Abstract: A device for recycling developer fixer into a photo processing machine. The device includes containers for containing chemicals coming out of overflow outlets of the photo processing machine. The chemicals flow into the container, and a portion thereof are recycled and returned together with fresh chemicals to the processing machine. A portion of the used chemicals are discharged to a drain. The recycled chemicals can either be pumped into an automixer where the fresh chemicals are added or directly into the inlet line to the photo processor tank where fresh chemicals are simultaneously also input. Alternately, the overflow can be directed to the automixer first and either returned directly therefrom, or optionally, by way of a separate container, to the photo processing machine.

Abstract: In a tilting pad journal directly lubricated bearing the axially spaced apart sidewalls of the tilting pads are provided with extensions that have an axial space between them and contribute to defining the boundaries of a cool oil infeed well whose other boundaries are radially extending walls of adjacent pads or walls that are defined by slotting the leading ends of the pads. The pads are contained within the circular opening of a supporting ring member which has an oil infeed groove around its periphery. In line with each of the oil infeed wells there is an oil infeed passageway for delivering oil to the shaft surface exposed in the well by means of an interposed row of jets or orifices. Cool oil is fed into the wells, such that the interface between the bearing pad and the shaft, which only has oil from the well available to it, necessarily runs on cooler oil.

Abstract: A coaxial antenna assembly conducts a pressurized medium for absorbing heat along the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contacting heart valve tissue with a catheter tip electrode adapted for atrioventricular (AV) node mapping and modification is provided. The tip is conformed to rest stably and comfortably on a cardiac valve such as the mitral or tricuspid valve. The tip has a peanut shape consisting of two electrode lobes joined by a narrower connecting piece. The tip rests on the valve at the connecting piece and is secured by the adjoining lobes. The connecting piece itself may either be insulating or electrically conductive. The catheter may also include standard mapping and/or pacing electrodes. The catheter may further include a steering mechanism for positioning the catheter at various treatment sites in the heart.

Abstract: A flow control manifold assembly, constructed of a number of manifold valve assemblies. Each manifold valve assembly is formed of first and second valve bodies, each body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The two valve bodies are connected together in fluid communication with each other. Associated with each valve body is an actuator assembly, which includes a valve actuator and an actuator rod attached to and projecting outward from the actuator, and actuatable by the actuator. In at least one of the valve bodies, a bonnet is affixed to the actuator, and projects into the respective one of the valve bodies. A valve stem, carrying at least one valve plug, is attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod, positioning the valve plug on the opposite side of the bonnet from the actuator. The bonnet includes a valve seat for engagement with the valve plug when the valve plug is actuated to a predetermined position by the actuator.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrode tip assembly that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes a different predetermined curve configuration when bent in the two direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for teaching a language includes an audio visual medium for displaying a story on a screen in visual form accompanied by a sound track of said story in a language to be learned. A text is provided containing the story in written form with successive short segments of said story identified by means of sequential identifying indicia. The screen is provided with subtitles displaying each segment in written form in the language to be learned. Each of the subtitles is provided with sequential identifying indicia corresponding to those of the written text. Controls are provided to start, stop, and reverse the audio visual medium to permit a user to locate and repeat a particular segment repeatedly as desired.

Abstract: A sink drain guard is formed of an annular sleeve of flexible, resilient plastic material having a central cylindrical annular wall portion connected at its bottom to an inwardly extending shoulder. The shoulder is provided on its outer perimeter with a peripheral outwardly facing annular groove adapted to receive a flat elastomeric washer encircling its outside. The annular cylindrical central portion is connected at its top to a plurality of outwardly flared segments defined by a plurality of slots extending through a portion of the central cylindrical section and being open at its top. The guard is adapted to be installed in the drain opening of a sink equipped with a garbage disposal unit with the shoulder portion and gasket seated in a shoulder in the drain structure. The slots provide for drainage of liquid from the sink while preventing entry therein of tableware, and the outwardly flared portions provide a gripping surface for removal of the guard from the drain.

Abstract: A heater for burning particulate combustible fuel material, and a stoker for transferring the fuel for use in connection with such a heater. The heater includes a burner with a step upward from the stoker onto the burner, for reducing the possibility of the fire burning back into the supply of fuel. The stoker includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor, spaced vertically apart and connected together by a drop box. A drive arrangement for driving the conveyors includes a prime mover connected to the first conveyor by means of a drive shaft and to the second conveyor by an intermittent drive. The intermittent drive includes a second shaft with a plurality of paddles extending radially outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, one or more paddles are removably affixed to the first shaft and extend radially outward therefrom. Thus rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the second shaft only when the paddles are in contact.

Abstract: A medication delivery device includes a housing containing separate first and second storage locations for holding medication dosages away from access by the user. Associated separate first and second delivery mechanisms permit selective delivery of a medication dose from either the first or second storage locations to the patient. The invention provides a control element that discriminates between the actuation of the first delivery mechanism and the second delivery mechanism, thereby discriminating between the delivery of medication housed in the first and second storage locations. The control element discriminates between different first and second input criteria. In response to the first input criteria but not in response to the second input criteria, the control element actuates the first delivery mechanism. In response to the second input criteria, the control element actuates the second delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A low profile water distiller has a housing. A steam chamber is located within the housing having a horizontal dimension greater than its vertical height. A condenser is also located within the housing having a horizontal dimension greater than its vertical height. The vertical height of the condenser is generally the same as the vertical height of the steam chamber. A raw water conduit extends in a generally horizontal plane within the housing for delivering water to be distilled into the steam chamber. A steam conduit also extends within the housing for delivering steam from the steam chamber to the condenser. The steam conduit extends in a generally horizontal plane parallel to the generally horizontal plane of the raw water conduit. An air circulation channel within the housing draws cooling air through the condenser in a generally horizontal path parallel to the generally horizontal planes of the raw water conduit and the steam conduit.

Abstract: A process for removing an organic contaminant from a body of water containing an undesired liquid organic contaminant such as an oil or an organic solvent, that includes the steps of depositing a particulate, water insoluble calcium, magnesium, or aluminum salt of an organic acid having between 10 and 22 carbon atoms in the water, maintaining the particulate material in contact with the contaminant for a time effective for the contaminant to become bound to the particulate material. The particulate material and the contaminant are then removed from the water. The preferred insoluble salt is calcium stearate.

Abstract: A linear spacing device has first and second elongated components, which may be telescoping hollow tubes, each having linear surfaces engaging each other in sliding relationship. Each component has spaced holes disposed at regular linear intervals along its length. The intervals between the holes through the second component are different than the intervals between the holes through said first component. A pin or similar means is insertable through selected aligned holes through the first and second components to secure them in a selected orientation. Thus the overall length of the spacer can be adjusted in small increments substantially less than the diameter of the holes. The device further includes an extendable linear actuator engageable with a surface of each of the components to extend the overall length of the spacer. The actuator is removable from the device after the components are secured together.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal design of a catheter where the active electrode is partially covered by a heat conducting and electrically insulating heat-sink layer for localizing and controlling an electrical heating of tissue and cooling of the active electrode by convective blood flow. The invention further comprises a current equalizing coating for gradual transition of electrical properties at a boundary of a metallic active electrode and an insulating catheter tube. The current equalizing coating controls current density and the distribution of tissue heating.

Abstract: A reinforcing sleeve encloses a bendable electrode tip assembly for a catheter. The reinforcing sleeve is flexible enough to accommodate the bending movement desired for the electrode tip assembly. Still, the reinforcing sleeve provides added strength and resistance against wear and tear during repeated bending operations. The reinforcing sleeve also holds associated steering wires and electrical conducting wires in close intimate contact against the interior support wire of the electrode tip assembly. The intimate contact prevents kinking and chafing of the steering wires and electrical conducting wires during bending operations.

Abstract: A unitary helical coil spring assembly is inserted in a tubular body to form a neon tube support. The assembly is molded of plastic using a mold comprised of two planar blocks in each of which there are a series of axially spaced apart recesses configured to form half convolutions of a spring and there are projections having rounded ends projecting from between half convolution recesses on each mold block which interdigitate and project into the half convolution recesses in the opposite mold block when the planar surfaces are interfaced so the rounded ends cooperate to form a circular inside diameter of the spring when plastic is injected in the recesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a belt or cable, reeved about first and second pulleys or sprockets, both mounted for rotation on supports. The apparatus includes a base plate and a post mounted through a closely-sized aperture in the base plate. An arm is mounted to the post at a mounting point at one end of the arm, such that the arm is rotatable about the post with respect to the base plate. An idler sprocket is rotatably attached to the arm at a point spaced apart from the mounting point of the arm, near the opposite end, and positioned so as to be engageable with the belt or chain. Engaging pins are positioned on the arm at a point near the idler sprocket. The base plate has corresponding holes for engaging the engaging pins on the arm in a plurality of positions with respect to the base plate.

Abstract: A steering mechanism including a steering shaft coupled to a controller which includes a handle and apparatus for manipulating the distal end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring having a lead spring fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability.