Abstract: A refrigerated salad bowl for maintaining the contents thereof at a temperature that is substantially below the temperature of the ambient environment, the salad bowl including a substantially concave shaped interior bowl, a substantially concave shaped exterior bowl, the interior bowl and the exterior bowl each having a rim, the interior bowl being substantially smaller than the exterior bowl and being disposed substantially within the exterior bowl to thereby form a chamber therebetween, a surface joining the rim of the interior bowl and the rim of the exterior bowl, the surface bounding, at least in part, the chamber, a vent hole communicating with the chamber and provided in the surface joining the rims of the interior and exterior bowls, and a lid for covering the interior bowl.

Abstract: A horizontal-installation-type scroll compressor requiring small installation space adopts a technique which can reduce the amount of refrigerating machine oil circulating through the refrigeration cycle. By using this scroll compressor, an air conditioner is provided whose unit body has a reduced depth and which has satisfactory ventilation efficiency and cyclic efficiency.The scroll compressor includes a closed container which is separated into a section lodging an electric motor and a compression mechanism and a section where a discharge pipe is provided. Refrigerating machine oil is stored in the section including the discharge pipe in order to ensure the requisite amount of refrigerating machine oil. An oil separation mechanism is provided in the passage of the refrigerant gas so that refrigerant gas containing little amount of refrigerating machine oil may be sent out from the discharge pipe.

Abstract: An absorption heat pump and a cogeneration system are provided to have high efficiency of utilizing exhaust heat. An absorption heat pump having an evaporator, an absorber, a high-temperature regenerator, a low-temperature regenerator and a condenser is combined with a fuel cell such that the pump includes a cycle in which vapor exhaust heat from the fuel cell is used as a heat source for the evaporator and the high-temperature regenerator, and another cycle in which warm-water exhaust heat from the fuel cell is used as a heat source for the low-temperature regenerator.

Abstract: A miniature cryosorption vacuum pump capable of producing intermediate vacuums on the order of about 10.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-4 torr is provided which includes a closed cycle Stirling cycle refrigerator. The overall weight of the miniature cryosorption vacuum pump (including the refrigerator) is less than about 2.5 kg, making the miniature cryosorption vacuum pump particularly suitable for portable or field use. The miniature cryosorption vacuum pump may be used as a roughing pump in various applications which require intermediate vacuum rough pumping or as a high vacuum pump where low pumping rates are required at pressures down to 5.times.10.sup.-5 torr.

Abstract: In the invention the blade is an "Z" like shaped plate consisting of two pitched or inclined edges for cutting grass with two opposite curved sides having series of vanes disposed on their top surface that increase the output of air power of the said blade, and a disposed through hole that accommodate the power lawn mower blade shaft for securing the blade thereto.

Abstract: There are disclosed improvements in flat knitting machines incorporating a plurality of carriages which respectively adjust the forward and backward movement of knitting needles mounted on respective needle beds, a pair of yarn guide rails which are respectively secured above and in the longitudinal direction of respective needle beds, and a plurality of yarn feeders which respectively feed yarns to knitting needles in association with those yarn guide rails while the carriages run themselves. The improvements comprise novel apparatus for arranging the yarn feeding apertures of the yarn feeders by lowering same to a predetermined position while controlling the shifting movement and stopping operation of the yarn feeders.

Abstract: A yarn tensioner or brake for textile knitting machines having several tensioners on a support rod, each tensioner having a pair of tension cups which are pressed against each other by compressed springs supported from a stationary support. In a first embodiment, a stationary tension cup forms the stationary support and a floating tension cup alternates with respect to a stationary tension cup of an adjacent tensioner. The stationary tension cups have cylindrical protruding guides which slip fit into and guide the floating tension cups. In another embodiment, a stationary support supports compressed springs on both sides. The stationary support is formed of a circular support wall which has cylindrical protrusions on opposing sides and sized to slip fit into respective floating tension cups. A pair of stationary supports positioned on the support rod to support and guide opposing floating tension cups against each other. Each respective floating tension cup is driven by a respective coil spring.

Abstract: A tubular textile insert for strengthening material is made of a stack of successive layers of parallel and interlinked threads. More particularly, there is a first-direction layer defining a cylindrical shape and form by several parallel threads arranged in a spiral relative to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. A second cylindrical layer is also formed in a cylindrical shape by several parallel threads arranged in a spiral, but at a pitch in the opposite direction to the spiral pitch of the first layer. The cylindrical shape defines a plurality of generating lines that are angularly spaced apart from one another and extend generally parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. Several binding threads are arranged parallel to the generating lines and link the threads of the first and second layers together without piercing or crossing those threads of the first and second layers.

Abstract: A dynamic balancer for a laundry apparatus having a rotatable drum for receiving a clothes load. The rotatable drum has a horizontal geometric axis and is rotatably supported to rotate about its horizontal geometric axis. The rotatable drum includes a generally cylindrical outer wall defining the horizontal geometric axis, a first disk and a second disk. The first disk is provided for forming a first end wall of the drum and includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The second disk is provided for forming a second end wall of the drum, opposite the first end wall, and also includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The annular concentric chambers are partially filled with fluid for balancing the rotatable drum. In operation, the rotatable drum is subject to an out-of-balance mass as a result of uneven distribution of the clothes load within the drum.

Abstract: In an automatic washer drive system, a planetary gear arrangement is provided including an input drive shaft being drivingly connected to a motor at one end and having a sun gear interconnected with a second end. A plurality of cylindrical plastic planet gears are disposed around and engage the sun gear. A plastic unitary carrier member rotatably supports the planet gears and further interconnects with an output drive shaft for causing rotation of an agitator. A gear housing surrounds the cylindrical planetary gears which engage an internal ring gear disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the gear housing. The plastic unitary carrier member is configured to include a plate portion which extends outwardly in the radial direction with respect to the output drive shaft. A plurality of the cylindrical pin portions extend from the plate portion in the longitudinal direction with respect to the output drive shaft. These cylindrical pin portions provide the rotatable support of the cylindrical planet gears.

Abstract: A shackleless padlock system is provided which includes a lock mechanism having a cylindrical body both protruding from one end thereof with a key-operating locking pin which retractably protrudes from the lock mechanism from a first to a second position for selectively engaging portions of a padlock body in order to either provide bolt engagement with the pad-lock body or for guiding a lock mechanism within the padlock body. Access to the locking pin in order that the lock mechanism may easily be removed and replaced with a different lock mechanism.

Abstract: A lock structure for mounting between first and second supporting surfaces including a cup mounted on the first surface, a housing mounted on the cup, a rocker arm located within the housing and pivotally mounted on the cup, a keeper mounted on the second supporting surface, interengaging surfaces between the rocker arm and the keeper for effecting a locking relationship therebetween, a spring located between the housing and the rocker arm to bias the rocker arm in a locking position relative to the keeper, and an actuator shaft keyed to the rocker arm and rotatably mounted in the housing and having a curvilinear groove therein for receiving a mating key for pivoting the actuator shaft and the rocker arm keyed thereto out of locking engagement with the keeper.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle brake-pedal locking device (10) that mechanically maintains the vehicle brake-pedal (60) in a depressed position to prevent the vehicle from being driven. The device includes a horizontally and vertically pivoting brake-pedal swing-arm interfacing structure (12) that is disclosed in two designs. Both designs include a channel (12A),(38C) that engages the brake-pedal swing-arm (62). To the back end (18B),(34B) of the structure (12) is attached the back end (50B of a locking tube (50). Inserted into this locking tube (50), is a locking rod (52) having attached to its back end (52B) a forked section (56A) that attaches to a vehicle seat (64). The device is installed by placing the structure (12) over the swing-arm (62) and the forked section (56A) secured to the seat (64). The device (10) is then depressed to place the brake-pedal (60) in a depressed position in which position the device is locked in place.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle comprises a steering wheel 10 having a centre boss 12 mounting the steering wheel onto a steering column 11. The boss is slidable axially of the steering column between a first position in which complementary splines 14/15 on the steering column and boss engage each other to secure the steering wheel and steering column for co-rotation and a second position in which the splines are disengaged so that the steering wheel is freely rotatable on the steering column. A lock 21 can secure the steering wheel in a selected one of the first and second axial positions by engaging in a groove 17 or 18 in the steering column.

Abstract: A code lock device comprising an actuator responding to a release operation and a locking operation, and an actuation which performs reciprocating motion and normal and reverse rotation. A plurality of dials for setting a release code series and a plurality of drive plates each of which responds to each dial and integrally rotates with each actuation shaft are provided on the actuation shaft, and a dial enforced reset mechanism is equipped between each drive plate and each corresponding dial. This dial enforced reset mechanism makes each drive plate and each corresponding dial engage each other by an engaging means in response to reciprocating motion and normal and reverse rotation of the actuation shaft in the case of the release operation or the locking operation, and makes each dial forcibly rotate to break the release code series in response to rotation of the actuation shaft.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing workpieces (6) and a device for effecting the same are related to the field of plastic metal working and can be used in the machine building industry. In order to improve the precision and strength of the workpieces (6) and to extend their service life, the workpiece blank is subdivided into heating zones, loading zones and cooling zones. The number of deforming steps is determined, the workpiece (6) is deformed under creeping conditions with stresses below the limit of elasticity, and, to avoid irreversible deformations, the stresses are relaxed. For this purpose, the thermal chamber (1) is provided with a multisectional housing (7) which has its sections (8) connected pivotally with each other where each section (8) has its own heater (2) and cooler (9), and within each of the zones a portion of the workpiece blank (6) is to be positioned which has the same geometrical and thermal physical properties throughout it.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slippage. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A procedure and an apparatus for forming a rectangular collar at the end of a pipe (16) shape the pipe using a forming element (8) which is moved in the axial direction of the pipe (16) towards the pipe (16) and rotated along the edge surface of the pipe end about the longitudinal axis of the pipe. In the procedure, a conical collar is first produced, whereupon the forming element (8) is moved in the axial direction of the pipe away from the pipe (16) and turned to a position where its forming face is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, whereupon a rectangular collar is formed.

Abstract: A shaped groove countermatrix for a rotary groove pulley matrix and a countermatrix head pipe bending machine has a semicircular cross-sectional tract and an end tract (2) tapered, both longitudinally and transversely, according to substantially elliptic profiles (20). The end tract (2) has its cross section substantially determined by the arcs (4, 4') of two ellipses (12) with their major axes (6, 6') parallel to and slightly offset with respect to a plane (8) of longitudinal symmetry of the groove (10). The tapering of the end tract (2) starts from a substantially parabolic profile (14) which has its axis on the plane (8) of longitudinal symmetry of the groove (10) and its vertex (16) at a short distance from the exit edge (18) of the groove (10). A well (22) allows for feeding a lubricating fluid onto the groove (10) which is in fluid communication therewith through a hole (24) via a wick (24'). A check valve ( 26) allows recharge of the well (22) with the lubricating fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing smooth, continuous arcuate contour bends in tubes used, for example, in the manufacture of fuel manifolds for gas turbine engines. A flexible die cavity circumscribing an arbor member with an integral adjustment feature are utilized to provide means for modifying the radius of curvature of the forming die cavity to compensate for variable tube spring back characteristics. A first embodiment provides for infinite adjustment of radius of curvature within range limits, while an alternate embodiment provides for incremental adjustment. Means are also provided to lock the adjustment feature once the desired radius of curvature has been achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a straightener with rollers, that can be used in particular for straightening steel bars for concrete.

Abstract: A rolling mill for wire or bar steel with a continuous light section steel or wire train, comprising a single or multi-line breakdown train with pilot stands, at least one single intermediate train comprising a cooling distance with subsequent soaking distance and a group of intermediate stands located downstream of said breakdown train as well as a finishing train downstream of said intermediate train with a single line group of finishing stands is disclosed, for overcoming unequal temperature distributions across the bar length and cross-section to compensate for varying finishing velocities because of cross-sectional differences caused by unavoidable longitudinal pull between the stands of the breakdown train. Specifically, a first soaking or compensation distance 10 with 180.degree. loop of the rolled stock guided through the horizontal loop former is located between the pilot stand and the group of intermediate stands and a second compensation or soaking distance with 180.degree.

Abstract: A device (12; 102) for manipulating sheet metal pieces (P) for a sheet metal processing machine (10; 101) is disclosed. The device (12; 102) comprises a plurality of manipulator units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) with a plurality of gripping elements (32, 50, 52; 118, 126, 134) for gripping and moving the sheet metal pieces (P) so that the units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) cooperate with one another in receiving a workpiece (P) from the associated processing machine (10; 101) and passing another workpiece (P) to the processing machine as well as such receiving from and passing to an associated device (4) for loading and discharging sheet metal pieces to utilize the processing machine (10; 101) as far as possible reducing its down times.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive touch pad system, for example employing variable capacitance touch pads, employs low cost transducers subject to parameter drift and periodically (e.g. once each second) re-calibrates each touch pad. The periodic re-calibration allows a low cost transducer to be used for multi-point operation, as well as for simple on/off operation, such as for function selection. One application is to provide different slew rates for setting a data entry indicator, for example indicating the value of an appliance function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a probe for determining the gas content of molten metal. The probe comprises a porous filter head permeable to gas and impermeable to the molten metal and a hollow cast iron tube or sleeve having an upper portion and a lower portion, the sleeve or tube attached to the filter head at the lower portion. A small diameter tube may be positioned in the sleeve, or the cast iron tube may be formed to provide a small diameter bore. Means for drawing a vacuum on the tube and means for measuring gas pressure in the tube is provided.

Abstract: An explosive detection screening system used for the detection of explosives and other controlled substances such as drugs or narcotics. The screening system detects the vapor and/or particulate emissions from the aforementioned substances and reports that they are present on an individual or object and the concentration of each substance detected. The screening system comprises a sampling chamber for the collection of the vapor and/or particulate emissions, a concentration and analyzing system for the purification of the collected vapor and/or particulate emissions and subsequent detailed chemical analysis of the emissions, and a control and data processing system for the control of the overall system.

Abstract: A humidity measurement process and humidity measurement scale are derived from the physics of relative humidity. Absolute moisture content is determined independent of any measurement or knowledge of the source temperature. The humidity measurement is equivalent to the volumetric fraction of water vapor in the measured gas mixture, expressed as a percentage in a fixed range from 0 to 100%. The operating principles of the measurement process and measurement scale are described for use with an instrument suitable for humidity measurements in process ovens, product dryers, exhaust stacks, and similar environments operating at temperatures to 1250.degree. F. and near atmospheric pressure. The instrument is a point-source sampling system. A continuous sample of process air is induced to flow through the instrument for humidity measurement.

Abstract: A sensing element and system for determining the density of fuel housed in the tank of an aircraft, includes sensing element (10). The sensing element has a disc shaped member (20) extending through a wall (16) of the sensor body. The sensor body also encloses a chamber (14) containing dry nitrogen at a pressure of one atmosphere. Electromagnetic driving coils (24) are electrically actuated to cause member 20 to vibrate in its resonant frequency in four quadrants with a node along an axis (22) corresponding to the wall of the sensor and a second node axis (42). Pickup coils (26) in the sensor body sense displacement of the disc shaped member in a location of maximum displacement. Fluid surrounding the sensing element causes mass loading of the exposed portion of the disc shaped member and changes its resonant frequency. The changes in resonant frequency along with values determined through calibration are used by a processor (44) to calculate the density of the fluid.

Abstract: A device for monitoring for fluid leakage in a double stem seal valve (24). The valve housing (25), stem (28), primary stem seal (30), and secondary stem seal (34) define a chamber (36) bounded therebetween. A pressure gauge (44) having a pointer (48) for registering and retaining a maximum pressure reading is mounted on the valve (24) and via a port (38) is in fluid communication with the chamber (36). Fluid leakage into the chamber (36) sufficient to increase the chamber pressure can be registered and retained by the pointer (48), indicating the failure of the primary stem seal (30) and the occurrence of a leak.

Abstract: A pressure testable flexible entry boot that provides sealed piping penetration through a container wall including a first elastomeric boot which cooperates with a second elastomeric boot to form a sealed air pocket, which may be pressurized by introducing air through a port extending through one of the elastomeric boots to detect leaks.

Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of the walls and seals of a sealed container is provided in which a low molecular weight gas is introduced into the interior of the container before the container is sealed. After sealing, the container either alone, or in batches with others, is placed into a chamber which is evacuated of gases to a pressure level below that interior of the container and is evacuated of the low molecular weight gas to a partial pressure below that which the gas has within the container. Subsequently the gas within the chamber is sensed to determine whether the rate of increase of the low molecular weight gas in the chamber exceeds a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A microminiature cantilever structure is provided having a cantilever arm with a piezoresistive resistor embedded in at least the fixed end of the cantilever arm. Deflection of the free end of the cantilever arm produces stress in the base of the cantilever. That stress changes the piezoresistive resistor's resistance at the base of the cantilever in proportion to the cantilever arm's deflection. Resistance measuring apparatus is coupled to the piezoresistive resistor to measure its resistance and to generate a signal corresponding to the cantilever arm's deflection. The microminiature cantilever is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the free end of the cantilever arm is doped to form an electrically separate U-shaped piezoresistive resistor. The U-shaped resistor has two legs oriented parallel to an axis of the semiconductor substrate having a non-zero piezoresistive coefficient.

Abstract: An integrated tip strain sensor is combination with a single axis atomic force microscope (AFM) for determining the profile of a surface in three dimensions. A cantilever beam carries an integrated tip stem on which is deposited a piezoelectric film strain sensor. A high-resolution direct electron beam (e-beam) deposition process is used to grow a sharp tip onto the silicon (Si) cantilever structure. The direct e-beam deposition process permits the controllable fabrication of high-aspect ratio, nanometer-scale tip structures. A piezoelectric jacket with four superimposed elements is deposited on the tip stem. The piezoelectric sensors function in a plane perpendicular to that of a probe in the AFM; that is, any tip contact with the linewidth surface will cause tip deflection with a corresponding proportional electrical signal output. This tip strain sensor, coupled to a standard single axis AFM tip, allows for three-dimensional metrology with a much simpler approach while avoiding catastrophic tip "crashes".

Abstract: Engine combustion malfunctions are detected and the responsible cylinder identified by an approach appropriate to the engine operating point by monitoring change in engine speed in a manner insensitive to engine output shaft tooth-to-tooth spacing variations, substantially linear changes in engine speed, and driveline ringing, such as from rough roads or a previously detected misfire. Multiple misfires may be detected in a single engine cycle.

Abstract: A wind driven aerodynamic manipulator is provided for imparting motion to an aerodynamic model located in a wind tunnel. The manipulator comprises a support for supporting an aerodynamic body within a wind tunnel; a first aerodynamic surface affixed to the support in such a manner as to allow motion to be imparted to the aerodynamic body by an interaction between the first aerodynamic surface and a fluid flow within the wind tunnel; and a first controller for orienting the first aerodynamic surface with respect to the fluid flow. Additionally, a multi-dimensional manipulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the nondestructive testing of rock samples as a function of time are disclosed. A rock sample is placed in a sample vessel which simulates in-situ wellbore conditions of pressure, temperature and fluid effects. Ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the sample and the transit time is measured. The measurements are repetitively performed and the time history of the development of strength is recorded in order to determine when the rock sample begins to weaken.

Abstract: A measurement of geohydraulic permeability of ground regions is performed by producing a negative pressure in a well shaft and a measuring of the resulting raise or lowering of the ground water level in the well shaft without pumping out of ground water from the shaft.

Abstract: A relative humidity sensor includes a printed circuit board having a central passageway therethrough and a dielectric film extending across the passageway with electrodes mounted on that portion of the film in the passageway so as to generate a capacitance which will vary directly with the amount of moisture content in the film.

Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope includes a vibrator. The vibrator includes a triangular prism-shaped vibrating body. On three side faces of the vibrating body, piezoelectric elements are formed respectively. Supporting members are fixed to ridge-line portions in the vicinity of nodal points of the vibrating body. The supporting members are formed into a multi-layer structure. An elastic material having a large strength is used as inner portions of the supporting members, and a material having a good solderability is used as outer portions of the supporting members. Under the vibrator, a supporting plate is provided as a shield material. Furthermore, a work cover is provided on the side of and above the vibrator as a shield material. The supporting plate and the work cover are formed by a magnetic material such as iron, nickel, stainless steel or the like. In the vicinity of the supporting members, protective members are provided.

Abstract: An accelerometer unit has a capacitor detect plate and a source place connector preferably defined respectively inside and outside a groove in one surface of a ceramic substrate. A flat metal member has an attachment portion secured in electrically conductive relation to the connector, has a source plate portion spaced over the detect plate to form a capacitor, and has integral resilient beams extending from the attachment portion to support the source plate portion spaced from the detect plate to be movable relative to the detect plate in response to acceleration force to provide an electrical signal. Preferably glass rods between the attachment member portion and source place connector facilitate the spacing.

Abstract: An accelerometer comprising a microfabricated acceleration sensor and monolithically fabricated signal conditioning circuitry. The sensor comprises a differential capacitor arrangement formed by a pair of capacitors. Each capacitor has two electrodes, one of which it shares electrically in common with the other capacitor. One of the electrodes (e.g., the common electrode) is movable and one of the electrodes is stationary in response to applied acceleration. The electrodes are all formed of polysilicon members suspended above a silicon substrate. Each of the capacitors is formed of a plurality of pairs of electrode segments electrically connected in parallel and, in the case of the movable electrodes, mechanically connected to move in unison. When the substrate is accelerated, the movable electrodes move such that the capacitance of one of the capacitors increases, while that of the other capacitor decreases.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated test specimens undergo vibrations induced by ran noise within an acoustical frequency range establishing standing waves therein having resonant frequencies at which the collection of measurement data through accelerometers mounted at the ends of the specimens provides for calculation of physical material properties. The processing of the data during collection, analysis and calculation is automated by programmed computer control.

Abstract: A static load tester is shown that provides tensile testing of plated test specimens to detect hydrogen embrittlement damage from plating processes. The functional components of the device are centrally aligned within a channel of an I-beam frame. A load cell and electronic readout provide the user with a measure of the tensile force applied to up to eight test specimens mounted end to end in a tester. Tension is applied to the specimens through use of a simple threaded rod and nut load application system at the base of the device. A static load tester may be incorporated into each channel of the I-beam frame, thereby providing a double testing unit. Additionally, a series of I-beam frame tester configurations may be incorporated into one multiple testing unit. Each multiple testing unit has a number of static load testers equal to double the number of I-beam frames mounted into the unit.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a sample from a on stream plant operation is set forth. In a process plant, with a small pressure differential, fluid flow is provided through an inlet line and surplus is returned through an outlet line connected with the process plant. The inlet and outlet lines connect with a six port, position valve which is switched on rotation. There is a filling position for the valve wherein the filling position enables fluid from the process plant to flow through the inlet line and to fill a buffer tank. Sufficient flow is provided to enable purging of the inlet and outlet lines. Separately, there is a purge gas flow provided for a sample receiving container which is initially purged. On operation of the valve, the intermediate container is forced to flow into the sample receiving container through the valve at the urging the purge gas. A suitable housing is provided with a blanket of nitrogen for safety, and fugitive emissions to atmosphere are prevented.

Abstract: A method for predicting abnormality of a mechanical seal comprises detecting a displacement in the radial direction of a slidable ring of a mechanical seal and predicting abnormality of the mechanical seal from the displacement detected which represents the extent of adhesion of the slidable ring against the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A fire fighting trainer for use in training fire fighters is provided. The fire fighting trainer includes a structure having a plurality of chambers having concrete or grating floors. Each chamber contains one or a series of real or simulated items, which are chosen from a group of items, such as furniture and fixtures and equipment. The trainer also includes a smoke generating system having a smoke generator having a smoke line with an outlet for each chamber. The trainer also includes a propane gas flame generating system having at least one propane gas pressure controller and a gas line with a burner control and one or more single element or multi-element burners for each chamber. The trainer has a main control panel for regulating the flame generating system and the smoke generating system and for controlling the fire, or fires, and smoke in each chamber.

Abstract: An improved drive apparatus for use with linear pick-and-place assembly devices is disclosed, which drive apparatus includes a movable carriage having an improved guide track assembly. The guide track assembly comprises a series of V-rollers and mating V-tracks to provide the vertical and horizontal translational movements for a linear pick-and-place assembly device's output member. The guide track assembly includes V-roller elements which can be eccentrically adjusted to create a tight, pre-loaded sliding engagement with the mating V-tracks, all so as to substantially eliminate any undesired end play movement within the movable carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive apparatus comprising a track rail having a track formed along its axial direction, and a slider guided by the track. The slider has a rolling element circulating path, and a torque generating device, having an output shaft, is mounted on the slider. The apparatus also includes a plurality of drive rollers and at least one substantially spherical rolling element disposed in the rolling element circulating path. The torque generating device applies a torque to the drive rollers to cause the drive rollers to roll while engaging with the track rail to move the slider along the track, and the rolling elements contact the track rail and move along in the rolling element circulating path when the slider moves along the track. The apparatus further includes an oil film forming device which forms an oil film between the track rail and the drive rollers.

Abstract: A heater control unit of a dial type installed on an instrument panel and functioning as an operation portion of an air conditioner equipped in an automobile. The first bevel gear is integral with the shaft coupled with a dial. The first and second supports are integral with the base member. The first support is sectionally crank-shaped and the upper support wall thereof is disposed at the outside of the lower support wall with respect to the second support. The upper support wall has an approximately semi-circular upper support surface for receiving a portion of the shaft upper than the axis thereof, and the lower support wall has an approximately semi-circular lower support surface for receiving a portion of the shaft lower than the axis thereof.