Abstract: An inflatable structure, includes a base and a barrier attached to the base which is capable of being inflated to a predetermined shape in order to define a chamber. A door in the barrier allows access to the chamber. The base includes a source of gas for inflating the barrier and for circulating within the chamber. The barrier is constructed as a twin-walled structure having inner and outer walls defining an air flow space therebetween. Holes are provided through at least portions of the inner wall to provide a means for circulation of air from the space into the chamber. When not in use, the aerator may be deflated and folded for compact storage and shipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating whether the contents of a container have been sterilized during a sterilization process including a first member having a portion for coacting with the sterilization agent to indicate the sterility of the contents of the container. A second member is adapted to extend into the interior of the container to be sterilized and receive and releasably engage the first member so that said first member can be positioned within the interior of the container to be sterilized during the sterilization process and so that the first member can be placed in and withdrawn from the second member without exposing the contents of the container to the surrounding environment or the operator to the contents of the container.

Abstract: A discharge evacuation system includes a conduit which accepts a fluid discharge containing a liquid discharge and a gaseous discharge. The conduit includes a main outlet through which the liquid discharge flows from the conduit into the discharge side of a plumbing system and a backup outlet through which at least a portion of the liquid discharge flows from the conduit when a predetermined volume of liquid discharge backs up within the conduit. Apparatus is provided for removing at least a portion of the gaseous discharge from the conduit and directing the flow of the portion of the gaseous discharge to an area remote from the area in which the conduit is located.

Abstract: A controller for controlling operation of a multi-filament lamp is provided that permits selection of the filament to be energized from a control box placed at a remote location from the lamp. Only two leads are required to electrically connect the control box to the lamp. The controller automatically switches energizing power from a burned out filament to an alternate filament. The controller can also include a source of alternate power for the controller in the event that primary power is lost. The controller can also include a lock out feature which prevents switching energizing power at the control box from an energized filament to a failed filament.1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to controllers for lamps and, in particular, a controller for a lamp having more than one light source that permits control of the lamp from a location remote from the lamp.2.

Abstract: An insulating device reduces heat transfer through a barrier--such as a wall, window, door, floor, or ceiling of a building--and into an area adjacent to the device. The insulating device includes at least one flexible sheet supported from an area above the section of the barrier to be insulated and is attached at its free end to the barrier above that section. Accordingly, the flexible sheet is doubled back upon itself and forms an insulating air space. A second flexible sheet can be attached to the support and disposed around the exterior of the first flexible sheet and attached to the barrier above the section to be insulated. Where two flexible sheets are doubled back upon themselves in such a manner, three insulating air spaces are provided. Accordingly, the insulating device impedes conductive heat transfer across the device. At least one flexible sheet includes a material having a low emittance to reduce radiant heat transfer across the device.

Abstract: A deep vibrator includes a propulsion head (1) vibrating in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of a suspension tube propulsion head being secured to the lower end of a suspension tube (2) while the outer wall of the suspension tube (2) includes pipes (4) arranged in the longitudinal direction thereof having at the lower end of the propulsion head (1) a spraying nozzle through which water may be fed under pressure, further spraying nozzles being distributed along the length of the pipes (4,5) and so aligned that they spray water into the annular space surrounding the suspension tube (2) thereby washing ground material toward the propulsion head.

Abstract: A real-time ultrasonic transducer for use in a scanning system and a novel drive circuit therefor are provided. The transducer includes a housing and a transducer assembly mounted therein for movement in a predetermined manner. An electromagnet causes the transducer assembly to move in such a predetermined manner. The drive circuit reverses the polarity of the voltage applied to the electromagnet when the transducer assembly reaches a predetermined limit of movement thereby reversing the direction of movement thereof. The drive circuit and the transducer assembly are located within the transducer housing. The drive circuit includes a set-reset (R-S) flip-flop that reverses the polarity of the voltage applied to the electromagnet. The two conventional collector resistors of the flip-flop are each replaced by a transistor circuit thereby providing the R-S flip-flop with power amplification capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic scanning transducer for use in an ultrasonic scanning system that examines an object by directing a series of ultrasonic waves into the object, receiving electrical signals related to the echoes generated by the ultrasonic waves when they strike acoustical interfaces within the object, and displaying the information borne by the electrical signals relating to the nature and location of acoustical interfaces within the object. The ultrasonic scanning transducer includes transducer elements secured to a permanent magnet mounted for rotational movement within the housing of the transducer and a stator assembly for rotating the transducers and magnet continuously in a single direction. The stator assembly receives a periodic signal having a zero average value and creates therefrom a unidirectionally rotating magnetic field which exerts a force on and rotates the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A light collector includes a light sampler for gathering light and a light receiver for receiving the light gathered by the sampler and for transmitting it to a system such as a light illumination control system. The output of the light collector varies with the intensity of the light gathered by the light sampler and can be increased or decreased for a given gathered light intensity by adjusting the distance between the light sampler and light receiver. Accordingly, if the light collector is used to provide to a light illumination control system the actual light intensity of the area in which light illumination is controlled, the light intensity maintained by the control system can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the output of the collector. Also, the present invention includes a light gathering device for a light collector. The light gathering device includes a lens having angled portions for gathering light from a broad area.

Abstract: A closure for a pair of sliding doors is provided that allows a user to open and automatically close both doors of a pair of sliding doors. The doors can be operated individually or simultaneously. The closure includes a pivoting link having two members, one fixed to each door, and a biasing device for pivoting the members and closing the doors.

Abstract: A carrier for ski equipment that enables a skier to transport skis, ski boots and ski poles all at once to and from the ski slopes. The carrier can be collapsed for storage. The carrier includes a base for supporting the ski equipment, an enclosure having a sealable opening for enveloping and protecting the ski equipment, a base support with transporting apparatus, such as wheels, attached thereto and grips to facilitate handling of the carrier. Further, the base includes apparatus for fixing one end each of a pair of skis within the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus secures in its closed position the door of a chamber capable of maintaining pressure within the chamber. The present invention includes apparatus disposed on the chamber for cooperating to move the door to and from its closed position including at least two members, one of which is movable relative to the chamber. The door is in its closed position when the stationary member and the door are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The movable member can be forced between the door and the stationary member to separate the door and the stationary member from each other by a predetermined distance. Further, the present invention includes apparatus for preventing the door from assuming its closed position until the movable member is forced between the door and the stationary member.

Abstract: A mirror includes a reflective surface that will not become fogged when the mirror is used in a steamy or humid environment such as a shower area. The mirror comprises a reflective member including a reflective surface fixed to a housing so that a housing compartment is defined thereby. An opening formed in the housing communicates with the housing compartment enabling a user to fill the housing compartment with water. The user fills the housing compartment with hot tap water so that the reflective surface will not become fogged when the mirror is used in a shower area. The mirror can include a base fixed to the housing for storing shaving articles, such as shaving soap. The base can have a base compartment formed therein that communicates with the housing compartment. Accordingly, the base compartment can be filled with hot water to heat the shaving soap.

Abstract: A closure for a chamber having an interior which can contain a fluid under pressure provides apparatus for latching the door of the chamber in its closed position and locking it in that position when the positive pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The closure includes a door that is moved by positive pressure within the chamber and, through appropriate mechanisms, activates locking apparatus that prevents the door from leaving its closed position as long as such pressure is present within the chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle cover especially adapted to cover cars and trucks being moved in transit comprises at least one inflatable cell of flexible air-confining material that substantially conforms to the configuration of such vehicles, and has inflating means therein and means for securing said cover to said vehicles. Each inflatable cell is formed by two sheets of air-confining material sealed along their perimeters to form an enclosed space capable of being inflated with air. The inflatable car cover may have sub-cells formed by pressure-seaming of one large cell; or it may have more than one cell suitably joined together. The deflated cover is placed over the vehicle in such manner that all exterior surfaces are covered; the cover is then secured about the vehicle by either an elasticized circumference or perimeter-engaging straps; and the cover is then inflated prior to transit. Upon arrival of the vehicle at its destination the cover is deflated, removed and rolled up; it is then available for reuse.

Abstract: A visual signaling system including at least two light sources. Graphic indicators positioned adjacent to the light sources for identifying the light sources. The indicators including codes for identifying a particular light source with which it is associated and permitting one to distinguish one light source from another relying on the code.The indicator, in one form of the invention, may consist of a band positioned adjacent to the light source with the code being the extent of shading of the band. In one form of the invention, a circular band is provided with discrete levels of shading corresponding to particular light sources. The system may be a warning or alarm system with the extent of shading being a function of the relative importance of the particular light source.

Abstract: A DC power supply is disclosed which returns excessive regenerative energy to the AC line. The regenerative power supply generates a DC bus voltage from an AC power line and regulates the maximum DC bus voltage by returning to the AC power line energy supplied through the DC bus from the load. A conventional full wave rectifier bridge is used to rectify the incoming AC power line voltage into a DC bus voltage. A capacitor is connected across the DC bus to dampen high frequency transient voltages which may be present on the DC bus voltage. In anti-parallel with each of the rectifying diode circuits is a power transistor which is controllable to allow current conduction in a direction opposite to its associated rectifying diode. Control circuitry, associated with each of the anti-parallel transistors, senses excessive DC bus voltage and initiates conduction of the transistor when the AC power line phases are at the correct potential for receiving the regenerative energy.

Abstract: A power processor having a switching type output is provided with protection against short circuit current flow. A transformer is provided with the primary windings connected in series with the main current flow path. The secondary transformer windings have a voltage signal induced therein which is indicative of a rapidly rising short circuit current flow. A threshold detector connected to the output from the secondary windings determines when the voltage signal from the secondary windings exceeds a predetermined value. The signal from the threshold detector is used to activate over current protection circuitry which shuts down the output switching devices and prevents the occurrence of large short circuit currents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining the attenuation coefficients within a body of material by transmitting sonic pressure pulses into the material, analyzing the spectrum amplitude of the echoes returning from the boundaries within the material, calculating the attenuation coefficients of the material between the boundaries and comparing the measured coefficients to those of normal and abnormal tissue. The wave shape of the transmitted pulses is adjusted so that the pulses generate echoes with uniform spectrum amplitude (white echoes) from each boundary within the material. Given the characteristics of the pulses which generate white echoes from the boundaries of each tissue segment and given the thickness of the material between each pair of boundaries, the attenuation coefficients of the material are calculated. The attenuation coefficients are displayed in any manner desired, including traditional B- and M-mode displays.