Abstract: A control system is disclosed for switching on or off appliances or other electrical devices at predetermined or preselected times. The timing or sequencing of switching on or switching off any appliances can be set or changed as desired by telephoning the system from a remote telephone and providing appropriate encoded instructions through the telephone lines. The system includes a central clock driven controller and one or more remote addressable switching means which communicate with the central controller through conventional power lines. The central controller includes a power line interface for generating and impressing control signals on the power lines, a telephone interface and tone decoder for receiving incoming telephone instructions, and a microprocessor and memory for processing incoming instructions and operating the power line interface. The system includes feedback means for determining the operational status of the remote addressable switching means.

Abstract: A device is shown for magnetically treating liquids to inhibit the deposit of scale in plumbing systems, appliances, boilers, etc. The device has an elongate housing with an inlet and an outlet for the flow of liquid therethrough. A support structure is located inside the housing to retain a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart magnets. The magnets are held in position by a plurality of transverse holding elements which are positioned so that the magnets are angularly disposed in a helical arrangement. The magnets are directly immersed in the liquid flowing through the device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the reactive plating of substrates to produce transparent conducting films and photoactive coatings. Reactive gases at low pressures are introduced into a vacuum chamber having a partial vacuum therein. A substrate located in the vacuum chamber is subjected to a glow discharge in the partial vacuum. A coating material, such as zinc or silicon is vaporized in the vacuum chamber to react with the gases, with the resulting compound being deposited on the substrate by the effect of the glow discharge. The power in the glow discharge and the partial pressures of the vaporized coating material and gases introduced into the vacuum chamber can all be controlled separately to vary the stoichiometric ratios and the properties of the coatings. The electrode geometry is arranged and the operation maintained such that the power density distribution in the discharge is fixed and controlled.

Abstract: The invention discloses a refuse compactor assembly for compacting refuse into a cubical open-topped refuse receptacle having an enclosure structure for slidably receiving the cubical refuse receptacle and retaining same within the compactor assembly by force of gravity alone by providing a downwardly rearwardly inclined refuse receptacle support surface in the interior of the refuse compactor assembly. The refuse placed into the refuse receptacle is compacted by a reciprocably operable ram member which is provided with a wedge like compactor surface in the shape of a prism or, alternatively, an inverted pyramid.

Abstract: Solar powered refrigeration apparatus is disclosed in which an absorption refrigeration system is operated directly by solar energy. One end of a heat pipe is thermally connected to the boiler of the absorption refrigeration system, and a solar collector is thermally coupled to the other remote end of the heat pipe. The heat pipe is a sealed, evacuated metal tube partially filled with water. The solar collector is a double walled glass vacuum tube with a central axial opening for accommodating the remote end of the heat pipe. Heat energy collected by the solar collector boils the water in the heat pipe to subsequently condense in the area of the boiler thus transferring heat energy along the heat pipe to the boiler. The heat pipe is installed sloping downwardly away from the boiler to permit the return of condensate down the pipe to the solar collector area thus permitting continuous operation.

Abstract: A rescue breathing device or insufflator is shown for providing mouth-to-mouth artificial resuscitation to a victim of suffocation or asphyxiation. The device has a tubular body comprising an input portion and an output portion. The tubular body has a central axial air passageway converging in cross-sectional area in the input portion to a central venturi region. At least one fresh air port communicates with the venturi region. The air passageway in the output portion diverges or is of constant cross-sectional area, so that a venturi effect is produced when the device is used, resulting in the venturi mixing fresh ambient air with the respirated air provided to an asphyxiation victim by a rescuer, thereby increasing the oxygen content of the air delivered to the victim by the resuscitation process. A shield is removably mounted on the tubular body to provide a good seal and prevent lip contact between the rescuer and the victim.

Abstract: A tower is disclosed for the elevated storage of water or other liquids. The tower includes a concrete cylindrical shell having an upper distal portion, and a steel tank mounted co-axially at the upper distal portion. The tank has a lower floor opening for the shell distal portion to pass therethrough. The shell distal portion has a plurality of peripheral openings adjacent to the tank floor opening. A continuous tank floor passes through the shell peripheral openings, and sealingly closes the tank floor opening. The tank floor supports the tank and liquid therein, and connects the tank to the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A self-cleaning bulk food display bin is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted in an opening in a wall. The bin includes a tray with a downwardly and forwardly inclined floor having a debris removal opening located adjacent to a front peripheral wall. A sneeze shield is located above and over the tray to define therebetween a vertical front bun removal opening and a rear bun loading opening. A bottom downwardly and rearwardly disposed panel conveys debris passing through the debris removal opening rearwardly behind the wall.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for increasing the output of a machine for removing fat from the inside of an animal pelt, such as a mink pelt. In such machines, pelts are mounted inside out on rotatable elongate mandrils, and a cutting head resembling a router trims the fat from the pelt. The improvement includes a control assembly attached to the cutting head for pivotal movement thereof to control the depth of cut. The control assembly has a flexible extension which permits the cutting head to move freely longitudinally along the mandril. The control assembly also has a toggle joint and a lever operably coupled thereto to reduce the effort of pivoting the cutting head. The depth of cut is therefore controlled with reduced effort using a lever in a fixed location on the machine. A reciprocating element controls the longitudinal position of the cutting head. The reciprocating element is operated by foot controlled drive means including a motor driven reversing clutch.

Abstract: A method of constructing an elevated liquid storage tank is disclosed wherein an upright, cylindrical, reinforced concrete shell is erected using a centrally located co-axial scaffold having a concentric working platform slideably mounted thereon, and a working crane mounted on the top of the scaffold. An annular steel tank is fabricated concentrically about the base of the upright cylindrical shell. The tank has floor and roof openings for the upright shell to pass therethrough. The tank is raised to the top of the upright shell, and a reinforced concrete tank floor is poured to sealingly close the tank floor opening. The concrete tank floor interlocks with the upright shell to secure the tank in position.

Abstract: A ram type pump is disclosed for pumping manure from a collection area to a storage area. The pump has a hollow cylindrical housing having a transfer portion and an actuator portion. Manure is pushed through the transfer portion by a reciprocating cylindrical ram slidably located in the housing. The ram is operated by a hydraulic actuator located in the housing actuator portion. The housing actuator portion is releasably coupled to the transfer portion. This releasable coupling retains a removable bearing and seal assembly concentrically located for sliding, sealing engagement of the ram. The housing transfer portion includes a guide bearing assembly for concentric sliding engagement of the ram during reciprocating movement of the ram. Also, the housing actuator portion includes radially disposed guide means for quick axial alignment of the ram in the housing.

Abstract: A method of tensioning a musical drum is disclosed using a device for torquing the tension rods of the drum. The device has a housing having a central aperture and a concentric upper recess. The upper recess has a first partial annular groove and a concentric second annular groove. A shaft assembly is rotatably disposed in the central aperture and the upper recess and is adapted to receive at its lower end means for gripping a tension rod. The shaft assembly has a stop portion disposed in the first partial annular groove for positive rotation of the shaft assembly beyond a predetermined range of rotation of the housing. Biasing means disposed in the second annular groove is connected between the shaft assembly and the housing, for applying torque to a gripped tension rod upon turning the housing within said predetermined range. The drum is tensioned, and thus tuned to pitch, by torquing the drum tension rods to a predetermined torque.

Abstract: An air prefilter is disclosed for use with internal combustion engine air filters of the type having replaceable filter elements. The prefilter has a perforated sleeve connected between the usual intake openings and the filter element of the conventional air filter. This perforated sleeve is enveloped by an open-pore foam filter medium, which is of such porosity that engine intake air primarily passes therethrough rather than through the intake openings of the conventional air filter. The prefilter prevents foreign matter and water vapor from reaching and blocking the conventional filter element, which blocking causes the engine to receive insufficient air for efficient combustion. When the prefilter medium is saturated or blocked with impurities, the conventional air filter operates as usual, until the prefilter medium is cleaned or replaced. An adjustable deflector helps prevent foreign matter from blocking the prefilter medium.