Abstract: A ventricular assist device for a heart includes a compression band-stay-pad assembly for encircling substantially the heart perimeter and comprising an elongated band member or chain disposed in a sealed protective structure filled with a lubricating medium. The band member may be fixed at one end and wound upon, or unwound from, a rotatable spool by a drive motor through a speed reducer. Force-transmitting support or stay assemblies are disposed in the protective structure between the band member and a resilient pad assembly for encircling the heart and promoting heart tissue ingrowth therein. The force-transmitting stay assemblies are biased circumferentially, and thus radially outward, by compression return springs disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a generally noninvasive device and method for detecting a reciprocative piston located within a cylinder bore. An ultrasonic transducer mounted on the outside of the cylinder wall selectively generates an ultrasonic transmission signal directed through the cylinder. The transducer then receives any desired ultrasonic signal produced by propagation of the ultrasonic transmission signal. Control circuitry processes electrical signals produced on the ultrasonic transducer by the propagated ultrasonic signal to indicate presence or absence of the piston.In presently preferred embodiments, the control circuitry determines whether the piston is present by comparing a signal level in the received ultrasonic signal during a sample time window in which the desired signal may be expected with a predetermined threshold level. To perform this function, electrical signals produced on the transducer by the propagated ultrasonic signal are first passed to an amplifier having a selected gain.

Abstract: A tube for collection, separation and dispensation of a two-phase fluid is provided with a elongated rigid tubular container having a fluid entry end a closable end and a float. The float retained within the tubular container is positioned between the light phase and the heavy phase of the fluid on centrifugation thereby separating the two phases. In dispensing the light phase, the float moves to and engages the fluid entry end thereby preventing the heavy phase from escaping out of the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling the flow of molten metal from a holding vessel such as a tundish through a discharge orifice into a receptacle such as a mould; the method comprising (i) providing within the holding vessel a flow control chamber comprising a down-flow chamber separate from but in fluid communication with the interior of the holding vessel, the down-flow chamber having an outlet at its lower end, said outlet leading to or forming part of the discharge orifice, and an opening towards or at its upper end; (ii) creating a gas pressure within the flow control chamber sufficient to allow molten metal from the holding vessel to pass through the opening to establish in the lower end of the down-flow chamber a column of molten metal with a volume of gas occupying the upper end of the flow control chamber and serving to separate the column of molten metal from the opening, whereby an equilibrium is established between molten metal passing through the opening and molten metal passing out t

Abstract: Nitrogen oxide and dioxide content of flue gas from combustion devices is reduced by mixing combustion air and a gas or volatilized fuel in proportions below the lower combustible limit of the mixture and utilizing that mixture for at least a part of the combustion air supplied to the devices. The mixture may take the form of air contaminated with a fuel.

Abstract: A door dispenser for pressurized liquids utilizes a container having a single resealable passageway for filling, pressurizing and emptying the container. A tube extends from the container to a fitting that with check valves passes through the door nozzle on the outside of the door. Thus, a chilled carbonated or non-carbonated liquid may be dispensed from a container on the inside of the refrigerator door without opening the door.

Abstract: An improved transmissometer of the type which has a visible light source and is responsive to peak and mean spectral responses between 500 nm and 600 nm and optical assembly therefor contains a solid state light source preferably a light emitting diode. The light source emits a low level light beam that is split, part of which is passed through a gaseous sample then directed to a detector while the other part is directed to a second detector. Electronic components are provided to amplify the signal that has passed through the sample providing high gain, low noise amplification and use signals from the detectors to control the light source and determine opacity of the sample.

Abstract: A conduit extends from a platform on the surface of the ocean into cold deep ocean water containing dissolved gases. Sufficient water is drawn from the top of the conduit to cause the gas containing cold deep ocean water to enter the lower end of the conduit and release dissolved gas thereby forming a foam which causes the bulk density of the foam to fall. The change in bulk density causes the foam to move upward through the conduit pushing the foam to higher heights in an effort to reach pressure equilibrium inside and outside the conduit at a level of incipient foaming. The moving foam is used to drive a turbine or otherwise provide useful energy.

Abstract: In a machine for milking cattle the teat cups are supported in a structure (2,3) movable horizontally towards and away from the animal to be milked, the teat cups being suspended by pivoting arms (15) so as to be swingable to move between the hind legs of the animal between a milking position and a retracted position. The arms 15 have horizontal pivoting axes at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the animal. This permits the teat cups to move between these two positions at a horizontal angle to this longitudinal direction so that, in the retracted position, there is a space in the milking parlor to the side of the teat cups. This space can be used for other purposes, e.g. for taking up a cleaning device for the udder and teats.

Abstract: A flight motion simulator includes a unit under test supported on a stationary frame for angular and translational movement along pitch, roll, and yaw axes. A rotor element is secured to the unit under test and has a spherical configuration. Magnetic bearings supported by the stationary frame support the rotor element in three degrees of freedom of movement. A drag-cup induction motor is mounted on the frame and connected to the unit under test to generate three degrees of freedom of movement by generating a rotating magnetic flux in a stator assembly to induce a corresponding flow of currents in the rotor element to produce torque and motion in the unit under test in the same direction as the flux movement in the stator assembly.

Abstract: A gas sensing instrument provides programmable control of the operating temperatures of an array of gas sensors for the detection of target gases in air. The control facilitates precise temperature setpoint resolution. The gas sensors in the array have an improved construction density with reduction in size and an extended operating life provided by reduced power consumption. A programmable circuit functions as a programmable-resistor temperature controller in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A multiplying digital to analog converter circuit controls the ratio of voltage to current that functions as a resistance equivalent. The programmable circuit is interfaced with a computer to provide selectable temperature control for at least 256 setpoints.

Abstract: A conventional barrel-type combination lock receives a lock element extending from a safety pin housing. The safety pin housing pivotally receives a pin that pivots between an open position and a closed position relative to the safety pin housing, and the lock element of the barrel-type combination lock is moved to the locked position, the end of the pin is positioned within a pin receiving recess on the barrel-type combination lock so that the pin is locked in the closed position. A conventional chain formed from a series of interlocking links is utilized with the lockable safety pin to enable small articles to be locked to fixed objects. When the chain is not in use, it is stored within a cylindrical chain storage container that is threadedly received upon the end of the barrel-type combination lock.