Abstract: An anchoring device comprising an angular holder and a support member. The angular holder has a vertical holding portion, a horizontal supporting portion and a plurality of teeth. A toothed portion of the support member engages the teeth of the supporting portion. The teeth of the supporting part and/or the toothed portion of the support member are arcuate. The support member is adjustable on the supporting portion in a horizontal plane both in a longitudinal and transverse direction.

Abstract: An office wall partition is disclosed which has provisions for accommodating a floor-cable riser. The partition includes a gutter-shaped baseboard having an opening therein to admit the floor-cable riser. The partition is particularly useful with undercarpet cable.

Abstract: A screen ceiling assembly including a plurality of spaced carrier members which are connectable to a supporting structure such as a roof. There is also provided a multiplicity of ceiling panels which are each positioned at an angle to a common frame through a plurality of the carrier members. There is also provided clip means interconnecting a respective ceiling panel and carrier member. The invention is characterized in that each of the ceiling panels is pivotably connected with each of its carrier members about a longitudinal axis parallel to the panel length axis by way of a pivot construction comprising one of the clip means or part thereof. This allows each panel to adopt a desired angled position in respect of each of the carrier members. Preferably each panel is retained in the desired angled position by retaining means.

Abstract: A tile formed from a relatively thin sheet is adapted to cooperate with similar tiles to form a tiled surface. When the tile is installed, the central axis thereof coincides with a line defining free water flow down the tile between upper and lower tile portions. The tile has first and second raised ribs extending symmetrically as mirror images of each other on each side of central axis. Each rib has upper and lower rib portions which are interconnected so as to extend continuously between the upper and lower tile portions to increase stiffness of the tile. The upper rib portions are generally complementary to the lower rib portions so that the lower rib portions of an upper tile can fit over upper rib portions of a lower tile. Thus rib axes of upper and lower rib portions are also mirror images of each other about a lateral axis disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The tiles are effectively secured in four places to increase resistance to movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate profile (1) intended to be fitted to an anchoring profile (8) connected with a support and to carry another plate profile (5) in the region of its upper end. The plate profile (1) has an upright central portion (2) with an upwardly decreasing width. Two lateral portions (3) which extend transversely to the central portion (2) start from the central portion (2). The lateral portions (3) extend vertically between the anchoring profile (8) and the further plate profile (5). The plate profile (1) is provided with means (12) for engagement with the anchoring profile (8). In the region of their upper end the lateral portions (3) are connected with the further plate profile (5) by way of attaching means (7). The width of the lateral portions (5) increases upwards.The plate profile (1) is included as an essential component of a structure replacing known frames of crossbars for supporting roofs of buildings.

Abstract: A component for erecting buildings and the like comprises a channel member preferably having a substantially squared-off C-shaped cross section with web portion, two flange portions on the web portion and two inwardly directed lips on the flange portions. A repeating pattern of longitudinally spaced large diameter apertures is provided in the web portion. A longitudinally repeating pattern of small diameter apertures is also provided in the web portion. A longitudinally repeating pattern of apertures is provided in each flange portion including a pentad with an aperture at four corners, defining an imaginary square and an aperture at the center of the square. A plurality of apertures is also provided in the inwardly directed lips. The building component is widely adaptable to a variety of different uses in building construction systems and for innumerable building designs.

Abstract: A system for aligning and packing substantially flat objects moving on a conveyor line in irregularly spaced and, nonaligned rows includes a mechanism for separating the rows and aligning the objects and also for feeding the aligned objects onto another conveyor. A packing mechanism transfers the aligned objects from a loading area to a container. An additional device places a strip of protective material on top of the layer of objects. A moving means vertically moves the container a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the object being packed in preparation for the reception of an additional layer of objects. Another transfer device moves the filled container from the loading area and replaces it with an empty container. Another transfer moves the filled container to provide room for the next container and an additional device transfers a supply of empty containers in preparation for another container being placed in the loading area.

Abstract: A continuous case packer for receiving an ongoing stream of cases and containers and causing the containers to be deposited into the cases. The cases are fed on a conveyor assembly comprising an in-feed section, a staging section, and an out-feed section. The staging section and out-feed section are mechanically linked by sprocketing and each includes lugs for positively driving the cases received therein. The lugs are timed for continuous operation of receipt of cases from the staging area, filling of the cases, and removal of the cases from the case out-feed section. The case in-feed section includes a unique case stop and brake mechanism allowing for rapid movement of the incoming cases while providing for separation of the lead case to be fed to the staging section.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collating sheets into sets from stacks of sheets wherein the number of sheets in each collated set may be greater than the number of stacks which can be supported within the apparatus for collating the sheets. Also disclosed is a system for carrying out the above-described method including a collating machine, an envelope handling assembly, and a set handling assembly. Also disclosed is the set handling assembly for feeding and storing sets of collated sheets for use with the collating machine.

Abstract: A device for filling a package with a predetermined weight of items, such as pieces of chicken, is disclosed. The device, under the control of a computer, sorts predetermined quantities of chicken pieces to a plurality of pockets each of which is adapted to transfer the predetermined quantities of chicken pieces sorted thereto so that they may be passed to a partially filled package, upon receipt of a control signal from the computer. The device, under the control of the computer, selects which of the pockets contains pieces of chicken which should be added to the partially filled package in order to bring the contents of that package up to the predetermined weight.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up and conveying crop has a high-speed rotor 21 mounted on a mobile frame 50 for movement over the ground to pick up previously cut crop. A hood 54 extends around part of the front of the rotor and moves relative to the frame in response to the crop to effect automatic adjustment of the clearance. Heavy unwanted objects, whether metallic or non-metallic, are detected by an impact detector 25A. Metallic objects (whether large or small) are detected by an electromagnetic detector 25B. The detectors are positioned in various alternative locations, either on the moving hood, or on static portions of the frame.

Abstract: A hard foreign body in a stream of cut crop being moved by a conveyor in an agricultural machine to a crop comminuter of the machine is detected by first compressing the stream of cut crop transversely of its displacement direction between a pair of feed elements one of which is movable toward and away from the other and generating an actual-value output corresponding to the acceleration of the movable element toward and away from the other element. This output is compared with a set point corresponding to an acceleration level not normally exceeded by the element when the crop stream contains no hard foreign objects. An error signal is generated when the actual-value output exceeds the set point. When the error signal is issued advance of the conveyor is stopped and/or a warning is issued. The actual-value output is only generated when the acceleration of the movable feed element exceeds a predetermined limit. The actual-value output is a voltage and the set point is also a voltage.

Abstract: A mower having a plurality of rotary cutting elements each of which is provided with at least one cutting tool. At least one of the rotary cutting element is driven by a transmission means housed in a housing located under the rotary cutting element. The housing is composed of cases in which the rotary cutting elements are guided in rotation, and a brace element determines the distance between each two adjacent cases. The housing is made up of at least one module formed by a case and a brace element formed integrally with the case. The front edge of each of said brace elements is pointed over at least a part of its length. At least said at least one rotary cutting element is mounted on a shaft guided in rotation in the bore of a bearing cylinder.

Abstract: A device for attachment to an uprooting implement is designed for compacting plant residue into cylindrical or rope-like shape and to cut the compacted cylinder into short wafers. The device comprises four rollers in parallel alignment symmetrically positioned around a central space defining the compacted cylinder, and urged toward the central space by springs. The rollers are positioned with their axes in the direction of travel of the uprooting implement and all are rotated in the same sense of rotation. Each roller has a cylindrical rear portion and a frusto-conical front portion provided with a broadthreaded screw, the screws serving to press the plant residue into the space between the cylindrical roller portions. Conveyor means are provided for feeding the plants into the compacting device, and cutting means are provided to the rear of the rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a procedure for splicing yarns, whether textile or otherwise, with a join made by coupling two single untwisted yarns and thereafter retwisting them, wherein the single yarns are untwisted beyond a substantially nil twist value and are then coupled and retwisted so as to impart to the single yarns a desired twist at least the same as the twist comprised in the original yarn, the untwisting phase being carried on beyond the nil value until a negative twist value has been imparted which is equal to at least 15-20% of the initial twist value comprised in the single yarn, and the value of the negative twist being at least in proportion to the desired reciprocal thrust induced between the yarns at least in the transitory phase when the fibers are parallel to the axis of the single coupled yarns during retwisting.The invention also relates to a splice made by the above procedure.

Abstract: In the transport apparatus for roving bobbins in a plant including a group of spinning machines according to our invention each spinning machine has a closed circulating belt on which suspended carriages equipped either with full or empty roving bobbins are movable. A transport belt is provided which runs through a loading station which replaces empty roving bobbins with full roving bobbins. Each of the circulating belts is connected with the transport belt by one connecting belt for removing one of the suspended carriages with empty roving bobbins and another connecting belt for feeding in another suspended carriage with full roving bobbins. A switch controllable depending on the filling state of the approaching roving bobbin carriage is positioned at each branch of the connecting belts with the transport belt or one of the circulating belts. The roving bobbins are mounted on the transport and circulating belts so as to be movable independently of each other.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for driving an electrical power plant by the combined operation of a gas turbine 8 and a steam turbine 11, combustion air fed to the gas turbine 8 is cooled in a cooler 2 after passing through a first stage compressor 1 by means of condensate supplied to the cooler 2 from a condenser 17 of the turbine 11 by a pump 18. After passing through a second stage compressor 3, the combustion air is preheated in a heat exchanger 4 by a steam lead from the steam turbine 11 and is then further heated to a much higher temperature in a heat exchanger 5 by means of a heat carrying liquid, for example liquid sodium, which is itself heated in heat exchangers 10 and 35 by flue gas from a steam generator 9, which supplies steam to the steam turbine 11 and by flue gas from the gas turbine 8. The liquid sodium has a low pressure at very high temperatures and accordingly enables heat to be transferred at high temperatures, for example temperatures of more than 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A seal assembly for disposition between a cross arm on a gas turbine engine block and a regenerator disc, the seal assembly including a platform coextensive with the cross arm, a seal and wear layer sealingly and slidingly engaging the regenerator disc, a porous and compliant support layer between the platform and the seal and wear layer porous enough to permit flow of cooling air therethrough and compliant to accommodate relative thermal growth and distortion, a dike between the seal and wear layer and the platform for preventing cross flow through the support layer between engine exhaust and pressurized air passages, and air diversion passages for directing unregenerated pressurized air through the support layer to cool the seal and wear layer and then back into the flow of regenerated pressurized air.

Abstract: An improved annular combustor having a plurality of annularly disposed fuel nozzles for supplying fuel to the combustor dome, and a structure defining a dome plenum adjacent each said fuel nozzle is provided, wherein means in the form of partitions or walls are included to define a sector(s) of said plenum including a portion of said fuel nozzles for airflow control by a valve means controlling airflow through said sector(s) only, the remainder of said dome plenum annulus having no airflow valve control means; said sector(s) defining means may protrude into said combustor primary zone to define a region thereof for controlled burning of fuel supplied by the fuel nozzles included in said sector.

Abstract: A method for distributing a flow of fuel over the gas flow area of a gas turbine engine includes the steps of dividing the gas flow area into a plurality of sector shaped sub-areas (48), (50), (52), (54) disposed within a surrounding, annular sub-area (46) which is in turn disposed adjacent the augmentor wall (12). During operation, the method according to the present invention distributes the fuel over one or more of the sub-areas (46-54) in response to the current rate of fuel flow. At the lowest and intermediate fuel flow rates, fuel is distributed only over one or more of the sector shaped sub-areas (48-54). Only at the very highest rates of augmentor fuel flow is fuel distributed finally in the outer annular sub-area (46).

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine which emits hydrocarbons and particulates is disclosed. The apparatus is for use with an engine having a primary exhaust conduit, a flow divider defining parallel exhaust conduits connected to the primary exhaust conduit, and a pair of particulate traps, one each disposed in each of the parallel exhaust conduits and each of said traps having a frontal face exposed to the exhaust gas flow and one of the parallel exhaust conduits.

Abstract: In a double air-fuel sensor system including two air-fuel ratio sensors upstream and downstream of a catalyst converter provided in an exhaust gas passage, an air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated in accordance with the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor, and the actual air-fuel ratio is adjusted in accordance with the calculated air-fuel ratio correction amount and the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor. When the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor is switched from the rich side to the lean side, or vice versa, the air-fuel ratio correction amount is shifted remarkably by a first skip amount for a predetermined time period, and after this period, the air-fuel ratio correction amount is shifted conventionally by a second skip amount which is smaller than the first skip amount.

Abstract: A servo-mechanism includes a piston and cylinder unit controlled by a valve coupled in known manner by a linkage means to a movable control element to provide closed loop servo operation to position the piston and cylinder unit piston rod according to the position of the movable element. The movable element is fast with an annular gear segment of an epicyclic gear mechanism of which the sun gear forms a main control input and the planet pinion carrier forms an override input. The mechanism is of utility in an hydraulic transmission of the variable stroke pump/fixed stroke motor type, the overrride input being actuable by a pump port pressure limit sensor.

Abstract: A control valve (10) is disclosed for use in controlling a winch motor (12) on a winch. The control valve (10) is employed with a conventional operating valve (32). When the operating valve is in the neutral position, the control valve (10) acts as a hydraulic brake and an unloading valve for a brake cylinder (20). When the operating valve (32) is moved to raise a load with the winch, the control valve provides a flow path to and from the winch motor (12) to rotate the motor to raise the load and provides sufficient hydraulic pressure in the brake cylinder chamber (18) to release the brake even if the winch has no load. When the operating valve is operated to lower the load, the control valve (10) acts as an over center valve to prevent the load and winch from running away from the winch motor (12). The control valve (10) accomplishes each of these functions with only a single valve spool (132) slidable in a valve housing (100).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for power generation which comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a first float member and a second float member disposed in the first and second cylinders, respectively, and a lever arm pivotably disposed above the cylinders, the ends portions of the lever arm being operatively connected to the respective float members. The lever arm contains weight members and defines a path for guiding the weight members to traverse the lever arm between the end portions. An inlet and outlet is provided for introducing and removing water into and from the first and second cylinders, the water being supplied from a dam whereby when the water is introduced into the first cylinder and simultaneously removed from the second cylinder, the first float member is caused to rise in the first cylinder and the second float member is caused to fall in the second cylinder.

Abstract: A method for operation of an internal combustion engine supercharged by means of an exhaust gas turbo-supercharger for vehicles, in particular passenger automobiles, as well as a device for putting the method into effect. In order to achieve a more rapid response of such a supercharged internal combustion engine, in particular on full load acceleration, there is to be increased during a short time, on acceleration of the internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas energy supplied to the turbine of the exhaust gas turbo-supercharger by action on the internal efficiency of the combustion engine. Thereby, the duration and/or the magnitude of the exhaust gas energy increase is to be controlled as a function of the magnitude of the desired acceleration of the internal combustion engine, i.e., e.g., the extent of the accelerator pedal actuation, and, additionally, by a parameter characterizing the state of charge of the compressor, e.g., the charge pressure or the supercharger speed.

Abstract: The invention is a solar-powered, Rankine cycle, two fluid, engine useable for many functions, especially for pumping liquids from the ground such as water or oil in remote locations. The engine driven by heat energy collected in standard collectors or in solar ponds utilizes a heated fluid such as water to transfer the heat from the collectors to a tank where a volatile working medium is transformed into a pressurized vapor. The heated working medium is then fed to a double acting cylinder where work is extracted from the working medium. The engine is a rather slow moving engine, with the valving controlled by electric switches which are driven by storage batteries. The storage batteries are continuously charged by solar energy. If the source of energy is heat collected by standard collectors, a tracking device for the collectors, also driven by solar power, is incorporated in order to attain high collection efficiencies. The engine is used to drive either mechanical or hydraulic pumping devices.

Abstract: An air supply bushing arrangement is disclosed for radial bridging of a double-walled flame tube structure. The bushings are designed to be inserted in a readily interchangeable fashion in the respective openings of an outer and inner flame tube section, each bushing having an annular spring element which is compressed upon insertion and which, after the bushing has reached the operating position, snaps into a circumferential groove disposed at the edge of the opening of one of the two flame tube sections.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the defrost and heating cycles of a transport refrigeration system for a straight truck, which refrigeration system includes a single refrigeration circuit selectively connectible to a compressor driven by the truck engine, or to a stand-by compressor driven by a motor connected to a stand-by source of electrical potential. The enhancement is achieved by slowly but continuously storing heat in an accumulator from the truck electrical system, or from the stand-by source of electrical potential, such that liquified refrigerant introduced into the accumulator during a defrost or heating cycle is immmediately vaporized. The slow but continuous rate of heat storage accumulates the requisite heat without unduly loading the truck electrical system or the truck engine.

Abstract: A residential heat pump installation includes a variable speed reciprocating compressor. The compressor speed control components, which include an inverter, are cooled by diverting the refrigerant liquid line into the closed controls compartment of the outdoor cabinet section and by passing the liquid line through a block of material therein upon which the compressor speed control components are mounted. The heat generated by the speed control components is transferred through the block of material and ultimately into the liquid refrigerant which is pumped through the liquid line by the operation of the compressor. Heat generated in the controls compartment is therefore removed from the compartment by system refrigerant in an manner which does not, to any significant degree, adversely affect the overall operation and efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A multi-type air conditioner has an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, a refrigeration cycle, an inverter, flow control valves, opening/closing valves, a first controller, a second controller, and a third controller. The outdoor unit has a variable-capability compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a pressure decreasing unit. Each indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigeration cycle has the variable-capability compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the pressure decreasing unit, and a parallel combination of the respective indoor heat exchangers connected in series. The inverter supplies drive power of a predetermined frequency to the capability variable compressor. The flow rate control valves are provided to the liquid-side refrigerant pipes of the respective indoor heat exchangers. The opening/closing valves are provided to the gas-side refrigerant pipes of the respective indoor heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heater/cooler unit specially adapted for motels, hotels, hospitals and like structures enables adjacent rooms to be cooled or heated by using certain commonly shared components. An evaporator is disposed in each of two adjacent rooms. The evaporators are connected to a common compressor and condenser disposed outside the rooms. Appropriate control mechanisms are provided to enable the evaporators to operate independently. The components are disposed in a housing which forms a portion of the exterior wall of the structure and a portion of the common wall of the rooms. Electrical strip heaters can be added to the evaporators to provide a heating capability. An alternative embodiment employs interior and exterior heat exchangers operated as heat pumps.

Abstract: The combination of a cooling tower and a tank containing packaged, eutectoid salt compositions. The tower provides cooled water to freeze the salt compositions, which are later used to chill water for air-conditioning a building.

Abstract: In the yarn tension regulating device for knitting machines in which the yarn (25) runs through a yarn tension sensor (24) and a yarn brake (20) automatically adjustable in dependence upon the indication of the yarn tension sensor, there is located directly in front of the automatically adjustable yarn brake (20), in the direction of travel of the yarn, a yarn forwarding device, in particular a yarn storage feeder (13), by which the tension imparted to the yarn on its path from the yarn spool to the yarn brake is relieved. Between the yarn brake (20) and the yarn tension sensor (24), which follows it in the direction of movement of the yarn, is located a known yarn take-up (21), whereby the automatically adjustable brake (20) constitutes the yarn brake usually provided for this yarn take-up.

Abstract: Cap members are placed at the lower end of the perforated bottom spool sleeve and at the top end of the perforated top spool sleeve of a series of package-containing spools mounted at a perforated tube or sword. The cap members prevent, during treatment of the package-containing spools with a suitable treatment fluid or agent like, for example, a dyeing or bleaching fluid, the escape of such treatment fluid at each of the connecting locations between the perforated sleeve of the bottom spool and a base plate as well as between the perforated sleeve of the top spool and a chuck-type or clamping closure member. The end portions of the perforated sleeves are constructed such that no treatment fluid can escape at the connecting locations between the perforated sleeves of adjacent spools in the series of package-containing spools mounted at the associated perforated tube.

Abstract: A multi purpose lock device is provided to be used with a hanger and other items such as a flashlight, radio, tape recorder, first aid kit, exit light, piggy bank, clock and smoke alarm or burglar alarm. The lock consists of a housing affixed to one of such items and a shackel which can be locked around any suitable pole, abutment, doorknob or the like.

Abstract: An internal or external annular surface of a ring which by cold-rolling is to be profiled with accompanying tangential expansion and substantial diametrical enlargement of the ring is preliminarily profiled by a metal-shaping process other than cold-rolling, the preliminary profile having distinctly defined lateral peripheral edges spaced from the lateral walls of the workpiece. The cold-rolling is effected by a cold rolling tool having formed on the working surface thereof facing the preliminarily profiled workpiece surface a profile which is shaped to make local contact with each of the edges of the preliminary profile of the ring and thereby begin compressively stressing the ring by the local contact before the cold rolling conforms the profile of the workpiece to the profile of the tool sufficiently to substantially increase the contact of the tool profile with the workpiece profile.

Abstract: An I-beam blank is rolled from a bloom by rolling into opposite edges of the bloom respective central triangular section notches of predetermined apex angle, apex radius of curvature, width, and height in a succession of roll passes. According to this invention the radius and apex angle of the notches are progressively increased a plurality of times during the succession of roll passes. Then the notches are pressed by rolling generally out of the bloom edges in at least one final rolling pass, thereby flattening these edges. The rolling passes are carried out between respective pairs of rolls having facing grooves bases and the roll pairs of the grooving steps are formed with respective triangular-section ridges complementary to the notches being formed. In addition the bloom is rolled repeatedly in the first pair of grooves until the material of the bloom flanking the notch mainly fills these grooves, that i until the bloom bottoms in the grooves.

Abstract: An ejector mechanism for multi-stage presses is disclosed. The pusher pin (3) runs inside of a slide (2). The pusher pin is supporter by a lever (6) on a cam curve (7) at the machine frame (1). The cam curve (7) is constructed such that it effects a resting of the pusher pin relative to the machine frame during the period of ejection. The work piece (4) is thereby maintained in an unchanged position between the matrix (34) and the pusher pin (3). The ejection process is interrupted by a lowering of the cam curve (7) by the control means (8). The pusher pin (3) returns to its withdrawn position relative to the slide (2). The pusher pin remains in the withdrawn position for the balance of the backward stroke. An adjustment of the stroke length is performed within the control means (8). A control cam curve (10) is provided, which is composed of several parts (11,12), which can be tilted against each other and which can be slid past each other.

Abstract: A safety tie down assembly is adapted for use with pulling apparatus of the type used in the repair of collision damage to motor vehicles. The pulling apparatus includes a post carrying a power cylinder attached to a pulling chain which passes over a guide pulley on the post and then to the vehicle so that force applied to the piston in the cylinder applies a pulling force to the vehicle through the pulling chain. The pulling force is counteracted by a primary anchor chain coupled to the post and extending to a floor anchor. The safety tie down assembly comprises a rigid anchor guide and support removably placed in the floor anchor and contacted by the primary anchor chain so that the restraining force in the primary anchor chain is evenly distributed at the edge of the floor anchor to prevent damage to the floor. A safety anchor line is connected to a separate location on the post assembly and is then connected to a ring-like cable carried on the rigid anchor guide and support.

Abstract: A calibration sequence and method for use with an electronic compass which allows for the separation of the vehicle's magnetic field from the earth's magnetic field so that the earth's field can be measured and used to give vehicle direction; such calibration sequence being done with a mirrored 180 degree re-orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A Sensor for measuring oxygen partial pressures in hot gases includes a semiconducting nonstoichiometric oxide material in the form of a solid solution in uranium dioxide UO.sub.2 of at least one other metal oxide having an oxygen/metal (O/M) ratio of less than two and a uranium/other metal (U/M) ratio such that the material has n-type conductivity. The sensor further includes at least one pair of electrodes contacting the nonstoichiometric oxide material at spaced apart locations for connection to a device for determining the resistance of the material between the electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus with which a sealed gas containing first container, which is disposed in a sealed inaccessible and not visually observable further container, can be detectably opened. A thermally inducible opening mechanism disposed in a gas flow or connecting path in the wall of the first container is actuated and the gas escaping through the connecting path is detected acoustically. Among other uses, the invention can be used, in particular, for containers having radioactive contents which can be manipulated, welded and leak checked only in hot cells. The method is particularly suitable for leak checking fuel element containers or molds containing highly radioactive vitrified waste since the closing member of the first container can be composed of a soft solder plug and this plug can be melted out by local heating.

Abstract: A method of determining the volume of a test fluid injected into a section of an underground cavity, and thereby also the volume of the section, utilizes pressurization data with respect to another fluid, such as brine, to derive a compressibility ratio according to one aspect of the invention which is used in conjunction with brine pressure values measured during test fluid injection to determine the cavity section volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting a plurality of samples of fluids in earth formations traversed by a wellbore includes control circuits for supplying power control signals to the subsurface instrument. The control circuits include circuitry for establishing electrical connection to the hydraulic power system of the instrument and after a preselected period of delay supplying power signals to a hydraulic pump motor and/or solenoid valve controls therein. Current is monitored by over-current protection circuitry. In the instance of a current overload, power signals are removed from the hydraulic power system and after a preselected period of delay the control circuits are disconnected from the instrument.

Abstract: The electronic monitor includes a level-sensing circuit, a reference circuit, a comparator circuit, and a logic circuit. The level sensing-circuit includes at least one level sensor positioned within the reservoir adjacent to and below a predetermined level. The reference circuit includes a reference sensor positioned in the air adjacent to the maximum allowed level for the material. A current source applies current to all the sensors. The comparator circuit compares the voltage across the reference sensor and the voltage across the level sensor and provides a difference voltage to a logic circuit that activates selective signaling devices depended upon the level of the monitored material. The sensors are preferably negative-coefficient thermistors.

Abstract: A crude oil sampling system that obtains and stores a representative sample of crude oil as the oil flows from a stock tank into a sales line. As crude oil flows from the storage tank during a finite period of time, a much smaller flow is diverted to a closed sample vessel. Accordingly, small sequential samples of the crude flowing from the stock tank is removed so that a true sample is protected within the closed vessel. Hence, the crude contained downstream of the stock tank changes in composition over a period of time while the crude contained within the sample vessel remains unchanged. When it is desired to evaluate the quality of the sample contained within the closed vessel, a circulation pump is energized and the contents of the sample vessel is thoroughly mixed. A hydrometer, including a thermometer associated therewith, is placed within a special gravity sample chamber which heretofore has been isolated from the sample vessel.

Abstract: A pressure transducer system which uses a Wheatstone bridge circuit to produce an electrical signal which is proportional to the amount of pressure exerted on it by gas or liquids, is disclosed. The Wheatstone bridge circuit is thermally isolated from the external environment using two diaphragms which are separated by a reservoir of silicone oil. This allows pressure to be hydraulically conveyed to the Wheatstone bridge circuit while preventing thermal contamination of the electrical signals produced by the Wheatstone bridge circuit. The pressure transducer also contains support circuitry which allows adjustment of the signals to and from the Wheatstone bridge circuit to enable the pressure transducer to be used with various electrical measuring equipment which has different operational ranges.

Abstract: A grip for a material testing load frame including a grip plate for engaging the end of an elongated sample having a longitudinal axis and a grip body having one end for connecting to the grip plate and another end for connecting to a loading component of the frame, a mechanism for adjusting the concentricity of the plate with respect to the body, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the plate with respect to the body, so that when the sample end is engaged by the plate, and the grip body is connected to the loading component, the longitudinal axis and the axis of the loading component can be aligned with respect to the concentricity and angle.

Abstract: An arrangement for mechanical measurement and for regulation of a pulling force of a tractor, has a bending-elastic element whose bending is sensed by a sensing device which acts on a lifting device for a three-point linkage of the tractor, wherein the bending-elastic element is formed as a pin which is hollow and supports one link of the linkage between two housing-fixed bearing points, and the sensing device has a gauge stick which extends inside the pin substantially between both housing-fixed bearing points.