Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing pulmonary function including diffusing capacity and cardiac output or local pulmonary blood flow while necessarily determining alveolar volume in order to complete the above-noted analysis. In order to provide a rapid response in each of the abovenoted analyses or determinations, appropriate gases are caused to be inhaled and exhaled through a sample cell wherein a percentage of each gas may be constantly monitored during inhalation and exhalation by means of non-dispersive infrared absorption techniques, the sample cell and associated components of the pulmonary function analyzing device including additional features to facilitate the abovenoted analyses and determinations, the combination of gases employed for monitoring the pulmonary functions being selected to permit accurate detection by infrared absorption techniques.

Abstract: A pneumatic sewage ejector includes a tank for holding fluid sewage. When the sewage reaches a predetermined high level in the tank, it is ejected by pressurized air forced into the tank through a valve located inside the tank. The ejection of the fluid is initiated by a float which responds to the high fluid level in the tank by ascending and thereby moving the valve to an air-input position to admit pressurized air into the tank to expel fluid. The valve remains in the air-input position until the fluid reaches a low level, at which time the float descends and moves the valve to a vent position to vent the pressurized air to the atmosphere. The float moves the valve between the air-input position and the vent position in one discrete step so that the valve cannot stop in an intermediate position.

Abstract: A miniature wall depository is disclosed having a receptacle box mounted substantially behind a wall surface. A depository container for holding valuables is receivable within the receptacle box and means intermediate of the depository container and the receptacle box frictionally grip the depository container to hold it in place while permitting easy insertion and withdrawal. A concealing means is carried by the depository container to cover the container and the receptacle box to disguise and hide the wall depository.

Abstract: A method and multiple embodiments of apparatus for coating particles with a substance contained in a reactant gas, the particles being suspended in a fluidized bed within a coating chamber. In the method and each embodiment of the apparatus, the reactant gas is introduced into the coating chamber through an elongated nozzle closed at its upper end and including multiple lateral orifice openings for directing the reactant gas radially outwardly into the coating chamber. Means are preferably arranged about the base of the nozzle for introducing levitating gas radially and spirally outwardly into the chamber to further promote circulation of the particles and to accomplish more uniform coating.

Abstract: A tube mill which employs circular rotating electrodes for welding the edge seam along with means within the continuous tube for rolling the welded seam. An arm extends into the tube and carriers a rotating roller that contacts the seam just downstream from the point where welding occurs. A connector affixed to the arm extends upward through the region between the converging edges of the strip to a pivot pin. An air cylinder is arranged to rock the arm about the pivot pin and force the roller upward against the undersurface of the hot seam close to the circular welding electrodes to produce a smooth surface. The upper section of the arm carries a pair of rotatable discs of different thicknesses which guide the converging edges of the strip into proper position for welding. The arm carries a pipe which directs fluid past the roller to blow weld spatter downstream while simultaneously cooling the roller.

Abstract: A used chewing gum receptacle includes a base member in which a plurality of spaced recessed storage compartments are formed and a cover which is removably secured thereon. A disposable liner is provided with cup-like areas therein arranged in location and size to correspond with the storage compartments in the base. The liner is thus juxtaposable over the top surface of the base so as to nest the cup-like areas within the storage compartments of the base. In a preferred embodiment the rear edge of the liner is raised to provide a cover-retaining edge.

Abstract: A portable ski support fixture is disclosed which facilitates support and retention of a ski in either a flat or edgewise position for maintenance and repair of the ski, the fixture being manipulatable to a collapsed position for transporting and storage.

Abstract: A support and seismic bracing system for suspending conduit and the like includes support means for carrying the weight of the conduit, relative movement of the conduit being limited by a seismic anchor secured to the conduit and to a structural surface in offset relation about equidistant along the axis of the conduit, radially outwardly from the conduit and vertically toward the structural surface, a seismic brace being interconnected between the supported conduit and the anchor to resist relative movement in any direction of the conduit, the seismic brace preferably extending linearly toward the center of mass for the suspended conduit and effectively acting as a fixed-end rigid column connection.

Abstract: An improved collector structure is disclosed which is adapted for use in electrostatic precipitators to increase the efficiency of operation by increasing the electric field uniformity in the device and by reducing the power consumption without appreciably increasing reentrainment of the precipitated particles during operation. The collector is provided with an insulating material of the type which has an electrical relaxation time, .rho..epsilon., that is preferably greater than that associated with the particle current in the gas near the collector electrode, a triboelectric rank that is as low as possible if the collector electrode is negatively charged or as high as possible if the collector electrode is positively charged with respect to the opposite electrode and a thickness and resistivity such that the voltage drop across the insulation does not exceed about 5 to 10% of the applied voltage between the oppositely charged electrodes of the precipitator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sulfur dioxide from a gas stream such as a stack gas stream utilizing an aqueous slurry of manganous hydroxide as an absorbant and utilizing a regeneration of manganous hydroxide from manganous sulfate thereby produced.

Abstract: A carburetion system for use in combination with an internal combustion engine including a closed fuel container in which fuel fed from a reservoir is maintained at a predetermined level and air drawn into the fuel container is distributed adjacent the surface of the fuel to form a combustible gaseous mixture. The combustible mixture is then drawn into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine for ignition. The concentration of fuel in the mixture is varied by adjusting the vertical displacement of the diffuser relative to the surface of the fuel in the fuel container.

Abstract: A gaseous laser medium is photodissociated into an upper laser state by vacuum ultraviolet light from an electrically excited noble gas mixed with the laser medium. A gaseous laser medium, such as cyanogen bromide, is preferably resonantly excited by photodissociation by such vacuum ultraviolet light. CN particles in the B state undergo laser transition to the X state, producing radiation at about 4000A. Alternatively or additionally, a gaseous laser medium is excited to produce molecules, such as halogen molecules, particularly Br.sub.2, in an upper laser state whence they undergo transition by laser action to a weakly bound lower laser state that is rapidly depopulated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debittering protein hydrolysates and to a debittered protein hydrolysate product. In the method, an aqueous solution of a protein hydrolysate is provided. The solution is passed through a bed of phenolic resin particles. A first portion of the solution is collected as it exits from the bed. The first portion contains a non-bitter fraction of the protein hydrolysate. After collection of the first portion of non-bitter protein hydrolysate, a second portion of the protein hydrolysate is collected as it exits from the bed. The second portion contains a bitter fraction of the protein hydrolysate.

Abstract: A negative pressure drainage vessel equipped with an interior resilient flexible diaphragm and means for producing a negative pressure on that side of such diaphragm which is proximate a fluid recovery area. The opposite side of the diaphragm is exposed to atmospheric pressure. A progressive rise of fluid level in the container, as may tend to increase the pressure on the negative-pressure side of the diaphragm, is accompanied by an elastomeric contraction "pull-down" or "pull-up" of the diaphragm so as to maintain essentially the negative pressure required for an essentially constant suction condition for a large progressive rise in fluid level. The negative pressure may be increased by periodic application of vacuum as may be effected by an air-evacuation mechanism. A separate, liquid-filled bag may be employed together with an appropriate valving means.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element is fabricated from a porous graphite block containing a plurality of open coolant passageways and a plurality of fuel chambers uniformly located therebetween. The fuel chambers are filled with nuclear fuel material and closed. The entire porous block is then impregnated with a liquid carbonizable impregnant which penetrates through the septa and into each of the fuel chambers, wherein it is cured and then carbonized in situ. The resulting carbon residue integrally binds the nuclear fuel material to the fuel chamber walls of the porous graphite block and provides excellent heat transfer from the fuel to the walls of the open passageways from which the heat is extracted by the coolant.

Abstract: A system for twining and cabling pairs of elongate elements such as wire is disclosed wherein pairs of filaments are first twined by twining apparatus and then passed to a cabling device. The twining apparatus includes rearward and forward supply reels from which elongate filaments are drawn off over payoff arms under constant tension, the rear filaments being passed around the forward supply reels by flyer assemblies which twine the rear filaments about the forward filaments whereafter the twined pairs of filaments are passed to the cabling device.

Abstract: A vapor generator and heat exchanger, particularly suited for use in a substantially cylindrical cavity in a pressure vessel includes high and low temperature sections of the vapor generator positioned coaxially with the annular outer section terminating a distance from the end of the central or axial section to form at the one end an annulus arranged between the central or axial section and the pressure vessel wall. A plurality of reheater or heat exchanger sections and various inlet and outlet conduits are positioned in the annulus. A heating fluid is directed first transversely over the tubes of the reheater sections, then along the tubes of the central or axial high temperature section after passing over the outer annular low temperature section.

Abstract: A spring pack for supporting a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass includes a relatively low-rate spring unit and a relatively high-rate spring unit interconnected with each other and arranged between the sprung and unsprung masses, the relatively low-rate spring unit tending to respond to initial limited movement between the sprung and unsprung masses, a mechanical stop limiting the spring response of the relatively low-rate spring unit with relative movement beyond that limit tending to be absorbed by the relatively high-rate spring unit. A plurality of the spring packs are employed in a lateral restraint assembly for laterally supporting a reactor core relative to a vessel within a nuclear reactor, the relatively low-rate spring units absorbing initial multi-axial movement between the core and vessel with excessive movement of the core being absorbed by the relatively high-rate spring units.

Abstract: A conversion unit for an aircraft de-icing machine which permits the machine to be easily converted to a much improved device without the necessity of completely remanufacturing the machine. The conversion unit comprises a frame which is secured to the rearward end of the de-icing machine frame. A housing is secured to the conversion unit frame and encloses the conversion unit components. A water heater is provided in the housing for heating the water being supplied thereto. A "glycol" pump is also provided on the conversion unit frame and is in fluid communication with the detergent tank on the de-icing machine which is used to contain "glycol" rather than detergent. The water heater is fluidly connected to the water pump on the de-icing machine and is fluidly connected to the spray nozzle on the aerial platform provided on the de-icing machine. A "glycol" proportioning valve is also provided adjacent the spray nozzle and is in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: A shutdown system is described for a nuclear reactor wherein a gate, which allows poison to pass to the reactor core, is allowed to move to an open position upon the severing of a fuse link by electric current passed therethrough.