Abstract: A portable hand held electronic spirometric device for analyzing the strength of the exhalation of a patient under a doctor's care. The electronic spirometric device is designed to sense and measure exhaled air flow rate and exhaled breath temperature, determine air flow volume, and record and display the respiratory movement of the patient for helping make medication recommendations. The spirometric device includes an electronic package mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the strength, the temperature, and the volume of the exhalation along with the time and date of the exhalation. The device includes a replaceable air flow chamber mounted on the housing. A disposable mouthpiece is releasably attached to the air flow chamber. A hot wire acting as an anemometer is disposed inside the air flow chamber and provides for measuring both air flow rate and temperature.

Abstract: A dry powder inhalant device adapted for mounting on a conventional medication dry powder dispenser having a mouthpiece incorporated in one end of the dispenser. The device designed for monitoring prescribed dosages of dry powder medication received through the mouthpiece, the lips and into the mouth, throat, and respiratory system of a user of the device. The device includes an electronic housing mounted on the dispenser for computing and recording when a proper amount of dry powder is released inside the dispenser, when a proper amount of air flow is inhaled through the dispenser for mixing with the dry powder, and when each dispenser or dry powder container is removed and replaced on the electronic housing. The dispenser, in one embodiment, includes an activation sheath received around and secured to a portion of the dispenser. A lower end of the sheath abuts the electronic housing with the mouthpiece extending upwardly and through an upper end of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heliostat assembly having a circular, ring mounted reflector which is driven and supported by an arrangement of elongated levers. A pair of levers are spaced apart and pivotally mounted at their lower ends, and have upper ends which are linked to the heliostat ring at diametrically opposite horizontally spaced location, by way of ball-and-socket type joints. A third lever has a first end similarly mounted to the heliostat ring at a location below and mid-way between the connections of the lever pair. Assuming the assembly is located in a south-facing heliostat field, the third lever extends generally southward to its second end which is mounted for movement about a horizontal axis. By driving each one of the lever pair in opposite directions the heliostat may be turned for solar tracking. The heliostat may also be driven to a protective stow position by pivoting the lever pair southwardly together in parallel, until the heliostat is turned to a horizontal, face-down position.

Abstract: Water-powered rotating brush device for use in a shower, having an elongated handle portion embodying a supply channel and a return channel, a flexible supply and return hose-pair connectable to the lower end of the handle, and a head portion which rotatably mounts a pair of eccentrically located gear rotors with the larger of the rotors having more teeth than the smaller, the rotors arranged so as to be positively displaced into rotary action by the flow therethrough of water under pressure. A massage brush is coupled to the larger gear rotor. A diverter valve rotatably mounted in the handle may be operated to cut off flow to the rotors and to shunt water from the supply channel directly to the return channel. A relief valve includes a spring biased piston that is displaceable by excessive pressure at the rotor head to open a relief port which allows water to by-pass the rotors and flow directly to the return channel.

Abstract: An electronic water faucet is disclosed, including means for detecting the presence of an object near an outlet of said faucet and determining whether or not noise or reflected light is being sensed. The faucet includes a swivelable spout relative to a main body. Position sensing means for sensing the angular position of the spout are included. The angular positions which the spout can assume are designed to various zones, and those zones are programmed to be active or not active in an automatic mode of operation of the faucet. A rotary mixing valve for supplying and mixing hot and cold water using a cam and deformable seal is used to partially seal hot and cold water inlets.

Abstract: A stretched membrane heliostat having a membrane mounted on a generally circular frame, there being a double-walled portion of the membrane that extends in a circle near the periphery of the membrane to form a bladder that is inflatable to tension the membrane.

Abstract: A portable pill storage and dispensing device adapted to record the time one or more pills are dispensed on demand or emits a time alarm as a reminder which events are recorded for future interrogation and where a novel pill-retaining cavity closure is selectively activated to disperse one or more pills. The device consists of a keyboard assembly which also stores and dispenses the pills and an electronic assembly which records the data regarding key closures whenever a pill is dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically or hydraulically tensioning a membrane, which stretched membrane can support a reflective surface for use as a heliostat in a solar energy collection system.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention substantially accomplishes the functions of a so-called "fifth wheel coupler" which provides a pivotal mounting for the forward end of a trailer tow bar on the center line of the towing vehicle and directly above its rear axle. The apparatus includes forward hitch means on the aft portion of the towing vehicle carrying first attachment members at the aft end of the vehicle, and aft hitch means on the forward portion of the trailer carrying second attachment members at the forward end of the trailer.