Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped airfoil having a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge into the wind, and a trailing edge which has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped propeller blade. The blade has a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section which form concave and convex surfaces. The trailing edge has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge within the concave envelope.

Abstract: A sail has a main sheet mounted to a mast; a leading vane on the other side of said mast from said main sheet and pivotally connected thereto; a trailing vane attached to the longitudinal edge of said main sheet remote from said mast; and an angled dual-lip member pivotally attached to the trailing edge of said trailing vane.

Abstract: A fire damper is provided with a central flange for mounting within a wall. The flange having a plurality of holes allowing any plaster material in the wall construction to pass through the holes and retain the damper. A miter cut is provided at the corners of the damper and the flange to allow for expansion during a fire. The damper is positioned within an opening in the wall with the flange positioned within the opening of the wall. The wall is built up by applying mortar against the damper and extending flange. With the mortar being forced through the holes in the flange to hold the damper in place.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped airfoil having a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with a leading edge into the wind and a trailing edge which has a flange doubled back underneath, toward the leading edge.

Abstract: A damper is provided with a plurality of lugs on one side opposite to its face which lugs can be rotated to interfere with removing the damper from the wall in which it is mounted. The lugs can be rotated from the outside and fastened in position without having to go around the wall.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion system employs a wind turbine means mounted on a frame, said wind turbine having a venturi configured shroud with a core and a plurality of blades fixedly mounted between the core and the throat of the venturi. The blades have an air foil design consisting essentially of an inverted pan-shaped, cross-sectional configuration to create high torque at low air speed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided to engage a resettable link in a curtain-type fire damper and release and reset that link so that the blades of the damper can unfold. The mechanism is actuated remotely and mechanically without the need for an access door.

Abstract: A bladder-less counterpressure garment primarily used in the treatment of a victim suffering from hypovolemic shock. The garment is made of a compressible material, like foam, with a device for compressing the material. The garment is adapted to be positioned about the legs and abdomen of the victim by an adjustable fastener. The adjustable fastener or a separate pressure engagement device is engaged, compressing the foam and supplying the requisite counterpressure to increase blood circulation to the vital organs.

Abstract: A bladder-less counterpressure garment primarily used in the treatment of a victim suffering from hypovolemic shock. The garment is made of a resilient material, like elastic, with a means for stretching the material to or near its stretch limit. This stretching supplies the requisite counterpressure to increase blood circulation to the vital organs.

Abstract: A damper has a frame with a cross bar and a reciprocal blade. A bimetallic element which moves in response to temperature is coupled to the blade and is hingedly coupled to the cross bar so that movement of the bimetallic element in response to temperature causes the blade to move with respect to the frame. The coupling of the bimetallic operator and the frame is accomplished by a biasing hinge which is coupled to the frame and to the bimetallic element to couple the bimetallic element to the frame and control the temperature movement response of the element. The biasing force of the biasing means is adjustable for controlling the temperature movement response of the damper blade. The bimetallic element is a serpentine spring having a plurality of bends and the biasing means is a hinge. The closed position of the blade of the damper, as well as the biased temperature response of the damper, and adjustable by rotation of adjustment screws.

Abstract: A resettable heat actuated link having an associated releasable member comprises first and second gripping portions for acting cooperatively to engage the releasable member in a normal position and to release the releasable member in an activated position. Along with the first and second gripping portions there is provided a heat responsive bimetallic element for causing the gripping portions to move to the normal position in response to ambient temperature and to cause the first and second gripping portions to move away from each other to an activated position in response to a preselected increase above the ambient temperature and to release the releasable member at the increased temperature. The first and second gripping portions, the heat responsive bimetallic element, and a base for mounting the link are integrally formed from a single bimetallic strip.

Abstract: A damper operator for use with a damper having a frame and a damper blade pivotally associated with the frame, which damper operator comprises a bi-metallic element provided with a heating pad which may be remotely activated to control the damper. The bi-metallic element is linked to the blade by a linkage which includes an over center spring which applies force in both the fully opened and fully closed blade position. The bi-metallic element and over center spring arrangement acts to snap the damper blade into position thereby providing greatly reduced response times for a bi-metallic actuated damper. The damper blade operator may also include a knee action locking arrangement to maintain the damper blade in a selected position, particularly fully opened or fully closed, when the locking members assume an over center, substantially longitudinal alignment. The bi-metallic operator may include a mechanical linkage or stop to allow blade adjustment to regulate air flow through the damper.

Abstract: An improved aerodynamic shape comprises an essentially planar face portion and leading and trailing edges associated with opposing ends of the face portion to develop a cross-sectionally inverted, pan-shaped enclosure. In conjunction with a damper including a frame and one or more blades pivoted for rotation within the frame, blades provided with the aerodynamic shape of the invention develop increased lift when forced open by escaping air, permitting the blades to be constructed of relatively heavy gauge materials without comprising damper efficiency.

Abstract: A damper operator for use with a damper having a frame and a damper blade pivotally associated with the frame, which damper operator comprises a drive rod; a pair of lever arms which are pivotally associated with each and which extend between the drive rod and a pivoting mechanism associated with the blade of the damper; and a latching mechanism which extends between portions of each of the lever arms, and which permits selective engagement and disengagement between those portions of the lever arms, and accordingly, selective respective rotation of the lever arms, so that the blade of the damper can be urged toward a predetermined orientation; and biasing means to urge the damper closed when the arms are disengaged; and means to prevent the blade from opening when the arms are disengaged and the blade has been biased shut.

Abstract: An insulated lay-in diffuser comprising a housing having a shaped surface including a substantially centrally disposed collar and terminating at a mounting flange, and insulation material positioned on the shaped surface and extending between the collar and flange of the housing.

Abstract: An air/smoke/fire damper including a frame and a pair of damper blades pivoted for rotation within the frame between an open and a closed position, and comprising a heat responsive latch including mounting straps associated with each of the damper blades; a fusible link engaging one of the mounting straps; and a hook pivotally associated with the other mounting strap and extending over the edges of the damper blades and into engagement with the fusible link. Also, a locking mechanism for restraining the blades in the closed position upon release of the heat responsive latch, and a retaining lug for preventing blade buckling in the closed position.

Abstract: A damper operator for use with a damper having a frame and a damper blade pivotally associated with the frame, which damper operator comprises a drive rod; a pair of lever arms which are pivotally associated with each and which extend between the drive rod and a pivoting mechanism associated with the blade of the damper; and a latching mechanism which extends between portions of each of the lever arms, and which permits selective engagement and disengagement between those portions of the lever arms, and accordingly, selective respective rotation of the lever arms, so that the blade of the damper can be urged toward a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An operator for rotating blade dampers including a frame and a plurality of interconnected blades adapted for rotation within the frame, which operator comprises a pair of pivotally interconnected members operatively associated with the blades of the damper and the damper frame, and an actuator for causing articulation between the operator members, thereby rotating the damper blades between a fully open and a fully closed position. A variety of actuators may be used, including cable-type actuators as well as electrically and pneumatically operated actuators.The operator is configured so that the amount of rotation of the damper blades which is caused by a given amount of operation of the actuator increases as the damper blades move toward the open position, and so that an over-center position is defined wherein the operator members are substantially longitudinally aligned and in which the blades of the damper are locked in position.

Abstract: A butterfly damper with a plurality of blades which can be locked in the open position, and which, when released, rotate about a hinge to the closed position. A pawl member, attached to one blade, extends away from the blade and through an opening in a second blade when the blades are in the open position. A mounting member attached to the second blade restrains the pawl member thereby holding the blades in the open position. A bimetallic link attached to the mounting member causes the pawl member to be released when the temperature of the air passing through the duct increases beyond a preselected level. A closure spring attached to the blades acts on the blades tending to force them apart against the action of the mounting member and the pawl member when the blades are restrained in the open position. The damper blades can be insulated to prevent the heat from a fire on one side of the damper from being conducted by the damper to the other side when the blades are in the closed position.