Abstract: An implantable stent which contains a tube, several optical emitters located on the inner surface of the tube, and several optical photodetectors located on the inner surface of the tube. The optical emitters radiate energy with a wavelength of from about 30 nanometers to about 30 millimeters, and the optical photodectors receive energy with a wavelength of from about 30 nanometers to about 30 millimeters.

Abstract: An integral ceramic insert for a radiant tube. The insert has a helical shape and contains ceramic material; and it has a thermal expansion rate of less than 6.0×10−6 meters/meter/degree Celsius and a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 calories/centimeter/second/degree Celsius. The diameter of the insert is from about 2 to about 10 inches, and it has a length such that the ratio of its length to its diameter is from about 2/1 to about 8/1. The helical shape of the insert contains one or more pitches of from about 2 to about 32 inches, each which defines a helix angle of from about 15 to about 80 degrees.

Abstract: A universal respiratory adaptor for connecting medical equipment to a patient respiratory device comprises: i) a machine end comprises at least two male tapers of different diameters; ii) a patient end comprises a first female port concentric within a second female port, wherein the second female port has an outer wall which defines a male fitting, and iii) a tubular body portion interconnecting the machine end and the patient end; wherein the machine end and the body portion comprise a continuous lumen in fluid communication with the first female port.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity containing a power generating device and, operatively connected thereto, a fluid lubricated rotary positive displacement system. The rotary positive displacement system has a feed means for supplying gas at a pressure of from about 0.2 p.s.i.g. to about 400 p.s.i.g. to a rotary positive displacement compressor. The rotary positive displacement compressor has a discharge pressure of from about 20 to about 950 p.s.i.g., a pressure ratio per stage of from about 1.1 to about 6.0, and a flow capacity of from about 5 to about 3,000 standard cubic feet per minute. The system also contains a receiving tank connected to the rotary positive displacement compressor, a device for feeding liquid to the receiving tank, a device for cooling a mixture of gas and liquid, a device for separating a mixture of gas and liquid, and a device for feeding liquid to the rotary positive displacement compressor.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic decal in which a printed image is applied to a backing sheet, and a covercoating is then applied to the printed substrate. A digitally printed ceramic colorant image is applied to the backing sheet; metal oxide colorant with a refractive index of greater than about 1.6 is used as the colorant. Thereafter, the printed image is covercoated with an overcoat containing frit and binder. The total amount of frit applied in the process divided by the total amount of colorant used is at least 2, and the frit used has a melting temperature of at least 550 degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: A device for accurately aligning the screw holes for installation of hidden hinges is disclosed. The jig comprises a jig body having a handle portion and a template portion. The template portion has a center hole for positioning a hinge cup drill hole in a cabinet door and an upper and lower offset hole for locating hinge plate mounting screw drill holes in a cabinet wall. An upper moveable arm is attached to the top end and a lower moveable arm is attached to the bottom end of the handle portion. Stopping means are provided for aligning the template portion along a vertical edge of the cabinet door or the cabinet wall.

Abstract: A process of determining the presence of an abnormal condition within the body of a human female with a probe which contains a first conductive helical surface and a second conductive helical surface. In this process, the probe is abraded until its conductive helical surfaces are substantially free of oxidation products. Thereafter the probe is sterilized, the first helical surface is charged with a negative polarity, the second helical surface is charged with a positive polarity, and the probe is inserted into a human female's vagina to stimulate the flow of mucous. The resistance between the first and second helical surfaces is measured, and from this measurement is calculated the conductivity of the mucous within the female's vagina. This process is repeated several times over a period of time determine whether the mucous conductivity pattern of such period of time is within normal bounds.

Abstract: A process of determining the presence of an abnormal condition within the body of a non-human female with a probe which contains a first conductive helical surface and a second conductive helical surface. In this process, the probe is abraded until its conductive helical surfaces are substantially free of oxidation products. Thereafter the probe is sterilized, the first helical surface is charged with a negative polarity, the second helical surface is charged with a positive polarity, and the probe is inserted into a non-human female's vagina to stimulate the the flow of mucous. The resistance between the first and second helical surfaces is measured, and from this measurement is calculated the conductivity of the mucous within the non-human female's vagina. This process is repeated several times over a period of time determine whether the mucous conductivity pattern of such period of time is within normal bounds.

Abstract: A foam sign made from a laminated substrate and several cuts outs die cut from the substrate. The laminated substrate contains a foam layer with a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 3.0 inches, wherein the foam has a density of from about 1.2 to about 2.0 pounds per square foot; the substrate also contains plastic sheets adhesively joined to the top and the bottom of the foam layers, wherein the plastic sheets have a thickness of from about 0.007 to about 0.03 inches; and the laminated substrate also has several cavities designed to receive the cut outs. The cut outs are disposed within such cavities such that the top surfaces of the cut outs are either above or below the top surfaces of the laminated substrate.

Abstract: A lightweight, magnetic sign assembly containing a magnetic sign. The magnetic sign contains a flexible substrate. Magnetic ink is bonded to either the top or bottom surface of the substrate, and ink is deposited over the top surface of the flexible substrate. Graphic images are presented by the top ink layer. The sign is lightweight, weighing less than about 6 ounces per square foot.

Abstract: A process for producing a colored wood product, comprising the steps of grinding wood in a mill until a wood compact is formed, sieving the wood compact, spraying the sieved wood compact with an aqueous solution of colorant, immersing the wood compact in a bath of aqueous solution of colorant while simultaneously moving the wood compact with a multiplicity of counterrotating augers, and then removing the wood compact from said bath. The mill preferably contains a rotor with several cutters disposed about its periphery.

Abstract: An overhang bracket for preventing the discharge of debris from a structure which contains a bracket deck integrally connected to a bracket frame. The bracket deck and bracket frame preferably each has a length of from about 4 to about 15 feet. The bracket deck is preferably substantially L-shaped, with a horizontal and vertical surface disposed vis-a-vis each other at an angle of from about 60 to about 150 degrees; and it has a load capacity of from about 50 to about 1,000 pounds. The bracket frame contains at least two triangular braces. The bracket deck and/or the bracket frame contains an orifice which extends inwardly.

Abstract: A process for producing a colored wood product, comprising the steps of grinding wood in a mill until a wood compact is formed, sieving the wood compact, spraying the sieved wood compact with an aqueous solution of colorant, immersing the wood compact in a bath of aqueous solution of colorant while simultaneously moving the wood compact with a multiplicity of counterrotating augers, and then removing the wood compact from said bath.

Abstract: A rotary device containing a housing having a curved inner surface with a profile equidistant from a trochoidal curve, an eccentric mounted on a shaft disposed within the housing, a rotor mounted on the eccentric shaft which contains at least three intersecting faces and a partial bore located at the intersection of adjacent faces, and at least three hollow rollers rotatably mounted within the partial bores of the rotor.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods which contains a gas permeable tray for holding the oxygen-sensitive goods and a gas permeable film wrapped over the tray. The tray is made from foam material; at least about 20 volume percent of said foam material is open cell foam. A hinged flap is connected to a wall of the tray and contains a receptacle in which a source of carbon dioxide (such as dry ice) may be disposed.

Abstract: A packaging system for preserving a perishable item which contains a gas permeable tray containing open-cell foam disposed within a sealed, oxygen-impermeable barrier bag. The open cells within the gas-permeable tray contain less than about 0.05 volume percent of oxygen, and the atmosphere within the sealed barrier bag contains less than about 0.05 volume percent of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for controlling a system for generating electricity which contains at least two compressors and two microturbines. Compressed gas from a pressure vessel is supplied to the first microturbine, and thereafter the pressure within the pressure vessel is measured. If the pressure is below a specified value, a first compressor is caused to operate to feed compressed gas to the pressure vessel. Thereafter, as the system needs require, a second compressor and, optionally, a third compressor is caused to furnish compressed gas to the pressure vessel. If the system pressure within the pressure vessel is too high, the third compressor is shut down and, if necessary, the second compressor and the first compressor are then sequentially shut down.