Abstract: The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

Abstract: An inlet and/or outlet air hood comprising vertical storm louvers is provided that is particularly well suited for use on a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit and other marine vessels, although its use is not so limited. The hood may comprise a basic cube shape, which affords a smaller projected footprint than conventional round- or mushroom-shaped hoods and may incorporate an internal flow shaper, such as an inlet/outlet bell, to reduce airflow resistance. In addition, the hood may be configured to incorporate an internal valve or baffle to create a watertight closure.

Abstract: An outside air intake hood for receiving combustion air for delivery to a direct vent, fuel-fired heating appliance such as a water heater has an opposing pair of side inlets positionable to face parallel to an outside wall upon which the hood is mounted, an outer side wall extending between the inlets, and an outlet passage with an entry portion facing and spaced inwardly apart from the outer side wall. A generally V-shaped baffle member is positioned within the hollow body of the hood, with an apex portion of the baffle member facing the entry portion of the outlet passage. When the wind is horizontally blowing generally parallel to the outside wall, a side wall of the baffle member deflects the wind-driven outside air entering one of the hood side inlets into the outlet passage in a manner converting momentum of the entering air into pressure in a manner preventing the creation of an undesirable vacuum at the hood outlet.

Abstract: A device for use by artists and others to aid in freehand sketching, comprising generally a base, a transparent sketching surface in an upright position and a chin rest less than an arm's length away from the sketching surface, said base being supported by nesting folding legs, or being supported by the artists' knees, when the artist is in a sitting position, wherein the artist views the object to be sketched through the sketching surface and sketches directly on the sketching surface.