Abstract: A gas flow sensor system, using hot wire flow and temperature sensors, compensates and corrects for various factors, such as water vapor content and gas composition in the measured gas, gas temperature, physical differences in the sensors, ambient atmospheric pressure, and nonlinearities in the system. Physical differences in the sensors are corrected by adjusting the magnitude of the constant current flowing to the temperature sensor. Water vapor content and gas temperature corrections are made by modifying a flow temperature signal based on the resistance of the temperature sensor to form a flow reference signal indicative of a desired resistance difference between the resistances of the temperature and flow sensors, which resistance difference varies with the flow temperature signal. The flow reference signal is compared to a flow resistance signal (indicative of the resistance of the flow sensor) and the resulting flow correction signal is used to control the current flow to the flow sensor.

Abstract: A sigmoid heart valve annuloplasty prosthetic ring is disclosed which has a biocompatible stent molded into a scalloped shape, having three sinusoidal struts, to adapt to the anatomical shape of the annulus of the human sigmoid valves. The prosthetic ring is covered with biocompatible cloth. The prosthetic ring can be incorporated into the extremity of a biocompatible tubular cloth which serves as a vascular prosthesis in order to permit the total replacement of the ascending aorta or pulmonary artery without replacing the sigmoid valve.

Abstract: A shut off valve, of the type having a normally open main valve that closes in response to a shear force of greater than a predetermined magnitude, and a normally closed secondary valve that opens in response to a predetermined fluid pressure, wherein the main valve is contained in a first sub-housing and the secondary valve is contained in a separate second sub-housing, downstream from the first sub-housing. A hollow, tubular shear fitting, having an annular shear groove, has an upstream end removably coupled to the downstream end of the first sub-housing, and a downstream end removably coupled to the upstream end of the second sub-housing, where by the first sub-housing, the shear fitting, and the second sub-housing are axially aligned so that they define a continuous internal flow passage from the upstream end of the first sub-housing to the downstream end of the second sub-housing.

Abstract: A garment in the general form of an improved athletic supporter includes a genital pouch depending from and attached to a waist band. The pouch comprises a front panel and a rear panel, joined at the bottom to form an open-top pocket. The respective top portions of the front and rear panels are provided with releasable fastening means, preferably hook-and-loop fasteners, so that the pocket can be selectively closed and reopened. A packet containing a chilling medium, such as ice, and conforming to the pocket, is inserted into the pocket. When the garment is worn with the chilling medium packet installed in the pocket, the chilling medium is held in close proximity to a surgical site or a site of mild trauma in the scrotal or inguinal area, thereby affording a degree of relief from pain and inflammation. The pouch offers genital support and limits the movement of the genitals, thereby reducing strain that can exacerbate the pain and inflammation and inhibit healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective coating composition for electrical or electronic circuits containing a curable polyvinyl acetal polymer and a non-ionic corrosion inhibitor such as an azole. The invention also relates to a method of protectively coating electrical or electronic circuits.

Abstract: A shear fitting for coupling a downstream vertical conduit to an upstream vertical conduit in, for example, an underground suction-type fuel delivery system, includes a hollow body defining a fluid flow passage between an inlet in an upstream body portion and an outlet in a downstream body portion. The upstream body portion is configured to be removably coupled to the upstream conduit, and the downstream body portion is configured to be removably coupled to the downstream conduit. The body has a peripheral shear groove defining a frangible annular wall portion that fractures in response to a shear force of more than a predetermined magnitude. A test port extends from the flow passage to the exterior of the body, the port being sealed by a removable closure. Removal of the closure results in a loss of prime in a suction-type fuel delivery system only if there is no check valve in the conduit upstream from the shear fitting, thereby allowing verification of the absence of such a check valve.

Abstract: An axially slidable pipe boot provides a substantially gas-tight seal between a gas vent pipe and a flexible barrier sheet surrounding the pipe. In a first preferred embodiment, the slidable pipe boot comprises a tubular sealing member having an internal O-ring seal. The tubular member is dimensioned to fit around the exterior of the pipe with a compression fit of the O-ring providing a sealing engagement with the pipe. An annular flange on the lower end of the tubular member is sealingly attached to the barrier sheet. In a second preferred embodiment, upper and lower tubular sealing members are axially joined together by a hollow tubular sleeve that fits around the pipe. Each of the tubular members has an internal O-ring seal that engages the exterior of the pipe with a substantially gas-tight compression fit. The lower tubular member has an annular flange that is sealingly attached to the flexible sheet.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a rotating annular cylinder containing a plurality of mutually oscillating pairs of pistons, one of each pair being rigidly fixed to a first axially-oscillating tube, the other of each pair being fixed to a second such tube concentric with the first. Each of the tubes is connected, by a "Scotch yoke", to a crank throw on a crank shaft. Each Scotch yoke includes an arm fixed at one end to its associated tube for oscillation therewith. The arm includes an elliptical slot that carries an annular ball bearing race for movement therein, one crank throw being journaled within each race. The cylinder is rotated by the crankshaft through a gear train in a fixed ratio to the rotation rate of the shaft. The pistons, having conical end faces, impart a rotational motion to the crankshaft during the power stroke of the cycle, the rotation of the crankshaft, in turn, imparting an oscillation to the piston pairs to actuate them in accordance with the strokes of the engine cycle.

Abstract: A system for trimming, steering and braking a watercraft includes a retractable plate or flap disposed on each lateral side of the hull of the watercraft. Each flap is extendible into the water, rearwardly in a continuously adjustable manner, and independently of the extension of the other flap. When the flap is fully extended then its angular position relative to the hull is also continuously adjustable independently of the angular positioning of the other flap. The flaps in their fully declined position act as powerful brakes for the watercraft. Differential extension of the flaps or differential adjustment of their relative angular positions on the two sides of the watercraft results in trimming and steering of the watercraft.

Abstract: A magneto rotor includes a bowl-like aluminum body with an open end defined by an annular rim having an inner peripheral surface. A plurality of arcuate pockets are machined into the peripheral rim surface, each of the pockets extending between first and second radiused ends, the radius of curvature of the pockets being approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the rim. A light weight, high field-strength magnet, formed as an arcuate plate of a neodymium-iron alloy, is adhesively fixed in each of the pockets. Each of the magnets substantially conforms to the pocket in which it is seated, and extends between first and second radiused ends. The engagement between the radiused pocket ends and the radiused magnet ends restrains the magnets from dropping radially inwardly from the pockets should the adhesive fail. The magnets are restrained from moving axially out of the pockets by a retaining ring that covers the open tops of the pockets.

Abstract: A resorbable stent, particularly adapted for implantation in the penile urethra, comprises a helical coil formed from a filament of a biocompatible, biodegradable material that is resiliently deformable. The stent is compressible from a first diameter to a smaller second diameter, and restores itself substantially to its first diameter by its own resiliency when the compressing force is removed. Polymers of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid are preferred materials. A device for inserting the stent has a first embodiment that includes a retractable sheath surrounding a rotatable rod journaled in a stationary bushing. The stent is mounted on the rod and the bushing so that relative rotation of the rod and bushing compresses the stent by coiling it more tightly. The sheath is inserted into the urethra with the stent compressed inside of it, and the retracted. The rod and bushing are then relatively rotated so as to uncoil the stent, which is restored to its first diameter.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling units of furniture adapted for supporting the human body, and for car seats, steering wheels and arm rests, includes two main components. A closed loop air conditioning subsystem has a first motor which drives a compressor in which a refrigerant fluid is compressed. The compressed fluid is passed into a condenser where the compressed fluid is cooled by dissipating its heat into the environment, and from where the compressed fluid is released through an expansion valve into an evaporator. The evaporator becomes cool due to expansion of the refrigerant fluid into a gas and consequent absorption of heat from the evaporator's body and immediate environment. The refrigerant gas is returned from the evaporator into the compressor.

Abstract: A miniature incandescent lamp assembly has an elongated substantially cylindrical glass envelope having a first end and a second end. A substantially cylindrical first metal end member seals the first end of the glass envelope with a seal of substantially cylindrical configuration where the glass of the envelope is in glass-to-metal contact with the first metal end member. A substantially cylindrical second metal end member seals the second end of the glass envelope with another seal of substantially cylindrical configuration. In this seal also, the glass of the envelope is in glass-to-metal contact with the second metal end member. An incandescent filament is disposed between the first and second metal end members within the interior of the glass envelope in electrical contact with the first and second metal end members. Each of the first and second metal end members has a metal cap attached to the outside of the glass envelope, with the metal caps being larger in diameter than the glass envelope.

Abstract: A foldable lap tray is formed from a unitary blank of semi-rigid sheet material, such as corrugated cardboard. The blank is cut and scored so that it can be bent along the score lines into a configuration having a top portion, side portions extending downwardly from each of two opposed sides of the top portion, and a pair of bottom portions, each extending from one of the side portions toward the other side portion. When the top portion is located on the lap of a seated person, the bottom portions can be extended underneath the thighs of the seated person to lend stability to the tray. The bottom portions terminate in clasping elements for removably interlocking the bottom portions together. The side portions are each divided by a lateral score line into upper and lower side portions that can be bent relative to each other to vary the separation between the top portion and the bottom portions.

Abstract: A ventilator control system is responsive to a flow rate signal from a flow rate sensor that senses the flow rate of gas to a ventilated patient. The ventilator control system provides an episode signal to a ventilator to actuate the ventilator to provide an assisted breath. The ventilator control system has an interactive control panel for providing an operator selectable duration signal scaled to define a selected time interval between breaths. An operator also selects a flow rate threshold signal scale to define the flow rate that must be exceeded to qualify a breath from a patient as a valid breath. Episode signal circuitry responds to the flow rate signal, the flow-rate threshold signal, and the duration signal to generate an episode signal in response to the flow rate signal failing to exceed the flow rate threshold signal within the selected time interval.

Abstract: A personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, is equipped with a hull, an engine and propulsion and a ride plate assembly attached to the bottom section of the hull. The ride plate assembly includes a fixed plate and a lower plate or flap hingedly mounted to the fixed plate to occupy continuously adjustable varying angular positions relative to the fixed plate. A manually operated control mechanism, controlled by an operator, adjusts the angular positioning of the flap within a predetermined range. It is an important characteristic of the continuously adjustable flap that within the range in which its angular positioning relative to the fixed plate and to the water can be changed, an initial and moderate change in angular positioning results in more hydrodynamic lift to act on the watercraft, and therefore in increased speed of the watercraft. However, beyond a certain value, further deflection of the flap results in significant braking action.

Abstract: A spray can actuation device includes a body that is removably attachable to the top of a spray can. The body includes a handle and a valve actuation lever, operated by a trigger, that engages the push-button valve on the can when the trigger is pressed. A locking plate is pivotally attached to the forward portion of the body for movement between an unlocked position, in which the actuation lever is allowed to engage the valve, and a locked position, in which the lever is locked out of engagement with the valve. The forward portion of the body includes a rim that is engageable with the channel that typically surrounds the valve on such spray cans. The rim is formed by a pair of rim halves, each with a thin-walled flexure point, and joined at the front by an interlocking connection, preferably a pin-and-socket joint.