Abstract: A portable, high-pressure, power washing system is described which includes an electric motor driven gear pump where the electric motor is effectively water cooled by virtue of being contained in a thermally conductive housing surrounded by an insulating water jacket through which the water being pumped is made to flow before reaching the pump's inlet port. The pump is driven through a gear reduction mechanism such that a relatively inexpensive, single-phase, series AC (universal) motor normally operating at a high rpm can be employed. By proper dimensioning of the pump chamber relative to the drive and idler gears and by providing a flow divider at the pump chamber's discharge orifice, high pumping efficiency is obtained. Completing the assembly is a discharge wand for directing the high pressure water at the surface to be cleaned and for controlling the on/off state of the pump's drive motor.

Abstract: A method of performing an endarterectomy comprising the steps of exposing the blood vessel containing the atheroma to be excised, next forming an incision through the wall of the blood vessel at a location subtended by the atheroma, then inserting a probe through the incision and imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the probe while manipulating the probe relative to the atheroma to loosen the atheroma from the surrounding blood vessel and extracting the loosened atheroma through the incision. The further step of injecting a sterile liquid over the probe during its vibration has been found to enhance the ability of the probe to loosen the atheroma.

Abstract: A pressure cooker for use in microwave ovens includes a microwave permeable bowl shaped container, a microwave permeable dome cover, and a steel locking ring permanently attached to the cover for maintaining the container and cover in fluid-tight seal during use. A safety valve, formed of flexible tubing, encounters a projection of the container and is deformed into a closed configuration responsive to movement of the cover, relative to the container, toward a locking position. A pressure regulator valve, consisting of a metal core surrounded by an elastically deformable casing, is positioned over a pressure control opening in the cover to maintain a selected operating pressure level in the pressure cooker. A pressure indicator and relief assembly, contained in a pressure release opening through the cover, indicates positive pressure in the chamber and is ejected in the event of an abnormally high pressure inside the housing.

Abstract: A corn popper includes a vessel open at the top, and a removable top cover. A handle integral with the cover includes a pistol grip portion relatively remote from the vessel when the cover is attached. A stirring mechanism, supported for rotation about a vertical axis within the vessel when the cover is attached, rotates responsive to the squeezing of a trigger mounted slidably with respect to the pistol grip section of the handle. The means for driving the stirring mechanism include a drive gear angularly fixed on the stirring mechanism, and a pinion movable linearly into and out of driving engagement with the drive gear, and also rotatable, by virtue of an extension of the trigger.

Abstract: A device for rotating food while cooked in a microwave oven includes a metal housing supported above the oven floor by dielectric feet, and a turntable mounted above the housing. The turntable is rotatable by virtue of a turntable shaft having downwardly extended legs forming a non-circular cross-section, insertable into a similarly configured bore within a drive shaft inside the housing. A detent, pivotally mounted beneath the housing, can be pivoted manually to a locking position in which an arm of the detent engages one of several notches formed in the turntable, to prevent further turntable rotation relative to the housing. A bearing assembly between the top of the housing and the turntable includes an annular frame, and a plurality of ball bearing-containing receptacles arranged symmetrically about the frame.