Abstract: Electrically resistive heating element, with metal strip electrodes secured thereto, and with electrical wires secured to said metal strip electrodes, is encapsulated with thermoset-molding compound.

Abstract: Fuel/air mixture is introduced transversely through cylinder into combustion chamber where it is ignited by spark plug to drive compound piston assembly to bottom of its stroke to rotate drive shaft. In another embodiment, air is introduced transversely through cylinder into combustion chamber, and diesel fuel is injected into combustion chamber and ignited when compound piston assembly reaches the top of its stroke to drive down compound piston assembly and rotate drive shaft.

Abstract: Variable displacement pump pumps oil to one or the other ports of an oil operated vehicle wheel motor to drive a lawn mower.

Abstract: A conductive adhesive sealant comprising vinyl ester resin or polyester resin, graphite powder, peroxide free-radical initiator, milled carbon fiber, and a quinone-based inhibitor such as para benzoquinone.

Abstract: Blower forces fuel/air mixture into bore of cylinder head against small diameter piston of compound piston assembly, forcing assembly down in engine cylinder, permitting fuel/air mixture to enter main cylinder of engine in which it is ignited. Exhaust forces assembly to bottom of its stroke. Roller bearings on large diameter piston engage sloping surface on swash plate causing rotation of drive shaft.

Abstract: In diesel engine, blower forces air into bore of cylinder head against small diameter piston of compound piston assembly forcing assembly down in engine cylinder, permitting air to enter combustion chamber. Diesel fuel injector introduces diesel fuel into combustion chamber where it mixes with injected air. Momentum of system forces compound piston assembly to the top of its stroke, compressing the air/diesel fuel mixture to the ignition point.

Abstract: Compound piston assembly in cylinder of engine has small diameter piston engaging central bore in cylinder head mounted within cylinder and large diameter piston engaging cylinder. Swash plate, secured to drive shaft, engages large diameter piston. Two such engines may be mounted in opposition, engaging opposite faces of the swash plate. Alternatively, compound piston assembly is reciprocated in cylinder by crank operated by cam on drive shaft.

Abstract: Gear box oil pumping system employs the teeth of a gear rotatably mounted within a gear box housing acting as paddles to move oil between the gear box housing and an oil reservoir.

Abstract: Grass blower for use with lawn mower, comprising rotating blade assembly in housing. Housing receives grass cuttings discharged from deck of lawn mower. Rotating blade assembly blows grass cuttings in housing into entrance of discharge chute.

Abstract: Ethanol fuel is fed into hot burn chamber of twin turbine, initially to burn in the presence of compressed air. After turbine in hot burn chamber is started, water is electrolyzed by means of DC current produced by DC generator on turbine shaft, and resulting hydrogen and oxygen gases are pumped into hot burn chamber and are ignited by the burning ethanol fuel to produce products of combustion which continue to drive the turbine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing the optical transparency of biological tissue covered by a surface permeability barrier of tissue, involving the delivery of a clarifying agent to the target biological tissue to alter the attenuation characteristics of the target biological tissue.

Abstract: A stand for cakes or pastries comprises a base, a transparent column mounted to said base, and a platform positioned on said transparent tube to support the cake or pastry. Air bubbles are introduced into water in the transparent tube, and an electric bulb in the base lights up the water and air bubbles.

Abstract: Feed hopper for a sow has opening at bottom surrounded by a seat upon which a ball check is adapted to rest, thereby to seal the opening and prevent the discharge of feed therethrough. A sow can nudge upwardly the ball check, unsealing the opening and permitting the discharge of feed from the hopper. Vertically adjustable means limit upward movement of the ball check so as to limit the maximum extent to which the opening can be unsealed. A water button, operatively connected to a source of water, can be nudged by the sow to discharge water for her.

Abstract: Mounted on a toilet lid is a lamp, a battery, a gravity switch and a light sensor, whereby the lamp is automatically lit in the absence of light when the toilet lid is raised, and is automatically extinguished when the light sensor senses light or when the toilet lid is lowered to rest on the toilet seat.

Abstract: A nickel-free stainless steel having the following composition in weight percent:______________________________________ Chromium 23-27 Molybdenum 2-7 Carbon 0.2 maximum Iron balance plus incidental impurities ______________________________________is made into a fine powder. Alternatively, the powder may be made by mixing powders of the pure elements or master alloys (e.g., pure chromium, iron-chromium, etc.) in the disclosed proportions. The metal powder is combined with a plasticizer to form a mixture when is then subjected to metal injection molding techniques to form an article which, after sintering and secondary operations, can be used in contact with the human body.

Abstract: A lawn mower is powered by two vertical shaft engines mounted on the chassis and equispaced about the longitudinal axis of the chassis. A vertical drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The outputs of both vertical shaft engines are transmitted through belts and pulleys to the vertical drive shaft, which is rotated by the combined outputs of both vertical shaft engines. Other pulleys are secured to the vertical drive shaft and connected through belting to pulleys which rotate grass-cutting blades and to pulleys which operate motors turning the driving wheels to propel the lawn mower.

Abstract: The exit end of the discharge chute of a riding lawn mower having rotating grass-cutting blades is provided with a rotatable deflector plate, the position of which is controlled through a linkage by the operator of the lawn mower while seated and without stopping the lawn mower. The operator, through the linkage, can shift the deflector plate between an operative position closing the exit end of the discharge chute, an inoperative position opening the said exit end, and positions therebetween. The deflector plate is provided with apertures of size and spacing sufficient to prevent the passage therethrough of stones large enough to cause physical injury to persons or damage to property in the vicinity of the exit end, while permitting the passage therethrough of grass cuttings, small stones having no potential to cause such physical injury or property damage, and air forced through the discharge chute by action of the grass-cutting blades.

Abstract: A plurality of heavy chains in lateral contact with adjacent chains is secured to a structural member such as an angle which, in turn, is removably secured to the rear of the frame of a lawn mower, behind the grass cutting mechanism, the chains being heavy enough and long enough to drag along a grass lawn, whereby the grass lawn can simultaneously be cut and striped.

Abstract: Hot air, flowing from the register of a hot air heating system, is conducted through a piping system having vertical conduits communicating with the interior of wet or damp footwear to be dried. The tops of the vertical conduits are provided with 45.degree. elbows to direct the hot air into the toe regions of the footwear.

Abstract: Thermal insulator is formed by adding a sufficient quantity of water to a superabsorbent polymer in a flexible container to form a gel. The polymer is lightly crosslinked potassium polyacrylate. The gel-holding flexible container may then be wrapped around or otherwise positioned to envelop a vial containing a temperature-sensitive specimen. The gel-holding flexible container is an effective thermal insulator which protects the specimen from potentially harmful extremes of temperatures, and also cushions the specimen-containing vial against mechanical shock.