Abstract: A heat exchange system for personal use to provide beneficial cooling or warming effects, depending on the operating mode of the system. Included is a supply of replaceable thermal cartridges, each of which is insertable in a fabric holder having wicking properties, the loaded holder or thermal assembly being adapted to engage and conform to a skin area on the individual that is subject to sweating, such as the brow or neck. Each cartridge is constituted by a sealed flexible envelope formed of plastic film, preferably having a metallic layer thereon acting to reflect radiant energy. The envelope encloses a gel or liquid having a high heat capacity whereby when the supply of cartridges is pre-heated or refrigerated, each cartridge is thereby activated. When an activated cartridge is placed in the holder to engage the skin of an individual, it then functions either as a heat sink or heat source with respect thereto.

Abstract: A process for converting wood stock or other cellulosic material into activated charcoal, use being made for this purpose of liquid anhydrous hydrogen chloride which converts the stock into a charcoal-like substance or charwood which is thereafter heated in a controlled atmosphere for a sufficient period to produce an activated charcoal.

Abstract: A modular structure formed of components which when assembled define the basic chassis of a motor vehicle, to which chassis is attachable a body in a selected configuration to create an automobile of any desired style. The structure consists of identical front and rear cradles joined to opposing ends of a floor tray, on which seating is mounted. Wheel suspension fixtures are bolted to the cradles to support the wheels of the vehicle. Bumpers are attached to the ends of the cradles, the engine being mounted on either cradle. Overlying the floor tray and secured thereto is a safety capsule having door openings, the capsule acting as a truss for the chassis and functioning as the cockpit section of a body which is completed by a front body section secured to the front cradle and a rear body section secured to the rear cradle.

Abstract: A compact electromagnetic flowmeter unit interposable between the flanged ends of upstream and downstream line pipes for metering fluid passing through the line, the unit being subject to compression by the flanged pipe ends to effect a fluid seal. The flowmeter is constituted by a non-magnetic metal spool of high strength whose inner surface is protectively covered by an insulating liner to provide a flow conduit for the fluid. Surrounding the spool and concentric therewith is a cylindrical housing fabricated of ferromagnetic material, the housing being formed by complementary half-pieces which include end plates that join the corresponding ends of the spool to define an annular inner chamber. Mounted adjacent the inner surface of the half-pieces at diametrically-opposed positions along a coil axis normal to the longitudinal flow axis are relatively thin coils which are shaped to conform to this surface to define electromagnets.

Abstract: An aromatic liquid dispenser assembly in which a spray can having a depressible actuating pin projecting from the upper end thereof is held by a fixture in an upright position against a wall, the fixture and the can being disposed within and concealed by a cover plate pivoted on the fixture and having a rocker formation. The plate is operatively linked to the pin, whereby when it is rocked, it acts to depress the pin to produce an aromatic liquid spray that is discharged through openings in the cover plate. The wall-mounted assembly simulates the appearance of a conventional light switch and is operated in a similar manner, thereby disguising the nature and purpose of the dispenser and making operation there possible at any time without social embarrassment.

Abstract: A modified halocarbon oil composition suitable for use as a lubricant or hydraulic fluid in those applications in which conventional hydrocarbon oils constitute a fire hazard or a contaminant because of their reactive properties. The composition is formed by a chemically inert halocarbon oil having intermingled therewith an oil soluble organic molybdenum compound in an amount sufficient to afford to the composition exceptional low friction characteristics.

Abstract: A miniature racing vehicle and wrist-borne launching platform assembly in which the platform includes a retractable ramp extending from the front end thereof. Affixed to the platform is an open-fronted transparent cover to define a hangar for the spring-powered vehicle, the hangar having a side slot to admit the stem of a wind-up knob projecting laterally from the vehicle whereby the knob is outside of the hangar and accessible to the player. The sides of the vehicle are frictionally engaged by holding elements on the corresponding sides of the hangar. A push-button actuator mounted on the rear of the hangar has a pusher which abuts the rear of the vehicle, whereby when the button is pressed, it acts to advance and free the wound-up vehicle from the holding elements to cause the charged vehicle to take off.

Abstract: An acoustic projection system in which a reproducer array disposed in a listening chamber and operating in conjunction with a signal processor coupled to right and left channels carrying stereophonic signals, acts to project sound into the chamber in a manner substantially recreating the three-dimensional ambience of an original sound source composed of a central zone flanked by left and right zones. The processor extracts from the two channels a first power output derived from the sum of the right and left channel signals, a second power output derived from the difference between the left and right channel signals, and a third power output derived from the difference between the right and left channel signals.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter system in which the flow rate signal yielded by the flowmeter primary is applied as an input to a secondary which acts to measure the ratio of the input signal to a reference voltage proportional to the magnetic flux established in the primary, the reference voltage reflecting variations in this flux. Ratio measurement is effected in the secondary by means of a feedback loop in which the reference voltage is pulse-modulated by pulses having a constant width and a frequency which varies in accordance with the flow rate, the pulses having a duty cycle sufficient to cancel the input signal at the input of a summing amplifier. When the variable frequency pulse output from the secondary accurately represents the flow rate, the pulse-modulated reference voltage will then be equal in magnitude and opposite in phase to the input signal.

Abstract: An electronic totalizer having a non-destructive readout indicative of the time-integrated total of a process variable such as flow rate, metered by a transducer whose output signal lies within a predetermined current range. In the totalizer, the transducer signal is converted into a proportional voltage signal that is applied to a voltage-to-frequency converter yielding pulses at a rate which varies with the magnitude of the voltage signal, the pulse frequency being high at the upper limit of the range. The converter pulses are fed to an adjustable scaler yielding output pulses at a scaled-down rate appropriate to the desired unit of measurement, these being applied to a counter which gives a totalized reading. By setting the scaler, one may establish a reading in useful increments of process flow, such as gallons or liters.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of a ferromagnetic slurry which is conducted through a flow tube having electrodes mounted thereon, the slurry intercepting a magnetic field to induce a signal in the electrodes which depends on flow rate. The field is established by an electromagnetic circuit whose core has a gap defined by the tube, an excitation coil being wound about the core. The magnetic resistance of the circuit changes as a function of the ferromagnetic concentration of the slurry, this change affecting the inductance of the coil. To provide an output signal which accurately reflects flow rate regardless of ferromagnetic concentration, the output signal is corrected in accordance with the changing inductance of the excitation coil.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly for supporting demountable printing cylinders of different lengths. The assembly includes a tube receivable within the cylinder to be mounted and having journals joined thereto at either end. Encircling each journal are first and second expansible sleeves in side-by-side relation, the first set of sleeves fitting within the end heads of the shorter cylinder when it is mounted on the mandrel assembly, the second set of sleeves fitting within the end heads of the longer cylinder. Below each sleeve on the journal is a relieved zone defining an annular hydraulic chamber. A bore in the journal receives a piston and a tool-operated piston screw, the bore leading into an internal duct having a branch communicating with the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A novel collagen condom consists of isotropically-strong, crosslinked, regenerated fiber collagen. A method of preparation involves the steps of at least twice dipping a mandrel into an acidic collagen dispersion; slowly removing the mandrel under spinning conditions; neutralizing and drying the membrane between dippings; crosslinking the finally dried membrane while on the mandrel and removing the membrane from the mandrel.

Abstract: A garment display and storage unit which includes modular hanger elements, each constituted by a square slide plate from which is cantilevered an arm provided with a series of hooking posts formed by a peg terminating in a head. The elements cooperate with supporting beams each having a longitudinal channel therein adapted to receive the slide plates, whereby the elements may be shifted to any desired point in the channel and then locked therein by a sliding wedge inserted under the plate. By arranging beams at parallel vertical positions, it becomes possible to erect pairs of hanger elements thereon for supporting an array of garments, each garment being slung between corresponding hooking posts.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection-molding an insulating liner onto the surface of a metal spool to be included in an electromagnetic flowmeter in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through the lined spool. The spool is composed of a cylindrical body having end flanges and a pair of diametrically-opposed circular bosses disposed midway between the flanges to receive the meter electrodes. To carry out injection molding, the spool is supported within a mold which defines a liner cavity conforming to the inner surface of the cylindrical body and to the faces of the end flanges, the liner cavity communicating with cavities conforming to the inner surface of the electrode bosses. The molding material is injected into a sprue in the mold which runs along the longitudinal axis of the spool toward the hub of a runner extending radially toward an axisymmetric ring gate opening into the liner cavity at a point adjacent the boss cavities.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow rate measuring system in which a pulse of ultrasonic energy is emitted by a transducer placed on a pipe conducting the fluid to be metered, the energy being propagated through the fluid and being picked up by a second transducer at a different pipe position. The received signal burst includes a first pulsatory swing whose amplitude differs from subsequent swings, the signal burst being applied to the input of an amplifier having automatic-gain control. A clamp circuit coupled to the amplifier input is rendered operative immediately after the first swing is yielded in the amplifier output, the clamp acting to ground the input whereby the operative control level and the resultant gain of the amplifier is determined solely by the first swing.

Abstract: A tray and lid assembly formed of synthetic plastic material for containing a pre-cooked meal which is to be stored in the frozen state and thereafter reheated before being served. The tray which has a polygonal shape is provided with an outwardly-extending continuous flange running along the upper edge of the sides to surround the open mouth. The lid, which has the same geometry as the tray and is of the same material, has a downwardly-extending peripheral skirt which engages the periphery of the tray flange and a continuous underside strip which is received within the mouth of the tray. Because of the presence of the meal in the tray, when the assembly is subjected to freezing temperatures, the lid contracts to a somewhat greater extent than the tray, as a consequence of which the skirt is caused to press against the flange to effect an outer seal, whereas the strip is inwardly displaced from the mouth to provide a leakage path.

Abstract: A heat therapy technique by which heat is applied to a limited skin area of a patient to penetrate the tissue and produce hyperthermia in an internal region underlying this area without, however, causing undue discomfort to the patient or damaging surface tissue. Applied to the skin area is heated air in a pulsatory air wave pattern whose relatively brief pulses flow at high velocity and are at a high temperature well above body temperature and whose static intervals between pulses are at a medium temperature somewhat above body temperature. As a consequence, heat transfer from the surface tissue toward the internal region takes place during the intervals, thereby reducing the temperature of the surface tissue and preventing it from reaching an unacceptable level despite the high temperature of the high-velocity pulses applied thereto.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of fluid conducted through a pipe, the meter including a pair of alternately-excited transducers, one being placed at an upstream and the other at a downstream pipe position. An acoustic pulse transmitted by one transducer and propagated through the fluid at an angle to the longitudinal flow axis is received by the other transducer. The time delay difference between the upstream and downstream transit times which depends on flow velocity is determined to provide a flow rate reading. Since the geometry of the pipe is a major factor in flow rate measurement, to factor-in this geometry, a third transducer or one of the pair is arranged to produce an auxiliary acoustic pulse that is propagated in a direction normal to the flow axis to produce a first echo at the interface of the inner pipe surface and the fluid on the transducer side, and to produce a second echo at the diametrically opposed side of the pipe, these echoes being received by the same transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter including a pair of alternately-excited upstream and downstream transducers, an acoustic pulse emitted by one transducer and propagated through the fluid being received by the other. The time delay difference between the upstream and downstream transit times is measured to determine the flow rate of the fluid. A single pulse power generating device is employed to excite both transducers, the device being coupled to the transducers through respective gates, each activated by an associated gate driver. Also included are logic means to periodically activate the device to produce power pulses and to alternately activate the gate drivers to cause the pulses to pass through alternate gates to excite one transducer and then the other.