Abstract: A mud pump piston comprising an annular elastomeric ring having an annular circumferential surface defining an acute angle circumferential tip of relatively small area which engages the pump cylinder wall and an annular anti-extrusion ring connected to and displaceable with the elastomeric ring, the elastomeric ring being configurated to correspond with and rest against a dish shaped surface of the anti-extrusion ring presenting a bevelled or diagonal slope extending from the outside diameter (acute to the axis of the mud pump piston) spanning substantially more than half of the radial distance occupied by the annular elastomeric ring and the annular anti-extrusion ring, which diagonal surface merges with a flat surface normal to the axis of the mud pump piston whereby hydro-planing is reduced because of the increased unit pressure load on the small tip area, along a line contact, the tip is automatically wear compensating, friction is substantially reduced by reason of the smaller high pressure wipe area, lo

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of recovering silver from liquid solution containing silver, the apparatus comprising an ionic exchange chamber wherein a sludge containing silver is precipitated from the solution, the apparatus further comprising a device to measure the flow of solution through the chamber and to obtain a representative sample from the solution displaced therethrough. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the metering and sampling are accomplished in a single unit. It is preferred that the metering and sampling unit be situated to receive solution prior to its entry into the precipitation chamber, although the effluent solution leaving the chamber may be metered and sampled as well. The metering and sampling device illustrated comprises a tilting tray pivotally disposed in a metering chamber. Upon each oscillation of the tray, a known amount of solution is thus caused to be discharged from the compartments of the tray.

Abstract: A system for automatically withdrawing blood from a patient and testing various parameters of the blood, such as oxygen saturation, hemoglobin, gas content (PO.sub.2, PCO.sub.2) and pH, includes a withdrawal unit which automatically withdraws a measured volume of blood, and returns all of it to the patient except a small measured quantity which is provided to an analysis unit that measures the gas content and pH. The withdrawal unit includes provision for continuously monitoring patients' blood pressure, irrigation from a standard I.V. source between blood withdrawals, or a constant low flush of saline, alternatively, as well as detection of any air in the blood, which results in shutting down the system and activating an air alarm. The withdrawal unit also has provision for automatically withdrawing a small sample of blood, measuring oxygen content, and returning all blood to the patient, all on a programmed basis.

Abstract: The improvement of pressurized water nuclear reactor vessels comprising flow dividers providing separate and distinct passages for the flow of core coolant water from each coolant water inlet, the flow dividers being vertically disposed in the annular flow areas provided by the walls of the vessel, the thermal shield (if present), and the core barrel. In the event of rupture of one of the coolant water inlet lines, water, especially emergency core coolant water, in the intact lines is thus prevented from by-passing the core by circumferential flow around the outermost surface of the core barrel and is instead directed so as to flow vertically downward through the annulus area between the vessel wall and the core barrel in a more normal manner to increase the probability of cooling of the core by the available cooling water in the lower plenum, thus preventing or delaying thermal damage to the core, and providing time for other appropriate remedial or damage preventing action by the operator.

Abstract: An incinerator system and method wherein pieces of solid waste, such as fragments of wood, are conveyed in such a fashion as to become disposed within a fluidized bed of an incinerator vessel. Preferably the solid waste particles are caused to be somewhat homogeneously dispersed within the fluidized bed. The solid waste particles may be "pre-dried" or moisture may be added to the particles prior to deposition in the fluidized bed for optimum results, depending upon circumstances. In one embodiment, the fluidized bed is situated above an air delivery chamber at the bottom of the vessel and supports combustion of the solid waste particles in the fine granular material comprising the fluidized bed. The fine granular material is supported by a perforated plate. The air delivery system channels high temperature air into and up through the fluidized bed until operating temperature is reached and so channels ambient air thereafter.

Abstract: A novel mechanical power unit for use in stool and the like construction having features allowing its easy application to great variety of additional uses. The power unit has a ram which is displaced within a cylinder under the influence of hydraulic fluid driven by compressed air. The fluid and compressed air are carried in a reservoir generally surrounding the cylinder, formed by the outer wall of the cylinder and the inner wall of a generally concentric shell welded permanently at its ends to the cylinder. A manually operable, normally closed valve is provided in the base of the cylinder to control transfer of fluid between the interior of the cylinder and the reservoir to operate the power unit, causing the ram to extend or retract with respect to the cylinder, and holding the ram in any amount of extension when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A disposable assembly and associated method for placing a catheter tube or plastic cannula into the body of a patient, the assembly being initially disposed in a sterile package and comprising a straight or curved hollow cannulated needle sharpened at one end and a connector in the form of a hub at the trailing end thereof, the connector being joined to an elongated semi-rigid sheath having a longitudinal slit along one location. The flexible cannula, having a coiled wire reinforcing the trailing end thereof is initially disposed within the semi-rigid sheath with the leading end thereof resting within the hollow of the needle and the reinforced trailing end within the sheath. A stylet telescopically rests within the entire length of the plastic cannula with the exception of the leading tip thereof and is of such dimension as to stiffen the concentrically disposed plastic cannula.

Abstract: A disposable assembly and associated method for placing a catheter tube or plastic cannula into the body of a patient, the assembly being initially disposed in a sterile package and comprising a hollow cannulated needle sharpened at one end and comprising a connector in the form of a hub at the trailing end thereof, the connector being joined to an elongated semi-rigid sheath having a longitudinal slit along one location. The flexible cannula of radiopaque silicone rubber, is initially disposed within the semi-rigid sheath with the leading end thereof resting within the hollow of the needle. A stylet telescopically rests within the entire length of the plastic cannula with the exception of the leading tip thereof and is of such dimension as to stiffen the concentrically disposed plastic cannula.

Abstract: An incinerator system and method wherein pieces of solid waste, such as fragments of wood, are conveyed in such a fashion as to become disposed within a fluidized bed of an incinerator vessel. Preferably the solid waste particles are caused to be somewhat homogeneously dispersed within the fluidized bed. The solid waste particles may be "pre-dried" or moisture may be added to the particles prior to deposition in the fluidized bed for optimum results, depending upon circumstances. In one embodiment, the fluidized bed is situated above an air delivery chamber at the bottom of the vessel and supports combustion of the solid waste particles in the fine granular material comprising the fluidized bed. The fine granular material is supported by a perforated plate. The air delivery system channels high temperature air into and up through the fluidized bed until operating temperature is reached and so channels ambient air thereafter.

Abstract: A portable guardrail straightener for field use whereby damaged guardrails along highways may be straightened without the necessity of removing and retrieving the guardrails to a shop site for repair, the portable guardrail straightener for field use comprising a mechanism to be mounted on a vehicle whereby the mechanism is transported from one field location to another, the mechanism further comprising a guardrail straightening jig comprising two matching dies the configuration of which conforms to the cross section of an undamaged guardrail, one die being mounted to a reciprocable carriage driven by a two-way cylinder between open and closed positions and the other die being mounted to a fixed frame such that once the dies are located horizontally juxtaposed a damaged section of guardrail and closed, the damaged guardrail will be cold deformed into substantially its initial longitudinal and cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing paper fire logs, the apparatus comprising a solution-containing reservoir above which is mounted a removable slotted, slit or split shaft through which the end of newspaper, magazine or the like is placed (and the shaft rotated either by a motor or manually) causing the paper to be rolled or wound upon the slotted shaft as it is passed through the solution in the reservoir, the paper being fed to the shaft along a tilting platform which is supported upon a knife edge for rotational purposes, one edge of the platform being bias against the roll of paper upon the slotted shaft but accommodating opposite rotation as the diameter of the paper upon the shaft increases. The wet paper fire log is removed from the apparatus by separating the slotted shaft from the remainder of the apparatus, squeezing the paper fire log and allowing it to dry.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a generally cylindrical stator member having two pairs of sockets located in the periphery thereof, and a rotor member mounted to rotate about the stator member. Two pairs of opposing wedges are pivotally mounted at their vertices on the periphery of the stator member to pivot in and out of respective ones of the sockets as the rotor member is caused to rotate about the stator member. The rotor member has side walls and an interior peripheral wall which, in cooperation with the periphery of the stator member and the two pairs of pivotal wedges, define a combustion cavity and a compression cavity there between. The combustion cavity and compression cavity are disposed on opposite sides of the stator member adjacent the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An interference compression seal comprising a delta-shaped seal of relatively soft elastomeric material adapted to be placed in a groove between relatively moving machine parts with the apex of the delta directed radially outwardly creating a line seal and a pair of somewhat triangularly shaped anti-extrusion rings of rigid synthetic resinous material respectively engaging one of the sloped or bevelled surfaces (diagonal sides) of the delta-shaped seal.

Abstract: A stool for medical and other purposes, the stool comprising a base with or without casters, a seat, vertical support frame or structure between the base and the underside of the seat, which may contain structure for varying the effective height thereof, body rest structure eccentrically disposed above and adjacent part of the periphery of the seat with support frame spanning and transferring load between the body rest structure and the underside of the seat and/or the vertical support structure between the underside of the seat and the base, which last-mentioned support frame may comprise structure for vertically altering the location of the body rest structure.

Abstract: An electronic control center comprising part of an intrusion (burglar) alarm system, the control center being hermetically encapsulated in a mass of hard plastic (in lieu of the conventional steel cabinet enclosure) for purposes of economy and, significantly, to protect the control center from tampering and attack by an intruder. The control center is very small and presents a single multi-conductor cable directed way from the control center to the remainder of the alarm system including the sensors. The multi-conductor cable leading to the control unit includes a positive supply conductor, a negative supply conductor, four input conductors, one output conductor and one output monitor conductor for monitoring the continuity, during the day time, of the foil on the windows and the trap wiring (lacing) across skylights, air conditioning ducts etc. If any of the input conductors, the output conductors or the positive supply conductor is cut, while the system is activated, an alarm will occur.

Abstract: A skirt for mobile homes and the like, the skirt comprising substantially rigid sheet material, preferably cold rolled or cold bent sheet aluminum and comprises a top panel consisting of three separate sheets held together by a bridge across the top which top bridge is anchored by fasteners to each of the top sheets. The skirt also comprises a bottom panel consisting of at least three separate bottom sheets anchored together by a bottom bridge using fasteners. The top and bottom panels taken as a whole comprise three U-shaped telescopically related top to bottom segments which are vertically slidably interlocked one segment with the next so that the top panel and the bottom panel may be relatively telescopically displaced thereby changing the overall vertical effective length (height) of the skirt. By anchoring the skirt in depending relation at the periphery adjacent the floor of a mobile home, the skirt is caused to span the distance between the bottom of the mobile home and the ground.

Abstract: Automated method of retrieving and replacing tote pans wherein the handle of the pan is engaged by a retractor comprising a computer controlled warehousing stacker system. A given tote pan is retrieved from storage onto an elevated platform of the stacker and displaced by the stacker to a picking station. The tote pan is automatically removed from the elevated platform of the stacker to a selected location at the picking station where some or all of the contents of the tote pan are removed. The methods provide for removing from any predetermined storage bin location on either side of a storage aisle any such tote pan, removal to a selected site at the picking station and replacement of the tote pan at the same or at another storage bin location.

Abstract: A vacuum unit for removal of hair as it is cut by barbers and beauticians, the vacuum unit being adapted to function in combination with a barber's or beautician's chair and comprises a source of vacuum power mounted to the base of the chair capable of being operated at the election of the operator, a flexible suction hose connected to the vacuum at one end and to a bracket mounted vacuum tube at the other end. A suction nozzle is pivotally mounted upon the vacuum tube and the vacuum tube and nozzle may be jointly translated along a track to any position immediately below the back side of the hair line of the person whose hair is being cut. Thus, the suction nozzle by swivel action in respect to the vacuum tube and by translation with the vacuum tube along the back of the patient to any location along the back between the ears of the customer accommodates during operation immediate pick up and disposition of cut hair in an economical, sanitary and highly efficient manner.

Abstract: Comprising a base, an upright support framework held erect by the base and designed to have a length essentially the length of the interior of the animal to be baked, a transverse frame for spreading and holding the interior of the animal in an opened condition and holding structure upon which seasoning, such as green peppers, onion, garlic and the like may be mounted at the interior of the animal.