Abstract: A burner including a cyclone shaped housing divided by a baffle plate into an upper cyclone chamber and lower chamber, the walls of the chambers are formed to resist heat and corrosion, the baffle plate extends across a major portion of the width of the chamber and is positioned above an inlet to the lower chamber, the upper cyclone chamber having a tangential air inlet near to a cover plate which extends across the upper chamber and which has an outlet from the chamber centrally situated therein, the arrangement being such that in operation a particulate fuel is blown into the upper chamber via the tangential inlet to then fall and burn around the outer edge of the baffle plate in the chamber into which additional air is blown from below to assist burning in the chambers, the heat produced and exhaust gases exiting from the outlet, for use, as required.

Abstract: A decontaminating composition and delivery system therefor. The decontaminating composition is prepared by combining a "per-salt", an activator for hydrogen peroxide which effects free radical formation, both of which are in a dry form and an aqueous solution comprised of a nonvolatile alcohol and a surface active agent. The "per-salt" of the present invention is a basic water-soluble salt such as percarbonate, perborate, persilicate or perphosphate which releases hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution. While not true per-salts in the strict chemical sense, they are otherwise conventional salts containing hydrogen peroxide of crystallization which is released in aqueous solution. The decontaminating composition and delivery system comprise a dispenser containing, in separate compartments, the various components as aforesaid which are thoroughly mixed prior to being dispensed onto the surface to be treated.

Abstract: A continuous towel cabinet comprises a holder for a roll of clean towel, an arrangement of rollers for repeatedly allowing a length of clean towel to be dispensed into a loop beneath the holder and including a rewind roller on which an equivalent length of soiled towel is simultaneously rewound, separate take-up means for retracting the loop at the end of each cycle of operation, and a compartment for receiving the length of towel withdrawn by the loop take-up means, the soiled towel within the compartment being subsequently wound onto the rewind roller during the next or succeeding cycles of operation. The loop take-up means comprises a drive roller driven by an electric motor, and the cabinet contains an independent power source for operating the electric motor. Furthermore, there are provided control means for the motor actuated by sensing means responsive to the tension in the towel whereby after the towel is released by the user the loop will be retracted.

Abstract: A cleansing and disinfecting composition comprising an alkaline per-salt and a positively charged phase-transfer agent and absorbent materials, such as sponges, impregnated therewith. The composition preferably also contains one or more surfactants. The alkaline per-salt is an alkaline water-soluble salt having hydrogen peroxide of crystallization. The positively charged phase-transfer agent is preferably a quaternary ammonium salt. The composition may be formulated as a cream, a bulk powder, a solution or tablets. It ay also be incorporated in wipes, sponges and brushes. In one embodiment, one surface of the impregnated sponge is an abrasive material. The compositions of this invention find utility in health care, as disinfectants in surgical applications, and as cleansing and decontaminating agents.

Abstract: A swim-in-place pool has an inlet opening to the swimming area, which is comparable in width and height to the space that would be occupied by a swimmer's body. Water is driven through the inlet opening at a velocity which is substantially constant throughout the cross-sectional area of the opening.The illustrated apparatus includes a housing providing an annular cavity within which a circular water advancing means is revolvably disposed. The swimming space lies essentially along a diameter of the annular cavity. The inlet opening is provided at one end of the swimming space for receiving water from the annular cavity, and an outlet opening is provided at the other end to return water to the annular cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in treating semiconductor wafers or other work pieces by an active ion technique or by chemical vapour deposition, comprising a "vacuum" chamber having means for connection to an evacuating pump and to a source of the selected gas, an induction coil surrounding part of the chamber and connected to an alternating current supply to create a plasma within the chamber containing ionised elements of the gas, a support for the work piece within the chamber, and means for creating an electric field between the support and part of the chamber where the plasma exists.

Abstract: A rotary cam member (24) has a peripheral surface disposed about an axis. The peripheral surface includes first, second, and third portions that are, respectively, first, second, and third radial distances (R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3) from the axis. R.sub.1 is greater than R.sub.2 and less than R.sub.3. The third portion is positioned circumferentially between the first and second portions. Cam member (24) has an open position in which the second portion contacts the clamp (2, 4) with which lever (22) is being used and a closed position in which the first portion contacts clamp (2, 4). A handle (26) projects from cam member (24) for pivoting cam member (24) back and forth between its open and closed positions. A barrel nut (28) is received in a cylindrical axial hole in cam member (24) and engages pull member (8, 10) that closes clamp (2, 4).

Abstract: The filter tubes of a swimming pool filter are cleaned by a spray nozzle connected to a high pressure water source and carried on the end of a wand adapted to be inserted slidably through the drain valve and moved back and forth to cause the spray nozzle to traverse back and forth beneath the tubes. Dirty water from the filter is discharged around the wand and through the drain valve.

Abstract: A flitch washer includes inner and outer cylinders, the space between which is closed at its ends by bulkheads. The inner cylinder defines a passageway open at an entry end and an exit end. A conveyor is provided for conveying a flitch through the passageway from the entry end to the exit end. Nozzle openings are provided through the inner cylinder into the space. Nozzles and plugs are inserted into the nozzle openings to provide a desired pattern of spray of a washing fluid from the space between the cylinders through the nozzles into the passageway. A filter mechanism is provided for trapping debris and the like removed from the flitches by the washing fluid. The filtered washing fluid is then returned to the space between the cylinders for recycling through the nozzles. The filter and conveyor are oriented so that the conveyor also conveys accumulated debris from the filter to a receptacle for disposal.

Abstract: A system for evaluating nervous system function of a subject including generally an accelerometer sensor, a stimulus electrode assembly, and a portable device to which the sensor and electrode assembly are connected. The sensor measures the magnitude of the (stimulus evoked) movement of a body part of the subject along at least one axis of three dimensional space. The device contains electrical circuits for processing data from the sensor, generating stimuli to the electrode assembly, and timing both the extraction of sensor information and the delivery of stimuli. The sensor has a suction chamber for attaching the sensor to the desired body part site by static suction. To evaluate the nervous system function the magnitude of the monitored sensed (acceleration) movement is compared with a control value. When the nervous system being evaluated is the peripheral nerve of one side of the face, the control value can be determined by evoking and measuring movement on the opposite side of the face.

Abstract: A PTC heater for heating a tubular member includes an elongated profiled carrier body of heat conductive material having a first side provided with a flat support surface having a groove substantially perpendicular thereto extending along opposite longitudinal edges thereof and a second side provided with a channel of semi-circular cross-section for engaging the tubular member. A PTC heater element comprising a plurality of PTC resistance elements disposed between a pair of plate electrodes is positioned on the flat support surface in heat transmitting contact therewith and is covered by an elongate heat conductive cover member in flat surface engagement with the other side of the PTC heater element and provided with longitudinal rim portions closely fitted into the grooves. A U-shaped straddle clamping bracket having legs snap-fittingly anchored to the carrier body presses the cover toward the PTC heater element and carrier body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the safety and location of individuals includes a portable transceiver worn by each individual and a base control unit for sending interrogation signals to the individual units. The interrogation signals are transmitted through both air and water, and the individual units transmit a response through the medium through which the interrogation signal was received. The base unit measures both the elapsed time from transmission to reception and the incoming phase angles of the response signal, and converts these measurements to indications of distance and angle between the base unit and the individual transceivers.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes a base, a suction ring connected to the base to secure the device to the eye of a patient, and a support piece carrying a pair of securely ganged cutting blades having cutting edges oriented at an angle with respect to one another. The support piece can be raised and lowered with respect to the eye surface, and rotated around the base to simultaneously form two incisions along a path on the eye. The device includes a mechanism for progressively advancing the two cutting blades together in the support piece, while maintaining a constant angular cutting edge relative orientation, to a position in which the cutting points of the two cutting blades are touching, and can thus be used to form an annular wedge-like cut of eye tissue in the treatment of refractive errors. In alternative embodiments, laser or electrosurgical knives may be used instead of cutting blades.

Abstract: A log cutting machine is provided which has a cyclic operation to achieve high operating speeds. The log cutting machine comprises a pivotal support which carries a cutting blade. A cranked drive is operatively connected to the pivotal support to effect cyclic movement of the cutting blade carried by the pivotal support. A reaction surface is disposed in proximity to the movable cutting blade such that the blade moves toward and away from the reaction surface during the cyclic operation of the cutting machine.

Abstract: An assembly added to a conventional VHS cassette provides a wheel for counting the number of plays, or replays of segments of more than a predetermined length, and preventing further replay after the last authorized play by either releasing a spring biased arm to carry an erase head against the tape, or locking the cassette brakes in the engaged position once the cassette is removed form the tape deck.

Abstract: Improved forward transimpedance amplifiers are provided using a field effect transistor first amplification stage, direct coupled to a bipolar junction transistor second amplification stage. In some embodiments an optional third bipolar junction transistor amplification stage is provided, direct coupled from the second stage. Negative feedback signals are connected from the output of the bipolar junction transistor stage to the input of the field effect transistor stage. The invention provides simple and low-cost amplifiers with very high forward transimpedance and other performance characteristics approaching those of an ideal amplifier, permitting the realization of a nearly ideal transimpedance amplifier with performance characteristics dominated by its feedback network.

Abstract: Optical and digital potentiometers and controllers. In one embodiment of the invention, a paddle slider is maintained within a housing along with a light source and sensor. The amount of light received by the sensor is a function of the position of the slider and, accordingly, a control signal output may be developed corresponding to the mechanical position of the slider. In other embodiments, light sources are caused to impinge on reflective surfaces which reflect the light through a film onto additional reflective surfaces which direct the light to a sensor. The film may be of varying optical density along the length thereof such that the amount of light received corresponds to the position of the slider, or the film may be digitally encoded such that separate light beams received by the sensor will correspond to a digital position of the slider. In another embodiment, a cylindrical digitally encoded film is rotated between a light source and sensor, thereby varying the output of the sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides means to enable the propeller of a power driven watercraft to be viewed and cleared of any fouling material by access from the interior of the craft; suitably the propeller is viewed through and access is gained by means of a pierceable transparent diaphragm (7) set in a tube (2) which is inserted through and sealably attached to an aperture formed in the hull (1) of the craft immediately above the propeller.

Abstract: A signal balloon (2, 2') has an inflated configuration that is horizontally elongated with opposite tapered ends (4, 6, 4', 6'). The balloon (2, 2') is shaped and dimensioned to cause it to ascend in response to an increase in wind speed. The sidewalls of the balloon (2, 2') have light transmitting portions (10, 10') and reflective portions (12, 12'). A light (40, 40') is positioned inside the balloon (2, 2'). The light may be an electric lamp (40) connected to a power source (64) on the ground via an electrically conductive tether (34). The light (40') may also be the upper end of a fiber optic conductor tether (34') which has a lower end connected to a light source (92') on the ground. The balloon (2') is provided with pivotable lower and upper lift members (22', 24') which are connected to the tether (34') and pivot in response to changes in orientation of the tether (34') to increase the lift of the balloon (2') when the tether (34') inclines away from a vertical position.