Abstract: The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel arranged singly or in an array, each solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed differential temperature between the solar panel or array and a dwelling set temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating to an existing ducting system in the dwelling or reflect solar flux from the roof, thereby reducing heating and cooling energy consumption and costs.

Abstract: The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel arranged singly or in an array, each solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed differential temperature between the solar panel or array and a dwelling set temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating to an existing ducting system in the dwelling or reflect solar flux from the roof, thereby reducing heating and cooling energy consumption and costs.

Abstract: The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating or cooling to an existing system in a dwelling and thereby reduce energy consumption and costs.

Abstract: A modular hydraulic spinal intervertebral prosthetic device offering individualized optimization of an implantable disc prosthesis by having selectable crown plates modules with differing lordosis angles and differing cross-sectional profiles, and selectable bellows cartridges having differing load-bearing capabilities. The device offers substantially full physiological degrees of motion, and by the incorporation of both a dashpot mechanism and a biasing element within reversibly displaceable and tiltable bellows provides hydraulic load bearing capability. The bellows assembly is advantageously pre-loaded to sub-atmospheric pressure. The dashpot assembly further increases resistance to lateral shear loading beyond the bellows convolutions acting alone. Rotational coupling of the upper crown plate and center bearings plate permits normal twisting movements, and spinal flexural freedom is provided by the bellows interposed between the center bearings plate and the lower end plate.

Abstract: A modular hydraulic spinal intervertebral prosthetic device offering individualized optimization of an implantable disc prosthesis by having selectable crown plates modules with differing lordosis angles and differing cross-sectional profiles, and selectable bellows cartridges having differing load-bearing capabilities. The device offers substantially full physiological degrees of motion, and by the incorporation of both a dashpot mechanism and a biasing element within reversibly displaceable and tiltable bellows provides hydraulic load bearing capability. The bellows assembly is advantageously pre-loaded to sub-atmospheric pressure. The dashpot further increases resistance to lateral sheer loading beyond the bellows convolutions acting alone. Rotational coupling of the upper crown plate and center bearings plate permits normal twisting movements, and spinal flexural freedom is provided by the bellows interposed between the center bearings plate and the lower end plate.

Abstract: An improved spinal intervertebral prosthetic device that offers all degrees of motion afforded by the anatomic spinal intervertebral disc, and by virtue of the incorporation of a dashpot assembly mechanism within reversibly displaceable bellows, provides hydraulic load bearing capability as well as limiting the maximum pressure that can be exerted on the bellows assembly by limiting the compression stroke of the device. The dashpot assembly also increases resistance to lateral shear loading in excess of the bellows convolutions acting alone. The spinal intervertebral prosthetic device absorbs varying axial loads via hydraulic pressure transfer to the bellows convolutions which can flex in a spring-like fashion. Rotational coupling of the upper crown plate and center bearings plate permits normal twisting movements, and spinal flexural freedom is provided by the bellows that are interposed between the center bearings plate and the lower crown plate.

Abstract: A spinal prosthetic device (10) which is hydraulically expanded or retracted, either pre-implantation or in-situ, thereby being adjustable for the exact intravertebral axial spacing required for the patient. Thrust bearing members (22) are positioned between the vertebra engaging members (12) and a pair of bellows (26), allowing the collapsible/expandable bellows (26) to be rotated with respect to the vertebra engaging members (12). The device (10) can be readjusted, on an out-patient basis, months after initial implantation. The spinal prosthetic device (10) offers all degrees of motion afforded by the anatomical spinal disc and by virtue of incorporating no rubbing contact of any parts, exhibits and infinite working life. The spinal prosthetic device (10) reproduces the same hydraulic load bearing capability as the nucleus pulposis and flexural freedom of movement similar to the annulus fibrosis.

Abstract: An automatic prime and flush siphon condensate pump system (100) is provided for displacing condensate water accumulated from an air conditioning evaporator to a drain, such as the drain of a basin (50). Initially, the pump assembly (2) displaces the condensate from the reservoir (1) responsive to the closure of a switch (34) when the condensate level exceeds a predetermined height within reservoir (1). The pump outlet (128) is coupled to the inlet of a pilot operated check valve assembly (3) which is opened responsive to the pressure in the valve chamber (28) exceeding the bias force of the compression spring (33) and a fluid pressure in a reference chamber (29). The pumped condensate exits the pilot operated check valve assembly (3) and is fluidly coupled to the ball-type check valve housing (126) for delivery of the condensate to the passage (18) for fluid coupling with the drain conduit (52).

Abstract: A continuous combustion rotary engine (100) is provided for powering such vehicles as aircraft, boats and automobiles with an efficiency which approaches the total expansion of combustion gases. The continuous combustion rotary engine (100) includes a plurality of power stages (110, 130 and 150) for sequential progressive expansion of combustion exhaust gases in order to generate rotative forces on a plurality of main rotors (112, 114, 132, 134, 152, 154). Simultaneously, the driven rotors (112, 114, 132, 134, 152 and 154), acting in pairs, progressively compress air for use in supporting the continuous combustion in the central portion of the expansion section (92) within stage (110). The use of the same rotors to both be driven by the expanding combustion gases and compress the inlet air provides the instrumentality for cooling the rotors, the heat transferred therefrom serving to increase the efficiency of the compression process.

Abstract: A model submarine has an inherent "fail safe" feature, so that the submarine (if submerged) will rise to its periscope depth in the event the submarine encounters a stationary object, or in the event a power failure occurs. Power is supplied by a single submersible motor-pump unit within a free-flooding hull. The motor-pump unit supplies a pressurized water discharge for, first, forward propulsion of the submarine via the discharge nozzle of an ejector pump; and second, for hydraulic control of the diving and steering maneuvers. The ejector pump has a venturi for aspirating fluid out of the ballast tank. An automatic depth control feature assures that the submarine will level off to a desired predetermined depth when a diving command signal is given; and the desired predetermined depth is adjustable.

Abstract: A diving model submarine utilizes an automatic depth level control mechanism, water jet propulsion, a water powered aspirator for ballast tank evacuation, hydraulic control of steering, diving plane attitude, and ballast tank valve action. The model diving submarine is controlled by radio signals and fires torpedos.

Abstract: Partial pressure of oxygen in a closed gas-containing system is controlled automatically. Unique electro-mechanical transducers employ electric meter movements to vary the angle of a surface in a jet of gas in response to a signal from an oxygen sensor, thereby to vary the direction of the jet and the stagnation pressure in a receiver. The kinetic energy of the jet is maintained constant irrespective of ambient pressure by a constant differential pressure regulator. A pneumatically operated servo valve responsive to the stagnation pressure in the receiver controls the admission of oxygen to the system.