Abstract: An aerial balloon railway and system of using the same including balloon-carriage assembly having at least one balloon structure and at least one carriage structure for accommodating passengers and/or cargo which operates through a single or network railway system, whereby the balloon-carriage assembly travels above and along a triangulated track system by at least one drive cable assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring peak expiratory flow of a human patient and an incentive spirometer has a housing having a passageway and a mouthpiece connected to the passageway. An elongated slender rod extends through the passageway and has a sliding member a predetermined size slideably mounted thereon adapted to slide on the rod when a patient exhales into the mouthpiece through the passageway. A magnet is attached to the slideable member for sliding therewith to hold the slideable member in position at the maximum position the slideable is raised on the slender rod. The passageway may be tapered in a reverse cone shape making the sliding member more difficult to raise as it moves up the passageway so that patients can lift the slideable member, while most patients cannot lift the member all the way to the top of the passageway.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine (10, 90) having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers which utilizes ammonia gas as an auxiliary fuel which is partially dissociated and added to the fuel-air mixture of the engine (10, 90). The dissociated ammonia allows the engine to have its fuel-air ratio leaned down well below the misfire limits of hydrocarbon fuel and air to thereby improve the mileage of a vehicle and reduce certain pollutants in the exhaust of the engine. The ammonia is stored in a liquefied state under pressure in a storage container (24, 98) and is fed to a dissociator (28) including a heater (30, 106) using heat from the engine's exhaust and a catalyst chamber (31, 107) and is then fed to the engine (10, 90). The partially dissociated ammonia being fed to the engine is metered simultaneously with the changing of the fuel-air mixture and is controlled to lean the normal fuel-air mixture down.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing pulmonary functions uses a hollow tube having a venturi therein and an aspirator orifice in the hollow tube adjacent the venturi. A pressure signal analogous to the flow of air through the hollow tube is generated in the aspirator orifice. Various means are provided to respond to the pressure at the aspirator orifice and a timed cut off of the aspirator orifice is provided for measuring the flow for a predetermined time period, such as one second, thereby indicating the forced expiratory volume for one second (FEV.sub.1) without having to blow into expansible chambers, such as bellows or bags to determine the volume of air passing through the tube. The apparatus is adapted to measure the total volume of air passing through the tube, or the total volume during a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A hemodialysis conductivity meter apparatus is provided for measuring dialysate concentration using a self contained syringe. The meter includes a syringe body having a needle attached thereto with a syringe plunger coacting with the body to draw fluid into the body. A pair of electrodes are positioned for contact with the fluid in the syringe body while a power source located on the syringe generates an electric current reading across the electrodes responsive to the fluid in the syringe body. An output meter attached to the syringe gives an immediate reading of the conductivity of the fluid. The plunger of the syringe may be used to keep the electrodes clean and an alternate embodiment allows the syringe plunger to switch the meter on when drawing fluid thereinto and to switch the meter off when removing the plunger or pushing the liquid out of the syringe body.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an auxiliary fuel system which utilizes anhydrous ammonia dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen gas for use as an auxiliary fuel with the hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture of the engine. The improvements provide for feeding ammonia gas from a relief valve on a storage tank for anhydrous ammonia into the bottom of the windshield wiper container for a vehicle having water therein to absorb the ammonia to prevent the release of the ammonia to the atmosphere. The improvements also provide for a first auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate the ammonia utilizing the exhaust heat of the engine and a second auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate ammonia until the engine generates sufficient heat for the operation of the first dissociator.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine (10, 90) having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers which utilizes ammonia gas as an auxiliary fuel which is partially dissociated and added to the fuel-air mixture of the engine (10, 90). The dissociated ammonia allows the engine to have its fuel-air ratio leaned down well below the misfire limits of hydrocarbon fuel and air to thereby improve the mileage of a vehicle and reduce certain pollutants in the exhaust of the engine. The ammonia is stored in a liquefied state under pressure in a storage container (24, 98) and is fed to a dissociator (28) including a heater (30, 106) using heat from the engine's exhaust and a catalyst chamber (31, 107) and is then fed to the engine (10, 90). The partially dissociated ammonia being fed to the engine is metered simultaneously with the changing of the fuel-air mixture and is controlled to lean the normal fuel-air mixture down.

Abstract: A drainage control valve apparatus utilizes a pressure relief valve for opening upon a predetermined fluid pressure being applied thereto and a liquid column is used for holding the pressure relief valve open by the weight of the liquid column escaping past the pressure relief valve to apply a negative pressure to the back of a pressure relief valve element. A small opening or a check valve releases the suction column when drainage is complete to allow the pressure relief valve to close. The pressure relief valve may be a spring biased valve and may be adjusted by varying the compression on the spring. The unit may be attached to a patient's leg with a strap. A method of draining a bladder is provided having the steps of opening a pressure relief valve under bladder pressure in a catheter, holding the pressure relief valve open with the suction of a column of liquid formed by the liquid passing the opened pressure relief valve and releasing the pressure relief valve when drainage is substantially complete.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an auxiliary fuel system which utilizes anhydrous ammonia dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen gas for use as an auxiliary fuel with the hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture of the engine. The improvements provide for feeding ammonia gas from a relief valve on a storage tank for anhydrous ammonia into the bottom of the windshield wiper container for a vehicle having water therein to absorb the ammonia to prevent the release of the ammonia to the atmosphere. The improvements also provide for a first auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate the ammonia utilizing the exhaust heat of the engine and a second auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate ammonia until the engine generates sufficient heat for the operation of the first dissociator.

Abstract: A device for driving a tool with a reciprocating motion utilizing a rotary electric or pneumatic hand drill as a power source. The device includes a main shaft adapted to be held in a three-jaw chuck of a hand drill and having a concentric sleeve-like rear eccentric attached thereto. The shaft is arranged to rotate in a bearing in a handle frame. A forward sleeve-like eccentric is disposed on the forward end of the main shaft and adapted to slide forward and backward on the main shaft, and on a guide rod parallel to the main shaft, having a compression spring and attached to the handle frame. The front end of the forward eccentric is internally threaded to accept a tool-holding chuck. In operation, the main shaft is attached to a power hand drill which rotates the shaft. The rear eccentric rotates against the forward eccentric causing it to reciprocate and drive a tool held in a front chuck.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an electrical generation system, such as an alternator. An electrolytic cell is attached adjacent to the engine to generate hydrogen and oxygen upon the application of a voltage between the cathode and anode of the electrolytic cell. The gas feed connects the electrolytic cell to the engine fuel system for feeding the hydrogen and oxygen to the engine combustion chambers. Improvements include placing the electrolytic cell under a predetermined pressure to prevent the electrolyte from boiling off, a cooling system for the electrolytic cell and safety features.

Abstract: A leveling and support system for recreational vehicles uses fluid cylinders located at predetermined positions on the recreational vehicle, driven by a master cylinder through a valving control system. The piston of the master cylinder is actuated by a motor driven or hand crank driven screw mechanism, so that a recreational vehicle can be supported or leveled by a single drive unit with controls operated from a single control position.

Abstract: A leveling and support system for recreational vehicles operates on a plurality of telescoping air cylinders. Leveling is accomplished through a separate valve in the line for each cylinder, each valve being mounted adjacent the others, and adjacent an electrical switch which operates a DC motor in either a forward or a reverse direction. The motor actuates a rotary air compressor in a forward or reverse direction for changing the air pressure from positive to negative while operating each of the valves to each cylinder line.

Abstract: A safety blade for a rotary mower along with a rotary mower is provided in which the rotary mower has a blade housing with an annular band mounted for rotation therein. The annular band has teeth encircling the edge and is connected to the drive shaft by supporting cross members. The annular band may extend vertically when attached to a mower, or may be angled inward towards the center; and may have a fixed or removable annular blade portion. The cross support members may have features for removing grass, and the mower housing may have an opening for the ejection of grass from the sides or the top of the housing.

Abstract: A water cylinder compacting and squeezing apparatus has a control valve requiring a connection of only one tube to the water cylinder for driving and retracting the piston in the cylinder. A water cylinder is mounted to a frame having a removable container and a compacting or squeezing portion connected to a piston rod so that the water cylinder can be connected to the household water supply for squeezing or compacting foods or other materials. A water flow control system includes a first valve for turning on the flow of water which is directed into the water cylinder for driving a piston. A second valve allows the water to flow to the drain and create a suction to draw the water from the cylinder to return the piston. Once the piston is returned, the first valve shuts off the flow of water.

Abstract: A leveling and support system for recreational vehicle operates on water cylinders powered by a community water supply or a recreational vehicle water tank. A plurality of water cylinders are mounted to the recreational vehicle in pre-determined positions for leveling and supporting the vehicle. The cylinders are each connected through a branch valve to a main valve which in turn, is connected to a source of water under pressure. Each branch valve controls the operations of one water cylinder and the main valve supplied either water pressure or a suction through the branch valves to the water cylinders. The water cylinders have an operative position for supporting a vehicle and a stored position for travel with means for locking the cylinders in the stored position once the vehicle has been leveled.

Abstract: A well point system is provided having automatic regulation of the flow of fluid through each riser in order to shut off an individual riser when the water level drops below the well point of that particular riser. The automatic regulation of the flow of water is controlled above the surface of the earth and includes a float actuated valve for preventing the pump from drawing air. The float actuated valve has a controlled air bleed for evacuating the riser and allowing the water to unseat the valve when the water rises around the well point.

Abstract: A well point system is provided having automatic regulation of the flow of fluid through each riser in order to shut off an individual riser when the water level drops below the well point of that particular riser. The automatic regulation in the flow of water is controlled above the surface of the earth and includes a float actuated valve for preventing the pump from drawing air. The float actuated valve has a float connected to a rocker arm operating two valve seats for closing a pair of ports and also has a controlled air bleed for evacuating the riser and allowing the water to unseat the valve when the water rises around the well point.