Abstract: A combined fan and valve for evacuating air from a space, especially in connection with ventilation of a toilet bowl from odoreous air. The fan wheel (8) of the fan is assembled with a sealing membrane (13). Moreover, the hub 10 of the fan wheel is provided with spindle threads (11) for cooperation with corresponding spindle threads (7) on the output shaft of the drive motor (5). When the motor is started, the fan wheel is lifted from the valve seat and pumps air from the space through the inlet (2) and out through the outlet (3). When the motor stops, the fan wheel will screw itself downwards along the screw (7) under the influence of the gravity in order to bear against the valve seat (4).

Abstract: An engine and method in accordance with this invention includes a plurality of parallel cylinders equally spaced from a longitudinally extending engine axis with a pair of opposed pistons in each cylinder for controlled reciprocation therein. Respective rotatably mounted axial-faced cams and followers control the motion of the pistons through the operating cycle to permit at least one power stroke from each cylinder during each rotation of the engine. A controllable divider valve located between the opposed faces of the pistons defines, on one side, a first air/fuel receiving compression chamber and, on the other side, a second relatively high-pressure ignition air receiving chamber.

Abstract: In a photochemical vapor deposition apparatus, a reaction space forming a passage for a photoreactive gas, in which reaction space a substrate is to be placed, and a discharge space, in which electric plasma discharge is generated for radiating ultraviolet rays which cause photochemical reaction of the photoreactive gas, are surrounded by the same vessel. A mercury reservoir that communicates with the discharge space by way of a communication pipe is provided outside the vessel, the communication pipe is heated at a temperature higher than that of the mercury reservoir by a heater, and the mercury reservoir is controlled in temperature by a Peltier effect element which may be cooled with a water-cooled block provided on one side thereof.This photochemical vapor deposition apparatus can achieve photochemical vapor deposition with high efficiency, because the control of the vapor pressure of mercury for discharge is carried out easily and ultraviolet rays can be radiated with high efficiency.

Abstract: A flushing arrangement for a foam dispensing gun operation to dispense at least one resin component which solidifies on exposure to air and including a gun body with an internal passageway adapted to be closed by a valve to establish a passageway portion located downstream from the valve in the context of resin flow past the valve when opened. The flushing arrangement includes a port extending from the exterior of the gun body to the passageway portion immediately downstream from the closed valve so as to enable the circulation of solvent from a pressurized source, such as a squeeze bottle, throughout all surfaces with which the resin comes in contact in the passageway portion.

Abstract: A light-radiant heating furnace is formed of a multiplane light source constructed by arranging in combination a plurality of plane light source units, each of which is constructed of a plurality of lamps arranged side by side, along a vertically-extending axis in such a manner that the plane light source units surround a heating space. Each of the lamps includes an elongated and sealed tubular envelope and a filament, which has alternately non-luminous portions and luminous portions, and is disposed in such a manner that it extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertically-extending axis. It is preferred to use frame members each of which has two plate portions extending at a predetermined angle relative to each other and defining lamp-supporting holes at different levels. The light-radiant heating furnace can heat an object either uniformly or with a desired temperature distribution to a desired high temperature. Its structure is extremely simple and its assembly is thus easy.

Abstract: A refrigerating machine including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator and an economizer device in the form of a centrifugal liquid gas separator, the gas space of which is connected to an intermediate pressure point of the compressor. The liquid space of the separator is connected to the evaporator via a valve controlled to maintain an annulus of liquid in the separator. The inlet of the separator is connected to the outlet of the expansion valve. The separator is driven by the compressor shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for operating a light-radiant furnace equipped with incandescent lamps as the light-radiant source thereof. The method includes a step of transporting a plurality of objects successively into the light-radiant furnace and controlling the operation of the incandescent lamps in synchronization with the transportation of each of the objects into the light-radiant furnace and in accordance with a predetermined operation curve so as to expose the object to light for their heating. The method features feeding a small current to the incandescent lamps so as to dim the incandescent lamps prior to each operation of the incandescent lamps in accordance with the operation curve. According to the above method, a heat treatment of object can be repeatedly carried out always under the same conditions while enjoying rated long service life of incandescent lamps without increasing the electric power to be wasted by the incandescent lamps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heating method of a semiconductor wafer by means of application of radiated light. The wafer is additionally heated by subsidiary heating device which per se is heated upon exposure to the radiated light and is arranged in contact with the surface of the circumferential edge or a surface portion lying in the vicinity of the circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer. The ratio of the characteristic value (.alpha.) of the subsidiary heating device to that (.beta.) of the wafer is limited to 0.7 to 1.3, said .alpha. and .beta. being expressed respectively by the following formulae: ##EQU1## where .eta..sub.1, .eta..sub.2 are reflectivities, .rho..sub.1, .rho..sub.2 are specific gravities (g/cm.sup.3), d.sub.1, d.sub.2 are thicknesses (cm) and C.sub.1, C.sub.2 are specific heats (joule/g..degree.C.) of the subsidiary heating device and semiconductor wafer, respectively. The above heating method is effective in preventing the occurrence of "warping" and "slip line".

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a deposition process which comprises, in an air-tight reaction vessel, generating a plasma through a discharge gas by means of a discharge system, disposing a substrate at a position apart from the plasma by a distance greater than the mean free path of species produced by the plasma in such a state that the substrate can be exposed directly to light radiated from the plasma, feeding a carrier gas and photoreactive gas in such a manner that they flow along the substrate, and causing the photoreactive gas to undergo a reaction by the light from the plasma to deposit the reaction product on the substrate. In the deposition process the substrate and a film deposited thereon are prevented from contamination or damage by charged particles. Electrodes are kept free from deposition of the reaction product, thereby allowing to conduct the deposition operation for a long period of time without need for cleaning them frequently.

Abstract: A power drive line in which a continuously variable, nutating traction drive transmission unit (16) is combined with a single planetary set (84, 86, 88) to provide two forward modes and a reverse mode of drive line operation. A pair of transmission unit input shafts (18, 20) are alternatively coupled to a power input to the overall drive line. In one forward mode, the planet gear (86) is driven by the sun gear (84) to rotate the ring gear (88) in a relatively wide low speed range of speed ratios. In another forward mode, the transmission body (52) carrying the planet gear (86) is connected to be driven directly by the drive line power input to effect a relatively high range of output speeds for a given input speed. In the reverse mode, the body (52) carrying the planet gear (86) is held against planetary movement so that the planet gear (86) operates as a reversing idler between the sun gear input (84) and the ring gear output (88).

Abstract: An amplifier topology suitable for amplification of the frequency dependent output of a transducer to provide a frequency equalized amplifier output includes a first transconductive stage for converting a voltage input signal to the current domain through a signal node and a second transreactive stage for converting the signal current into an output voltage. An active equalization network feeds back a representation of the output signal to the signal node in such a way that the fed back signal voltage error is not affected by the high impedance thereat to provide error correction feedback that is achromatic with frequency and, accordingly, does not vary across the range of frequencies amplified, to provide the second amplifier with a frequency independent closure ratio, while not reducing second amplifier voltage gain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for operating a light-radiant heating furnace which includes a main heater capable of irradiating light onto an object to heat it up and a subsidiary heater adapted principally to additionally heat a peripheral portion of said object, which method includes actuating said main heater and subsidiary heater repeated in accordance with their respective actuation curves, which have in advance been prepared, in synchronization with intermittent transportation of objects into said light-radiant heating furnace. The light-radiant heating furnace permits a uniform heat treatment of objects always with high efficiency but without development of slip line or warping, even when they are semiconductor wafers and are heated up in short time periods.

Abstract: A screw is adapted to cooperate with a casing and at least one pinion-wheel for compressing or expanding a fluid within the space located between two screw threads, the casing and a tooth of the pinion-wheel. The casing and crests of the threads carry two cooperating surfaces, and at least part of one of the surfaces comprises lands defining continuity of the surface but being discontinued along any circle centered on the axis of the screw. The lands separate cells which trap formative seizure particles and, thus, reduce the clearance needed between the screw and the casing.

Abstract: An insulated collapsible container suitable for a material handling box, equipment carrying case, food insulator, beverage insulator, trash receptacle, tote pail and the like, which is constructed from two flat blanks of structural material arranged for a high production rate. One blank forms a three sided collapsible structure including double walls, an inwardly folding bottom, a three position snap action lid hinge, an insert frame retaining clip, rim stiffeners, bail holes and hand holes. The remaining blank forms the mating insert frame around which two flexible liners are tightly placed, thus forming an insulating air entrapment therebetween. After pushing inward the bottom, container transformation from expanded to collapsed configuration is by inward movement of container sides. A flexible bail serves the dual purpose of container transport and retention of the collapsed state. The container is transformed from collapsed to expanded configuration by inward movement of front and back edges.

Abstract: A volumetric machine comprises a screw rotatable inside a casing and cooperating with at least one pinion-wheel. The screw has a low pressure end adjacent a low pressure port and a high pressure end adjacent a high pressure port, the high pressure end being provided with an annular sealing device substantially preventing axial leakage towards a cavity maintained at the low pressure to reduce axial thrusts on the screw. The profile of the screw corresponds to that of the casing with a very small clearance, except in an area adjacent the sealing device where the clearance increases from the low pressure side towards the sealing device.

Abstract: A device to ensure tightness without friction and thus as reduced as possible clearance at the high pressure end of the screw. At the high pressure side of the screw, the bearing housing of the screw comprises a metal ring which is different from the metal of the screw ring and has a higher coefficient of expansion. This ring fills up a circular recess machined at the end of the screw. This device ensures an almost perfect leak-tightness in the case of compressors, or oil free expansion machines or high pressure pumps.

Abstract: A multi-staple cartridge for surgical staplers in which individual staples are retained and driven by separate but commonly actuated staple retaining units. Each of the units includes a movable staple carrier and a staple driving head. All units are actuated by a cartridge contained driving press so that the driving head and carrier are first moved together under a limited or yieldable force transmitting means tending to retain them in their initial relative position. The force transmitting means operative between the common driving press then advances the driving head relative to the carrier to set the staple. Final movement of the carrier and driving head is by direct abutting engagement with the driving press for all staples not previously clinched by the force of the yieldable force transmitting means. Tissue thickness variation is thus accommodated by each individual staple.

Abstract: A caddy for janitorial cleaning supplies in which a pair of compartmented supply-receiving units are supported in vertically spaced relation on a sheet-form standard capable of suspension by hooks from a circular or rectangular trash dolly as well as being capable of suspension from a manual carrying handle supported from the hooks. The caddy is additionally capable of standing erect on a floor to facilitate handling of multiple supplies in a janitorial service area.

Abstract: A positive displacement machine such as a hydraulic pump or motor comprises a screw with several threads rotatable inside a casing and meshing with at least one pinion, and at least one low pressure port and at least one high pressure port located in the casing on either side of the pinion. The portion of the casing comprised between a low pressure port and a high pressure port is in leaktight contact with the whole length of the top of at least one thread of the screw. When said portion is in contact with the tops of two threads, no pinion tooth is in mesh between them. The threads terminate on each side of the screw on substantially equal diameters and have in their central section a swollen portion with an external diameter larger than at the ends of the threads.

Abstract: A screw is adapted to cooperate with a casing and at least one pinion-wheel for compressing or expanding a fluid within the space located between two screw threads, the casing and a tooth of the pinion-wheel. The casing and the crests of the threads carry two cooperating surfaces, and at least part of one of the surfaces comprises lands defining continuity of the surface but being discontinued along any circle centered on the axis of the screw. The lands separate cells which trap formative seizure particles and, thus, reduce the clearance needed between the screw and the casing.