Abstract: A fire protection system and method supplies life-sustaining air to occupants taking refuge in the bathrooms of a building. Upon sensing a fire, the system automatically drains water from the building's hot water re-circulating loop. The loop drains rapidly due to the loop's automatic vent valve and re-circulating pump. Fresh air selected from among number of sources is then injected into the loop at a rather low pressure. The low pressure actuates a low pressure relief valve located at each bathroom sink. The valves automatically release the fresh air into each bathroom. If there is any exhaust vent in any of the bathrooms, it is equipped with an automatic damper that seals in the fresh air and prevents a back draft of smoke.

Abstract: A method of removing a pipe string anchored in cement within a wellbore involves the use of a coupling cutter having a linear charge that is magnetically oriented radially and rotationally within the pipe. The coupling cutter also has a coupling sensor that identifies the location of a coupling electronically. One first determines the free length of pipe that is above the cement. The coupling sensor then finds the lowest coupling that is just above the cement level so that the linear charge can be axially aligned to that coupling. A magnet on the cutter properly orients the linear charge both radially and rotationally relative to the inner wall of the pipe. The charge is detonated to longitudinally split the coupling. The pipe string is then disassembled and pulled from the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining elevator use during a fire includes a blower and a damper at opposite ends of an elevator shaft to create a full volume current of fresh air that engulfs a conventional elevator car traveling between floors. The unidirectional airflow provides a curtain of air that "washes" any smoke away from the exterior of the elevator car. When the car stops at a floor, the damper closes to force the fresh airflow onto that floor. Fresh air is chosen from one of several fresh air supplies by sensing the quality of the air at the supplies.

Abstract: A self-propelled pavement remover removes and pulverizes concrete reinforced with steel rod. The machine drives a wedge under the pavement to lift it up and feed it into a hammer mill. The hammer mill pulverizes both the concrete and steel rod into a compact aggregate which is then windrowed along the roadway for enhanced base course or conveyed to dump trucks. The aggregate is then readily hauled away more efficiently than if it were left as large, irregular slabs of concrete.

Abstract: A toy motor includes a partial coil rotor, a permanent magnet, a commutator, and has a battery as its base. The rotor winding, rotor shaft, and commutator are all incorporated into a single-wire conductor. The extremely simple rotor clearly demonstrates the operating principle of a motor for amusement and educational purposes.

Abstract: A paper sludge drier includes a somewhat attrition style mill discharging to a horizontal, rotary drum drier. The mill has two mill plates facing each other. As one rotates relative to the other, sludge is broken down as it passes between the plates. The sludge flows generally from the center of the plates and outward through grooves running radially across the plates. The sludge is subsequently dried in the horizontal drum which has an integral internal screw that conveys the sludge through the drum. The sludge drier reduces the moisture content of the paper sludge from over 50 percent down to less than 20 percent.

Abstract: A barrel lock includes a cylindrical plug with a locking ball actuated by a positive acting threaded pin that is screwed into the plug. The plug slips into a mating cylindrical retainer and is locked in place by the pin forcing the ball to protrude beyond tile exterior of the cylindrical plug. An anti-rotation coupling that includes a key attaches to the plug which makes the barrel lock especially easy to install and operate. A threaded puller assures separation of the plug and retainer even when the barrel lock may be jammed due to earlier tampering. The simplicity of the invention provides for a rugged construction with positive sealing surfaces that protect against contaminants and corrosion.

Abstract: A method of installing trim employs a Snap Tack fastener which allows the trim to snap on and off when needed. The Snap Tack includes a ball head screw which snaps into a small plastic receptacle. In a typical application, several ball head screws are screwed into the back side of some floor molding. The molding, with the screws in place, is pressed against a wall where the molding is to be fastened. Enough pressure is applied to have the ball screws leave small indentations in the wall. Holes are drilled at the indentations, and the receptacles are installed in the holes. The molding with its screws can then be snapped into place and later removed when needed.

Abstract: A guitar string damper device includes six discrete damper arms for selectively dampening each string individually. The device universally fits most guitars because it attaches to a standard guitar nut. Employing a staggered arrangement for the damper arms and levers allows a musician to quickly dampen and release individual strings while still playing.

Abstract: A holder for compact discs (CDs) or tape cassettes includes back lighting provided by a staggered pattern of discrete points of light. A surprisingly unusual effect occurs as the light shines through the clear plastic cases of the CDs or cassettes. As viewed from the front, the cases appear to sparkle with light.

Abstract: A hand held telescoping mirror device includes a light bulb situated to provide a broad illumination region. The device includes several useful features such as a telescoping arm that retracts within the handle, a twist type on-off switch, and a mirror that's interchangeable with a magnifying glass. In addition, the handle and telescoping arm are separable from the rest of the device so that they may be reconnected to various accessories such as a brush or magnet.

Abstract: A lid includes a seal indication window for viewing a corresponding seal indication surface on the rim of a container. This provides a quick visual indication of whether the container is closed properly.

Abstract: A grain roaster/cooler includes a fuel saving preheater and a roasting drum that rotates within a stationary housing. Heat radiated from the drum is captured in the form of hot air trapped in an air gap between the drum and the housing. A fan draws from this hot air supply and discharges through the incoming grain being supplied to the roaster. The incoming grain is thus preheated as it recovers heat that would have otherwise been lost.

Abstract: A tool for removing the axle shaft from a wheel hub includes a ram and guide assembly that makes the job quick, easy, and safe. Two threaded adaptors connect the guide brace to the wheel's lug studs. A sliding ram, guided by the brace, transmits the blow of a sledge hammer squarely against the center of the axle shaft. The solid impact releases the force that tightly binds the axle shaft to the wheel's lug studs. The ram is made of a relatively soft mild steel to prevent damage to the axle shaft.

Abstract: A hand held power dowel tool includes a high speed universal motor coupled to a relatively simple two-gear transmission. The motor speed gear reduction combination is specifically designed for 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch drilling of wood, making the tool unusually lightweight for the power it delivers. The tool's drive shaft is especially long and well supported to rigidly hold a conventional drill bit without a need for a drill guide bushing. A smooth acting guide assembly aligns the tool to the board and accurately guides the drill bit to a preset depth. The tool also includes an adjustable viewing window that is kept clear by a stream of air discharged by the tool's cooling system. The adjustable viewing window and an adjustable chuck accommodates wood of various width and thicknesses as well as various dowel peg diameters. The tool's range of wood joining capabilities surpasses today's plate joiners.

Abstract: A compact subwoofer with exceptionally low distortion at 30 Hz and below is provided by a unique combination of system Q and an unconventional synthesized bandpass filter. The speaker has a system Q of 1.2 which is unusually high for a high quality, low distortion system. Nonetheless, a high Q with low distortion is made possible by the novel filter which has an oversized inductor and capacitor to provide a low-pass corner frequency nearly equal to the system resonant frequency. The result is a surprisingly broad, flat response at extremely low frequencies.

Abstract: A sawmill includes a band saw mounted on a trolley. The trolley carries the band saw back and forth across the length of a log to cut it into boards. A log supporting table is adjustable to accomodate logs of various size. The trolley rails descend incrementally after each cut to reposition the band saw blade for the next cut. The length of each increment, or board thickness, is user selectable by way of an indexable detent bar and limit switch combination. The thickness across the board is held uniform by a pressurized bellows that maintains the proper blade strain in the band saw blade.

Abstract: A hermetic shell of an absorption refrigeration apparatus contains an internally mounted heat exchanger that minimizes external piping. The internally mounted heat exchanger provides a means for exchanging two solutions having unequal portions of lithium bromide and water between a generator and an absorber, both of which are also contained within the shell. The solution having the higher concentration of lithium bromide leaves the generator and preheats the incoming dilute solution as the two solutions pass through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is located adjacent to both the generator and the absorber so that the concentrated solution can be conveyed internally through the shell from the generator to the absorber without relying on external piping.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for temperature conditioning several comfort zones includes several VAV (variable air volume) valves each having a hot water coil conveying water whose flow rate is regulated by a PWM (pulse-width modulated) solenoid valve. Each VAV valve is connected to a supply air duct conveying cool supply air. When a zone's temperature is above a set point temperature, the opening of the VAV valve is modulated to meet the cooling demand, and the water coil is shut off. When a zone's temperature is below the set point, the VAV valve is opened to provide a predetermined constant airflow rate and the hot water coil's solenoid valve is cycled open and closed in a pulse-width modulated manner to meet the heating demand.