Abstract: An automated system, method and apparatus for producing welded end closures in thin-walled metal tubes, preferably sealing a radioactive source inside the tubes, by use of an electronically controlled robot that grasps and sequentially repositions the tube through a series of stations in which the tube is bottom-welded, inspected, filled, inspected, top welded and inspected, and wherein the tube bottom and top are welded using multi-directional laser beams generated by a single laser light source and discharged through a plurality of spaced-apart laser welder heads. Brachytherapy seeds containing radiolabeled microspheres are produced using the system, method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: An automated system, method and apparatus for producing welded end closures in thin-walled metal tubes, preferably sealing a radioactive source inside the tubes, by use of an electronically controlled robot that grasps and sequentially repositions the tube through a series of stations in which the tube is bottom-welded, inspected, filled, inspected, top welded and inspected, and wherein the tube bottom and top are welded using multi-directional laser beams generated by a single laser light source and discharged through a plurality of spaced-apart laser welder heads. Brachytherapy seeds containing radiolabeled microspheres are produced using the system, method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A valve apparatus in which moisture sensitive material controls the opening size of a water valve. The moisture sensitive material is placed in an evaporative pad of an evaporative cooler. As the material dries, the moisture sensitive material constricts to open a valve draining a timing reservoir so as to hasten the refreshing of moisture to the evaporative pad. In an alternative embodiment, this moisture sensitive material located in the evaporative pad is balanced against an identical moisture sensitive material located in a constantly moisturized pad. This balancing of the materials permits fine control of the moisture content in the evaporative pad.

Abstract: A valve operating on hydraulic pressure for the control of water being deposited onto evaporative pads located on a cool tower. The valve utilizes water flow to fill a basin or tank which is slowly being drained. When the tank is empty, a valve is opened that releases water to the evaporative cooling pads and also to the tank; when the tank is filled, the valve closes permitting the tank to slowly drain and repeat the cycle.

Abstract: A tower, or vertical shaft, equipped with a two stage evaporative cooler near the top. The chimney effect, in reverse, causes the cool air to flow by gravity down the tower. The air can be used for cooling and ventilating structures. In one embodiment of the invention, the ambient air flow is all that is required for the embodiment to operate and all reliance upon electrical energy is eliminated.

Abstract: An insulated dock plate cover is provided which is connected to the door and thus moves automatically to raised and lowered positions as the door is opened and closed. The forward end of the dock plate cover is connected directly to the lower end of the door while the rear end of the cover is connected by cables which are operatively connected to the conventional door cables in turn connected to a motorized overhead drive shaft.

Abstract: A two stage cooling system in which the first stage's cooling affect is transferred to the second stage through direct contact with an oil-like material. The oil-like material is cooled by direct contact with water which has been evaporatively cooled. The oil-like material is then utilized to cool the air stream prior to the second stage evaporative cooling. The use of an oil-like material in the first cooling stage of evaporative cooling allows a relatively dry air stream to be produced so as to fully capitalize upon the evaporative cooling affect of the second stage cooler.