Abstract:
A hydroponic growth system comprising a wicking layer of beaded polystyrene foam to transport water to the bottom of containers on the top surface of the foam, preferably with a heating means under the foam.
Abstract:
A controller for controlling the slope of a screed supported by support arms wherein the screed is moved over a distance includes a first slope sensor which develops a first sensor signal representing the slope of the screed, a second slope sensor which develops a second sensor signal representing the slope of the support arms and a first summer which sums the first sensor signal and command signal indicative of a particular screed slope to develop a first error signal. An integrator integrates the error signal over distance to develop an integrated first error signal. A second summer sums the integrated first error signal with the second sensor signal to develop a second error signal which is utilized to control actuators which adjust the slope of the support arms.
Abstract:
A caddy for pulling a trailer. A wheel is rotatably mounted to an axle which in turn is fixedly secured to an upright post into which a downwardly extending member on the trailer hitch is positionable. A handle is pivotally mounted to the axle and may be pulled to pull the trailer forwardly.
Abstract:
Machines having a boom or arm pivotally disposed thereon wherein the length of the boom or arm and the angle thereof with respect to a reference plane are adjustable by means of actuators are well known. However, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously control the actuators in a coordinated fashion to move the end of the boom or arm in a straight line path. In order to overcome this problem, a boom control system for a boom according to the present invention controls the actuators in either of two modes of operation, the first mode of operation comprising independent control over each actuator to afford polar coordinate operation and the second mode of operation comprising synchronized control over the actuators so that the end of the member may be moved in a straight line. Means are provided for manually selecting one of the two modes of operation. Means may be provided for calculating the amount of remaining horizontal throw of the boom or arm when a command to move same is issued.
Abstract:
A disposable camera constructed to produce a single photograph and to collapse to a stored position. A top wall and bottom wall are spaced apart by a pair of inwardly folding side walls and a pair of outwardly folding side walls. A negative and associated photographic paper is slidably mounted in the camera. An externally located pair of pressure jaws receive the film and paper to break a packet of development material mounted to the paper and negative and subsequently apply the material onto the paper. The camera is disposable after one exposure whereas the jaws are retained for use with the next camera. A shutter is moveable across an aperture in the front wall to allow light to pass to the negative.
Abstract:
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a monolith extrusion die is formed by separately drilling matching feed holes for extruded material in each of two plates. In one plate the feed holes are shallow and carefully drilled for accurate alignment with the extrusion slots of the die. In the other plate, the holes are accurately located at the drill entry point, but thereafter rapidly drilled without regard to drift. The plates are then bonded together to form my die.Other methods of forming an extrusion die using two plates are disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for controlling the coating with alumina of ceramic monolithic catalyst supports on a production basis to achieve repeatability of coating utilizing a vacuum system to distribute a coating slurry of alumina over the interior surfaces of and purge the excess coating slurry from the support at the same time that plugged tubular passageways through the support are unplugged, comprising the steps of applying the coating slurry to the support which has at least about 100 axially aligned tubular passageways to the square inch and subjecting the support to a vacuum to draw the slurry through the passageways and remove plugging and excess slurry to form a coating of alumina on the passageway surfaces. The support is dried and calcined to fix the alumina coating on the passageway surfaces.
Abstract:
A method for controlling the coating of ceramic monolithic catalyst supports on a production basis to achieve repeatability of coating utilizing a vacuum system to distribute the coating slurry over the interior surfaces of and purge the excess coating slurry from the support at the same time that plugged tubular passageways through the support are unplugged, comprising the steps of applying the coating slurry to the support and subjecting the support to a vacuum to draw the slurry through the passageways and remove plugging and excess slurry to form a coating on the passageway surfaces. Apparatus for practicing the method is adapted to either dipping the support in the slurry or charging the slurry to the support at its upper end as positioned in the apparatus.
Abstract:
A disposable camera constructed to produce a single photograph and to collapse to a stored position. A top wall and bottom wall are spaced apart by a pair of inwardly folding side walls and a pair of outwardly folding side walls. A negative is slidably mounted adjacent the back wall and is alignable with a photographic paper slidably mounted against one side wall and to the top wall. A shutter is moveable across an aperture in the front wall to allow light to pass to the negative. A pair of rollers are mounted to the camera box with the photographic paper and negative moving therebetween developing the photograph on the paper.