Abstract: A floatable liquid hydrocarbon skimmer system for monitoring possible leaks in hazardous liquid tanks incorporates a vertically disposed tubular housing having an upper end with passages to admit liquid and provides a lower collection chamber for recovered hydrocarbon liquid. The housing has a hydrocarbon liquid-water separator associated with the chamber which has a capillarial filter which will pass only the hydrocarbon liquid through to the collection housing, while being impervious to the passage of water. A wick is in contact with the filter to draw the hydrocarbon liquid to the filter, and a valved outlet passage associated with the collection chamber permits emptying of the collected hydrocarbon liquid back to the tank.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in hazardous liquid tanks, particularly underground gasoline tanks at service stations. The tank is filled incompletely to leave a space in the tank which is then filled with a gas under pressure. A reference tank is disposed within this space and continuous streams of gas are forced into the liquid in the reference tank and the liquid in the tank being measured. Resistance to gas introduction in the reference tank is compared with the resistance to gas introduction in the gasoline tank and monitored during a test period to note any differential variation which would indicate a leak in the tank.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks over a designated test period in liquid storage tanks and like systems having underground tanks which are connected with good withdrawal systems. A fill pipe provides for obtaining a differential pressure measurement reflecting a difference in head of adjacent columns of liquid in the tank. One of the heads is stabilized at the beginning of the test, and prevented from changing as a result of any loss of liquid due to leak over the test period, while the other head is permitted to change with a lowering of surface level due to leaks. Both heads respond in the same way to a change in temperature which occurs during the test period. The differential pressure is monitored and any variation over the test time period is indicated.

Abstract: A method of detecting leaks in hazardous liquid tanks, such as underground gasoline tanks connected with a fuel pump withdrawal system, and having a fuel supply line and a vent pipe to atmosphere. The tank is filled incompletely such that there is a space or volume left in the tank above the liquid level in the tank. The space above the liquid level is then filled with a gas under pressure, which maintains a predetermined regulated pressure on the liquid in the tank from one end of the tank to the other. Next, a continuous stream of gas is forced into the liquid near the bottom of the tank to reflect the resistance or back pressure to gas introduction as influenced by the head of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting average temperature, particularly adapted for determining the average liquid temperature in an underground horizontally disposed cylindrical tank. The sensing element, in the form of a wire of known temperature versus electrical resistance characteristic is contained within an extensible cylindrical helical coil of plastic tubing which can be introduced into the tank and extended to the overall height of the liquid by gravity through a weight on one end of the coil or by the use of an extendible rod inserted into the center of the coil. The tubing is preformed or arranged relative to the extensible rod to present a greater number of coil turns at the center of the tank to compensate for greater liquid volume.

Abstract: A method and device for self-applying natural traction to the lower spinal region with an elongate generally vertical frame contoured to fit the backrest portion of a furniture piece having a seat, the frame having an upwardly extending portion with a pulley system mounted thereon at a substantial level above the backrest. A cable is trained around the pulley system and a removable belt attached to one end of the cable is adapted to be secured around the lower thoracic region of the user. The other end of the cable is free and is passed through a releasable gripper device mounted on the frame to hang therebelow. The frame is first placed on the backrest of the furniture piece such that the pulley system and free end of the cable overlie the seat. Then a seated position in the chair is taken and the belt is snugly secured around the lower thoracic area of the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing liquid storage tanks for leakage by using apparatus to measure changes in liquid level and temperature over a predetermined period of time in which the liquid level apparatus includes means for discharging a uniform low pressure to a fixed point below the liquid level in the container and measuring any change in pressures over the predetermined period of time and in which the temperature measuring apparatus includes a liquid filled probe extending for substantially the full depth of the liquid in the tank with any changes in temperature in the probe liquid resulting in an expansion or contraction of the probe liquid with such liquid expansion or contraction being visibly indicated at a sight tube.

Abstract: A bevel gear system wherein a plastic adaptor of generally frustoconical shape has convergent teeth formed in a recessed frustoconical surface to snap fit over the bevel gear teeth of a more rigid drive gear and similarly has matching gear teeth on an exterior frustoconical surface in mesh with the teeth of a driven bevel gear, which formerly was driven by the teeth of the more rigid gear, and whose axial position has been changed to mesh with the teeth of the adaptor.