Abstract: An insole having a thin baseplate with a surface that is tightly nubbed. Breathing openings are disposed between the nubs. Magnetic heads are fastened, preferably releasably, on the baseplate. The baseplate is thickened in the area of the magnetic heads. This thickened area has a surface which is not nubbed. The thickening is preferably drawn to at least the level of the tips of the nubs. Such an insole, which only has a total thickness of approximately 3 mm, can be worn in all commercially available shoes and boots. The insole can also be employed particularly advantageously in athletic shoes.

Abstract: A process for extraction of sodium from NORM-containing materials in which the NORM-containing materials are treated with a first acid, forming a spent acid solution comprising dissolved carbonates, salts, iron and/or sulfates, and a NORM-containing solid material. The NORM-containing material is separated from the spent acid solution and treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, dissolving the NORM and forming a NORM-containing acid. Any undissolved solids are removed from the NORM-containing acid which is then saturated with barite. To precipitate the NORM in the NORM-containing acid, water is added, preferably in stages to the barite-saturated NORM-containing acid. Essentially, all NORM-free components in scales, sludges, and soils are separated from the NORM and its carrier. The NORM-containing product, preferably barite, is a fine powder suitable for use in several subsequent disposal technologies.

Abstract: A process for treatment of hazardous liquid waste comprising trace amounts of hazardous elements in solution as oxyanions by oxyanion fixation within ettringite and related minerals. In accordance with the disclosed process, reagents for forming ettringites are mixed with the waste stream resulting in the formation of oxyanion-substituted ettringite and related materials. The resulting ettringite and related minerals are separated by filtration from the liquid. Thereafter, the liquid, having an elevated pH, is neutralized by carbon dioxide sparging resulting in precipitation of excess reagents in the liquid. Thereafter, the precipitates are filtered, producing a clean liquid.

Abstract: A porous matrix, surface combustor-fluid heating apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a porous stationary bed disposed within the combustion chamber, a porous bed heat exchanger for retaining the porous stationary bed within the combustion chamber, a fuel/oxidant inlet for introducing a fuel/oxidant mixture into the stationary porous bed, a distributor plate for distributing the fuel/oxidant mixture within the stationary porous bed proximate an inlet end of the combustion chamber, and a porous bed heat exchanger comprising at least one vertically oriented, fluid-cooled tube disposed in the stationary porous bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fuel and oxidant into a combustion burner. At an exit plane of a nozzle, fuel is discharged in a generally planar fuel layer which has an upper boundary and a lower boundary. Also at the exit plane, oxidant is preferably discharged in both a top layer along the upper boundary of the fuel layer and a bottom layer along the lower boundary of the fuel layer. In a downstream flow direction, the fuel and oxidant preferably converge in a generally vertical plane and diverge in a generally horizontal plane. The discharged fuel and oxidant form a fishtail or fan-shaped flame configuration. A refractory manifold can be used to further enhance the fishtail or fan-shaped flame configuration.

Abstract: A method to decontaminate radioactively contaminated metallic objects in which the objects are contacted with a non- radioactive, aqueous solution containing acetic acid. The metallic objects are in contact with the acid continuously or successively over several hours until the acid is completely stoichiometrically depleted. The concentration of the aqueous solution containing acetic acid is preferably approximately 0.3 Mol/l. These steps are repeated until the residual contamination of the metallic objects is beneath the desired target threshold of 0.37 Bq/cm.sup.2. The radioactive metallic oxides and metallic hydroxides in the aqueous stoichiometrically depleted solution are sedimented out, and the sludge is solidified with cement and subsequently decontaminated.

Abstract: A protective and warming bonnet for food having two, preferably, semi-circularly curved braces 1,2 whose ends are connected to hinges (5,6). These braces may be pivoted from 0.degree. to a maximum of 180.degree. in relation to one another. A folding bellows 4 is arranged between the two braces 1,2 such that when pivoted apart, the braces 1,2 form a bellows-like dome. In one embodiment, the protective and warming bonnet has a continuous base 14 in the form of a serving platter on which the braces 1,2 rest during use. A carrying handle 13 of round-steel or a tube is hooked to the hinges 5,6 on the braces 1,2. This carrying handle 13 rests in a notch or a slot at the hinge 5,6 so that it is no longer pivotable in relation to the base while under the pressure resulting from carrying such.

Abstract: A modular solids charger for feeding granular solid material to a reactor, the charger comprising a chassis, a charger plate support frame vertically and angularly adjustable with respect to the horizontal secured to the chassis, a removable reciprocable charger plate reciprocably secured to the charger plate support frame, a removable solids supply chute disposed above the reciprocable charger plate for feeding solids to the reciprocable charger plate, spacers for adjusting the elevation of the chassis to accommodate a range of elevations of reactor feed openings, and charger plate support frame extensions to enable the charge plate support frame to accommodate a range of reciprocable charger plate widths.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for open cycle desiccant cooling wherein the process stream and regeneration stream are divided into a plurality of radial stream segments by non-parallel partitions forming unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel for the same stream segment. The unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel provide differing temperature profiles at the face of each wheel and allow obtaining desired temperature profiles for heat exchange and moisture adsorption. The process of this invention results in reduction of the radial speed of the heat wheel to less than 4 providing high effectiveness of the heat wheel increasing the capacity and the COP of the system.

Abstract: An electrical generation system and method for switching a plurality of isolated circuits between a generator and an electrical source. A current signal of each isolated circuit is sensed and the current signal is emitted to a computer. A generator output signal is sensed and emitted to the computer. An available power signal of the electrical source is sensed and also emitted to the computer. The computer or a microprocessor computes, as a function of the sensed load signals, a sensed generator output signal, and the sensed available power signal, whether each solid state load switch should be individually switched to connect each corresponding isolated circuit to either the generator or the electrical source. The computer or microprocessor then emits a switching signal to each solid state load switch for electrically connecting each corresponding isolated circuit to either the generator or the electrical source.

Abstract: An elbow for a suspension device supporting a control element or the like, the elbow comprising two support arm fastening walls oriented at an angle to each other, on which support arms, which are embodied as hollow profiled sections, can be fastened. The elbow allows the easy insertion of a cable or the like, even with support arms embodied as a closed hollow profile section, and has a high degree of torsional rigidity. The support arm fastening walls are connected to each other in one piece by lateral walls which terminate flush with the free ends of the support arm fastening walls and form an assembly chamber behind the support arm fastening walls which is accessible through an opening. The outsides of the support arm fastening walls facing away from each other form receptacles for installing the support arms, and cable feed-through elements are cut into the support arm fastening walls at least in the area of the receptacles.

Abstract: A method for producing a ribbed electrode for a fuel cell including the steps of depositing a suspension of a powdered electrode metal onto the face of a substantially flat porous electrode metal substrate, forming a plurality of raised structures on the face of the electrode, and sintering the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a light housing to a conventional mask body or other suitable structure, in which a stationary clamp bracket and a moveable clamp bracket are used to fix a relative position of a clamp body with respect to the mask body or other structure. An externally threaded clamp adjustment screw is rotatably mounted with respect to the clamp body and is used to adjustably move and lock the moveable clamp bracket with respect to the stationary clamp bracket. A track receptacle, which is fixed with respect to the clamp body, has a track bore. A track rod which is fixed with respect to the light housing, is rotatably mountable within the track bore. A lock-bearing rod is slidably mounted with a longitudinal track rod bore of the track rod.

Abstract: A dual plate heater provides two parallel temperature self-regulating heater plates or wire mesh comprising ferromagnetic material with one or more electrically energized coils parallel to and located between the heater plates which coil(s) when energized by a constant current or by an otherwise controlled current heat the plates to their Curie temperature or temperatures. The coil may be a flat spiral of thin conductive (copper) wire embedded in a thin layer of a heat conductive, electrically non-conductive material between said plates whereby heat energy generated in the coil is supplied to the heater plates. The dual plate heater may be employed to heat plastic pipes to their butt welding temperatures after which the heater is removed to the ends of the pipes to be joined are brought into contact under pressure. The dual plate heaters may also be employed in other arrangements such as shelves in a dispensing machine.

Abstract: A closure for a container, comprising a lower closure part and a screw cap. The lower closure part has a pouring spout and can be connected with a container opening by a base element. The screw cap comprises a cap bottom and a cap shell having an interior thread. The screw cap can be screw-fastened and unfastened from the pouring spout, which is provided with an exterior thread. The screw cap is secured against being unfastened by engaged connections. The screw cap can be released for being unfastened by releasing the engaged connections. A child safety device is provided by a special design of the engaged connections between the screw cap and the lower closure part, so the body of the container is no longer a part of the child safety device and therefore can be optimally adjusted to its specific function.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus having a rod slidably mounted within a longitudinal bore of a housing. The rod has returnable pivoting action and adjustable, returnable plunger action, with respect to the housing. A compression spring is used to return the rod to a linear rest position after linear displacement of the rod with respect to the housing. A lock nut having a through bore is used to access a tension adjustment screw which varies the length of the compression spring.

Abstract: A method and an implantable apparatus for automatically delivering a defibrillating drug to a patient upon detection of the onset of atrial fibrillation. Atrial activity of a heart is detected and monitored. A delivery time is continuously computed and a delivery signal is emitted as a function of the monitored level of the atrial activity. When the delivery signal is emitted, an infusion pump discharges a defibrillating drug into the bloodstream of the patient. The atrial activity is also continuously monitored for computing a pacing time at which a pacing signal is emitted as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity. When the pacing signal is emitted a pacer paces the atrium of the heart.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for open cycle desiccant cooling wherein the process stream and regeneration stream are divided into a plurality of radial stream segments by non-parallel partitions forming unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel for the same stream segment. The unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel provide differing temperature profiles at the face of each wheel and allow obtaining desired temperature profiles for heat exchange and moisture adsorption. The process of this invention results in reduction of the radial speed of the heat wheel to less than 4 providing high effectiveness of the heat wheel increasing the capacity and the COP of the system.

Abstract: A jaw-like cylindrical tool for producing a strong electromagnetic field for causing a Curie point heater to be energized having a curved cross-section that brings the two edges of the jaw-like structure into contact. Closely spaced conductors lie along the inner surface of the structure transverse to its axis while widely spaced conductors lie transverse to said axis along the outer surface of the structure. The inner surface of the structure has a plurality of axially extending ferrite rods lying immediately adjacent the inner surface conductors. The inner and outer surface conductors are connected so that the currents flow in opposite directions, the outer conductors reducing electromagnetic radiation while the ferrites and inner conductor spacing produce a strong central magnetic field irrespective of the field created by the opposing field produced by the outer conductors.