Abstract: Apparatus which simulates the exercise obtained while climbing stairs includes two hydraulically phased steps retained in adjacent inclined tracks in which the steps are supported in a hydraulically open-ended system, with the phasing of the steps being controlled by a pair of in-line hydraulic actuators, one each associated with a step, in which fluid forced from one actuator with a downward movement of the associated step is channeled through a variable restricted orifice to the other actuator to raise the other step. In one lightweight, compact embodiment, the device is collapsed down to a compact size through the use of steps which are foldable to the track, and through the use of a track foldable to the frame. In its open position the lower portion of the frame props up the track at an appropriate climbing angle, with upper portions of the frame extending above the track to serve as handles positioned above the center of travel of the steps.

Abstract: An improved humidity sensitive semiconductor device comprising an insulating base member and a humidity sensitive coating on said base member having at least two spread apart metal electrodes connected thereto, the coating comprising a metal oxide of a lanthanide cobaltate of the formula L.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x CoO.sub.3 where L is a member of the lanthanide series of elements selected from the group lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, smarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, sysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium and x is from about 0 to about 0.5 and an anion selected from the group consisting essentially of the organic anions of monobasic acids, dibasic acids or polybasic acids, inorganic anions and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a heat pump system for domestic hot water, a compressor section 18 provides working fluid at a multiplicity of pressures. Multiple condensers 12, 14 are arranged so that higher pressure working fluid is in heat exchange relationship with higher temperature water. Upon leaving the condensers 12, 14, working fluid is independently expanded and then combined, and it runs through a single evaporator 31 before returning to the compressor 18. The water may be circulated past an external condenser 12, 14 or the condensers 46, 48 may be immersed in a hot water storage tank 38.

Abstract: A scroll type fluid displacement apparatus, for example a refrigerant compressor, includes reinforcing ribs on the rear side of the base plate of the orbiting scroll element to provide rigidity to the base plate. Central and peripheral thrust bearings behind the base plate provide axial restraint for the orbiting scroll element, and one of the thrust bearings is arranged to maintain the fixed and orbital wrap in predetermined angular relationship. A swirling system for the fluid inlet into the scroll apparatus separates liquid from gas in the incoming fluid before it reaches the involute scroll wraps, and the tip edges of the scroll wraps are preformed so that the tip of each scroll wrap tends to expand under exposure to a differential thermal gradient between its inner and outer region to maintain a uniform tip clearance across its entire diameter under operating conditions.

Abstract: Method for forming scroll members comprising an end plate having an involute wrap rigidly affixed thereto. The end plate and involute wrap are precision formed, e.g., by casting, either as an integral element or as two separate elements and then the scroll member is coined to the desired dimensional accuracy and finish. If a separate end plate and an involute wrap are provided for coining, then they are rigidly joined during coining, an embodiment which permits the use of two different materials and/or the attainment of two different surface characteristics for the involute wrap and the end plate.

Abstract: An implantable drug deliver depot comprising a hydrophilic poly(glutamic acid-co-ethyl glutamate) structure having one or more substances, e.g., drugs and/or diagnostic agents physically contained therein. The drug or diagnostic agent is released by its permeation of and diffusion through the copolymer structure. The depot may be designed to release the substance or substances at predetermined rates and in predetermined sequence. The copolymer structure ultimately biodegrades to glutamic acid. Among the preferred configurations for the depots are rods and closed-end capsules.

Abstract: A two-piece scroll member, for use in scroll apparatus, is fabricated by seating a separately formed involute wrap in an involute channel cut in the end plate. The channel has at least one reentrant groove and the surface of the wrap is configured to engage the groove. Locking means are coined into the groove to rigidly affix the wrap to the end plate.

Abstract: An optically transparent organometallic polymer is disclosed prepared from a polyvalent metal salt-containing monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein M is a polyvalent metal, R is C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl, R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkoxy, amino, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkylamino, nitro or halo or heterocyclic aryl, the heteroatom selected from the group nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. A process for preparing these high metal content optically transparent materials is disclosed. The polymers are useful in forming transparent radiation barrier sheets and films.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing heavy metals as sulfides from aqueous liquids. The aqueous liquid is introduced into a circulating liquid loop wherein there are established a mixing zone, a controlled precipitation initiating zone, a crystal growing zone and a crystal settling zone. The aqueous feed liquid containing H S dissolved therein and at a pH below that at which the sulfide is precipitated is mixed in the loop with a pH-adjusting liquid; and the degree of supersaturation with respect to the metal sulfide is maintained within the controlled precipitation initiating and crystal growing zones in the metastable condition so that the growth rate of the metal sulfide crystals remains greater than under uncontrolled conditions vis-a-vis the nucleation rate to effect the production of metal sulfide crystals of a character which makes it possible to separate them through clarification and filtration.

Abstract: A scroll-type fluid motor or pump is provided with a roller Oldham coupling and bearing for guiding the orbiting scroll wrap relative to the fixed wrap, the coupling including plural, equal diameter cylindrical rollers disposed in overlapping but equally offset cylindrical openings forming bearing surfaces for the rollers. The diameter of each roller is such as to maintain the offset distance so that the orbiting scroll wrap is precisely guided relative to a fixed scroll wrap, whereby radial loads are fully carried by large rolling surfaces provided by the rollers. A magnetic drive system for the orbiting scroll is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming scroll members comprising an end plate having an involute wrap rigidly affixed thereto. The end plate and involute wrap are precision formed, e.g., by casting, either as an integral element or as two separate elements and then the scroll member is coined to the desired dimensional accuracy and finish. If a separate end plate and an involute wrap are provided for coining, then they are rigidly joined during coining, an embodiment which permits the use of two different materials and/or the attainment of two different surface characteristics for the involute wrap and the end plate.

Abstract: Axial compliance/sealing means are provided for scroll-type apparatus. These means comprise seal elements capable of experiencing axial and radial motion within channels cut in the tips of the involute wraps to make sealing contact with the end plates of the opposing scroll members. Continuous involute spring members having a pitch larger than the wrap involute channel provide a mechanical force applying means to urge the seal elements into sealing contact. The use of the axial compliance/sealing means allows the contacting surfaces through which radial sealing is effected to be machined to conventional accuracy, and provides automatic compensation for temperature differentials within the apparatus as well for any uneven wear of the scroll members. The sealing means is particularly suited for reliable extended operation in a hermetically sealed apparatus.

Abstract: In a space shuttle, payloads are individually temperature controlled by means of a liquid control loop in heat exchange relationship with both the payload and a radiator or shuttle cold plate. The liquid pump is driven at a variable speed to control the heat transferred between the load and the radiator or cold plate, and the motor may be reversed to by-pass the radiator through check valves. The radiator includes heat pipes seated in elongated, high thermal conductivity extrusions and retained therein by elongated springs. The motor is a brushless DC motor isolated from the pump by a magnetic clutch and thermal isolator. The motor is driven by a digital circuit which provides a single pulse to each set of windings during each energizing time frame. The width of that pulse is modulated to provide for speed control. Pulse width modulation is by means of a one-shot, the pulse duration of which is controlled by a speed control signal.

Abstract: Method for the determination of fluidic-contained aldehydes. The method comprises bringing into contact said aldehyde and a chemically inert substrate having adhered to the surface thereof a substantially monodisperse system of particles of a derivatizing agent for the aldehydes thereby forming nucleating crystals; treating said nucleating crystals with a metastable supersaturated solution in which said nucleating crystals can grow; growing said nucleating crystals to form an optically measurable film of crystals; and optically measuring said film of crystals to determine the concentration of fluidic-contained aldehydes.

Abstract: Finely divided coal is slurried with liquid carbon dioxide and pumped from a source (mine, dump, railway car, etc.) to a loading pier where, after deslurrying, the coal is pneumatically carried by gaseous carbon dioxide into a storage facility or directly to a waterborne carrier. The coal is maintained under a blanket of carbon dioxide gas during storage and transport. When the waterborne carrier, which may be an ocean going vessel or an inland waterway vessel, reaches its destination, the coal is removed using carbon dioxide gas and then delivered to storage or a use point. If the use point is some distance away, the coal may be reslurried with liquid carbon dioxide and pumped to its final destination.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device comprising a matrix formed of a poly-.alpha.-amino acid component having one or more drugs and/or diagnostic agents physically contained therein. The drug or diagnostic agent is released through one or both of two mechanisms: diffusion and biodegration which results from the action of enzymes, present in the host in which the implant is placed, on the polymeric matrix material. The implant device may be designed to release the drug or drugs at predetermined rates and in predetermined sequence. One preferred configuration for the implant device is a rod which may be inserted with a trocar.

Abstract: A portable water distiller having an insulated container for raw water and a removable cover for the container with a low pressure seal which engages the container wall. A condenser coil is provided in the cover along with a motor-driven fan, and inlet and outlet ports are provided about the periphery of the cover to allow cooling air to be drawn into the cover over the condenser coils and motor. An inlet tube connected to the condenser coil receives steam from the container generated by a heater connected to the container bottom.

Abstract: Essentially nonflammable, moldable, strong laminates formed of alternating layers of cured magnesium oxycement and a fibrous web, e.g., paper formed of cellulosic, glass or synthetic resin fibers or mixtures thereof. The magnesium oxycement may contain a suitable filter, the surfaces of the laminate may be modified and composites may be formed with a wide variety of core materials. The laminates are made by coating the fibrous webs with a reactive slurry of a magnesium salt solution and magnesium oxide. The fibrous web materials used are impermeable to the extent that no appreciable amount of the magnesium salt solution is absorbed and no appreciable amount of the magnesium oxide is filtered out onto the surface or into the intertices of the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an array of liquid streams which break up into small uniformly sized and spaced droplets. A cover plate is sealed to a base plate having grooves sized and spaced according to a predetermined pattern to define a plurality of nozzles. Manifold means are provided to supply liquid under pressure to the nozzles thus formed. In a preferred embodiment for ink-jet applications the nozzles, or manifold branches supplying the nozzles, are of such a configuration as to electrically isolate the liquid flowing therethrough and separate electrodes are provided for each nozzle. This makes it possible to use a common charging electrode for the array while exercising separate control over the droplet-forming streams.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.