Abstract: The present invention is an acoustic panel having a porous layer and a generally rigid layer affixed to each other. The generally rigid layer includes at least one passageway opening on one side of the rigid layer and extending through the rigid layer to the porous layer. The porous layer is a fibrous material. The rigid layer is a concrete-type material, such as vermiculite-cement plaster. This acoustic panel further comprises a generally rigid planar surface positioned adjacent to the porous layer. This generally rigid planar surface can comprise an insulating layer affixed to the other side of the porous layer and a structural layer fastened to the insulating layer. The insulating layer is a polyurethane foam board. The structural layer is a particle board.

Abstract: A fiberoptic limit switch system comprising a light source, an optical beamsplitting arrangement, a switch, an optical fiber, a detector, and output circuitry. The light source is a light-emitting diode. The switch is responsive to external stimulus. The switch comprises a housing, a receptacle for receiving the optical fiber, and a reflective surface movable between two positions within the housing. The optical fiber extends from the light source to the switch. The detector is arranged so as to receive light from the optical fiber and transmit a signal relative to the light emission. The output circuitry is electrically connected to the detector.

Abstract: An X-ray plate readout device comprising a generally light-tight housing, a holder for the X-ray plate within the housing, a light source located within the housing, scanning electronics for creating a generally raster pattern of light to the X-ray plate, and a display. The light source may be either a one- or two-dimensional cathode ray tube or light-emitting diode arrangement. Imaging optics are interposed between the light source and the X-ray plate. A plano-cylindrical fiberoptics plate is arranged in close proximity to the photoconductive layer of the X-ray plate. An amplifier is electrically connected between the layers of the X-ray plate. A video monitor is electrically connected to the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A flow indicator switch system comprising a body having a cavity therein, a first magnetic member pivotally connected to the body and extending into the cavity, a second magnetic member pivotally connected to the body, and a fiberoptic connector arranged about the body for receiving at least one optical fiber. The first magnetic member has a portion that extends beyond the body. A magnet is affixed to the first magnetic member on the end within the body and a paddle is affixed to the other end extending beyond the body. A spring is arranged about the exterior of the first magnetic member. The second member is magnetically interactive with the first magnetic member within the cavity of the body. The second magnetic member has a reflective surface extending therefrom. This reflective surface is generally adjacent the fiberoptic connector and is movable between a first and second position in correspondence to the existence of a fluid flow acting on the paddle.

Abstract: A system for the distillation of sea water comprising a sea water input conduit, an evaporator, a work extractor, a float, a condenser, a distilled water output conduit, and a brine solution output conduit. The evaporator is connected to the input conduit. The work extractor comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably engaging the interior of the cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston. The piston rod is pivotally coupled to the float. The cylinder is pivotally attached to a second float. The second float is connected to the first float. A conduit connects the piston-and-cylinder arrangement with the condenser. The condenser communicates with the distilled water output conduit. The evaporator communicates with the brine solution output conduit. The energy for this system is provided by the wave motion of a body of water.

Abstract: A portable mini-desk comprising a body having a generally flat surface thereabout, a first surface connected to the body and capable of canting with respect to that body, and controls arranged about the body so as to maintain the first surface in at least one fixed position. A turntable is interposed between the first surface and the body. The turntable has a generally circular shape. The body has a generally planar base, a plurality of vertical walls extending from the base, an upper surface generally parallel to the base, and an inclined surface extending from the upper surface. The controller is made up of a first geared member connected to the first surface, a second geared member disposed adjacent to the first geared member, an arm connected to the second geared member, and a lever connected to the arm. A spring is incorporated into the body so as to properly bias the arm. A telephone holder is cantably positioned about the body.

Abstract: A work extracting device driven by the wave motion of a fluid comprising a first float, a cylinder, a piston slidably engaging the interior of the cylinder, a piston rod extending from the piston and pivotally coupled to the first float, and a second float connected to the first float. The first float has a density suitable for floating and moves in response to wave motion. The cylinder is pivotally mounted to the second float. The first and second floats are part of a Hagen array of floats. The first float has an arm extending a distance beyond the point of connection of the first and second floats. The piston rod is pivotally mounted generally about the end of the arm.

Abstract: A method of recording and reading out a latent image which comprises placing a uniform surface charge on the photoconductive layer of a multilayered detector apparatus, biasing said photoconductive layer with an electric field whose polarity opposes said surface charge, discharging some portion of said surface charge of said photoconductive layer by exposing said detector to a modulated radiation flux capable of generating electron hole pairs in the photoconductor; scanning the surface of said partially discharged photoconductive layer with a small diameter photon beam whereby said surface charge is sequentially further discharged, and measuring the changing electric current of said sequential further discharge as a function of time.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus for obtaining radiographic information from a detector system. The apparatus produces a video signal by optical readout of a latent image found in a detector system. The video signal is processed and displayed to provide radiographic information.

Abstract: A radiation containment apparatus comprising a source of radiation having an area from which radiation is emitted, and a vinyl polymer sheet generally arranged about the area from which radiation is emitted in a manner so as to receive the radiation. The source of radiation is a cathode ray tube. The vinyl polymer sheet is a clear sheet of polyvinyl chloride. An enclosure made up of polyvinyl chloride sheets generally surround the source of radiation. A plurality of fasteners are arranged about the periphery of the cathode ray tube so as to receive the polyvinyl chloride sheet. The polyvinyl chloride sheet also includes notches about the outer edges for engaging the fasteners on the cathode ray tube.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising three flywheels mounted mutually perpendicular on said shafts in three dimensions within a rigid enclosure. The shafts are interconnected within the enclosure through a bevel gear arrangement in which the motion of one flywheel is imparted to the other flywheels. The shafts pass through the walls of the enclosure through a bearing arrangement.

Abstract: A device for keeping a blanket or sheet off feet in a bed comprising a frame, a support structure, and a line extending from the frame and engaging the blanket. The support structure is a plate interposed between a mattress and a box spring set. The frame has a vertical member attached to the support structure which extends upwardly and generally perpendicular to the mattress. A horizontal member is attached to extends from the other end of the vertical member. A line is attached at one end to the horizontal member and at the other end to the blanket. The line includes a pin at one end. The blanket has a button occurring at a location corresponding to the location of the feet. The horizontal member has a well for receipt of the pin of the line.

Abstract: A liquid fuel vaporizing burner comprising a combustion chamber, a fuel inlet, a primary air inlet, a secondary air inlet, and a microprocessor controller. The fuel inlet communicates with the combustion chamber. The primary air inlet communicates with the combustion chamber and is interactive with the fuel inlet. The heated secondary air inlet extends about the combustion chamber in heat exchange relationship. The combustion chamber has walls of generally heat conductive material. The combustion chamber comprises a combustion region and an exhaust region. The secondary air inlet opens at one end to the atmosphere and at its other end to a mixing passage. The microprocessor controller is electrically connected to thermocouples about the burner, to the primary and secondary air inlets, and to the fuel inlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for fabricating materials and objects, and processing and refining metals in space by means of available sunlight energy.

Abstract: A V/STOL aircraft comprising a fuselage, having three sets of wings that are offset lengthwise and vertically. The center set of relatively small relatively thick wings 34 between the canard 14 and the rear relatively thin relatively large aerodynamic lift wings 18 are equipped with identical lift fans 36 enclosed in the wing by upper and lower movable slotted deflectors 40. The attitude of the slatted deflectors may be varied to transition the present invention from hovering to forward flight, and vice versa. The present invention's lift fans are interconnected by a balanced power distribution system, to insure constant, efficient use of total power and provide symmetrical lift about the aircraft's center of gravity resistibility. In the event of an engine failure, the remaining lift is still properly distributed to maintain symmetrical lift, so as to maintain balance and operational control of the aircraft in the lift mode.

Abstract: An elongated flexible resistance heating element includes a heat transmitting cover that is generally coextensive with the element. A resilient element is provided adjacent one end of the heating element to accommodate extension of the cover for use of the heater as desired without changing the length of the element or cover. The extensible tape heater of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible resistance wire heating element, a heat transmitting extendable cover arranged coextensive with the heating element, a substantially nonresistive wire connected about one end of the heating element, a spring surrounding the nonresistive wire and abutting the cover at one of its ends, a stop positioned about the non-resistive wire in spaced relation to the end of the cover, and a flexible sleeve extending over the spring.

Abstract: The present device is power system for providing an uninterruptible power supply to an external load comprising a flywheel generator, a first motor, a standby generator, and a transfer controller. The flywheel generator is adapted to supply energy to the external load. The first motor is drivingly connected to the flywheel generator. The first motor is adapted to be connected to a source of power external to the power system. The standby generator is electrically connected to the first motor. A standby motor is drivingly connected to the standby generator. The transfer controller is adapted to switchably interconnect the first motor to the source of power and to interconnect the standby generator to the first motor. The flywheel generator comprises a flywheel having a vertical axis, a shaft connected to the flywheel, and a synchronous A.C. generator arranged about the shaft. The standby motor is a diesel engine having an electric starter.