Abstract: A concrete patching robot has a multi-axis robotic manipulator mounted on a powered, movable, platform that can be raised and lowered to access the underside of structures that may be substantial distances above the ground, for example, the underside of an elevated highway. The entire assembly is maneuverable under the work area and the platform may be raised to access the concrete. Once the work area is in reach of the arm, the device is able to use numerous tools to complete essential steps to repair the concrete.

Abstract: A concrete patching robot has a multi-axis robotic manipulator mounted on a powered, movable, platform that can be raised and lowered to access the underside of structures that may be substantial distances above the ground, for example, the underside of an elevated highway. The entire assembly is maneuverable under the work area and the platform may be raised to access the concrete. Once the work area is in reach of the arm, the device is able to use numerous tools to complete essential steps to repair the concrete.

Abstract: Methods of reel-laying a mechanically lined pipe (MLP) are described. These include the steps of: spooling the MLP (12) onto a reel (10) in the complete or substantial absence of internal pressure above ambient pressure in the MLP; spooling off the MLP from the reel; aligning and straightening the spooled off MLP, in the complete or substantial absence of internal pressure above ambient pressure, to provide an MLP for laying; and/or the steps of: spooling the MLP (12) onto a reel (10) resulting in the formation of wrinkles in the spooled MLP; spooling off the MLP from the reel; aligning and straightening the unspooled MLP to provide an MLP for laying having wrinkles <4 mm high, removing wrinkles, if any, while performing the hydrotest which is used to check fluid tightness of the line.

Abstract: A material delivery system conveys material from a supply location at or above an area surface to a working location below the area surface. The delivery system includes a supply hopper located at the supply location and having an inlet for receiving material to be conveyed and an outlet for discharging material. An injection hopper is adapted for mounting on a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle, and has an inlet for receiving material and an outlet for discharging material. The arm of the vehicle carries the injection hopper below the area surface to the working location. A supply line is connected to the outlet of the supply hopper and to the inlet of the injection hopper for conveying material from the supply location to the working location.

Abstract: In a pneumatic conveyor for coins comprising a plurality of conduits leading from a plurality of payment points, a common conduit into which said plurality of conduits feed, a separator receiving coins from said common conduit and separating said coins from air, suction means for creating a suction in said common conduit and said plurality of conduits to convey coins to said separator, and a storage receptacle for receiving coins from said separator; the improvement comprising a sealing means for opening and closing concealing means disposed in each of said plurality of conduits for opening each of said plurality of conduits only when a coin enters one of said plurality of conduits and for closing the associated said one of said plurality of conduits after said coin has passed said sealing means, thereby to preserve said vacuum both in said plurality of conduits downstream of said sealing means and in said common conduits.

Abstract: A bark mulch handling and spreading apparatus includes a platform adapted to be mounted on a mobile chassis, a receiving and conveying unit mounted on the platform having a hopper for receiving bark mulch and an auger along the bottom of the hopper for conveying the bark mulch to an outlet port of the unit, a blower mechanism mounted on the platform adjacent to the receiving and conveying unit for generating a flow of air past the outlet port of the receiving and conveying unit so as to entrain the discharging bark mulch in the flow of air, a spreading mechanism mounted on the platform adjacent to the receiving and conveying unit and adapted to receive the flow of air with entrained bark mulch from the outlet port of the receiving and conveying unit and to distribute the air flow entrained bark mulch to a selected discharge location, and a drive arrangement mounted on the platform for driving the auger of the receiving and conveying unit, the blower mechanism and a plurality of agitating members in the hopper

Abstract: Material transfer apparatus comprises a vacuum source for drawing material entrained in a first fluid stream through an inlet conduit into a separation chamber, a valve for transferring material collected in the chamber to an inlet of a first section of an outlet conduit and a pressure source for pushing material entrained in a second fluid stream from the valve and through the outlet conduit. The outlet conduit carries the material entrained in the second fluid stream from the air lock to an elevated material outlet, the conduit comprising the first section and further second and third sections. The substantially rigid first section leads from the air lock to a flexible, curved second section, and a substantially rigid third section leads from the second section to the elevated material outlet. The first and third sections are connected by a hinge member including a locking device for fixing the angle between the first and third sections and permitting the height of the material outlet to be varied.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material transfer assembly usable with a pneumatic grain handling system to transfer granular material from a storage bin to a transport truck. The material transfer assembly is connected to a discharge side of the pneumatic grain handling system and includes a discharge joint assembly mounted between an inlet tube assembly and a discharge tube assembly. The discharge joint assembly is provided with a ball sleeve assembly mounted about a ball joint to provide for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis through a tube actuator assembly. The inlet tube assembly is provided with telescopingly mounted first and second tube members operable wherein the second tube member is selectively secured in a desired rotational position about a vertical axis by a lock arm assembly.

Abstract: A feed spreader has an impeller for distributing feed to livestock in a feed lot. The impeller is driven through a belt and pulley arrangement by an electric motor. The feed spreader has a connection for receiving feed from a feed hopper through a flexible tube attached to the auger of the feed hopper. The feed spreader has an adjustable mount for positioning the feed spreader on a fence post of the feed lot. In this manner, feed can be distributed to livestock within the feed lot without necessitating the entry of any personnel into the feed lot.

Abstract: Rotatable fill pipe for use in blind-filling underground voids has a collapsible backfill elbow on the lower end thereof, including an upper elbow part rigidly connected to the lower end of the fill pipe and a lower elbow part pivotally connected to the upper elbow part for pivotal movement between a lower position in coaxial alignment with the fill pipe to facilitate passage of the backfill elbow and lower end of the fill pipe through a fill hole into an underground void, and a raised position extending at an angle relative to the fill pipe to facilitate distribution of fill material introduced into the underground void through the fill pipe in a circular pile within the underground void as the fill pipe and backfill elbow are rotated about the longitudinal axis of the fill pipe. A cable may be connected to the lower elbow part for remotely actuating the lower elbow part for pivotal movement between the lower and raised positions.

Abstract: A high volume long distance pumping system for heavy sludges and contaminated flowables utilizes a blower powered air conveyance arrangement to draw solids and air from an available source and deliver the mixture through a hose to a separator from which extracted liquids and solids enter a closed tank hopper while air from the separator is filtered and exhausted through the blower to atmosphere. The liquid/solids mixture in the closed tank hopper is delivered by a piston pump in communication with the tank hopper through a discharge line to a point of consumption or storage.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor system for transporting bulk materials from a shore-based hopper (2) to a ship includes a pipeline comprising an inlet section (4), an intermediate telescopic tubing (36) and an outlet section (45). One end of the telescopic tubing (36) is interconnected to the inlet section (4) by means of a universal joint (8,10), a length of flexible tubing (12) interconnecting the hopper (2) with said one end of the telescopic tubing, while the outlet section (45) is mounted on the other end of the telescopic tubing (36) by a further universal joint (48, 50), a further length of flexible tubing (52) interconnecting said other end of the telescopic tubing (36) with an outlet from the outlet section (45).

Abstract: A front-discharge nitrate truck with an articulated boom is disclosed. The boom is anchored about a pivot point which allows it to travel in a horizontal arc of at least 180.degree.. A joint in the boom near the anchor point enables the boom to be elevated in a substantial vertical arc. The boom elevation and orientation can be controlled by controls within the truck cab to locate the distal end of the boom at any ground position within a horizontal arc described by the distal end of the boom. The boom may further be folded alongside the truck for easy transport. The truck has its bed upon scales so that the truck operator may discharge a predetermined amount of prilled nitrate in a bore hold.

Abstract: A system for feeding coal or other material blown from a pipe in a desired trajectory is disclosed including a positioning device for applying directional force to the midsection of the pipe to produce slight bending for orienting the free end, which device has an horizontal adjustment member and a vertical adjustment member. Each comprising a slotted arm with an integral handle mounted on three congruent support plates and pivoted respectively in the interstices between the middle and outer plates. The plates have concentric circular openings therein through which a sleeve for passing the pipe therethrough axially extends.

Abstract: A control device for the discharge deflection spout on a forage harvester is disclosed wherein the discharge end of the spout is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane even though the base of the spout is rotated about an axis defined by the blower which is tilted at an acute angle to the vertical.

Abstract: A particle separator which is highly efficient in the removal of suspended particulate matter from a gaseous fluid flow; which depends for its operation on centrifugal forces acting on the particulate matter which are caused and controlled by rotational direction changes induced in the fluid flow by the shape of the inner walls of the chamber which comprises the particle separator; and which derives its efficiency not only from controlability of the turning radius of the fluid flow during an induced rotational direction change, but also from recognition and utilization of the fact that particles suspended in that portion of the fluid flow which is nearest the center of rotation of the fluid flow may be unable to cross the center of fluid flow (which has a higher velocity than the outer edges of the flow) and thus be unable to separate from the flow during induced rotational direction changes necessitating a second induced rotational direction change wherein those particles which were formerly nearest the cent