Abstract: A dilution nozzle assembly for attachment to a rooftop vent pipe for diluting and dispersing hazardous gases vented from the vent pipe includes an exhaust tube connected to the vent pipe and a venturi nozzle positioned in the exhaust tube for diluting and dispersing the hazardous gases vented from the vent pipe as they pass through the exhaust tube.

Abstract: A dilution nozzle assembly for attachment to a rooftop vent pipe for diluting and dispersing hazardous gases vented from the vent pipe includes an exhaust tube connected to the vent pipe and a venturi nozzle positioned in the exhaust tube for diluting and dispersing the hazardous gases vented from the vent pipe as they pass through the exhaust tube.

Abstract: A gas sensor usable in harsh environments includes a multiple chamber radiant energy transmission path which extends between a multi-channel emitter and a multi-channel detector. Chamber length and gas selection are establishable using a movable element with an aperture. The element is located between the emitter and the detector on the transmission path. Radiant energy from the emitter is reflected between the emitter and the element, prior to passing through the element to impinge on the detector.

Abstract: A sensing system having a zeroing mechanism incorporating a micropump. The micropump may be connected to a gas conditioner for providing zeroing gas to a sensor downstream. The micropump and sensor may be connected to a processor or computer for pump control and receipt of information from the sensor. Upon zeroing and/or baseline correction of the sensor, the pump may be stopped and a sample gas may be fed into the sensor for detection and analysis. Alternatively, the pump may situated downstream of the sensor to draw conditioned gas through the sensor. A valve may be added having a conditioned gas input connected to the conditioner and having a sample input. The valve may have an output connected to the sensor. When the valve is open to the conditioned gas input, it will be closed to the sample input, and vice versa. The system may be for zeroing and/or calibration.

Abstract: A device (10) for producing sound, such as, for example, simulated animal calls for hunting or flatulence or other bodily noises for entertainment, using a membranous valve (17) including one or more vibrating thermoplastic or thermoset plastic membranes (18,20), wherein said vibration is mechanically induced by a gas, such as air, releasing from a reservoir (12). In a preferred embodiment, the device (10) is hand-held, portable, and broadly comprises the reservoir (12); a return (14); a focuser (16); the membranous valve (17); and an emitter (22). Gas released from the reservoir (12) is directed by the focuser (16) to pass across the one or more membranes (18,20) which are held in their operating positions by the emitter (22). Vibration of an edge portion of each membrane (18,20) produces the desired sound.

Abstract: A valve control system (10) for achieving proportional response using inexpensive on-off valves (16) commonly used in machine and robotic applications and other pneumatic/hydraulic systems. A proportional response is achieved from each on-off valve (16) by interposing a single continuously proportional inlet valve (18) actuated by linear or non-linear signals to regulate the transfer of a media, whether air or fluid, to the actuated on-off valve (16) via a common galley (22). The actuation signals are preferably provided by a microcontroller (14) that can be programmed with more than one algorithm for generating different types of actuation signals. Furthermore, a non-linear mechanical response can be linearized by generating a non-linear actuation signal to produce a non-linear media transfer which when combined with the non-linear mechanical response results in an overall linear response.

Abstract: A virtual reality baseball training and amusement apparatus which detects the speed and projected flight of a batted baseball or softball. The invention provides a display of a simulated game played in response to the trajectory information of a struck ball. The invention also allows users to interact with the simulated game by moving players in response to the simulated flight of the ball.