Abstract: In the case of a spinning machine having several spinning stations which each comprise a drafting unit to which slivers are fed from cans by means of transport devices, one pair of delivery rollers respectively is provided, the delivery speed of which is lower by approximately 1% to approximately 2% than the feeding speed of the pair of feeding rollers of the drafting unit.

Abstract: A process for the piecing of a yarn end on a open-end spinning machine. The yarn is backfed a first time from a cross-wound package, the backfeeding is interrupted and the yarn is clamped at a predetermined distance from the package and the free end is cut. The backfeeding is then resumed for a predetermined period of time and the yarn is temporarily stored between the clamping point and the package. The stored yarn is then wound onto the package in a plurality of parallel windings upon a predetermined generating line. The yarn clamp is released to backfeed the yarn remaining in the temporary storage device and to stretch or tension the yarn between the package and the backfeeding means. The yarn is reclamped and the excess yarn is cut to a predetermined length. The yarn is backfed to the spinning rotor of the open-end spinning machine to combine with fibers in the rotor to piece up the yarn, which is then drawn off the rotor and wound onto the package.

Abstract: A chip collecting system for a bobbin replacing apparatus wherein roving chips and fleece are temporarily accommodated in a chip collecting chamber of the bobbin replacing apparatus through a suction pipe. Upon arrival of the bobbin replacing apparatus to a position that opposes a chip removing system, a communicating member is connected to the chip removing system to communicate the chamber to the outside, whereupon the roving chips in the chamber are removed by the chip removing system.

Abstract: A split clevis which is especially suited for suspending heat transfer chain from hangers in rotary kilns is disclosed. The clevis comprises first and second arms and an opening is provided at one end of each arm for receiving an end link of a chain. In a chain assembly including the clevis, the end link connects the rest of the links in the chain to the first and second arms. A support shaft is provided on the first arm. The support shaft has a first portion, adjacent to the second end of the first arm to which it is attached. The first portion of the support shaft is received in the hanger aperture. A second, end portion of the support shaft has a reduced diameter and there is a shoulder between the first and second portions of the support shaft. An aperture is provided in the second arm for receiving the second, end portion of the support shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a fuel control system of a turbine engine powerplant. Various construction details have been developed which provide means to generate a backup command current for controlling the fuel flow rate to the turbine engine powerplant. In one embodiment, a means to generate a backup command current includes means to convert a fuel flow derivative to a backup command current using known hardware characteristics and an estimated null bias signal. The backup command current is input to a switch along with a command current generated by comparing a reference signal to a feedback signal from a metering valve. The switch responds to means for failure recognition which detects failures in the sensing of the feedback signal. The switch responds to a failure of the feedback signal by inputting the backup command current to a torque motor for controlling a metering valve position.

Abstract: A mixture of urea, ammonia, and water is injected into the exhaust of jet engines to lower the amount of NO.sub.x emitted from jet engines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas turbine engine with a circumferentially disposed plurality of pivotal flow splitters between compressor sections to bleed off flow and remove particles, particularly ice in the case of an aircraft fan-jet gas turbine engine, by pivoting the leading edge of the splitter into the compressor flow thereby using the total pressure Q of the flow to drive bleed flows overboard and remove particles.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine has a base and a housing rotatably mounted to the base and forming a radial cylinder. An output shaft is rotatably mounted concentrically with the housing and has an arm rigidly extending therefrom. A piston slides in the cylinder for forming a combustion chamber, the piston being operatively connected to the arm. Relative rotational movement between the housing and the output shaft causes the piston to reciprocate in the cylinder. Rotation of the housing is caused by expansion of exhaust gases from the cylinder passing through a turbine which is fixedly connected to the housing. Adjustable stator blades are mounted to the base downstream of the turbine. Stop means are arranged on the shaft for limiting the relative movement between the shaft and the housing. Brake means are arranged on the base and the housing for facilitating starting and stopping sequences of the engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine having internally cooled thermal barrier coated turbine blades is disclosed. The turbine blades are made from an alloy substrate exhibiting a low coefficient of thermal expansion, an intermediate bond coating and an exterior ceramic coating. Cooling fluid is supplied from the shaft of the compressor where it flows into and out of the turbine blade. Thermal barrier coated turbine blades result in more efficient gas turbine designs.

Abstract: To connect an external fuel line to an internal fuel line feeding an internal fuel manifold in a combustor of a gas turbine engine, a fitting includes a first joint half terminating the internal fuel line and a second joint half terminating the external fuel line; the joint halves being united to provide a threaded fluid joint. The first joint half is integrally formed with a cup-shaped reservoir containing the fluid joint and having an outwardly turned brim which is affixed to a combustor casing in surrounding relation to a casing hole. The reservoir thus serves to shunt mechanical loadings from the fluid joint and to collect any fuel leakage therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting deterioration of a catalyst of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder banks in such a manner that the deterioration of the catalyst can be assuredly discriminated regardless of the presence of deviation of a control phase with respect to each cylinder bank. The influence of change of the air/fuel ratio can be eliminated considerably by reducing the air/fuel ratio correction coefficient for a right bank, or by also using the correction coefficient for the left bank as that for the right bank to cause the phases of them to be synchronized with each other, or by dither-controlling the right bank. Therefore, the change of the air/fuel ratio with respect to the left bank can be assuredly detected while necessitating one sub air/fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting device comprising a first air-fuel ratio sensor and a second air-fuel ratio sensor which are arranged in the exhaust passage upstream and downstream of the catalyst, respectively. When the air-fuel ratio of the mixture fed into the engine is changed over from the lean air-fuel ratio to the rich air-fuel ratio (A/F).sub.R, the air-fuel ratio detected by the second air-fuel ratio sensor is changed to the rich air-fuel ratio (A/F)'.sub.R after it is maintained at the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio for a time .DELTA.T.sub.R. The deterioration of the catalyst is detected based on the difference .DELTA.(A/F) between (A/F).sub.R and (A/F)'.sub.R.

Abstract: A device for determining a deterioration of a catalytic converter for an engine equipped with a catalytic converter disposed in the exhaust passage and upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors disposed in the exhaust passage upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter, respectively, wherein the device calculates the lengths of the output response curves of the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors LVOM and LVOS, respectively, and the areas surrounded by the output response curves and a reference voltage line of the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors AVOM and AVOS, respectively, the device determining whether or not the catalyst is deteriorated in accordance with the relationship between the ratio LVOS/LVOM and the ratio AVOS/AVOM.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe of an internal-combustion engine in which self-regulating throttle element is arranged behind the catalyst. In the warm-up phase of the internal-combustion engine, the throttle element closes off the exhaust pipe almost completely. The resulting increased exhaust back pressure causes a higher mass flow rate of the engine, whereby the exhaust gas temperature rises and the catalyst is warmed up rapidly.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a fluid coupling which comprises: a pump impeller connected to the output shaft of an engine; and a turbine runner for transferring a working fluid to and from the pump impeller. On the pump impeller and the turbine runner, respectively, there are arranged a pump blade and a turbine blade without any inner core for guiding the flow of the working fluid inside of the pump impeller and the turbine runner. By bending at least one of the working fluid outlet side of the pump blade and the working fluid inlet side of the turbine blade, there is formed transfer limit means for limiting the transfer of the working fluid when the fluid coupling is in a stalling state.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible top has hydraulic cylinders for moving the top between extreme raised and lowered positions. The cylinders each have a pair of fluid translating ports each connected to ports in an elongated housing. A reversible hydraulic pump is in one end of the housing, while a reservoir is in the other end, separated by a pump cap. The pump cap houses two fluid circuits each connected to a housing port and each including an end of cycle hydraulic locking device which comprises a normally-closed valve and a valve actuator in each circuit. In one direction of pump operation, one of the valves is opened by pressure fluid in the one circuit to enable the outflow of the pressure fluid to the cylinders. The other valve is forced open by its actuator, in response to pressure in the one circuit, to enable the return flow of fluid to the pump through the other circuit. The one valve closes when the pump ceases operation, preventing fluid backflow through the one circuit to the pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic striking device requiring no complicated adjustment of the flow rate of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pressure source of a hydraulic construction machine, etc. and operable by utilizing the power unit of a variety of such hydraulic machines. The adjusting valve (8) is disposed inside the main body near the control valve (5) and used to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid ejected from the upper piston chamber (16) and passed through the control valve (5) with respect to the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied into the upper chamber (12) before flown from the outlet (11) to control the pressure in the upper piston chamber (16). Thus, a nearly constant, appropriate operating pressure can automatically be maintained irrespectively of the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid supplied from outside.

Abstract: A pilot-actuated, pressure-compensated flow and directional control valve assembly (11) is provided in which a main valve spool (95) is positioned in response to a pressure differential between a pilot chamber (119) and a reaction chamber (117). Flow of fluid from an inlet port (29) is controlled by means of a pilot valve assembly (97), into the pilot chamber (119), while fluid flows out of the pilot chamber (119) through a fixed orifice (67) to a pump load sense port (61). The main valve spool (95) acts as an inlet compensator. If the pressure at a load L is above inlet pressure, the main valve spool (95) acts as an inlet check, preventing reverse flow. If there is a higher load pressure at another load circuit in the system, such as a steering valve S, there will be an increase in pressure in the reaction chamber (117), thus closing off the main spool (95), reducing the flow from the inlet port (29) to the work port (47), and giving more priority to the steering valve S.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a hydraulic circuit apparatus for supplying pressurized fluid into cylinders for a work implement arranged such that during normal operation of the work implement the flow rate of fluid discharged by a pump is controlled such that the difference between the discharge pressure of the pump and the load pressure is always kept constant, whilst during inching operation of the work implement the flow rate of fluid discharged by the pump is reduced.

Abstract: Energy recovery apparatus for recovering and using thermal energy comprises multiple series of shape memory elements having decreasing transformation temperatures from one element to the next in the direction of a heating fluid to extract heat over a range of fluid temperatures to effect a shape change of each element. Cooling fluid is flowed alternately through each series of elements to cool the elements and effect another shape change. The cooling fluid exiting a preceding series of elements is used as the heating fluid of the next series of elements to extract further heat indirectly from the original heating fluid. The shape changes of the elements are converted to mechanical work.

Abstract: A cartridge for selectively permitting flow from a master cylinder includes a cartridge body formed with an axial passage extending from a first end to a second end of the cartridge body. A cartridge stem is disposed in the axial passage and is movable in the axial passage between a closed position, in which the cartridge stem blocks flow between the first and second ends of the cartridge body, and an open position, in which the cartridge stem permits flow between the first and second ends of the cartridge body. A method for installing a master cylinder assembly, the master cylinder assembly including a master cylinder provided with a cartridge, in a fluid pressure control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Structure for caging a return spring of a master cylinder to define limits for an operational chamber. The structure includes a first cylindrical member which engages a first piston and a second cylindrical member which engages a second piston with the return spring being located between the first and second cylindrical members. A stud which has an irregular shaped end member is retained in a groove in the second piston by the second cylindrical member and mated with a head member to define the limits for the return spring between the first and second cylindrical members and correspondingly the maximum size of the chamber within a bore of a master cylinder.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a combustor section using an axial prediffuser with an off-axis cowl passage formed by a diffuser outer wall and a combustor outer cowl. Flow from the prediffuser is split into intermediate outer and inner shroud passages and then the intermediate outer passage is further split into a outer shroud passage and a combustor cowl passage which supplies air to the fuel nozzles. The outer passage and cowl flow split is delayed to improved pressure supply and flow distribution to the outer passage.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor is provided with a combustor liner film cooling means having a slotted nugget or ring for starting a cooling film on and upstream of a multi-hole single wall sheet metal combustor liner which is generally annular in shape and having disposed therethrough a multi-hole film cooling means which includes at least one pattern of small closely spaced film cooling holes sharply angled in the downstream direction. In one embodiment the cooling holes are angled in a circumferential direction which generally coincides with the swirl angle of the flow along the surface of the liner. Another embodiment provides a that the annular liner is corrugated so as to form an axially extending wavy wall to help resist buckling which is particularly useful for outer liners in the combustion section of aircraft gas turbine engines and in the exhaust section of gas turbine engines and afterburners.

Abstract: A dehumidifying apparatus with an electronic refrigeration unit includes a thermoelectric unit, a DC power source, and absorbing and liberating heat exchangers. The thermoelectric unit includes a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements, heat absorbing electrodes, P-type thermoelectric elements, and heat liberating electrodes electrically connected in series. The DC power source supplies DC current to the N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements serially connected through the heat absorbing and heat liberating electrodes. The absorbing and liberating heat exchanger are integrated with the heat absorbing and liberating electrodes, respectively. A heat liberating surface of the liberating heat exchanger is formed at a position different from the absorbing heat exchanger. The absorbing and liberating heat exchangers include heat absorbing and liberating fins, respectively. A notch is formed in one side of each of the heat liberating fins so that a part of a heat absorbing fin fits the notch.

Abstract: According to this invention, a gas supply apparatus includes a bomb, a mass flow controller, a valve, and a heating means. The bomb is filled with a liquid gas. The mass flow controller controls a flow rate of an evaporated gas supplied from the bomb to supply the liquid gas having a vapor pressure lower than an atmospheric pressure to a vacuum vessel evacuated at a predetermined degree of vacuum through a long pipe. A valve is arranged between the bomb and the mass flow controller and performs supply/interruption of the gas flowing into the mass flow controller. A heater heats the mass flow controller, the valve, and a pipe for connecting the mass flow controller and the valve.

Abstract: To prevent icing in an auxiliary refrigerated air system utilized in jet aircraft for environmental control purposes, wherein high pressure, high temperature input air bleed from the engine compressor is boosted in pressure and temperature, cooled in a heat exchanger and expanded in a turbine to produce refrigerated output air flowing through an output duct, a portion of the input air is diverted to warm appropriate parts of the expansion turbine to prevent ice accretion thereto. To prevent icing of the output duct, input air is also diverted to warm the duct wall. Alternatively, the engine fuel line is coiled about the output duct in heat exchanging relation to warm the duct wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-airconditioner including a plurality of outdoor units and at least one indoor units in which refrigerant conduits connecting the outdoor units and the at least one indoor units are united in the form of two or three conduits. In the case of the multi-airconditioner for effecting either room-cooling or room-heating, each of the outdoor units and each of the indoor units have a liquefied refrigerant conduit and a gasified refrigerant conduit, which are connected with a single common liquefied refrigerant conduit and a single common gasified refrigerant conduit, respectively.

Abstract: A holding device for use with body adornments such as necklaces, bracelets, anklets, waist chains and the like so that the body adornment may be held in place on a wearer's body to prevent the body adornment from becoming displaced thereby maintaining proper orientation of the body adornment on the wearer's body. The holding device further allows the wearer to easily and readily adjust the effective length of the body adornment. The holding device utilizes removably replaceable adhesive that affixes the body adornment to a wearer's skin or clothing, the adhesive being of the type suitable for energetic activity as well as humid conditions. Also disclosed is a method for attaching a body adornment to the wearer's body or clothing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a circular knitting machine for making plush fabric. The circular knitting machine has a needle cylinder fitted with knitting needles, a sinker ring fitted with sinkers, wherein the sinkers have edges adapted to handle a ground yarn and a plush yarn, and at least one knitting system. For independent adjustment to the stitch size and the plush yarn loops, a cylinder cam section has an adjustable cam part which serves to adjust the length of the plush yarn loops. A cam part independent therefrom and also adjustable serves to adjust the stitch size. This cam part can be arranged either in the sinker cam or the cylinder cam.

Abstract: An operation panel for use in a washing machine includes a display unit with a circular liquid crystal display having a central display section for displaying the name of a washing course and circumferential display sections for displaying the names of steps of the washing course and an electrically conductive transparent sheet disposed on the display screen of the display unit. The conductive sheet has portions corresponding to the display sections of the display unit respectively. Selecting switching elements responsive to the touch of user's finger are formed on these portions of the conductive sheet.

Abstract: A security device having an elongate, flexible cable with a preformed coil, with the coil being defined by at least three turns of cable which extend and retract to allow the effective length of the cable to be altered. At least a first and second of the turns are connected to each other to control the tendency of the coil to tangle as the coil is extended and retracted in use. A structure is provided on the cable to allow connection of the cable to an article to be secured.

Abstract: A security device for securing an article against theft comprises a flexible cable having first and second opposite ends, and a housing member defining a cavity for receiving the cable. The housing member has a wall formed with an opening through which the cable may extend. A cable retainer retains the first end of the cable substantially stationarily inside the housing. On withdrawing the second end of the cable from the housing, no substantial return force tending to retract the cable into the housing is generated.

Abstract: A device for discouraging theft of a bicycle includes a first tube member attached to the bicycle handlebar and a second tube member attached to the bicycle fork. One of the tube members has apertures carrying rolling bodies, and the other of the tube members has recesses for receiving the rolling bodies. The tube members are concentrically rotatable. A cam member is provided for urging the rolling bodies into the recesses to fix the tube members against relative rotation, thereby enabling steering of the bicycle. The cam member is operable to a position wherein the rolling bodies are free to become retracted into the apertures, thereby decoupling the tube members and disabling steering of the bicycle.

Abstract: A key-operated lock has a shell mounted securely in a closure, and a removable lock-actuator cartridge insertable into and withdrawal from the shell to facilitate changing the tumbler disk combination in the lock. The cartridge includes an annular hollow housing seatable in the shell, and a tumbler disk carrier telescopically insertable into the housing. The carrier and associated tumbler disks are rotatable within the housing to operate the lock. An anti-damage feature comprises the cartridge being insertable into the open front end of the shell. A thickened rear wall of the shell reinforces the cartridge against destructive attack by rod and hammer action exerted on the front face of the lock. Principal features are quick changing of the tumbler disk pattern, and a rigid damage-resistant lock structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning both upper and lower horizontal rolls in a roll stand. More particularly, it relates to a roll stand having horizontal rolls with electromechanical and hydraulic adjustments of the upper roll, and electromechanical adjustment of the lower roll, as well as position sensors associated with the adjustments. The method allows for the automatic adjusting and centering or aligning of the upper and lower horizontal rolls in a such a roll stand.

Abstract: A hand operated tool is provided having a working head and a pair of handles. The handles are operably connected to each other and to the working head. The handles are each made of a one-piece polymer member which can indicate wear of the handles at their connection to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-processing a stainless steel to be cold-rolled comprising: annealing and pickling means having a mechanical descaling device and a pickling device; rolling means consisting of rolls arranged to be two or more stages; and means capable of applying liquid lubricant at a thin thickness to a work roll of the rolling means.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure deforming a hollow workpiece having a tubular end portion has a die formed with a cavity adapted to receive the workpiece with the end portion of the workpiece projecting out of the die and a fitting movable along an axis toward and away from the die and formed with a seat sealingly engageable in a feed position over the projecting end portion of the workpiece. An annular self-tightening gland in the seat circumferentially engages in the feed position around the projecting end portion of the workpiece. A passage opening in the seat into the hollow workpiece when the fitting is engaged over the projecting end portion serves for pressurizing an interior of the workpiece and thereby deforming it outward against an inner surface of the die and for pressing the gland radially tightly against the workpiece and against the fitting.

Abstract: A female grooving roll for use in the roll-grooving of thin-walled metal pipe has the capability of being self-tracking, thus eliminating the need for mechanical or manual skewing of the pipe during the rolling operation to prevent spiraling of the pipe off the female grooving roll, the female grooving roll being in the form of a frustum of a cone having either axially straight, axially stepped or axially curvilinear sides.

Abstract: A system for calibrating an internal balance used in the testing of scale models in wind tunnels including a base; apparatus for rigidly connecting a first portion of an internal balance to the base; force adaptor apparatus for rigidly engaging a second portion of the internal balance; apparatus for securing the force adaptor apparatus to the base, including apparatus for applying selected loads to the force adaptor apparatus so as to cause a corresponding loading on the internal balance; and low friction apparatus for coupling the force adaptor apparatus to the apparatus for securing, including apparatus for transmitting a direct force from the apparatus for applying selected loads to the force adaptor apparatus via a load point whose position relative to the force adaptor apparatus is substantially constant.

Abstract: A heater control device for an air-fuel ratio sensor which comprises: an air-fuel ratio sensor comprising a sensor element which detects an air-fuel ratio state of exhaust gas of an engine, and a heater which heats the sensor elements; a heater current flow control means for controlling a value of a resistance of the heater to be a target resistance value; a harness having a couple of couplers at both ends thereof which connects between the air-fuel ratio sensor and the heater current flow control means; and a current detecting resistance which is incorporated in the coupler on the air-fuel ratio sensor side, or provided adjacent to said coupler on the air-fuel ratio sensor side, and which is connected to the heater in series and detects current of the heater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring particulates in a combustion gas is accomplished by dividing the combustion gas into a first and second sample gas. The first sample gas is filtered to remove particulates to create a reference gas sample. A combustion furnace can heat both the reference gas sample and the sample gas to oxidize any particulates in the sample gas. A gas analyzer that is connected to the furnace can detect the gas components in, respectively, the reference gas sample and the sample gas, and a comparison of the detected results can determine the concentration of particulates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating an obstruction, leak or fault in an electrical cable segment, and determining the extent thereof, comprising a method and apparatus for supplying an interruptible pressurized gas to the cable's interstitial void space, first and second valves for directing the flow of the gas, a first device for acquiring data on the flow rate of gas to or from the interstitial void space and generating a first electronic signal proportional thereto, the first flow data acquisition device being in gaseous communication with the first valve, a second device for acquiring data on the flow rate of gas to or from the interstitial void space and generating a second electronic signal proportional thereto, the second flow data acquisition device also in gaseous communication with the second valve, and a method and apparatus for numerically relating the first and second electronic signals generated by the first and second data acquisition devices to determine the location and extent of the leak or

Abstract: A method of determining leaks and loose couplings in a pipe system which transfers liquid medium, and an apparatus for implementing that method. The pipe system includes a conduit having a beginning, an end, an inner pipe which carries the liquid medium and an outer pipe which surrounds the inner pipe. The conduit has a filler material which fills in an annular space between the inner and outer pipes. The leaks and loose couplings are detected and isolated by measuring only resistances of the filler material between the beginning of the conduit and ground yielding a first resistance value, between the end of the conduit and ground obtaining a second resistance value, and finally between the beginning of the conduit and the end of the conduit obtaining a third resistance value. The defect is then detected and located in the conduit using the first, second and third resistance values.

Abstract: A parallel plate dielectric viscometer is provided for measuring the viscty of a substance having differing substance dielectric properties at differing substance viscosities. Two electrodes are disposed in opposition to each other forming a variable dielectric cell having a dielectric distance between the electrodes. The viscosity of the substance is varied and force is applied to the substance to vary the dielectric distance according to the varying viscosity. The rate of change of the dielectric distance with respect to time is used to determine the viscosity of the substance. The viscosity may be varied by heating the substance and force may be applied to the substance by way of one of the electrodes such that the dielectric distance between the electrodes decreases as the substance becomes more viscous. A fixed cell may also be provided in order to correct for the effects of chemical changes in the substance.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided for determining relative proportions of at least two materials forming a liquid and having different densities and different responses to light. A transparent capillary size cuvette tube confines the sample liquid, and is attached radially on a rotor wheel, preferably by a holder which seals an outer end of the tube and provides a package for manipulation of the tube without exposure to the sample. A motor controlled by a processor turns the rotor wheel, separating the materials by their densities. A linear light source illuminates the tube, and a linear array of photosensors defining pixels produces a signal which varies where the different materials abut. The pixels are counted, to locate the stratum between materials and the result is displayed as a percentage of total volume, suitable for hematocrit measurements. The cuvette tube has a fin for assisting in manipulation, is shaped as an elongated lens, and is cut to a spherical end surface to assist in sample collection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting meso-scale rainfall simulations and runoff collections. The apparatus includes a system for continuously applying to a test plot simulated rainfall having a droplet size spectrum, an impact velocity, a spatial uniformity and an intensity simulating natural rainfall. Additionally, the apparatus includes a collector assembly for collecting runoff from the test plot for analysis. In accordance with the present method, natural rainfall for a geographic area including the test plot is studied in order to determine the drop size spectrum, drop impact velocity, spatial uniformity and intensity of the rainfall. A sprayer or irrigation head is then selected providing a droplet size spectrum closely resembling that of the natural rainfall to be simulated. Next, the spacing between and relative height of the irrigation heads is adjusted to ensure that the spatial uniformity, intensity and drop impact velocity resemble that of the natural rainfall to be simulated.

Abstract: A testing and bleeding apparatus incorporates an adapter rack, an adapter cable and a bleed cable harness for connecting the main unit of the apparatus to an automatic braking system. An adapter rack hold down assembly is used to secure the apparatus in order to allow in flight testing of the ABS. The apparatus incorporates bypass switch panels, a test switch and indicator light panels to test the circuitry and components of the ABS. The apparatus also incorporates a voltmeter, a meter select switch to tap into selected ABS circuits, a test lead and sets of test jacks to test each individual ABS wire as well as other selected components of the ABS.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining horizontal and/or vertical permeability measurements through a probe having an elongate aperture. The invention uses the elongate aperture in the probe to orient fluid flow in an earth formation horizontally or vertically. The elongate aperture is approximated through the use of a single elongate opening or through the use of a group of aligned openings of varying shapes. Measurements can be taken at different orientations by including additional probe openings along more than one axis.