Abstract: A fluid path opening/closing valve comprises a plate-like valve plug and a rack which is fixed to a piston of an emergency shut-down air cylinder. The rack meshes with a pinion which rotates by a reversible motor with a clutch. If a seismic detecting valve detects earthquake which has over predetermined seismic intensity and opens, compressed air is sent from an air tank via the opened seismic detecting valve to a switching cylinder which disconnects the clutch. At the same time, compressed air is sent from the air tank to the emergency shut-down air cylinder via a delay valve to lower the piston with the fluid-path opening/closing valve which closes the fluid path.

Abstract: A tongue scraper having a convex-shaped edge and a linear edge. The convex-shaped edge conforms to the lateral concavity of the tongue. The linear edge conforms to planar areas of the tongue. Tight gripping of the scraper is facilitated by a hole at each end intended to be pinched between the thumb and finger. In a first embodiment the scraper includes serrations on the convex and linear edges. In a second embodiment the convex and linear edges are smooth.

Abstract: A curette including a cylindrical handle, having a longitudinal axis, and a shaft, having a longitudinal axis. The shaft is attached to the cylindrical handle at a first end of the shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is parallel to, but not collinear with, the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical handle. A tip is included in a second end of the shaft.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon catheter for use in angioplasty includes a proximal single lumen shaft and a multilumen distal portion on which an inflatable balloon is mounted. The lumen of the shaft acts as a combined inflation lumen and guide wire lumen. In the multilumen distal portion, a distal inflation lumen connects the combined lumen with the interior of the balloon, while the distal guide wire lumen extends through the balloon to provide a passage for a guide wire.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intramedullary guide rod assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery for aligning one or more milling or cutting guides. A guide member is pivotally connected to an intramedullary guide rod intermediate and proximal and distal ends thereof. An alignment mechanism selectively locks the guide member to the intramedullary guide rod between discrete predetermined positions relative the guide rod.

Abstract: A system for extending the life span of electronic components in a high temperature well. A thermal electric cooler is located in a position thermally communicating with the electronic component in the well. The thermal electric cooler lowers the temperature of the electronic component to a temperature that retards the deterioration of the electronic component, and is particularly useful in well completion tools requiring an extended life. One or more thermal electric coolers or other electrical equipment may be connected to a common electric wire, and a surface controller may selectively adjust the power supplied to each thermal electric cooler to prevent the electric wire from being overloaded. The power to each component can be controlled to produce the lowest attainable temperature for each thermal electric cooler, which reduces the deterioration of electronic components to the greatest extent possible.

Abstract: A method is shown for recycling asphalt pavement. A high solids lime slurry is prepared by either slaking quicklime or by slurrying dry, hydrated lime. The high solids lime slurry is mixed with crushed aggregate which has been collected by scraping the top surface of an old roadway. The treated aggregate is deposited onto the old roadway and compacted to form a new roadway.

Abstract: An elevatable automobile turn-around system for use and association with various automobiles transport structures, the apparatus comprising: a lift having an upper segment, a lower segment and a central segment therebetween, the upper and lower segments formed in a planar configuration, the central segment including a motorized device to move the upper segment vertically upward and downward, the motorized means being powerful enough to lift the weight of an automobile; and a turntable formed in a generally planar configuration with an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having coupling devices to securely retain a vehicle thereupon, the lower portion of the turntable including motorized pivot means for rotating the upper surface up to one hundred and eighty degrees, the apparatus permitting the user to elevate and rotate a vehicle as required by the particular transport structure utilized therewith.

Abstract: A road vehicle halting device comprising a support member, a plurality of support elements, means mounting the support elements on the support member, each supporting element supporting a generally upwardly extending spike, a plurality of downwardly extending road engaging formations, means mounting the road engaging formations on the underside of the support member, the road engaging formations each being configured so that in the event of a vehicle driving over the device, at least one of the formations digs into the ground.

Abstract: A directional earth boring drill bit blade includes an earth boring drill bit blade body having a cutting edge and having at least one fluid conduit through said earth boring drill bit blade body. A fluid nozzle is affixed to said at least one fluid conduit at the cutting edge. The earth boring drill bit blade body is adapted to be mounted to a boring tool body. The at least one conduit and nozzle cooperate to channel fluid so as to cool the directional boring drill bit blade and control steering while boring.

Abstract: A bicycle multiple sprocket assembly designed to prevent lateral deflection of a chain from concentrating on a portion of the chain immediately before engaging with a diametrically larger sprocket, and for shifting the chain smoothly and assuredly to a diametrically larger sprocket. The assembly includes at least one diametrically larger sprocket and at least one diametrically smaller sprocket, wherein a side surface of the diametrically larger sprocket facing the diametrically smaller sprocket is provided with a link plate supporting portion 12 or supporting edges of link plates of a chain C so as to bend the chain along a predetermined arc when the chain is shifted from the diametrically smaller sprocket to the diametrically larger sprocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the in situ construction of patterned pavement includes a container (14) and a matrix of capped tubes (15) mounted to the floor of the container. Concrete (17) is distributed within the container and about the tubes and allowed to hardened to form a slab (11) of patterned pavement. The caps are then removed and another material is placed within the tubes to finish the pavement.

Abstract: The color coded safety master link is a modified master link used in endless roller chain drives. The invention allows the master link to be safely and quickly located while at the same time indicating the size of the endless roller chain. An extended first pin and extended second pin are connected to a first pin link plate. A second pin link plate engages the extended first pin and extended second pin. A color coded extension pin link plate engages the extended first pin and extended second pin. A locking pin link plate is provided for securing the extension pin link plate to the extended first pin and extended second pin, allowing the master link to remain in place when the roller chain drive is in operation.

Abstract: In an oil-operated tensioner for the timing chain of an internal combustion engine, a plunger slidable in a bag-shaped cylinder open at one end, divides the cylinder into a high pressure chamber on the side of the plunger opposite to the open end, and a low pressure chamber on the other side of the plunger. A seal at the open end surrounds a piston rod connected to the plunger. A check valve allows free flow from the low pressure chamber to the high pressure chamber so that the plunger can move rapidly in the projecting direction. A restricted passage allows only slow flow of oil in the opposite direction to prevent rapid retracting movement of the plunger. An oil reservoir, formed as an integral part of a housing of the tensioner or by an outer housing surrounding the cylinder, has a passage in communication with the low pressure chamber and an opening for collecting oil from the oil mist within the engine and surrounding the tensioner.