Abstract: A shipboard system provides dry, oil-free utility air and inert gas for use on a marine vessel. A compressor converts ambient air into a pressurized air stream. The air stream is cooled by heat exchange with sea water in the vicinity of the vessel. The air stream is then dried in a dehydration membrane module, and some of the product of the dehydration module is taken for use as utility air. The remainder of the dried air is passed through an air separation module which includes a polymeric membrane. The product of the air separation module includes a nitrogen-enriched gas which is used as an inert gas on the vessel. The compressor is the only mechanically moving component of the system.

Abstract: A lifting member transmits all or part of the lifting force between a lifting appliance and a load to be lifted. The lifting member includes a proximal portion configured to be fixed to the lifting appliance; a distal portion designed to be connected to the load; a longitudinal section, extending from the proximal portion towards the distal portion, and capable of being elastically elongated under the action of part of the lifting force; a longitudinal channel extending from the proximal portion into the longitudinal section of the lifting member; a stress transducer, inserted into the longitudinal channel, and fixed to the side wall of the longitudinal channel; a link for transmitting optical fiber signals from the stress transducer to a device for receiving and analyzing optical fiber signals from the stress transducer.

Abstract: An above-water system provides automatic alerting for possible drowning victims in swimming pools or the like. One or more electro-optical sensors are placed above the pool surface. Sequences of images are digitized and analyzed electronically to determine whether there are humans within the image, and whether such humans are moving in a manner that would suggest drowning. Effects due to glint, refraction, and variations in light, are offset automatically by the system. If a potential drowning incident is detected, the system produces an alarm sound, and/or a warning display, so that an operator can determine whether action must be taken.

Abstract: A composition for melting ice and snow includes granular particles, preferably made of urea, the particles being coated by a mixture of an antifreeze composition and a nitrate inhibitor. The antifreeze and nitrate inhibitor are provided in liquid form, and the liquid mixture is sprayed or otherwise coated onto the particles. The composition provides an improved ice-melting material while minimizing environmental damage due to leaching of nitrates into ground water reservoirs.

Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: An automatic lacer wraps bundles of polymeric fibers with thread, before the bundles are woven into a fabric mat and placed in a housing to form a gas-separation membrane module. A fiber bundle passes through a spool which is previously wound with thread on its outer surface. The thread is attached to the fiber bundle, so that when the bundle is moved through the spool, the thread is pulled from the spool, and automatically becomes wound around the bundle. Threads from two or more spools may be wrapped around the fiber bundle simultaneously. Lacing of the fiber bundles reduces the amount of tangling in the loom feeder, and improves the quality of modules made from the fiber bundles.

Abstract: A patient alignment device includes a table and a rotatable member positioned to rotate relative to the table. The rotatable member may be a head-support plate or a board which supports substantially all of a patient's body. A motor moves the board or plate so as to align the patient's body, or a part of the body, in a desired direction. The board may be formed in two segments, the segments being selectively connectable to each other, the segments also being selectively connectable to the table by pins, at various possible pivot points. Positioning of the pins determines the mode of rotation of the board. The invention allows an operator to align the patient's body with precision, by remote control, and without interrupting the medical procedure.

Abstract: A dental handpiece carries a drill and drives it in relative motion in a direction of penetration. The handpiece includes a body with a proximal end and a distal end, a removable head connected to the body's distal end, able to hold the drill, abutment means fixed on the dental handpiece by fixation means and able to limit the depth of penetration of the drill in the body of a patient. The abutment means, protruding from the dental handpiece, are fixed and locked on the dental handpiece by locking means which are actuated by the simple movement of joining the head to the body.

Abstract: A heating device includes a low-temperature heat store thermally coupled to a heat pump. The heat store is a buried pocket containing a permeable material and water. A high heat exchange capacity is thus achieved by exploiting both the high specific heat of the water and the high latent heat of liquefaction of the water contained in the heat store.

Abstract: A portable device enables a text to be constructed by an input interface, then to be sent on a voice synthesis engine. The synthesized voice is rendered audible through a loudspeaker. The synthesized voice can also be sent over a telephone network addressed to another telephone. The device thus enables a person with a speech handicap to communicate with a party who is not used to communication by sign language.

Abstract: An electric circuit is applied to an object having a curved surface. The curved surface of the object is divided into sections, and the circuit is applied one section at a time. The circuit is formed between layers of dielectric material. The dielectric is applied by a computer-controlled device, which controls the position of a spray head and the rotation of the object, such that the spray head is held substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object at all times, and such that a controlled thickness of dielectric material can be deposited. The fine-featured circuits formed by the invention are rugged, and can be used on objects intended to be exposed to harsh environments.

Abstract: A mat, to be placed beneath an appliance, has a base layer, preferably made of cardboard, a liquid-resistant layer, preferably of plastic, and a layer of batting. The layers are held together by a peripheral rim. The periphery of the mat includes straight and curved portions, such that when two similarly constructed mats are placed in abutment, the curved portions define areas not covered by the mats. Thus, the mats can be placed under an appliance, without disturbing the legs of the appliance, while still covering a majority of the area under the appliance. The mats provide containment for spills of liquid from the appliance, and also define barriers for deflecting food items which might otherwise become lodged beneath the appliance.

Abstract: An egg transport system has an egg transport module (10) where eggs are stored on a plurality of shelves (20) on a transportable frame (30) with wheels (11). The module (10) is loaded or unloaded by a loader (50, 150) and unloader (70), both of which can be vertical aligned to enable loading/unloading of a selected one of the shelves (20).

Abstract: A flexible, inflatable shelter is held within a storage container. The shelter can be erected rapidly, by directing compressed gas held or produced within the container, into the flexible material which will define the finished shelter. Personnel using the shelter then enter through an air lock door located in the storage container. An air lock may be alternatively provided such that is located at least partly within the deployed shelter, and so that it does not occupy substantial space in the container. The container includes supplies necessary to sustain life for an extended period. The shelter can be used to protect personnel from harmful environments caused by accidents or explosions in mines, tunnels, industrial plants, and the like. The container is compact, but allows rapid deployment of the flexible material to produce a shelter which is of approximately the same volume, or greater, than that of the storage container.

Abstract: A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.

Abstract: A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.

Abstract: A heel cup can be inserted into a shoe in order to define a posterior upward projection and lateral wings which surround the posterior and lateral faces of the calcaneum and which, through lateral notches, define a preferential deformation zone at, and in the direction of, the subtalar cone of the tibiotarsal joint. Moreover, a sufficiently-rigid connecting zone connects the posterior upward projection and the lateral wings, thus providing the shoe with good stability while enabling inversion and eversion foot movements. In this way, comfort is increased considerably, while the risk of articular injuries is reduced since the subtalar articulation is contained correctly upon reaching the limit thereof.

Abstract: A rowing trainer includes a frame, and a seat affixed to the frame. A sliding rigger, which supports an oar assembly, is movable back and forth along the frame. The oars are indirectly connected to a cord which passes around at least one pulley, and which turns a flywheel. Neither the flywheel nor the seat translates relative to the frame. The only component which translates is the rigger and the associated oar assembly. The device closely simulates the experience of rowing an actual boat or scull.