Abstract: A device for measuring a waist of an individual. The inventive device includes a main body having a measuring loop coupled to a first end thereof. A portion of the measuring loop is biased into the main body by a spring for storage to preclude unintentional engagement with surrounding objects and includes an indicator projecting from the main body such that a waist of a child can be measured to select an appropriate diaper size within a store. The device can additionally be utilized for simply estimating a circumference of a portion or waist of a human body absent an actual positioning of the portion of the human body thereinto.

Abstract: A device for engaging and twisting a lock of hair. The inventive device includes a comb for engaging the hair. A rotating assembly is releasably coupled to the comb for rotating the comb during engagement with the hair to twist the hair into an elongated bundle configuration.

Abstract: A sprayer for dispensing a chemical repellant. The inventive device includes a main body positionable within the palm of a hand. A nozzle conduit projects from a medial portion of the main body to extend between two fingers of the hand. A dispensing assembly within the main body permits selective dispensing of a chemical repellant through the nozzle conduit to repel an attacker.

Abstract: An improved portable misting device comprising a portable liquid holding container and a spray arm projecting upward from the liquid holding container and being retractable and extendable to a desired elevation above the top of the liquid holding container. A single small aperture misting spray head is mounted on one end of the spray arm. A rocker arm is pivotally mounted adjacent one side of the top of the liquid holding container and is linked to the spray arm to cause horizontal rotation of the spray head. On top of the liquid holding container is a flat table upon which accessories may be placed. An electric motor, for pumping liquid from the liquid holdiong container through the misting spray head, is located within the main housing. A pressure-actuated switch is located under the rocker arm and the pump is activated when light pressure is applied to the rocker arm.

Abstract: An exercise cycle is propelled by a stair-stepping action of the driver's legs, with the feet placed on a pair of front-hinged footboards located along opposite sides of the vehicle. A novel cable and chain drive system delivers driving torque to the rear wheel assembly to propel the vehicle forward in response to the driver's weight being applied via the legs and feet to depress the footboards alternately: the driving mechanism is located in a lower forward portion of the cycle so as to keep the mechanism below the rear wheel height and thus provide a low profile.

Abstract: A reheat pressurized fluidized bed combustor system for an electric power plant includes an HP turbine which drives a compressor. Compressed clean air is directed through a combustor bed heat exchanger where it is heated to 1500.degree. F. and then directed to the HP turbine inlet. After HP turbine expansion, the clean exhaust air is cooled to about 1100.degree. F. and partly directed to the combustor bed for reheating and for bed fluidization and combustor support and partly bypassed around the combustor bed. Coal is burned in the combustor bed to heat the combustor outlet gases to 1600.degree. F. which are directed to a cleanup system and then mixed with the bypass flow portion. The mixed flow is supplied to a low pressure turbine at a turbine inlet temperature of 1300.degree. F. at which alkali matter is solidified and then exhausted to one or more heat recovery devices.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power generating plant includes gas and steam turbines and a heat recovery steam generator recovering the heat in the exhaust gases exited from the gas turbine and for using the recovered heat to produce and supply steam to the steam turbine. The gas turbine includes a plurality of variably set guide vanes whose position may be set to determine the inlet flow to the gas turbine. Guide vane control apparatus is provided to limit the inlet guide vane position as a function of gas turbine compressor inlet temperature in accordance with a desired gas turbine exhaust flow, and to match the gas turbine exhaust flow to the steam requirements of the steam generator as in turn determined by the load placed upon its steam turbine. In addition, an afterburner is provided to supplementally heat the exhaust gas turbine gases before they are directed to the steam generator.

Abstract: A grid pattern for a solar cell of the type including a semiconductive layer doped to a first polarity and a top counter-doped layer. The grid pattern comprises a plurality of concentric conductive grids of selected geometric shapes which are centered about the center of the exposed active surface of the counter-doped layer. Connected to the grids is one or more conductors which extend to the cell's periphery. For the pattern area, the grids and conductors are arranged in the pattern to minimize the maximum distance which any injected majority carriers have to travel to reach any of the grids or conductors. The pattern has a multi-axes symmetry with respect to the cell center to minimize the maximum temperature differentials between points on the cell surface and to provide a more uniform temperature distribution across the cell face.

Abstract: Modular operating centers for use in electric power generating plants and other industrial and commercial plants, processes and systems are constructed by using a novel prefabricated modular technique. This technique includes loading a plurality of transportable room-size building modules with control system equipment at a factory site. Typically, the control system equipment includes sophisticated and complex electrical and electronics data processing and control equipment. The control system equipment is installed and bolted down in the different building modules and the equipment in each module is inter-wired at the factory site. Temporary inter-module connections are established between the control system equipment in different ones of the building modules and such equipment, as a whole, is then thoroughly tested and adjusted under simulated use conditions. Thereafter, the loaded and tested building modules are separated and separately transported to the industrial or commercial installation site.

Abstract: Modular operating centers for use in electric power generating plants and other industrial and commercial plants, processes and systems are constructed by using a novel prefabricated modular technique. This technique includes loading a plurality of transportable room-size building modules with control system equipment at a factory site. Typically, the control system equipment includes sophisticated and complex electrical and electronics data processing and control equipment. The control system equipment is installed and bolted down in the different building modules and the equipment in each module is inter-wired at the factory site. Temporary inter-module connections are established between the control system equipment in different ones of the building modules and such equipment, as a whole, is then thoroughly tested and adjusted under simulated use conditions. Thereafter, the loaded and tested building modules are separated and separately transported to the industrial or commercial installation site.