Abstract: In a method for recovering a floatable surface layer from a body of water, particularly a surface layer comprising a buoyant pollutant, such as oil, a collection compartment (A) having a skiming weir (K) at its top is provided in the body of water and filled with water. With the skimming weir held in an overflow position relative to the surface of the body of water, water is discharged from the collection compartment (A) so that the collection compartment can be replenished from the surface of the body of water with water flowing over the skimming weir (K). Apparatus for carrying out the recovery comprises a collection vessel (11, 31). which is immersible in a body of water and defines the collection compartment (A) and which has a skimming weir (K) which forms an inlet into the upper end of the collection compartment (A), and means (17, 18, 35, 36), such as a reversible pump, for discharging water from the collection compartment.

Abstract: Biomedical measurements such as ECG or EEG measurements are frequently performed using a suction electrode. An electrolyte is applied to the skin of the patient and a suction electrode is placed thereon to form an electrically conducting connection between the skin and the electrode. In accordance with the present invention and hygienic improvement is provided by introducing an interface element between the skin of the patient and the reusable electrode. The interface element is preferably provided in the form of a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte having a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface. The substrate further includes a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion. The peripheral margin portion is adapted to form a vacuum seal against the skin of the patient with a seal portion of an applied biomedical electrode.

Abstract: A reusable electrode holder and associated disposable electrode unit are provided. The holder retains the electrode therein and is connectable to a vacuum source for holding the electrode against a patient's skin with vacuum suction. The holder is also connectable to an electrical lead for connection to the electrode unit. The holder has a resilient cap which is moveable to actuate a valve to open communication through the holder from the vacuum source to a chamber adjacent the skin. To prevent the transfer of contaminants from the skin to reusable parts of the holder, a first contaminant absorber is provided within a housing of the holder and a second contaminant absorber is provided as part of the electrode unit. A second valve can be provided which is actuatable to close vacuum communication when second absorber expands to a threshold contamination condition.

Abstract: A waterpower machine has a vertical cylinder, the lower end of which is open, a piston which is vertically reciprocable in the cylinder, a water chamber provided at the lower end of the cylinder wherein the water chamber has a water inlet and a water outlet, an inlet valve for controlling water inflow into in the water chamber through the water inlet, and an outlet valve for controlling water outflow from the water chamber through the water outlet. Both the water inlet and the water outlet are opened towards the periphery of the water chamber over the major portion of the water chamber circumference. The water inlet is at a different level from that of the water outlet. The inlet valve and the outlet valve comprise respective ones of a pair of annular valve members which are concentric with one another and with the cylinder and axially moveable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A reusable electrode holder and associated disposable electrode unit are provided. The holder retains the electrode therein and is connectable to a vacuum source for holding the electrode against a patient's skin with vacuum suction. The holder is also connectable to an electrical lead for connection to the electrode unit. The holder has a resilient cap which is moveable to actuate a valve to open communication through the holder from the vacuum source to a chamber adjacent the skin. To prevent the transfer of contaminants from the skin to reusable parts of the holder, a first contaminant absorber is provided within a housing of the holder and a second contaminant absorber is provided as part of the electrode unit. A second valve can be provided which is actuatable to close vacuum communication when second absorber expands to a threshold contamination condition.

Abstract: A reusable electrode holder and associated disposable electrode unit are provided. The holder retains the electrode therein and is connectable to a vacuum source for holding the electrode against a patient's skin with vacuum suction. The holder is also connectable to an electrical lead for connection to the electrode unit. The holder has a resilient cap which is moveable to actuate a valve to open communication through the holder from the vacuum source to a chamber adjacent the skin. To prevent the transfer of contaminants from the skin to reusable parts of the holder, a first contaminant absorber is provided within a housing of the holder and a second contaminant absorber is provided as part of the electrode unit. A second valve can be provided which is actuatable to close vacuum communication when second absorber expands to a threshold contamination condition.

Abstract: An absorber assembly for use in a biomedical electrode, such as an ECG electrode, comprises a contaminant absorber and a support which is combined with the contaminant absorber to form an assembly. The support has a recess for receiving an electrode member. An electrically insulating portion of the support is provided between the electrode member recess and the contaminant absorber. The contaminant absorber also has a capillary break with respect to the electrode member recess. The absorber assembly may include the electrode member.

Abstract: A biomedical vacuum electrode, such as an ECG electrode, is provided with a sealing element which improves performance. The sealing element includes a body and a sealing lip which extends around the body and terminates in a sealing edge at an application side. An inner surface of the sealing lip defines a vacuum chamber adapted in use of the electrode to communicate with a source of vacuum through a vacuum passageway. The vacuum passageway is connected with the vacuum chamber at the inner side of the sealing lip adjacent the sealing edge and opens into the vacuum chamber by way of an annular opening or gap. A contaminant absorber is placed on the side of the sealing element body facing away from the sealing edge to absorb contaminants carried away from the region of the sealing edge through the passageway.

Abstract: A moisture-collecting device comprises an enclosure (12) with a fluid inlet (15), a fluid outlet (16) and a fluid passage (18) extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a moisture-absorbing body (17) disposed in the fluid passage. The moisture-absorbing body fills substantially the entire flow cross section of the fluid passage (18) and to a substantial degree consists of a material having a high moisture-absorbing capability. The moisture-absorbing body defines, or has formed within it, at least one fluid passageway (19) which is in fluid flow communication with the fluid inlet (15) and the fluid outlet (16) and is substantially free of moisture-absorbing material. When the moisture-absorbing body (17) absorbs moisture it swells, and when it has swelled to a predetermined extent it may actuate a control or operating member, such as a valve.

Abstract: A reusable electrode holder and associated disposable electrode unit are provided. The holder retains the electrode therein and is connectable to a vacuum source for holding the electrode against a patient's skin with vacuum suction. The holder is also connectable to an electrical lead for connection to the electrode unit. The holder has a resilient cap which is moveable to actuate a valve to open communication through the holder from the vacuum source to a chamber adjacent the skin. To prevent the transfer of contaminants from the skin to reusable parts of the holder, a first contaminant absorber is provided within a housing of the holder and a second contaminant absorber is provided as part of the electrode unit. A second valve can be provided which is actuatable to close vacuum communication when second absorber expands to a threshold contamination condition.

Abstract: A fluid valve device for on-off control of fluid flow through a passage extending between two fluid ports (12, 15) and including a valve seat (17A) comprises a hollow valve member (21) which is movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat and defines a valve chamber (20). The valve chamber (20) communicates with one of the fluid ports (15) through the valve seat (17A) and is associated with a valve member actuating device (A) which translates the pressure of the fluid received in the valve chamber (20) from an inlet (12/14) for the fluid flow into a force acting on the valve member to displace it relative to the valve seat (17A). The valve member actuating device in one embodiment includes a thrust surface (A) on the valve member (21) which is directed away from the valve seat and forms part of the wall of the valve chamber (20). A second thrust surface (C) on the valve member (21) is directed oppositely and defines a chamber (V) which is isolated from the valve chamber and the flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering measured liquid volumes comprising a dosing piston pump having an outlet for the measured liquid volumes, and a liquid accumulating device including an accumulator chamber having an inlet for liquid to be dispensed. The accumulator chamber communicates with the pump chamber of the dosing piston pump through a transfer passage having a valve for controlling the transfer of liquid from the accumulator chamber to the pump chamber. The accumulator chamber is expandable to accommodate constantly inflowing liquid through the inlet when the transfer passage is blocked and is contractible as a result of the displacement of a movable wall member so as when the transfer passage is open to transfer accumulated liquid to the dosing piston pump while inflowing liquid flows direct to the dosing piston pump.

Abstract: A machine for converting pressure energy of a fluid into mechanical work comprises a working chamber (27,28) the volume of which is cyclically variable in response to reciprocatory motion of a wall (20) which defines the working chamber; a reciprocatory power member (15,16) which is displaceable by said wall (20) under action of the pressure fluid on the wall during expansion of the working chamber (27,28); an inlet conduit (12) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet circuit (13) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet valve (22) which is closable to prevent fluid flow in the outlet conduit in the direction away from the working chamber, and a driven member (17) operatively connected with the power member. The outlet conduit comprises a gap-like passage which substantially surrounds the working chamber (27,28) and extends along the periphery thereof and which is open or openable to permit fluid flow therethrough from the working chamber substantially without any pressure drop.

Abstract: A flap valve arrangement for one-way control of the flow of fluid in between an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, and particularly an inlet valve in a piston-type positive-displacement pump, having wall parts which define between them a fluid-flow passage which connects both of the chambers, and a valve flap which is mounted on a first wall part and which is movable across the passage under the influence of fluid forces acting on the flap, into and out of engagement with the second wall part to close and open the passage respectively. The second wall part is provided with openings which form part of the fluid passage and which are open on one side of the wall part directed towards the upstream chamber and on a side of the wall part directed towards the downstream chamber. A plurality of valve flaps supporting elements are disposed between the openings on the side of the second wall part which is directed toward the downstream chamber.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump, particularly a liquid metering or batching pump, includes a fluid inlet, a pump chamber of variable volume, an outlet through which fluid leaves the pump chamber, a driven injection member for repetitive displacement of fluid from the pump chamber, and a valve which functions to open and close a flow passage connecting the inlet with the pump chamber. The flow passage is formed by a gap which extends around at least the major part of the circumference of the pump chamber and which can be open to a height which varies from a smallest value at the ends of the gap to a largest value at a location between the circumferential ends of the gap. The valve includes a valve member which extends along the flow passage and which is pivotally mounted on a pivot adjacent the circumferential ends of the passage.