Abstract: A prosthetic hip-joint includes: a. a prosthetic acetabulum cup for implantation into a pelvis; b. a prosthetic femoral assembly which includes: i. a ball-shaped femoral head that during implantation becomes located within the cup; and ii. a femoral stem that is fixed at a first end to the head, and that has a second end distal from the first end which is adapted for implant into a medullary canal of a femur, and c. a liner assembly adapted to he secured to the cup and is also adapted to receive and to constrain the head against dislocation. In one aspect the hip-joint permits the head to rotate through an angle which exceeds at least 153 degrees while concurrently constraining the head against dislocation. In another aspect the hip joint constrains the head a dislocation by a preestablished amount of force which is adjustable during implantation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes a open-Brayton-cycle automotive power-generation unit adapted to be energized by stored thermal energy. Thermal energy, absorbed from hot thermal-energy-storage material present in a working fluid heating vessel, heats a working fluid that passes through the unit's turbine. The unit also includes a rotary impeller that draws the flow of working-fluid into the unit from the surrounding atmosphere and discharges it into a working-fluid heat regenerator. Within the regenerator, working fluid from the compressor is warmed by thermal energy from hot working-fluid exhausted from the turbine. After passing through the regenerator, working-fluid from the turbine is discharged into the atmosphere. Working-fluid from the compressor flows from the regenerator through the heating vessel into the turbine. An alternator converts energy from the turbine into electricity. The electric energy thus obtained powers a vehicle's electric drive motors.

Abstract: The present invention includes a open-Brayton-cycle automotive power-generation unit adapted to be energized by stored thermal energy. Thermal energy, absorbed from hot thermal-energy-storage material present in a working fluid heating vessel, heats a working fluid that passes through the unit's turbine. The unit also includes a rotary impeller that draws the flow of working-fluid into the unit from the surrounding atmosphere and discharges it into a working-fluid heat regenerator. Within the regenerator, working fluid from the compressor is warmed by thermal energy from hot working-fluid exhausted from the turbine. After passing through the regenerator, working-fluid from the turbine is discharged into the atmosphere. Working-fluid from the compressor flows from the regenerator through the heating vessel into the turbine. An alternator converts energy from the turbine into electricity. The electric energy thus obtained powers a vehicle's electric drive motors.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel is disclosed having no more than five airfoil shaped spokes linking a central hub to a peripheral rim in a blown and hollow fiber reinforced construction with resulting improvements of wheel spoke windage, overall wheel weight and rim inertia. The bicycle wheel includes a central hub and preferably three or four radially extending spokes. The radially extending spokes all have airfoil shapes. Adjacent spokes extend from the central hub and with the central hub form a spoke arch with each spoke forming one end of the spoke arch and the hub forming a central portion of the spoke arch. The distal ends of this spoke arch form the base support points for segments of the rim extending between the spokes. The segments of the rim extending between the spokes form an opposed rim arch to the spoke arch between the spoke ends.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed for enclosing the nose and mouth of humans and defining an air chamber from which a human may inhale and exhale gases. The mask comprises an inflatable bladder that encircles the air chamber, the bladder having elliptical perforations that are spaced therearound to emit air from the bladder into direct surface contact with the face of the person wearing the mask. Means is also provided for introducing air into both the bladder and the air chamber.

Abstract: A disposable rebreathing canister is disclosed for administering oxygen and anesthesia to patients. The canister essentially comprises a housing for a scrubber, including a manifold plate and a rigid container, and a flexible liner disposed within the rigid container. The liner forms an imperforate barrier between the interior of the rigid container and the manifold plate. A scrubber disposed between the manifold plate and liner chemically reacts with gases conducted to it through one of a pair of coaxial passages formed in the manifold plate. Reacted gases are then moved through a tortuous passage either back to the other one of the coaxial passages or removed through an exhaust port.The interior of the rigid container connects with a source of pressure that allows the flexible liner to be collapsed, thus forcing treated gases, fresh oxygen and anesthesia into the lungs of the patient.