Abstract: A transformable and collapsible filter frame which can support various air intake filtering media for internal combustion engines. One form of the filter frame corresponds generally to the shape of a carousel. The frame facilitates replacement of reusable filtering medium to be applied over its surface. The filtering media may be a polyurethane foam. The carousel filter frame structure includes expandable and adjustable parts, rings and struts which, when integrated are used as supporting members. The rings and struts include connecting members and can be easily disassembled and reassembled. The carousel filter body structure can be easily transformed into various configurations and sizes with the adaptable filter frame parts as desired to form other different types of filter shapes or forms. One shape of the carousel can be split to form various shapes of filter frames such as a circle, cylinder, shield, cone, oval, square, rectangle and various combinations thereof.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies is provided. The spacer comprises a foamed insulating body and further includes a second sealant material. The insulating body partially contacts the substrates as does the sealant to provide a double seal when used in a glazing assembly. In other embodiments the spacer is a composite of foam, sealant material, rigid plastics and desiccated matrices. A further embodiment discloses an undulating foam spacer body for easy manipulation about the corner in glazing assemblies. The result of incorporation of the foam is a substantially energy efficient spacer and assembly.

Abstract: The generation of volatiles from liquid or solid materials is enhanced and accelerated by exposure to microwave radiation. Normally the energy transfer is effected preferentially toward the liquid or solid materials over the generated gaseous volatiles. Sufficient energy is provided at a selected rate that enhances the generation of volatiles to effect removal as vapor or to produce a pressurized vapor phase. Flow-through separations from a matrix having a microwave-absorbing liquid component are conducted by exposing to microwave radiation to vaporize this component and processing the vapor either by flowing through a selective permeable membrane, or by enclosing the vapor and matrix in a confined space and flowing matrix through a selected separation medium, and recovering residual matrix. These separations are particularly useful in analysis contexts.

Abstract: Rocking members for releasable mounting on a chair having front legs and rear legs, the rocking members each comprising: an arcuate body having first channel members for releasably receiving at least a portion of a front leg of a chair; second channel members in spaced relation to the first channel members for receiving at least a portion of a rear leg of the chair and abutment members in each of the channel members for preventing lateral movement of a foot portion adjacent the abutment and lock members for releasably locking each foot portion in the channel members.

Abstract: A soil penetrometer and method of using this apparatus are disclosed. The method relates to the application of a constant force to a soil penetrometer, the penetrometer capable of detecting soil moisture content by time domain reflectrometry. The use of the constant force eliminates the variable nature of this parameter conventionally encountered in the art, and therefore reduces the complexity of soil parameter calculation.

Abstract: There are disclosed spacer elements for use in insulated glass assemblies of the single and multiple atmosphere type which incorporate non-thermally conductive materials as the main structural support member in the assembly. The result is a lightweight, warm edge assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sealant strip which can be used between substrate surfaces such as a pair of glass sheets or panes, the strip includes a shape retaining base member having an insulating body associated therewith. The body further incorporates an insulating material having a desiccant material impregnated therein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a strip applying tool for applying strip material to substrates. The tool includes a slidably mounted punching member to remove a portion of the strip material thereby facilitating the formation of a corner while maintaining the strip in a continuous uninterrupted length. The tool further provides a channel extending therein to receive strip material which provides a guide wall to permit the application of the strip to the substrate while maintaining a lower surface of the tool above the substrate to prevent moving or scratching of the substrate.

Abstract: A curvature or bending and displacement sensor is composed of a fiber optic or light wave guide, for attachment to a member or members being curved or displaced. Light is injected at one end and detected at the other end. Curvature of the fiber results in light loss through an emission surface or surfaces, sometimes in conjunction with a superimposed curvature in a plane other than that of the curvature to be measured, this loss being detected. The loss of light detection is used to produce indication of curvature or displacement. The light emission surfaces extend in various forms, such as a surface strip or band. Particularly, in an example, the emission surfaces extend in a substantially peripheral direction, or in a substantially curved axial direction when in a curved portion of a curved guide. The placement, shape and configuration of the emission surfaces allows adjustment of the linear range of measurement, the overall throughput of light, and the length over which curvature is measured.