Abstract: A ground heating system is provided comprising an internal combustion engine which has a shaft output and an exhaust gas stream. An electric alternator/generator is driven by the shaft output of the engine. A working fluid is provided for transferring heat to the ground. A heat exchanger receives the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and transfers waste heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. An electric heating element is provided for converting some of the electric output of the generator into heat and transferring this heat to the working fluid. A pump circulates the working fluid through a ground-engaging heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of potable water having a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel which houses an ultraviolet light. The pressure vessel is in fluid communication with a filter stage which filters the water before treatment by the ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet lamp assembly sealed within a light permeable sleeve and having a single end cap provided with electrical terminals at one end only is disposed in watertight fashion within the pressure vessel. Downstream from an inlet to the pressure vessel is a deflector/baffle assembly provided to regulate the flow pattern and flow rate of the water within the pressure vessel thereby providing a uniform flow rate to achieve optimum kill rates of bacteria and other living organisms by exposure to the ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp assembly is secured within the pressure vessel by a threaded closure nut which is easily secured or removed by hand.

Abstract: A metabolic rate analyzer is provided comprising a CO.sub.2 detector, an O.sub.2 detector, a flow resistance, a differential pressure transducer, a solenoid-actuated metering valve for producing a volumetrically-proportional sample of respired gas, a vacuum regulator for receiving the sample, a pump for drawing the sample from the vacuum regulator, and a processor for periodically sampling the differential pressure signal to provide a flow signal, to modulate power applied to the solenoid-actuated flow proportioning valve, and to provide a measure of the total volume of respired gas. The processor correlates the total volume of respired gas, O.sub.2 content and CO.sub.2 content to provide a measure of metabolic rate. Flow is recycled between the pump and the regulator valve to provide a source of mixed respired gas for analysis and digital integration of the flow signal provides a measure of the total volume of respired gas.

Abstract: A male/female quick-connect system is provided which is adapted to sealingly couple to the opening of a container of liquid product. The female component of the system is adapted to couple to any standard 3/4" plumbing fitment and/or 1/4" ID standpipe and is self-venting so that any stock container can be used without modification. The male component which sealingly couples to the female component is provided with a barbed tip adapted to receive a variety of feed line sizes. A one-way elastomeric valve is disposed in the male member which only allows product to flow therethrough when the male component is coupled to a source of vacuum thereby preventing product from flowing back into the container.

Abstract: A measuring scoop with molded reusable fit clip is disclosed. The measuring scoop includes a bowl with a scraping lip or shoulder used for more effectively lifting product into the bowl, an elongated handle which is integrally mounted on said bowl and a reusable fit clip on the free end of the handle, which clip is used for sealing closed a bag of product. The design of the handle as well as the design of the reusable fit clip extends the life of the molded friction fit clip by improving the clipping force as well as the clip's resistance to deformation from applied stress.

Abstract: A method of evaluating follicular biopsy specimens (skin samples) in order to count the number of comedones (25) present in the specimen involving the steps of applying an adhesive, in vivo, to a subject's skin; applying a microscopic slide to the adhesive covered skin; allowing the adhesive to set adhering to the slide; removing the slide with the adhesive and the skin attached thereto, thus yielding a follicular biopsy specimen; examining the specimen under a stereoscopic microscope under cross-polarized light then evaluating the specimen using image analysis hardware and software to determine the number of sebaceous plugs or comedones existing in the specimen.

Abstract: A final filter is provided for cleaning the cooling air drawn into the motor driven pump of a vacuum cleaner featuring a centrifugal separator. The final filter comprises a large area foam block filter and a sheet filter element received in a filter tray which is slideably received in a filter plenum disposed between the centrifugal separator and the motor/pump combination of the vacuum cleaner. The filter tray is supported horizontally within the filter plenum to define an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold having optimum flow characteristics and a detent is provided for snap locking the slideable filter tray within the filter plenum.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and a method for studying skin surface areas with simplified magnifying devices by making a replication of the skin surface area while minimizing irritation to the subject's skin, cracking of the replicas, surface artifacts, and air bubbles in the replicas. The method entails preparing a negative skin surface replica composition by mixing a silicone polysiloxane base and a biocompatible surface tension modifying agent. The mixture is placed in a vacuum desiccator to remove air bubbles and thereafter a curing agent is added to the mixture. An adhesive collar is placed on the subject's skin, which collar surrounds the surface area to be replicated, and thereafter the composition is applied to the skin surface area and the adhesive collar and allowed to dry. The negative skin surface casting is removed from the skin area and is then placed skin side up in a mold cup.

Abstract: A pressure vessel of the type used in domestic water purifying systems for the filtering of potable water, wherein an uncompromised, spherically ended cylindrical pressure vessel housing is provided which is manufactured of a very strong high quality resin and comprises two detachable major sections sealed with an O-ring and secured together through provision of a threaded annular collar; quick connect type plumbing fitments are provided at an inlet port and an outlet port of the pressure vessel housing requiring no tools to facilitate the removal and attachment thereof; a decorative plastic shell manufactured of less expensive resin is provided to encase the pressure vessel to provide structural stability and which can be fabricated to also provide aesthetic flexibility with regard to shape and color and may also provide a compartment for incorporating an electric flow meter.

Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for charging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided for determining CO.sub.

Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for chrging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided fo determining CO.sub.