Abstract: An exercise apparatus which simulates stair climbing, is adjustable to achieve various levels of difficulty and adjustable to accommodate individuals of all heights. The exercise apparatus has a support structure, left and right foot levers pivotally connected to the support structure, a rotatable shaft rotatably attached to the support structure, and left and right clutches drivingly connected to the rotatable shaft. The left and right clutches independently drive the rotatable shaft in a drive-rotational direction when either of the clutches is rotated in the drive-rotational direction. Each clutch overrides the rotatable shaft when rotated in the counter drive-rotational direction. Pulleys or sprockets are mounted on each of the clutches. A rope or chain drivingly engages the pulleys or sprockets and causes their rotation when the foot levers are moved. A worm gear, which is driven by the rotatable shaft, is part of a resistance assembly mounted on the support structure.

Abstract: A gas filtration apparatus for filtering large volumes of air. The apparatus has a plenum chamber which features a V-shaped housing having a main portion located inside the plenum chamber, and an upper portion extending outside and above the top plenum chamber. The V-shaped housing has two vertical legs extending from a vertically oriented apex end which forms an acute angle between the vertical legs, and a vertically oriented prong end opposite the apex end. The apex end is near the outlet of the plenum chamber and the prong end is near the inlet of the plenum chamber. Each vertical leg has an inward vertical wall and an outward vertical wall. The distance between the walls defining a first length. A second length is defined by the distance that the upper portion of the V-shaped housing extends above the top surface of the plenum chamber. The second length is at least as great as the first length.

Abstract: An unitary layered ceramic structure is disclosed which comprises co-sintered layers. The co-sintered structure comprises a sintered central layer of yttria stabilized zirconia ("YSZ") which is about 8 mole percent yttria and having a density of at least about 95% of theoretical, and sintered outer layers of strontium lanthanum manganite ("LSM") having the approximate molecular composition La.sub.0.8 Sr.sub.0.2 MnO.sub.3, having a density from about 50 to about 60% of theoretical, and having interconnected porosity from about 40 to 50% with an interconnected pore diameter from about one micron to about five microns. The sintered central layer is sandwiched by and bonded and sintered to the outer layers and is essentially free of significant amounts of manganese.A process for making the unitary composition-of-matter is also disclosed which involves tape casting a LSM tape and then on top thereof casting a YSZ tape. The process comprises presintering LSM powder at 1250.degree. F.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formations encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.This application is a continuation application of copending Ser. No. 027,723, filed Mar. 19, 1987, now abandoned which was a divisional application of Ser. No. 693,680, filed Jan. 22, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,194 which was a continuation-in-part application of Serial No. 514,557, filed Jul. 18, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,540 which issued Feb. 12, 1985.

Abstract: A shock-free exercising machine, which can be used by the young and elderly, the small and large structured person, and the inexperienced and experienced exerciser for both aerobic and anaerobic exercise, that provides a rhythmic fluid motion to the body of the user and particularly to the legs, pelvis and spine which is completely free of shock and impact stress on the joints, bones and muscles in which, at all times, the user remains in an upright standing position. In one embodiment the exercise simulates climbing motion of the user's legs with synchronized push-pull motion of the user's arms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for fabricating mats of ceramic material comprising preparing a slurry of ceramic particles in a binder/solvent, charging the slurry into a vessel, forcing the slurry from the vessel into spinneret nozzles, discharging the slurry from the nozzles into the path of airjets to enhance the sinuous character of the slurry exudate and to dry it, collecting the filaments on a moving belt so that the filaments overlap each other thereby forming a mat, curing the binder therein, compressing and sintering the mat to form a sintered mat, and crushing the sintered mat to produce filament shaped fragments.

Abstract: There is provided a generator for forming ozone from air. The generator is adapted to be connected to a power source and comprises a unitary grid assembly which includes a first dielectric plate, a second dielectric plate spaced apart from the first dielectric plate, a wire mesh anode located between the first and the second dielectric plates, a third dielectric plate spaced from the second dielectric plate, a cathode plate located between the second and the third dielectric plates, and a pair of dielectric spacers located between the third dielectric plate and the cathode plate. The second dielectric plate, the pair of spaces and the cathode define a space for the passage of air and the collection of ozone formed from the air. The generator also comprises a blower positioned spaced from but adjacent the grid assembly, for moving the air through the space.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing iron ore by treatment with microorganisms which comprises forming an aqueous mixture of iron ore, microorganisms operable for reducing the ferric iron of the iron ore to ferrous iron, and a substrate operable as an energy source for the microbial reduction; and maintaining the aqueous mixture for a period of time and under conditions operable to effect the reduction of the ore. Preferably the microorganism is Pseudomonas sp. 200 and the reduction conducted anaerobically with a domestic wastewater as the substrate. An aqueous solution containing soluble ferrous iron can be separated from the reacted mixture, treated with a base to precipitate ferrous hydroxide which can then be recovered as a concentrated slurry.

Abstract: A downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus and drilling rig is disclosed that has a low overhead requirement and yet can drill large diameter holes ot great depths. The invention is especially useful for drilling foundation holes. One embodiment of the invention can ready over walls and in-place equipment for drilling holes. One embodiment of the invention can drill holes at almost any angle desired into the earth. One embodiment can drill holes on steeply inclined terrains. Because of its low overhead requirement, the drilling rigs of this invention can be used inside existing building without damaging the ceilings or roofs to drill foundation holes for mounting new machinery. The downcrowd means of this invention does not substantially increase the height of the augering apparatus or drilling rig.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment the full body, shock-free exercising machine of this invention comprises a base member; a vertical frame member fixedly attached to the base member, right and left lower levers pivotally mounted on the lower part of the vertical frame member, the free ends thereof being operable for standing on by users; right and left upper levers pivotally mounted on the upper part of the vertical frame member; right and left tie rods pivotally mounted at the upper distal ends thereof to the right and left upper levers, respectively, and pivotally mounted at the lower distal ends thereof to the right and left lower levers, respectively, such that rotation of the lower lever on either side of said machine in one direction causes rotation of the upper levers on the same side of the machine in an opposite direction rocker arm for synchronizing the movement of the lower levers, the rocker arm being operable when one of the lower levers is moving downwardly to cause the other one of the lower levers to

Abstract: A portable structure that, without disassembly or separation of its basic parts, can be rapidly transformed between its fully erected configuration and its fully collapsed configuration by one individual unaided by another person. The structure, in its collapsed configuration, can be easily carried by one individual. In its expanded configuration the structure is instantly stable when placed on the ground. In one embodiment the structure serves as a light weight beach cabana that can be easily carried by a child. The basic portable structure does not require separation and reassembly of its components at any time before, during or after transformation from the collapsed or expanded configuration.