Abstract: A water heater is shown having a closed metal tank with an upwardly mounted combustion chamber and burner/blower assembly. Curved fire tubes convey the products of combustion from the chamber to an exterior mounted flue assembly. The closed tank is enclosed by a rotomolded jacket. A support stand with vertically arranged support legs supports the tank in a normally vertical position but also allows the tank to be pivoted to a horizontal position on the support stand for maintenance or repair operations.

Abstract: A UAV or watercraft includes a navigation system that is configured to identify and make use of convective energy in a fluid medium through which it travels. The energy is used to provide movement through the medium and extend vehicle endurance or range without the need for additional fuel. In particular, the vehicle includes one or more sensors that are adapted to detecting such energy sources, and a controller that allows the vehicle to autonomously exploit them for energy gain while conducting a useful mission. In particular implementations, the vehicle may also include sensors and a feedback loop for adjusting lift profile of airfoils or hydrofoils to improve lift efficiency.

Abstract: A carrier is formed of foldable sheet material, the carrier being usable with a container. The container has a top, a bottom and sides, the top having a handle, and at least one of the sides having a mouth for emptying contents from the container. The carrier includes a bottom, side panels adjoined and connected to the bottom, and a handle panel formed with at least one of the side panels. The handle panel includes a first aperture for fitting over the handle on the top of the container such that at least a portion of one of the side panels of the carrier rests against a side of the container.

Abstract: A carrier is formed of foldable sheet material, the carrier being usable with a container. The container has a top, a bottom and sides, the top having a handle, and at least one of the sides having a mouth for emptying contents from the container. The carrier includes a bottom, side panels adjoined and connected to the bottom, and a handle panel formed with at least one of the side panels. The handle panel includes a first aperture for fitting over the handle on the top of the container such that at least a portion of one of the side panels of the carrier rests against a side of the container directly opposite to the mouth.

Abstract: A food transfer platform incorporating a stove unit elevates to different heights, by an extendible column, and can move along a floor.

Abstract: Elevator brake or other drag is checked by establishing (10-13) baseline motor currents at plural determined positions as the car is moved up and down both empty and with full load. In a normal run (21), the load is recorded (22) and the motor current required to drive the load at rated speed at the next determined position is both predicted (28) and measured. If the difference between the predicted and actual current exceeds a tolerance (33, 34), the car stops at the next floor (35), the system is shut down (39) and a message generated (40). When the brake is in proper operating condition, baseline motor current required to move a car with the brake engaged is recorded. Thereafter, a high fraction (such as 90%) of baseline motor current is applied to attempt to move the car. If the car moves, the system is shut down (101) and a message generated (102).

Abstract: A patient activity monitoring system that allows caregivers of multiple patients to work more efficiently and with reduced cost, while increasing the quality and level of patient care. The system includes a plurality of remote monitoring subsystems, a plurality of user notification units, and a central monitoring unit with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) communicably coupled between the remote monitoring and user notification units. Each remote monitoring subsystem includes a remote monitoring unit, and a sensor device associated with a respective patient that detects one or more activity and/or physiological parameters of the patient. A simplified user interface including the GUI and the user notification units provides indications of the type and level of assistance required by one or more patients to caregivers at centralized and remote locations.

Abstract: A high efficiency heat exchanger is shown which can be incorporated into a finned tube water heater. The heat exchanger has a pair of flow manifolds each having a water inlet and a water outlet and a series of connecting openings. Circular flow tubes have connecting ends which fit within the connecting openings of the manifold so that the tubes are arranged in a stacked fashion to form a tube bundle. When incorporated into a water heater, a burner communicates with the interior space within the stacked tube bundle for producing products of combustion for heating water flowing in the flow tubes. The flow tubes have external fins which are crushed to form upper and lower flat stacking surfaces for stacking the tubes to form the tube bundle. The fins are also crushed to form angled baffled surfaces about a external periphery of the tubes. The baffle surfaces serve to retain heat from the products of combustion of the burner which are released into the interior space within the stacked tube bundle.

Abstract: A finned tube water heater has a pair of flow manifolds each having a water inlet and a water outlet and a series of connected openings. Circular flow tubes have connecting ends which fit within the connecting openings of the manifold so that the tubes are arranged in a stacked fashion to form a tube bundle. A burner communicates with the interior space within the stacked tube bundle for producing products of combustion for heating water flowing in the flow tubes. The flow tubes have external fins which are crushed to form upper and lower flat stacking surfaces for stacking the tubes to form the tube bundle. The fins are also crushed to form angled baffled surfaces about a external periphery of the tubes. The baffle surfaces serve to retain heat from the products of combustion of the burner which are released into the interior space within the stacked tube bundle.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a mounted component that is located relative to a mounting component through one or more compilmentary locating-structure pairs that comprise locating structures of the mounted component and of the mounting component that are engaged to one another. The locating structures of the mounted component and the mounting component are those portions thereof that are engaged to one another and through which the forces of gravity and other acceleration forces are transmitted between the mounted component and the mounting component. One or more of the locating structures of the complimentary locating-structure pairs includes a locating-point insert that is integrally molded or cast into parent material of the locating structure. The locating-point inserts are harder, more wear-resistant, stiffer, and/or stronger than the parent material that they are integrally molded or cast into.

Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a mounted component that is located relative to a mounting component through one or more complimentary locating-structure pairs that comprise locating structures of the mounted component and of the mounting component that are engaged to one another. One or more of the locating structures of the complimentary locating-structure pairs includes a locating-point insert that is integrally molded or cast into parent material of the locating structure.

Abstract: A hoist machine is provided for an elevator system that includes an elevator car and a rope, connected to the elevator car and by which the elevator car is hoisted. The output shaft of the machine motor carries a traction sheave for frictionally engaging and moving the rope, and at least two bearings support and guide the output shaft. When viewed axially, the profile of the traction sheave can be circumscribed by a profile of the bearings. The traction sheave and the output shaft can be of integral, unitary construction. The machine can also include a unitary bearing frame, having a pair of openings aligned with one another for respectively receiving and supporting one of the bearings. During assembly, the traction sheave can be inserted through one of the openings of the bearing frame.

Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.

Abstract: A hoist machine is provided for an elevator system that includes an elevator car and a rope, connected to the elevator car and by which the elevator car is hoisted. The output shaft of the machine motor carries a traction sheave for frictionally engaging and moving the rope, and at least two bearings support and guide the output shaft. When viewed axially, the profile of the traction sheave can be circumscribed by a profile of the bearings. The traction sheave and the output shaft can be of integral, unitary construction. The machine can also include a unitary bearing frame, having a pair of openings aligned with one another for respectively receiving and supporting one of the bearings. During assembly, the traction sheave can be inserted through one of the openings of the bearing frame.

Abstract: An improved system for passenger safety in a front-end vehicle collision, whereby the kinetic energy of a passenger may be reduced before the passenger is exposed to the crash deceleration. An array of variably momentum-responsive electrical sensors mounted in the forward portion of the vehicle senses the onset of a front-end collision and sends one or more crash signals to the passenger compartment. A passenger seat is mounted on translating means permitting rearward motion and has a harness to secure a passenger to the seat. Beneath the seat, attached between the floor of the vehicle and the frame of the seat, is an array of pairs of linear actuators, each actuator being powered by an explosive charge and each pair being electrically connected uniquely to one of the momentum sensors.

Abstract: An improved system for passenger safety in a front-end vehicle collision, whereby the kinetic energy of a passenger may be reduced before the passenger is exposed to the crash deceleration. An electrical sensor mounted at the extreme front end of the vehicle senses the onset of a front-end collision and sends a crash signal to the passenger compartment. Preferably, the sensor is a normally-closed momentum-activatable switch. A passenger seat is mounted on translating means permitting rearward motion and has a harness to secure a passenger to the seat. The seat is held in place by a shearable pin. Beneath the seat, attached between the floor of the vehicle and the frame of the seat, is a linear actuator powered by an explosive charge which is ignitable electrically in response to the crash signal.

Abstract: This tapestry holder assembly for mounting tapestry on supporting surface comprises slide bar at least one pressure plate removably engaging the slide bar so that the tapestry is clamped between the pressure plate and the slide bar, a retainer assembly for attaching assembly to the supporting structure, and slide bar stabilizer to provide support for the pressure plate.