Abstract: A solar collector has articulated first and second reflective panel operably connected to a rotatable pivot housing defining an interior channel that can be filled with a fluid for storing heat generated by the reflection of solar radiation. The solar collector may also include a system for collecting an recycling water that can be used to fill the interior channel or clean the surface of the first reflective panel. The first and second reflective panels are generally shiftable into a parabolic configuration defining a focus line spaced apart from a reflector formed by the first and second panels.

Abstract: A disarm mechanism to maintain a safe work area for individuals that may be working in such area which allows for the remote disarming of an article of explosive equipment by remotely shifting a switch of an explosive circuit to an off or non-operative position. Said switch is connected in series with a detonator and along with an explosive charge housed within an extinguishant container from which extinguishant would normally be dispelled when the explosive circuit is activated. After switching, a lock-out device is secured to the disarm mechanism such that the switch cannot be shifted to the on or operative position without removal of such lockout. Visual indicia is provided to alert the operator as to the position of the control switch.

Abstract: A hazard response structure which includes a sensor mounting housing positioned over and against an aperture of an environmental enclosure to receive pressure from the enclosure and detonate a supply of suppression material to the enclosure upon an increase of pressure therein which is indicative of an impending explosion or fire. The housing is so shaped and the sensors thereof so located to eliminate the possibility of damage thereto or the accumulation of material thereabout to interfere with pressure transmission. At least three sensors are positioned in the housing and provided circuit logic requires a response from two of the three to initiate suppression material delivery to the enclosure. The sensors also provide for setting of operational thresholds without removal of the same from such housing.

Abstract: A pressure responsive and pressure operative device which includes an intrinsically safe detonation circuitry particularly designed for the suppression of explosive situation where the initial indication of a developing explosion and subsequent fire is an increase in pressure within a protected volume which is normally related to a building or other structure. The device includes a directed housing serving as a cannon which holds an extinguishant containing canister which incorporates an explosive charge for producing a rapidly rising pressure within the canister for substantially instantaneous discharge of extinguishant from the canister and instantaneous release of propelling fluid pressure from a pressure supply tank for additional extinguishant propulsion. The unit is operative with only low voltage and pressure thus making the same intrinsically safe.

Abstract: A solar energy collector and reradiation apparatus and method for use in energy production and localized climate control includes structure for storing energy; structure for concentrating solar radiation into a collection domain and structure for transferring energy from the collection domain to the storing structure. The apparatus also includes structure for radiating energy skywardly; structure for transmitting energy from the storing structure to the radiating structure; and optionally structure for extracting energy from the environment; structure for utilizing energy extracted from the storing means to elevate the temperature of the fluid carrying energy extracted from the environment, whereby environmental heat may be reradiated into space at a higher rate and at wavelengths less likely to be absorbed by the atmosphere than would naturally occur, thus permitting localized cooling and climate control.

Abstract: A device for suppressing explosions that may occur in process enclosures such as those for handling of grain, manufacture of pharmaceuticals and similar processes. The unit includes a cylindrical housing having one end thereof communicating with the process area and the opposite end thereof communicating with a pressure vessel, with a fire retardant containing canister slidably arranged therebetween and a valving member in sealing position against the pressure vessel. The canister is in controlling position to open the valving member, under the action of and purposely dependent upon a predetermined level of pressure increase within the process area, and thus to release pressure from the pressure vessel. The canister includes a detonating device which will cause explosion of the canister simultaneously with release of the pressure and dependent upon release of the pressure from the vessel.

Abstract: A method of selecting and reproducing language characters, preferably in languages having a multitude of pictorial characters, from phonetic or sound representation of the language, includes the steps of displaying the phonetic symbols which show all of the sounds of the language without intonations, selecting the desired sound for constructing a character, displaying all language characters having all intonations of the selected sound, and selecting the particular character having the unique phonetic sound and intonation combination, and the specific meaning intended.

Abstract: Radiation detection tube having a glass envelope surrounding an anode and cathode, and having a further conductive surface surrounding a portion of the glass envelope in the region of the anode-cathode gap, the exterior conductor electrically coupled to the anode.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting flame or smoke, having a radiation detection tube enclosed in a housing, facing the exterior through a transparent window at one end of the housing, and having a radiation source proximate the other end of the housing and external the tube housing, with an optical path exterior of the housing from the radiation source to a reflector ring positioned in front of the transparent window and in a direction to deflect radiation from the radiation source through the transparent window to the radiation detection tube. The invention also includes a second internal radiation source optically coupled to the radiation detection tube for providing a reference radiation, which not only provides a comparison base for radiation received by the radiation detection tube from external radiation sources, but also provides a monitor function to evaluate the quality of the optical path through the window and to check the operation of the radiation detection tube and related circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for monitoring black liquor recovery boilers to detect the presence of water leakage into the combustion chamber (furnace) of a black liquor recovery boiler, or extinguishing of flame at the black liquor spray nozzles, to release into the furnace at a relatively high rate of speed an absorption agent to collect the water in the furnace and thereby isolate the water from the smelt, and further to provide a medium from which the water may be evaporated to expedite cooling within the furnace without risk of a water/smelt explosive reaction. The apparatus includes propulsion devices for distributing the absorption agent over the furnace smelt, which propulsion devices are controlled by sensors respectively detecting boiler steam pressure, water pressure, and combustion flame. Manual actuation of the propulsion devices is also contemplated by the invention.

Abstract: Circuitry directed to the rapid de-ionization of ultraviolet detectors by increasing the mobility of the ionized gases within the tubes which will enable the tubes to more effectively operate at low temperatures. The circuitry includes connecting circuitry for shorting the elements of the tube such that they will be at the same potential immediately after firing and also includes circuitry for the shunting of the tube immediately after firing to limit the number of ions generated in the discharge process. The shorting of the elements increases the surface area of negative electrodes for the recapture of the ions and the distance through which the ions must travel is reduced by a factor of one-half.

Abstract: Improved circuitry or systems for the continual testing of the ability of a radiation detection system to detect radiation whether the radiation source being used for the testing is located externally to or is located within the same housing as the radiation detector. The improvement includes means for maintaining a constant voltage upon a control member which means provides accomodation for random or spurious radiation by controlled excitation of a radiation source which provides means for monitoring this radiation source for automatically determining the operational condition of the radiation detector.

Abstract: A device for determining that the optical surfaces through which radiation must travel from a hazardous area of radiation to a radiation detector are free from radiation absorbing material or radiation blocking material, the device including an enclosure for commonly housing both a source of and a detector of radiation while isolating the same from each other, preventing radiation transmission within the housing from the source to the detector, such enclosure defining a path for radiation emission from the source outwardly from the housing to a reflective surface or surfaces which surface or surfaces will redirect the radiation back to the detector through the same optical surfaces that radiation from the hazardous area must pass. The relective surface or surfaces may be integral with the enclosure or may be remotely located therefrom.