Abstract: A catheter having at least two lengths of tubular material axially joined together by a scarf joint with no perceptible change in outer diameter at the joint; the scarf joint including a substantially axially oriented seam component between the two lengths of tubular material with the seam visible along the peripheral surfaces of the axially joined sections and extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the catheter; and wherein one of the at least two lengths of tubular material includes an inner tubular reinforcement layer, wherein the reinforcement layer forms part of the scarf joint.

Abstract: A catheter having at least two lengths of tubular material axially joined together by a welded joint with no perceptible change in diameter at the welded joint; the welded joint including a substantial axially oriented seam between the two lengths of material.

Abstract: A method of forming a catheter comprising the steps of a) loading an inner layer on a mandrel; b) loading a reinforcing braid layer over the inner layer; c) adding a terminal tip to one end of the inner layer, the terminal tip applied directly over the inner layer with no portion of the reinforcing braid therebetween; d) loading a plurality of axial jacket sections over the braid layer, one of the axial jacket sections engaging an adjacent one of the plurality of axial jacket sections along a joint including substantially axially oriented seams; e) applying a shrink tube over the plurality of axial jacket sections and heating the shrink tube to cause the plurality of axial jacket sections to bond with each other, the braid layer and the inner layer; f) removing the shrink tube; and g) removing the mandrel.

Abstract: A catheter having at least two lengths of tubular material axially joined together by a welded joint with no perceptible change in diameter at the welded joint; the welded joint including a substantial axially oriented seam between the two lengths of material.

Abstract: In a method of forming a catheter having an inner layer, an intermediate braided layer and an outer jacket, wherein the intermediate braided layer terminates axially before the inner layer, leaving a forward end portion of the inner layer exposed, the steps of:a) before applying the outer jacket, loading a plastic sleeve over a forward end of the intermediate braided layer adjacent the forward end portion of the inner layer;b) heating the plastic sleeve to a temperature sufficient to melt the plastic sleeve;c) loading a terminal tip having an axial length over a forward end portion of the inner layer into abutting relationship with the forward end of the intermediate braided layer such that the terminal tip is supported by the forward end portion of the inner layer along all of the axial length of the terminal tip and not reinforced anywhere along the axial length by the intermediate braided layer;d) loading the outer jacket over the braided layer;e) loading a shrink tube over the outer jacket; andf) heating

Abstract: A catheter having at least two lengths of tubular material axially joined together by a welded joint with no perceptible change in diameter at the welded joint; the welded joint including a substantial axially oriented seam between the two lengths of material.

Abstract: Draining lubricant tends to be slung off of radially extending surfaces of the rotating shaft and entrained by the suction gas. This is prevented by providing an oil shield which collects the slung oil and directs it downwardly out of the path of the flowing suction gas.

Abstract: Protection for an encased motor driven device is enhanced by utilizing additional sensors with associated resistance heaters to actuate the thermally responsive contacts of the internal line break. The sensors and heaters are powered from an auxiliary winding in the motor coils. When applied to a hermetic scroll compressor, the compressor can be protected against reverse rotation.

Abstract: Basically the present invention in it's most simple form or embodiment is directed to a controlled labyrinth heat exchanging oil nozzle assembly for use as a flame producing nozzle within an oil burning heating system, particularly adapted to burning of waste oil. The nozzle assembly comprises a block, the temperature of which is controlled or controllable and in which there is at least one cylindrical bore (preferably two bores are provided) into which director plugs are specially inserted. The block, the bore or bores and the flow director plug or plugs are designed to provide a fuel flow passage which undulates upward and downward thereby increases the dwell time or the time during which fuel is within the block and also creating substantial surface area through which heat is transferred or transferable from the block when it is heated to the fuel flowing in such an undulating manner therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously and rapidly hydrating a polymer-based fracturing fluid. The invention is based upon the efficient application of high shear energy in order to increase the rate of hydration of the polymer. The invention includes the timing of the application of shear energy, the amount of shear energy applied and the manner in which it is applied. Specifically, the high shear energy is preferably not applied until at least 45 seconds after the mixing of a polymer slurry with a base liquid. Preferably, at least 2 hydraulic horsepower/barrel/minute of shear energy is applied to the mixture. Additionally, the mixture is recycled to maximize the benefits of application of high shear energy.

Abstract: Basically the present invention in its most simple form or embodiment is directed to a heat exchanger which provides for at least two heat exchange surfaces and which has the combustion of the fuel, which generates the heat, take place within the heat exchanger rather than the heat of combustion being introduced into the exchanger from an external combustion chamber and wherein the flame is directed into an opening of a truncated cone which cone has a shape approximating the shape of the flame and wherein the tips or ends of the flame "play" on an arcuate surface which is in thermal energy transfer communication with fluid to be heated which is at the unheated or ambient temperature. Additionally, note that the fluid, air in the case of a hot air system, is introduced into the passages where heat exchange will take place, and directed toward the hottest region of the combustion chamber. That is, the coldest air comes into thermal contact with the hottest region providing for maxinum heat exchange.

Abstract: The present invention in its most simple form or embodiment is directed to a heat exchanger which provides for at least two heat exchange surfaces. The two heat exchange surfaces are defined by an inner wall or inner shell which separates a combustion region or combustion passage and at least one fluid passage defined by the inner shell, and an outer wall or outer shell. The space defined between the inner and outer shells being the combustion region or combustion passage. The combustion chamber is configured to provide for full and efficient fuel combustion without any flat surfaces upon which a flame of combustion could impinge. Because of the nature of the construction, the flame forms into a fan configuration allowing thorough mixture with the combustion air and thus providing for complete and efficient combustion.

Abstract: A fin for a sailboard has a pair of high aspect ratio foils disposed in tandem in which the trailing edge of the forward foil is spaced apart from the leading edge of the aft foil. The fin permits high speed and rapid maneuvering without ventilation and stalling by reducing spanwise flow of water and loss of laminar flow at high angles of attack.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having an integral handle cover assembly for manual operation of the circuit breaker. The handle assembly comprises a cap segment and a base segment. The base segment removably engages with the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker with the cap segment positioned exterior to the circuit breaker cover and engaged with the base segment such that the handle assembly is attached to the cover while being movable in the opening thereof during the opening and closing of the circuit breaker allowing the cover to be removed from the circuit breaker without the detachment of the handle assembly from the cover.

Abstract: Converging upper and lower conveyors transport loose waste from a receiving hopper toward an incinerator combustion chamber entrance at an adjustably predetermined normal rate, cooperating to compact the waste into a continuous plug and to force the plug through a confining passageway extending from the conveyors to the incinerator entrance, thereby feeding the waste plug to the burning firebed in the combustion chamber at a steady rate for causing waste combustion therein at a generally steady rate while sealing the entrance thereto against incoming air and outgoing heat or fire.

Abstract: A filter medium particularly adapted for use in an oil filter for an internal combustion engine having a water-laid web of fibers, at least 70% of which are cellulose, impregnated with resin in a pattern at its wire side to a depth of 15 to 45% of its total thickness, the pattern having zones free from resin amounting to 35 to 60% of the total area of the wire side, each zone having at least one dimension no greater than 4 mm.

Abstract: A filter medium particularly adapted for use in an oil filter for an internal combustion engine having a water-laid web of fibers, at least 70% of which are cellulose, impregnated with resin in a pattern at its wire side to a depth of 15 to 45% of its total thickness, the pattern having zones free from resin amounting to 35 to 60% of the total area of the wire side, each zone having at least one dimension no greater than 4 mm.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a multipole circuit breaker and a multipole current-limiting reactor device. The multipole current-limiting reactor device includes an insulating housing forming a plurality of compartments, each compartment having a double-wound solenoid connected in series with one pole of the circuit breaker. The current-limiting reactor device limits the current through the circuit interrupter during overcurrent conditions to a value which can be safely interrupted by the circuit breaker.