Abstract: A solar heating system adapted to provide heated air and water to a building structure with simple yet efficient components. The solar heating system comprises an air heating chamber which is exposed directly or indirectly to radiant solar energy, and air heated therein is directed to a heat exchange tank. The heated air from the air heating chamber is directed through bubble producing means, the bubbles rising through water contained in the heat exchange tank. Upon escaping from the heat exchange tank, the air may be directed to any one of three locations; firstly, the air may be directed back through the bubble producing means and into the water in the heat exchange tank, secondly, it may be directed to a building structure to provide heated, humidified air, and thirdly the escaping air may be directed to ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A main thrust link having a forward end connected to the engine core housing at a first forward location, and extending rearwardly and moderately upwardly therefrom to connect to a main support structure at a second rearward location. Connected to the rear of the engine core housing is a rear support device designed to resist vertical loads generally parallel to the vertical force component exerted by the main thrust link, and also to resist side loads. There is a forward connecting device interconnecting the fan casing with the support structure at a location forward of the forward connecting location of the main thrust link. This forward support device comprises a plurality of tangential links connecting to the fan casing at evenly spaced locations around the circumference of the fan casing, thus resisting not only vertical loads, but also resisting torsional loads and side loads on the engine.

Abstract: A refueling boom operator's seat located within the lower rear portion of the aircraft fuselage, the seat positioning the operator in a moderately reclining sitting position facing rearwardly to view the operating area of the refueling boom. A leg well structure which extends rearwardly through and beyond a rear pressure bulkhead to accommodate the operator's legs, and a viewing window provided in an aperture defined by the rear pressure bulkhead is positioned above the operator's legs at approximately the position of the operator's knees. These components are so arranged relative to the main rear pressure bulkhead and other components of the fuselage that the operator has a direct unobstructed view of the boom's normal refueling envelope. A pair of mirrors at the upper and lower portion of the viewing window envelope provide a view of the area into which the boom is able to move above its normal refueling area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and conductively heating at least a portion of the sole of a ski boot and for convectively heating substantially the entire inner surface of the ski boot while the ski boot is firmly, but removably, clamped against a flat surface with the flat sole of the ski boot in extensive surface-to-surface contact therewith so as to permit drying of wet boots, warming of cold boots, and/or softening of the molded foam interiors of the boots, to render such boots more comfortable while maintaining the flat sole of the ski boot rigidly clamped in a flat planar condition to prevent warpage thereof. In a preferred form of the invention, methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and radiantly heating at least a portion of the sole of each of a pair of ski boots removably carried by, and clamped to, a boot and shoe tree and for simultaneously convectively heating the inner surfaces of both ski boots.

Abstract: Two sheets of an air impermeable plastic coated fabric are placed horizontally, with a core of a resilient open cell foam material positioned between the two sheets. Heated platens are applied to this layup, followed by applying a vacuum to the interior, cooling the assembly, and then moderately pressurizing the then bonded assembly.

Abstract: A plurality of horizontally positioned plates stacked on top of one another, with thin film plastic sheets separating each adjacent pair of plates. Each plate is formed with a substantially identical, horizontally extending, vertically through passageway, with the sheets separating the passageways of each plate. Upper and lower pressure plates, provided with pressurized air bags, maintain uniform pressure across the plates to prevent leakage from the passageways. Manifold devices at opposite ends of the passageways direct a first heat exchange medium through a first set of vertically alternate passageways, and direct a second heat exchange medium through a second set of vertically alternate passageways positioned intermittently with respect to the first set of passageways.

Abstract: A shock absorbing ski pole having a hand grip mounted for up and down motion on the upper end of the ski pole. To cushion shocks imparted to the ski pole, a pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly is mounted in the upper end of the ski pole and operatively connected between the hand grip and the shaft. In addition, a compression spring is mounted in the upper end of the shaft to urge the hand grip to an upper position and also cushion impacts on the ski pole. An elongate friction and positioning sleeve is positioned securely within the hand grip and frictionally engages the outer surface of the upper end of the shaft to provide a frictional drag force and provide firm engagement between the hand grip and the shaft.

Abstract: A product dispensing measuring device especially adapted to be affixed to an axially deformed or non-linearly rotating dispensing shaft in order to measure the rate of rotation thereof. The device comprises a pick-up wheel having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth securely affixed to a rotating shaft and a mounting affixed to the shaft adjacent the pick-up wheel and provided with a plurality of roller bearings which enable the mounting to remain stationary as the shaft rotates therein. A mounting arm extends radially from the outer circumferential edge surface of the mounting, and a sensor mechanism is affixed thereto. The sensor mechanism detects the passing of the radially outwardly projecting teeth and converts these impulses into a shaft revolution speed and displays it to an operator of the device. If the shaft rotational speed is observed to be other than that desired, the speed of the rotating shaft may be easily and quickly adjusted.

Abstract: A cleaning tub having therein a holding basket mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The basket has a lower section with circumferentially aligned holding and partition members to contain tubular-like members to be cleaned in circumferential alignment. There is also an upper section having radial partitions to contain other objects to be cleaned. During a first washing and rinsing cycle, the basket is caused to oscillate throughout the filling period, the washing period, the emptying period, and also through a final "shake-off" period. There is also a transfer tub to hold either a pasteurizing liquid (i.e. hot water) or a disinfect liquid. Subsequent to the washing cycle, the liquid in the transfer tub can be moved over to the cleaning tub either to pasteurize or disinfect the articles in the basket. Heat control means are provided to bring the transfer liquid to the proper temperature in the transfer tub, and also to maintain this proper temperature in the cleaning tub.