Abstract: A stepping actuator which is simple and compact in construction, and capable of converting rectilinear reciprocating motions into stepwise rotations of a predetermined stepping angle suitable for application of limited or limitless stepping rotations in one direction or in both forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A workcenter comprises a track (14) having a carriage (24) moveable along the track by a screw (32) rotated by a motor (30). The carriage has a bore (42) surrounding the screw. Two sleeve members (160) are received in the bore at either end thereof and surround said screw. The sleeve members are segmented and have threads for engagement with the screw. The sleeve members are pressed radially into engagement with the screw by a spring ring (198). The sleeve members are constructed from deformable plastics material and are screwed onto the screw against the opposite shoulders (163) around the bore in the carriage sufficient to deform the threads so as to take up axial freedom of movement between the carriage and screw. This arrangement allows an inexpensive rolled steel screw having inherent inaccuracies to be employed without loss of positional accuracy.

Abstract: A shaft rotation driving apparatus for a machine tool having a main spindle for rotating a tool or a workpiece, comprises: a magnetic anisotropic rotor formed integral with the main spindle itself or with a rotary sleeve itself fitted to the main spindle; a stator disposed coaxially along an outer circumference of the magnetic anisotropic rotor; a field winding wound around the stator, for magnetizing the rotor in a predetermined direction; and an armature winding wound around the stator, for providing a rotative force to the rotor.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for an industrial robot has a second axis perpendicular to a first axis extending in a length direction of an arm and a third axis perpendicular to the second axis, the wrist mechanism comprising:, first reduction mechanism and second reduction mechanism supported at both sides of the front end portion of an arm having a cut portion so that they can be rotated about the second axis; a wrist frame including a hollow portion fixed the output shaft of the first reduction mechanism; a first bevel gear including a hollow portion provided on the wrist frame and supported so that it can be rotated about the third axis which is perpendicular to the second axis; a second bevel hear rotating about an axis parallel to the second axis and meshing with the first bevel gear (5); toothed wheel (71) integral with the second bevel gear; a toothed wheel fixed at the output shaft of the second reduction mechanism and meshing with the toothed wheel; and a tool fixing portion including a hollow portion, fixed to

Abstract: An improved brake lever includes a lever body, a protective strip and a cap. The lever body is provided with a longitudinal slot which has a narrowed slit merged into the lever body at both ends of the longitudinal slot. The protective strip can be readily received and retained with the longitudinal slot. The end portion of the lever body has a flat portion which is provided with a dowel hole. The dowel hole has a narrowed inlet. The bottom side of the cap is incorporated with a bead. By this arrangement, the bead of the cap can be readily received and retained by the dowel hole. Accordingly, a compact and firm engagement is ensured between the cap and the lever body. Consequently, an improved brake lever with above described advantages is achieved.

Abstract: A small-locus machining apparatus is attached to the distal end of a wrist of a robot but operable independently of a robot body. First and second drives of the apparatus are mounted on a base in such a manner that respective output spindles are parallel with each other. First and second rotational arms are coupled to the output spindles through decelerators, which are directly connected to the drives, allowing rotation in a plane orthogonal to the output spindles. These rotational arms and links interconnecting the rotational arms constitute a link mechanism having, for example, five joints. A tool is attached to this link mechanism, and the rotational amounts of the first and second arms are detected to determine the coordinate position of the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing the grinding wheel (2) of a grinding machine, comprising an assembly coupled to and rotating with the wheel and including masses (24, 26) the position of which is adjustable and electrical motors (28, 30) to control adjusting movements of the masses. The electrical connection between the motors and a survey and processing unit (16) including a power source (40) is provided by slip rings (48) and brushes (54). The brushes are fixed to a movable support (52). A spring (58) acts on the movable support to space the brushes apart from the slip rings. An actuator including, for example, electromagnets (60) acts on the movable support to perform the contact between the brushes and the corresponding slip rings.

Abstract: A modified shift housing and shift mechanism for a manually shifted automotive transmission is provided by replacing the existing shift housing and complicated components for activating the selector shafts. The modified shift housing is provided with bored passageways to accommodate three connecting rods which forwardly link to a remotely located shifter and rearwardly engage the existing selector shafts, thereby eliminating the more complex and delicate shift linkage mechanism normally used with VOLKSWAGEN automotive transmissions.

Abstract: A tool for stripping center conductors of subminiature coaxial ribbon cable and preparing it for connection to connectors or other components comprises a base, a holding fixture movably mounted on the base, and a vertical assembly mounted over the holding fixture. The vertical assembly contains holding, conductor cutting, forming and insulation cutting blades. In operation, the holding blade is lowered to hold a portion of the cable's insulation. The cutting blade cuts any extra length of conductors. The forming blade forms the drains so that they extend perpendicularly from the rest of the ribbon cable. The insulation cutting blade cuts insulation from the center conductor.

Abstract: A closed end box line wrench includes at least one wrench end and a tool body. The wrench end has a hole therethrough sized and adapted to engage an object, such as a nut. The hole is in communication with an opening for enabling the wrench to be positioned on a line, tubing, or the like by sliding the line through the opening and into the hole. The hole of the wrench end has a multi-sided inside periphery, preferably corresponding to an outside periphery of the object, which contacts the object for gripping the object during use of the wrench. The tool body has a protuberance sized and adapted to be disposed within the opening of the wrench end for providing an additional side of the multi-sided inside periphery for contact with the object. The tool body has a hole for receiving a tool, such as a torque-applying tool, for manipulating the wrench during tightening and loosening of the object.

Abstract: A disc brake lathe for machining a brake disc on a vehicle without removing the brake disc from the vehicle but only the wheel and other parts of the brake mechanism. The disc brake lathe comprises a power drive unit for rotating a brake disc on the vehicle and a lathe head having at least one cutting tool for machining a brake disc while the brake disc on the vehicle is rotated by the power drive unit. The lathe head is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for machining a brake disc on the vehicle and includes a motor for power feeding of the at least one cutting tool during machining. The vibration of the lathe head during machining, which causes rough surface finish on the machined brake discs, is avoided or reduced by the provision of a vibration dampener which is attached to the lathe head for absorbing energy of vibration.

Abstract: A clamshell machining lathe for cutting and finishing pipes in industrial settings comprises a split-ring assembly, including a clamping ring that is positioned about the pipe, and journaled to the clamping ring is a rotatable gear ring that supports a tool block carrying a cutting tool. The improvement resides in the bearing arrangement used to journal the gear ring to the stationary clamping ring. One face of the gear ring includes an annular groove whose side walls define a bearing race. The race is dimensioned to receive a plurality of roller bearings therein, the roller bearings being affixed to a planar surface of the clamping gear in a circumferential arrangement so as to fit into the bearing race when the gear ring is coupled to the clamping ring. The arrangement can support greater loads without canting, thus reducing wear on the moving parts.

Abstract: The invention refers to a cutting strip with a cutting edge of highly wear-resistant material, e.g., polycrystalline diamond material, that is laid in solid connection on a base and forms a rail piece together with this base, whereby several rail pieces are laid in series along a holder that is made of wear-resistant material, e.g., hard metal, and has an essentially rectangular cross-section. The holder is provided, along two adjacent edges each with a groove protruding diagonally into the holder, with essentially parallel faces into which the rail pieces are inserted in such a way that the faces of the two grooves reach to the cutting edge of the rail pieces, whereby the faces situated between the two grooves are formed by a clamping piece that can be screwed onto the holder and that collectively clamps against the holder all rail pieces held in the two grooves.

Abstract: A stringed, electric musical instrument, such as a guitar comprises an electroformed, seamless metallic body to which is attached the base portion of a neck assembly. In one embodiment of the invention the body is hollow and the base portion of the neck assembly is inserted into the body and fastened in contact with the inner surface of the top face of the body. In that embodiment, the bridge of the instrument is also fastened to the base portion of the neck assembly.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, which includes a bridge which does not stress the top of the guitar either vertically or laterally. Vertical and lateral forces due to string tension are balanced out within the bridge assembly. Also disclosed is an adjustable height tailpiece and means for adjusting the intonation of the instrument by adjusting the distance that the neck projects out of the body.

Abstract: A chromatic tuner display is provided for indicating a relative difference between a pitch of a sound and a pitch of a desired note of a musical scale. The display comprises a base member, a predetermined point on the base member corresponding to the pitch of the desired note, and a colored light arrangement for visually representing the pitch of the sound. The colored light arrangement is mounted on the base member and includes a plurality of illuminative letters corresponding to notes of the musical scale, and a plurality of additional illuminative characters positioned on the base member between adjacent letters corresponding to sharp and flat variations of the notes represented by the letters. An illuminated letter or an illuminated letter and character combination represents the desired note.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a musical instrument, especially a keyboard instrument such as a piano. In one embodiment, a keyboard instrument is provided which is operable for producing a musical sound. The keyboard instrument is used in combination with a musical staff on which a musical composition has been recorded. The staff has a structure that corresponds with the arrangement of keys on a keyboard such that notes recorded in spaces on the staff correspond to white keys of the keyboard instrument and notes recorded on lines correspond to black keys of the keyboard instrument. The keyboard instrument is operated by depressing the appropriate corresponding white key for a note recorded on a space of the staff and depressing the appropriate black key for a note recorded on a line of a staff.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved integrally recoil-compensated slide action pistol having a frame, a barrel having a bore on a barrel axis, the bore having a caliber diameter, a feed slide connected to the frame for movement parallel to the barrel axis between open and closed positions, the barrel being substantially enclosed between the slide and the frame in the closed position thereof. The improvement provides lateral front enlargement of the barrel and having a front sight mount; and a pair of compensator ports in fluid communication with the bore that exit at upper shoulder surfaces of the enlargement, the slide being formed for lateral exposure of the enlargement in the closed position.

Abstract: A device for distributing oil under pressure including a head (2) within which, inside a chamber (24), a shuttle (5) slides provided with a shank (5a) sealingly sliding within an end cap (6) and on whose head surface (19) oil at the feed pressure acts coming from a switch duct (18). The head (2) is provided with a feed hole (8) connected to the chamber (24) and is closed at the other end by a shutter (7) connected to a drain hole (9), while the shuttle (5) is provided with an inner cavity (26) and end ducts (25) and it is shaped so as to have in the chamber (24) opposite transverse surfaces (22, 23) whose difference of area in favour of the surface (23) at the end where the shank (5a) is located is smaller than the area of the head (19) of the latter. A hydraulic hammer including the device is provided with a pair of outflow orifices (17, 20) located so that the first orifice (17) is uncovered by the ram (4) at the end of the return travel and the second orifice (20) at the end of the descending travel.

Abstract: A low-pollution external combustion piston engine is adapted to utilize any of a number of expansible gases and fuels, and to maximize power output relative to the weight of the engine. The engine has a highly efficient and compact rotary design featuring a multi-cylinder rotary block acting on a rotary torque conversion plate. The design includes porting and valving for controllably admitting pressurized gas at substantially equal pressures to both sides of each piston to drive each piston bidirectionally and thereby maximize power output and efficiency. Each piston chamber has both primary and secondary exhaust porting to minimize back pressure and thereby further aid power output and efficiency.

Abstract: A hydraulic operating device for gate movement comprises a gate pintleing unit (10) comprising a box (11) with rotating support body (37) for a shaft (12) having a first gear (20) integral therewith projecting into the box. The shaft (12) faces at the top a box (11) with one of its axial fixing ends (15) integral with the gate rotation axis. The device also comprises a hydraulic operating unit made up of a drive element (25) consisting of a central body (32) from which project opposed hydraulic cylinders (26,27) in which run respective pistons (28,29). Between the pistons is connected a rack (30) traversing the central body (32) to project laterally therefrom with its teeth. It is thus possible to prepare a gate for future automation by mounting only the box and subsequently inserting therein the operating unit.

Abstract: Metallic piston, wrist pin and connecting rod which normally do not fit together can be joined with one selected component being heated to effect the expansion thereof while another selected component is chilled to effect its contraction. With the heat differentials effecting relative size change the components can be loosely put together in a preassembly. The components in the loose preassembly are then returned to ambient temperature and to specification size whereby a central journal of the wrist pin is trapped between the piston pin bosses in one embodiment and the connecting rod is trapped by the shoulders of a reduced diameter pin journal in a second embodiment to form permanent piston, connecting rod and wrist pin assemblies.

Abstract: A coffee machine includes a microcomputer, a heater 14 and a thermistor element 17. The microcomputer is programmed to respond to several different temperature level signals provided by the element 17 for fully controlling operation of the heater. The machine has a pre-heat cycle, where the rate of temperature rise is slowed down, and an automatic cleaning cycle when required.

Abstract: A cappuccino making apparatus having a coffee making unit and a separate milk preparation unit. The two units are housed within individual and separate cabinets and are connected by a set of liquid conduits that deliver milk from the milk unit to the coffee unit, this configuration thus allowing the units to be stored in different locations so as to maximize counter space. The coffee making unit can operate independently of the milk preparation unit, and when no milk is being dispensed by the coffee unit, the milk in the conduits is recirculated back to the milk unit so that stale milk is never dispensed by the coffee unit.

Abstract: A portable lightweight gas generation device which can be attached to a container to generate a quantity of gas from a mixture of two chemically reactive materials and to inject the gas into the container. The device is especially useful as an apparatus for rapidly carbonating liquid beverages with chemically generated carbon dioxide produced in a gas generation chamber located inside a pressure vessel attached to a liquid container which serves as a carbonation chamber containing the liquid to be carbonated. The generated carbon dioxide is passed from the gas generation chamber to the carbonation chamber to carbonate the liquid. This device can also be used as a means of injecting pressurized gas into a pressurized spray can for dispensing liquids such as paint, hair spray or other sprayable products.

Abstract: A modulated steam cooker in which food to be cooked is received in an oven chamber having an access door associated with a door switch, steam being fed directly into the oven by a steam generator having an electric heater immersed in a pool of water. The heater is connected through the door switch to a power source whereby the generator is powered only when the door is shut. The pressure of steam draining from the oven is sensed by a pressure-responsive switch interposed between the heater and the power source, the pressure switch intermittently interrupting the power supplied to the heater only when the sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined level somewhat above atmospheric pressure, thereby modulating the generation of steam supplied to the oven as a function of the quantity and temperature of food therein to effect efficient cooking of the food. Mounted on the steam generator is a spray head supplied with water only when the door is opened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-insulating (adiabatic) cooking container which is ideal for use in cooking, wherein partially-cooked food or the like is thermally insulated with the finished cuisine being prepared thereafter, and, in particular, in which the opening-closing operation of the lid is easily accomplished. The heat-insulating cooking container of the present invention comprises a connecting portion connecting an outer container and a lid member which is equipped with a hinge axis axially supporting the lid member such that this lid member can be opened and closed with respect to the outer container, and a biasing member for biasing the lid member in an opening direction; and a stopping member for maintaining a state in which the lid member is closed.

Abstract: A food material heating mechanism includes at least an upper and a lower heating plate. Food material is placed on a food material tray which is then placed on the lower heating plate. The upper and lower heating plates are moved toward each other to cause an upper surface of the food material to make contact with a bottom surface of the upper heating plate for a heating process. Heating is enhanced by adding a layer of a far infrared radiation substance to surfaces of the heating plates and food material tray which make contact with the food material. The food material tray is preheated to a temperature that is substantially lower than a temperature of the upper heating plate, whereby during the heating process, a soft surface is produced by contact of the food material with the food material tray, and a crusty surface is produced by contact with the upper heating plate. A fluororesin, such as TEFLON, can be added to the surfaces which come into contact with the food material to prevent sticking.

Abstract: A batch food processing machine particularly adapted for treating solid and semi-solid foods. The machine has a processing vessel with first and second electrodes and an enclosed treatment chamber. The processing vessel is preferably a detachable module which is held within a vessel supporter and electrifier during treatment. The supporter-electrifier engages the electrodes and conveys high voltage electrical pulses to the electrodes. The system provides pressure relief using a preferred spring-biased pressure relief which is displaced when steam is generated within the treatment chamber. A preferred electrical pulse forming circuit applies square wave, short duration, high voltage pulses to the first and second electrodes with changing polarity.

Abstract: A domestic appliance (1) for making ice-cream is provided, comprising a motor (8), a stirring tool (12) drivable by the motor(8), and switching means (69) for starting a first mode of operation of the domestic appliance (1), in which mode the stirring tool (12) can be driven with a speed n (21 r.p.m.) within a speed range, the switching means (69) are adapted to start a further mode of operation of the domestic appliance, in which further mode the stirring tool (12) can be driven with at least one further speed (71 r.p.m.) within a further speed range, and wherein there has been provided a time control device (66) by means of which the drive of the stirring tool (12) with the further speed n (71 r.p.m.) can be limited to a given time interval (T).

Abstract: A printing machine includes a rectilinear print line along which an object station adapted to receive an object to be printed moves under the control of a numerical controller. A print head overlies the print line at one printing station at least. Two conjointly mobile object stations are staggered along the print line. The numerical controller delivers stopping instructions corresponding to distances from which the distance between the object stations is deducted in alternate operating cycles.

Abstract: A printing press consists of several printing units arranged in a row, each having one inking unit, and cylinders exchangeable for diverse print runs, the bearings of the exchangeable cylinder being arranged on a carriage displaceable in the printing press frame. An impression cylinder is mounted in the printing press frame. The printing press includes means for lifting out and removing the exchangeable cylinders. The conveyance means has a trolley displaceable on a rail. To allow the cylinders to be easily and rapidly exchanged the carriages are displaceable on at least one horizontal guide means of each printing press frame. Lifting jacks are assigned to the shaft journals projecting outwardly from the bearings.

Abstract: Device for conveying flexible printing forms away from a printing-form cylinder of a printing press includes a structure defining a conveying plane over which the printing forms are guidable, a conveying device leading away from the printing-form cylinder over a deflecting region adjacent to the conveying plane, and a feeding device cooperatively engaging the conveying device for feeding the printing forms to a repository.

Abstract: A plasma generator (44) for an electrothermal gun cartridge has elongated metallic rod and tube members (58,60) extending along a central axis thereof with the tube member (58) having at least one axial gap (62) and with an elongated annular insulator located between and in engagement with both metallic members to provide support therebetween as an electrical voltage generates an electrical arc at the axial gap to provide a plasma that ignites a propellant (46). Different embodiments of the plasma generator have a plurality of the axial gaps (62) located along the tube member (60) and are constructed for both simultaneous and sequential firing with fuses (74) controlling the timing. Helically extending member portions (78) provide rotation of the electrical arc and hence the plasma generated to distribute it for ignition of the propellent (46).

Abstract: A submunition fuse presenting a tubular body; a support housed in sliding manner in the tubular body; a firing element housed in sliding manner in the support; a detonating element mounted facing the firing element in the armed position of the fuse; a strip fitted to the top of the support, projecting from the tubular body, and which, during descent of the fuse, exerts aerodynamic force on the support in a direction away from the detonating element; a first thrust spring acting on the support to generate a first thrust, in the direction of the detonating element, not exceeding the aerodynamic force; a second thrust spring acting on the firing element to generate a second thrust in the direction of the detonating element; and lock balls retained by the tubular body in such a position as to interfere with and lock the firing element in a withdrawn position.

Abstract: A shot-gun cartridge case is disclosed which is made by extrusion or equivalent pressure forming of high density polyolefin-based composition containing biodegradable starch, a fatty acid ester to initiate peroxide attack on the double bonds of the polyolefin and an anti-oxidant stabilizing compound. The composition is stable to biological and chemical degradation until the cartridge is fixed, upon which fixing, the anti-oxidant stabilizing compound is partially destroyed or dispersed so that degradation of said composition takes place.

Abstract: A supporting device (10) for overhead runways comprises a fastening and adjusting coupling for connecting a bracket (12) (the lower end of which is secured to the rail (13)) to an upper suspension beam (11). The coupling comprises a first (20) and a second (23) element for connecting the beam to the bracket, the first element defining a circumferential rim (19), two parallel plates (14, 15) being interconnected by bolts (16, 17, 18) which reciprocally close together to grip the circumferential rim between the plates thereby enabling the reciprocal rotation of the element and plates around a vertical axis. The plates (14, 15) are adjustably connected to the second element to allow adjustment of the reciprocal gap between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A load carrying unit including a vertically movable pin for engagement with a movable chain of a chain conveyor includes a vertically movable chain engaging pin assembly attached to a front end of a frame structure of the load carrying unit, wherein the vertically moving chain engaging pin assembly includes a cam follower and is vertically movable in response to the position of the cam follower. The cam follower is in cooperating relation with a cam which is provided with a cam surface which follows the contour of a chain guide assembly which includes the movable chain therein.

Abstract: A hinge type drop-leaf support includes a table hinge plate, a leaf hinge plate, and a slotted strut. Both the table hinge plate and the leaf hinge plate are hingedly coupled to each other and each are provided with respective depending legs. One end of the strut is hingedly coupled to table hinge plate leg and the other end of the strut is provided with an L-shaped slot. The leaf hinge plate leg is provided with a pin which engages the L-shaped slot. The L-shaped slot and the depending legs are dimensioned so that the use of a detent is obviated. If desired, a coil spring may be provided at the hinged coupling of the strut and the table hinge plate leg to bias the strut in a downward direction. The L-shaped slot has a long portion and a short portion which form an angle between them which is preferably acute.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a table comprising a base, a table surface, and a mechanism for controlling the movement of the table surface relative to the base. The table surface is movable between a retracted position, in which the table surface is generally horizontally disposed above and adjacent the base, and an extended position, in which the table surface is generally horizontally disposed above the base and a major portion of the table surface resides forwardly of the base. The mechanism is mounted to a table base and a table surface. The mechanism has a front pivot link, pivotally interconnected to the base at a first pivot, and a rear pivot link, pivotally interconnected to the base at a second pivot link. The mechanism is mounted to the surface at the upper portion of the front pivot link at a third pivot, and at the upper portion of the rear pivot link at a fourth pivot. The mechanism is configured such that it can be mounted inboard of the table base end panels.

Abstract: A height adjustable desk including a work bench which is height adjustable and supported upon a pair of upwardly extending legs. The leg includes an upper portion supported on a lower portion. A height adjustment mechanism is manipulated by the user to adjust the height of the upper portion. This motion is transferred to the upper portion of the leg by means of cooperating rack gears meshingly engaged with their associated pinion gears. A shaft couples the gears so that the upper portions move in unison. The height adjustment mechanism includes a cooperating worm gear and nut. The worm gear is supported by the upper portion, while the nut is mounted in the lower portion.

Abstract: A shelf extender for use on supermarket and like shelves is made from a sheet of plastic which has an adhesive strip or other attachment along a back edge thereof for securing same to the top surface of the shelf with a front portion of the sheet projecting beyond the front edge of the shelf. The front portion of the sheet has fold-down tabs which engage the front edge of the shelf to form cantilever supports or buttresses for the sheet when it is under load. Fold-up strips along the front and sides of the sheet form a surrounding wall for the shelf extender.

Abstract: Main components of the underframe for a tabletop (2) are a mounting plate (19), on which a leg column is fastened, two mounting rails (17) arranged on the underside (5) of the tabletop (2) at a distance from and parallel to one another, and two clamping devices (7) clamp the mounting plate (19) firmly to a mounting rail (17). The mounting rails (17) are L-cast profiles with a short reinforcing leg (17a) and a long holding leg (17b), fastened to the tabletop underside (5) with clamping studs (17c): or a molded-on clamping leg, offset downwardly. Clamping studs (17c) or the clamping leg, directed toward the center of the tabletop, form with the holding leg (17b) a slot (18) to move the tabletop (2) onto outer edges (19a) of the mounting plate (19) offset upwardly or to extend the mounting plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for distributing a load applied thereto, such as by a shipping pallet. The apparatus comprises first and second thermoformed plastic sheets. The first sheet has a generally planar surface, a central indentation and a plurality of symmetrical peripheral indentations disposed around the central indentation, and a plurality of first ribs extending radially from the central indentation. The second sheet is joined with the first sheet and has a series of adjacent first channels which form a generally diamond-shaped patten. Each pair of adjacent first channels is separated by a raised portion including a groove and a pair of second ribs flanking the groove. Both the first channels and the grooves of the second sheet are recessed below a plane defined by the raised portions, the grooves being recessed to a depth less than the first channels.

Abstract: A dryer for particulate materials comprising an elongated, peripherally enclosed combustion tunnel having a combustion chamber and an exhaust outlet, a liner spaced from and around the combustion tunnel, having an exterior radiant heat reflective shield, a peaked upper roof portion defining a pair of diagonal, flow dividing, slide surfaces, the upper roof portion being of a metal alloy having a low coefficient of friction and high thermal conductivity, a jacket surrounding and generally spaced from the liner, cooperative with the liner to form a material drying chamber between the liner and jacket, the jacket having a configuration similar to that of the liner and an interior heat reflective shield, an elongated, particulate material inlet conveyor in the housing above the upper roof portion of the liner for dispensing particulate material over the length of the roof portion to evaporate volatilizable substances therefrom, an elongated, particulate material discharge conveyor in the jacket, beneath the liner,

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a bulk material supplemental fuel through a port formed in a side wall of a rotary vessel of a cement kiln. The apparatus includes a stationary annular plenum surrounding rotary vessel. The plenum is configured to define an enclosed interior region in communication with the port in the rotary vessel. The apparatus also includes a bulk material fuel charging apparatus including a hopper for receiving the bulk material, and a barrel in communication with the hopper. The barrel has an open discharge end extending into the interior region of the annular plenum. The bulk material fuel charging apparatus also includes an air cannon in air flow communication with the barrel for injecting air into the barrel to force a portion of the bulk material located in the barrel out of the open discharge end of the barrel, through the port, and into the rotary vessel.

Abstract: Paper mill sludge or similar organic sludges with a high ash content are converted by burning the sludge in a cyclone furnace along with another source of fuel. The heat content of the sludge is recovered and the ash content of the sludge is converted to a glassy slag. A flux, such as limestone, may be added to the sludge before introduction into the cyclone furnace. The slag is useful as a construction material, an abrasive, for roofing products, or for other purposes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a simple mechanical seed meter having a casing that is provided with holding and dividing combs in which is rotated a metering drum. The metering drum is provided with angled flutes which define seed receiving valleys. One side of the drum is the dispensing side and the flutes at that side are provided with upwardly extending fingers which define seed pockets for individual seeds. The seed pockets carry the singled seeds from the seed receiving space defined by the dividing comb to the seed dispensing space where there are released to the outlet of the casing. The combs are secured to the casing by a hook and loop fastener assembly.

Abstract: A drive force transmission for a shuttle section in a sewing machine in which a rotation of a spindle is transmitted and transformed into a swing motion to an output shaft coupled with the shuttle section, the drive force transmission comprising: a power transmission mechanism coupled with the spindle; a drive force transmission shaft rotating by the rotation of the spindle through the power transmission mechanism; and a force transforming mechanism provided between the drive force transmission shaft and the output shaft, for transforming the rotation from the drive force transmission shaft into the swing motion of the output shaft.

Abstract: A shuttle hook driving device for driving a shuttle hook having a beak disposed between a needle drop position and a bobbin thread lead-out point of a bobbin in a sewing machine which includes a main shaft, a needle bar, a thread take-up lever, and a conversion mechanism for converting a rotation of the main shaft into an oscillating motion, the shuttle hook driving device comprises: a counter balance connected to the needle bar and the thread take-up lever, the counter balance being mounted on the main shaft such that the counter balance is displaced a predetermined angle with respect to the main shaft as compared with a standard sewing machine; an output shaft received the oscillating motion from the conversion mechanism, the output shaft being connected to the conversion device in right-left inverted relation with respect to an axis thereof as compared with the standard sewing machine, using an uppermost point of the needle bar as a reference; and a driver connected to the output shaft, for driving the shu