Abstract: Apparatus is provided for covering a floor in order to place a drum or a plurality of drums on the floor. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate having an upper surface and an under surface for covering a region of a floor onto which a drum is to be assembled such that a plurality of support feet contact the upper surface of the substrate and a plurality of rigid foot locators extending from the upper surface each at a desired location for a specific one of the support feet. The foot locators are secured firmly to the substrate without fixtures that protrude from the under surface, so as not to cause floor damage and the foot locators restrict movement of the support feet thereby restricting movement of a supported drum while the drum is being played.

Abstract: A rapid deployment system has an inflatable landing tube with an inflatable exit slide coupled to an aircraft. Connectors couple the landing tube to the aircraft. Flexible retarders extend inward from the inner surface of the tube for retarding gravitational descent of cargo and/or personnel from the aircraft. The tube has tubular segments, with ribs and reinforcements, forming a continuous descent tube. A spine along the tube is retractable telescopically allowing for the tube to be retracted within the aircraft. The tube is connected to exterior edges of any exit port of the aircraft. A window coaming adapter is positioned around the exterior edges and a membrane extending between sides of the adapter expands with the landing tube as the landing tube is inflated. The membrane is of multiple layers with expansion cells between adjacent layers for allowing independent expansion of the layers. The entry port has a shield behind the membrane and connected to the aircraft for protecting the membrane.

Abstract: An eyewear has a gasket between the user and lenses that electrostatically filter the air flow of particulate while still permitting a gentle flow of air to maintain comfort to the wearer of the eyewear, and prevent fogging on the lenses. The electret filter material forms a perimeter around the eyes and lenses to remove, small to large particulates, from microns to millimeters. The filters can be formed with a choice of face contact gasket, baffles, coarse filters, and electret filter density. Baffles or coarse filters over the electret filters are used to protect the electret filter from damage from larger particles and transfer heat to the airflow.

Abstract: A first (1) and a second connecting means (2) which may be connected in a detachable manner in order to connect a first and a second cord, more particularly a lifting cord and a harness cord of a Jacquard machine, the first connecting means (1) comprising an elastically deformable coupling element (3) which may be received in a receiving part (4) of the second connecting means and may be retained in axial direction, the second connecting means (2) comprising a passage (5) through which the coupling element (3), compressed in the radial direction, may be moved to the receiving part (4) and the coupling element (3) in the receiving part (4) having the possibility of adopting a larger radial dimension than is necessary to be moved through the passage (5), so that the coupling element (3) snap-fits in the receiving part (4). In the receiving part (4), the coupling element (3), by rotation around the longitudinal axis (A), may be brought into a disengaging position in which it is not retained.

Abstract: A fuel ampoule for fuel cells delivers fuel by diffusion through the ampoule walls. The fuel ampoule is stored in a fuel impermeable container. These ampoules used with small low power fuel cells need a steady controlled uniform delivery of vaporous fuel such as alcohols. This fueling system avoids the leakage problems of liquid fuel, and may be easily packaged for small compact fuel cell systems.

Abstract: An inexpensive, compact, on-site gas storage facility for the storage of natural gas uses steel pipes affixed end to end in a serpentine arrangement. The facility has a compressor, a decompressor or a pressure reducing regulator, a steel pipe storage system, and components for containing the gas in the system, controlling the delivery of gas to the system and expelling gas from the system for use or delivery of natural gas to end users. The facility includes monitors, filters or strainers, dryers, test stations and cathodic protection systems. The gas storage facility is usable in industrial, commercial, utility and residential applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus concentrates, collects and removes heavy metals, other cations, and anions from media permitting generation of electrical fields. The heavy metals and other cations are electrochemically concentrated and precipitated for rapid removal from the aqueous media. The media, which may be aqueous, soils or wastes, is filtered and passed through a cation or anion exchange resin beds. Metals or anions are captured and held in the resin beds. Current is then applied through the resin beds using opposing electrodes of opposite polarity. In the metal removal units, heavy metals and other cations are concentrated around the negative electrode and lifted to a top of the electrode chamber using hydrogen gas lift. The concentrated solution of heavy metals and cations are removed from the chamber above the negative electrode and are circulated to provide additional time for growth and precipitation.

Abstract: An all-optical flat panel display system is based on the generation of photoluminescence within a doped, optical waveguide display matrix. Color photoluminescence is produced through an infrared, two-step photonic upconversion process and the subsequent radiative emission process. Established principles of solid-state laser design and electronic upconversion in a host glass substrate are applied. The present photoluminescent display technology provides for flat-panel display systems having luminous output efficiencies approaching 67 lumens/Watt. That efficiency increase results from employing efficient, innovative photoluminescent phosphors and from an optical cavity architecture which enhances the three physical process (row excitation, column excitation and spontaneous output emission) operating inside the pixel. The present system is thinner, lighter weight, more power efficient and more cost competitive to produce than existing technologies.

Abstract: A flexible planar apparatus fabricated from polyvinylchloride has a matrix of foldable lines defining a plurality of quadrilateral tiles. Said tiles are configured to convey information, such as a multiplication table using numerals or Braille characters. The foldable lines allow a first fold of the apparatus to be manually effected followed by a second substantially orthogonal fold of said apparatus, thereby uniquely identifying one of the tiles, which may represent the product of multiplicands in a times table.

Abstract: A flaw detection system for a prestressed concrete cylinder pipe uses hydrophones inserted into valves in the pipe while the pipe is in use. The hydrophones listen for sounds that are consistent with the breaking of the pre-tensioned reinforcements and the sliding and re-anchoring of broken ends. Detecting the sound at two or more locations and establishing precise time differentiation allows the precise calculation of the location of the defect. Global positioning system (GPS) satellite receivers provide precise timing of reception of the targeted sound events in milliseconds. The location of each of the hydrophones is established using GPS. Each hydrophone is connected to a box, which includes a pre-amplifier, a signal processor, a memory, an output and a GPS receiver. The hydrophone, or box, or both, are tunes to recognize a significant sound that emanates from a breaking, moving or re-anchoring reinforcement. The precise time of arrival of that sound is recorded in the boxes using the GPS time signals.

Abstract: The publication relates to a power converter according to the principle of the hot-air engine (Stirling engine), comprising a cylinder containing a main piston (4) and a displacement piston (3), each of which can be moved forward and backward on the axis of the cylinder and each of which possesses a piston rod assembly (20, 25) which is connected via connecting rods (17, 21) with a link system (21-24 or 17-19 resp.) to two parallel cranks (9) which rotate synchronously in opposite directions so that the displacement piston is moved phase-shifted to the main piston. The link system (21-24) of the main piston (4) comprises a frame element (24) which is rigidly connected to the latter's piston rod assembly (25) and has at least four journals (22,23) which are arranged symmetrically to the cylinder axis in a common plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis and which are oriented parallel to the crank shafts (9) and to each of which is linked a connecting rod (21).

Abstract: A short, crescent-shaped copy stand engages the bottom edges of sheets and holds the sheets upright. The stand includes a back and an integrally formed, relatively small front block. The back has a downwardly and forwardly sloping concave sheet backing wall, a substantially horizontal top wall and a stepped front wall. A ledge or step extends forward from the lower edge of the sheet backing wall. The ledge slopes downward and inward from the its outer edges. The backing is concavely curved about a slightly rearward sloping axis, and the ledge concavely curves or slopes slightly upward and outward along the backing wall. The block is integrally formed with the backing wall and ledge at the approximate center of the backing wall. The block has a curved, generally vertical rearward wall that extends upward from a center of the ledge. The backing and the rearward facing wall of the block define sides of a slot for receiving centers of sheet bottom edges.

Abstract: Fin according to the invention, with a seat (4, 22, 43) into which the foot may be introduced and wherein the walls (5, 8, 25, 41) of the seat grasp the foot at least partially, leaving out at least one area of the heel and of the ankle. The action of taking off and wearing the fin is made easier by providing that the fin (1, 21, 42), after the introduction of the foot into the seat (4, 22, 43) is automatically held back on the foot and removably connected thereto. There is also provided a combination of a fin of the aforesaid type with a type of footwear, like a boot (2), a shoe, or similar. In this case, the easier wear is due to the fact that the fin (1, 21, 42) is automatically held back on the footwear, being removably connected thereto.

Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine drive motor is turned on with an on switch. A large foot pedal engages the drive pulley on the motor and drives a V-belt. The V-belt drives a pulley and a timing pulley, which in turn drives a timing belt. The timing belt drives a clutch timing pulley, which freely rotates around a main drive shaft of the buttonhole sewing machine. When a small foot pedal is pressed downward, an air-activated over-the-center toggle connection moves a slide bar which moves a clutch switch spring. Parallel extension on the clutch switch spring move thrust washers and an interposed thrust bearing. The thrust washers compress a clutch disc assembly which engages the clutch timing pulley. A switch bushing is locked to the clutch disc assembly, and brake springs in a hand wheel assembly are locked to the switch bushing. The brake springs engage a hand wheel disc which is connected to a hand wheel and which is connected to an end of the main drive shaft for turning the drive shaft.

Abstract: A simple, portable and efficient water desalination device uses deep ocean water, solar energy and the dynamics of generated secondary vortices. The device includes a tower, a heat exchanger positioned inside the tower near the top of the tower, a cold water source, a cold water receiving tank, a condensate catchment grille, a freshwater collecting tank, a rotor extending upward between the side walls of the tower from a lower portion of the tower, a power source for driving the rotor, a warm salt water pan positioned in the bottom of the tower and a warm salt water source. The cold water source is cold deep ocean water that is siphoned to the top of the tower through rollable, transportable fabric pipes. The warm salt water source is solar heated ocean water. In the tower, a hurricane is simulated by a rotating column that induces a circulation of air which approximates that of a hurricane.

Abstract: A lysimeter has an elongated, relatively narrow sample pipe with flanges at upper and lower ends. A lysimeter assembly is connected to the lower end of the sample pipe by connecting an upper end of a central tube in the assembly to a lower end of the sample pipe. A circular lysimeter pan extends around the central tube. Vertical slits in the central tube provide a screen to permit water flow into the central tube from the pan but to prevent granular materials from the filter pack. Vertical webs in the pan rigidify the pan, and radial supporting webs and a ring beneath the pan support the pan. A relatively large diameter collection chamber has a spheroidal lower end and an upper end which receives the ring for centering the lysimeter pan at the upper end of the collection chamber. An outward and upward sloping flange at an upper end of the collection chamber with an elastic seal supports the lower conical wall of the lysimeter pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing harmful hydrocarbons, particularly plant protective aerosols and vapors, from the fresh air supplied to a vehicle cabin. The loaded fresh air is subjected to a partial condensation with subsequent phase separation. The fresh air is cooled below the dew point of the components to be removed in a type of cold trap. It has a device for collecting and draining the obtained condensate. A standard cooling plant may be installed for providing the cold necessary for partial condensation. If the vehicle is already equipped with an air conditioning system, then the cooling necessary for partial condensation is tapped directly from the air conditioner cycle. It is possible for the fresh air stream to be passed over the evaporator of the air conditioner. The cold air stream present following the removal of the condensate can be warmed in heat exchange with fresh air which is to be cooled prior to its further release into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A crab trap float has a hollow cylindrical center rope-receiving tube. A rope stop has a round cap and a tubular throat which fits down inside the float center tube. Circular ridge lips on the tubular throat hold it in the float. Rope grippers extend inward at the bottom of the tubular throat to tightly grip the rope as the tubular throat is pushed into the float. The inside of the smooth bore of the throat is grooved in a 4-leaf clover design for forming a gripper to hold the rope and to prevent the float from traveling along the rope. The rope is tied to the trap and is passed upward through the inside the float and through the tubular throat and its cap. Straightening the rope positions the float over the trap. A knot is tied on top of the cap. The top is jerked and the tubular throat of the gripper is forced down into the float, locking the rope in the gripper and the gripper in the float.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid comprises a moving partition member for heat transmission between the first fluid and the second fluid, a housing partitioned by the moving partition member into a first chamber for passing the first fluid and a second chamber for passing the second fluid, and a power source for rotating the moving partition member.