Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).

Abstract: Method steps for production of substantially uniform size droplets from a flow of liquid include forming the flow of liquid, periodically modulating the momentum of the flow of liquid in the flow direction at controlled frequency, generating a cross flow direction component of momentum and modulation of the cross flow momentum of liquid at substantially the same frequency and phase as the modulation of flow direction momentum, and spraying the so formed modulated flow through a first nozzle outlet to form a desired spray configuration. A second modulated flow through a second nozzle outlet is formed according to the same steps, and the first and second modulated flows impinge upon each other generating a liquid sheet. Nozzle apparatus for modulating each flow includes rotating valving plates interposed in the annular flow of liquid. The plates are formed with radial slots.

Abstract: A wood-type solid fuel fired water heater of modular construction includes a radiation heat transfer section or module in the form of a first annular or cylindrical side wall of refractory material. A water circulating first coil is embedded in the inner surface of the first annular side wall or cylinder to provide a partial water wall or water jacket in the refractory material. The first annular side wall defines the combustion chamber and locus of combustion for direct radiant heating of water in the first coil. The convection heat transfer section or module is formed by a second annular side wall or cylinder of refractory material positioned above the first annular side wall. A second coil for water circulation is mounted inside the second annular side wall but spaced from the inner surface for circulation of hot flue gas around the second coil for convection heating of water in the second coil.

Abstract: A method is described for monitoring and determining the degree of completion, pulp yield, and residual lignin content in a pulping or delignification reaction. The system provides an on-line, real time, closed loop process control system for the reaction of a known quantity of wood in process liquor. The desired pulp yield is achieved by sampling the liquor during the reaction; determining the total organic carbon content of the sampled liquor; and calculating the degree of completion of the reaction and pulp yield from the process liquor total organic carbon content determination using an appropriate mathematical model. The mathematical model is based upon conservation of carbon mass in the wood or pulp and liquor during the reaction, and includes a conservation of mass equation in which the total organic carbon in the sampled liquor substantially equals the total carbon in the starting quantity of wood or pulp less the total carbon in pulp wood residue at the time of sampling the liquor.

Abstract: A method for hardening high carbon steel is described for achieving fully austenitized martensite steel without microcracking. Steel is heated to the full austenitizing temperature of the selected steel composition for fully dissolving the carbon phase. The austenitized steel is quenched in an intermediate quenching step to a temperature below the martenite start temperature for the selected steel composition to initiate transformation of only a minor portion of the austenite structure to martensite. The martensite so formed is tempered in an intermediate tempering step to a temperature above the intermediate quench temperature for imparting toughness to the minor portion of martensite formed in the intermediate quenching step. In a final quenching step the remaining austenite is transformed to martensite so that the steel as finally quenched comprises a major portion of untempered martensite generally of smaller crystal size intermixed with a minor portion of tough tempered martensite of larger crystal size.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for regulating the transfer of heat between a first element and second element by interposing a fluid layer of mesomorphic phase liquid crystal material between the elements and thermally coupling the elements through the fluid layer, and by applying an electric field across the fluid layer of liquid crystal material. The electric field actively controls and regulates heat transfer according to either a first mode by reorienting the director of the liquid crystal material and therefore switching the thermal conductivity, or by a second mode electrically inducing convection current flow cells for increasing heat transfer between the elements by a factor as great as 10 or more.

Abstract: A new and improved stove or furnace for efficient combustion of wood fuel including a vertical feed combustion chamber for receiving and supporting wood fuel in a vertical attitude or stack, a major upper portion of the combustion chamber column comprising a water jacket for coupling to a source of water or heat transfer fluid and for convection circulation of the fluid for confining the locus of wood fuel combustion to the bottom of the vertical gravity feed combustion chamber. A flue gas propagation delay channel extending from the laterally directed draft outlet affords delayed travel time in a high temperature environment to assure substantially complete combustion of the gaseous products of wood burning with forced air as an actively induced draft draws the fuel gas and air mixture laterally through the combustion and high temperature zone.

Abstract: A furnace system for automatic, continuous and efficient burning of fragmented wood-type fuel incorporates a wood-type fuel combustion chamber, a fragmented wood-type fuel feeder or conveyor for trickle feeding fuel into the chamber at selected uniform rates, a heat exchanger or heat exchange plenum, igniter for igniting the fuel fragments supported in the combustion chamber, a flame sensor mounted relative to the combustion chamber for sensing the presence of flames from fuel supported in the combustion chamber, one or more blowers providing forced air or forced draft, and a control circuit for controlling and sequencing operation of the elements for the furnace system and for operatively coupling the flame sensor and igniter for switching off the igniter upon sensing of flames from the wood-type fuel.

Abstract: A solid fuel burning hot water heater is described having a primary combustion chamber with a refractory material base portion which forms the locus of combustion. A water jacket defines an upright portion over the refractory base portion for receiving a charge of fuel in a generally vertical stack. The water jacket is coupled to a source of water for at least convection circulation and assists in confining the locus of solid fuel combustion to the base of the chamber. Heat exchange channels or pathways are defined around the outer periphery of the water jacket in heat exchange relationship with the water jacket for transfer of heat from the end products of combustion to the circulating water. A flue gas delay channel arrangement extends from the draft outlet at the base of the combustion chamber to the heat exchange pathways.

Abstract: A wood furnace permits controlled combustion of sectors or segments of wood-type fuels for a high turn down ratio. The primary combustion chamber comprises a refractory base portion for high temperature combustion and an upper portion with a water jacket in heat exchange relationship with the upper portions of the fuel for quenching combustion. A plurality of refractory secondary combustion channels or a single laterally extending or distributed secondary channel leads away from the refractory base portion of the primary combustion chamber. The secondary channels or distributed channel conduct flue gases from different sectors of the fuel, and permit completion of combustion in a high temperature environment. A plurality of flue draft pathways lead from the secondary combustion channels or distributed channel for transfer of heat from the end products of combustion to a heat transfer medium. Separate dampers are provided for controlling the draft in the separate flue draft heat exchange pathways.

Abstract: A furnace system suitable for independent use and for retrofitting conventional central heating oil furnaces to permit controlled continuous and efficient combustion of fragmented wood type fuels. Wood chips or other fuel fragments are trickle fed into a refractory wood type combustion chamber. For retrofitting an oil furnace the oil burner gun is removed. A flame tube adapter couples the wood type fuel combustion chamber into the oil combustion chamber and heat exchanger plenum of the conventional furnace. The oil burner gun of the retrofitted furnace is used to ignite the wood chips or other fuel fragments during start up. A blower establishes forced draft. The furnace system includes automatic controls for sequencing operation of the elements of the retrofitting furnace system. An independent wood chip furnace system is also described.

Abstract: A stove or furnace for efficient combustion of wood fuel includes a vertical feed combustion chamber (15) for receiving and supporting wood fuel in a vertical attitude or stack. A major upper portion of the combustion chamber column comprises a water jacket (14) for coupling to a source of water or heat transfer fluid for convection circulation of the fluid. The locus (31) of wood fuel combustion is thereby confined to the refractory base of the combustion chamber. A flue gas propagation delay channel (34) extending laterally from the base of the chamber affords delayed travel time in a high temperature refractory environment sufficient to assure substantially complete combustion of the gaseous products of wood burning with forced air prior to extraction of heat in heat exchanger (16). Induced draft draws the fuel gas and air mixture laterally through the combustion chamber and refractory high temperature zone to the heat exchanger and flue.