Abstract: Tower packing elements adapted for dumped packing and employed to effect vapor-liquid contact in vapor-liquid contact columns for the purposes of bringing about mass and heat transfer between the liquid and vapor phases. Each packing element is of the saddle variety and is arcuately formed about orthogonal notional axes. The body of the saddle comprises expanded metal; that is, metal that has been perforated, lanced, and/or expanded by stretching along oppositely oriented axes. Also disclosed are methods of forming a segmented, semi-toroidal tower packing element from metal which has been expanded, as well as from metal which has been slitted, and which is expanded at the same time as it is formed into a saddle shape. In this manner, the advantages of metal in tower dump packing can be utilized in a saddle configuration maximizing vapor-liquid contact and efficiency of the mass and heat transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operating relationship of a rotatably driven circular saw blade to an adjacent workpiece includes a base carrying an elongated slide plate having a longitudinal slot adjacent one end. An indexing assembly is disposed between the base and the elongated slide plate and engages within the slot of the slide plate to constrain one of its ends to longitudinal movement, and a crank rotatably connects the base to the medial portion of the slide plate. A first motor is mounted on the other end of the slide plate to rotatably support the blade, and a second motor may be carried by the base for rotating the crank to move the slide plate from side to side and up and down along the slot and thereby move the saw blade along an elliptical path. In operation, the second motor turns the crank to cause the blade to be brought into contact with the workpiece along a path generally parallel with a major axis of the elliptical path.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively diverting articles carried by a conveyor roller system of the type utilizing a field of rollers mounted for rotation upon an underlying drive belt. An angulated transfer roller is rotatably mounted between existing rollers in the field and powered by an aligned drive roller in frictional engagement with the drive belt. The drive roller is mounted and aligned in generally parallel spaced relationship relative to the adjacent rollers of the field. The angular orientation of the transfer, or diverting roller, is provided by a generally "Y" shaped housing. This configuration permits the diverting roller to be angulated and selectively upstand through the notional plane of conveyance of the field of rollers by rotation of the housing. In this position, the angulated transfer roller engages an article passing therethrough.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for generating energy from a rocking float tank utilizing the buoyant force of water contained therein. The float tank is mounted to rock between first and second off center positions wherein the center of gravity of the water contained therein is shifted. A pair of flotation devices are mounted within the tank and forced upwardly by the buoyancy of the fluid volume therearound. The flotation devices are coupled to hydraulic cylinders or the like for transducing the energy resulting from the rocking flotation tank into a usable form. Rocking of the tank is effected through sequential shifting of ballast about the tank, ballast transfer being effected by compressed air in one particular embodiment.

Abstract: A multiple flow and direction control valve connectable to a plurality of separate fluid sources, the valve having a fluid power port and a fluid exhaust port and a first movable valve body being operable to add or subtract the flow rates of a plurality of fluid sources to either the power port or the exhaust port. The valve has a directional control member having two power ports and one exhaust port and being operable in a first position to apply power fluid to one of the power ports, exhaust fluid being returned through the second power port and routed out of the exhaust port and in a second position said power fluid being routed to the other power port and returned through the first power port to the exhaust port. The valve includes modified directional control members which may be stacked to sequentially provide directional control for a plurality of outputs.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for extracting gel from aloe vera leaves without contaminating the gel with toxic juices indigenous to the husks of the leaves. Further, this mechanized extraction is uniquely suited to permit frequent cleaning of the machinery. The leaves are washed, trimmed, and introduced into means for feeding the aloe vera leaves to and through a blade which longitudinally bisects the leaves. The split leaves are then passed through pressing rollers which advance the husks but retain the gel which falls from the pressing rollers into a collection pan. The pressed husks shed additional gel as they are carried over a further expanse of the collection pan and are then transferred to a husk collection conveyor which carries the husks back under the machinery. The pressing rollers are mounted to the frame of the apparatus by a hinged block which permits the pressing rollers to be swung open to permit cleaning of the pressing rollers and the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for safely and effectively facilitating the ignition of logs positioned on a grate within a fireplace. It includes an elongated open top container and a base for support. The open top of the container maintains a flame sustained by the combustion of vaporized fuel. Once combustion of the fuel is initiated, the container walls defining this opening receive and conduct heat to the fuel reservoir to vaporize more fuel and thereby sustain combustion. Combustion may be initiated by a combustible wick. The upper section of the windward wall of the container slopes downwardly and outwardly from the opening at the top of the container and this surface cooperates with the surface formed by the bottom of the grate and its contents. Together, these surfaces restrict the natural draft underneath the grate producing somewhat of a venturi effect thereby increasing the velocity of the draft.

Abstract: An external catheterization device and technique is disclosed that provides for increased safety, comfort and mobility. The device is constructed from four major elements, an adhesive surface, a pliable stabilizer, a main body and an outlet tube. The adhesive surface covers the subject side of the stabilizer and surrounds the inlet to the main body of the catheter. The stabilizer is formed of a material conformable to the subject and aids in placing the catheter. The main body of the catheter is formed to carry urine and vaginal discharge which is received through the inlet, to the outlet tube at which conventional drainage devices are attachable. The catheterization technique necessary for utilizing the external catheter of the present requires cleansing the entire urogenital area applying a suitable protective dressing, and pressing the adhesive surface of the catheter into a leak resistent, sealing relationship with the subject's body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid inertia tool in which the kinetic energy of flowing liquid is converted to useful work by decelerating the liquid flow and directing the inertia force in the water against a movable element in the liquid flowcontaining structure which in turn moves against a work piece. Flow deceleration is achieved by an orifice-effect valve. The valve is reset for flow resumption or acceleration by automatically or selectively applying hydraulic pressure to a reset mechanism. Use of the inertia tool in pile driving and punch press applications is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-handling unit that can supply air, to a desired space, which is cold, which is cooler than the set point of the thermostat for that space and hence is referred to as cool air, which is warmer than that set point and hence is referred to as warm air, or which is hot. That unit can operate even when very low pressure air is supplied to it; and hence it is connectable to a conventional low pressure cold air duct. That unit may have a heat source incorporated into it, may utilize air from that space which is cooler than that set point and hence can be referred as cool air, and may utilize air from that space which is warmer than that set point and hence can be referred to as warm air. Dampers in that unit control the amount of cold air and cool air that is supplied to that space, and a blower and the heat source in that unit control the amount of warm air and hot air which is supplied to that space.

Abstract: Well bore tools configured as centralizers/stabilizers, well bore reamers, and keyseat wipers each of which includes an elongate tubular body having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the borehole being drilled. Each tool affords an improved mode of drilling a borehole by increasing downhole directional control and stability, increasing tool wear reliability, and reducing return mud flow resistance. The outer surface of each tool has a plurality of longitudinal passages formed in pairs of upright intersecting right and left hand helicies or spirals about the exterior of said tool and extending from one end to the other end thereof. The intersecting right and left hand helical or spiral channels form raised pad areas therebetween to provide 360.degree. contiguous well bore contact by each tool for enhanced stability and efficiency.

Abstract: A method for drawing a plat from a metes and bounds property description includes the steps of providing a first page presenting a compass rose and a grid pattern. A plurality of lines are then created on the first page, each beginning at a center point on the compass rose and extending in a direction of a respective call of the metes and bounds measurements. Each of the plurality of lines are then numbered to correspond to the order of the respective calls. A second page is also provided having a grid pattern thereon which is aligned with the grid pattern of the first page. A first line corresponding to a first call of the metes and bounds description is then traced from the first page onto the second page, and the line is scaled an amount corresponding to a magnitude of the first call.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for generating high pressure steam within a well bore. The steam vapor generator is constructed for receiving and mixing high pressure water, fuel and oxidant in a down-hole configuration. High pressure water is received within a heat exchanger constructed around a combustion chamber in an annular sleeve configuration and heated through a thermal wall region forming a lower portion thereof. The combustion chamber utilizes the heat energy of radiation to heat the water flowing in the annular sleeve to the point of steam. The heat exchanger further includes a series of open ended flow tubes which triplicate the length of the flow path of the water prior to egressing from the sleeve. A collection chamber is provided beneath the combustion chamber in communication with the heat exchanger for the mixing of the high pressure vapor and the exhaust thereof into the adjacent well formation.