Abstract: An improved aortic cannula having a sidewall with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. The cannula has a cap substantially blocking axial flow through the distal end of the lumen. There are a plurality of outlet openings in the sidewall of the cannula adjacent the distal end. The distal end of the lumen is flush with or preferably distally beyond the distal ends of the outlet openings. The aortic cannula may have a bend therein, as is known in the art, in which case the outlet openings on the outside side of the bend are smaller than the outlet openings on the inside side of the bend, to reduce disparity in the flow that would otherwise be caused by the bend, substantially equalizing flow through the openings.

Abstract: An orthotic epaulet adapted to be worn on the shoulder to alleviate discomfort caused by brassiere straps. The epaulet comprises a panel of a flexible materials having a smoothly contoured perimeter, the panel being smoothly curved across a transverse ridge line to form a concave contact surface on the underside of the panel adapted to fit over the user's shoulder, and a convex bearing surface on the top surface of the panel, with the ridge line extending along the ridge of the wearer's shoulder. A strip of a pile material extending transversely across the ridge line on convex bearing surface of the panel, to engage a brassiere strap worn over the shoulder. The panel has an anterior flange adapted to overlie the anterior portion of the shoulder on which the epaulet is worn, and a posterior flange adapted to overlie the posterior portion of the shoulder on which the epaulet is worn.

Abstract: A maintenance cover for use in a nuclear reactor including a pump deck having at least one pump diffuser opening is described. The cover includes, in one embodiment, a substantially cylindrical member having a first end and a second end. The first end has a diameter larger than the diameter of the pump diffuser opening. The substantially cylindrical member includes a substantially cylindrical frame having a plurality of window openings formed therein. Grating is secured to the frame and extends over the window openings. The cover further includes an end member secured to and positioned over the second end of the substantially cylindrical member. The end member also includes grating. A handle is secured to the substantially cylindrical member.

Abstract: A core differential pressure and liquid control line apparatus for a nuclear reactor is described. The apparatus includes a first portion configured to be positioned within and extend through an opening in the pressure vessel wall. At least the first tube portion has a diameter less than the diameter of the opening in the pressure vessel wall. An annulus is formed between the exterior surface of the first tube portion and the pressure vessel wall so that a neutron absorbent can be injected into the pressure vessel at the location of the annulus. The apparatus further includes a second L-shaped tube portion configured to be coupled to the first tube portion, and a third tube portion configured to be coupled to the second tube portion. The open end of the third tube portion extends to an elevation above the core plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the velocity of fluid flowing in a fluid path, includes a signal generator for generating input signals, and two ultrasonic transducers coupled diagonally across the fluid path. The transducers are connected in series to the signal generator such that equal and opposite input signals are simultaneously applied to each transducer. A signal processor combines the output signals of each transducer caused by the ultrasonic signal transmitted by the other transducer across the fluid path to obtain a destructive interference signal and a constructive interference signal, and compares the amplitude of the destructive interference signal with the amplitude of the constructive interference signal to obtain a measure of the velocity of the fluid. The signal processor may also compare the phase of the destructive interference signal with the phase of the constructive interference signal to obtain a measure of the direction of flow.

Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of F-style containers, each having a generally rectangular cross section and a spout and an inverted U-shaped strap handle projecting from the top. The package comprises a box having a top, a bottom, and a sidewall therebetween. There is a bottom liner inside the box, adjacent the bottom. The bottom liner has a plurality of generally rectangular cutouts for receiving and retaining the bottoms of F-style containers. There is also a top liner inside the box, adjacent the top. The top liner comprising spaced apart upper and lower walls, the lower wall adapted to engage the tops of the containers held inside the box and having openings therein for receiving the spouts and handles of the containers held inside the box. The openings allow the spouts and handles of the containers to project into the space between the walls, to protect the spouts and handles, and secure the tops of the containers against lateral movement.

Abstract: A nursing bottle's interior remains at atmospheric pressure during use so a baby nursing from it is not forced to suck so hard that air is inadvertently swallowed. The nursing bottle has a container adapted to contain liquid at its bottom and having an air space at its top with a first opening at its top for the reception of a nipple cap, a reservoir located adjacent to the air space at the top of the container, a vertical liquid conduit from the bottom of the container to the bottom of the reservoir, and an air conduit from outside the bottle to a point in the reservoir where an air space exists when the bottle is filled with liquid and inverted. The reservoir has a volume greater than the volume of the liquid conduit and has a shape which slopes downwardly to the point of communication with the conduit so that any liquid in the reservoir drains out of the reservoir when the bottle is in the upright position and is retained in the reservoir when the bottle is in the inverted position.

Abstract: An all weather safety whistle and sound generator is provided having a mouthpiece and a sound producing opening for emitting sound when air is blown into the mouthpiece, and having a cowling structure covering over the sound producing opening protecting the opening from substances exterior to the apparatus while simultaneously enabling the opening to produce sound.

Abstract: An animal waste rake apparatus wherein the rake comprises both a collecting surface and a holding surface. The collecting surface slopes down toward the holding surface, thus allowing for the collecting and retaining of animal waste. The collecting surface is comprised of several parallel rods, allowing for efficient collection of animal waste from any surface.

Abstract: A cordless, power-adjustable office or task chair comprising: a seat height adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, the upper and lower members of the adjustable column relative to each other to raise and lower the height of the seat. A seat tilt adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the top plate relative to the bottom plate to adjust the angle of tilt of the seat. A seat position adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the seat relative to the top plate. A back tilt adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the back support strap to tilt the chair back forwardly and rearwardly. A back height adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the back axially with respect to the back support strap. A seat height switch controls the seat height adjustment mechanism. A seat tilt switch controls the seat tilt adjustment mechanism. A seat position switch controls the seat position adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: There is described a novel arc extinction method for use in switchgear, and improved, low cost power switchgear incorporating the novel arc quenching method. By physically severing the arc and the substantially simultaneous interposition of a high dielectric strength insulating barrier between the fixed contact and the moving contact, substantially consistent and predictable arc extinguishing characteristics are obtained. When the dielectric strength of the barrier exceeds the applied voltage, the arc cannot maintain itself nor can it reignite. Upon detection of a fault, moving contact 16 disengages from fixed contact 12 and retreats 28 from contact 12 creating arc 30. Insulating guillotine 24, in intimate sliding contact with the surface of insulating partition 18 moves 26 toward aperture 20 in partition 18. When edge 31 of guillotine 24 reaches aperture edge 33 of partition 18, arc 30 is severed and extinguished.

Abstract: An adjustable picture frame for adjustably fitting around a picture, comprising a first upper framing member having an adjustable wall portion, a second framing member having a series of interconnected adjustable walls, fastening members for securing the first framing member to the second framing member, a display member for holding a picture between the first and second framing members, selective positioning members for positioning the display member between the first and second framing members in a plurality of positions, whereby the adjustable walls adjustably fit over a plurality of portions of the display member.