Abstract: A thin film distiller is provided which applies distilland to an evaporative side by the use of wicks which work by capillary action. The evaporated vapor is transferred to the condensate side after being compressed to a higher pressure where it is condensed and removed by similar wicks. The condensing and evaporating surfaces are formed on opposing sides of a bellows-like sheet of heat conducting material. The sheet would preferably be formed into a cylindrical shape with the evaporative stage on the outside and the condensing stage on the inside of the cylinder. Either the wicks or the heat conducting material are moved with respect to the other such that the wicks place a thin film of distilland on the evaporative surface. Removal of condensate is performed in a similar manner by the wicks in the condensate stage.

Abstract: A vapor-compression distiller includes a rotary heat exchanger. A reciprocating compressor (26) maintains a pressure difference between the compressor's evaporation chambers (46) and its condensation chambers (44). The compressor is assembled in a common rotating assembly with the compressor, so the distiller does not need rotating seals between the compressor and heat exchanger. The compressor includes two pistons (56 and 58) driven in opposite directions in a rotating piston chamber (54). The directions in which they thereby reciprocate are substantially parallel to the rotating assembly's axis.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor (26) includes two pistons (56 and 58) driven in opposite directions in a piston chamber (54). As a piston is driven in the downstream, compression-stroke direction, pressure causes a piston ring (64 or 66) that seals against the piston-chamber wall to seal against the piston, too, and thereby prevent fluid flow from the piston's downstream side to its upstream side. When the piston is driven downstream, on the other hand, pressure keeps the piston ring spaced from the piston and thereby allows flow from the piston's upstream side to its downstream side. The piston rings thus act as check valves.

Abstract: A residence (13) discharges its waste water into a septic tank (10). A pump (18) draws waste from the tank's liquid layer and feeds it to a distiller (22) as distiller feed. The distiller (22) divides the distiller feed into distillate and distiller residue. The distiller residue is returned to the septic tank (10), whereas the distillate is reused or discharged into a leach field. In either case, the adverse environmental effects of leach-field use are largely eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved evaporator and condenser unit for use in distilling a liquid such as water. The evaporator and condenser unit includes a plurality of stacked, spaced-apart plates disposed within a housing. The plates are horizontally arranged around a common, vertical axis for rotation. Adjacent plates define spaces between their oppositely facing surfaces, which are alternating configured as evaporating and condensing chambers. An outlet tube transfers vapor generated within the housing to a compressor and an inlet tube delivers compressed vapor to the condensing chambers. A sump containing the liquid to be distilled is located at a lower portion of the housing. A rotating element extends into the sump and forces liquid to be distilled up a stationary feed pipe where it is discharged into the evaporating chambers which are open at both their inner and outer ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved evaporator and condenser unit for use in distilling a liquid such as water. The evaporator and condenser unit includes a plurality of stacked, spaced-apart plates disposed within a housing. The plates are horizontally arranged around a common, vertical axis for rotation. Adjacent plates define spaces between their oppositely facing surfaces, which are alternating configured as evaporating and condensing chambers. An outlet tube transfers vapor generated within the housing to a compressor and an inlet tube delivers compressed vapor to central receiving space within the stack of plates. A sump containing the liquid to be distilled is located at a lower portion of the housing. Each plate includes a plurality of ports for distributing liquid to be distilled and for extracting a condensate.

Abstract: An automated dental cleaner (320) comprises a subassembly (324) having a pair of pivotally supported spaced tines (336) for supporting a movable floss span (338) therebetween. A pair of capstans (346, 352) are provided for drivingly reciprocating the floss span. Floss supply and take-up spools (340, 342) are arranged for continuously replacing the span. A main assembly (322) includes a housing containing a motor-driven multi-function transmission for driving the capstans and take-up spool, and for reciprocating the tines vertically. The main assembly and the subassembly are detachably connectable to each other for expedient replacement of the subassembly by a user. An additional feature on each tine includes a bracing pad (424) shaped for bracing the fork on teeth and gums. Brush bristles (426, 428) added to the tines help to inhibit fork lateral motion and enable the cleaner to floss and brush teeth simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flosser head (16), detachably connectable to a motorized toothbrush driver (12). A fork portion (20) of the head includes a pair of spaced tines (24) for supporting a movable floss span (22) therebetween. Floss supply and take-up spools (30, 32) are rotatably mounted to the head for replacing the span. A ratchet (42) is arranged to drive the take-up spool by translation of relative motion between the driver and head or the driver and fork, thereby progressively advancing the span. When actuated, the driver reciprocates the fork, or the entire head, for flossing teeth and for continuously replacing the span. The flosser head is interchangeable with a toothbrush head on the driver, so the combination is a comprehensive dental cleaner.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: A water heater (10) has a pressure-transfer module (20) interposed between an external pressurized-water circuit and the water inside the water-heater vessel (12) so that the water is at atmospheric pressure and can thus have a free upper surface. A shut-off valve in the inlet (14) to the pressure-transfer module (20) is controlled in accordance with the water level as detected by a float (74). If the water level falls below a predetermined minimum or exceeds a predetermined maximum, the shut-off valve closes so as to prevent further flow into the water heater (10) from the upstream side of the exterior circuit.

Abstract: A fluid-driven pump (10) includes a drive-inlet-valve assembly (54) that alternately directs the flow of cold pressurized water from a pressurized-water inlet (12) into alternate drive cavities (46a and b). Outlet valves (60a and b) control flow out of the drive cavities (46a and b). The resulting reciprocation of piston heads (36a and b) draws hot water in through a pump inlet (16) and out through a pump outlet (18). A valve operating mechanism driven by the piston heads' reciprocation causes both the drive outlet valves (60a and b) to close before the drive-inlet-valve assembly (54) changes its state to redirect flow of pressurized cold water from the cold-water inlet (12). The drive-inlet-valve assembly (54) is provided with a pilot-valve member that permits the drive-inlet-valve assembly (54) to be operated with a relatively low force and without introducing excessive shock and noise.

Abstract: A device for transferring pressure from one fluid stream to another utilized in conjunction with a storage vessel where fluid is stored at ambient pressure and a desired temperature. An entering fluid stream at another temperature is introduced to the device under pressure and the energy of the fluid stream is utilized to pump a second fluid stream of approximately the same flow and pressure from the vessel. The entering fluid flows into the vessel at approximately ambient pressure at its original temperature where it replaces the removed fluid.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for transferring heat into a first body of water flowing through a first conduit (20, 22, 24) from a heated second body of water (12) that is flowing through a second conduit (14), the two conduits being contiguous to each other. A pump (26 or 62) operates to force the second body of water through the second conduit. A motor (32 or 60) is so connected to the pump as to operate the pump when the motor is actuated and an arrangement is provided to actuate the motor in response to the flow of the first body of water through the first conduit.

Abstract: A solar radiation absorbing structure including a plate comprising a plurality of co-planar fluid passageways joined side by side and having at least one radiation transmissive cover extending over the passageways. The opposite longitudinal edges of the plate parallel to the passageways and the corresponding longitudinal edges of the cover are interlocked with longitudinal rails to support the passageway plate and cover spaced from the roof structure. Only one part of each rail and plate and cover is locked in place on the roof; the remainder is free to move in response to thermal expansion and contraction. Manifolds at each end of the plate connect to the passageways to transmit liquid to and from the passageways. At each end of the cover a member, which may be hinged, forms, with the manifolds, a substantially airtight enclosure in cold weather.

Abstract: A system for storing heated air in the attic of a building by solar energy and for transmitting the heated air to a heat exchanger. The attic includes a floor, a roof formed of two oppositely inclined portions that meet at a peak, one of the inclined portions being glazed to form a light pervious surface and the other inclined portion being light impervious. The attic floor beneath the light pervious roof portion is covered with a light reflective surface. Located in the attic beneath the light impervious roof portion is an entrance end of an inlet duct leading from the attic to a heat exchanger and an exit end of an outlet duct leading from the heat exchanger to the attic. A blower is provided to blow air from the attic through the inlet duct, the heat exchanger, and the outlet duct back to the attic.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for using solar energy to modify the temperatures of conditioned space in a building and to supply domestic hot water for the building. Part of the system is mounted to a core that forms a structural column of the building. The system incorporates selector mechanisms for selectively altering the flow of water in the system to facilitate changes in the functioning of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slurry-cooled helmet and to a head-cooling system. The helmet includes a hollow shell within which is positioned a plurality of tubes connected between an inlet and a discharge manifold. The manifolds are respectively connected to inlet and outlet means in the helmet shell.

Abstract: A heater system for warming the body of a diver while underwater, to be used in combination with and powered by an air supply tank is disclosed. In essence, the heater system functions by taking in controlled amounts of water from the ambient, heating this water and delivering it to the diver's suit.High-pressure air from the air supply is admitted into the heater system through a pressure regulator which reduces the air pressure and utilizes the energy thus provided to operate as a pneumatic motor and water-circulating pump. The reduced-pressure air controls a fuel pressure regulator, allowing fuel, such as propane, to enter the system from a fuel canister. The air and fuel of controlled volume are permitted to mix and flow together into a catalytic combustion chamber where combustion is initiated by a spark generator.

Abstract: A device for transferring pressure from one fluid stream to another utilized in conjunction with a storage vessel where fluid is stored at ambient pressure and a desired temperature. An entering fluid stream at another temperature is introduced to the device under pressure and the energy of the fluid stream is utilized to pump a second fluid stream of approximately the same flow and pressure from the vessel. The entering fluid flows into the vessel at approximately ambient pressure at its original temperature where it replaces the removed fluid.