Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for absorbing solar energy, the apparatus providing a sealed envelope having a transparent upper panel with a solar energy absorbing panel thermally isolated against convective and conductive heat losses by a partial vacuum in the sealed envelope. The transparent panel has an upwardly extending curvilinear surface which increases its strength characteristics against the pressure differential between the ambient and the partial vacuum inside the envelope. Support structure is also provided in conjunction with the apparatus to place the periphery of the transparent panel under constriction to compensate for tensile stresses imposed thereon by the pressure differential. The inside surface of the transparent panel and the absorber panel are selectively coated with an infrared reflective surface to reflect and reduce losses of infrared radiation emitted by the absorber panel.

Abstract: A pipe hanger/snubber for supporting and/or protecting high-pressure piping and the like against damage by seismic, vibrational, and thermal shocks to the mechanical integrity of the piping system. The apparatus includes a sealed snubber cylinder containing a non-Newtonian fluid as the hydraulic fluid medium. A working shaft extends completely through the snubber cylinder. A shaft-mounted, perforate load nozzle is moved longitudinally through the non-Newtonian fluid in the snubber cylinder to thereby dissipate the shock forces. Shaft-engaging seals at each end of the snubber cylinder inhibit leakage of the non-Newtonian fluid from the snubber cylinder. Selectively, reservoir apparatus containing non-Newtonian fluid are provided adjacent at least one seal to compensate for leakage, if any, of the non-Newtonian fluid through the seal.

Abstract: A combination step and extension ladder is disclosed. Hinges are provided on each of the side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. Additional side rails are provided which are telescopically mounted so that the ladder can be extended to increase its height in either of the step ladder or extension ladder configurations. Each of the ladder rungs are provided with two flat stepping surfaces which are symmetrically angularly oriented with respect to the side rails of the ladder so that at least one of the surfaces of each rung will present an essentially horizontal stepping surface whenever the ladder is in an upright position, either as a step ladder or as an extension ladder, and irrespective of which end of the side rails the ladder is standing on.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator having two separable components one of which is disposable and the other of which is reusable and sterilizable. The disposable portion of the oxygenator is multichambered and provides an oxygenating chamber, a defoaming chamber and an arterial reservoir constructed so that blood will flow sequentially therethrough. The reusable member is constructed in the form of a cover for the oxygenator and has depending therefrom a heat exchanger for maintaining the temperature of the blood, the heat exchanger projecting telescopically into the oxygenating chamber. Defoaming is assisted by a cellular foam material rolled into a generally cylindrical configuration and having abutting faces which are bias cut so that the line formed by the abutting faces is not coaxial with the blood flow path.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a vapor generator and a vapor-inflatable pumping member enclosed in a pumping chamber. The vapor generator and pumping member form a closed system for a volatile working fluid. Check valves control the movement of vapor and condensate through the closed system as well as the direction of water through the pump. The vapor generator is configurated to be heated either by a solar concentrator or by heat from combustion of agricultural wastes. The expandable diaphragm/pumping piston operates in a pumping chamber having a diametrally enlarged check valve above the diaphragm to accommodate the rapid explusion of water from the pumping chamber upon expansion of the expandable diaphragm.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a flash boiler and a metering device for metering a predetermined quantity of condensate to the flash boiler. A flexible pumping member is enclosed in a pumping chamber and is expanded by the vapor to force water from the pumping chamber. The flexible pumping member also serves as the heat exchange surface for transferring heat from the vapor into the water surrounding the pumping member thereby condensing the vapor. The condensate is collected in a condensate reservoir and is valved into the metering device upon collapse of the pumping member during condensation of the vapor.

Abstract: A wheel lug nut tool apparatus and method, the tool including a plurality of wheel lug studs and/or lug sockets mounted to a base. An indicia is affixed adjacent each stud and/or lug socket to indicate the size and thread characteristics of the same. The base is fabricated so as to be easily hand held and may be configurated with a geometric design to provide a convenient handle and hanging device for the tool. The geometric design also provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance to complement an advertising logo or the like affixed to the tool. The tool retains the lug studs and/or lug sockets in a readily-accessible and identifiable configuration to enable the user to more easily determine the unknown size and thread characteristics of a lug nut and/or lug bolt. Advantageously, each lug stud and/or lug socket may be configurated to be replaceable relative to the base by having a standardized basal portion which matingly engages and is secured to a corresponding aperture in the base.

Abstract: An improved valve prosthesis for mitral and tricuspid heart valves, the valve prosthesis being configurated as an open ring and covered with a double velour fabric having a laterally projecting fabric appendage for simultaneously facilitating suturing the prosthesis in place and improving tissue infiltration.

Abstract: A high thermal conductivity substrate is formed by making a sintered diamond composite and thereafter modifying the electrical properties of the composite by leaching graphite and other non-diamond materials from the composite and subsequently infusing the leached composite with material having known electrical properties. Alternatively, a diamond composite having high thermal conductivity known electrical properties if prepared and subsequently leached to remove graphite and other materials which interfere with the known electrical properties of the composite material.

Abstract: A chain-drive transmission including two sets of a plurality of sprockets, each set rotatably mounted on a rotatable shaft. Sprockets on each shaft are paired with a corresponding sprocket on the other shaft and are joined by the drive chain. The diameters of each pair of sprockets are selectively predetermined so as to provide a desired speed range for the chain-drive transmission. A selector and interlock mechanism is also provided so as to suitably select and interlock each preselected sprocket with its respective shaft thereby transmitting torque between the two rotatable shafts through the chain.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator having two separable components one of which is disposable and the other of which is reusable and sterilizable. The disposable portion of the oxygenator is multichambered and provides an oxygenating chamber, a defoaming chamber and an arterial reservoir constructed so that blood will flow sequentially therethrough. The reusable member is constructed in the form of a cover for the oxygenator and has depending therefrom a heat exchanger for maintaining the temperature of the blood, the heat exchanger projecting telescopically into the oxygenating chamber. Defoaming is assisted by a cellular foam material rolled into a generally cylindrical configuration and having abutting faces which are bias cut so that the line formed by the abutting faces is not coaxial with the blood flow path.

Abstract: A dual bonding process to make single layered tools wherein a metallic workpiece is pre-etched so as to form cavities in the surface of the workpiece for individually receiving diamond or other abrasive particles to be bonded thereto. The diamond particles are uniformly deposited and densely bonded to the surface of said metallic workpiece by a metallic bonding matrix applied in a first plating bath. A second selective plating of metal applied in a second plating bath more securely bonds the diamonds to the workpiece and provides the workpiece with a predetermined hardness for any selected grinding or cutting application. In order to make multilayered tools, this dual bonding process may be repeated for each layer applied.

Abstract: A method for applying a liquid photo polymer to a surface such that the photo polymer is uniform and holiday-free, the method comprising obtaining a plastic sponge and impregnating the plastic sponge with a liquid photo polymer comprising a solvent which slowly reacts with the plastic from which the sponge is formed. Thereafter, the sponge is brushed and/or drawn across the surface to deposit the photo polymer thereon, the application of the photo polymer being accomplished before the solvent in the photo polymer substantially disintegrates the sponge.

Abstract: A two-stage hydraulic flush device for use in regulating the amount of water released when flushing a conventional water closet. The flush handle of a conventional water closet is actuated so as to unseat a drain plug in the water tank, and the piston of a hydraulic cylinder which is submersibly disposed within the water tank is then displaced to one of two distinct positions. As the piston is displaced, water is admitted into the cylinder below the piston. When the flush handle is released, water is expelled from the cylinder at a controlled rate as the piston is forcibly returned by a spring mechanism to its initial position. As the piston returns, the lifting arm is actuated so as to reseat the drain plug. The water outlet flow rate determines the duration of the flushing action, and two distinct piston positions define the two flush stages.

Abstract: A lightweight, non-injurious amusement ball designed for use in a restricted area or where it is desirable to prevent injury to the surroundings and participants from impact with the ball. The ball is fabricated from resilient, cellular plastic foam strips of rectangular cross section compressed in a central core and extending radially into an essentially spherical periphery. The periphery is impact absorbent and wind resistant for non-injurious activity and limited flight. A core is used to tie and compress the strips in the central core, providing increased density for stable trajectory.

Abstract: A tape laying, trenching apparatus adapted to be drawn behind a vehicle for the purpose of depositing a tape beneath the surface of the earth. The tape is an identification tape and serves as an underground installation identification means. The trenching apparatus includes a wheel-mounted drawbar and a vertically adjustable trenching tool. The trenching tool includes a hollow column and a trenching blade at the foot of the column. A tape dispenser is attached to the upper end of the column and accomodates feeding the tape downwardly through the column to a position behind the trenching blade. The trenching tool is releasably attachable to the drawbar at a plurality of lower, trenching positions and at an upper, traveling position. A strut is interconnectable between the drawbar and the column to support the trenching tool in both the trenching and the traveling positions. The trenching apparatus also includes a tool box mounted on the framework and a drag for backfilling the trench as the tape is being laid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conserving water during the flush cycle of a tank-type toilet. The apparatus includes a pivotally mounted lever arm having a water-fillable weight on one end and a toilet tank float engagement means on the other end. The water-fillable weight serves as a counter balance to maintain the toilet tank float in an elevated position to thereby hold the water inlet valve closed during the initial stages of the flush cycle. The apparatus also includes means for mounting the pivot mechanism in the toilet tank. The method involves slowly draining water from the water-fillable weight during the flush cycle so as to allow the toilet tank float to be lowered toward the end of the flush cycle and thereby open the inlet valve to refill the toilet tank.

Abstract: A venipuncture device package which when opened serves as a combination needle cover and venipuncture device tray from which a venipuncture device may be withdrawn or inserted with one hand without having to apply any force to the package. In one preferred embodiment, a blister cover made of ductile plastic is configurated to form a venipuncture device tray which is separably joined to a strip of paper backing to form the package. The tray is constructed so as to facilitate angular deformation of the tray into a hand-displaceable needle cover once the strip of paper has been partially peeled away to expose the handle of the venipuncture device while maintaining the needle of the venipuncture device enclosed within the package.

Abstract: A high thermal conductivity substrate is formed by making a sintered diamond composite and thereafter modifying the electrical properties of the composite by leaching graphite and other non-diamond materials from the composite and subsequently infusing the leached composite with material having known electrical properties. Alternatively, a diamond composite having high thermal conductivity known electrical properties is prepared and subsequently leached to remove graphite and other materials which interfere with the known electrical properties of the composite material.

Abstract: An improved foldable work stand and platform having an upper work support surface with wooden inserts therein to protect saws and the like from being damaged by accidental contact with the metal structure of the platform. The foldable work platform also includes improved structure for elevating the working surface and an adjustable stabilizer leg to maintain the work surface generally horizontal on uneven terrain. Lateral extensions of the work surface provide versatility in the work surface configuration and are easily secured in a selected orientation.