Abstract: An optical fiber unit consists of one or more optical fibers configured to provide an optical function, a preformed internal protective body having a preformed space into which the fiber(s) extend with a relatively close fit, the internal protective body being of a material of hardness and coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matched to that of the fiber(s) and the fiber(s) being bonded thereto, an outer protective body surrounding the internal protective body, at least a portion of the outer protective body having a preformed recess shaped to receive and support the rigid internal protective body, a mass of relatively soft uniting material disposed in a manner to secure the internal protective body to the preformed portion of the outer protective body, an injection-molded portion of the outer protective body, of substance less brittle than the internal protective body, effectively surrounding and protecting the internal protective body and the fiber(s) therewithin from the environment in which the

Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a valve for supplying flush water to the bowl, an attrition chamber to which the effluent in the bowl is transferred by a motor-driven discharge pump connected to the attrition chamber for inducting the effluent from the bowl into the attrition chamber and discharging the treated effluent from the attrition chamber, a power-driven hydraulic attrition impeller within the attrition chamber for effecting hydraulic attrition of the solid matter in the effluent while in the attrition chamber, and a control circuit for effecting sequential operation such that discharge and attrition are commenced substantially simultaneously, followed by introduction of flush water, termination of the discharge, termination of the flush water and, finally termination of the attrition.

Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a treating chamber, a trap connecting the bowl to the treating chamber, said trap containing a bypass to a waste pipe, a conductor connecting the treating chamber to the waste pipe, a hydraulic attrition member in the treating chamber for particulizing effluent delivered into the treating chamber, a worm pump in the treating chamber for evacuating effluent from the bowl into the treating chamber and discharging the treated effluent into the waste pipe, a valve connected to the bowl for supplying flush water thereto and control means operable to initiate operation of the pump followed by operation of the valve and stop the pump prior to closing of the valve and wherein, in the event the pump is disabled, discharge from the bowl can be effected through the bypass by delivery of fluid into the bowl.

Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a treating chamber, a trap connecting the bowl to the treating chamber, said trap containing a bypass to a waste pipe, a conductor connecting the treating chamber to the waste pipe, a macerator in the treating chamber for macerating effluent delivered into the treating chamber, a worm pump in the treating chamber for evacuating effluent from the bowl into the treating chamber and discharging the treated effluent into the waste pipe, a valve connected to the bowl for supplying flush water thereto and control means operable to initiate operation of the pump followed by operation of the valve and stop the pump prior to closing of the valve and wherein, in the event the pump is disabled, discharge from the bowl can be effected through the bypass by delivery of fluid into the bowl.

Abstract: A filter system for entraining solid matter contained in a fluid wherein a mass of particulate filter material is suspended in a fluid confined within an enclosure and the fluid containing the solid matter to be filtered therefrom is pumped into the mass of particulate filter material so as to cause weltering of the particulate material and gravitational separation of the solid matter from the fluid.

Abstract: A filter system wherein there is a first chamber containing fluid at a predetermined level, a shroud positioned in the first chamber immersed in the fluid, said shroud defining a downwardly-open second chamber, a quantity of discrete, buoyant bodies supported in the shroud by flotation, said discrete, buoyant bodies defining a filter media, a conduit connected to the top of the shroud for delivering fluid to the shroud at a pressure to displace the discrete, buoyant bodies downwardly therein as the fluid is forced downwardly into the shroud and into the lower part of the first chamber below the shroud, a second chamber surrounding the first chamber, a conduit connecting the top of the shroud with the second chamber, a conductor connected to the bottom of the second chamber providing an outlet from the bottom and valves in the several conduits operable on the one hand to admit fluid into the shroud and to permit fluid to be withdrawn from the third chamber while blocking flow of fluid from the first chamber to

Abstract: A filter module wherein the fluid to be filtered is projected into a chamber containing a floating bed of buoyant bodies confined within the chamber at the top side and wherein the point of entry of the fluid is constantly moved about the center of the bed so that successive portions of the bed are subjected to weltering while the remainder is quiescent such that the solids are separated from the bodies dispersed by weltering and gravitate to the bottom of the module and are drawn off and the filtrate is drawn off through the quiescent portion of the bed at the top.

Abstract: A toilet bowl provided with one or more fountains supported inside the rim so structured as to project solid, fan-shaped sheets of flush water downwardly on the inner surface of the bowl and a flange peripherally of the rim overlying the fountains.

Abstract: In a toilet system wherein the bowl is evacuated by a pump, the intake side of which is connected by a first conductor to the bowl and the discharge side of which is connected by a second conductor to a waste pipe, a bypass conductor connecting the first conductor to the waste pipe and a valve at the junction operable when the pump is disabled to permit the bowl to be flushed through the bypass conductor.

Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a valve for supplying flush water to the bowl, an attrition chamber to which the effluent in the bowl is transferred by a motor-driven discharge pump connected to the attrition chamber for inducting the effluent from the bowl into the attrition chamber and discharging the treated effluent from the attrition chamber, a power-driven hydraulic attrition impeller within the attrition chamber for effecting hydraulic attrition of the solid matter in the effluent while in the attrition chamber, and a control circuit for effecting sequential operation such that discharge and attrition are commenced substantially simultaneously, followed by introduction of flush water, termination of the discharge, termination of the flush water and, finally, termination of the attrition.

Abstract: A fluid metering device comprising an annular conductor defining a passage of predetermined uniform cross section and supports supporting the conductor horizontally, said conductor containing an inlet port at the top side through which the fluid to be metered is supplied to the conductor and an outlet port at the bottom side through which the fluid to be metered is discharged, a ball situated in the passage which is free to be moved along the passage by the fluid pressure of the fluid delivered to the conductor, said ball being of a diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the passage, sensing devices mounted to the support adjacent the conductor for sensing the passage of the ball within the conductor and an integrator for increasing or decreasing the supply of fluid to the conductor in inverse proportion to the travel of the ball along said passage.

Abstract: Apparatus designed to be interposed between the discharge of a marine toilet and the overboard discharge line of a vessel comprising a treating chamber provided with inlet and discharge openings through which the effluent is delivered to the chamber for treatment and pumped therefrom following treatment, an impeller supported in the chamber for rotation therein which, in conjunction with the hemi-toroidal formation of the chamber, produces vortexlike movement of the effluent which reduces the particle size by hydraulic attrition and mixes it with chemicals deposited therein, a dispenser for depositing the chemicals in the chamber, a pump for introducing flush water to the chamber, a pump for discharging the treated effluent and the flush water and controls for timing the cycle of operation from the time it is initiated by flushing the toilet until it is timed out by a timer in the control circuit, together with suitable indicators for indicating the condition of the apparatus at any given time, and to prevent