Abstract: A product distribution system for an air seeder includes a plurality of furrow openers and a plurality of product distributors mounted on an implement frame. Each product distributor comprises a seed container and a plurality of seed delivery conduits extending radially outward from the seed container A seed meter apparatus is connected to receive the seed product from the seed container and operative to meter seeds of the seed product into each of the seed delivery conduits. A seed product dispenser is operative to convey a seed product from a seed product tank into each seed container, and is operative to maintain a level of the seed product in each seed container above a selected level. The product distributors are spaced across the width of the implement frame.

Abstract: Neutralizing deflection in a transportation system comprising connecting a number of support structures to ground. A tube is coupled to the support structures via a number of actuators, wherein the tube defines an interior enclosure through which a vehicle can travel. Utilizing a number of sensors, directional displacement of the support structures can be sensed, and the actuators are controller to counter the sensed displacement of the support structures by producing a directionally-opposite displacement of the tube relative to the support structures.

Abstract: A remediation pig for cleaning a pipeline of wax or paraffin mechanically, with heating, and/or with jetting, comprising a body having an axis, an impeller mounted in the body to receive power from the flowing fluid within the pipeline, wheels mounted on the body for contacting the internal bore of the pipeline, the wheels being powered by the power received from the impeller and being mounted in a skewed position relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis such that as the wheels roll on the internal bore the remediation pig will move along the pipeline.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a longitudinal central axis aligned in a direction of travel and for travel through a passageway of an elongated tubular track having a non-linear pathway which extends in three dimensions and which at least partly confines said toy vehicle, said toy vehicle comprising a first plurality of translational elements comprising two+2n, wherein n=1 or more, translational elements spaced about the longitudinal central axis of the toy vehicle for engagement with the inner surface of the elongated tubular track; and a second plurality of translational elements comprising two+2m, wherein m=1 or more, translational elements spaced about the longitudinal central axis of the toy vehicle for engagement with the curved inner surface of the elongated tubular track, wherein each of the translational elements of the first plurality of translational elements and each of the translational elements of the second plurality of translation elements are independently moveable in relation to each other and are bia

Abstract: A miniaturized, inexpensive instrument for measuring the mass flow rate of powder, which is capable of directly outputting the mass flow rate of powder and whose characteristics are not influenced by the kind and physical properties of the powder. The instrument can be easily manufactured, installed, operated, maintained, and color change can be easily done. A constant powder feeder, which is constructed based on this instrument and an electrostatic powder coating system utilizing this feeder has a high performance and a high operational efficiency. A measuring gas with a regulated flow rate is turned into a thin-layer of high-speed gas jets by a dispersion means, thereby powder is cross-dispersed and introduced into a measuring tube, the pressure difference generated therein is measured, and a feeding means is subject to feedback control so that the output of the pressure difference coincides with a set value.

Abstract: A tube container for tubular transport is proposed made of a gondola which is supported via articulations at each end on tube bogies, the articulations having 3 degrees of rotational freedom permitting the gondola to rotate around its axis and the bogies to take the proper rolling attitude in the tube, to negotiate curves, the tube bogies having wheels able to cope and roll on the tube rolling surface, and the gondola having a pendular follower which can be extracted out by a magnetic extractor from the gondola space and the pendular follower being used for unloading the gondola in motion with the help of a helical stationary cam acting on the said follower.

Abstract: A low profile parallel railcar discharge adaptor is designed for connection between a discharge gate of a center discharge railroad hopper car and a pneumatic conveyor for unloading pulverulent and granular material, such as sugar and the like, from the car. The adaptor includes low profile, parallel double airlocks in a single housing mounted on a frame with an attached pair of main wheels, each of which is attached to a hydraulic jack. The frame includes members which perform the dual function of support and air passage, thus helping to minimize the profile height of the adaptor. A handle is connected to the adaptor frame, extending therefrom upward at an angle and terminating in a comfortable operating position. A pair of drive motors and a corresponding pair of gear housings are attached to the handle, with each drive motor and gear driving a respective one of the rotary airlocks via an angled universal joint. A control for the hydraulic jacks is located on the handle proximate a handle grip.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system, particularly useful as a mail transport system, which includes a transport carrier moving through a pneumatic tube line between remote sending/receiving stations is described. Movement of the transport carrier through the pneumatic tube line is by means of a positive or negative air flow in the tube line provided by a blower means. The air flow direction is controlled by utilizing a series of adjustable valves, such as butterfly valves. The system additionally employs sensors for indicating the presence of the carrier in the exterior station.

Abstract: An agricultural particulate feeder controls the rate of particulate distribution to a surface being worked. The particlate feeder comprises a hopper with a sliding door over a discharge outlet at a lower end of the hopper. A frame supports the particulate feeder and has an elongated tube extending longitudinally under the discharge outlet of the hopper, the tube forming an element of the frame. A particulate metering cylinder is positioned between the outlet and door of the hopper and a particulate inlet in the elongated tube and is rotatably mounted on a drive shaft. A housing encases the cylinder and forms an enclosure connecting the hopper outlet and the tube inlet. One side of the housing is removable to allow lateral access to the metering cylinder inside the housing. In addition, longitudinal removal of the drive shaft permits lateral removal of the metering cylinder from the housing.

Abstract: A pipeline transportation system for wheeled vehicles which are moved therethrough by air. The vehicle functions as a pipeline sweeper to remove debris from the pipeline through one or more openings provided in the bottom of the pipeline. In one embodiment, the vehicle is self-righting whereby the vehicle will maintain an upright attitude and the vehicle wheels will straddle the openings in the pipeline and pass over the openings without the wheels being caught in the openings. In another embodiment, the vehicle includes loading wheels adjacent the bottom of the vehicle and side wheels on either side of the loading wheels, and the opening in the pipeline is positioned in the path of movement of the load wheels but out of the path of movement of the side wheels whereby debris will fall out of the opening but the vehicle will roll over the openings on the side wheels.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport plant in which a plurality of aligned pneumatic tubes define a transport path, the tubes being spaced apart with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam extending continuously along the path and through each tube, in which it is mounted by brackets flanking the rail and engaging the underside of the upper flange thereof, the brackets being bolted to the walls of the tubes.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein relates to a toy system comprising a generally closed track arrangement and a toy vehicle adapted to be propelled in the track by a pressurized fluid. The track arrangement is preferably a series of transparent tubular members interconnected to form any desired track configuration. One of the tubular members includes a pressurized fluid inlet opening adapted to be coupled to pressurized fluid source and further includes check valve means and an exhaust opening. The check valve means is located on the upstream side of the inlet opening and closely adjacent thereto; the exhaust opening is located on the upstream side of the check valve means and is closely adjacent thereto. The toy vehicle can be in any desired shape loosely fitting within the tubular members and includes, at its tail end, flexible seal means which engages the inner periphery of the tubular track members to prevent the flow of pressurized fluid around the vehicle.