Abstract: A single working fluid heat pump system having a turbocompressor with a first fluid input for the turbine and a second fluid input for the compressor, and a single output volute or mixing chamber for combining the working fluid output flows of the turbine and the compressor. The system provides for higher efficiency than single fluid systems whose turbine and compressor are provided with separate output volutes.

Abstract: A back and spine exerciser provides a slow and small amplitude cyclical action of tension and relaxation of the tension to the back and spine of a user, by applying a corresponding pull and release under the chin of the user.

Abstract: A space heating wood burning stove, formed as a rectangular fire box, having a plurality of horizontal flue ducts leading to a flue manifold, adapted to generate substantial vertical convection currents of air, and further including vertical fins to enhance said convection currents, and further including a plurality of draft valves in substantial alignment with respective ones of said flue ducts for efficient burning of wood within said fire box. Assembly of the fire box of the stove is completed under stressed conditions to prevent warping of the fire box panels from heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: A motor powered lawn edger is converted to a lawn cultivator, a snow blower, or an ice chipper by removal of the lawn edging blade and its housing, and substitution therefor of a cultivating, blowing or chipping blade and an appropriate housing.

Abstract: A rocket launching mechanism for a shoulder held weapon which permits substantially continuous loading and firing. A two trigger system is employed -- one for firing the rocket and a second for releasing a stop mechanism which permits a spring drive means to advance a rotary feed mechanism. The rockets are loaded into a magazine which includes a cylindrical outer housing member and an inner rotor member which cooperate to form individual chambers for the rockets. A trap door means is provided in the outer housing to permit access to the rocket chambers, whereby misfired rockets may be removed, and the magazine may be readily loaded and reloaded in the field. The magazine may also be readily removable from the rest of the launching mechanism, so that an empty magazine may be quickly replaced with a fully loaded one.

Abstract: Turn indicator signals for a vehicle are manually set to signal selectively a left or right turn, and are automatically cancelled on completion of the turn by means of a gyroscope mounted on the vehicle, utilizing the precession movement of the gyroscope as results from the turning movement of the vehicle to actuate a signal cancellation means.

Abstract: The formation of composite materials is disclosed, using high energy rotary impact milling. The illustrations utilize polymer resin particles as the matrix material, and solid particle fillers. Ultra-small particle sizes are used for both the matrix and filler materials. When the resultant materials are processed by usual forming techniques, the resultant composite materials possess strength properties approximately equivalent to those of the unfilled matrix material, even though heavily filled.

Abstract: Liquid effluent from a sewage treatment plant is injected into a disposal well by gravity feed, and alternatively by pressurized feed when the effluent load becomes too great for the gravity feed to handle, or when the gravity feed is slowed by the presence of solids in the effluent. The disposal well is reverse purged when necessary to remove obstructing solids.

Abstract: A rocket launching mechanism for a shoulder held weapon which permits substantialy continuous loading and firing. A two trigger system is employed -- one for firing the rocket and a second for releasing a stop mechanism which permits a spring drive means to advance a rotary feed mechanism. The rockets are loaded into a magazine which includes a cylindrical outer housing member and an inner rotor member which cooperate to form individual chambers for the rockets. A trap door means is provided in the outer housing to permit access to the rocket chambers, whereby misfired rockets may be removed, and the magazine may be readily loaded and reloaded in the field.

Abstract: A heavy shielded nuclear fuel cask is lowered into and removed from a water filled spent fuel pool by providing a vertical guide tube in the pool, affixing to the bottom of the cask a base plate that approximates the transverse dimension of the guide tube, and lowering and elevating the cask and base plate assembly into and out of the pool by causing it to traverse within the guide tube. The guide tube and base plate coact to function as a dashpot, thereby cushioning and controlling the fall of the cask in the pool should it break loose while being lowered into or raised out of the pool. A specified approach path to the guide tube insures that the cask assembly will not fall into the pool, should it break loose on its approach to the guide tube.

Abstract: A heavy shielded nuclear fuel cask is lowered into and removed from a water filled spent fuel pool by providing a vertical guide tube in the pool, affixing to the bottom of the cask a base plate that approximates the transverse dimension of the guide tube, and lowering and elevating the cask and base plate assembly into and out of the pool by causing it to traverse within the guide tube. The guide tube and base plate coact to function as a dashpot, thereby cushioning and controlling the fall of the cask in the pool should it break loose while being lowered into or raised out of the pool. A specified approach path to the guide tube insures that the cask assembly will not fall into the pool, should it break loose on its approach to the guide tube.