Abstract: A vortex flowmeter employs a differential pressure transducer converting oscillation in a differential pressure to an alternating electrical signal, wherein the differential pressure transducer comprises a pair of pressure compartments (10 and 11) respectively receiving two fluctuating fluid pressures respectively existing at two fluid regions located on the two opposite sides (8 and 9) of a vortex generator (3) respectively through a pair of tubings (13 and 14, 43 and 44, or 61 and 62) or through a pair of holes (69 and 70, or 72 and 73) embedded within the wall of the flow passage.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a pair of elongated members of strip or tape shape having a high specific ohmic resistance, and a target member capacitively coupling two electric signals respectively flowing through the pair of elongated members, which target member is disposed in a relationship allowing sliding movements following the pair of elongated members, wherein the position of the target member relative to a reference section of the pair of elongated members is determined as a function of a phase angle difference between an alternating electrical signal supplied to one extremity of one of the pair of elongated members and another alternating electrical signal associated with the supplied electrical signal and taken off from one extremity of the other of the pair of elongated members.

Abstract: The flowmeter of the present invention comprises at least two separate flow passages wherein one of the two flow passages include a shut-off valve with an actuator and the other of the two passage includes a flow rate sensor for measuring flow rate through that flow passage. In the mode of full capacity operation, both of the two flow passages stay fully open and the flow rate through the two flow passages is determined from the flow rate sensor measuring the flow through one of the two flow passages by multiplying by a factor such as two. In the mode of reduced capacity operation, the shut-off valve shuts off one of the two flow passages and the flow rate is directly determined from the flow rate sensor.

Abstract: A harness securable about a user's torso is suspended from a fixed horizontal support through a system of pulleys providing a mechanical advantage in displacing the harness in the vertical direction. A pair of cords having one end anchored with respect to the pulley system and other end depending from the pulley system terminate in a pair of hand grips, respectively. Downward movement of the hand grips produces an upward movement of the harness in correspondence with the mechanical advantage provided by the selected combination of pulleys. Thereby, the user can raise himself and perform various exercises by exerting a downward force on the pair of hand grips equivalent to a fraction of one's own weight, which fraction is dependent upon the selected mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A device using only steam to simultaneously heat and pump a liquid or a slurry to a high pressure is disclosed, which device does not employ any rotating or reciprocating mechanisms commonly employed in the conventional pumping machinery. The combined use of steam for the simultaneous heating and pumping enables the outstanding device to utilize 100 percent of the steam supplied to the device in either pumping or heating. The simple structure and operational principle of said device results in particularly low capital cost and trouble-free operation.

Abstract: A variable tension ring exerciser having two rings for hand grips and a belt securable to the lower torso of the exercising person and including means of sheaves and ropes disposed intermediate the rings and the belt, therefrom the rings and the belt are suspended and, whereby, a pulling force exerted on the rings hoists the belt, provides an exercising apparatus. The means of sheaves and ropes disposed intermediate the rings and the belt includes means of adjusting the tension on the rings induced by the weight of the exercising person from a fraction to a multiple of the weight of the exercising person.

Abstract: An arrangement of a harness, hoist and handles for the variable tension ring exerciser is disclosed. The harness includes a pair of small rings secured to two diametrical sides of a belt securable around the lower portion of the torso of a person and a pair of Y-shaped straps securable around thighs of the person wearing the harness. The end of the first branch of the first Y-shaped strap is secured to the belt of the harness at a proximity to the first small ring, to which end means of securing the stem of the first Y-shaped strap is attached. The end of the second branch of the first Y-shaped strap is secured to the belt intermediate the first small ring and the middle point of the rear half of the belt. The second Y-shaped strap including means of securing its stem is similarly secured to the belt in the vicinity to the second small ring.

Abstract: A pair of coupled chopsticks for grasping food is disclosed. The coupling intermediate each of the chopsticks is formed by a pair of coil springs. Each of the coil springs includes arms extending therefrom, each arm of each coil spring being attached to one of the chopsticks. A clamp secures the two coil springs to each other in axial alignment. The axis of the pair of coil springs represent the point about which the chopsticks pivot. The arms of the coil springs maintain the chopsticks aligned within the same plane. Thereby, one end of the pair of chopsticks can be squeezed together to grasp food without having the pair of chopsticks become skewed.