Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for collecting, storing and transmitting solar heat includes an elongated rectangular insulated housing in which a quantity of heat retaining material is confined and a collector on the horizontal and vertical faces of the housing which has only one layer of glass for each face through which solar heat may pass and be collected upon a heat-collecting surface. A conditioning pump is provided within the apparatus to circulate conditioning air through both the collector and the heat retaining material within the housing so that heat is transferred from the collector to the heat retaining material. Specially designed and positioned ducts connect the collector to the interior of the housing in a manner such that air interchange between the collector and the interior of the housing is prevented except during operation of the conditioning pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accelerating the coagulation of blood and the components thereof uses the injection of an additive and gas to trigger coagulation. The appartus is designed to include a disposable multi-cell pack for minimizing manual handling of the blood and for minimizing exposure thereof to foreign surfaces with each cell containing a specimen of blood disposed above, but separated from, a predetermined amount of additive by means of a releasable cap. The cell pack containing the multiplicity of cells is inserted over a corresponding multiplicity of gas injection nozzles which effect the release of the caps in each cell for injecting the additive and the gas into the blood. As the gas passes through the blood, bubbles that are continually formed in the space above the blood burst and blood transported therein refluxes back into the blood below until coagulation occurs.

Abstract: A method of producing combustible gases, synthetic crude oils, coal chemicals and heat from coal in situ utilizes the combined teachings of in situ gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis in separated coal blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for demonstrating the movement of heavenly objects as they pass through the universe. The path a heavenly object follows is depicted three dimensionally by means of a hollow transparent tube molded in the shape of the path and containing a fluid supporting a floating sphere representing the heavenly object. By changing the fluid level in the tube the movement of the heavenly object through the universe is demonstrated.

Abstract: A roll bar adapted for attachment along one edge of an awning sheet so that the awning sheet can be retracted around the roll bar or extended away from the roll bar includes a generally cylindrical tubular element having longitudinally extending indentations therein with a generally circular groove in the indentation which is partially defined by a pair of upstanding lips having a space therebetween into which the awning sheet can be inserted. The edge of the awning sheet inserted into the groove has a sleeve formed therein which receives an elongated rod which is larger in diameter than the spacing between the lips so that the rod cooperates with the lips in retaining the edge of the awning sheet in the roll bar. The lips are designed such that the ends thereof can be flared outwardly to facilitate insertion of the awning sheet into the groove without snagging and possibly damaging the awning sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of recovering energy from a subsurface petroleum formation by igniting the petroleum reservoir and burning as much petroleum as is possible thereby generating heat and recovering the heat so that it can be transformed into other forms of useful energy. The method also includes the steps of controlling the burning reservoir by injecting plugging agents into the more rapidly burning channels of the reservoir and by injecting oxidizing agents in spaced locations from the heat recovery location so that the burn pattern can be spread out over a selected area to maximize the recovery of energy from the selected area.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing cartons from a stack of cartons arranged in horizontal layers with pairs of cartons in each layer arranged in perpendicular relatonship with adjacent pairs includes first gripping means for lifting a layer of cartons from the stack and separating cartons in the layer into two groupings and second gripping means adapted to grip each grouping of cartons and further separate cartons in the grouping for deposition at a spaced location. The second gripping means consists of reciprocating heads at least one of which is adapted to pivot about a vertical axis so as to reorient selected cartons so that the cartons can be deposited at the spaced location in parallel relationship. Further, the second gripping means are pivotal about a horizontal axis so as to be swingable into an out of the way position to allow another of the second gripping means to move along a preselected path from the first gripping means to the spaced location.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer providing an improved means for controlling temperature readout. The thermometer incorporates analog-to-digital conversion utilizing a pulse width modulation technique. The temperature of a patient is taken for a given time interval and the last reading thereof is held for another given time interval. An adjustable oscillator provides clock pulses to a frequency divider one output of which triggers a saw tooth generator and other outputs of which are coupled to a decoder driving the display. The saw tooth generator provides an input to a reference comparator and a temperature measurement comparator the former of which receives a reference voltage and the latter of which receives a temperature sensitive voltage derived from circuitry which includes a thermistor.

Abstract: A retractable awning adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface and being movable between an extended position away from the supporting surface and a retracted position adjacent to the supporting surface includes a roll bar about which an awning sheet is selectively windable with the roll bar being rotatably disposed within an elongated tubular case. The case has an elongated bead projecting away therefrom adapted to be releasably retained in a mating groove provided in a mounting rail which is securable to the supporting surface. The case carrying the roll bar for the awning is, therefore, connected to the supporting surface by a tongue-in-groove connection. An auxiliary case is suspended from the main case and is adapted to releasably retain brace members which serve to retain the outer edge of the awning sheet in a position extended away from the supporting surface when the awning is in use.

Abstract: A method of extracting energy and chemical values from coal in situ including the steps of establishing passages among two or more coal seams underground and the surface of the ground wherein one coal seam is consumed by in situ combustion with the hot exit gases diverted through a second seam of coal enroute to the surface. The second seam of coal is dewatered, then subjected to pyrolysis, with enriched exit gases captured at the surface.

Abstract: A method of in situ gasification of coal includes the steps of releasing reactant materials in a coal bed in a manner such that the reactants are directly exposed to the burning face of a coal bed under preselected temperatures and pressures whereby the incomplete combustion of the coal is affectively controlled. In one preferred form of the method, the heat generated from the combusted materials is captured and separated from the recovered gas so that the heat can be converted to other forms of energy separately from the recovered gas.