Abstract: A method of sealing and pressurizing underground facilities in planetary bodies with atmospheric pressures or temperatures differing from that of earth may include disposing at least one prefabricated, airtight plug within the tunnel system prior to forming additional tunnels or shafts within the tunnel system. Multiple plugs may be additionally disposed within the tunnel system to create various encapsulated tunnel portions optionally having differing pressures and temperatures. The tunnel system may be airtight and sealed from external, hostile atmospheric conditions, designed to facilitate safe living and work conditions in the tunnel systems and to facilitate safe movement of people and equipment between tunnels, shafts and the surface of the planetary body. Tunnel systems are defined as any variety of man-made mines and tunnels or naturally occurring tunnels such as lava tubes or caverns and the like.

Abstract: A system for sealing prefabricated facilities or underground facilities may allow for the sealing and pressurizing of parts or all of an underground facility or enclosed facility via a plurality of sealable doors or prefabricated modules. The system may implement mechanical connections between walls or extensions of individual modules. The system may implement complementary mechanical connections or partially complementary mechanical connections between individual modules and may further include module interior or module exterior sealing layers for rigid layers. The system may implement mechanical connections between individual modules wherein each of the mechanical connections may utilize sealing complementary profiles constructed and arranged to provide for an airtight seal between modules. The system may be used to link surface facilities to underground facilities, tunnels or shafts, or to pressurize sections of tunnels or shafts.

Abstract: A steerable guide wire includes a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end. A braided filament is affixed to the distal end of the core wire. An outer coil surrounds at least a portion of the core wire and the braided filament. A proximal end of the braided filament is secured to a distal end of the coil. By locating the braided filament in the distal tip portion of the guide wire, a guide wire is provided that is highly flexible, has a high degree of tensile integrity, and is highly steerable, even in tortuous vasculature. Filter and balloon catheters having braided filaments at the distal end are also described.

Abstract: A multi-functional shroud/arc tube support or clip (40a) for a high intensity discharge lamp (10). The support (40a) has one end (42) formed to engage a shroud (20). The one end (42) is formed as an arcuate member (43). A middle portion (44) is formed of separated, depending legs (46, 48) defining a space (50) therebetween for clasping the substantially rectangular pinch seal (52) of a quartz arc tube (14). The central section (53) is formed to clasp the cylindrical capillary (54) of a ceramic arc tube (14a). The central section (53) comprises the bight of a pair of U-shaped legs and the bights are provided with opposing, substantially hemi-cylindrical concavities (53a).

Abstract: A method of weather proofing an opening through which an electrical cord passes. The method involves modifying the electrical cord by the addition of an elongate resilient deformable truncated conical sealing element. The electrical cord extends through a longitudinal passage in the truncated conical sealing element. The truncated conical sealing element is received into the opening in interference fit relation to provide a weather seal. The truncated conical sealing element can be integrally moulded to form part of an electrical plug. The opening may be modified with trumpet bell form lips to further enhance the weather seal.

Abstract: A housing for a retractable cord mechanism includes a first body, a second body and a coupling for securing the first body to the second body in a water tight manner to create a composite body with an interior cavity. The composite body has a snout-like projection with an opening positioned at a terminus of the snout-like projection. The composite body is mounted with the snout-like projection angled downwardly such that any water splashed up into the interior cavity of the composite housing drains by force of gravity out of the opening at the terminus of the snout-like projection.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of a negative cadmium electrode containing a discharge reserve for gas-tight alkaline storage batteries by incorporating an organic cadmium compound into the electrode structure and roasting to thermally dissociate the organic compound to produce the discharge reserve. Additional features are incorporation of an organic nickel compound which also decomposes to form nickel and adding a control gas to aid in control of content of discharge reserve.

Abstract: A positive electrode for alkaline storage batteries contains as its active mass a ternary mixture of nickel hydroxide, cadmium hydroxide, and cobalt hydroxide.