Abstract: A portable parts washer flows a washing agent over an object to remove any contaminants. The washing agent and contaminants flow into a basin mounted below the object. The washing agent is drawn from the basin and used to wash the object to provide a closed-loop system. A venturi-type injector mixes ozone from an ozone generator with the washing agent. A pump draws the washing agent from a first inlet to the basin, forces the washing agent through the injector, and returns the washing agent through a first outlet to the basin. Various splash protection mechanisms are used to protect an operator from any substances that may splash off of the object.

Abstract: A portable parts washer flows a washing agent over an object to remove any contaminants. The washing agent and contaminants flow into a basin mounted below the object. The washing agent is drawn from the basin and used to wash the object to provide a closed-loop system. A venturi-type injector mixes ozone from an ozone generator with the washing agent. A pump draws the washing agent from a first inlet to the basin, forces the washing agent through the injector, and returns the washing agent through a first outlet to the basin. Various splash protection mechanisms are used to protect an operator from any substances that may splash off of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus especially suitable for distilling water is disclosed. This apparatus, as disclosed, includes first and second separate and distinct groups of adjacent, confronting plate members, each of which alternatively defines a series of boiling and condensing chambers and a compressor. The apparatus also includes a device for fluid connecting the various boiling and condensing chambers and compressor to one another so that feed water can first be converted to steam in the boiling chambers, then compressed in the compressor, and finally condensed into pure water in the condensing chambers. The two groups of plate members are connected to and supported by a combination manifold/support assembly which serves both as part of the fluid connecting device and as a device for supporting the confronting plate members.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method and apparatus for launching a ring. The apparatus includes a frame with three frame limbs. Each frame limb includes a longitudinal axis, a neck, a shoulder, an arm and a port. The frame limbs are joined at a common axis along their longitudinal axes. An elastomeric band is connected to each arm and bridges each port. A trigger stretches the bands into their respective ports, this stretching action causes a concomitant rotational action associated with the bands. This rotational action will provide a rotational motion to the ring while the releasing of the trigger will provide an axial motion to the ring. This simultaneously imparted rotational and axial motion launches the ring from the frame for prolonged and stable flight.

Abstract: A centrifugal type of pump, for example one used for compressing steam, is disclosed herein. This pump includes an impeller located within a pump housing and connected to a power driven shaft assembly extending through a cooperating opening in the housing from outside thereof so as to rotate with the shaft assembly about the axis of the shaft assembly relative to the housing, whereby to cause fluid in the housing, for example steam, to be centrifugally forced radially outward. The pump also includes a sealing arrangement for preventing the steam or other such fluid within the housing from escaping through the housing opening containing the shaft assembly. This sealing arrangement is designed to provide a continuous liquid seal extending circumferentially around an axial section of the shaft assembly within the housing opening and radially between the axial shaft section and housing druing operation of the pump, whereby to seal the opening against the passage of steam or other such fluid within the housing.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar energy collector assembly of the integral storage type is disclosed herein. This assembly utilizes a specifically designed storage arrangement which is expanded into its final shape from an initial collapsed configuration. In the specific embodiment disclosed, the storage arrangement includes many of its own design features apart from the overall collector assembly and serves as the main structural component of the entire assembly.

Abstract: A supply of hollow plastic tubing is obtained from an extrusion and sizing apparatus, or from a supply of hollow tubing on a reel. The hollow tubing is provided at a predetermined speed to a tensioning device which imparts a tension in the hollow tubing and delivers it to a feeding point at one edge of the periphery of a rotating drum. The continuous hollow tubing is wound around the periphery of the drum at the one edge and it is forced axially on the periphery by a helical shoe overlying the periphery at the one edge. A bank of quartz lamps heats one side of the hollow plastic tubing just prior to reaching the feeding point, and another bank of quartz lamps heats the opposite side of the hollow plastic tubing at the one edge of the drum just after the tubing passes the shoe. The two heated surfaces are pressed together by the axial force exerted by the shoe, and are fused in side by side relation to form a cylinder having a wall consisting of spiral turns of the plastic tubing fused together.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly is disclosed herein and includes a solar panel arrangement having a main body which defines internal passageways, between inlet and outlet headers, a corrugated glazing sheet located on the top side of the panel body and at least one but preferably two corrugated support sheets located under the panel body. The assembly also includes a header cover on each end of the panel which, in part, encloses a corresponding one of the headers and which, in part, nests against the corrugated glazing sheet and one of the corrugated support sheets.

Abstract: A panel having multiple tubular passages extending therethrough and fitted on each end with a fluid tight hollow header. Apertures through one side of the headers place the tubular passages in communication with the interior of the headers. Fluid pumped into one header flows through the tubular passages to the other header, exchanging heat with the environment surrounding the panel as it passes therethrough. The panels are formed to provide a flow restrictive feature at the ends of the through fluid passages so that substantial flow will exist in all passages in all panels in an array of panels. One method for obtaining a fluid tight bond between the headers and the panel involves a forming process utilizing a heated die applied to the panel ends, and a subsequent panel and header material melting process followed by imposing pressure contact between the formed panel ends and the headers to thereby effect a permanent bond or weld.

Abstract: A valve body having a circular cylindrical shape may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. A radial hole through the wall of the body has a pressure inlet fitting positioned therein. A flexible tubing is passed through the body co-axial therewith. The tubing is folded back to overlie the ends of the valve body and a valve end tube is positioned to overlie the folded back ends of the flexible tubing. Clamps are utilized to impart inward radial pressure about the circumference of the valve end tube overlying the folded back tubing. The valve end tube is adapted to receive the ends of an inlet and an outlet flow conduit. Pressure of varying magnitude introduced through the pressure inlet fitting serves to meter the fluid flow through the conduit from a full flow to substantially zero flow as the flexible tube distends into the passage through the valve body.

Abstract: A panel having multiple tubular passages extending therethrough and fitted on each end with a fluid tight hollow header. Apertures through one side of the headers place the tubular passages in communication with the interior of the headers. Fluid pumped into one header flows through the tubular passages to the other header, exchanging heat with the environment surrounding the panel as it passes therethrough. The panels are formed to provide a flow restrictive feature at the ends of the through fluid passages so that substantial flow will exist in all passages in all panels in an array of panels. One method for obtaining a fluid tight bond between the headers and the panel involves a forming process utilizing a heated die applied to the panel ends, and a subsequent panel and header material melting process followed by imposing pressure contact between the formed panel ends and the headers to thereby effect a permanent bond or weld.