Abstract: A method for strengthening and increasing the thickness of the strengthened surface layer of a dental ceramic restorative material where the ceramic material is heat treated with a salt composition containing a lithium ion and a metal ion larger than the lithium ion first at a temperature above the strain temperature followed by a second heat treatment with the salt composition at a temperature below the strain temperature. The treatment is especially effective for all-ceramic, high-leucite feldspathic porcelain restorations.

Abstract: A device is provided with a substantially rigid sheet having a pair of parallel opposite edges; and a holder for holding the sheet at a position in stable equilibrium at a predetermined location; the sheet and the holder being so constructed and arranged that the sheet can be moved easily to and away from the location by a person without a need for equipment.

Abstract: Light-emitting bipolar devices consist of a light-emitter formed from an electroluminescent organic light-emitting material in contact with an insulating material. The light emitter is in contact with two electrodes that are maintained in spaced apart relation with each other. The light emitter can be formed as an integral mixture of light emitting materials and insulating materials or as separate layers of light-emitting and insulating materials. The devices operate with AC voltage of less than twenty-four volts and in some instances at less than five volts. Under AC driving, the devices produce modulated light output that can be frequency or amplitude modulated. Under DC driving, the devices operate in both forward and reverse bias.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass transfer of gas and liquid flowing through passages therein has a vertical enclosure formed in a pair of sheet metal plates sealed together around their periphery and formed to have rows of horizontal passages communicating with columns of vertical passages in and adjacent to a vertical plane defined by flat contiguous areas of the plates between and around the passages. The inner surfaces of the passages have highly wettable areas to substantially maximize transfer of mass and heat. Each horizontal passage is continuous between the vertical passages with which it communicates.

Abstract: A capillary twisted fluted tube is formed with an interior helical capillary flute and associated interior helical crest and a complementary exterior helical crest and flute, respectively. Liquid rises in the interior capillary flute and is expelled at or near the top of the tube in fine droplets that promote mass transfer efficiencies as a result of improved vapor-equilibrium. A capillary fluted tube placed in a helical groove of a heat insulating material to expose only one side of the tube to hot combustion products promotes increased capillary rise on one side of the tube with increased expulsion and spatter of liquid from the capillary channel. Exterior tube heat transfer is enhanced by enclosing the tube in a second tube or forming the tube into a winding and enclosing the winding in a cylinder. Contact of the exterior tube crests with the enclosing tube or cylinder improves heat transfer efficiencies as a result of confined flow of heat transfer fluid within the enclosing tube or cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use with electronic activation means such as work or entertainment systems introduce precisely controlled amounts of aromatic chemicals, using metered spray technology, into the immediate vicinity of the operator. Control is provided by microprocessor circuitry so that aromas may be used at appropriate times and intensities by computer or entertainment sources. Multiple removable spray containers may generate numerous aromatic enhancements to a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration machine with two, non-fluid linked loops uses heat from a first loop rectifier to heat a second loop generator by either direct or hydronic heat exchange. Flue gas from the heating of the first loop generator is used to heat strong solution in the second loop. Heat from the first loop condenser and absorber are also used to heat the second loop generator by either direct or hydronic fluid coupling. In order to improve further the efficiencies of the absorption machine, a mass and heat transfer device is used that provides a liquid and vapor distribution system that affords effective heat transfer in conjunction with a large and continually renewed liquid surface area and a relatively constant vapor velocity to effect efficient mass transfer among the various components and processes of the refrigeration machine. A simple liquid metering system is used to meter equal amounts of liquid into the divided liquid flow arrangements used in various components of the machine.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration and heating system has helical concentric coils for two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils.An absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) are placed in a single module (270) and configured with a tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system in which an absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator are placed (107) in a single module (270) and are provided with tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: This invention is a device for the prevention of thumb and finger sucking that utilizes a vacuum-breaking device such as a cylinder that is placed over one or more fingers or the thumb and prevents the formation of a sucking vacuum by utilizing air passages in or between the vacuum-breaking cylinder and the thumb or fingers. The vacuum-breaking cylinder is secured to the hand by means of a wrist band and a suitable means, such as one or more straps, for connecting the vacuum-breaking cylinder to the wrist band.

Abstract: An air sampling device and method to produce simulated samples of airborne substances obtained from institutional and industrial facilities. The device features 1) an environment container, 2) an ejector for introducing a contaminant into the container environment, 3) a sample collection holder to hold a filter, 4) a pump to withdraw the container environment and contaminant out of the container in a fashion that allows collection of the contaminant on the filter, and 5) a container inlet to allow replacement environment to enter the container.

Abstract: A method of farming in which plants are grown on a land mass adjacent to a body of water so that separated plant parts such as apples fall into the water and are harvested from the water. The land mass is sloped so that the plant parts are encouraged to enter the water. The body of water is contained in uniform canals and can be used for raising aquatic food products such as fish. Locks or a flow tube are used to interconnect water at different levels. Food products are harvested from the water using a boat, a conveyor or a water elevator which has a tube for receiving food product from the water and lifting it to a fluid displacement container using a pressurized fluid. The fluid displacement container reduces the length of fall of food product by providing a liquid surface near the top of the container. As the liquid is displaced by the food product, it leaves the container through a drain located near the top of the container.

Abstract: A process for obtaining long, continuous, thermoplastic welds on large structures. A series of tabs are used in pairs and especially in alternating, overlapping pairs to obtain resistance heating of a strip material placed in the bond line. The resistance of the tabs is less than that of the strip material. Conducting braid-tubes afford continuous welding when the bond line is curved. Alternatively, an electromagnetic field is used to take advantage of the induction heating. A wide susceptor is used to weld a current conducting substrate while avoiding bulk heating of the substrate. The unexpected property of current-conducting braid-tube susceptors, in which induction heating takes place at the center rather than at the edges of a flattened braid-tube susceptor, is used to obtain long continuous curved welds.

Abstract: A support for a line trimmer features a rotatable sphere held by a set of tines that allows for free rotation of the sphere in any direction. A line orientation indicator is also used to indicate the position of the rotation line of the line trimmer with respect to horizontal. The support is attached to the trimmer with a set of telescoping tubes that allow for easy adjustment of the height of the cut of the trimmer. A trimmer securing device allows for easy and quick attachment of the support and line orientation indicator to the line trimmer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for burning a mixture of natural gas and air in a ratio that is slightly fuel rich to slightly fuel lean with substantially minimal emission of gaseous pollutants containing nitrogen, hydrogen, or carbon. The mixture is provided along a predetermined path in a non-radiant burner and is ignited to provide a blue flame in a predetermined burning region. A refractory porous member located in the cool region adjacent to the upstream end of the burning region reduces the temperature of combustion slightly by scavenging a substantial fraction of the excess free radicals that are critical to the formation of nascent NO and its conversion to NO.sub.2 and the nitrogen acids. Typically the porosity in the porous member is about 92 to 97 percent and its thickness is such that it extends into the flame to a level at about 25 to 50 percent of the height of the flame. The mixture typically comprises about 80 to 120 percent theoretical air.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for relieving the compression pressure while starting an internal combustion engine 10. A passage 12 communicates via end openings 22 and 22a between the compression space 13 and the exhaust region 19 in the head 20 of the engine. A spring 16 presses against one side of a piston 15 in a valve 21, holding an end portion 23 away from the opening 22 until the engine speed exceeds the cranking speed. The pressure of the engine's lubricating oil 18 on the opposite side of the piston 15 then forces the end portion 23 against the opening 22, to close the passage 12 and permit the engine to continue running with full compression.

Abstract: A connector mate/demate tool provides remote coupling and decoupling of connector sections with a rotating locking ring on one section of the connector and where the other section is rigidly attached to some fixture. The tool mates the connector sections by first searching for a key-slot engagement of parts while exerting a small longitudinal force and then rotating the locking ring until the two sections are secured. Demating is accomplished by rotating the locking ring in the reverse direction and pulling the two connector sections apart.

Abstract: A fully automated tool for holding threaded fasteners during fastener insertion, removal, or transport is described. The device is capable of handling different sized fasteners and can be used with remote manipulator systems or in hand-held operations.

Abstract: A suspended sheet-material support weight 30 provides vertical support along the vertical height of the sign 40 preventing sign flexing and bending. The weight of the support and the rigid saddle-clamp attachment to a span cable 50 keep sign swing to a minimum. A clevis pin attachment 21 allows for rapid sign replacement and serves as a fail-safe device should the saddle-clamp bolts fail. The clevis pin and multiple sets of sign attachment holes in the support weights allow for level positioning of the sign when the span cable deviates from horizontal.