Abstract: A clogging phenomenon in the surface layer of the contact face of a soft plastic-and-abrasive composite for polishing painted surfaces, which reduces the efficiency of the polishing work, is alleviated by mixing into the soft plastic backing material of the composite containing abrasive fine particles, non-abrasive globular particles preferably formed out of bubble material. The globular particles are rotatable in the surface layer of the contact face of the soft backing when the composite is in rubbing contact with the surface to be polished. Water or a surfactant may be interposed between the surface to be polished and the composite. The surface to be polished is rubbed with the composite to remove contaminating substances adhering to the surface to be polished.

Abstract: An air gap, venturi-type mixer for mixing a liquid chemical with water includes a readily field-exchangeable collimator, water seal and venturi unit to accommodate different flow rates. The venturi unit includes a funnel with slightly inclined walls that direct a misaligned collimated water stream into the vena contracta of the venturi without reducing its speed or entraining any air.

Abstract: In a capacitor-based energy storage system, in which the capacitor charging voltage is on the same order of magnitude as the system output voltage, the time between recharges for a given energy release rate is extended by producing an intermediate regulated capacitor output of a voltage having a lower order of magnitude and then stepping that voltage back up to the system output voltage through the use of an inverter. Regulation of the capacitor output voltage may be achieved through the use of a capacitor-voltage-dependent variable-duty-cycle switching transistor and an averaging network, which together maintain a level inverter input voltage independently of the capacitor voltage. The cycle control is powered by a rechargeable battery which recharges from the inverter input but cannot drive the inverter, and current and temperature sensing means are provided to control the transistor so as to limit the current draw through the transistor and to prevent battery overheating during operation.

Abstract: A miter is aligned and locked during assembly without the use of tools by engaging a dowel perpendicular to the faces of the mitered parts with a corresponding bore while the mitered parts are non-coplanar, and then twisting the parts about the dowel axis into a coplanar position in which they are interlocked by a key on one part cooperating with a recess on the other.

Abstract: An external ligament system is formed as part of a flexible knee brace by disposing a pair of cables so that they each run from an anchor point on one side of the leg at the thigh diagonally down across the front of the thigh, around the opposite side of the patella, and down across the front of the calf to an anchor point on the first-mentioned side of the leg at the calf. Rigid linkages hinged at the knee are provided on each side of the leg. The tension of the cable can be varied by pulling the ends of the cables together and securing them with adjustable fasteners.

Abstract: A self-contained power system for powering a variable load uses a capacitor bank to power the load during periods of high current demand by the load at a steady load voltage. The capacitor bank is recharged during periods of lesser demand from a battery pack which has a lesser current output capability than the maximum load demand. The battery pack in turn is periodically recharged from an only intermittently available power source.