Abstract: This invention is a hydraulic device for operating a gate valve in the drainage line of a recreational vehicle. The device consists of a support plate mounted to the gate valve or drainage line. A hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulic rod is pivotally mounted to the support plate. The hydraulic rod is attached to the gate control rod by means of a pivot arm that is also pivotally attached to the support plate. The device is operating by means of a hydraulic pump, a motor and control means for operating the motor, typically an electrical switch.

Abstract: An improvement in an absorption refrigeration and/or heating system including apparatus (157) to convert the pressure energy and/or phase change energy in the solution and/or refrigerant of the absorption system into mechanical energy, with additional apparatus to replace or supplement the externally supplied mechanical energy motive device (152) in the system with the converted mechanical energy. The system includes a first positive displacement pump (98) for conveying the absorbent solution from the absorber to the generator with first positive displacement apparatus (98) driven by a motive device (152) that is activated by the externally supplied energy. A second pump (158) is provided that is driven by the system pressure energy. Each of the pumping apparatus is being independently driven and connected to the other only by fluid connection.

Abstract: A hybrid air-conditioning system having an absorption refrigeration subsystem for sensible heat loads and a cooperating liquid desiccant dehumidification subsystem for latent heat loads incorporates additional apparatus for effecting the efficient transfer of available absorber element heat from the absorption refrigeration subsystem to the desiccant dehumidification subsystem desiccant regenerator element to improve the total system Coefficient of Performance (C.O.P.) over a wide range of latent heat load to sensible heat load proportions.

Abstract: A system is provided which facilitates the filling and operation of a crossover bridge (30) for aquarium tanks (12, 40). A pump (58) is combined with a plurality of end sealing devices (56, 72) and a closeable aperture (38) in an intermediate vacuum portion (36) of the device to make the filling mode simplified and convenient.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system has been made in which improved efficiencies are obtained by placing helical concentric coils of at least two generators and recuperators on a common axis with a heating unit at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. Further efficiencies are obtained by placing an absorber, condenser and recuperator with a single module and by using tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spin communicating ball. Communication is achieved by coloring various sections of the surface of the ball with different colors that mix and form new colors when the ball is spun. Preferably, the colored sections are three mutually perpendicular great circles and, preferably, the different colors are the primary colors, red, blue, and yellow. For a golfer, the intersections of the great circles can be used as a focus spot in hitting the ball. Individual great circles can be used to align the ball with the target and the golfer with the ball and also as an aide in putting.

Abstract: A specially designed, two section, adjustable belt using an adjustable connection between the sections at the back of the user is described. The adjustable connection allows the weight of a load to be positioned over the hips of a user thereby reducing back strain and discomfort. An adjustable weight-distributing shoulder harness is described with back-crossing straps that are movably secured to each other where they cross by a strap secured to one of the shoulder straps to define an opening that movably receives the other shoulder strap. A load strap is used to secure the load to the belt and uses a position ring for centering the load on the load strap.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration system having absorber and generator elements and a solution pump flowing relatively dilute refrigeration solution from a system absorber sub-atmospheric operating pressure to a system generator operating pressure is provided with novel low-pressure-differential, positive-displacement purge pump apparatus that is driven by bleed relatively dilute refrigeration solution taken from the solution pump high-pressure side, flowed through a coiled tube flow restrictor device to substantially reduce bleed solution operating pressure, and then through an inverted vertical U-tube that includes a V-shaped entrapment zone that receives un-wanted, non-condensed gases purged from the system absorber element.

Abstract: A hybrid air-conditioning system having an absorption refrigeration subsystem for sensible heat loads and a cooperating liquid desiccant dehumidification subsystem for latent heat loads incorporates additional apparatus for effecting the efficient transfer of available heat between the subsystems to improve the total system Coefficient of Performance (C.O.P.) over a wide range of latent heat load to sensible heat load proportions. Available heat recovery and system internal load generation are utilized in high and low latent load ratio regions, and modulated heat transfer using an additional series absorption refrigeration cycle loop is optionally utilized in the mid-latent heat load ratio region.

Abstract: A hinge pin tool having a particular form and constructed to facilitate removing headed hinge pins from the hinges in unibody automobile repairs. The tool is especially configured to receive and apply heavy, forceful blows to the hinge pin with the blows being delivered at a spaced distance from the operator's hand to prevent injury.

Abstract: A frame pulling bar and tool system for use in clamping to the body of an automobile or other vehicle as a means of anchoring pulling devices to the frame or body in the pulling and stretching operations necessary to restore and repair damaged automobile or vehicle bodies. The system includes a clamping bar and a plurality of threaded bolts for engagement in threaded holes in the clamping bar. Auxiliary bars may be included to expand the capability of the systenm.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming solid molded chocolate shapes is formed from first and second sheet-like mold halves separably joined by permanent magnets and having base flanges that support the mold assembly in an upright position for filling through an edge fill opening. The base flanges for the mold assembly include binary-coded mold fill information utilized in chocolate shape production apparatus and specific to that particular mold assembly.

Abstract: A battery operated self-activated illumination device for cabinet assemblies as a housing within an illuminating section that is open on four sides so as to allow light from a light source to project through each of the four open sides so as to fully illuminate the interior of the cabinet. A plunger switch is provided which interacts with the door of the cabinets so as to cause the light to be activated on opening the door. A second switch is interposed in the circuitry so as to enable turning the light on and off independent of the plunger switch. A four sided transparent lens covers the housing and the illuminating device fastened to the cabinet using an adhesive such as a double-sided adhesive tape. A battery is contained within the housing illuminating device and is readily accessible for replacement by means of a battery cover.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heat pump system of the refrigerant gas compression type having selectively operable first and second heat exchangers, respectively, in heat exchange relationship with a heat sink or source and a heating or cooling load, and with a an internal combustion engine driving a plurality of refrigerant gas compressors with more than one of the compressors selectively engagable when the system is operated in the heat pumping mode and the heat source is at low ambient temperature. The system includes at least one speed increaser connected between the plurality or compressors, so that the compressors operate at difference speeds although driven by the same engine.

Abstract: A cushioning structure for dampening shocks useful as a packing material to protect shipments of goods and as a protective shield or garment to prevent injury from falls including one or more planar sheets of pliable material bonded to a matrix of polygon shape cells containing a fluid such as air or other gas. In one aspect the cells are in fluid communication with each other to provide a valved fluid transfer from one cell to the next.

Abstract: A residential-type hybrid air conditioning system having a conventional refrigeration subsystem which handles system sensible heat loads and a liquid desiccant dehumidification subsystem which handles system latent heat loads additionally incorporates an evaporative cooler which cooperates with and receives heat from the dehumidification subsystem to increase the performance efficiency of the total system.

Abstract: A building hybrid air conditioning system having a conventional refrigeration subsystem in combination with a liquid desiccant dehumidification subsystem that dehumidifies make-up ventilation air is provided with an additional and localized dehumidifier assembly that cooperates with the dehumidification subsystem liquid desiccant central supply to remove excess moisture from its localized zone in by-pass relation to system dehumidification of the make-up ventilation air.

Abstract: A heat pump system selectively operable in cooling and heating modes of operation and having a combustion prime mover which produces refrigerant vapor compression and which produces combustion heat in greater amounts than usable energy for motive power, provided with a first heat exchanger that evaporates compressed refrigerant in the system heating mode of operation and with a first radiator means which transfers excess prime mover heat to a working fluid, and with a working fluid distribution means selectively operable to proportionately flow the heated working fluid to the first radiator in convective heat exchange relations to the first heat exchanger means, in the system heating mode of operation, to provide defrost capabilities and especially to improve heat pumping capacity at low ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A double-effect absorption refrigeration system is provided with a novel, generally concentric and vertically-elongated high-pressure condenser chamber, low-pressure desorber, and low pressure condenser combination. Such combination further includes novel annular liquid collection cups located at the combination lower extremes to receive high-pressure liquid refrigerant, low pressure concentrated refrigerent solution, and low-pressure liquid refrigerent. Flow restrictor devices are incorporated in distribution lines connecting the collection cups to a system evaporator/absorber assembly to further enhance temperature, concentration, and pressure conditions imparted to the liquids flowed for absorption purposes.

Abstract: The heating and cooling of structures is accomplished by driving a compressor of an air conditioning system with an internal combustion engine. The engine also drives an electrical generator to provide electrical power to the various components of the heating and cooling subsystem such as fans, motors, pumps, and controls. A constantly variable transmission apparatus and a differential power transmission are cooperatively connected to the engine to provide substantially constant speed operation of the generator.