Abstract: There is provided an attachment device for maintaining positive fluid pressure, the attachment device comprising a body having a fluid outlet port and at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports is connectable to a respective fluid source; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports comprises an attachment device mechanism for selectively starting and stopping a flow of fluid from the respective fluid source to the fluid outlet port, and wherein the attachment device mechanism comprises a valve moveable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. An attachment device, connector, and method of using an apparatus suitable for a ventilator is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a training apparatus for increasing core body strength and balance and for providing a repetitive pitching motion exercise for baseball pitchers. The training apparatus comprises a frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced base members for bracing the apparatus on the floor. Each base member is attached to an upright support member that are attached at the top by a lateral connector. A balance pulley is attached to the lateral connector and a balance cord is threaded through the balance pulley.

Abstract: A compact ignition system for chemical oxygen generators for possible use in an aircraft. The chemical oxygen generator is configured such that a majority of the ignition system can be accommodated within an interior of the generator body. In some embodiments, the ignition system is positioned within a recess of an upper surface of the core of the generator. Housing a majority of the ignition system within the generator allows the overall oxygen-generating capacity of the generator to be increased without requiring a corresponding increase in the overall length of the generator.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen generator with enhanced structural integrity. In some embodiments, the chemical core of the chemical oxygen generator is reinforced with one or more reinforcing structures that are integral with the core. In some embodiments, as the core burns, the one or more reinforcing structures become fused with the core.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use with a chemical oxygen generator. In some embodiments, the filter assembly is external to the chemical oxygen generator. In one embodiment, a first end of the filter assembly includes an inlet that couples to an outlet of chemical oxygen generator and a second end of the filter assembly includes one or more outlets that couple to one or more oxygen masks, tubes or other oxygen-delivery devices. The filter assembly houses a filter media for removing unwanted containments from the generated oxygen. In non-limiting embodiments, the filter assembly is housed in a drop down box or other housing of an aircraft or other desired application.

Abstract: A compact ignition system for chemical oxygen generators for possible use in an aircraft. The chemical oxygen generator is configured such that a majority of the ignition system can be accommodated within an interior of the generator body. In some embodiments, the ignition system is positioned within a recess of an upper surface of the core of the generator. Housing a majority of the ignition system within the generator allows the overall oxygen-generating capacity of the generator to be increased without requiring a corresponding increase in the overall length of the generator.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a formation comprises controlling a pump rate during hydraulic fracturing of the first section of the horizontal well bore during a first period to break down the formation while reducing pick up of sand positioned in the well bore; during a subsequent second period to pick up the sand positioned in the well bore generally at a rate at which the formation will accept the sand; and, during a subsequent third period to fracture the formation.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen generator with enhanced structural integrity. In some embodiments, the chemical core of the chemical oxygen generator is reinforced with one or more reinforcing structures that are integral with the core. In some embodiments, as the core burns, the one or more reinforcing structures become fused with the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid passive agent system impedance monitoring station and method. The method of monitoring impedance of an electrical system includes the steps of providing an impedance monitoring station adapted to test and monitor system impedance, solving for system impedance in a time domain, solving for system impedance in a frequency domain, and determining a time domain driving point impedance and a frequency domain driving point impedance to identify the impedance of the system.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a formation comprises controlling a pump rate during hydraulic fracturing of the first section of the horizontal well bore during a first period to break down the formation while reducing pick up of sand positioned in the well bore; during a subsequent second period to pick up the sand positioned in the well bore generally at a rate at which the formation will accept the sand; and, during a subsequent third period to fracture the formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid passive agent system impedance monitoring station and method. The method of monitoring impedance of an electrical system includes the steps of providing an impedance monitoring station adapted to test and monitor system impedance, solving for system impedance in a time domain, solving for system impedance in a frequency domain, and determining a time domain driving point impedance and a frequency domain driving point impedance to identify the impedance of the system.

Abstract: A disturbance locating system includes a voltage transducer, a current transducer and disturbance energy determination circuitry. The system may also include disturbance power determination circuitry. The voltage transducer couples to an output of a voltage transformer, the output of the voltage transformer representative of a voltage on a line. The current transducer couples to an output of a current transformer, the output of the current transformer representative of the current flowing through the line, the output having a forward reference direction and a behind reference direction. The disturbance energy determination circuitry couples to the voltage transducer and the current transducer. Based upon the inputs received, the disturbance energy determination circuitry determines disturbance energy flowing in the line and estimates a direction of disturbance energy flow with respect to the system as either in front of or behind of the disturbance locating system.

Abstract: A disturbance locating system includes a voltage transducer, a current transducer and disturbance energy determination circuitry. The system may also include disturbance power determination circuitry. The voltage transducer couples to an output of a voltage transformer, the output of the voltage transformer representative of a voltage on a line. The current transducer couples to an output of a current transformer, the output of the current transformer representative of the current flowing through the line, the output having a forward reference direction and a behind reference direction. The disturbance energy determination circuitry couples to the voltage transducer and the current transducer. Based upon the inputs received, the disturbance energy determination circuitry determines disturbance energy flowing in the line and estimates a direction of disturbance energy flow with respect to the system as either in front of or behind of the disturbance locating system.

Abstract: A disturbance locating system deployed within a power grid to estimate a location of a disturbance in a power system includes a voltage transducer, a current transducer and disturbance energy determination circuitry. The system may also include disturbance power determination circuitry. The voltage transducer couples to an output of a voltage transformer, the output of the voltage transformer representative of a voltage on a line within the power grid. The current transducer couples to an output of a current transformer, the output of the current transformer representative of the current flowing through the line, the output having a forward reference direction and a behind reference direction. The voltage and current transformers may be hard wired to the line. The disturbance energy determination circuitry couples to the voltage transducer and the current transducer.

Abstract: A disturbance locating system deployed within a power grid to estimate a location of a disturbance in a power system includes a voltage transducer, a current transducer and disturbance energy determination circuitry. The system may also include disturbance power determination circuitry. The voltage transducer couples to an output of a voltage transformer, the output of the voltage transformer representative of a voltage on a line within the power grid. The current transducer couples to an output of a current transformer, the output of the current transformer representative of the current flowing through the line, the output having a forward reference direction and a behind reference direction. The voltage and current transformers may be hard wired to the line. The disturbance energy determination circuitry couples to the voltage transducer and the current transducer.

Abstract: A disturbance locating system deployed within a power grid to estimate a location of a disturbance in a power system includes a voltage transducer, a current transducer and disturbance energy determination circuitry. The system may also include disturbance power determination circuitry. The voltage transducer couples to an output of a voltage transformer, the output of the voltage transformer representative of a voltage on a line within the power grid. The current transducer couples to an output of a current transformer, the output of the current transformer representative of the current flowing through the line, the output having a forward reference direction and a behind reference direction. The voltage and current transformers may be hard wired to the line. The disturbance energy determination circuitry couples to the voltage transducer and the current transducer.

Abstract: A portable hairsetter appliance for heating a single hair roller. The hairsetter comprises a cylindrical housing having an axially aligned and longitudinally extending high voltage electric resistance heating element encapsulated in a quartz envelope for heating a single hair roller inserted into the cylindrical housing. The weight of the roller closes an electrical circuit and the roller is heated to a predetermined temperature whereupon a thermoplastic bimetallic disc changes its concavity to open the electrical circuit. A safety means is provided to automatically open the electrical circuit if the roller is pressed into the housing with a force greater than its own weight.

Abstract: A curling iron provided with an infrared radiation source within a hollow barrel for radiating infrared radiation within a predetermined band. The barrel is substantially transparent to radiation within the band emitted by the source. The curling iron is provided with a hair clip for retaining hair wound about the barrel, the clip also being substantially transparent to this infrared band. A fan is provided for blowing cooling air past the infrared source and through the barrel, the tip of the barrel being sufficiently perforated to pass this cooling air. The curling iron is further provided with a circuit for energizing the infrared source in a predetermined cyclical manner in order to maintain the temperature of the barrel within a predetermined range. A temperature sensor is further provided to sense the temperature of the barrel in order to activate the control circuit accordingly.

Abstract: A reusable heat pack containing a solution of a salt hydrate capable of being supercooled to provide heat of crystallization upon inducement of crystallization, the heat pack being provided with a reusable trigger mechanism located on the surface of the heat pack to permit simple and positive initiation of crystallization.

Abstract: The present invention is a cutting unit having multiple sets of tandem blades; each set being composed of a first toothed blade moved reciprocatingly in a cutting motion relative to a second tooth blade. The blades are preferably curved.