Abstract: A vise adapter for clamping in a bench vise or the like is provided for holding threaded objects. The adapter has a pair of parallel rectangular blocks arranged to slide from a closed position to an open position. The opposing faces of the blocks each have mating threaded essentially semi-cylindrical channels thereacross forming threaded openings when the faces are contiguous. A threaded object is placed in a channel of matching diameter and thread pitch, the blocks closed, and clamped for performing operations on the object.

Abstract: A fin for a sailboard has a pair of high aspect ratio foils disposed in tandem in which the trailing edge of the forward foil is spaced apart from the leading edge of the aft foil. The fin permits high speed and rapid maneuvering without ventilation and stalling by reducing spanwise flow of water and loss of laminar flow at high angles of attack.

Abstract: A low profile glass skylight for a sloping roof has a unitary rectangular frame having an upstanding standing seam element along each longitudinal edge and head and sill flashings. Webs depending from the frame form an insert for a glass pane. A rectangular wood frame disposed in the insert maintains the glass pane in place. The skylight is installed in a sloping shingled roof with the sill flashing overlapping shingles and shingles overlapping the head flashing. Cleats attached to the roof sheathing engage the standing seam element and a plurality of step flashings adjacent the standing seams and interleaved with shingles. A weather cap is installed over the standing seams.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable shelter for a vehicle has a plurality of bows slidable along a pair of ground mounted tracks from an extended position to a retracted position. A flexible canvas or plastic covering is attached to the bows when extended and collapses in accordion fashion when retracted. A lazy tongs mechanism is attached to the interior faces of the bows and are loaded by tension springs. The bows are retracted by a cable and winch system, placing the springs under tension and locked by a ratchet lock. When the lock is released, the tension springs return the bows to the extended position.

Abstract: An interface circuit conditions TTL logic level signals to be compatible CMOS logic circuits. An inverter (14) is disposed on a CMOS logic circuit chip (10) for receiving TTL logic level signals. The switching voltage point of the inverter is controllable by a bias voltage. A bias generator (12) on the chip produces a bias voltage for the inverter which is compensated for supply voltage, temperature and process variations and which is utilized to stabilize the inverter switching point.

Abstract: An arcuate anti-erosion shield of stellite or the like has an inner surface with a film supported adhesive attached thereto and gasket strips formed from a fluoroelastomer along the edges thereof. The method of repair of an eroded shield is disclosed in which the eroded shield is removed, welding material dissolved by acid, and the blade sandblasted. The film is removed from the shield and the shield installed on the turbine blade. Pressure and heat is applied to the shield to thermoset the adhesive.

Abstract: A lighting system for a translucent plastic car top sign having three side panels forming a truncated triangular pyramid and a top is disclosed. A convex reflector surface depends from the top and has three electric lamps oriented to be aligned with the apexes of the triangular pyramid such that each panel is illuminated by overlapping of direct and reflected light from the lamps. A translucent diffuser dome may be disposed over the reflector and lamps.

Abstract: A bearingless flowmeter having a ring rotor disposed in a vortex chamber having a plurality of jets spaced circumferentially around the chamber has the ring rotor unbalanced thereby producing a single wobble mode of rotation.

Abstract: A pressure regulating system for a hemodialysis machine utilizes a deaeration pump and a regulator in a deaeration loop for minimizing pressure and flow transients in a heated water supply. The deaeration loop has the pump, a deaeration pressure regulator, a deaerator, and a back pressure regulator. The pump produces a negative pressure in heated water entering the deaeration pressure regulator to circulate the water in the deaeration loop and to enhance removal of air from the water. The back pressure regulator controls the loop water pressure to a value greater than the incoming water pressure and supplies water to the dialyzer system of the machine isolated from supply water pressure and flow variations.

Abstract: A stabilized platform having five degrees of freedom utilizes a platform supported on a base by a spherical bearing which permits movement about roll, pitch and yaw axes. A triaxis torquer has a non-magnetic stator depending from the platform, permanent magnet rotors disposed on the base which produce a magnetic field through the stator, and a set of electrical windings attached to the stator. Energizing the windings selectively produces torque in roll, pitch and yaw. A mirror gimbal and drive system on the platform provides movement in elevation of a mirror. A motor is provided for rotating the base in azimuth relative to its mounting in a vehicle or the like. A set of rate gyroscopes mounted on the platform and a set of resolvers provide rate of movement of the platform and gimbal, and position information to a servo system which controls the torquers and drive systems to stabilize the platform in roll, pitch and yaw, and to position the mirror in elevation and azimuth.

Abstract: A unitary vent guide for a metal vent frame in a metal window jamb is formed from a resilient and self-lubricating plastic such as nylon and includes a body portion which snaps into a slot in the vertical faces of the vent frame. An outer portion of the body is formed as a tension arm which contacts an inner vertical face of the jamb. A plurality of the guides is installed on each vertical vent frame face and maintains the vent frame centered.

Abstract: A flow rate measurement system and method suitable for monitoring filtrate flow in a hemodialysis apparatus, provides a pair of flow meters in series at the input of a dialyzer for producing electrical signals indicative of dialysate flow rate and a pair of flow meters in series at the output of the dialyzer for producing electrical signals indicative of dialysate plus filtrate flow rate. A computer receives the flow rate signals and is programmed to calibrate each flow meter during a calibration phase to correct for any variations in each pair to thereby produce corrective scale factors. During an operational phase of the apparatus, the program monitors the flow meters and provides an alarm if any changes between the readings of either of the pairs of flow meters occurs.

Abstract: A real time, on-line ion mesurement system for a solution has continuous monitoring of the physical conditions of the ion electrode and the reference electrode of the system. A dual chamber reference electrode is provided having an inner chamber and electrode for providing an ion measurement reference potential, and an outer chamber and electrode for producing a monitoring potential to detect poisoning of the reference electrode membrane. A first time varying low level signal is applied to the ion electrode and a second time varying low level signal orthogonal to and uncorrelated with the first signal is applied to a solution ground electrode disposed in the solution adjacent the reference electrode, the signals producing a composite common ground current. A pair of cross-correlators extracts the two time varying components from the common ground current for measuring the ion electrode and reference electrode impedances.

Abstract: A system for controlling the output flow rate of a second pump to proportionately track the output flow rate of a first pump in which the first pump produces an electrical signal at each successive stroke thereof. An electrical circuit produces an electrical control signal from the first pump stroke signal for controlling the flow rate of the second pump.

Abstract: A tool box is formed of two identical shallow halves hinged together to have an open position for use and a closed position for carrying. A set of supports permit the box to be temporarily attached to a wall, such as the rear cab wall of a pickup truck or the like, in the open position providing access to tools held in a plurality of tool holders attached to planar walls of the box halves. The supports include resilient portions for quick release of the box halves. Handles on the tool box permit carrying in the closed position.

Abstract: A dual frequency band microwave antenna feed for a parabolic reflector has a circular waveguide for a low frequency band and a smaller circular waveguide for a higher frequency band disposed in and concentric with the low band guide. A twisted conductive baffle is disposed in each guide to permit 90.degree. rotation of linearly cross-polarization signals and a pair of in-line ports is attached to each guide for output of such pairs of cross-polarization signals.

Abstract: A disposable vasectomy instrument is provided having a body portion and an insertable module. The body portion includes a jaw portion having a lower fixed jaw and an upper movable jaw into which the module is inserted. The module includes a cutting block having two spaced apart blades and a pair of ligature clips disposed on either side of the blades. The movable jaw is controlled by the operator to simultaneously move the blades forward and close the ligature clips. The physician isolates the vas deferense, engages it within the ligature clips and adjacent the blades. The movable jaw is operated, cutting out a segment of the vas deferens and closing the ligature clips on each severed end of the vas deferens. A separate module is provided for each vas deferens of the patient.

Abstract: A dual-band linear cross-polarized antenna waveguide comprising a coaxial pair of waveguides, with the higher frequency band waveguide contained completely within the TE.sub.01 mode null of the lower frequency band. The lower frequency waveguide completely surrounds and is concentric to the higher frequency waveguide.

Abstract: An elongated plant labeling tag has an opening adjacent a first end of encircling the stem of a plant. A notch in the first end has a slit projecting toward the opening leaving a thin web between the slit and the opening. A plurality of such tags are lightly attached along the longitudinal edges thereof and provided with sprocket holes along the lateral edges thereof to permit printing of the tags in a tractor feed printer; the web functioning to prevent lifting of portions of the tag from the printer platen which causes jamming of the tractor feed.

Abstract: An automated disinfection system for a hemodialysis machine having a proportioning pump includes a manifold block having a check valve for connection to a container of disinfection solution. The manifold block has an outlet connected to the suction line of the pump and an inlet connected to a warm water source via a solenoid valve. A timing and control circuit controls the solenoid valve to produce a water rinse cycle when the solenoid valve is open and a disinfection cycle when the solenoid valve is closed. The check valve closes when positive pressure is present in the manifold block during a rinse cycle and opens to admit solution to the pump when negative pressure is present in the manifold block during a disinfection cycle.