Abstract: A method for establishing a hydrological cycle in a closed ecological system is disclosed. The hydrological cycle results in the establishment of a variety of different micro-environments which simulate micro-environments of Earth. The hydrological cycle further results in the establishment of a symbiotic interrelation of organisms in that are established within the different micro-environments, where the wastes generated by organisms of one micro-environment are removed by organisms of a second environment and are used as nutrients. This biological purification of the water maintains the purity and functionality of the water for continual use within the closed ecological system.

Abstract: A pressure compensating lung balances pressure between open and closed environments which are substantially isolated from and independent of each other, for example, the Earth's open environment and the closed environment of a second, smaller closed ecological system, Biosphere 2. The lung has an airtight housing and a barrier which includes a flexible membrane, one side of which faces Biosphere 2 and the other side of which faces the outside, with a central pan the perimeter of which is surrounded by the membrane. The membrane has approximately the shape of a surface of a torus. It deviates from a toroidal shape sufficiently to avoid substantial circumferential tension in the membrane. The weight of the pan exerts a positive pressure on the atmosphere in Biosphere 2 for preventing inward leaks.

Abstract: An indoor air purifier has a base and a container on the base with a layer of soil supported above a lower water bath occupying the bottom of the container. The container is fitted on top of the base such that the container can freely rotate upon the base. Room air is drawn into the base and is passed from the base into the bottom of the container through a duct connected between the two. Air passing from the base is directed downwardly into the water bath before passing upwardly into the soil layer. The air passes through the soil layer and is discharged from the soil's surface back into the room. Contaminant gases and particulates are removed from the air through contact with the soil layer and are metabolized by microorganisms contained within the soil, producing carbon dioxide and water. The water bath humidifies the air being passed through it and maintains a stable degree of moisture in the lower portion of the soil layer.

Abstract: A water-level control device is provided for controlling water levels between a high-tide level and a low-tide level. The water-level control device comprises a tiltable pipe connected to a drain pipe by a flexible joint. Tilting of the pipe allows flow of water from a high-tide point to a low-tide point. Water is pumped into a pond continuously, and the variable-height weir cyclically varies the outflow to simulate a tidal cycle.

Abstract: An air sampling and analysis system has a plurality of air sampling tubes extending between an analytical laboratory and a number of remote locations where samples are taken. Means are provided for continually drawing air through the sampling tubes during times when they are not connected to a analytical instrument for measuring concentration of various gases. Means are also provided adjacent to the inlet of at least some of the sampling tubes for converting a vapor which may not travel the full length of the sampling tube, to a gas which will travel the full length of the tube. The concentration of the vapor can be found by measuring the composition of the air sample with conversion and subtracting a similar composition without conversion. Examples of vapors that are converted include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.

Abstract: Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystem if toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air containing pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system.

Abstract: Waves are generated on the surface of a body of water, at regular intervals, by a wave generator in which water is periodically lifted and allowed to fall in a water-lift chamber. Water enters and leaves the lift chamber through an underwater opening at its bottom. It is lifted by drawing a vacuum in the top of the lift chamber and dropped by releasing that vacuum. Air is periodically exhausted from the lift chamber to create a vacuum therein by an air blower through an air buffer having a series of interconnected air chambers, to minimize air-pressure fluctuations at the air blower intake. Vacuum in the lift chamber is periodically released by opening it to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The substantially leak proof glazing system comprises a plurality of sheets of glazing material assembled on a reticulated space frame. Rather than sealing the glazing material to the supporting structure, there is a gasket bridging the gap between adjacent sheets of glazing material and sealing against the inside faces of the sheets to provide a glass-to-glass seal. The gasket has a generally U-shaped transverse cross section with the rounded end of each leg of the U bearing against the face of the glazing material. Belleville springs are provided for resiliently biasing the glazing material toward the gasket to compensate for compression set of the gasket. A Belleville spring is also used for compressing the base of the gasket against an underlying support to provide a reliable seal around a stud that penetrates the gasket for supporting the Belleville springs.

Abstract: The substantially leak proof glazing system comprises a plurality of panels, each of which comprises a sheet of glass surrounded by a frame. The frame is formed of two angle members along each edge of the sheet which are slightly shorter than the edge of the sheet so that there is an open diagonal gap at the corner of the panel which leaves the corner open for receiving sealant. A resilient bezel is between each outer angle member and the outer surface of the corresponding sheet. The balance of the space between the edge of the sheet and the angle members is filled with a silicone sealant applied wet and cured in place. Channels in the faces of the bezel permit the detection of gas leakage through the seals. The glazing system has a generally U-shaped bond breaker covering a portion of the supporting structure. A quantity of silicone sealant is bonded between the edges of adjacent panels and the bond breaker, forming a substantially air tight seal between the panels.

Abstract: An air scrubber is described, comprising a closed cabinet; a layer of permeable growth medium for the growth of microorganisms near the bottom of the cabinet wherein a portion of the growth medium is submerged in water, and an air space above the growth medium for accommodating growing plants wherein air is passed upwardly through at least a portion of the submerged growth medium. In normal operation, the air scrubber operates in a closed loop with a glove box. Air is circulated between the air scrubber and the glove box.

Abstract: Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystem if toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air containing pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system.

Abstract: An indoor air purifier has a container with a layer of soil supported above a lower air plenum. Room air is drawn downwardly through the layer of soil and discharged from the plenum back into the room. Contaminant gases in the air are adsorbed in the soil and metabolized by microorganisms, producing carbon dioxide and water, and substantially reducing noxious and toxic materials in the air. The soil may be divided into two layers, and the air purifier operated in either of two modes. During normal operation, air is drawn through both layers of soil for removal of particles and destruction of contaminants by microorganisms. Alternatively, air may be drawn through only one layer of soil at a substantially higher flow rate for removing particulate materials. Plants may be grown in the upper portion of the soil to aid in air purification and to provide an attractive room decor.