Abstract: A gas spring includes a piston assembly or pack having an additional seal, pressure relief valve, and check valve that increases the output force of the gas spring. Various temperature compensation structures, also added to the piston pack, permits this increase to vary from zero at higher ambient temperatures to a maximum value at very cold temperatures thus achieving a temperature compensation, which varies, in an analog manner, inversely in response to the temperature changes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decontaminating contaminated microspheres of a patient support system employing a fluidizing medium to fluidize the microspheres to provide support for the patient, includes a tank for containing the microspheres. The tank includes a diffuser mounted inside the tank to form a plenum in the bottom of the tank. A rigid shell surrounds heat-insulating material around the outside of the tank. A recirculation channel is defined in the shell. A cover seals the tank. An air heater member and a gas blower provide hot air to fluidize the microspheres inside the tank. A valve permits a heating mode of operation, a cooling mode of operation, and a holding temperature mode of operation. The valve is switched between modes by action of a solenoid or a motor. A temperature probe monitors the temperature inside of the tank. A control circuit controls the air heater, the valve, and the gas blower according to a predetermined timed sequence of actuation.

Abstract: In a vibration reducing system for a single cylinder engine, the rotating inertia forces are balanced while the reciprocating inertia forces are left unbalanced. The engine is mounted on a support by a spring biased linkage system permitting movement of the engine in a direction axial of the engine cylinder. The engine support also includes torsion mounts permitting controlled rotary movement of the engine about the crankshaft axis. Power transmission is through a drive shaft mounted on the support and connected with the engine crankshaft by a belt drive. The supporting linkage is biased to position the engine with the axis of the cylinder approximately normal to a plane defined by the axes of the crankshaft and the drive shaft.