Abstract: Large power transformers such as used at electrical generating plants utilize oil for cooling with the heat removed by air cooled radiators. Several air cooled radiators are removed from the transformers and the oil circulated through plate heat exchangers which provide a heat transfer path to a fluid cooling medium such as water. Flow transducers and electrical temperature sensors may be used to monitor the flow rates of the oil and water, and the temperature of the oil and water in various parts of the system. These parameters are controlled to maximize the transfer of waste heat from the transformer to the water. The heated water is then utilized to perform useful work. For example, in a power plant having package boilers, the boiler makeup water is preheated with the transformer waste heat thereby reducing the energy requirements of the system.

Abstract: A Snyder-type distilling column having improved floating ball vapor valves. When used in a standard Snyder-type column, the valve comprises a spherical upper portion and a downwardly extending guide stem. When used in a microcolumn, the upper portion is mushroom shaped with a downwardly extending guide stem. The lower surface of either upper portion forms the valve face and includes multiple indentations therein. When a ball valve is closed, the indentations form by-pass passages to permit draining of condensed liquids therethrough thereby preventing flooding of the column. The indentations also permit the passage of vapors through the ball valve indentations thereby preventing sticking which can occur with a tight fitting ball valve and cause rotation of the ball valve during use which also assists in preventing sticking.

Abstract: An easy open pull-tab container and related method comprises a generally planar end having a line of weakness defining a tear line so that a portion of the end is partially removable, the tear line lying in the plane of the end. A pull-tab is provided for severing the portion along the tear line, with first and second portions of the end wall on opposite sides of, and spaced from the line of weakness, extending underneath the area adjacent the line of weakness and to form blunt, protective shoulders at the line of weakness. The protective shoulders are formed via first and second concentric grooves in the end, the grooves extending below the level of the end to form inner and outer beads, the inner bead extending substantially below the outer bead. A central bead is formed in the end between the first and second concentric grooves, the central head extending above the level of the end.

Abstract: A patient lift device of the type primarily intended for use in combination with a bed having opposing side rails and a mattress therebetween wherein the lift device comprises a continuous length of strapping, or web material. A first end of the strap is fixed to the bed frame, and the body of the strap then passes over the top of a first side rail, across the top of the mattress and over the top of the second side rail. The strap is then looped back on itself to form a depending loop on the second side of the bed, and the strap crosses back over the second bed rail, across the mattress, and finally over the first bed rail. Then, both the first and second ends of the strap are fixed to the bed frame. A downward force on the loop formed on the other side of the bed will draw both segments of this strap tight and lift a patient lying thereacross.

Abstract: A rigid body jacket having an anterior section and a posterior section. The two sections are joined by corset-type lacings with a pair of bilateral panels laced to the posterior section and attached to the anterior panels by snaps. The lacings are terminated in buckles and straps, the straps being faced with Velcro.RTM. type fastener material. Mating Velcro.RTM. material strips are cemented to the anterior section. The two sections are fitted to the patient, and the laces cut and spliced to a desired tightness with the straps attached to the Velcro.RTM. strips. The jacket thereafter may be easily removed and put back on by the patient without assistance.

Abstract: A method of construction of concrete decks is described utilizing precast concrete panels to obtain such a deck having supporting beams that are rendered integral therewith and that provide thickened, haunched sections adjacent the supporting columns.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for moving and thermally conditioning generally cylindrical containers in which the structure provides for movement of the containers about their axes and provides for a predetermined heat flow relative to the containers to change the temperature of the containers by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A constant current source is provided to charge a reference capacitor. The current is switched to the capacitor by a first high-speed analog switch when a first event occurs and the current is turned off by a second high-speed analog switch when a second event occurs. The voltage produced by the charge on the capacitor is proportional to the time between events. A sample and hold circuit maintains the maximum voltage on the capacitor when the events are periodic.

Abstract: A rural mailbox signaling device actuated by opening of the mailbox door. A brightly colored signal rod is pivotally mounted along the top surface of the mailbox and biased in an upright position by a spring. A locking pin is pivoted at the distal end of the signal rod and is swung to a right angle position when setting the device. The door is closed and the signal rod forced against the spring to a horizontal position. The locking pin is swung to a coaxial extended position engaging a hook member attached to the door latch which holds the signal rod horizontal. When the mailman opens the door to deposit mail, the signal rod is released and flips to the upright position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical power system adapted to receiving power from a source of alternating current, typically a small alternator, and supplying a direct current potential to a load. This power system includes two stages, the first stage comprising switchable rectifying devices such as silicon controlled rectifiers which interact with the impedance of the alternator or other source of alternating current power as a switching regulator to create an intermediate direct current potential.The second stage operates from this intermediate direct current potential to produce a slightly lower output voltage, and creates a more accurate regulation than is possible with the first stage alone, the second stage greatly reduces ripple and high frequency noise components contained on the output of the first regulator stage. The second stage serves as an active low pass filter tuned to a desired DC voltage.

Abstract: A wall switch cover and actuator of the type used in combination with a standard wall toggle switch whereby operation of the switch between its on and off positions is accomplished by pressing on the face of the invention. The wall switch cover and actuator basically comprises a frame which is held in position over the standard switch by the switch's cover plate. A switch actuator element is removably held within the frame, and portions of the switch actuator abut opposite sides of the standard toggle switch. A cover is also mounted on the frame over the switch actuator so that pressure on the cover will be transmitted through the switch actuator to operate the toggle switch.

Abstract: A stop leak composition for sealing leaks in refrigeration systems and method for using same. A mixture of smooth surfaced particles having a size small relative to the leak size is suspended in refrigeration oil and injected into the refrigerant circuit of a system. The particles will be forced into small leaks and will agglomerate to seal the leak. Graphite particles and Teflon.RTM. particles in size ranges from 20 microns to 65 mesh are suitable.

Abstract: A central smoke detection system for a building having multiple rooms utilizes low cost commercial smoke detectors in each room. Each detector includes a steady high current alarm mode, a low current idle mode and a high pulse current test mode. A central power source supplies power to the detectors via one common lead and a separate power lead to each detector. A resistor in each power lead at the central location provides for monitoring of the mode of each smoke detector. A central monitor operates a visual smoke alarm responsive to the steady high current mode which indicates the room in which a detector is in the alarm mode and a visual fault alarm responsive to the absence of the high test pulse current indicating the room in which a detector is inoperative. A common central smoke and fault alarm, both audible and visual is also provided.

Abstract: A restrictive insert for a microwave oven cavity is disclosed including a front plate having a substantially rectangular opening thereon and a horizontally disposed platform attached to the front plate and extending into the microwave oven cavity thereby restricting access to the interior of the cavity to objects of a predetermined cross sectional area.

Abstract: A method and system for preheating internal combustion engine fuel to an optimum temperature before introducing the fuel into the carburetion system. It has been found that an engine fuel such as gasoline will have an optimum temperature at the point of carburetion for maximum combustion efficiency. A heat exchanger extracts heat from hot engine coolant to add heat to the fuel. A thermostatic switch and solenoid valve controls coolant flow to maintain the optimum temperature. Thermal insulation is provided around the fuel supply system and the heat exchanger to prevent engine heat from causing the fuel temperature to exceed the optimum temperature.

Abstract: A capacitance type motion detector adapted to monitor an infant or a person in bed to provide an alarm for apnea episodes. A conductive grid array is provided on a plastic film or the like and disposed adjacent the person to be monitored. A 50 kHz oscillator having a floating circuit ground and an output connected to an earth ground pumps the earth ground. A voltage follower preamplifier having a common circuit ground with the oscillator is connected to the grid array which picks up the 50 kHz signal. Motion, such as breathing, of the person being monitored varies the capacitance to earth ground of the grid array thereby modulating the 50 kHz signal. The modulation envelope is detected, amplified and applied to a comparator. An alarm circuit produces a first output indication for each detected motion and a second output for absence of motion for a selectable time period. The second output in an apnea monitor may produce an alarm to permit immediate attention to the person.

Abstract: A support device suitable for flying a pennant, flag or burgee from an elongated support element. The pennant support of this invention is characterized by its provision of elements for removably attaching the pennant support to the support element in a fashion whereby the pennant support is free to pivot, or rotate, about the support element. Thus, when a pennant, flag or burgee is connected to the pennant support there is virtually no chance of the connected indicia becoming tangled or twisted around the support element. Alternative embodiments of the pennant support are also disclosed whereby it may be used for attaching such indicia to shrouds, stays or halyards as the support element so that the indicia may be raised and lowered with respect to the support element.