically shaped locating edges. These locating edges contribute to the jagged nonuniform appearance of the shingle.

Abstract: To deal with the annoying problem of deck board rot and warping, an anchor bracket is provided for installation in newly constructed decks to resist warping or in existing decks where warping has already occured to rectify the situation. The bracket includes a plate body portion which transversely spans abutting end portions of deck boards, and a pair of depending bifurcated extensions on each end of the plate body portion which straddle the underlying support beams or joists of the deck structure and are anchored thereto by nailing. Several embodiments of the bracket are disclosed.

Abstract: A collapser/collector and strapping apparatus for processing box partitions to place them in condition for shipment. The assembled partitions are collapsed and moved vertically into transversely indexed slots of a collector. From the indexed slots, the partitions are placed into bundles of a preselected number of partitions. The bundles are then delivered to a strapping section where straps are applied to hold each bundle together for further processing.

Abstract: An improved washing device in washing a sealing portion of an apparatus for sealing a container such as a bottle includes a washing cap adapted to be detachably mounted to a bottom of a sealing plunger of the sealing apparatus, and a washing liquid circulating device for circulating a washing liquid to portions of the sealing plunger to be washed by the intermediary of the washing cap.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in placing materials into envelopes by presenting automatically unfolded and opened envelopes in rapid succession to the operator for manual placement of the materials therein. The machine includes a horizontal conveyor which, under operator control, incrementally advances the envelopes to be processed from one processing station to another in succession. An envelope stacker is positioned above the conveyor and a feed means feeds the envelopes to the conveyor prior to each advancement of the conveyor. The envelopes are conveyed to a first process station which automatically unfolds the pre-folded unsealed envelope flaps. The envelopes are then advanced to a second processing station which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in a manner which permits ready placement of materials into the envelopes.

Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning a plastic strapping band positioned around a package and for connecting the overlapping ends of the band by hot bonding consisting of a fastening mechanism for hot bonding the overlapping ends of the band and including a backing plate, between the band and the package, against which three plungers aligned along the longitudinal axis of the band can be applied, the first plunger securing the free front end of the band, the second plunger securing the rear end of the band, and the third, middle, plunger forcing the overlapping ends of the band against a hot-bonding mechanism in the form of a heated cutter and compressing the molten ends together. The three plungers (27, 28, 29) aligned along the longitudinal axis of the band (20) are activated with a single cammed disk (31) on a shaft (67) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the band.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower including a motor housing for vertically enclosing a motor; and a cutter casing disposed below the motor housing for housing a cutter fitted to the lower extremity of the shaft of the motor. The cutter casing is connected to the motor housing in such a manner that they communicate with each other. The cutter casing has at the upper portion thereof air-passing ports vertically extending therethrough. There is provided on the cutter casing a shroud for enclosing the motor housing, and the shroud has at a portion thereof apertures opening to communicate with the atmosphere; and air inlets opening to communicate through an air filter with the interior of the motor housing. In the cutter casing and above the cutter, there are provided an air impeller for creating a flow of air to support the mower on a cushion of air; and an axial impeller for cooling the motor. Both impellers are fitted to the motor shaft such that the axial impeller overlies the air impeller.

Abstract: A lateral flotation mechanism for the header on a combine harvester is disclosed wherein a pair of springs provide a counterbalancing force to stabilize the pivotal movement of the header about a centrally disposed pivot from externally imposed loads. After the external load is removed from the header, the springs effect a rotation of the header about the center pivot to return the header to a predetermined stabilized position. The compression of the springs is adjustable to pre-load the springs and compensate for any imbalance in the header.

Abstract: A mowing rotary sawtoothed cutter adapted to be attached to a mower for mowing or cutting grass, shrubs or trees, which comprises a thin disk having a central hole, and a suitable number of triangular small cutting blades disposed around the outer periphery of the disk and having cutting edges extending from the apex of the triangle along the both lateral edges thereof, half of the small cutting blades facing in one direction and the residual half of the small cutting blades facing in the other direction. In a preferred embodiment, the cutter includes a plurality of large cutting blades in the form of a rectangle or the like having cutting edges on the opposite lateral edges thereof, and a series of the small cutting blades facing one direction and a series of the small cutting blades facing the other direction are disposed in opposed relation to each other between the large cutting blades.

Abstract: A thread is provided which comprises a polymeric material onto which has been fixed a symbol or repeating multiple symbols which are detectable and readable under magnification. When incorporated into garments or garment labels, this thread is useful in identifying the true manufacturer of the goods, and the absence of such threads would help in the detection of counterfeit goods.

Abstract: A single-step stable method of producing spun-twisted yarns. A twist point is located on the frictional surface of a take-off funnel of the spinning rotor. A strand material which forms a component of the final spun-twisted yarn product is exposed, between feed rollers and said twist point, to an appropriate combination of transport effects of a pneumatic field of force and a mechanical field of force. For this purpose, the tube, through which the strand material is supplied, is determined in dependence on the pneumatic conditions prevailing in the spinning rotor.

Abstract: A sealing device is disclosed for maintaining a small positive clearance between the sealing sectors and the turbine blade tips of a turbojet engine. The sealing segments are connected to an internal ring structure and an external ring structure located within the casing of the jet engine. The two ring structures serve to expand and contract the diameter of the ring formed by the sealing segments in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the turbine blades for stabilized and transient engine operating modes. The device utilizes ventilating air taken from a stage of the jet engine compressor to cause the radial expansion or contraction of the internal and external rings in direct conjunction with the conditions under which the engine is operating.

Abstract: A diffuser system for a gas turbine engine includes a prediffuser and a piping system that diverts the flow into two streams. One stream captures the prediffuser discharge air at the center of the gas path where the total pressure is at its highest level and provides an additional stage of diffusing before dumping it around the burner to supply liner cooling air, turbine cooling air and if necessary, small amounts of dilution air to trim radial temperature profile. The other stream is ducted directly into the burner avoiding the typical dump diffuser losses.

Abstract: An inlet particle separator for a gas turbine engine is provided with unique vanes distributed around an entrance to a particle collection chamber. The vanes are uniquely constructed to direct extraneous particles that enter the engine into the collection chamber and prevent the particles from rebounding back into the engine's air flow stream. The vanes are provided with several features to accomplish this function, including upstream faces that are sharply angled towards air flow stream direction to cause particles to bounce towards the collection chamber. In addition, throat regions between the vanes cause a localized air flow acceleration and a focusing of the particles that aid in directing the particles in a proper direction.

Abstract: A turbofan engine having a variable geometry exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: Non-hazardous, highly soluble hydroxylammonium salt solutions are disclosed. These solutions have utility as liquid oxidizers in solid/liquid hybrid rocket motors.

Abstract: A jet propulsion engine with a fan bypass duct includes a duct burner with a plurality of flame stabilizers therein each mounted to inner case and outer case members through spherical bearings. Each of the stabilizers consists of two blade members having integral arms thereon actuated by fore and aft motion of an external actuating ring to assume an expanded position to increase duct turbulence for mixing air flow therethrough with a fuel supply and into a retracted position against each other to reduce pressure drop under nonafterburning operation. Each of the flame stabilizer blades has a platform that controls communication between a hot air source and a duct for improving fuel vaporization during afterburner operation thereby to increase afterburning limits; the platforms close communication between the hot air source and the duct during nonafterburning operation when flame stabilization is not required.

Abstract: For a long dual mixer nacelle housing a fan-jet engine powering aircraft, a pair of concentric sleeves sandwiching the cascades to effectuate thrust reversal are synchronously deployed axially to communicate the fan discharge air in the duct with ambient through the cascades. A rack and gear connection between sleeves permits the independent linear motion of each of the sleeves so that the actuation of one automatically actuates the other without the necessity of attaching both to each other.

Abstract: A bypass passage interconnects intake manifold passages and has a bypass valve disposed therein for shifting the tuning point for inertia supercharging, the bypass valve being actuatable to close and open the bypass passage by a bypass valve actuator operatively connected between the bypass valve and an accelerator-responsive lever for closing the bypass valve when the engine load increases.

Abstract: A control device for a hydrostatic transmission including apparatus for sensing a speed of a prime mover which powers a variable displacement pump of the hydrostatic transmission and for regulating the displacement of the variable displacement pump in accordance with the speed of the prime mover, is disclosed. The control device also includes apparatus for transmitting a mechanical feedback signal representative of the displacement of the variable displacement pump to the control device to maintain the variable displacement pump at a displacement proportional to the speed of the prime mover.

Abstract: A monolithic heater head assembly which augments cast fins with ceramic inserts which narrow the flow of combustion gas and obtains high thermal effectiveness with the assembly including an improved flange design which gives greater durability and reduced conduction loss.

Abstract: A master cylinder (10) defines a housing (12) with a bore (14) receiving a first piston (32) and a second piston (34). A sleeve (50) disposed within the bore (14) cooperates with a plurality of seals (68, 70, 72) to balance the forces caused by fluid pressure acting against the inside of the sleeve (50) and the outside of the sleeve (50). The sleeve (50) is made from a lightweight plastic material.

Abstract: A moisture separator which incorporates an inner cylinder disposed in coaxial relation with an exhaust pipe of a steam turbine utilizes the spiral secondary flow of a gas stream to remove liquids which are entrained therein. The moisture separator incorporates an inner cylinder which has one or more apertures through its wall. The inner cylinder is placed in coaxial relation with the exhaust pipe of a steam turbine with means for sealing the axial ends of an annular chamber formed between the cylinder and the exhaust pipe. Means are provided for dividing the annular chamber into a plurality of arcuate spaces and for removing liquid which collects within each of the arcuate spaces. The moisture separator utilizes the characteristic of gas streams which creates spiral secondary flows when forced to turn around a bend. The spiral flows cause liquid, which is entrained in a gas stream, to migrate to the inner surface of a pipe or cylinder and coalesce on the walls thereof.

Abstract: A combustor for a stationary combustor turbine is provided with a generally tubular sidewall formed from a telescopic arrangement of sidewall ring members. A corrugated spacer band supports the upstream end portion of each sidewall member on the downstream end portion of the next inwardly located sidewall member in the upstream direction. An annular coolant admission slot is thus provided between the sidewall members with the corrugated spacer band located therein.The downstream end portion of each sidewall member extends as an annular lip projecting downstream from the downstream end of the corrugated band to discourage mixing of the hot internal gases with the coolant air flowing as a film through the slot and along the inner sidewall surface.

Abstract: A process using a cascade desiccant air-conditioning/air drying apparatus having cold thermal energy storage means is used to produce a major increase in the system's thermal coefficient of performance. The latent heat of vaporization from the water separation occurring in desiccant regeneration is recovered in the heating process for desiccant regeneration in the next stage. This energy recovery results in a major improvement in thermal coefficient of performance in air-conditioning or air drying processes. Values greater than 1.0 are expected to be common and values greater than 2.0 are possible. Presently most thermal driven air-conditioning systems have a thermal coefficient of performance less than 1.0 with an average value less than 0.7.

Abstract: A method and control system are disclosed for operating a refrigeration system to protect the refrigeration system compressor from adverse operating conditions. A first signal indicative of the saturation temperature of the refrigerant in an evaporator of the refrigeration system, and a second signal indicative of the temperature of gaseous refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to the compressor of the refrigeration system compressor, are provided to a microcomputer system which processes the first and second signals to determine the superheat of the gaseous refrigerant flowing to the compressor. The microcomputer system generates an alarm signal to shut down operation of the refrigeration system if the detected superheat is less than a lower limit or greater than an upper limit of a normal range of superheat values.

Abstract: In a transport refrigeration unit, top and front shutters are controlled to open in sequence upon rising temperatures being sensed by temperature responsive control means located in a recirculation passage between the shutters.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is disclosed which includes a refrigeration system and a new and improved combination evaporator and ice-forming assembly for making flake or chip ice. The combination assembly preferably includes a generally horizontal freezer plate with a freezer surface thereon, which is adapted for receiving make-up water thereon. An evaporator means in close physical proximity with the opposite side of the freezer surface functions to form a thin layer of hard-frozen surface ice on the freezer surface and a rotatable ice breaker disposed closely adjacent the freeze surface fractures the substantially fully frozen ice surface layer from the freezer surface into formed ice particles. Preferably, at least the freezer plate and the evaporator coil are integrally encased and molded into a monolithic freezer member composed of a molded polymeric material, with the freezer surface exposed for forming the ice layer thereon. The ice breaker is also preferably composed of a molded polymeric material.

Abstract: A program-controlled knitting machine provides a method of knitting circular knit elasticized tubular goods, e.g., compressive stockings, in which the size of the goods and the amount of compression asserted when worn are controlled according to the specific size and needs of the individual using the goods.

Abstract: The present panty is formed of first and second seamless tubular knit blanks each of which includes an inwardly turned welt on one end, a predetermined length of body yarn and inwardly contracted mock rib areas formed by incorporating elastic yarn therein. The inwardly contracted mock rib area of one seamless blank is much longer than the other and is adapted to form the crotch area of the panty. Cotton yarn is incorporated on the inwardly contracted mock rib areas and forms inwardly extending terry loops. The seamless blanks are longitudinally slit and then joined together by a transverse seam extending across and connecting the inwardly contracted mock rib areas and opposite side seams are formed along opposite sides of the body portions of each blank and the inwardly turned welts to complete the panty and join the waistband and form a waist opening.

Abstract: An entirely warp-knit lace strip having sinuate scallops knit of bent scallop-forming yarn, the scallops having outwardly protruding U-shaped picots at their edges.The lace strip described is made by a series of steps including the formation of chain stitch lines in step-like indentation by overlapping the scallop-forming yarns which are shifted through a plurality of needles after scallops have been formed for all stitch lines. Simultaneously, picot-forming yarns are transversely shifted so as to protrude from the edges of the scallops. The protruding parts are held or attached to soluble yarn portions. As desired, the soluble yarns are dissolved to free the scallops and picots.Several portions of lace texture are made from two kinds of yarn, an insoluble one and a soluble one with respect to the same solvent, which are threaded on the same guide bar used to form the mesh fabric.

Abstract: A key-driven mechanism 14 that locks into the cassette-insert opening 12 of an audio/video cassette recorder or cassette player 10. After insertion into the cassette recorder or player, rotation of a key 16 extends cams from within the device to prevent removal of the device. The device includes a lock 20 mechanism with removable key, a helical turn screw and screw sleeve by which key rotation is translated into lineal movement, a cam-actuator affixed to the screw and which is moved by the turning of the key and cams 24 that are coupled to the actuator and which extend from the device or retract as a result of key rotation.

Abstract: A locking fuel cap has a lock bolt which is slidably disposed in the cap handle and responsive to a key-operated lock mechanism to selectively drivingly connnect the cap handle to a ratchet ring. The ratchet ring is connected through a torque limiting drive to a threaded closure. When the fuel cap is unlocked, the lock bolt provides a positive drive in both opening and closing directions. If the fuel cap is locked, a spring finger on the lock bolt engages a pin on the lock mechanism when a predetermined torque is present at the ratchet ring during cap installation. The pin holds the lock bolt in a position preventing a drive connection with the ratchet ring thereafter when the cap is rotated in the opening direction.

Abstract: A fuel tank lock for use with a conventional filler neck of an automotive vehicle. The filler neck has a baffle plate formed with a constricted passage normally closed by a biased-shut valve carried by the baffle plate. The valve is forced open when engaged by an unleaded fuel nozzle. The upper end of the filler neck is provided with a conventional fuel tank cap. The fuel tank lock includes a body provided with a key operated lock and a shank that extends through the constricted passage. The lock operates a latch that engages the underside of the baffle plate to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of the lock from the filler neck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching steel rod in a high speed rolling mill is provided wherein a liquid coolant is preliminarily applied to the rod prior to its exiting from the mill finishing train in order to increase the column strength of the exiting rod by lowering the surface temperature thereof to less than about 950.degree. C. Thereafter, as the rod progresses through additional liquid cooling devices on the way to the mill laying head, tractive forces are applied to the rod. The aforesaid increase in rod column strength acts in concert with the application of tractive force to insure that the rod has sufficient rigidity and forward momentum to pass from the finishing train through the liquid cooling devices and to and through the laying head.

Abstract: In a process of hot-rolling steel wherein use is made of a heat-reflecting screen (13) by which heat radiating from the work (1) is reflected back to the work, the invention comprises the step of cooling the heat-reflecting-surface (10) of the screen during use, e.g. by flowing fluid coolant along the paths (18) in heat-conducting relationship to such heat-reflecting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the twist of blades of an integrally bladed rotor comprise a plurality of pairs of opposed, aligned blade formers, slideably disposed in guide channels on opposite sides of the blades to be twisted. The rotor and twisting apparatus is heated and the opposed formers are forced toward each other. The blade disposed between each pair of formers is sandwiched between the ends of the formers. The ends of the formers are specially shaped such that the blades are reshaped or twisted to the desired final contour.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a walking bar member for continuous casting from an elongated tubular metal blank by heating the blank at a temperature of 550.degree. to 1250.degree. C., subjecting the heated blank to plastic working which achieves a working ratio of up to 65% or a flattening ratio of over 1 but not greater than 3.0 to flatten the blank into a tubular body by compression over the entire length thereof, and machining a surface of the tubular body at the side thereof to be brought into contact with a slab to smooth the surface and provide a reduced wall thickness, the working ratio and the flattening ratio being represented by (D-H)/D.times.100 and W/H, respectively, wherein D is the outside diameter of the blank before the plastic working, H is the minor diameter of the tubular body after the plastic working, and W is the major diameter of the tubular body after the plastic working.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a necked container are disclosed wherein a sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical tubular member and the adjacent longitudinally extending edges of the sheet are butt welded. The welded tubular member is progressively necked-in over a dome-shaped surface of a single mandrel provided within the welded tubular member. The free end of the necked end portion of the tubular member is trimmed and curled to form a necked container body.

Abstract: A forming machine (10) is provided for forming a finished part (12) from a flat blank (14). Draw stations (18-24) are provided to initially form the intermediate part. Each draw station includes a punch (44, 62, 66, 70') and a draw die (48, 64, 68, 72). Each punch defines a shoulder along its length to create a first step (60) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. In a subsequent draw stage, a draw punch (70') forms a second shoulder along its length to create a second step (100) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. A draw shoulder (61) on the draw punch (71') mates with the step (60) to maintain the concentric shape thereof. In the subsequent necking and final form stages (30, 32, 34) the punch employed also has a shoulder to permit variation of the force applied to the intermediate part between the step and bottom portion.

Abstract: A crimping machine for attaching metal hose couplings to flexible hose includes a hydraulic actuator for forcing a circular array of die segments toward the narrow end of a tapered opening in the base of the machine in order to radially constrict the die segments and the coupling. The die segments are supported on a die separator in the machine and may be joined into two groups of segments, each individually removeable from the machine to facilitate loading and unloading of the hose couplings. A die ring is placed over the die segments to assure simultaneous movement thereof and to limit the stroke of the actuator, as a crimp diameter limiting device. The die ring is split into halves to facilitate loading. One half of the die ring is removeable and the mating half is slidably mounted on the actuator so as to remain in position over one group of die segments upon retraction of the actuator. An adapter bowl is also disclosed for a smaller range of hose couplings.

Abstract: The apparatus for checking the set pressure of a safety valve (300) comprises: a first tank (100) filled with a first fluid (110) at a pressure less than the set pressure, and connected to the fluid inlet tubing (310) of the valve; a second tank (200) filled with a second fluid (210) at a pressure greater than the set pressure; means (410) for rapidly putting the two tanks into communication with each other; and means (500, 510, 520) for simultaneously measuring the pressure in the fluid inlet tubing and the displacement of the valve plate.

Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle undergoing tests with individual wheel supports and actuators. One of the supports has a wheel restraint to prevent lateral and fore and aft movement of the wheel. A diagonal wheel support has a wheel restraint to prevent lateral movement only.

Abstract: The molecular weight of a pressurized flowing gas is determined by means of a vortex tube. The temperatures of the inlet gas to the tube and of its outlet hot and cold gas fractions are sensed by e.m.f.-producing temperature sensing means; the resulting e.m.f.'s are fed to a divider circuit which amplifies them, forms differential e.m.f.'s and a ratio of the differential e.m.f.'s, and converts the ratio to the molecular weight of the gas.

Abstract: A method of measuring the specific gravity of a fluid to be analyzed includes the steps of pressurizing a fixed volume chamber by the fluid to be analyzed, allowing the pressure in the chamber to decay through a fixed restriction between predetermined pressure limits, measuring the time interval of the pressure decay between the pressure limits and converting the time interval value to the specific gravity of the fluid to be analyzed.

Abstract: A sensor for use on the front end of a flexible, resilient probe for use in an underground duct of the type which contains one or more current-carrying cables. The sensor is provided with a signal generating device for detecting a particular operating condition of a cable in the duct when the sensor moves through the duct adjacent to the cable. In one embodiment of the sensor, acoustical signals are sensed by a crystal when such acoustical signals originate from a leak in the pressurized sheath surrounding the cable. In another embodiment of the sensor, a coil senses the magnetic field surrounding the cable so that electrical shorts occurring in the cable can be monitored. In a third embodiment of the sensor, a heat detector is provided so that the sensor can detect hot spots in a duct.

Abstract: A method of identifying and determining the size of particulates in a flowing fluid comprising detecting the portion of an ultrasonic pulse scattered from a particulate at a preselected angle, converting the results into density and elasticity-related values and comparing the values with measured or computed values for known particulates.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the dynamic surface tension at a gas-liquid interface by the maximum bubble pressure method. The gas is bubbled out an orifice tube dipped in the liquid; the maximum pressure in each bubble is a function of the surface tension. In the invention, the rate of gas flow is raised continually to increase the rate of bubbling at least several fold over a few minutes. The varying pressure of the bubbling gas is measured continuously by an instantaneous transducer. Electronic circuits respond to the transducer and provide signals indicative of the maximum bubble pressure and of the rates of bubbling. A recorder responds to the signals and displays a spectrum of the maximum bubble pressure in units indicative of surface tension as a function of the bubbling rate. Measurements may be taken over more than a thousand bubbles in each spectrum.