Abstract: A seat backrest having an upholstered cushion portion supported by a rigid frame portion includes means to produce a desired supporting contour in the lumbar region of the seat occupant. The contour-producing means includes a lumbar pad, resiliently biased pivoted arm members connecting the lumbar pad to the frame through a toggle linkage, and handle means operable from the side of the backrest for adjustably positioning the lumbar pad in a plurality of fixed positions forward of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to finned heat transfer tubes and to a method for impoving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of such tubes by plating the tubes in an electroplating bath containing conductive particles such as graphite powder to produce a porous plated surface. The tips of the fins are covered before plating with a non-conductive coating to prevent plating of the tips. The non-conductive coating can be dissolved away or mechanically removed after plating.

Abstract: A cabinet type enclosure, preferably in the form of a cart, which is adapted to be connected to a source of refrigeration for refrigerating a plurality of food items on a plurality of meal trays positioned in the enclosure has a plurality of thin, generally horizontal fixedly mounted heater shelf members extending into the enclosed space from one side wall thereof. The heater shelf members are adapted to be moved relative to and under hot food containers positioned on the trays to heat same. The enclosure also has pairs of tray guides on its opposing side walls. The meal trays have integral transverse abutment means which extend over a portion of the tray surface at a location above the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing the flow of gas, usually air, in a fluidized bed includes a plurality of vertically upstanding distributor members extending upwardly from a manifold member to which they are threadedly engaged. The members are of closed end, generally tubular shape and have a helical slotted opening extending along their length. The width of the slotted openings is less than the diameter of the majority of particles utilized in the associated fluidized bed.

Abstract: Mounting arrangement for a pipe base well screen utilizes a weld for joining one end of a cylindrical screen member to the outer surface of an internal pipe member which has perforations along a portion of its length underlying the well screen. The opposite free end of the screen member includes an elongated sleeve portion which supports an internal elastomeric O-ring member in a groove. The O-ring seals the screen member to an unperforated portion of the pipe base and permits the pipe to be subjected to substantial tensile and torsional stresses without destroying the screen as often happens when a screen is welded at each of its ends.

Abstract: Portable, self-powered water pumping apparatus for use in sampling water in remotely located wells comprises a wheeled hose reel cart which supports a long length of co-extruded plastic hose or tubing. The co-extrusion comprises a small diameter portion of tubing attached by a web to a large diameter portion of tubing. The smaller diameter tubing is connected to a pressurized cylinder of gas such as a standard 14 oz. propane gas cylinder. A generally J-shaped piece of metal tubing projects from the inside of the smaller tubing, which it frictionally engages, into the center of the larger tubing at the lower end thereof. When the lower ends of the tubes are well submerged beneath the water level in a well, admission of gas to the smaller tube at its upper end will force water which enters the larger tubing in the annular space surrounding the metal tubing up through the larger tube and out the upper end of the larger tube so that it can be collected.

Abstract: Wet scrubbing process for cleaning waste gases containing formaldehyde such as those produced in the manufacture of fiber glass insulation has substantial advantages over alternative thermal incineration process in that it requires less capital equipment expense and utilizes far less energy for handling equal volumes of waste gases. The gases are scrubbed in two scrubbing zones, the first of which contains hexamethylenetetramine and ammonium hydroxide to which ammonia is added and the second of which has water added to it. A part of the second scrubbing solution is introduced into the first scrubbing solution and a part of the first scrubbing solution is drawn off from the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple, very economical apparatus for conditioning "aggressive" demineralized brackish water or sea water to remove CO.sub.2 and raise the pH to about 8. The invention is undemanding as to operator skill and attention and can be used economically with rather small quantities of water, such as a few thousand gallons a day. It requires no instruments or controls and utilizes inexpensive, generally available materials, principally limestone chips. The water is first sprayed at low pressure against a conical surface to cause it to film and release the bulk of the free CO.sub.2. The water is then fed upwardly through a bed of limestone chips with at least a two minute reaction time to convert the balance of the CO.sub.2 to calcium bicarbonate which is soluble and produces a pH of about 8.

Abstract: Spring retaining clips formed of spring wire firmly hold a screen deck to a plurality of mounting bars on a vibrator. The clips each have facing, semi-circular upper and lower end portions connected on one side to slightly angled connecting portions which are joined by a central loop portion. As a clip is mounted over a support rod on the bottom of a screen deck and under a mounting bar on the vibrator, its ends are forced apart causing the angled connecting portions to become vertical as they move toward contact with a vertical side portion of the mounting bar. Additional separating forces applied between the ends of the clip during vibration of the screen deck after the connecting portions have become vertical are strongly resisted by the ever increasing force exerted by the central loop portion which must assume a smaller diameter as the end portions move apart.

Abstract: Holder for an annular filter includes a support frame or basket with a flared portion at its upper end which cooperates with the inner leg of an inverted U-shaped sealing ring to clamp the upper end of the filter. The sealing ring has its outer leg seated on a sealing gasket positioned on top of a support plate surrounding an aperture through which the filter is lowered during operation of a particle collection apparatus. The holder is replaceably sealed in position by screwing a pair of threaded rings together to force the flared portion downwardly. The diameters of the various parts are larger than the aperture to prevent them from being dropped through the aperture and the overall design is such that the filters can be replaced from the upper clean side of the collection apparatus rather than the lower dirty side.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a non-conductive very porous reticulated organic foam layer in contact with the tube surface, and then electroplating a metal coating on exposed portions of the tube to build up a matrix of metal through the porous portions of the foam layer. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of an electroplated layer of copper. The foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolyzation of the foam after plating provides a network of interconnected pores in the metal matrix which improves the heat transfer performance of the tube. The plated tube may also be swaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a very porous reticulated organic foam layer which has been precoated with graphite in contact with the tube surface, and then plating a thin metal coating on the foam substrate. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of an electroplated layer of copper which is applied over the conductive graphite coated foam. the foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolyzation of the foam after plating improves the heat transfer performance of the tube. A method for applying the graphite to the foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a very porous reticulated organic foam layer in contact with the tube surface, and then plating a thin metal coating on the foam substrate. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of a first electrolessly applied layer of copper and a second electroplated layer. The foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolization of the foam after plating improves the heat transfer performance of the tube.

Abstract: Hollow, thermoformed plastic shell members for use as panels and doors in the manufacture of cabinets and other furniture are easily and quickly assembled to rigid backing boards by guiding the boards, to which an adhesive edge coating of hot melt adhesive has been applied, into recesses in the shells. The guides comprise thin, resilient sheet metal members. A heated block at the inlet end of the guide path and a cooled block at the exit end result in the hot melt adhesive being properly applied and then quickly set.

Abstract: Liquid containing heat transfer tube for use in a fluidized bed reactor is protected against erosive effects of the fluidized medium by having radially outwardly extending fins on its outer surface and by having the entire outer surface area between the fins covered by a layer of an abrasion resistant refractory which is supported by a metallic substrate such as expanded metal.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor specifically adapted for use in an industrial air/fuel control system provides an ability to measure actual oxygen content quantitatively in industrial situations where off-stoichiometric air/fuel control is desired. The sensor is quite simple and is easy to use since it provides accurate reproducible readings from sensor to sensor and for long periods. The leads to the solid electrolyte disc are of the same material as the electrodes and extend to the remote end of the sensor so as to eliminate dissimilar material junctions. Felted ceramic discs applied to the wet paste electrodes before firing serve to filter the gases contacting the sensor and act as wicks for permitting uniform dispersion of chloroplatinic acid to the paste electrodes.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor specifically adapted for use in an industrial air/fuel control system provides an ability to measure actual oxygen content quantitatively in industrial situations where off-stoichiometric air/fuel control is desired. The sensor is quite simple and is easy to use since it provides accurate reproducible readings from sensor to sensor and for long periods. The leads to the solid electrolyte disc are of the same material as the electrodes and extend to the remote end of the sensor so as to eliminate dissimilar material junctions. Felted ceramic discs applied to the wet paste electrodes before firing serve to filter the gases contacting the sensor and act as wicks for permitting uniform dispersion of chloroplatinic acid to the paste electrodes.

Abstract: Track fitting for anchoring seats or cargo to a slotted floor track in an aircraft includes a plurality of spaced lobe portions which are adapted to be positioned so as to underlie retaining portions of the track to restrict upward movement of the fitting. Forward movement is restricted by shear pin means positioned so as to engage the track intermediate a pair of lobe portions. In a preferred embodiment, the fitting has four sets of lobes and two shear pins. The lobes are located in alternate pairs on first and second pivoted support plate means which are sandwiched together inside a housing and pivotally mounted fore and aft of the load attachment aperture in the housing so that the lobes and support plates can pivot under load to uniformly distribute the loading over an extended track length.

Abstract: The gas spring suspension comprises a gas-tight container capable of longitudinal expansion and contraction and on which the seat is supported, a valve system for connecting the container selectively to a compressed gas source or to exhaust to raise or lower the vehicle seat, a telescopically slidable coupling connected at one end to one end of the gas spring and including a detent which locks the slidable parts of the coupling together at a selected relative position corresponding to a selected vehicle seat height and a mechanical spring coupling connected between the other end of the slidable coupling and the other end of the gas spring, the spring coupling being expandible and contractable between end stops which thereby limit the resilient expansion and contraction of the gas spring, at any selected seat height, means for releasing the detent prior to operation of the valve system, and means fo automatically terminating the inlet of compressed gas into the gas spring in response to the slidable coupling b

Abstract: The use of lightweight, elastomeric closed-cell foam elements can be of particular advantage in countercurrent flow gas-liquid contactors in order to provide aeratable non-breakable forms of mobile contacting surfaces. In particular, the use of elastomeric, spherical form, closed-cell foam elements made from heating and post curing a blend of nitrile polymer and polyvinyl chloride can provide resilience to preclude sphere breakage and also provide for softness and flexibility to effect self-cleaning characteristics.