Abstract: Improved heart assist devices are disclosed. An improved heart assist device includes a catheter having a first lumen and a second lumen. An inflatable intraventricular balloon is located at the distal end of the catheter. The interior of the intraventricular balloon communicates with the first lumen of the catheter. An inflatable intraaortic balloon is located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter. The interior of the intraaortic balloon communicates with the second lumen of the catheter. The heart assist device also includes a pumping mechanism that inflates and deflates both the intraventricular balloon and the intraaortic balloon. The improved heart assist device is inserted into the heart so that the intraventricular balloon is positioned in the left ventricle and so that the intraaortic balloon is positioned in the aorta. The intraventricular balloon is inflated during left ventricular systole, and the intraaortic balloon is deflated during left ventricular systole.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing amd evaluating traffic bearing formation and pavements includes one or more arms extending radially from a center pivot, each arm being adapted to connect to a bogey comprising one or more wheels and to constrain its respective bogey to movement in a generally circular path on the pavement about a pivot during operation of the apparatus; a plurality of bogies, each adapted to be coupled to an arm and comprising differing combinations of one or more multiple wheels so as to each represent an actual wheel or wheel set of a vehicle; a wheel suspension system for each bogey constraining the wheel or wheels thereof to move such that the dynamic responses of the wheel or wheels to pavement irregularities substantially replicate the dynamic response of actual vehicle wheels to actual roadway irregularities; a driving system for the wheels adapted to apply tractive and braking efforts thereto for the vehicle type which any wheel set represents, the road speed of the wheel on the pavement bein

Abstract: A recessed track lighting system includes a housing recessed in a ceiling and having a top wall, an elongated opening spaced downwardly from the top wall and a channel along the top wall extending parallel to the opening and laterally centered in respect thereto, and at least one light fixture mounted in the housing by means of an adapter releasably engageable in the channel and being movable therealong. The adapter defines an axis of rotation that substantially bisects the width of the elongated opening and a lamp head support in turnable about such axis of rotation and has an arcuate guide extending generally radially from the axis of rotation. The arcuate guide has a curvature centered substantially at the lateral center of the elongated opening, and a lamp head is adjustably mounted on the arcuate guide and includes a light source directing light along a light beam axis which, in all positions of the lamp head along the arcuate guide, intersects the axis of rotation at the plane of the opening.

Abstract: An automatic service water tap is disclosed in which a battery operated motor is provided for controlling a water supply valve in response to the presence or absence of an object positioned within the range of an infrared generating and detecting system mounted in the tap. The valve operates using only a small amount of electric power under the control of a circuit which draws no electric power once the valve is moved to its opened or closed condition. Thus the consumption of the electric power is minimized to almost zero and the valve can be utilized for a long period of time only with a small single battery.

Abstract: A process for preparing silica comprising:(a) acidifying a basic aqueous solution containing silicate ions and molybdate ions to produce silicomolybodic acid;(b) adding to the acidified solution an organic base to precipitate a silicomolybdate; and,(c) heating the resulting precipitate to drive off volatile components and leave a purified form of silica is disclosed. The process is particularly useful for producing purified silica from dilute aqueous media.

Abstract: An optical memory disk has a recording layer which is disposed on one surface of a plain circular support base and has a plurality of radially spaced data tracks for storing data items therein, the data tracks being grouped into a number of data track groups. Each of the tracks is divided into a plurality of angularly consecutive sectors bearing a plurality of angularly equally spaced sector marks, respectively, the sector marks on the tracks of each of the data track groups being located in angularly different positions, respectively. There are also disclosed a method of and a system for rapidly and reliably accessing a desired target track among the data tracks on the optical memory disk.

Abstract: A printing head for use with an electrodynamic type wire dot printer includes an electrodynamic wire actuator disposed in a magnetic field to be deformed by an electromagnetic force, a printing pin fixedly supported by the electrodynamic wire actuator, and an anti-rebound damping member in cooperation with either the electrodynamic wire actuator or the printing pin. The wire actuator is resiliently deformed so as to give the printing pin a movement between a position wherein the printing pin rests and a position whereat the printing pin hits a platen roller through an ink ribbon and a printing paper wrapped around the platen roller, thereby to print an ink dot on the printing paper. When the printing pin is returned to the rest position, a electric voltage is applied to and, as a result, deforms the anti-rebound damping member to retain either the electrodynamic wire actuator or the printing pin in order to rapidly stop the printing pin at the rest position.

Abstract: In a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor system, which is suitable for modular utilization in combination with one or more other similar nuclear reactor systems, an arrangement which comprises passive heat sink means for absorbing decay heat energy generated at a reactor core included within said reactor system; and means for removing heat energy from said heat sink means at a rate sufficient to maintain the capacity of the heat sink means for absorption of decay heat energy such that release of fission products resulting from loss of forced circulation of gas coolant, or such loss in combination with coolant depressurization, when the reactor is critical and at power is prevented, thereby to provide safety means independent of human or automatic activation; and method embodiments corresponding to same.

Abstract: In a printing head, an actuator pin positioned within a magnetic field is bent to form at least one V-shaped portion and is fixed at the end portion thereof. When current flows in the actuator pin during printing, the actuator pin is caused to be expanded and contracted by an electromagnetic force to thereby print a dot. A plurality of guide grooves are formed on both side faces of a conductive common guide plate. The end portion of the actuator pin is fixed at the guide groove in an insulating condition, and the tip of the actuator pin is movably fitted in the guide groove in an electrically conductive state.

Abstract: A hand-held staple driving tool is provided for driving staples near to obstructions, such as walls. The tool has a solenoid, a solenoid plunger and a staple driving knife which is mounted generally parallel to the axis of the solenoid, but outboard of it near the front of the housing. The staple driving knife is connected to the solenoid plunger by means of an overhung transverse drive beam which is connected at its forward end to the upper part of the knife and at its rearward end to the top of the plunger. The tool further has a siamese twin housing which has a live hinge at its front end. The tool has an extended staple driving chute to permit driving staples into small recesses. The tool further has a combination mounting and grounding device using only a single screw.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises a transparent electrode, a photoconductive layer, and a plurality of scanning circuits for consecutively selecting signals in the photoconductive layer. The photoconductive layer is formed of amorphous semiconductor comprising amorphous silicon as the major component and further containing an element serving to lower the capture level within the energy gap and a trace amount of chalcogen element as a chemical modifier.

Abstract: A spring counterbalanced arm assembly including a base member, a lower arm, an upper arm, a knee bearing member and object supporting means. The lower arm has an elongated, generally tubular member defining an elongated cavity therein. The base end of the tubular member includes means defining a forwardly extending bracket and has pivot means thereon positioned forwardly of an exterior front wall of the tubular member for pivotally connecting the base end bracket of the lower arm to the base member at a first pivot axis of the base member. The knee end of the tubular member includes a forwardly extending bracket having pivot means thereon positioned forwardly of the exterior front wall for pivotally connecting the knee end of the lower arm to a knee end of an upper arm and to the knee bearing member at a first pivot axis of the knee bearing member. The lower arm includes a slider and tension spring enclosed within it to provide counterbalancing force.

Abstract: A system for leaching septic effluent is disclosed which includes a concrete distribution box having inlet and outlet openings formed therein located at different levels. An open-topped tray pivotally mounted in the distribution box at a level located between the levels of the inlet and outlet openings and has a counterweight secured to one side side of its pivotal mounting and a first stop to maintain the tray in a horizontal position against the action of the counterweight when the tray is empty. The tray is located to receive effluent from the inlet opening and the counterweight is dimensioned to be overcome by effluent in the tray when a predetermined amount of effluent is in the tray. As a result, the tray pivots against the influence of the counterweight away from its first stopped position to empty the tray and discharge the predetermined amount of effluent to the outlet openings.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a curable material having variable curing characteristics to a surface in a defined application cycle which includes the steps of applying only a first slow curing component to the surface of an article at least at the beginning or at the end of an application cycle and applying during the remaining part of the application cycle a mixture of the slow curing component and a curing agent which accelerates the curing of the first component.

Abstract: A clothing lock or security device having a base or block from which a flexible cable extends. The cable has a free end which is formed as a stiff metal pin with a catch recess formed therein for forming the shaft of the lock in the base. This lock can be placed in a fur coat or other garment, with the needle portion piercing the garment and then being wrapped around a pole or the like, and then repiercing the garment for engagement in the block. This block is used in conjunction with a double bar coat rack having a plurality of inverted T-shaped sections extending downwardly from the top rack. The inverted T-shaped sections are movable between an open position wherein the garment secured by the clothing lock may be inserted onto and removed from a horizontal support rack formed therein, and a closed position, wherein the garments are secured along the horizontal bottom rack.

Abstract: A detonator firing element which includes a miniature energy dissipation device located on a substrate which forms part of an integrated electronic circuit. An explosive or pyrotechnic compound is exposed to the effects of energy dissipated by the device. The device may be resistive, be formed by a semi-conductor device, or be a field effect device. The integrated circuit includes timing, testing, control, communication and interlock circuits to implement stand alone or computer controlled blast systems. Protection against over-voltages and induced currents is provided. Due to the integrated circuit approach power consumption is kept to a minimum and a detonator incorporating the firing element can be powered for a substantial time period by an energy storage device such as a capacitor.

Abstract: A temperature controller for controlling an electrical heater of a bed maintains the bed at a predetermined set temperature and additionally, over a long period of time, acts to vary the set temperature to compensate for variations in the temperature of the ambient environment in which the bed is situated. First and second temperature sensors respectively sense the temperature of the bed and the temperature of the environment ambient to the bed and the heater is switched to regulate the heating of the bed thereby.

Abstract: A seal and closure member of elastomeric material adapted to be cast in situ and comprising a cylindrical body portion and an integral frusto-conical skirt therewithin. A radially outwardly extending flange is embedded in adjacent concrete. The skirt has a knock-out web at its smaller diameter end portion and the seal and closure member may thus be employed selectively as closure members for apertures in distribution boxes and the like and as seals for pipes in communication with the box interiors. The seal also includes integrally formed bosses which allow a baffle to be secured directly thereon on the interior of the box opposite the end of a pipe in the seal.