Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of an airborne chemical or biological analyte utilize: a substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable container; means for introducing a substantially analyte-free collection liquid into said container; means for rapidly sampling ambient air and transferring said analyte therefrom into said collection liquid, said sampling means comprising an air intake means and and an air venting means; and means for removing from said container an analyte-enriched collection liquid; wherein said volume of air passes through a substantially horizontal air inlet and downward through a substantially vertical collector electrode tube with means for applying an electric field between said tube and a co-axial spiked wire- or rod-shaped discharge electrode.

Abstract: A bi-chromal ball production apparatus and method where the bi-chromal ball material is fed from opposite sides of the disk, reconfiguring the internal geometry of the apparatus, and precisely configuring the bi-chromal ball material feeding slit. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus has a disk that rotates, a first supply structure that supplies a first bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a first direction, a second supply structure tube that supplies a second bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a second direction and a motor that rotates the disk. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus includes a first reservoir and a first slit defined by the disk and a top body, a second reservoir and a second slit defined by the disk and a bottom body. An inner surface of each of the first and second reservoir is parabola shaped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic powered wheelchair pivotable from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal user effort. The pivoting frame assembly includes a rigid horizontally arranged wheel support structure, a single vertical extending member secured to the wheel support structure and centered between the wheels, and a pivoting frame linkage assembly pivotably connected at the upper end of the vertically extending member. A hydraulic jack rests on the wheel support structurs, and is connected at the other end to the seat support members of the pivoting assembly. A user of the wheelchair pivots a lever assembly to raise the jack, and thus raise the chair to the standing position. An electric buzzer system is integrated with the wheelchair, and an alarm informs the operator when the chair has reached the standing position.

Abstract: A bi-chromal ball production apparatus and method where the bi-chromal ball material is fed from opposite sides of the disk, reconfiguring the internal geometry of the apparatus, and precisely configuring the bi-chromal ball material feeding slit. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus has a disk that rotates, a first supply structure that supplies a first bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a first direction, a second supply structure tube that supplies a second bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a second direction and a motor that rotates the disk. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus includes a first reservoir and a first slit defined by the disk and a top body, a second reservoir and a second slit defined by the disk and a bottom body. An inner surface of each of the first and second reservoir is parabola shaped.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly is provided with a non-conductive housing portion and a plurality of conductive housing portions, each of which are conductively separated from each other, and the conductive housing portions are composed of a conductive plastic material. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in a receptacle formed in the housing, and a plurality of electrodes are disposed in conductive contact with the gas-sensing agent. The gas sensor has an electrode support sheet with a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, and a seal is formed between the electrode support sheet and the housing, the seal being formed by the sealing of a portion of one of the electrodes to a portion of the housing.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly is provided with a non-conductive housing portion and a plurality of conductive housing portions, each of which are conductively separated from each other, and the conductive housing portions are composed of a conductive plastic material. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in a receptacle formed in the housing, and a plurality of electrodes are disposed in conductive contact with the gas-sensing agent. The gas sensor has an electrode support sheet with a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, and a seal is formed between the electrode support sheet and the housing, the seal being formed by the sealing of a portion of one of the electrodes to a portion of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic powered wheelchair pivotable from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal user effort. The pivoting frame assembly includes a rigid horizontally arranged wheel support structure, a single vertical extending member secured to the wheel support structure and centered between the wheels, and a pivoting frame linkage assembly pivotably connected at the upper end of the vertically extending member. A hydraulic jack rests on the wheel support structurs, and is connected at the other end to the seat support members of the pivoting assembly. A user of the wheelchair pivots a lever assembly to raise the jack, and thus raise the chair to the standing position. An electric buzzer system is integrated with the wheelchair, and an alarm informs the operator when the chair has reached the standing position.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly having a first housing portion having a receptacle formed therein and a second housing portion in the form of a cover. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in the receptacle, and a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode provided on a single electrode support sheet are disposed in fluid contact with the gas-sensing agent. The first housing portion is provided with three conductive housing portions which are in electrical contact with the three electrodes, and the cover maintains pressurized contact between the three conductive housing portions and the three corresponding electrodes. The gas sensor may be provided with two different types of leakage detectors to sense leakage of the gas-sensing agent from the sensor.

Abstract: A thermal gas sensing apparatus for a gas detector is provided with a gas compartment containing a gas, a gas sensor exposed to the gas in the gas compartment, and a temperature sensor exposed to the gas in the gas compartment. The gas sensing apparatus includes a circuit for generating a gas signal having a magnitude which relates to the heat capacity of the gas and a circuit for generating a temperature signal having a magnitude which relates to the temperature of the gas. The apparatus includes a circuit for supplying a variable magnitude of electrical current through the gas sensor to cause the resistance of the gas sensor to remain substantially constant. The apparatus also includes a difference amplifier for generating a gas concentration signal based upon the temperature signal and the gas signal.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly having a first housing portion having a receptacle formed therein and a second housing portion in the form of a cover. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in the receptacle, and a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode provided on a single electrode support sheet are disposed in fluid contact with the gas-sensing agent. The first housing portion is provided with three conductive housing portions which are in electrical contact with the three electrodes, and the cover maintains pressurized contact between the three conductive housing portions and the three corresponding electrodes. The gas sensor may be provided with two different types of leakage detectors to sense leakage of the gas-sensing agent from the sensor.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly having a first housing portion having a receptacle formed therein and a second housing portion in the form of a cover. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in the receptacle, and a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode provided on a single electrode support sheet are disposed in fluid contact with the gas-sensing agent. The first housing portion is provided with three conductive housing portions which are in electrical contact with the three electrodes, and the cover maintains pressurized contact between the three conductive housing portions and the three corresponding electrodes. The gas sensor may be provided with two different types of leakage detectors to sense leakage of the gas-sensing agent from the sensor.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly having a first housing portion having a receptacle formed therein and a second housing portion in the form of a cover. A gas-sensing agent is disposed in the receptacle, and a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode provided on a single electrode support sheet are disposed in fluid contact with the gas-sensing agent. The first housing portion is provided with three conductive housing portions which are in electrical contact with the three electrodes, and the cover maintains pressurized contact between the three conductive housing potions and the three corresponding electrodes. The gas sensor may be provided with two different types of leakage detectors to sense leakage of the gas-sensing agent from the sensor.

Abstract: A refrigerant gas leak detector for detecting the location of leaks of refrigerant gas such as halogen has a sensing tip with a pair of electrodes across which a relatively high voltage is generated to cause a corona current to pass through the electrodes. The voltage applied across the electrodes is varied to maintain the corona current through the electrodes at a substantially constant magnitude. The leak detector includes a gas sensing circuit that detects changes in the concentration of refrigerant gas by sensing the voltage applied to the electrodes. The sensitivity of the gas sensing circuit is automatically varied based on the concentration of refrigerant gas present. The leak detector includes a signal generating circuit that causes a number of audible and visual indications to be generated based on the concentration of refrigerant gas sensed as well as other operating conditions.

Abstract: A gas leak detector that operates on the corona principle having a sensing tip with a pair of electrodes across which a high voltage is provided to generate a corona current through the electrodes. The sensing tip includes a first electrode having a conductive housing with a first end having a gas inlet formed therein and a second end and a flow passage formed therein. The flow passage has a first bore provided between the gas inlet and the second end of said conductive housing and a second bore having a diameter smaller than that of the first bore. The second bore is provided between the first bore and the gas inlet of the conductive housing and abuts the first bore to form an edge in the interior of the housing. The flow passage also has a third bore of a diameter smaller than that of the second bore provided between the second bore and the gas inlet. The gas leak detector also includes a second electrode provided in the interior of the conductive housing.