Abstract: A method and system for custom fitting a horse's back with a fitted saddle pad or saddle. A plurality of different sized and shaped rigid molded shells are used for fitting to a horse's back to determine the proper size and shape shell for the horse to distribute the weight of a rider over a large area of the horse's back to minimize pressure points. The fitting shells have spaced holes to allow a fitter to determine the correct size shell for selecting a molded shell for the horse to determine the size and shape of the horse's back for a properly fitted saddle pad or saddle so that substantially the entire lower surface of the saddle pad or saddle contacts the horse's back to minimize pressure points.

Abstract: A system and method for welding of biological tissue by applying an RF voltage during a first stage to electrodes of a tissue welding tool; monitoring tissue impedance, and determining a minimum tissue impedance value during the first stage; determining relative tissue impedance; detecting when the relative tissue impedance reaches a predetermined relative tissue impedance value and starting a second stage; calculating the duration of the second stage as a function of the duration of the first stage; and applying the RF voltage during the second stage to the electrodes of the tissue welding tool.

Abstract: A test administration center is provided at which a plurality of balance diagnostic tests are administered on a patient. A test evaluation center, located remotely from the test administration center, is provided at which diagnostic data is evaluated by a skilled clinician. A computer network links, and transfers data from, the test administration center to both the test evaluation center, where the data is evaluated, and to a patient database, where the data is stored.

Abstract: A composition useful as a dietary supplement for providing potassium, calcium, and citrate is presented, as well as processes for producing the composition, and methods for using the composition as a dietary supplement. Administration of the composition counters bone loss associated with aging or menopause by providing bioavailable calcium and, simultaneously, delivering alkali load. In addition, administration of the composition produces a substantial increase in urinary citrate, which counters kidney-stone formation.

Abstract: A relatively large diameter core barrel has a plurality of diamond cutting elements disposed around the circumference of its working end for drilling piles in very hard ground, such as metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks. Each cutting element is designed for quick and simple replacement in the field. The cutting elements are of diamond composition, and provide a substantially flat cutting face for cutting principally through abrasion at the interface of the cutting element and the hard ground to be drilled.Piles are constructed using the diamond-tipped core barrel by first drilling an annular kerf in the ground. Circulating drilling fluid cools the diamond cutting elements and washes cuttings from the kerf during drilling. The drilled core may be removed, or it may remain in situ, with the kerf being filled by cementitious material or by a structural steel casement to form a very strong pile.

Abstract: A composite roofing system in which a layer of polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation board is encased in layers of lightweight insulating concrete and the surface of the foam insulation board is roughened to strengthen the interfacial bond with the surrounding layers of concrete and provide increased resistance to wind uplift, seismic activity, and degradation of the roofing system caused by vertical loads. Moisture which might otherwise become entrapped in the roofing system by the impermeable insulation board is ventilated out of the system by a combination of openings through the insulation board which permit the migration of moisture between the layers of concrete, and a plurality of lateral slots cut in the insulation board to permit further migration of moisture out of the system.

Abstract: A vacuum pump useful in penile erection systems is provided. The vacuum pump comprises a piston in a cylinder with intake and exhaust valves. The vacuum producing outstroke is powered by a spring having sufficient force to draw a vacuum no higher than the desired upper safety limit, and the reset stroke is powered manually. The pump is constructed to provide an inherent vacuum limit by selecting a spring which, when fully compressed during a reset stroke, exerts a force against the piston which is less than the force exerted against the piston head by the differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and a preselected maximum vacuum pressure inside the cylinder. Thus, when the maximum vacuum pressure is reached, the piston is not returned for successive pumping.

Abstract: A method for energy conversion and storage includes the steps of providing a supply of processed natural gas. The natural gas is compressed and stored in a sub-surface storage reservoir. The compressed natural gas is then delivered from the reservoir to an electrical power generator to thereby generate electrical energy.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscopic system is described which permits detection of auscultory sounds in a patient in high noise environments such as ambulances and aircraft. The stethoscope employs an electroacoustical transducer, an acoustical driver mounted in a headset providing acoustical isolation from exterior noise, a summing microphone positioned within the insulating headset, and active noise reduction circuitry to feed an error signal back from the summing microphone to the acoustical driver so as to effectively cancel the unwanted acoustical noise originating external to the insulating headset. The stethoscopic system includes circuitry permitting the headset to selectively receive the audio output from a vehicular intercom system whenever a voice signal is present, thereby allowing treating medical personnel to monitor the patient while participating in the conversation being conducted on the vehicle's intercom system.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding erection in men comprising an open tubular vacuum cylinder sufficiently large to contain an erect male penis and an integrally mounted electrically powered vacuum generating unit which mounts to an end of said cylinder and supplies a limited vacuum at a relatively high leakage rate and a large, sensitive, vacuum controlling valve which may be used to accurately limit the vacuum produced by the vacuum generating unit to a point safe for a user.

Abstract: A remotely actuated clamping apparatus for obtaining a secure coupling between a vibration unit generating longitudinally directed driving forces and a probe designed for penetrating the earth, such as into underwater sediments at water depths too great for direct human intervention.

Abstract: A telescopic kelly bar assembly for use in drilling large excavations. The kelly assembly consists of a lower outer bar section, at least one middle bar sections and an upper inner bar section. Each bar has its own driver that either rests on top of the next size larger bar or is engaged to the rotary. The driver that is engaged on the rotary depends on which bar is the extended bar in the shaft excavation, since the driver that is engaged to the rotary is the driver of the bar that is extended in the shaft. The entire assembly is suspended by a swivel attached to a multi-part traveling block. When a bar is driven it is either driven by its driver via the rotary or by the next size smaller bar within the rotary. Lugs are added on the inside of the outer and middle bars at the top. If a round cross-section is used, the inside lugs transmit torque when fully extended from one bar to another. A thick ring is welded to the bottom of the middle bar and upper inner bar.

Abstract: A large shaft over-reamer apparatus and method using a driver means and a detachable reamer cutter means. The driver means may include a work platform for personnel to work on. The driver means is positioned in a drilled pilot hole for stability and vertical control. The top of the driver means is attached to a kelly bar that transmits rotational force to the driver. The driver means has lug pins to releasably connect the driver means to the reamer cutter means. Releasably connecting the driver means to the reamer cutter means allows the reamer cutter means to be left inside the shaft or hole while the kelly bar lifts out excavated material in a bucket attached to the driver means. The reamer cutter has radial cutters and wiper blades. The wiper blades help funnel the excavated materials to a bucket.

Abstract: A gun rest comprising a central compartment of a shape which allows the barrel of a gun to be conveniently supported, and one or more attached compartments utilized to stabilize and support the central compartment. The compartments are intended to be filled with a substance such as sand, and incorporate closures comprising an inverted spout, one side of which is made from the hook part of a hook and loop fastener, and the other side of which is the loop part of a hook and loop fastener. A closure such as a spout and pocket closure may also be used.

Abstract: An engine having a variable piston capable of adjusting an engine's compression ratio while cranking or operating throughout an engine's speed/load range. Control may be obtained through varying the volume of lubricating fluid supplied to an inertia operated pump/accumulator device located in each multi-element piston. Fluid is supplied to said pump/accumulator device by means of a low pressure jet directed into an opening in the accumulator. No direct plumbing connection is required between the fluid source and the pump/accumulator device. Each piston includes an inner element conventionally mounted on a connecting rod and an outer element slidably mounted above and around said inner element. A chamber is formed between the upper surface of said inner element and the inside top surface of said outer element. Supplying a fluid into this cavity extends the upper portion of the piston, raising the engine compression ratio.

Abstract: A terrain imaging apparatus and method for indicating to a user the location and distance of moving objects from a user. A transmitting means transmitts a coherent radiation beam to distant objects and receives back the coherent radiation beam reflected from the objects. A communicating means indicates the direction and distance of objects moving in that field relative to the user by determining the distances to the objects from the transmitting and receiving means and the direction in which the beam is directed to synthesize a vector field image of the terrain based on a set of direction measurements and corresponding range measurements and indicating the direction the user is facing relative to the terrain image.

Abstract: A hanger and method for adjusting the position of the stirrups on a riding saddle and the position of the saddle on a horse. The hanger has first and second generally horizontal and parallel bars extending longitudinally along the saddle tree from front to back for receiving a stirrup leather and fender or rigging strap and at least three adjusting pins slidably mounted on the second horizontal bar to slidably engage the first horizontal bar whereby the stirrup leather or rigging strap can be selectably positioned and retained at a selected longitudinal position relative to the saddle or saddle tree.

Abstract: A shoelace replacing and fastening device comprising an elongated strip, a strip insert and a clap. Rivet fasteners are used to secure the clasp on one shoe eyelet and to secure the elongated strip to the opposite shoe eyelet of where the clasp is located. The elongated strip is made of a flexible plastic material and has openings for releasably receiving a strip insert at one end of the elongated strip. The strip insert is made of a relatively rigid but flexible plastic material. The elongated strip and the strip insert have a plurality of interlocking hook elements. The hook elements of the strip insert are designed to interlock with the plurality of hook elements of the elongated strip. The clasp is fastened on a shoe eyelet, and the elongated strip fastened on the opposite shoe eyelet to that of where the clasp is fastened.

Abstract: A pressurized incineration method for pressurized incineration of a solid waste material to produce electrical and thermal energy is disclosed. A combustion chamber is fueled by a solid waste fuel. The chamber is pressurized by an air compressor and the fuel is combusted. The hot compressed gases created by combustion pass out of the combustion chamber into an exhaust line that splits so as to provide hot gases to a turbocharger and a separate power recovery turbine. The turbocharger and the power recovery turbine have a rugged design so as to handle compressed gases containing corrosive effluents and particulate matter. If necessary, gas cleaning equipment may also be used to reduce corrosive effluents and particulate matter to an acceptable level in the inlet gas stream to both the turbocharger and the power recovery turbine. Expansion of a portion of the hot compressed gas through the turbine section of the turbocharger provides energy to drive the turbocharger's air compressor.

Abstract: A fluidic machine operable primarily as a pump or a fluid motor having primary and secondary vaned members hinged together within a spherical pump chamber to define four intake and exhaust spaces of varying volumes. A tracking mechanism which includes an annular raceway forces the secondary member to rotate about an oblique axis as the primary member rotates about a primary axis. Consequently, rotation of an input/output shaft extending from the primary member along the primary axis forces the secondary member to pivotally reciprocate between opposite extremes relative to the primary member, thereby increasing and decreasing the volumes of the spaces to produce a pumping action. The pump chamber is provided with four ports in positions which are coordinated with the tracking mechanism to ensure one port is in fluid communication with each space throughout each pivotal stroke of the secondary member.