Abstract: A multiple action forced fluid evacuation system includes a reservoir for receiving a working fluid therein, and a shutoff valve provided in the reservoir. An outer rigid conduit and an inner flexible conduit are connected between the shutoff valve and a receiver. A processing module is provided for at least controlling pressurized gas between the outer conduit and the inner conduit, and is operatively connected to the outer conduit and the inner conduit. A nozzle has one end in fluid communication with a source of the working fluid, and an opposite end removably coupled to the receiver. The nozzle normally enables flow of the working fluid through the inner conduit to the reservoir when the nozzle is connected to the receiver until the working fluid in the reservoir activates the shutoff valve causing the nozzle to cease flow of the working fluid leaving a portion of the working fluid trapped in the receiver and the inner conduit.

Abstract: A fluid conduit arrangement includes a reservoir containing a pressurized gas therein. An outer rigid conduit in communication with the reservoir contains a first working fluid under pressure from the pressurized gas within a closed system defined by the reservoir and the outer rigid conduit. An inner flexible conduit is provided for conducting a second working fluid therethrough upon application of a supply pressure. The inner flexible conduit is disposed within the outer rigid conduit, and is subjected to the pressurized first working fluid in surrounding relationship therewith. Relative differences between the pressurized first working fluid and the second working fluid enable the inner flexible conduit to either expand and permit free flow of the second working fluid therethrough, or collapse and evacuate flow of the second working fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A fluid conduit arrangement includes a reservoir containing a pressurized gas therein. An outer rigid conduit in communication with the reservoir contains a first working fluid under pressure from the pressurized gas within a dosed system defined by the reservoir and the outer rigid conduit. An inner flexible conduit is provided for conducting a second working fluid therethrough upon application of a supply pressure. The inner flexible conduit is disposed within the outer rigid conduit, and is subjected to the pressurized first working fluid in surrounding relationship therewith. Relative differences between the pressurized first working fluid and the second working fluid enable the inner flexible conduit to either expand and permit free flow of the second working fluid therethrough, or collapse and evacuate flow of the second working fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A process for forming a sensor (10) such as an accelerometer includes the steps of forming an epitaxial layer (14) on a semiconductor substrate (12), patterning a portion of the epitaxial layer to provide a monocrystalline finger (20,22), wherein the finger has a height (43) at least twice its width (44), and forming a cavity (40) under at least a portion of the finger to expose a bottom surface (38) of the finger using an etchant with an etch selectivity for the semiconductor substrate relative to the epitaxial layer of greater than about 10:1. The distance (42) from the bottom of the cavity to the bottom surface of the member is greater than about 5 microns. The accelerometer is useful for lateral acceleration sensing and is built in bulk silicon at the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A conventional wheel chair is modified by the provision of a safety system for automatically actuating the brakes of the wheel chair and lifting the foot rests when the weight of the patient is lifted from the seat. An overcenter spring arrangement is used to bias the brake mechanism into the braking position and is pulled over center by a solenoid actuated by a switch under the seat. The actuation of the brake mechanism is communicated to the foot pedals by a connection cable which pulls a latch pin to release the spring biased foot pedal into the retracted position.