Abstract: A heat recuperator for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gases emitted by a high temperature combustion furnace. The thermal energy is absorbed by an incoming stream of air. The heated air may be diverted to auxiliary heat-requiring systems and/or mixed with fuel and used in the combustion process thereby providing significant savings in energy consumption. The heat recuperator is constructed as a countercurrent-flow heat exchanger, preferentially, from a plurality of interchangeable modular elements. Each modular element is longitudinally separated into at least two flow channels in heat exchange relationship. One flow channel is used for hot exhaust gases while the incoming air is forced countercurrently through another flow channel to thereby absorb thermal energy from the hot exhaust gases.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing an inside diagonal corner insert to a laminated plastic countertop surface. The diagonal corner insert transects the inside corner of the countertop and permits the countertop to accommodate a rotatable shelf apparatus thereunder. Dimensionally corresponding female and male templates are provided so that a cutting tool guided by the templates will produce a corresponding male insert for the void created in the countertop with the female template. The countertop and template are advantageously secured in an easily accessible position by a jig apparatus which utilizes pneumatic pistons for securing both the workpiece and the templates.

Abstract: A metal bracket for use in orthodontic treatment is provided which comprises a bracket body for receiving and securing a wire which transmits orthodontic force to the tooth and a support base for supporting said bracket body. A plurality of fine pores in the form of undercut is formed by subjecting the base to sand-blasting treatment and then to etching process. Such metal brackets have strong adhesion to the teeth.

Abstract: A separator for separating higher density metal values such as particles of gold from a mixture of gold particles and earthen material. The separator includes an upwardly divergent hollow cone and a hollow, transparent column, the transparent column being attached in fluid communication to the apex of the cone. A controllable water supply is connected to diffuser means in the apparatus to diffuse water upwardly through the column and the cone to carry away lighter earthen material in the cone. The water flow rate is adjusted so that the heavier gold particles settle downwardly into the transparent column. The transparent column permits the operator to observe the process and selectively adjust the water flow rate. A screen device may be included for controlling the particle size of material introduced into the separator cone. The separator cone and supporting apparatus therefor may be rendered readily man-portable by being incorporated into a backpack.

Abstract: A double lumen cannula mounted upon a hub and constructed to penetrate the human vascular system, the cannula assembly having an interior cannula and an exterior cannula spaced from the interior cannula. A bushing is normally situated in the space between the interior and exterior cannula which bushing facilitates venipuncture without damanging the tissue. After venipuncture, the bushing is removable from the space between the interior and exterior cannulae by withdrawing the bushing from the cannulae through the hub.

Abstract: An improved ignition device wherein a spark plug is provided with a torch chamber surrounding the spark gap. A first mixture of fuel-rich fuel and air is supplied to the torch chamber where it is ignited by a spark and propelled as a jet of burning fuel into the combustion zone of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The burning fuel from the torch chamber provides suitable ignition of a relatively lean second mixture of fuel and air in the combustion chamber which mixture is leaner than would otherwise be suitably ignited with a spark from a conventional spark plug. A porous plug in the fuel line acts as a one-way valve by allowing liquid fuel to pass by capillary and/or seepage action while resisting backflow caused by periodic high pressures within the combustion chamber. A cooling and heat-shielding system protects the fuel supply system against excessive heat absorption which would tend to prematurely vaporize the fuel and interfere with the valving apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for (1) reducing agglomerated masses of tar sand and (2) recovering as a bituminous product the bituminous matrix material therefrom. The apparatus includes a vessel which is divided into an attrition zone enclosed by a screen member, a sand separation zone and a product recovery zone. The vessel accommodates liquid which is, advantageously, a solvent into which the agglomerated masses of tar sands are introduced. The liquid is impelled vigorously upwardly into the attrition zone to create a high shear environment by which the tar sand masses are reduced by attrition into sand particles coated with the bituminous matrix material of the tar sand. The separated grains of sand are also stripped of the bituminous product by the high shear environment. The cleansed sand passes through the screen member surrounding the attrition zone into the sand separation zone. The liquid and the bituminous product removed from the sand passes to the product recovery zone.

Abstract: A combination work table and vise. The work table is vertically adjustable and has a tiltable work platform which is tiltable about a longitudinal axis so as to provide a sloped working surface. The tiltable work platform also reduces the dimensions of the work table for transportation and storage. The work platform includes at least two leaves, at least one of which can be moved laterally relative to the other to provide a vise action between the leaves. Lateral leaf movement is accomplished by means of a hand crank and screw combination. The hand crank is rotatably mounted to a first leaf while the screw is threadedly engaged in a swivel block mounted to a second leaf. Rotation of the hand crank moves at least one leaf relative to the other and thereby accommodates clamping a workpiece between the two leaves in an action similar to the jaws of a vise. The swivel accommodates asymetrical, lateral movement of the second leaf thereby accommodating clamping of a nonsymetrical object between the two leaves.

Abstract: A monorail track switch and method is disclosed wherein the track switch senses the approach of a train and automatically aligns itself to accommodate passage of the train. Circuits are provided to selectively deenergize a movable track section when in nonaligned position and to re-energize the track section when properly aligned. Novel structure and method is also provided for lowering the movable track section onto rollers to facilitate movement and thereafter lifting the track section into horizontal alignment with the train path. Electronic lockout circuits prevent a train from overrunning the switch when the switch is in a nonaligned position.

Abstract: A boat anchoring means includes, beside the conventional anchor, a number of sinker bodies attached to the hawser rope, adjacent to the anchor. In order that these sinkers shall not cause damage to the hull or equipment, and provide a good grip during hauling-in, each sinker is formed as a symmetrical body of rotation, is covered by a soft shell, and is maintained at the rope by a tubular wedge member adapted to be driven into a tapering, axial passage through the sinker.

Abstract: A diamond bonding process wherein a metallic workpiece is pre-etched and thereafter diamond is uniformly and densely bonded to the surface of said metallic workpiece in a nickel matrix. A novel second plating of nickel metal more securely bonds the diamonds to the workpiece.

Abstract: Needle restraining apparatus is provided which serves to prevent a stylet needle of a venipuncture device which fits telescopically within a catheter of the venipuncture device from longitudinally moving with respect to the catheter during venipuncture. In one embodiment, the needle restraining apparatus provides a collar constructed of heat-shrinkable plastic releasably conforming to a needle hub and the hub of a tube adaptor of the venipuncture device. The collar is shrunk so that the leading and trailing ends of the collar form a non-slip fit over the irregular contour of the hub of the tube adaptor and the hub of the stylet needle. In a second embodiment of the invention, the collar is constructed of rigid plastic and preformed to engage the hub of the tube adaptor of the device and the hub of the stylet needle thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the stylet needle relative to the catheter.

Abstract: An improved storage apparatus for produce stored in an enclosed storage structure. The apparatus provides a cooled airstream having a relative humidity above 95% which is forced around the produce. Water is pressurized by a pump and sprayed into the airstream to create a mist which cools and humidifies the airstream. Chemicals to retard spoilage of the produce can also be included in the water. The water may also be sprayed directly on the produce. Savings are realized and water accumulation in the storage structure is minimized by recirculating condensate from the air distribution system through the spray apparatus. Prolonged equipment life is also obtained by locating the motor for the pump exteriorly of the water spray.

Abstract: A hand-held trolling speedometer or speed indicator for use by a person riding in a boat. The trolling speedometer includes a drogue, an indicator, and a flexible line interconnected between the drogue and a spring-biased marker in the indicator. The indicator includes a transparent column having a plurality of indicia which, in cooperation with the spring-biased marker, provides a visual indication of the resistance encountered by the drogue and, thereby, the speed of the boat. The drogue is fabricated as an open end container having a bottom with a plurality of enlarged apertures therein. A reducer cap is adapted to be removably mounted on the bottom of the drogue to selectively reduce the size of the apertures. The drogue also serves as a container for stowage of the flexible line and the indicator portion of the speedometer. A bail is affixed adjacent the open end of the container and serves as the attachment point for the flexible line.

Abstract: A collapsible room module assembly having a foldable ceiling construction is provided for transforming a large open space into a plurality of smaller rooms. Two ceiling panels are hinged to accommodate folding of one of the ceiling panels with respect to the other when it is desired to collapse the room and store the foldable ceiling. Wheels are attached to one of the ceiling panels and are adapted to engage a tubular insulation strip which is situated at the top of the wall panels of the collapsible room and which serves as a track for guiding the wheels of the foldable ceiling as it is folded or unfolded. Apparatus is provided for disengaging the wheels of the foldable ceiling from the tubular strip once the ceiling has been completely unfolded, thereby allowing the weight of the ceiling unit to compress the insulation strip so as to form an acoustic and hermetic seal between the wall panels and unfolded ceiling unit.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically storing and retrieving loads of materials from a high-rise storage warehouse including providing for electronic identification of materials at a remote storage operator station and thereafter activating a CPU to (a) electronically verify the acceptability of the materials, (b) assign a transaction code to the data bit representation of the identification of the load, and (c) select an address in the high-rise storage warehouse for the load. The load is accompanied by the transaction code in machine-readable form and then moved to a pickup station adjacent the high-rise storage warehouse. Proper alignment of the load is then electronically verified and the transaction code is communicated to the CPU to identify which materials are on the pickup station. A storage-retrieval (S/R) machine is dispatched at the command of the CPU to move the load to its CPU-assigned address in the high-rise storage warehouse.

Abstract: A pipeline retard, support, and protection method wherein a fast-setting, expandable, organic spray foam is sprayed at spaced locations in a trench to create support pads and retards in the trench. The foam constituents are mixed in a spray apparatus and directed as a spray foam into the trench where it rapidly expands and stiffens into a layer of foam. Rapid expansion and corresponding rapid stiffening is believed to cause the cells in each layer of the foam structure to be elongated essentially normal to the plane of the layer. This cellular configuration in each layer imparts vertical strength and limited lateral flexibility to the structure. A plurality of layers of foam are sequentially formed in the trench to fabricate the desired structure. The placement of each layer is sequenced so as to permit a membrane to form on the surface of each layer for improved strength and inhibition of water penetration.

Abstract: The disclosed surgical suction wand assembly and method includes a modular suction wand including a hollow suction tip the interior of which has a square or other suitable polygonal cross-sectional configuration which substantially improves the precision and facility with which apertures may be formed in the suction tip. The tip may be provided with an elongated interiorly disposed tube simultaneously providing for effective aspiration of small amounts of liquid as well as a large suction area for efficiently aspirating larger volumes with minimal opportunity for obstruction. The suction tip is provided with a coupling device adapted to receive any one of a plurality of adaptor configurations constructed so as to increase the versatility of the suction tip without requiring large numbers of separate forming molds.

Abstract: A pipeline retard, support and protection method wherein a fast-setting expandable foam is placed in a trench at spaced locations below and around a pipeline to create spaced retards and support pads in situ. Each retard and/or support pad is created in the absence of forms or other foam molding means for the expanding foam. The retards may be keyed to the trench walls and base for securement. The system is also adaptable to encapsulating a portion of the pipeline which transverses a roadbed.