Abstract: A light socket is disclosed that has a built-in integrated circuit for rectifying the alternating current received from an electrical outlet and limiting the direct current produced. The light socket is specifically suited for low-current, low-voltage applications such as supplying DC to a string of ornamental lights. The integrated circuit has a diode with a modified cathode that acts as a fuse as it is rectifying the alternating current. The cathode is formed of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors. Excessive current blows out at least some of these conductors in the same way a conventional fuse blows. Various embodiments add other current-limiting elements, elements for producing full wave or near will wave rectification, and for opening the circuit when they detect extraneous currents.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising a reflector and an arc lamp designed for illuminating a wide area with an even light distribution. The reflector has a cap portion integrally joined to a visor portion. The cap portion is generally parabolic in shape except perhaps at its center. The visor flares outwardly at a low angle and is about three to six inches long, dropping approximately one-half inch so that it is no higher than the bottom of the arc tube of the lamp. The arc lamp is preferably a high intensity sodium or mercury vapor lamp with a vertical arc tube mounted so that about one-half inch of arc tube extends below the juncture of the visor and the cap.

Abstract: A foamable, ashless investment casting replica composition comprises a foaming compound and a polymer. The foaming compound contains an ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, at least one suspending agent, and may contain at least one carrier resin. During the molding of the replica, the foamed composition avoids shrinkage and thereby maintains its intended shape. In addition, thermal decomposition of the foaming compound yields only volatile gases and therefore leaves no ashes on the interior surface of the ceramic mold.

Abstract: A diffusive sampler comprises a housing with an opening and containing a sorbent, preferably having a barrier between the sorbent and the opening to prevent convection currents but still allowing the exchange of the analyte and the sorbate(s) by diffusion, and at least one sorbate carried by the sorbent. The sorbates will be desorbed when the sampler is exposed to the fluid to provide a check on the apparent duration of the exposure and a correction to the calculation of analyte concentration in the fluid that results from desorption and reverse diffusion. The barrier may be either a fluid-permeable matrix or a fluid gap with a thin, fluid-permeable membrane for blocking convection currents but otherwise admitting fluid and analyte.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for cleaning a vacuum drum used for transferring gummed labels. The apparatus operates by sealing the drum and backwashing a cleaning fluid through the vacuum ports to unplug the perimeter holes. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing closed on one end by a plate and, on the opposing end, by a detachable lid. A drum seat, the size of which corresponds to the size of the vacuum drum to be washed, is locked to the bottom of the housing. The drum seat has an inlet for receiving the cleaning fluid and means for dispensing the received fluid to the vacuum ports of the vacuum drum under pressure. Initially, the cleaning fluid is heated to dissolve the adhesive. Subsequently, a cooler liquid is flushed through the vacuum drum to cool it for handling.

Abstract: A vehicle for fighting fires in remote areas comprises an all terrain vehicle carrying a water-fillable tank, a water pump in fluid communication with the inside of the tank, an engine to operate the pump, and at least one hose for directing the pumped water, preferably foamed with a foaming agent at the fire.

Abstract: A device to secure a trunk lid in an open position is disclosed. The device comprises a telescoping shaft with two ends. These two ends secure the two portions of the latch system of an automobile. Most automobiles have a pair of jaws on one part of this latching system and a transverse rod on the other part of the latching system. When the trunk lid is closed normally, the jaws grip the rod to lock the trunk lid closed. In the present invention, one end of the device has a loop to secure within the jaws and the other end of the device has a notch and locking pin to straddle and secure itself to the rod. A metal extension on the notched end in electrical connection with the loop at the other end of the present device can be used to trick an electrically operated trunk lid into thinking the lid is fully closed when the present device is actually in place.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of decomposing municipal solid waste (MSW) within a landfill by converting the landfill to aerobic degradation in the following manner: (1) injecting air via the landfill leachate collection system (2) injecting air via vertical air injection wells installed within the waste mass; (3) applying leachate to the waste mass using a pressurized drip irrigation system; (4) allowing landfill gases to vent; and (5) adjusting air injection and recirculated leachate to achieve a 40% to 60% moisture level and a temperature between 120.degree. F. and 140.degree. F. in steady state.

Abstract: A middle ear fluid aspirator comprised of a syringe assembly that provides suction through the creation of negative pressure therein and a needle having an angled region that permits the operation of the aspirator while maintaining visual contact with the tympanic membrane and a needle safety assembly whereby the penetrating portion of the needle is not capable of damaging the ossicular structures of the ear.

Abstract: A reusable filter for use in a spray paint booth is advanced which includes a frame supporting a series of equally spaced horizontal vanes. Each vane is formed to have a shape which reduces clogging of the front face of the filter and forces the air stream to make successive directional changes to thereby effectively remove particulates from the air stream. Three sides of the frame are equipped with a bendable lip that provides a fluid tight seal between the wall and the frame. The fourth side of the frame is formed with access holes enabling paint particulates and liquid cleanser to be quickly removed from between the vanes. The filter is made of a polymeric material which is impervious to solids and can be cleaned by any cleaner normally used to remove paint from a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing shop cloths comprises a hot water storage tank, a washer that washes, rinses, centrifuges and dries, and an evaporator for evaporating effluent from the washer. The washer rotates about a horizontal axis when washing, rinsing, drying and centrifuging, but at different speeds depending on whether it is centrifuging or washing, rinsing or drying. In use, the washer is loaded and then the load is centrifuged to remove fluids present in the cloths. The effluent is discharged to the evaporator. Then the load is washed in hot water from the hot water storage tank and biodegradable degreasers and soaps. After draining the washer to the evaporator, the load is centrifuged. The washer undergoes a rinse cycle, draining the rinse water to the water heater through a filter for reuse, and finally a tumble dry cycle.

Abstract: A light socket is disclosed that has a built-in integrated circuit for rectifying the alternating current received from an electrical outlet and limiting the direct current produced. The light socket is specifically suited for low-current, low-voltage applications such as supplying DC to a string of ornamental lights. The integrated circuit has a diode with a modified cathode that acts as a fuse as it is rectifying the alternating current. The cathode is formed of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors. Excessive current blows out at least some of these conductors in the same way a conventional fuse blows. Various embodiments add other current-limiting elements, elements for producing full wave or near full wave rectification, and for opening the circuit when they detect extraneous currents.

Abstract: A grain mill is disclosed comprising a heat-dissipating, stainless steel housing that holds a pair of grinding stones, one of which rotates with a shaft turned by an electric motor. The shaft is journaled on self-aligning bearings. The bearings and the housing cooperate to keep heat buildup from the grinding operation low so as not to damage the grain, even at higher grinding speed. As an additional check on mill temperature, a thermometer is included to provide temperature information, and an ammeter is connected to the electrical motor to provide information about the electrical current being drawn when the motor rotates the shaft as an indication of the stress on the shaft. A small door near the exit spout permits a check of the uniformity and size of the ground product. Finally, magnets on the hopper attract metal particles and hold them so that they do not enter the space between the grind stones, where they could damage the stones and become part of the product.

Abstract: An improved magneto optical current transducer for measuring electrical current is taught that significantly reduces birefringence resulting from thermal transients and construction-induced stresses. The transducer includes a housing made of a material that readily transfers heat throughout itself. Inside the housing and surrounding the magneto optical material is a buffer made of a material that does not readily tranfer heat from the housing to the magneto optical material, but rather slows its transference to that material material. The buffer material has a thermal expansion coefficient that is preferably very close to that of the magneto optical material, so that when the magneto optical material responds to changes in its temperature by expanding or contracting, the buffer expands with it at very nearly the same rate to avoid stresses.

Abstract: A greeting card is formed to have a pocket for receiving a test kit therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the greeting card is a fiftieth birthday greeting card and the test kit is a fecal occult blood test kit. The pocket is formed to have a cutout portion for facilitating removal of the kit, and the text and graphics of the greeting card refer to and correspond to the type of kit contained in the pocket. In the example given, competent health authorities recommend use of fecal occult blood test kits annually beginning at age fifty.

Abstract: A device and method of wrapping an electric cable used for grounding a utility vehicle to minimize its electrical impedance to 60 Hz alternating current. Electrical cable is wrapped around an array of four spools that are arranged so as to form two parallel, closely-spaced planes with the axes of the spools defining the planes. The distance between the spools of each plane is larger than the distance between the planes so that the cable, when wound, forms long, parallel segments. By reversing the direction of the cable and keeping the segments parallel and close to each other, electrical currents induced in these segments cancel each other and keep the impedance in the wrapped cable minimal. Preferably the cable wrapping path begins between the two pairs of spools and continues counterclockwise outside both of the pairs of spools. The path then proceeds between the spool pairs and then clockwise outside of both pairs to the starting point.

Abstract: The present invention is a T-rail that is capable of supporting, in the preferred embodiment, a day and night optical sights, image intensifier and thermal imaging device (scope) and an infrared laser designator. The scope is supported on an upper rail while the designator is supported on an extension that extends perpendicularly away from the upper rail. The T-rail supports these two objects in alignment so that when the T-rail is removed from the weapon and subsequently replaced, the two objects remain in alignment. The T-rail is designed to be mounted to a standard Picatinny rail and comprises a jaw and flange along its bottom to facilitate this mounting. The jaw has a top surface and a bottom surface that matingly engage the top and bottom slope of one side of the Picatinny rail, while the flange has only an upper surface that rests along the top slope of the other side of the rail.

Abstract: A kit for the emergency shutoff of a fire hydrant after the hydrant stem has failed and a cap of the hydrant nozzle has been removed so that a jet of water is escaping from the hydrant. The kit comprises a two-part increaser and a shutoff valve. The two parts of the increaser are brought together from opposing sides of the water jet and fastened to the hydrant nozzle. The increaser has a flange that mates with the flange on the shutoff valve. The bottom of the flange of the valve is bolted to the top of the flange of the increaser until secure but not tight. Then the shutoff valve is dropped so that it rotates into position, momentarily intersecting the jet of water. Once in place, the shutoff valve is tightened and the water shut off by closing the valve.