Abstract: A current source inverter power supply for an ozone generator which results in improved efficiency and reliability in operation of such generators has an AC/DC converter coupled through a large inductance to a DC/AC inverter that, in turn, is coupled at its output to the primary of a high voltage transformer. Such transformer has an air gap in its core to supply the electrical characteristics necessary for resonance with the load which is capacitive in nature. Thyristors in the inverter are naturally commutated so the switching frequency is close to, but slightly above, the natural resonant frequency of the inverter/transformer/ozone generator circuit.

Abstract: Improved methods are disclosed for cleansing a plurality of seriate filter beds in automatic backwash filtering systems by backwashing the beds one at a time with backwash liquid from an effluent channel common to seriate effluent ports of the plurality of filter beds and pumping the backwash liquid seriatim through separate effluent ports of individual filter beds and then flowing filtered effluent from each bed through its effluent port into the effluent channel, repeating such steps of backwashing and flowing filtered effluent on individual filter beds until all the filter beds in the system have been backwashed wherein, simultaneously with the backwashing of a second bed, waste liquid from the first bed is pumped through its port while the waste liquid is monitored for turbidity and such waste liquid pumping is continued until the turbidity thereof reaches a predetermined low level.

Abstract: Automatic backwash filter systems including a filter tank divided into a multiplicity of seriate cells of substantially the same width by a plurality of vertical rectangular cell sheets are improved by provision of new spacer assemblies to mitigate bowing of the cell sheets during backwashing or other operations applied to the cells. Such spacer assemblies include horizontally aligned bores that extend through each cell sheet adjacent their top, one or more stringers that extend through the bores, and a plurality of tubes of approximately the same length substantially equal to the width of the cells. One of such tubes is positioned in each filter cell surrounding the stringer present in such cell and between the surfaces of the respective cell sheets. Where a plurality of stringers are used in the spacer assemblies arrangements are disclosed for making final connections to complete the assemblies.

Abstract: An automatic opening and closing apparatus for use in a sliding door to an automobile, such as a bus used as a means of public transportation, includes a roller chain which is moved by a sprocket gear operated by a reduction gear that is driven by a motor.

Abstract: The efficiency of operation of vortex grit removal devices, typically used in wastewater treatment plants, is improved by measuring changes in the vertical level of liquid contained in the device as the grit removal operation progresses and using such level change measurements to automatically control the speed of rotation of the grit remover's rotor used to impart vortical motion to such body of liquid. Devices for performing such improved vortex grit removal operations are disclosed.

Abstract: Known water or wastewater treatment methods, wherein a layer of fluid sludge is formed during operation of the method in a first chamber beneath a body of liquid partially filling the first chamber to an upper liquid level, fluid sludge from the first chamber is processed in a second chamber and a stream of fluid sludge is conveyed by a conduit from the first chamber as influent to the second chamber, are improved by creating upward flow of fluid sludge through a vertical stackpipe by introducing large bubbles within the stackpipe with its inlet end immersed in the layer of fluid sludge, discharging fluid sludge through an elongated, longitudinal side opening in the top portion of the stackpipe into a collector zone at least a portion of which is at a vertical height above the upper liquid level, controlling the rate of the discharge of fluid sludge by vertical adjustment of the position of the side opening relative to the upper liquid level in the first chamber and flowing fluid sludge from the collector zon

Abstract: A method for removal of dissolved gas from water, particularly removal of ozone from water following its treatment with ozone for the purpose of purification, includes the steps of providing an enclosed zone capable of containing a quantity of water, flowing influent water into such zone at a first position thereof to partially fill it leaving a liquid free space within the zone above water contained therein, applying a vacuum to the liquid free space with simultaneous removal of gas from the space, circulating the water within the zone by providing a vertically extending stackpipe within the zone and introducing large bubbles into the stackpipe near the base thereof to create an upward flow of the water through the stackpipe and flowing water out of the zone having a lower ozone content than the ozonized water at a second position of the zone spaced apart from the first position.Apparatus for carrying out the new method is described.

Abstract: A device is provided for improving comfort of a person seated in a motor vehicle using a safety belt assembly provided therein that includes a shoulder strap. Such device includes as essential parts (a) a suction cup that may be releasably adhered to the windshield, side window or other part of said motor vehicle, (b) a clip that may be releasably attached to a part of the shoulder strap, (c) a cord attached to one end to the suction cup and slidably looped through the clip creating a first section or cord that extends from the suction cup to the clip and a second section of cord that leads away from the clip but does not connect with the suction cup and (d) a cord jam member for manually adjusting the length of the first section of the cord.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: A spinnaker pole for controlling a spinnaker on a catamaran or other sailcraft has a cap on its fore end and a guy is reeved through a bore that extends axially through the cap and the fore end of said spinnaker pole to exit the pole through an opening in its central portion for belaying in a cam cleat fixed to the pole aft of such opening. A first line extends from the front surface of the cap for attachment to the front of the catamaran's port hull and a second line also extends from the front surface of the cap for attachment to the front of the starboard hull. The aft end of the spinnaker pole is attached to the catamaran's dolphin striker. The first and second lines serve to stabilize the pole's fore end and also prevent the spinnaker sheets from becoming entangled with the pole's fore end when the spinnaker is jibed.

Abstract: Measuring systems for making underwater measurements of relative positions and distances between a plurality of objects positioned on an ocean or lake floor basically include (a) at least one laser or other light source capable of projecting a collimated light beam therefrom, (b) a pan and tilt unit for moving the source light beam both angularly in vertical planes and in horizontal arcs, (c) a protractor or equivalent for measuring vertical angles through which the longitudinal axis of the light beam is moved by the pan and tilt unit, and (d) a compass unit for determining bearings of vertical plane positions of the light beam relative to magnetic or true north or other azimuth position. The system may include a plurality of lasers and a variety of methods of making measurements with both single and plural laser containing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Shellfish harvesting devices including a frame to move over the submarine surface of a shellfish growing substrate and a plurality of tines extending down from it for penetration into the substrate, are improved by addition of a vibrator to impart a vibratory motion to the tines, but not appreciably vibrate other parts of the frame, e.g., runners. The harvesting of clams or like bivalves with the tines vibrating while being pulled through the substrate mitigates environmental damage to the shellfish growing area and reduces the energy required to pull the devices forward on the substrate.

Abstract: A somaclonal variant of Gracilaria verrucosa, labeled G-16S, capable of asexual reproduction, has been created which, compared to its parental strain G-16, is less epiphytized, is appreciably less pigmented, and produces agar with substantially enhanced gel strength. This superior algal strain may be used to reduce the relative cost of seaweed cultivation and to produce improved quality agar.

Abstract: An improved outrigger device for a T-Top equipped motorboat that permits the outrigger thereof located above the T-Top to be moved from a stowage position to a trolling position and vis versa by an occupant of the boat standing in the shelter of such T-Top includes a tubular member having an upper end portion and a lower end portion joined integrally to a central portion that extends through such T-Top with its upper end portion positioned above the T-Top and its lower end portion positioned below it. A tubular outrigger having a bottom end portion and an elongated fishing line support portion extending upwardly from the bottom end portion is rotatably journalled in the tubular member. A locking unit is associated with the lower end portion of the tubular member to prevent the bottom end portion of the outrigger from rotating in the tubular member.

Abstract: An improved key caddy device includes a rectangular strip of flexible sheet material that forms a case by overlapping the transverse edges and fastening them together with a first fastener assembly, e.g., a two-part snap button fastener, fixed to the strip. A key ring is carried, advantageously in a grommet, on the strip adjacent one of its longitudinal edges to receive one or more keys. A folded sheet bearing text, e.g., a printed road map, is enclosed within the flexible case and held therein by a second fastener assembly, e.g., two pieces of Velcro.RTM.. A user of the caddy device accesses the road map or like folded sheet by opening the case and disconnecting the second fastener assembly to free the text containing sheet from the case.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyacetylene compositions, a process of producing the compositions and a method for inhibiting tumors utilizing the compositions. More particularly, the compositions are antitumor polyacetylenes which are derived form marine organisms, i.e., the marine sponge Cribrochalina dura.

Abstract: Range and/or profile of a test surface, particularly a submarine surface, are determined by passing a laser beam through a holographic grating structured to emit a divergent light beam defining a two dimensional array of dots in a predetermined pattern and projecting such beam on the test surface. A receiving device, e.g., video camera, ascertains the positions of the dots in the pattern reflected from the test surface and comparison is made of such positions relative to the positions of the respective dots previously reflected in like manner from a datum surface. The values of the displacements of test surface dots from datum surface dots are used to determine the range or orientation of the test surface relative to the grating or the profile of the test surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to antitumor compositions, and a method for inhibiting, remitting or controlling the growth of tumors or tumor cells utilizing antitumor compositions. More particularly, the antitumor compositions comprise, as active ingredient, an antitumor effective amount of halogenated chamigrenes extracted and derived from red alga and sea hares which diet upon red alga.

Abstract: Spinning-type fishing reels that do not require contact of a user's finger with the fishing line during manipulation of the reel's bail from a closed, line holding to an opened, line casting position comprise a line retention device linked into a trigger assembly. Such line retention device includes a pin that is moved via linked reel elements to a trigger and functions (a) to automatically engage the fishing line as the reel's bail is moved by the trigger assembly that includes the trigger toward an opened (line casting) position, (b) to retain the fishing line against unreeling while the trigger is held in the bail opened position, and (c) to automatically release the line to permit it to unreel from the reel's spool upon release of the trigger as the cast of the fishing line is preformed.