Abstract: An energy efficient system for reducing the water friction on the hull of a marine vessel. The contact of water with the portion of the outer surface of the hull of a marine vessel which normally engages the water is reduced by the strategic induction of pressurized or compressed air or gas to cover that outer surface. The compressed air is retained on the outer surface by various grooves, channels or semi-flat surfaces running the length of the vessels bottom and in certain applications vertical sides, which prevent the flow of the compressed gas to the surface of the water. The pressurized air or gas is recaptured before exiting the stern or sides and recycled to the bow through an energy efficient circulation system, thus recovering the energy in the compressed air or gas which has flowed from bow to stern. The larger and the deeper the hull displacement, the greater is the efficiency realized by the recycling of the compressed air or other gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and separately storing recyclable waste materials of various types and non-recyclable waste materials. Recyclable or non-recyclable waste material is deposited in the open top of a receiving chamber. Deflectors when in a first position form a part of the sidewalls of the receiving chamber such that non-recyclable waste material deposited in the open top of the receiving chamber falls through an open bottom of the chamber into a compactor. Either of the deflectors in a second position closes the open bottom of the receiving chamber and deflects recyclable waste deposited in the open top of the receiving chamber into a storage container associated with the deflector in the second position.

Abstract: An eye protection device is formed of an elongated strip of translucent material. The length of the elongated strip of translucent material is such that it will encircle the wearer's head, with strap-like portions overlapping at the back of a wearer's head and being secured to each other. The elongated strip of translucent material is formed with two enlarged eye protection portions spaced apart by a nose bridging portion, with strap-like portions extend from each of the enlarged eye protection portions. A cushioning material encircles the eye protection area and nose bridging portions, somewhat in the shape of a figure eight. Complementary securing means are applied adjacent the ends of the strap-like portions so as to engage each other at the back of a wearer's head to retain the eye protection device over a wearer's eyes. For the comfort of a user, cushioning pads are provided on the strap-like portions in the regions where the strap-like portions pass behind a users ears.

Abstract: A sensor system and method for measuring very low levels of a particular gas in an atmosphere which initially has high level of the gas. A pair of sensors of the particular gas are provided, one of which senses high levels of the particular gas and the other of which senses very low levels. The sensor which senses very low levels of the gas is not exposed to the atmosphere until the gas level has reached a low level, thereby enabling it to more quickly respond to further reduction in the gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining radiation absorbed dose using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in dental enamel. The invention is based on the determination that OSL can be induced in dental enamel and can be used for determining absorbed radiation dose, for example during unmonitored x-rays, or accidental exposures to ionizing radiation. In particular, it has been discovered that there is a dose dependent OSL in dental enamel. The present invention makes possible a non-invasive, sensitive, reliable and portable method and apparatus for in vivo human radiation dosimetry.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: A protective coating to reduce stress corrosion cracking of zirconium alloy sheathing in nuclear reactors. The coating is graphite based and includes ZrO.sub.2 and ethyl cellulose and acts as a sacrificial layer to immobilize fission products by formation of Zr.sub.x I.sub.y C type compounds which do not cause stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus (20) for rotary forming of a web workpiece (12) and having a rotatable first roll unit (32) and corresponding rotatable second roll unit (34), a first die support (46) carried by the first roll unit (32), having a leading edge (51) and a trailing edge (52) respective to rotation of the first roll unit (32), a second die support (46) carried by the second roll unit (34), having a leading edge (51) and a trailing edge (52) respective to rotation of the second roll unit (34), the first and second roll units (32, 34) receiving a web workpiece (12) in a forming plane between the first and second roll units (32, 34), and in which each die support (46) includes a first part (46a) carried by the respective roll unit and including the leading and trailing edge and a second part (46b) having a platen surface for mounting a die, the second part (46b) being mounted on the first part (46a) for reciprocal motion transverse to the leading and trailing edges (51, 52).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a one piece integral metallic beam (22) having flanges (24), and a web (26) joining said flanges, the beam having been hot rolled from a heated metal workpiece (20) to produce an integral one piece beam having flanges and a web extending therebetween, the flanges having a predetermined first thickness, and the web having a predetermined second thickness less than the first thickness, and in which the web is heated to a hot forming temperature, without substantially heating the flanges and, the web is than passed through at least one metal forming die set (16), which is repeatedly closed on the web to form the web without forming the flanges. The method may also include the piercing of openings (28) through the web, and the forming of lips (30) around the openings, and also, the forming of a secondary product (52) from the portion of the web discarded from the opening, and also hot forging the lips (30) around the openings.

Abstract: A method for compiling data and printing a submittal for fire pump system installations is disclosed. The program is designed for use on a computer with a laser printer. A master file having drawings and data relating to fire pump, driver, and control systems is stored on the computer. A user may select equipment based on desired characteristics and compose and print a submittal having data on the selected equipment as well as the related drawings. The program also allows a user to add drawings or modify the data in the master file.

Abstract: A two stage die set for sequentially blanking an opening in a work piece, and thereafter forming edges of the work piece around the opening and having a male die assembly, having a male blanking die, a male forming die spaced from the male blanking die, and a recess therebetween, a female die assembly having a generally hollow female die sleeve, the die sleeves being shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the shape of the male blanking die and to receive it in telescopic relation, a moveable support plate located around the female die sleeve the moveable plate being biassed so as to urge it into a first extended position, and the moveable plate yielding to the male forming die of the male die assembly, when the male and female dies are closed together, so that the male blanking die, in co-operation with the female die sleeve blanks out a portion of a work piece and forms an opening, and upon further relative movement between the male and female dies towards one another, the male forming die co-operates with

Abstract: A sheet metal structural member for use in the formation of a cast construction panel which member, in turn, comprises a sheet metal web defining a linear edge along one side, and a zig-zag edge along the other side, the zig-zag edge defining wider regions, and narrower regions between the wider regions, and the web extending in a generally triangular fashion from one narrower region through a wider region to the next narrower region, edge formations formed around the zig-zag edge portions of the web and, recesses formed in the wider portions of the web. The apex of each of the wider portions of the web, which may be secured to a construction material to form a panel.

Abstract: A buoy for use in loading or unloading of a flowable medium, especially oil, comprising an outer buoyancy member (2) arranged to be introduced and secured in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in a floating vessel, and a central member (3) which is rotatably mounted in the outer member and is intended for anchoring to the sea bed and arranged for passage of medium between a transfer line (57) which, in operation, is coupled to the lower end of the central member (3) and a tube system on the vessel. The central member (3) is provided with a lower extension body (8) having an outer peripheral portion (9) abutting on and essentially corresponding to the outer periphery of the adjacent end (10) of the outer buoyancy member (2), and having a lower portion (11) which is downwardly tapering from the outer peripheral portion (9).

Abstract: A waste disposal assembly for the simultaneous disposal of a plurality of fluid filtration devices, the assembly including a main disposal housing with a disposal storage area, a fluid storage area and, a processing area having an exterior access to allow loading of a plurality of fluid filtration devices into the processing area, a lid member to cover the processing area subsequent to the loading, a compactor face to compact the plurality of fluid filtration devices within the processing area thereby squeezing fluid from the fluid filtration devices and forming a compressed waste block which is thereafter separated so as to break up the compressed waste block within the processing area, and an interior access which is to be opened to receive the broken up compressed waste block therethrough for passage into the disposal storage area which is structured to contain a substantial quantity of the broken up compressed waste blocks until appropriate disposal is made.

Abstract: A castor braking mechanism for use on a castor having a wheel, the hub of which wheel is mounted on an axle between a pair of legs. The braking mechanism includes a cam member mounted between one side of the wheel hub and a leg, and a cam engaging member located on the outside of the same leg. The axle passes through hole in both members. Retaining members at each end of the axle are spaced apart, such that when the cam member and the cam engaging member are in a first position with respect to each other the wheel is free to rotate, and when the cam engaging member is rotated in either direction with respect to the cam member, they are forced apart from each other so as to apply an axial force between the retaining means to the hub of the wheel to impede or prevent rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: An orthopedic appliance which when attached to the distal ends of the extremities of a user, applies a dynamic corrective torque or force to the long bones of those extremities. A pair of torque applying members, each of which is attached to a distal end of one of the pair of long bones, are supported for rotation on an elongated spacing member, a pair of dynamic force applying members create a torque between each of the torque applying members and the elongated spacing member.