Abstract: An improved ground source heat pump system wherein the subterranean piping installation is constructed of a plurality of modular heat exchange units. Each such unit comprises an external tube with an expanded external surface and an insulated internal tube positioned concentrically within the external tube. The units are integrally formed of flexible plastic material, except for the insulation. The expanded external surface of the external tube significantly increases the heat exchange capacity of the subterranean heat exchanger. The insulation around the internal tube prevents thermal interference between the internal and external tubes and further enhances the heat exchange capacity of the system. There is no need for spacers or fins in the space between the internal and external tubes to control annular spacing or to promote turbulence.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an in vitro system called the Agarose Gel Vessel and a method of using fluorokinetic analysis for quantifying the diffusion of a fluorescent material through the agarose gel vessel and thereby characterizing the permeability of the vessel. The results obtained from the gel can be used to verify and develop protocols for investigating and treating angiopathies of the eye related to blood vessel permeability.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of link assemblies with a leading end of each link assemblies being connectable to the trailing end of one of the other link assemblies for forming the conveyor belt. A plurality of spaced apart leading shaft projections are formed on the leading end of each link assembly and a plurality of trailing shaft projections are formed on the trailing end of each link assembly. Each of the leading shaft projections has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of each of the trailing shaft projections. Each of the leading shaft projections has a first wall and a second wall. The first and the second walls are each formed on a radius and curved inwardly from an upward end toward a lower end of each leading shaft projection. The trailing shaft projections are disposed in the spaces between the leading shaft projections and the curved walls on the leading shaft projection cooperate to expose a substantial portion of the shafts connecting adjacent link assemblies.

Abstract: Bales of filamentary material are separated into weighted charges of the material by disintegrating the bales in a rotating drum to produce tufts that are passed to a picking chamber wherein a toothed roll strips individual filaments from a supply roll formed from the tufts and passing the filaments to scales upon which the charges are accumulated. Each time a charge is accumulated on a scale, air is blown across the scale to discharge the scale. The charges are delivered to a magazine having a plurality of vertically stacked chambers, each chamber underlain by a movable gate, through which the charges are passed sequentially to be discharged at a fixed schedule from the lower most chamber.

Abstract: A male die, a female die, air pressure and vacuum are used to form a sheet of material into a flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover. A platform supports the female die which has an opening with flat surfaces for forming panels in the base and skirt of the flower pot or flower pot cover. The male die has forming surfaces which mate with the forming surfaces of the female die. The sheet of material is centered over the opening of the female die. A bracket having a plurality of legs which align with the panel-forming surfaces of the female die is placed on the sheet of material. Air pressure and vacuum lines communicating with the opening of the female die are used to control the sheet of material as the male die enters the opening of the female die. The top surface of the platform and the bracket legs provide additional control of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is pressed between forming surfaces of the male and female die to form the flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of water at gas wells. Water from the water holding tank is collected periodically in a heating vessel. Hot fluid from an auxiliary engine system, such as the oil pump or the water pump for the compressor engine, is pumped through a heat conductive coil around the heating vessel to heat the well water in the heating vessel. The heated well water then is injected into the hot exhaust line from the compressor either between the compressor and the muffler or alternatively is injected directly into the muffler. The heating vessel is pressurized with gas from the well to assist in the evacuation of the heated water from the heating vessel and the injection of the well water into the hot exhaust. A system of valves controls the delivery of water to the heating vessel, ensures that the heating vessel will not be over pressurized and deactivates the apparatus when the gas compressor is not running.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral group comprised of a pad of sheets of material. Each sheet of material has adhesive unevenly disposed across the upper surface of the material with the amount of adhesive being greater near one end of the adhesive than near the other end of the adhesive. Methods of wrapping the floral grouping with the wrapping material.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method for wrapping a floral grouping, to form a wrapper with a water holding and releasing material disposed in the wrapper in contact with a portion of the floral grouping, are disclosed. Several embodiments of wrappers are also enclosed.

Abstract: Sheets and rolls of sheets with labels having multiple choice blocks and information areas corresponding to the choice blocks. The sheets include a closure bonding material for securing the sheets around items to be wrapped. The labels are detachably connected to the sheets with an adhesive, a perforation or a tear line. Spots of closure bonding material may be placed on the labels to hold the labels in a wrapped position. The information areas typically include data which may be selected to describe the source, type and characteristics of the items to be wrapped in the sheets. The sheets may also include detachable sleeves for protecting wrapped items during shipping and handle areas which may be punched out of the sheets for grasping the wrapped items. The handle areas may also contain information similar to that on the detachable labels. Sheets having labels with choice blocks may also be used for forming flower pots or flower pot covers.

Abstract: An underground storage system for storing natural gas at a vehicular fueling center which dispenses natural gas to natural gas powered vehicles. Compressed gas is stored in tubes positioned vertically in an elongate casing. The ground hole may be drilled using a conventional water well drilling rig and conventional water well casing and well head may be used to house the storage tubes. The tubes contain the natural gas under about 8,000 psi, which provides a much more rapid dispensing rate. The underground place of the storage tubes is safer than conventional above ground storage systems, as the pressurized containers are insulated by the surrounding earth. Moreover, with the storage tubes underground, vandalism is discouraged and the overall appearance of the fueling center is improved. Because the storage tubes contain large volumes of gas at high pressures, a low power compressor can be used. The low power compressor is inexpensive to operate and maintain and is relatively quiet.

Abstract: A laser angioplasty device having magnetic steerability and forward imaging capability. The device includes a probe, an electromagnetic control system coupled with the probe, a fluid injection system, an imaging system, a laser source and a balloon system. A laser fiber and a plurality of control wires, fluid injection tubes, balloon tubes, light-emitting optical fibers and imaging optical fibers extend throughout the length of the probe. A magnetized sleeve is journaled around a portion of the laser fiber which protrudes from the tip of the probe. The electromagnetic control system includes a joystick, a plurality of electromagnets and an electronic circuit for varying the magnetic fields of the electromagnets in response to the position of the joystick. The magnetic fields are induced into the control wires of the probe to influence the magnetized sleeve for steering and aiming the tip of the laser fiber.

Abstract: A wrapping material comprising a sheet of material such as paper, cellophane, foil, or man-made organic polymer film and a cling material such as polyethylene secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material connects to the sheet of material and/or itself as the wrapping material is wrapped about a flower pot thereby securing the sheet of material about the flower pot. A method of wrapping a flower pot by wrapping the flower pot with the wrapping material.

Abstract: A method of making a flower pot or flower pot cover comprising a base and a skirt connected to an upper end of the base. The base includes a plurality of overlapping folds for providing structural integrity. The skirt includes a plurality of folds which are not connected to provide an overall pleated appearance. Portions of the folds in the skirt are connected and portions of the folds in the skirt are unconnected. In one embodiment, some of the folds in the base are connected and the remaining portions of the folds in the base are unconnected.

Abstract: A valve for installation on a flow line while the flow line is under pressure. The valve includes a two-part valve body and a valve cartridge. Each body portion has a semi-cylindrical channel sized to mate with the flow line. The body portions are secured together with a portion of the flow line enclosed and sealed in the channels of the body portions. A throughbore extends through the two body portions and fully intersects the channels of the two body portions. One end of the throughbore is adapted for attachment of a cutting tool, which is used to cut out the portion of the flow line disposed in the throughbore. After the flow line is cut, the valve cartridge is directed into operating position. A valve stem nut, a valve cap, a valve plug, gaskets, seals and connectors are provided to close and seal both ends of the throughbore.

Abstract: The impellor of a blood pump is supported by permanent magnets on the impellor and pump housing and stabilized by an electromagnet on the housing. A control circuit supplies current to the electromagnet to maintain the axial position of the impellor at a control position in which the impellor is in mechanical equilibrium under permanent magnet forces and static axial forces on the impellor to minimize energy consumption in the support of the impellor. The impellor is rotated magnetically and stator coils in the housing are supplied with electric currents having a frequency and amplitude adjusted in relation to blood pressure at the pump inlet to match the flow characteristics of the pump to physiological characteristics of the natural heart. A cavity is formed in the impellor to match the average specific gravity of the impellor and portions of the suspension and drive systems thereon to the specific gravity of blood to further minimize power consumption by the pump.

Abstract: A handling and transporting apparatus having a lifting and lowering frame supported by hydraulically actuated parallelograms at each end from transporting frames.

Abstract: A system for characterizing the pressure, temperature, movement and flow patterns of a fluid under high pressure within a test cell. The test cell is lined internally with adjustable rock facings. Pressure is measured within the test cell using a device employing pressure-distortable optical fibers. Fluid velocity, flow direction, and filter-cake buildup are measured with laser Doppler velocimetry. The flow pattern of the fluid is viewed using corresponding arrays of transmitting and receiving optical fibers. Temperature of the fluid is estimated using a combination of thermal sensors. The pressure, velocity, viewing and temperature systems are integral to the rock facings of the test cell.