Abstract: This invention relates to an air-spring suspension system installed intermediate the carriage frame supported on wheels and the cargo or passenger holding structure supported by the carriage frame in the construction of power driven vehicles. The most preferable embodiment of the air-spring suspension is the air-spring suspension beam comprising a pair of beams assembled in a parallel configuration wherein the flanges of the two beams provide an elongated confined space intermediate the two beams, that houses one or more elastic compressed air containers cushioning the relative movements between the two beams in the lateral direction relative to one another. The air-spring suspension beam may further include means for damping the oscillatory movements between the two beams, which means may include the friction between the flanges of the two beams or the shock absorbers including dashpots.

Abstract: A flow meter measures the time rate of mass flow by measuring the torque or torsion associated with the nutation of the spinning fluid created by a forced oscillation of the spinning axis of the spinning fluid flowing through a conical shell wherein the spinning movement is imposed on the fluid entering through a port disposed at the diverging extremity of the conical shell by a plurality of spiral flow guides, which spinning movement becomes accelerated as the fluid approaches the converging extremity of the conical shell. An oscillating motion imposed on the converging extremity in a first direction perpendicular to the spinning axis coinciding with the central axis of the conical shell produces a precession torque or torsion creating an oscillating motion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as well as to the spinning axis, wherein the time rate of mass flow is measured by measuring the oscillating motion in the second direction.

Abstract: A flowmeter comprised of a substantially S-shaped tube extending to a rigidly anchored inlet tube at one extremity and to a rigidly anchored outlet tube at the other extremity and at least one electromagnetic vibrator disposed at the midsection of the S-shaped tube that imposes low amplitude high frequency oscillatory flexural movements on the inlet tube-S-tube-exit tube combination having two fixed ends in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane including the S-tube, which oscillatory flexural movements interacting with the fluid moving through the S-tube produces fluid dynamic Coriolis forces that twists the S-tube about an axis substantially tangential to the central axis of the S-tube at the midsection of the S-tube. The amount of twist of the S-tube is directly related to the time rate of mass flow through the S-tube and, consequently, the time rate of mass flow can be measured by measuring the amount of twist of the S-tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control valve including a plurality of rotary closure members respectively blocking and opening a plurality of flow passages extending from one port opening to another port opening included in the valve body. Each of the plurality of the rotary closure members includes one or more orifices which open each flow passage blocked by each rotary closure member when the rotary closure member is rotated to the open position, while each rotary closure body closes each flow passage when the rotary closure body is rotated to the closed position. Each rotary closure member includes its own rotary actuator. A controller enables one to selectively open and close different combinations of the rotary closure member, providing flow control means by opening different number of orifices for different amounts of flow rate through the flow passages extending from one port opening to the other port opening included in the valve body.

Abstract: A flow meter comprising a pulsed eddy generator disposed at an upstream section in the flow passage and an eddy sensor disposed at a downstream section, wherein the pulsed eddy generator is programmed to be activated automatically following a predetermined brief period of deactivation, which brief period of deactivation starts at the moment the eddy generator is switched from an activation mode to a deactivation mode by the eddy sensor that senses the leading edge of the eddy stream generated by the eddy generator during a preceding activation. As a consequence, the eddy generator generates a series of pulsed eddy streams created during the activation of the eddy generator, wherein each of which pulsed eddy streams is interceded by silent streams created during the deactivation period of the eddy generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a honeycomb structure reinforced with geodesic structure. The honeycomb structure includes a plurality of elongated structural members with cross sections having a large moment of inertia, which are assembled into a hexagonal network. Each hexagonal subassembly included in the hexagonal network is reinforced by a first set of reinforcing elongated structural members disposed in a triangular pattern wherein three corners of the first reinforcing triangular subassembly disposed flush to one face of the hexagonal subassembly are respectively connected to one set of three alternate corners of the hexagonal subassembly and further reinforced by a second set of reinforcing elongated structural members disposed in a triangular pattern wherein three corners of the second reinforcing triangular subassembly disposed flush to the other face of the hexagonal subassembly are respectively connected to the other set of three alternate corners of the hexagonal subassembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a variable speed mechanical transmission of friction drive type comprising a pair of coaxially disposed stepped conical friction drive surfaces providing a series of conical frustum shell spaces disposed in a stepwise arrangement therebetween. The extensions of the inner and outer conical surfaces constituting each conical frustum shell space have common apex point. Each conical frustum shell space includes a plurality of conical frustum rollers rotatably secured in axisymmetrically distributed positions therewithin wherein the extension of the conical surface of each conical frustum roller has the same apex point as that of the inner and outer conical surfaces confining thereof when said conical frustum rollers are under line contact with both of the inner and outer conical surfaces confining thereof.

Abstract: A self-defense device comprising a spherical member and a tether cord. The tether cord is wound on a self-winding spool that is rotatably attached to the interior of the spherical member. The free end of the tether cord has a loop formed thereat for securing the device to a person's wrist. The spherical member may have an outer lining of elastic material or may have a plurality of barbs on its exterior surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a baton comprising a transparent tube and an active or passive light-emitting tube of a smaller diameter disposed substantially coaxially within the transparent tube, which combination is sealed at two extremities thereof. The annular cylindrical space between the transparent tube and the light-emitting tube is filled with a liquid including numerous suspended particles with light-reflecting surfaces. The optically decorated baton may be used as a toy, twirling baton, night time safety light for joggers and bicycle riders, guide marker for traffic cops directing traffic, for ground crews guiding taxiing airplanes, and as highway emergency markers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an emergency escape system for escape from elevated structures such as sky-scrapers, high-rise apartment or office buildings, etc., which system enables one to lower oneself from any level of a high-rise building to ground level all by oneself without requiring any help from rescue crews wherein, with the minimum amount of physical effort, the descending motion and speed is completely controlled by the descending person. The sky-ride emergency system comprises a closed loop of rope or cable wound on a friction drum over a number of complete laps in a substantially tight relationship. The cylindrical surface of the friction drum nonrotatably secured to an elevated level has a high friction coefficient. The closed loop of rope depending from the friction drum includes at least one securing means such as a hook or ring affixed to the rope. The lower extremity of the closed loop of rope depending from the friction drum reaches down to a lower level such as ground level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-contained and self-sufficient device for lowering and raising oneself vertically without relying on any mechanical power, or any man power external to the system wherein the direction and speed in the vertical movement of a person is fully controlled with ease by that person himself or herself. The sky-ride vertical mobiity system of the present invention comprises a frictionally controlled rope release device secured to an upper level and a closed loop of rope depending from the frictionally controlled rope release device that is wrapped around a friction drum included in the frictionally controlled rope release device. Exertion of a pull of very small magnitude on one member of the closed loop of rope depending from the frictionally controlled rope release device creates a frictional braking of very large magnitude that is capable of suspending a heavy object secured to the other member of the closed loop of rope motionlessly in midair or lower it at a safe speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid emergency escape system from elevated structures such as the fire-escape system from the top of a sky scraper to the ground level, which rapid descending system includes a vertical wire rope securely anchored to an over-hanging structure secured to the desired level of the elevated structure wherein said wire rope branches to at least two wire ropes with the lower ends of each reaching down to the ground level. The lower end of each of the branching wire ropes includes a connecting means and is connected to the free end of each of the horizontal wire ropes wherein each of the horizontal wire ropes is reeled up into two reels immovably secured and widely separated from each other. The reels include braking means for releasing the horizontal wire ropes while maintaining a certain level of the controlled tension on the wire ropes and means for rewinding the wire ropes back into the reels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid emergency escape system from an elevated structure which could be used as a fire-escape system from different levels of high rise building to its ground level. The sky-slide emergency escape system of the present invention includes a guide wire rope branching to at least two braking wire ropes wherein the upper end of the guide wire rope is secured to an elevated structure and each of the branching wire ropes reaching down to the ground level is reeled on each of a plurality of take-up reels equipped with a braking means for releasing the branching wire ropes under a preset tension and a means for rewinding the branching wire ropes on the reels. These take-up reels with braking means and rewinding means are widely separated from each other and immovably secured at the ground level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spectrophotometer that detects the types and amounts of certain chemical elements dissolved or suspended in a liquid or gas medium. A light beam of desirable frequency emitted from a light source passes through the mass concentration boundary layer adjacent to a filter surface, which filter functions as a selective barrier selectively blocking chemical elements or impurities under detection from moving thereacross. Prior to the start of a measurement, the filter surface is washed with the sample medium to be analyzed by allowing the sample medium to flow parallel to the filter surface without flowing across the filter. The measurement starts at the moment the outlet of the washing flow is shut-off whereupon a light sensor such as photoelectric sensor records the intensity of the light beam passing through the mass configuration boundary layer.

Abstract: An annular or linear seal having a substantially K-shaped cross section. The seal with cleft seating surface provides a two-way pressure barrier when it is installed in a groove having a cross section of "sigma" shape, wherein the flat side of the K-shaped cross section of the seal with cleft seating surface is in contact with an interface in a sliding relationship and the concave side opposite to the flat side of K-shaped cross section seats on the convex bottom of the groove with a "sigma"-shaped cross section. Of course, the seal with cleft seating surface may be used as a static seal disposed intermediate two surfaces including no movement therebetween.

Abstract: This invention relates to a butterfly valve comprising a floating disc wherein the seating pressure between the valve seat and the rim of the floating disc is relieved prior to the rotation of the disc for opening and closing, and the seating pressure is established after the disc is rotated to the fully closed position. The floating disc butterfly valves taught by this invention comprise a floating disc mechanically connected either to a valve stem supported at both ends or to double cantilever valve stems. A small amount of the axial movement of the valve stem results in either the establishment or relief of the seating pressure between the rim of the floating disc and the valve seat disposed in the valve body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positive displacement flow meter or pump comprising a plurality of spherical balls orbitably entrained in a toroidal cavity. The first segment of the toroidal cavity tangentially connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet comprises the flow passage for the fluid being measured or pumped and the second segment provides the return pass for the spherical balls. A rotating magnetic field about the line of axisymmetry of the toroidal cavity generates the orbiting movement of the spherical balls for measuring the flow rate or for pumping.

Abstract: This invention relates to a valve handle having the dual function of rotating the valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and of moving the valve stem in the axial direction over a small distance for relieving and establishing the seating pressure between the valve seat and the blocking body such as the floating disc in the floating disc valve and the ball-plug in the ball-plug valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to toilet equipment that vacuum or heat-dries human waste and dispenses of the dehydrated human waste in a pulverized solid-form by means of pneumatic transportation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a position indicator wherein the information on the location of a position-sensing target is obtained by measuring and comparing the ohmic resistances of two electric circuits including an arrangement comprising a pair of parallel conducting wires of high ohmic resistance and a sliding contact conductor slidable along the two parallel conducting wires while maintaining an electrically conductive contact to both conducting wires. The relative position of the position-sensing target kinematically linked to the sliding contact conductor intermediate two extremities of the pair of parallel conducting wires is obtained by measuring and comparing the ohmic resistance of the two circuits respectively including the sliding contact conductor and each of two halves of the two parallel conducting wires divided by the sliding contact conductor.