Other

Allied Corporation

Amphenol Corporation

Barnes Engineering Company

James E Moore

Igor Grois

Mark Margolin

George Csanak

B Michael Kale

Fritz Luty

Robert H Doremus

Michael Kale

A herbicide applicator has an inclined underside surface supported at a selected elevation and slope with respect to the ground. Liquid herbicide is fed at a variably controlled rate to an upper edge portion of the inclined underside surface, and the herbicide flows down the underside surface without dripping before reaching the lower edge portion of the underside surface. Preferably, the underside surface is provided by a durable, non-absorbent, structural-grade material that has been roughened to increase its liquid storage capacity, for example, by grooves, indentations, or pockets. Preferably, liquid herbicide is uniformly fed to the underside surface by a distributor having a perforated tube and a strip of porous plastic sealed within a channel so that liquid fed to the tube must exit through the pores in the porous plastic strip. Preferably, herbicide is collected at the lower edge portion of the underside surface by a rope-wick or other absorbent material, and any excess is removed by a drain or a suction line. For applying herbicide to a wide swath of vegetation, a number of rigid panels are hinged together, or a wide semi-flexible panel is drawn by draw bars connected to the panel by a network of flexibly-connected braces.

Devices and methods for selective application of herbicide

Dimensionally-stable porous materials such as porous plastic are used in a variety of ways to provide uniform distribution and application of liquids to vegetation. Porous plastic can be readily cut, sawed and drilled to provide liquid distribution channels and various applicator shapes. Porous plastic is easily glued or welded for joining to other materials. Rods, tubes and handles are easily inserted into the porous plastic, and selected areas of the porous surfaces are readily sealed with glue or by melting to confine liquid application to selected areas. The pore size, preferably in the range of 5 to 200 microns, can be selected in accordance with the viscosity of the liquid and the desired rate of flow and pressure. Porous plastic can be highly abrasion resistant, which is especially useful for constructing applicators which rest upon the ground or pavement. Where abrasion is not a problem, the porous plastic may serve to distribute liquid to a soft absorbent applicator such as a sponge. Unitary applicators are readily fashioned from a block of porous plastic by forming a connection to a sprayer nozzle or squeeze bottle, drilling a hole to provide an internal distribution channel, and sealing surfaces that are not intended to deliver liquid.

Methods and devices for using porous materials in the controlled

Hand-held chemical applicators are provided for applying chemicals such as herbicide to selected plants while surrounding plants are shielded from accidental contact. The chemical is forcefully applied by gripping or pressing a selected portion of the plant against an applicator pad containing the chemical. The amount of applied chemical is controlled by variation of the pressure or area of contact between the plant and the pad. Preferably a porous applicator pad is mounted between the distal portions of a pair of elongated tongs so as to define a shielded application zone. A supply of liquid is stored in a small bottle attached to the tongs. One of the tongs is hollow and contains the applicator pad and a channel for the liquid to flow from the bottle to the pad. The second tong is in the form of a resilient strip which the operator can press toward the hollow tong when maneuvering among plants and when grasping a portion of an undesired plant. Several alternative arrangements are provided for connecting the tongs to the bottle.

Manual devices and methods for selective application of chemical

For the control of weeds in turfgrass, herbicide is selectively applied to the weeds overgrowing the height of the turfgrass after mowing. An applicator pad carrying the herbicide is drawn across the turfgrass as the pad is held parallel to the underlying ground and at a preset height just above the height of the turfgrass. For this purpose the applicator pad is supported by a skid having flat portions resting on the ground as the skid slides over the turfgrass. The preferred form of the skid for unestablished terrain is a large flat plate having an upturned leading edge portion and supporting the applicator pad behind its trailing edge. For established terrain, however, the skid preferably comprises a pair of runners near the respective transverse ends of the applicator pad, a horizontal transverse member preceding the applicator pad for uplifting horizontally extending weeds and raising the applicator pad in the event of the runners bridging a spot of high ground, and a pair of horizontal forward support bars intersecting at a draw bar and extending rearward to respective ends of the transverse member. The forward support bars form a plow for diverting foreign objects and for uplifting horizontally-extending weeds. Applicator assemblies are also disclosed for trim work.

A narrow-band filter for absorbing radiation at a wavelength in the range of 9.2 to 10.8 microns and for transmitting radiation in a surrounding 8 to 12 micron band having a high transmission ratio. The filter is comprised of a pure or mixed alkali-halide crystal having optical incidence and transmission surfaces and thiocyanate or borofluoride as an impurity.

Narrow-band optical absorption filter

A selected impurity in a crystal is provided as a narrow-band absorption filter for optical radiation. The crystal lattice constant may be adjusted, for example, by forming a mixed crystal, to adjust the absorption frequency.

This invention relates to an improvement in a fiber optic connector of the type having a main body to which is secured a ceramic ferrule. The improvement resides in that the mating ferrule is a ceramic ferrule arranged in a press-fit engagement within the recess such that the ferrule does not abut against the bottom of the recess and extends beyond the main body a fixed predetermined distance to be compatible for mating with other like connectors. The requirement for using epoxy to fix the ferrule to the body and later polishing down of the ferrule is eliminated. The invention also resides in a tool for assembling the fiber optic connector and the method of using the tool to assemble the connector.

Fiber optic connector, tool for assembling fiber optic connector and

Hand-held chemical applicators are provided for applying chemicals such as herbicide to selected plants while surrounding plants are shielded from accidental contact. The chemical is forcefully applied by gripping or pressing a selected portion of the plant against an applicator pad containing the chemical. The amount of applied chemical is controlled by variation of the pressure or area of contact between the plant and the pad. Preferably a pair of pads are mounted to the opposing surfaces of the distal portions of pincers or tongs to define an application zone between the pads. Absorbent pads are used for applying liquid chemicals, and chemicals from a pad in the form of a solid bar or cake are applied with the aid of an absorbent pad carrying a solvent and cooperating with the bar or cake. In an alternative embodiment a single applicator pad mounted to a holder is shielded by a resilient flat strip which is deflected by the selected plant to open up an application zone, or alternatively which is normally in an open position and is manually pressed toward the selected plant, and the applicator pad is covered by a cap between periods of use so as to seal a self-contained reservoir of chemical in the holder. The hand-held applicators are also useful for cleaning artificial plants.

A tool for preparing a fiber optic cable for termination with a fiber optic connector. The cable is of the type having a concentric arrangement, from the exterior of the center thereof, an outer protective cover, a layer of strength members and a buffer layered cover fiber. A longitudinally extending first member of the tool includes a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and the cable is mountable therein with a predetermined length extending from the front thereof. The front of the member is a frusto-conical shape on the exterior thereof and the cable is clamped within the member. A second clamp member also having a longitudinal passage therethrough is of a size such that the second clamp member can be received on the exterior of the frusto-conical end of the first member such as to hold strength members of the fiber optic cable securely against the outer surface of the frusto-conical end when the strength members are folded thereover. A sleeve press member then serves to force an inner sleeve which is mounted over the buffer covered end of the fiber into the region between the strength members and the buffered sleeve. The sleeve press member is of a predetermined length such that when engaged against the front end of the two previously described members, defines the length of fiber of the cable to be left with the buffer layer thereon so that the remaining fiber extending therefrom can have the buffer layer stripped. The disclosure also relates to a method of using the tool to prepare a fiber optic cable.

Fiber optic cable preparation tool and method of preparing fiber optic

A fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly for connecting a fiber optic cable thereto. The connector assembly includes an arrangement whereby the cable can be crimped and attached to the connector without crimping force being exerted on the buffer layer of the cable. The connecting end of the connector has the capillary ferrule extending outwardly therefrom in a spring loaded manner. In connection with another connector the respective ferrules are held in a centering sleeve and retract against the compressive force of a spring into each connector thereof to ensure alignment and tight connection between the core elements held by the ferrules. In order to permit repeat connections, the ferrules are held non-rotatively within the connectors. Further compensating means in the form of a compensating sleeve having a predetermined temperature coefficient of expansion is provided for ensuring that the fiber core of the cable is maintained flush with the end of the capillary ferrule at all times and under varying temperature conditions.

Fiber optic connector with temperature compensating mechanism

A fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly for connecting a fiber optic cable thereto. The connector assembly includes an arrangement whereby the cable can be crimped and attached to the connector without crimping force being exerted on the buffer layer of the cable. The connecting end of the connector has the capillary ferrule extending outwardly therefrom in a spring loaded manner. In connection with another connector the respective ferrules are held in a centering sleeve and retract against the compressive force of a spring into each connector thereof to ensure alignment and tight connection between the core elements held by the ferrules. In order to permit repeat connections, the ferrules are held non-rotatably within the connectors. Further compensating means is provided for ensuring that the fiber core of the cable is maintained flush with the end of the capillary ferrule at all times and under varying temperature conditions.

Fiber optic connector with compensating mechanism

A silver halide glass is formed from silver iodide, silver fluoride and aluminum fluoride.

Silver halide glasses

A briquetting plant for hot briquetting particulate matter, such as mill waste containing a material that softens when heated, such as iron oxide, which includes a low temperature tumbler type heat exchanger, an intermediate temperature tumbler type heat exchanger, a fluid bed furnace and a compactor, with the feed material being fed therethrough in succession. The briquettes produced by the compactor are first fed from the outlet of the compactor into the intermediate temperature heat exchanger, for liberation of heat therein, separated from the feed material by a screen at the outlet of the intermediate temperature heat exchanger and from such screen transported into the low temperature heat exchanger for further imparting of heat to the feed material. A second screen is provided at the outlet of the low temperature heat exchanger for separating and discharging the briquettes in relatively cooled form. The tumbler type heat exchangers are in the form of a hollow cone having a wide included angle enclosed by a cover and slowly rotated about an inclined axis to provide intimate mixing of the components and uniform withdrawal of the mixture. The heat exchangers are mounted at a low level and the screens are mounted at a high level with bucket type elevators in between and with the furnace and compactor being located at successive intermediate levels so that, except for the two bucket elevators, all of the flow in the plant takes place under action of gravity. Wet and dry feed materials are separately handled, with means being provided for conveying the dry feed directly to the second heat exchanger.

Briquetting plant

A tumbler assembly for mixing, storing and feeding particulate materials and for transferring heat between different materials which includes a tumbler having a lower portion in the form of a hollow inverted lower cone enclosed by a circular cover. The cover has an axial inlet and the cone has an axial outlet. The tumbler is rotatably supported with its axis inclined at an angle of 30.degree. to 75.degree. with respect to the horizontal, the tumbler having driving means for rotating the same at a speed within the range of a fraction of a revolution per minute up to several revolutions per minute. The cone has an included angle within the range of 80.degree. to 135.degree.. The outlet is restricted to control the rate of flow so that a body of material is maintained in the tumbler, the material being constantly mixed by cascading of material across the surface of the body and movement of material within the body as the material is withdrawn along a multiplicity of paths which, by reason of the conical shape and inclined axis, precess orbitally through the mass. In an alternate embodiment, the body of material completely fills the tumbler and the mixing occurs primarily within the interior of the body. In another alternate embodiment the cover, which is preferably of conical shape, is fixed, that is, non-rotatable, and the lower cone is proportioned in accordance with the function to be performed. A tumbler may be used for handling a single particulate material, either heated or not, or a combination of particulate materials, respectively coarse and fine, having different inlet temperatures, so that the tumbler serves as a heat exchanger. In one embodiment the tumbler includes a fuel burner for heating a material contained therein.

Inclined conical rotary vessels for storage and tumbling of materials to

A system for heating and hot briquetting particulate matter containing a material that softens when heated, which consists of an improved fluid bed reactor for heating the material and certain instrumentation and controls for protecting the briquetting equipment from excessive temperatures originating in the furnace. The furnace improvements permit the processing of feed material having wide ranges of particle size, density and fuel content over substantial ranges of production rates. Furnace constructions are provided for heating the materials at rates of 700,000 to 2,800,000 BTU per square foot of hearth area and avoiding problems normally associated with such high combustion rates, such as excessive entrainment of feed from the furnace by the off gas, surging of the bed and insufficient material available at the furnace outlet to meet the needs of the briquetting machine.

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Wheaton, IL, United States of America

James E Moore