Abstract: The performance and throw distance of a nozzle discharging a water stream is enhanced by injecting a liquified gas, suitably liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide, into the water entering the nozzle at a point sufficently upstream from the nozzle to allow complete vaporization or solidification of the liquified gas before it leaves the nozzle. A second material, that may be a foam producing composition or a particulate solid, may be introduced into the water entering the nozzle simultaneously with the introduction of the liquified gas.

Abstract: A plurality of relatively high pressure, but low velocity, liquid entry streams, that may be of different pressures and flow rates, are directly combined to form a single exit stream of higher velocity but lower pressure by merging the streams in a waterway having an elongated, generally ovoid shape. The entering streams are arranged in an equi-spaced relationship about the longitudinal axis of the waterway, and the cross-section of each entering stream is configured as an ellipse that is oriented with the major ellipse axis generally parallel to the waterway longitudinal axis, but offset therefrom by a small angle. The entering streams mesh and rotate within the waterway to form a unified exit stream.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the appeal of a sporting event at which wagering is allowed utilizes a dual-function ticket having two parts to produce a collectible souvenir having true rarity. A first ticket part records details of a placed bet, and is arranged to be cashed in to collect on a winning bet, while the second ticket part identifies the sports event and the participant on which the bet was placed, thereby serving as a souvenir having potential value as a collectible. Rarity of the souvenir ticket part is assured in that it can be obtained only through placing a bet, and the integrity of a collectibles aftermarket in the souvenir ticket parts is maintained by providing authentication means on the ticket to foil counterfeiting.

Abstract: Fires in tanks storing combustible liquids are extinguished using water from a settled layer at the tank bottom to form a foam that is transported to the top of the combustible liquid by the lifting action of an inert gas stream introduced into the tank at a location below the liquid surface. A stream of water is removed from the tank, mixed with a foam-forming concentrate, merged with a flowing stream of inert gas, and circulated back to the tank at a point below the surface of the stored liquid to form an upwelling foam column which explodes upon the liquid surface and spreads across that surface to extinguish the fire and prevent its reignition.

Abstract: A dry, particulate sorbent composition containing an organic absorbent, a combustible adsorbent, a water swellable polymer and a water soluble polymer is used to soak up and contain flammable liquids and to render the resulting product fire-safe by misting the product surface with water. Water contacting the polymers contained in the sorbent composition forms with those polymers a surface film which is resistant to the passage of combustible gases thus rendering the sorbed mass fire-safe even when briefly exposed to an open flame.

Abstract: Concrete barrier modules of the type having a T-shaped upper section are loaded and positioned without damage through use of a clamp device having a pair of jaw members hinged from a horizontal plate. Each jaw member has an inwardly directed lifting surface arranged to press upon an under surface of the module upper section. A hoist bar interacts with a latch to secure the jaw members either in an open or a closed position so long as a lifting force is applied to the hoist bar.

Abstract: Fires in tanks storing combustible liquids are extinguished by injecting a mixture of water, a foam-forming concentrate and an inert gas into the tank at a point below the surface of the stored liquid forming an upwelling foam column which explodes upon the liquid surface and spreads across that surface to extinguish the fire and prevent its reignition.

Abstract: Systems are provided for distinguishing between friendly ground targets and those of a foe and for receiving passive communications from friendly ground targets by providing friendly ground targets with reflector means adapted to modulate or otherwise change the character of laser light striking the reflector surface. The target is illuminated with a laser beam and the reflected laser energy is examined to determine whether it differs in character from that normally reflected from a target. Modulation of the laser beam can be accomplished by changing the reflectivity of the reflector means according to a selected sequence or pattern.

Abstract: Particles of water soluble polymers such as poly(olefin oxides) are formulated to readily dissolve without agglomerating by associating polymer particles with particles of gas producing compounds, suitably a bicarbonate and an acid salt, which are non-reactive to the polymer but produce gas when wetted with water whereby the generated gas maintains polymer particles in separation as the particles dissolve.

Abstract: An air aspirating nozzle for propelling a stream of foam or a slurry of solid particulates to a target surface includes a stream shaping member within the nozzle to form a rotating, columnar stream of liquid and air which maintains a high degree of coherence over a considerable throw distance. The nozzle assembly may include a flow control unit for the introduction of a foam concentrate or a fluid suspension of particulate solids into the nozzle.

Abstract: A hanger and support system for suspending a tubular body from an overhead support is disclosed. The support takes the form of a thick-walled plastic pipe, suitably PVC, with two end caps adhesively joined thereto. An upper end cap is secured to an anchor in the overhead support by means of a bolt extending through a hole in the closed cap end and is adhesively joined to a pipe end. A second end cap at the other pipe end likewise is provided with a downwardly extending bolt arranged for attachment to a hanger and that second end cap is adhesively joined to the lower pipe end. The hanger is in the form of a generally circular band having overlapping superposed ends with a hole drilled therethrough for attachment to the downwardly extending bolt.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds and other volatile contaminants are removed from soils and granular solids by contacting the soil with steam at superatmospheric pressure and thereafter rapidly reducing the pressure by flashing off steam and vaporized contaminants leaving a cleaned soil product. The steam fraction containing the contaminant compounds is condensed and the contaminants can then be separated from the water for recovery or disposal.

Abstract: The performance of mechanical skimmers for the removal of oil from water is enhanced through use of an oil-avid contacting member consisting of a non-woven mat of oleophilic fibers; the fiber surfaces having a film coating of a non-crosslinked rubber. A drum-type skimmer having the drum surfaces covered with such an oil-avid mat may be operated at very high rim speeds to obtain high rates of oil recovery with little water contamination. A process for coating the fiber surfaces with a rubber film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforcing member is provided within the handle portion of a wooden bat to prevent the heavy barrel portion from separating from the handle and flying through the air with possible injury to onlookers in the event of bat breakage upon impact with a ball. The reinforcing member is of less stiffness than is the wood of the bat so as to not change the flexing characteristics of the bat and is of small diameter and low specific gravity so as to avoid noticeable change in the weight and balance of the bat.

Abstract: A modular mold system for making molds in a range of incrementally different sizes is provided as is a method for using that system in the manufacture of containers. The mold system includes corner elements, edge angle elements and spacer elements which can be interlocked together through connecting means to form a mold for a container. The boundaries of each mold element are defined by straight lines meeting at right angles and each mold element has at least one common dimension with every other element. The mold system is particularly adapted for use in making fiberglass reinforced products such as insulated containers having an inner shell and an outer shell with insulation between the shells.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (20) has a plurality of pistons (106) reciprocating within cylinders (34) and means to translate the reciprocating motion of said pistons into rotary motion. As the cylinders (34) rotate in an engine cavity (49) about a drive shaft (24), head ends (104) of the cylinders (34) cyclically pass stationary fuel injection means (28) and a stationary exhaust aperture (30) located rotationally downstream from the fuel injection means (28). Each cylinder (34) includes a cylinder wall having an air intake port (130) provided therein. The air intake port (130) is provided at a location at which rotation of the cylinder (34) in the cavity (49) tends to force or scoop air into the cylinder (34). In particular, the air intake port (130) is provided on a rotationally leading portion of a peripheral portion of the cylinder wall.

Abstract: Flammable liquids are soaked up and rendered safe from ignition by mixing with the liquid a particulate composition containing an absorbent solid, a first high molecular weight polymer soluble in the flammable liquid, a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent and, optionally, a second polymer which is not soluble in the flammable liquid but is soluble in water. The first polymer gels the flammable liquid and the solution of polymer and liquid serves to adhesively bind particles of absorbent solid together while the second polymer when wet with water forms a non-combustible film over all exposed surfaces.

Abstract: Fires, particularly fires of flammable liquids, are extinguished by applying to the burning surface an extinguishing composition containing particles of a thermoplastic polymer, suitably a rubber. The polymer particles are arranged in association with a sufficient quantity of a chemical extinguishing agent to protect the polymer particles during transit through flame to the burning surface. Upon striking the surface of a flammable liquid the polymer dissolves therein causing the liquid to gel and concentrating fire extinguishing agents on the liquid surface thus securing the liquid against reignition.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for use with pulse dose respirating gas delivery devices provides a continuous, metered flow of oxygen to the patient in the event that the delivery device malfunctions or suffers a power failure. The system includes a piston resiliently biased toward one end of a cylinder and having provision for applying the force of pressurized respirating gas on the piston in opposition to the biasing force and in synchronization with doses of respirating gas produced by the delivery device and to remove that force in coordination with the delivery of a gas dose to the patient. The piston movement is arranged to actuate valve means opening a path for the continuous flow of oxygen to the patient in the event that successive gas doses are not delivered to the patient within a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds including hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds and other hazardous and toxic chemicals are removed from air streams by contacting the air with a suspension of tiny aqueous droplets sized such that the droplets have an internal pressure significantly greater than atmospheric. The capacity of aqueous droplets to hold organic compounds and the rate of transfer of organic compounds from an air stream to the droplets increase rapidly as the droplet size decreases and the droplet internal pressure rises. After substantial transfer of volatile organic compounds from the air into the droplets is accomplished, the droplets are caused to grow and to coalesce and are separated from the air stream. The resulting liquid effluent is disposed of in a manner which prevents escape of contained contaminant compounds.