Abstract: Pump apparatus having a wear end and a pump end is provided with a seal-pump for preventing liquid being pumped from entering the wear end. An internal pump is positioned between the wear end and the pump end of sealless pumps to direct small quantities of gas from the wear end to the pump end at a pressure which prevents liquid in the pump end to pass into the wear end. A seal is provided on a stationary ring of the internal pump which prevents fluid being pumped from contacting working portions of the internal pump.

Abstract: An on-site fillable ferrofluidic seal comprises a ferrofluidic seal having at least one ferrofluid conducting channel extending through either the magnet, through one of the pole pieces which sandwich the opposing pole ends of the magnet, or through both the magnet and a pole piece. The conducting channel extends to a location where deposited ferrofluid will be drawn to the gaps between the pole pieces and the shaft. In another embodiment a multi-stage seal is filled by displacing the pole piece/magnet assembly axially relative to the shaft so that each pole piece projection falls halfway axially between two shaft projections. The displacement alters the normal magnetic field pattern to create a substantially uniform magnetic field throughout the pole piece/shaft interface region such that ferrofluid can be drawn through the region.

Abstract: A fishing rod has line guides which pivot relative to the rod as tension from the line puts lateral forces on the line guides. The pivoting action of the line guides reduces the necessity to rotate the rod such as to angle the line guides in the general direction of a hooked fish. Each line guide consists of a housing which is secured to the rod and an eyelet which is rotatably connected to the housing. The line guides may use conventional line guides having feet which, instead of mounting to the rod, are each affixed to a rotatable member which rotates within one of the housings. The housings may also be provided with mounting legs like the feet of conventional line guides, thus allowing the housings to be attached to the rod with the same equipment as used with conventional line guides. The eyelet may be supported by one or by two housings. The pivotable connection may be spring-loaded to bias the eyelets toward a particular angular position.

Abstract: A heat pipe which is flexible and thus conformable to the space in which it is to be deployed consists of two or three layers, namely, a relatively thin, highly conductive plate as a bottom layer, a plastic sheet as a top layer and wicking as an optional middle layer. The bottom plate has a relatively high modulus of elasticity and it is stiff, yet ductile. It is preferably made of metal, such as aluminum, or a plastic sheet or plate. To manufacture the heat pipe, the bottom and top layers are aligned, with the wicking between them, and sealed together around three edges. Liquid coolant is then added and the fourth edge is sealed. The sealing is preferably performed by heat sealing. The heat pipe may include heat-dissipating fins or ridges on the end of the pipe that operates as a condenser. The opposing end of the pipe, which acts as the evaporator, is positioned proximate to a heat-generating component.

Abstract: Demonstration (demo) application software and various utility software programs are configured as a novel "protected demonstration environment" having layered security mechanisms for protecting the integrity of software executing on a computer. The security mechanisms include an underlying activity timer for ensuring that the demo program is periodically running in the absence of user input activity. When the demo program is not running, additional security mechanisms, such as message filters and icon disablers, are provided to reduce the vulnerability of the system. These security mechanisms cooperate to provide users access to certain innocuous features of the software through a graphical desktop interface on a computer screen, while preventing access to potentially destructive features.

Abstract: A SCUBA diving mask body is completely comprised of flexible material so that the mask can be folded into a small package. The inventive mask comprises a flexible rubber body which integrally incorporates the mask skirt. A rigid lens for each eye is inserted into a socket in the body. The mask strap is attached to the flexible body by means of two adjustable strap holders.

Abstract: An improved self-lubricating catheter and guidewire introducer is provided with a reservoir containing lubrication fluid located proximally of a sealing gasket in a modified end cap. An improved self-sealing gasket provides hemostasis while reducing the force required to move a catheter or guidewire positioned within the gasket.

Abstract: A method of reducing radiation damping during free induction decay in NMR measurements of samples having a narrow line width uses the active switching of the quality factor value of the coil circuit of an NMR detection probe. After application of an excitation pulse to the sample, data acquisition is accomplished in periodic samples. The Q of the coil circuit is set to a high value while each sample is being taken, but is reduced significantly in between samples by detuning the coil circuit. Minimization of the high-Q state of the coil circuit and maximization of the difference between the high Q value and the low Q value greatly decrease the detrimental effects of radiation damping on free induction decay. The coil circuit Q is modified automatically by the application of a Q switching signal generated by a controller, such as a computer which controls other aspect of the NMR experiment.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon having at least one helical groove disposed in at least a portion of the dilating surface of the dilatation balloon is mounted on the distal end of a catheter shaft. Multiple helical grooves may be provided in the dilatation balloon extending parallel to each other or opposite to each other in the dilating surface. Each helical groove has a pitch, width and depth. According to one aspect of the invention, the pitch, width and depth of the helical groove, as well as the number of grooves, are selected to allow perfusion of blood past the dilatation catheter when the dilatation balloon is inflated in a blood vessel. According to another aspect of the invention, the pitch, width, and depth of the helical groove, as well as the number of grooves, are selected so that the dilatation balloon conforms to a tortuous blood vessel and does not straighten the blood vessel during dilation.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions react with iron particles in acidic aqueous solution to form heavy metallic particles that are suitable for recycling and reuse when recovered from the aqueous solution. Chelating agents that are present are deactivated by bonding to ferrous ions produced from the iron particles. An alkali metal hydroxide is utilized to precipitate remaining heavy metal ions including ferrous and ferric ions which are recycled to the acidic aqueous solution.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a head and shaft. The head is provided with spaced-apart weights which extend at least about 35% of the maximum distance between the front face and back edge of the head. The shaft enters the head at a point at least about 65% of the length of the putter away from the front face. The shaft is angled toward the front face of the head and toward a user grasping the shaft.