Abstract: A method for improving the sound producing ability of musical instruments by securing at least some components of the instrument to a supporting surface and then vibrating the surface at various frequencies across a broad bandwidth for an optimal time. This method may be applied to partially assembled instruments during the manufacturing process, to completed instruments with strings and/or hardware removed, and to fully assembled new and old instruments.

Abstract: A bomb damage assessment system that is carried by a weapon and released to provide imagery of a bombed area before and after bomb delivery. The system comprises a glider that is releasably secured to the weapon that includes tracking and guidance electronics for programmably controlling the flight thereof. An imaging system is disposed in the front end of the glider and a deployable ballute is disposed at the rear end thereof. A data link is provided for transmitting images to a command center for review. The system provides imagery of a target area before, during and after weapon impact. Television or infrared cameras may be used for day or night missions. As a target area is approached, the glider is released, is decelerated by the ballute, wings are unfolded, and the ballute is released, resulting in an aerodynamic vehicle that flies much slower than the weapon. The imaging system tracks the weapon to impact. The explosion of the weapon produces a hot spot that is tracked by the imaging system.

Abstract: An actuator which causes an input shaft to move forward is disposed within the inner periphery of a valve body at its rear end. When a brake booster is inoperative, an atmospheric pressure is introduced into a pressure chamber of the actuator, but when a flow path switching valve is operated to introduce a negative pressure into the pressure chamber as required, a pressure differential is developed across a piston of the actuator, thus driving the piston forward. This allows the input shaft to be driven forward, whereby the brake booster can be operated without depressing a brake pedal. Since the atmosphere is introduced into the pressure chamber of the actuator when the brake booster is inoperative, a fracture or disengagement of a conduit which is connected to the pressure chamber cannot develop a pressure differential across the piston of the actuator, thus preventing the actuator from operating.

Abstract: In a method for separating a gas mixture above a liquid a separating device with a gas separation membrane having retentate side and a permeate side is employed. A vacuum at the retentate side of the gas separation membrane and a vacuum at the permeate side of the gas separation membrane are provided. The gas mixture, resulting from transferring a liquid from one storage container to another container upon contact with the surroundings, is fed to the retentate side of the gas separation membrane by the vacuum present at the retentate side and the permeate side. The flow volume per time unit of the gas mixture fed to the separating device is greater than a flow volume per time unit of the liquid being transferred. On the retentate side of the gas separation membrane a gas-diminished retentate is generated and on the permeate side of the gas separation membrane a gas-enriched permeate is produced.

Abstract: A rodless cylinder has adjusting mechanisms, each comprising a gear shaft rotatably mounted in a hole defined in an outer wall of a slide table and having a first gear on an end thereof, an adjustment shaft having a second gear on an end thereof which is held in mesh with the first gear at a predetermined angle, and a rod coupled to an opposite end of the adjustment shaft out of alignment with a central axis of adjustment shaft, with a guide roller being rotatably supported on the rod. When the gear shaft is turned by a screwdriver bit inserted in the hole, the adjustment shaft is turned to displace the guide rod for optimum rolling contact with a rail on a cylinder tube. The rolling contact between the guide rod and the rail can be adjusted from the outer side of the slide table.

Abstract: An improved container (45) for fermentation and/or maturation of liquid products such as wine or other liquors is disclosed comprising a liquid impervious outer wall defining a zone for retaining the liquid product and a plurality of tubes (1) manufactured from individual lengths (2) of a suitable wood in edge sealing contact, the tubes 1 having seal means at one or both ends co-operable with the liquid impervious outer wall such that the tubes extend through a substantial part of the zone retaining the liquid product whereby the liquid product surrounds each of the tubes (1) and air freely circulates within the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for improving quality and increasing syrup yield within a beverage blending system. The apparatus and the associated method are adaptable to existing proportioning and blending systems or the appropriate control and measurement equipment may be installed alone to provide a highly accurate control of the blend. This control is a function of the mass flow of at least one of the components input to the proportioner. From this mass flow determination an adjusted volumetric flow value for the component(s) is determined. The ratio of the volumetric flow of the water to the syrup is used to determine a signal to control the proportional blending. Adjustment of the blend ratio is made by comparing the calculated ratio to the set beverage values. Control of the carbonation of the system is also incorporated as well as a device to fully saturate the CO.sub.2 into the liquid flow.

Abstract: A foodstuff vending machine has a vending housing includes a processing container for containing and processing of a foodstuff. A receiving basket is provided for receiving the foodstuff from the processing container. A dispensing mechanism is provided for dispensing the received foodstuff. The receiving basket has an operable surface with a closed position for preventing the received foodstuff from passing therethrough. The receiving basket also has an open position for permitting the received foodstuff to pass through to the dispensing mechanism. The receiving basket also has an opening device for opening the operable surface. The opening device is operable to open the operable surface upon contact with the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: An improved automatic machine for sterilization and aseptic packing of meat products such as a piece of ham, shoulder meat or the like. The machine operates in a continuous cycle and includes first, second and third stations. The first station sterilizes an outer surface of a meat piece which is fed, after pasteurization, in a stripped condition into the first station. The first station has a tightly sealable chamber with a grid deck for supporting and then releasing the meat piece. The first station further includes a mechanism for tightly closing the chamber after introduction of the meat piece; a mechanism for opening the chamber after sterilization, and a heating mechanism for heating the inside of the chamber. The second station achieves packing of the meat piece after sterilization and includes a mechanism for removing the meat piece from the first station and for transferring the meat piece onto the second station.

Abstract: An improved, multi-purpose cake pan which offers the flexibility of having both a flat-cake pan and a tube-cake pan, the compact storageability of a single cake pan, and a simplified means of removing either a flat-cake or a tube-cake from the outer rim of the cake pan itself. Two separate cake pan insets are provided to allow the cake pan user to bake either a flat-cake or a tube-cake. Both such insets fit securely into an outer rim--giving the appearance of a standard, one-piece cake pan. A tube-cake handle quickly connects to the tube-cake inset and allows it to be easily removed from the outer rim of the cake pan. A quick procedure for removing the flat-cake inset is performed by simply lowering the cake pan over the tube-cake inset whereby a vertical column of the tube-cake inset pushes the flat-cake inset up and out of the outer rim of the cake pan.

Abstract: A juicing device having a rotating disk with a plurality of protrusions is used to pierce and squeeze the juice from a fruit. The disk is rotated within an enclosure having an access port on top and a conduit near the bottom for diverting the juice into a container or glass. The enclosure provides a set of the protrusions as well so that as the fruit propelled between the disk and the sidewall, the juicing action is efficient.

Abstract: A continuously operating press for the production of particle boards, fiber boards and similar wood boards and plastic boards, wherein a spherical geometrical deformation of the press/heating platen in the longitudinal and transverse directions with the hydraulic actuators in positive or non-positive engagement with the press/heating platen is set during start-up or production by means of different actuating forces in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the setting process being independent of the reaction forces of pressing stock, wherein, to allow a convex bending deformation to be set at the maximum pressing force, the central actuators in each row of actuators are dimensioned to give 105% to about 150% of the maximum pressing force in relation to the outer actuators, and wherein each row of actuators has a position sensor system comprising a feeler rod, a reference gauge bar, a lever mechanism and a measured-value transmitter with a position sensor for the press-nip actual value in the center of t

Abstract: To allow data to be exchanged between a printing drum and a stencil printing device main body in a highly adaptable manner with regard to the increase in the kinds of data to be transmitted without requiring any change in mechanical structures, light emitting devices 43, 65 and light receiving devices 45, 63 are arranged in mutually opposing parts of the printing drum 7 and the main body frame 1 to allow optical communication between them. Other modes of wireless communication may be used in place of the optical communication. This invention is particularly useful when the printing drum 7 is detachably mounted on a main body frame 1 of the stencil printing device, and the main control unit is required to adapt itself to different printing drums.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: In a printing unit of a printing press having a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder, there is provided a combination including a press-on device having a press-on roller applicable against the plate cylinder and swivelable at a spaced distance therefrom about a swivel axis aligned parallel to respective axes of the cylinders, a finger-protection device and a blast air device for blowing air against one of the cylinders, the press-on bar having a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon, and the blast-air device being formed of a hollow interior of the press-on bar for receiving blast air therein, and nozzle openings in the surface of the press-on bar for discharging blast air from the hollow interior thereof, the longitudinal axis of the press-on bar together with the plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the press-on bar and the swivel axis being swivelable substantially on a plane passing through a nip between the plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder about the s

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the movement of a printing sleeve with respect to a cylinder is provided which includes a manifold section having an air chamber therein in fluid communication with an air supply line. The manifold section has a plurality of air ports in fluid communication with the air chamber. An adapter ring is provided which surrounds the manifold section and has a plurality of air ports therein, corresponding in number to the air ports in the manifold section and adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the air ports in the manifold section. A locking collar for fixing the position of the manifold section on the shaft in contact with the cylinder and for fixing the adapter ring in contact with the printing sleeve is provided such that when pressurized air is introduced into said supply line, the air exits the air ports in the adapter ring and expands the sleeve thus allowing the sleeve to be moved with respect to the cylinder.

Abstract: A printing press having one or more printing stands, wherein such a printing stand includes: a plate cylinder for having mounted thereon a printing plate; an inking unit which includes ink applicator rollers for applying ink to the printing plate; a blanket cylinder for receiving an ink impression from the printing plate; a drum for carrying a printed sheet; and a washing device for removing dirt particles adhering to the outer cylindrical surfaces of the cylinders involved in the printing process. The washing device comprises a supply roll on which the clean washcloth is wound up, a pressing-on element for pressing the washcloth on the cylinder to be cleaned, a subsequent take-up roll for taking up the dirty washcloth, side parts receiving the rolls and the pressing-on element on both sides thereof, and a drive mechanism for conveying the washcloth.

Abstract: An infra-red dryer utilizes high velocity air jets which scrub and break up the moist air layer which clings to the surface of a freshly printed and/or coated sheet. The high velocity air jets are directed through multiple air flow apertures across an array of infra-red lamps onto the freshly printed and/or coated sheets. An extractor exhausts the moisture-laden air from an exposure zone while short wave infra-red radiation heats the ink and/or protective coating. The effective exposure to pressurized air is increased by the air jets which produce a balanced pressure air blanket along the sheet travel path. The moist air layer is displaced from the printed and/or coated sheet and is extracted from the press as the sheet moves through the exposure zone.

Abstract: A device designed as a magazine is disclosed for carrying away and/or supplying printing plates from and to a plate cylinder of a printing machine, in particular to ensure the automatic exchange of printing plates with a plate removing and a plate supplying arrangement. At least one cartridge for the printing plates is removably associated with the magazine. A corresponding process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning flexible printing plates and for accurately drilling pin register holes therein includes a three-way adjustable table top assembly which can be selectively adjusted in X and Y directions and rotated about an axis. A pneumatic clamp is positioned on the table top assembly for clamping a pre-marked flexible printing plate to be drilled in place thereon. A movable stereomicroscope viewer is slidable above the table top assembly to view the flexible plate for position adjustment via the adjustable table top assembly. A drill assembly is also positionable over each location at which a pin register hole is to be drilled. The drill assembly includes a movable hollow core drill bit surrounding a stationary rod. Once the flexible plate is aligned via the viewer, the drill assembly is sequentially positioned above the flexible plate at each point to be drilled with a pin register hole and operated to drill each hole therein.

Abstract: An autonomous bomb damage assessment system that is piggybacked to a bomb to provide imagery of a bombed area immediately after bomb delivery. The bomb damage assessment system comprises a housing that is releasably secured to the bomb. An imaging system is disposed at one end of the housing and a folded inflatable balloon is disposed at the other end of the housing. An inflation device is provided for inflating the balloon with a lighter-than-air gas such as helium. A proximity fuze is used to sense the location of the ground, for causing the system to be ejected away from the bomb shortly before bomb impact, and for causing the inflation device to inflate the balloon. A data link is disposed in the housing for transmitting images derived from the imaging system to a remote location. The present invention provides imagery of a bombed area immediately after bomb delivery. The lighter than air characteristic of the system allows a dwell time over the bombed area so debris and dust can settle.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus for carrying an article by utilizing pressure of fluid such as compressed air, comprising a cylinder tube, a guide rail extending along the cylinder tube, a piston movable by an action of fluid pressure in the cylinder tube, a moving piece for carrying an article supported in such a manner that its movement is restricted in all directions except in an axial direction by the guide rail and movable in the axial direction along the guide rail and the cylinder tube, and a magnet coupling mounted on each of the moving piece and the piston, whereby the cylinder tube and the guide rail are arranged as independent members and are connected with each other by a connecting mechanism with a degree of freedom.

Abstract: During the haulage of a conveyor unit (3), a floor chain (6) of a shunting track (2) is moved over a pitch distance (PZ) which is slightly larger than the length of a conveyor unit (3) and which is selected such that, after the movement, a catch element (7) is in a position ready to carry along a pin (11) of a subsequent conveyor unit (3) to be hauled, until the conveyor unit (3) reaches an intermediate position whereby it is still situated with a portion thereof in the path (14) of the conveyor units (3) which have not been hauled. When the subsequent conveyor unit (3) must also be hauled, the floor chain (6) of the shunting track (2) is again moved over the above-mentioned pitch distance (PZ).

Abstract: There is disclosed a rail bogie for connection with an intermodal or rail highway trailer having conventional highway wheels. The rail bogie includes an adapter engageable with a trailer and incorporating a lift mechanism for enabling the adapter to be lowered or collapsed for insertion beneath a trailer, and to be lifted or extended for raising the trailer and lifting the trailer wheels off of the ground.

Abstract: Lateral thrust pads mounted to stop members projecting from bearing housings of a railway truck opposite respective pedestals of the truck frame under constant, compressive, slidable contact with such pedestals to absorb lateral thrust loads upon relative movement between the bearing housings and the truck frame. Because each thrust pad is in constant compressive contact with the opposite stop member, there is no unrestricted lateral movement with attendant increased potential for hunting. The thrust pad comprises an elastomer pad having a stiffness constant which varies in proportion to the amount the pad is compressed, thus providing for absorption of higher lateral thrust loads, while at the same time permitting nominal self-centering and curve negotiation lateral motions of the axle.

Abstract: A safety system for restraining and preventing a person from falling off an elevated structure such as a locomotive. The safety system includes a segmented rail structure comprising a plurality of releasable and/or removable rail sections that are supported by a series of rail posts. The rail sections can be released and/or removed in order to provide access to an adjacent locomotive compartment to be serviced. A pair of spring biased support members are attached to each of the rail posts and automatically extend when corresponding section is removed. A moveable trolley apparatus engages the rail sections with a plurality of wheels, and has an extendable arm that can be connected to a lanyard worn by a maintenance person. When extended, the raised support members prevent the trolley from coming off the end of a rail section adjacent to a rail section that has been removed.

Abstract: A method for preparing high solids suspensions of calcined clay which are stable without the necessity of adding a colloidal thickening agent and have minimal dilatancy. A calcined kaolin clay pigment, substantially free of anionic dispersant, is dispersed in water by addition of alkali to provide a neutral to mildly alkaline aqueous slurry. To the dispersed slurry, a water-soluble cationic organic polymer is added in minor amounts, to partially flocculate and thicken the slurry, thereby stabilizing the slurry against sedimentation.

Abstract: Stringers are fabricated in the form of a tube. The tube in cross section as viewed from its ends has a substantially square shape. Each stringer is fabricated from a plate material which includes a rectangular lower plate and two side plates separately connected to both edges of the rectangular lower plate through respective folding lines. There are a pair of first support plates partially cut out of the lower plate. The support plates are connected to the lower plate along folding lines. These folding lines are located inwardly from both ends of the lower plate and are in parallel with these ends. There are a pair of upper plates separately connected to distal edges of the side plates through respective folding lines. Also, there are second support plates separately connected to distal edges of the upper plates through respective folding lines. A pallet including an upper deck and a lower deck includes a plurality of the fabricated stringers.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a load comprises a core of connected strips including spacer strips of corrugated material and at least one bent strip having a plurality of laminated layers. The bent strip is disposed between opposing spacer strips and secured at bend surfaces along the bent strip. The bent strip and the opposing spacer strips have edge surfaces for supporting the load. The edge surfaces define a plane substantially perpendicular to the bend surfaces. The spacer strips and bent strips are preferably formed of material selected from plastic, paper, and metal. The opposing spacer strips may be substantially parallel, curved, or any combination of the two to provide a variety of desired shapes. The bent strip may be creased at substantially equal intervals to form bend surfaces along opposite sides of the bent strip. An adhesive is applied along the bend surfaces for securing the bent strip to opposing spacer strips and for holding the bent strip at a predetermined pitch angle.

Abstract: This is a pallet as might be used to support cargo during that cargo's transportation or storage. The pallet is constructed of paper. The pallet design involves a central platform or deck constructed of a honeycomb filler supported by a set of runners extending from one edge of the central platform to the other and is bounded on all of the bottom surfaces by a single corrugated sheet. The runners are then modified by cutting away appropriate portions to form a four way pallet. The cut portions are then reinforced by addition of reinforcing corrugated sheets. The upper surface of the central platform may be covered with a corrugated sheet or heavy sheet stock. Additionally, the upper and/or lower sheets may be folded over the edges of the honeycomb core and fastened to the other side. This design permits a flexible and inexpensive method of producing either four- or two-way pallets.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) provides for the blurring or defacing of banknotes which are stored within ATM banknote cassettes/containers within the ATM upon a breach of security of the ATM, the breach of security being either a break-in attempt or the attempted removal of the entire ATM from its location. An indelible dye or ink, stored under pressure within a tank internal to the ATM unit, is caused to be released into a distribution manifold, which is integral with the banknote cassette and in communication with the interior thereof, upon receipt of an actuating signal. The actuating signal is preferably developed by an electrical device which triggers the release of the ink into the cassette. In one embodiment, connection and disconnection of the distribution manifold to the tank occurs automatically without user interface when cassettes are changed.

Abstract: A process for reproducing a design, especially a fabric design comprising an embroidered applique element stitched to a base fabric material, comprises the sequential steps of analyzing the design to derive data for use as stitch command data by an embroidery machine, and as cutting command data by a cutting machine, cutting out an applique element from a sheet material in accordance with the cutting command data, transferring the cut-out applique element to the base material and stitching the applique element to a base material in accordance with the stitch command data. The invention provides a far quicker, more accurate and neater embroidered applique fabric than prior semi-manual techniques.

Abstract: Organic waste is treated in a molten metal bath to sequentially form enriched hydrogen gas and carbon oxide gas streams. The method includes introducing organic waste to a molten metal bath in the absence of a separate oxidizing agent and under conditions that will decompose the organic waste. As a consequence of this decomposition, an enriched hydrogen gas stream is generated and the molten metal bath becomes carbonized. Thereafter, an oxidizing agent is added to the carbonized molten metal bath to oxidize the carbon contained in the carbonized molten metal bath. Reaction of the oxidizing agent with the carbon causes formation of a carbon oxide that escapes from the bath as an enriched carbon oxide gas stream, thereby decarbonizing the molten metal bath.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and method in which a recycle heat exchanger is disposed integrally with the furnace of a fluidized bed combustor. The recycle heat exchanger includes a plurality of stacked sections for receiving the recycled solids and are arranged in such a manner that the recycled solids are introduced into an upper level of the sections and pass through these sections to a lower level of sections before returning to the furnace. A portion of the stacked sections contain heat exchange surfaces for removing heat from the solids therein while another portion does not. The solids in the various sections are selectively fluidized to control the flow of the solids through the sections to control the temperature of the solids accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously seeding and fertilizing agricultural crops is described which includes a seeding blade having opposed sides, a knife-like leading edge, a trailing edge and a bottom edge. A seed conduit is disposed along the trailing edge of the seeding blade and has an outlet adjacent the bottom edge. A fertilizer blade depends from one of the opposed sides of the seeding blade adjacent the bottom edge. The fertilizer blade is angled downwardly and outwardly from the seeding blade at an angle of between 10 and 40 degrees. The fertilizer blade has a knife-like leading edge, a trailing edge and a bottom edge. The trailing edge of the fertilizer blade is disposed beside and behind the trailing edge of the seeding blade. A fertilizer conduit is disposed along the trailing edge of the fertilizer blade and has an outlet adjacent the bottom edge.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a workpiece presser device having a presser foot and a separate chaining-off foot. There is an independent holding down device for each foot which makes it possible to adjust both the presser foot pressure and also the chaining-off foot pressure by variable resilient forces.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing needle, a lower looper, a motor for driving the sewing machine, and a controller for controlling the driving and stopping of the motor. When, in the sewing machine, the controller operates to stop the motor, stop control means operates to stop the motor such that said sewing needle is stopped at a time corresponding to the time just before the sewing needle reaches the bottom dead point and to the time that a needle thread disengages from the sharp tip of the lower looper.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying sewing data to control a sewing machine including (a) a stitch-forming device for forming stitches on at least one work sheet, (b) a work-holding device for holding the work sheet, and (c) a displacing device for displacing at least one of the stitch-forming device and the work-holding device, relative to each other, according to the sewing data, the sewing machine having a prescribed coordinate system, the apparatus including a plurality of detectable objects located at a plurality of fixed positions spaced apart from each other on the work-holding device, respectively; a position detector which detects an actual position of each of the detectable objects in the prescribed coordinate system of the sewing machine; and a data modifying device for modifying the sewing data based on a difference of the detected actual position of the each of the detectable objects from a corresponding one of respective reference positions of the detectable objects in the prescribed coordinate system of

Abstract: A sewing system which includes a workholder arranged to hold a part to be sewn; one or more video cameras, such as C.C.D cameras, mounted above the workholder in such a manner that the area of the workholder is totally covered by the combined fields of view of all mounted cameras; a plurality of illuminating lights mounted above and around the table so that illumination can be applied on the part to be sewn by any desired combination of these lights; a frame grabber coupled to one or more cameras and arranged to receive images therefrom and to combine the images into one virtual macro picture; a microcomputer arranged to receive the macro picture from the frame grabber, analyze the macro picture and measure the location of all the edges of the part and its location on the workholder; and a man-machine interface for inputting sewing parameters, such as stitch size, distance from the edge and number of back-tachs, and to generate therefrom a sewing program for sewing the part along its edges.

Abstract: An expendable underwater vehicle for use in training naval forces in anti-submarine warfare in ocean waters, including shallow waters, is between about three to five feet in length and about five inches in diameter, and it includes various improvements which make successful operations in shallow ocean waters, and improved operation in all ocean waters, possible. The improvements include a one-piece nose cup which allows the expendable underwater vehicle to be air launched into shallow water, a scuttle plug which allows water to fill the expendable underwater vehicle after the vehicle is expended and drops to the bottom of the ocean, and rudders and elevators of increased surface area which improve controllability of the vehicle in the water.

Abstract: Two embodiments of small watercraft having a straddle-type rider's seat with a seat back and a deck to the rear of the seat back. A handle is provided on the seat back for grasping by a rider standing on the rear deck. In addition, a pivotally supported boarding ladder assists in entry of the watercraft from the body of water in which it is operating. The handle assists in this boarding operation. There is also provided a ventilating system for the engine compartment and a storage compartment for containing an auxiliary fuel tank which may transfer fuel to a main fuel tank positioned in the engine compartment.

Abstract: An improved diver's boarding ladder and dive door for a boat having a dive opening. The boarding ladder is positionable between a boarding position and a storage position without having to be removed and stored. In the boarding position, the dive opening is opened and the boarding ladder extends below the waterline to assist swimmers and divers in boarding the boat from the water. In the storage position, the dive door closes the dive opening and the boarding ladder is stored out of the way inside the boat's hull in an inverted position. The boarding ladder is secured in the dive opening with a hinge that runs along the entire length of the bottom of the dive opening and acts as a chafe plate to prevent damage to the boat's hull from dive equipment.

Abstract: An indicator is disclosed for providing an indication that a food item has attained a predetermined temperature. The indicator comprises a barrel having a cavity wherein a plunger is disposed in a retracted position using a retaining material. The retaining material melts when a predetermined temperature is reached releasing the plunger towards an extended position. The retaining material comprises (1) a fatty ketone and (2) at least one other organic compound selected from the group consisting of fatty amides and fatty anilides.

Abstract: A crystal growth method is based on a molecular beam epitaxy method. The crystal growth method includes the steps of opening/closing a shutter member provided between a deposition source and a substrate in an ultra-high vacuum so as to form a region having a predetermined pattern on the substrate and forming a crystal growth layer only in the region having the pattern on the substrate during an epitaxial growth step.

Abstract: An improved pet sheet bed cover is provided for a bed having bedding on a mattress sitting on a box spring, which consists of a component for protecting the bedding from being soiled by a pet, such as from hairs, urine, feces, vomit and other animal debris. The protecting component is a bed covering fabricated out of waterproof and soil proof flexible material.

Abstract: An heated pet sweater including a sweaterlike garment worn by a pet wherein the garment has one or more pockets disposed thereon. The pockets are generally of construction permitting substantially free passage of thermal energy to the body of the animal wearer and being thermally isolated otherwise and furthermore the pockets have thermal energy generation devices employing chemical reaction, direct energy storage, or latent heat of fusion energy storage for providing heat to the animal at substantially constant temperatures for extended periods. An alternate embodiment provides for cooling of an animal using latent heat energy extraction means disposed in pockets of an animal worn garment.

Abstract: A hot water heater including a housing, a plurality of heat exchanging devices connected in series and disposed inside the housing at different elevations, a heat source disposed inside the housing at the bottom and controlled to heat water in the heat exchanging devices, a cold water pipe connected to the heat exchanging device at the topmost elevation to guide cold water through the heat exchanging devices, a hot water pipe connected to the heat exchanging device at the lowest elevation to guide hot water out of the heat exchanging devices, the heat exchanging devices having vertical air ducts for guiding hot air through the heat exchanging devices, the air ducts of one heat exchanging device at a higher elevation being not vertically in alignment with that of a next heat exchanging device at a lower elevation.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the cooling of vehicle components comprising a first coolant circuit including a first component to be cooled, a radiator with cooling fan and a coolant pump for circulating coolant through the first component and the radiator, a by-pass line arranged in parallel flow relationship with the radiator and including a second heat exchanger with a fan for providing heated air for the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a control valve for controlling the flow of coolant through the by-pass line and the second heat exchanger, there is provided a second coolant circuit which extends also through the second heat exchanger separately from the first coolant circuit and includes an additional component to be cooled.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a rotatable work shaft, a crank connected with the work shaft, a plurality of cylinders having working chambers, a plurality of pistons movable in the cylinders, and connecting means connecting the pistons with the crank so that a gas pressure in the combustion chambers applied to the pistons is transmitted when a maximum pressure is obtained in the combustion chambers and a maximum lever arm of the crank is obtained so as to provide a maximum torque on the work shaft.

Abstract: An exhaust control system for a two-cycle engine for controlling the effective compression ratio. The exhaust control valve is operated by a servo mechanism to maintain the appropriate compression ratio in response to engine running conditions. To facilitate servicing, the exhaust control valve is rotatably journalled within the engine cylinder block in a removable sleeve. In addition, a manual operator is provided for manually rotating the exhaust control valve for cleaning operation and to reduce sticking if corrosion occurs.