Abstract: A fire fighting system uses a bucket suspended from a helicopter to deposit fire retardant onto a fire from an opening in the bottom of the bucket. The bucket has a predetermined configuration and a valve for controlling the area of an opening through which the retardant is deposited when the bucket is suspended from the helicopter. A suitable mechanism, such as an electrically driven valve actuator, varies the area of the opening to deposit the retardant at a volume flow rate as a desired function of time while the helicopter flies along a drop line. The mechanism varies the area of the opening in accordance with a schedule determined before discharge is begun according to the configuration of the bucket, the flow characteristics of the opening as the valve changes the area thereof, and the initial amount of the retardant material in the bucket.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a model of a male child with a urination-simulating mechanism including a removable reservoir disposed interiorly of the model for holding a liquid and a pumping mechanism for expelling the liquid from the reservoir into a passage upon actuation of the pumping mechanism. A penis member on the model has an opening simulating the urethral opening in a human penis, and the passage is in communication with the opening. The arms of the model are movable and Velcro.RTM. fastening material on the penis member and on the hands of the model attach the hands to the penis member in a manner that illustrates how an adult male grasps his penis during urination. The model is placed in front of a toilet with the opening in the penis member pointed toward the toilet bowl and with the hands attached to the penis member, and the adult performing the demonstration actuates the pumping mechanism to expel liquid from the opening and simulate urination.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a vacuum pump with a housing including a lobed chamber having an epitrochoidal planform satisfying the equationx=(a+b).multidot.cos (t)-c.multidot.cos ((a/b+1).multidot.t),andy=(a+b).multidot.sin (t)-c.multidot.sin ((a/b+1).multidot.t),where 0.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.2.pi., a/b=2 (thus defining the number of lobes in the chamber) and b/c=2. The chamber has outlet ports and inlet ports in each lobe of the chamber, and a central stator gear with 2n teeth. A triangular rotor with curved sides is disposed for eccentric rotation in the chamber such that an inlet port and outlet port in each lobe of the chamber are always in direct fluid communication during a portion of the rotor travel, which prevents excessive pressure build-up at the chamber inlet ports, and a central rotor gear with 3n teeth meshed with the stator gear.

Abstract: An axial flow hair dryer comprises a generally circular main housing with a transitional portion that smoothly reduces the housing diameter to an outlet. A first fan stage in the main housing generates an axial air flow through the housing. An outer duct has two axial extensions secured to the housing near the beginning of the transitional portion, and the housing air outlet introduces air exiting the housing into the outer duct. The housing and the outer duct form two additional ambient air intakes extending between the axial extensions in a smooth arc toward the main housing outlet. A second fan stage includes a second axial flow impeller in the outer duct for generating air flow through the ambient air intake. The second axial flow impeller includes inner and outer blades separated by an annular shroud that forms an extension of the main housing flow passage. A guide duct in the outer duct forms a further extension of the extended air flow passage, and the guide duct includes stator vanes at its outlet.

Abstract: An adjustable device for hanging a wire-supported object on a wall device comprises a first bar for attachment at to the wall in a horizontal position, a second bar perpendicular to the first bar and having a hook or hooks for accepting a wire secured to the object to be hung, and a connector with channels that hold the bars for sliding movement relative to each other. The first bar is secured to the wall at its ends and then the connector can be moved horizontally along the first bar and the second bar can be moved vertically within the connector. This permits the object to be positioned at precisely the desired position even after the hanger device is secured to the wall, unlike conventional devices that must be removed from the wall for repositioning. A spring-loaded pin on the connector is accepted into openings in the bars to lock them into the position that places the object on the desired position.

Abstract: A reversible, backlit grooming mirror has a planar mirror and a concave mirror mounted back-to-back in a reflector unit in parallel relation, with a space between the mirrors. The reflector unit is mounted for rotation in a mirror frame between a first position presenting the planar mirror to a user and a second position presenting the concave mirror to the user. A light source such as a halogen lamp is disposed in the space between the mirrors. A switch responsive to rotation of the reflector unit terminates electrical power to the lamp unless the reflector unit occupies a position in which one of the mirrors is in an operative position before the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer device (2) for a fluid (60), in particular a bronchospasmolytic agent, in which a propelling element (10) operable by an electronic circuit (6) to deliver the fluid to an atomization surface (28) that is also supplied with ultrasound waves from the electronic circuit (6) is provided in a housing (4), the propelling element (10) having a coupling member (32) which is meshing with a further coupling member (34) of a replaceable dosating unit (14) for transferring propelling power to the dosating unit (14) to effect a linear movement (68) of a piston (66) arranged in an ampoule (28) within the dosating unit (14). The invention also relates to a system comprising a device (2) as described and a dosating unit (14) inserted into that device (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer device (2) for a fluid (60), in particular a bronchospasmolytic agent, in which a propelling element (10) operable by an electronic circuit (6) to deliver the fluid to an atomization surface (28) that is also supplied with ultrasound waves from the electronic circuit (6) is provided in a housing (4), the propelling element (10) having a coupling member (32) which is meshing with a further coupling member (34) of a replaceable dosating unit (14) for transferring propelling power to the dosating unit (14) to effect a linear movement (68) of a piston (66) arranged in an ampoule (28) within the dosating unit (14). The invention also relates to a system comprising a device (2) as described and a dosating unit (14) inserted into that device (2).

Abstract: An axial flow hair dryer comprises a main housing and an outer duct secured to the main housing with the axis of the outer duct coincident with the axis of the main housing and with the axial air outlet of the main housing disposed within the outer duct to form an annular air intake between the main housing and the outer duct. A first fan stage and first stator stage are disposed within the main housing and a second fan stage and second stator stage are disposed within the outer duct. A handle depending from the main housing holds a motor that is mounted using vibration-absorbing material to inhibit the propagation of noise generated by the motor. A flexible shaft connects the motor to a drive shaft that carries both fan stages. Resistance heating wires are wrapped around the vanes of the first stator stage to heat the air flowing through the hair dryer.

Abstract: A system for alleviating scouring damage at the base of a structure anchored in the bed of a body of liquid flowing at a velocity relative to the structure, such as a bridge pier in a river bed, comprises a plurality of hollow vehicle tires surrounding the structure in a matrix of plural stacks of tires connected together with their toroidal axes substantially aligned. Each stack comprises a predetermined number of tires so that the top surface of the matrix forms a predetermined angle relative to horizontal.

Abstract: An actuating device can change a position of an active member that remains in substantially the same position in the absence of a force of a predetermined magnitude on the active member. The actuating device comprises a shape-memory alloy actuating member for exerting a force when actuated by changing the temperature thereof, which shape-memory alloy actuating member has a portion for connection to the active member for exerting thereon a force having a magnitude at least as large as the predetermined magnitude for moving the active member to a desired position. Actuation circuitry is provided for actuating the shape-memory alloy actuating member by changing the temperature thereof only for the time necessary to move the active member to the desired position.

Abstract: A co-ordinate matrix addressing system is used to address a liquid crystal display cell containing a positive dielectric anisotropy smectic material. For this purpose one or more direct voltage pulses are applied across selected elemental volumes of the display to convert them from a focal-conic scattering state to a homeotropically aligned state. Prior to this all elements are electrically driven into the turbulent scattering state which relaxes into the focal-conic scattering state upon removal of the driving field. The driving field may also take the form of direct voltage pulses.

Abstract: A copper phosphate water soluble glass composition. The composition of the glass may be adjusted so as to release copper at a uniform preselected rate and to produce a desired pH in the resultant solution. In one application of the glass copper may be supplied to an animal from an implant formed from a cupric oxide/phosphorus pentoxide glass which also incorporates one or more glass modifying oxides such as alkali metal oxides and alumina, to control the glass solubility. Suitable glasses comprise 5-55 mole % cupric oxide + alkali metal oxides. 45-75 mole % phosphorus pentoxide, and not more than 15 mole % alumina, where the copper oxide concentration is not less than 5 mole %.

Abstract: The present invention involves a doughnut fryer guide to guide advancing dough forms through the hot oil bath in a doughnut frying machine. The doughnut fryer guide comprises a rack that supports a plurality of guide bars that limit movement of the advancing dough forms transverse to the direction of advance when the guide bars are in an operative position. Retracting means are provided for raising and lowering the rack to move the guide bars between a retracted and an operative position. In the retracted position the guide bars do not interfere with the dough forms advancing through the oil bath.

Abstract: Liproprotein emulsion system composed of protein, edible oil and other selected food ingredients are proposed and used to replace egg yolk and other natural materials in various food products. New and improved processes are described for the preparation of lipoprotein emulsions in a liquid or dry form for use in cake; protein beverages and other food compositions. These processes include methods to improve the solubility and functional properties of the protein component. The lipoprotein system can be used alone or in combination with egg white or other heat coagulable proteins to be a complete or partial substitute for whole eggs. Examples illustrate the practice of this invention to replace egg yolk in cake, donut, muffin, custard and like products.

Abstract: A solder flux composition comprises a mixture of sarcosine and tartronic or tartaric acid dissolved in water and an aliphatic alcohol. Typically the acid-sarcosine weight ratio lies within the range 90:10 to 30:70 and the solution may contain between 5 and 20 weight percent of solids. The flux is employed for tin/lead soldering of a range of metals and alloys including copper, nickel and nickel-iron. Bidegradation of the flux is inhibited by the inclusion of lead carbonate, phenol or salicylic acid in the composition.

Abstract: A cartridge-type electric immersion heating element having an integrally contained, self-limiting thermostatic control included in its electrical circuit includes an electric resistance heating element embedded in compacted powdered insulating material partially filling a tubular metallic sheath open at one end. A preset thermostat is located within a thermostat sleeve positioned in close proximity with the sheath wall and has an end embedded in the insulating material. The thermostat is connected in series circuit with the heating element and the ends of power supply leads enter the sheath through the open end thereof. A body of potting compound, such as epoxy resin, completely fills the remainder of the sheath, seals the open end thereof and encapsulates the other end of the sleeve and the power supply lead ends whereby the sleeve and thermostat are securely held in position in the sheath.

Abstract: A singler device which includes an input position with a first and second suction means mounted along one face of a traveling suction belt, a passage, and a delivery position with first and second detector members. The second detector member operates the first or second suction means depending on the first detector member being in its non-operated or operated condition, respectively. The use of this device permits flat articles to be separated from a stack in the correct order even when they are misaligned to a certain extent.

Abstract: An input circuit of a bucket brigade circuit consists of an input transistor and an input capacitor. The input capacitor is shunting the drain-source path of the input transistor.