Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a retainer ring for supporting a lamp unit and which includes a level device that allows the lamp unit to be readily aimed about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A piloted check valve includes a closure that is pressure balanced to relieve pressure on non-metallic seat when valve is closed against high pressure differential. The closure includes a disc having a stem moving in a sealed chamber communicating through the stem and disc with the interior of the valve seat opening. The chamber is provided by a cylindrical wall received in a socket in the valve body. The closure disc has a lip engaging the seat, the lip I.D. being about equal to that of the seat opening and the valve stem.

Abstract: A stackable louver assembly for light fixtures which can be made of a high strength polycarbonate light transmitting plastic material and which has a sleeve and louver flange molded in one piece so that the sleeve will not be lost or discarded at the job site. The louver assembly becomes self-enclosed. The louver assemblies are made so they can be stacked one on top of the other and fastened with tie rods at desired locations. The sleeve that supports the louver flange is made with a surface that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the assembly, and can be provided with v-type grooves to provide refraction of the light emanating from an interior lamp. The grooves can be molded into the plastic with no increase in cost, and will reduce glare and improve overall performance of the fixture. Likewise, the louver flanges may have surfaces that are provided with refraction grooves, as well.

Abstract: A method for rapid cleaning of an internal combustion engine cooling system includes:(a) forcing the coolant liquid from the cooling system to the exterior of that system,(b) treating the coolant liquid in a zone or zones outside the cooling system, said treating including removing contaminant from the coolant liquid, and(c) returning the treated coolant liquid to the cooling system.

Abstract: An improved lipectomy device, or cannula, is disclosed having inner and outer tubes. The outer tube has an elongated aspiration aperture, and the inner tube has a spiral slot. A mechanism inside the handle of the device causes the inner tube to rotate, creating a traveling hole effect along the aspiration aperture. This obviates the necessity of the surgeon repeatedly pushing the cannula in and out. A valve system is also disclosed which allows the surgeon to maintain negative pressure in the vacuum line leading to the cannula while still allowing the cannula itself to be vented to ambient pressures.

Abstract: A solar heat collector, in which an absorber plate is located in a box member provided at one surface thereof with a transparent sheet, being of such an arrangement that the absorber plate has been subjected at the surface thereof to a selective absorption surface treatment and a transparent heat trap formed of a fluoroplastics film and having a height of about 1/2 of the interval across the transparent sheet and the absorber plate is disposed between the transparent sheet and the absorber plate in contact with the transparent sheet. With this arrangement, the heat losses caused by convection, radiation and conduction can be suppressed at the same time.

Abstract: A tool for setting the width of a space between the tips of a pair of burner ignition electrodes so that an electrical spark will jump this gap, and the axial and radial distances of these tips forward of the center of a fuel nozzle outlet so that fuel discharged by the nozzle will be ignited smoothly and will not cause carbon deposits to build up on the tips. The nozzle is removably threaded in a threaded opening of a fuel supply pipe and is replaced by the tool during the setting operation. The tool has a threaded shank and a stop flange for supporting and positioning an annular groove of the tool so as to receive and set the ends of the electrode tips in the correct position. The groove is in an annular face formed by a shoulder of the tool and has an outer wall for holding the ends of radially extending electrode tips in the groove as the tool is rotated into a seated position in the fuel supply pipe opening.

Abstract: A thermostatic oven having an oven body with a front opening having a door which comprises windable sheets which cover the front opening with a space therebetween to close the same and which are wound up when the front opening is to be opened.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly has a slidable valve member which responds to a selectively energizable solenoid coil and a spring to control the opening and closing of pressure and exhaust ports through movement of the valve member. When the pressure port is fully opened, the valve member is seated against a solenoid stop and port member. The solenoid stop and port member includes a central flow passage which serves as the exhaust passage for the valve assembly. The flow passage is surrounded by a valve seat area which includes a frusto-conical surface having a recess or groove formed therein. The frusto-conical surface and the groove therein reduces the flow forces imposed on the valve member which generally operate to assist seating of the valve member. By reducing the flow forces, the unseating force necessary to open the exhaust port is reduced resulting in lower spring and magnetic forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion equipment to be employed for heating in domestic use or the like. The combustion equipment is provided with an air control cylinder having a closed bottom surface inwards of an inner flame cylinder, and an outer control cylinder inwards of a vaporizing portion, and accordingly, radical deterioration of the CO/CO.sub.2 characteristic can be prevented. Furthermore, the air control cylinder is divided into plural stages one above the other and has a through aperture in the lowermost stage connecting said lowermost stage with an inner air path, and at the same time, the outer control cylinder is formed with through holes. Therefore, the combustion equuipment of the present invention has a large range of adjustment of the combustion volume, and is safe and comfortable in use.

Abstract: The present invention is a new improved wick which is manufactured so as to allow the wick to burn for a longer period of time than existing wicking material. The wick is capable of being moved around the surface of a candle to maximize the life of the candle by burning all of the candle's wax instead of permitting the candle to burn only in the area immediately surrounding the wick as in the case with most conventional wicks. The wick comprises a single strand of tufted wire coil having a polyethylene and wax coating. One end of the coil is turned upward into a vertical section to compose the lighting element and the other end of the wire is wound into a circular base such that it touches the base of the vertical section.

Abstract: A natural lighting apparatus includes a mirror for reflecting light, and a supporting mechanism for supporting the mirror for rotation about both a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A first sensing mechanism is provided for sensing a first direction of the light source about the first axis, and for generating a first signal representative of the first light source direction about the first axis. A second sensing mechanism is provided for sensing a second direction of the light source about the second axis, and for generating a second signal representative of the second light source direction about the second axis. An attitude control mechanism angularly drives the mirror about the first axis according to the first signal from the first sensing mechanism, and about the second axis according to the second signal from the second sensing mechanism, thus controlling the attitude of the mirror to reflect light from the light source in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A luminaire comprises a reflector having a concave interior surface formed with bands of reflective facets. The bands are organized in groups to provide the desired illumination pattern and enable the reflector to be formed in a simple fashion. The groups of facets are organized in bands which extend arcuately around the interior of the reflector, each facet being oriented to reflect light to a desired luminance center on a roadway surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting micro-organisms comprises a rack having an array of stations at which a plurality of microbiological sample containers can be received. Each container is provided with an electrode or electrodes at its base for connection with electrical contacts on the base of the rack, and container retention means in the form of a cap with a bayonet joint or screw-threaded connection for releasably retaining the containers in the rack are adapted to be operable from above the upper support plate of the rack.

Abstract: A carrier for the cultivation of animal and/or human cells in a fermenter, comprises a polymer base body of a solid formed into a pressure-resistant matrix, with a capillary system for carrying the liquid cell culture medium therethrough, with no cell growth occurring therein, and with interstices for three-dimensional cell growth therein, growth factors for the cells being covalently bonded to the boundary surfaces of the interstices. The carrier can provide a high level of cell density of the order of magnitude of 10.sup.9 cells/ml, by three-dimensional cell growth.

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is disclosed herein having its components coaxially disposed on a flanged base supported from a cantilevered arm anchored to a support tube or the like. The components include a circular walled bowl carried on the base with vent apertures in the bottom and a grease catch screen that is carried by an apertured liner supporting a gas burner. The reinforced mid-section of the grease screen is detachably coupled to the burner and a grill is removably carried about the peripheral edge marginal region of the liner. A vented lid includes a retention member engaged with the edge of the bowl for wind shielding purposes when not used as a cover for the bowl. A detachable coupler joins the burner to a gas supply cantilevered outwardly from the base which includes controls for gas distribution to the burner.

Abstract: A device and technique for restoring the alveolar ridge of the human jawbone in the edentulous state. Such device involves an inert, porous tube which contains granules whereby when the device is in place on the ridge, tissue growth occurs from living bone through the porous tube inwardly or outwardly from the granular filler. The tube prevents the granules from migrating.

Abstract: A sine-wave like plate fin for a finned tube heat exchanger coil is provided having an improved enhanced heat transfer area between adjacent pairs of holes in the plate fin. The enhanced heat transfer area includes a plurality of rows of triangular delta wings and ramp wings which generate counter rotating vortices to promote restarting or thinning of the hydrodynamic boundary layer and mixing the bulk fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric type gaslighter equipped with a thumb-latch for preventing an inadvertent fire which may be caused, for instance, when a child plays with a gaslighter. A gaslighter according to the present invention includes an intermediate casing and a piezoelectric unit having a movable operating part. The intermediate casing has a cross slot opening with a thumb-latch slidably fitted therein whereas the movable operating part has a longitudinal slot groove. The piezoelectric unit is properly inserted in the intermediate casing so that the longitudinal slot groove of the movable operating part intersects the cross slot opening of the casing. With this arrangement when the thumb-latch is displaced to the crossing at which the longitudinal slot groove intersects the cross slot opening, the movable operating part can move to strike the piezoelectric element for producing a small flame. Otherwise, the movable operating part is latched.

Abstract: A ribbon gas burner for use in a baking oven has a row of gas apertures disposed between two rows of air apertures through which air is forced under pressure. The streams of air issuing from the two rows of air apertures are inclined inwardly towards the gas stream, thereby lengthening the ribbon flame produced by the burner and improving the uniformity of heating within the band oven.