Abstract: An apparatus for microscopic imaging employing nuclear magnetic resonance is constructed from a cryogenic probe which is situated in a conventional magnetic resonance imaging system. The cryogenic probe employs a number of chambers and cryogenic liquids which cool a superconductor resonator to very low temperatures. A sample tube for containing a small specimen is heated to a temperature above its freezing point by flowing nitrogen gas over the specimen. A secondary resonant circuit is inductively coupled to the superconducting resonator. A transceiver passes RF signals to be transmitted into the specimen through the secondary resonant circuit causing the superconducting resonator to transmit the RF signal into the specimen. The resonator then acts as a receive coil and receives a signal from the specimen which is inductively passed to the secondary resonator circuit from which an image is generated.

Abstract: A composite is produced comprised of Y--Ba--Cu--O superconductive film having a zero resistance transition temperature of at least about 38 K, a zirconium dioxide film and a substrate wherein the zirconium dioxide film is intermediate the superconductive film and the substrate.

Abstract: A two piece aspirator is constructed to be fitted within a fitting such that an annular clearance is provided between the bore that has two supply inlets and a depending cylindrical section of the aspirator body. A venturi cap member is snap fitted onto the aspirator body and has an outer periphery axially spaced from the end of the cylindrical section to provide an annular opening thereabout which is in communication with a passage through the aspirator body. The venturi or cap has a radial section which spans most of the interior of the cylindrical section and has a frusto-conical section which is complementary to a tapered end of the cylindrical section to provide for a radially extending section of the passageway leading to the annular opening.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film of YBaCuO having a zero resistance transition temperature of at least about 38K is deposited by evaporation on a silicon-containing substrate with a zirconia buffer layer between the film and the substrate.

Abstract: A valve housing assembly includes a valve body member that has an exterior threaded section which can engage an interior threaded section of a cap member. The cap member and valve body member have opposing shoulders. An abutment ring made from a semi-rigid material of talc filled propylene is interposed between the two opposing shoulders and provides for seal between the two opposing shoulders to the threaded section. Furthermore, the semi-rigid abutment ring will undergo slight compression when the cap member is fully tightened onto the body member and will creep back over a period of time to alleviate vertical forces which can cause seizing of the threaded sections of the cap member and body member which would otherwise prevent easy removal of the cap member from the body member. Furthermore, the sealing of the ring between the two shoulders reduces the chance of corrosion by eliminating water leaking into the threaded section from the interior of the valve body.

Abstract: A diverter valve assembly (10) has a one piece valve seat member (26) that is fitted within a cavity (12) of the faucet body (14). The one piece valve seat member has a flexible peripheral lip (62) with an annular recess (64) that allows fluid to pressurize and exert an outward force on the lip to move the lip and seal it against the valve cavity. Furthermore, the one piece valve seat member has prongs (44) which resiliently bias the spool assembly (28) to a first position to reduce chattering of the valve assembly and to provide an anti-siphon system. A cup valve (36) has a thin peripheral lip (76) at an end of a peripheral section (75) that is about a tubular inner section (78) that has a narrow annular groove (79) therebetween which limits collapse of the cup valve (36) during operation thereof as a pressure responsive piston to move the valve element (34) to a closed position.

Abstract: A retaining nut for a faucet assembly which serves the dual purpose of mounting the valve body to the faucet housing while also retaining the valving member within the valve body. The nut is preferably made of plastic and includes a resilient annular flange which cooperates with the faucet housing to seal the periphery of the valve body. The resilient properties of the annular flange maintain engagement despite movement and separation during use of the faucet and initial manufacturing tolerances. The outer surface of the faucet nut includes a series of ribs to facilitate manual removal in addition to the hexagonal configuration for removal using an appropriate hand tool.

Abstract: A compression type coupling 10 for pipes has a body member 12 and a fastener member 14 and a ferrule 16 wherein the fastener member has a perpendicular shoulder 36 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pipe 18 and abuts a squared shoulder section 42 of the ferrule to prevent the ferrule from being squeezed out of the compression coupling 10. The ferrule has outwardly radially extending flanges to retain it within the fastener member. The ferrule also has radially inwardly extending teeth that bite into the pipe to prevent the pipe from backing out. The ferrule also has an axially inner section 40 with notches 62 formed therein. The end 40 is deformed by a camming surface 28 on the body 12 to crimp the pipe 18 as the fastener member 14 is secured to the body member 12. The axially inner section 40 forms a right angled shoulder that abuts the pipe and prevents the pipe from being easily pulled out of the coupling.

Abstract: A three-piece angle stop valve comprises a valve body, resilient control sleeve and handle, with no separate fastening or sealing elements required. Inlet line pressure resiliently biases the side walls of the control sleeve and a circumferential sealing flap formed thereon into sealing engagement with the valve bore to prevent leakage. The handle is secured to the valve body by resilient formations which snap into a circumferential groove on the valve body. The handle rotates the control sleeve by means of telescoping splines. Several circumferential and axial reinforcing ribs are formed on the interior of the control sleeve.

Abstract: A steam injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust system, a carburetor and an engine vacuum line, the apparatus including a reservoir of liquid water, a conduit communicating with the reservoir and a heater coil of metallic tubing. The heater coil has an inlet which communicates with the conduit and an outlet which communicates with the vacuum line. The coil is placed in heat-receiving relation to the engine exhaust system for heating water in the coil. The coil has a cross-section that is insufficient to allow complete vaporization of the water in the coil, and the water is substantially vaporized within the vacuum line for introduction into the engine in a vaporized state. An air inlet is connected to the conduit at a tee fitting for mixing air with water from the reservoir for regulating flow to the heater coil. A threaded member is placed within resilient tubing, and provides an air passage through its threads and restricts air flow through the tubing.

Abstract: A valve plate for attachment to a faucet assembly which interfits with the assembly to prevent the rotation and consequent breakage of the valve housings.

Abstract: A valve assembly for faucets which includes a retainer member carried by the body of the valve with a face circumferentially in frictional contact with the valve stem to prevent independent movement of the stem and handle resulting in an undesired increased or decreased fluid flow.

Abstract: A drain assembly for a lavatory basin which includes a drain tube having a flanged upper end adapted for support by the basin. A drain plug is carried within the drain tube. A lift rod extends through the drain tube at a side opening therein and engages the plug. The lift rod is held in a sealed relationship against the tube by a retainer clamp which permits the lift rod to be shifted causing the drain plug to be correspondingly shifted between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A coupler which is for tubing and which has a tube receiving bore therein. A sealing ring, spacer ring and lock ring are coaxially located within the coupler bore. When a tube is inserted into the coupler bore, the sealing ring makes contact between the coupler and tube with the spacer and locking ring cooperating to cause the locking ring when the tube is pressurized to firmly engage the tube, thus preventing the tube from being withdrawn from the coupler.