A prosthesis, and method for forming same, are provided which includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubes having angularly offset node and fibril configurations. Also, the node and fibril configurations are angularly offset from the longitudinal axes of the respective tubes, providing resistance against failure in the longitudinal direction.

COUNTER ROTATIONAL LAYERING OF ePTFE TO IMPROVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A PROSTHESIS

A damper has a frame with a cross bar and a reciprocal blade. A bimetallic element which moves in response to temperature is coupled to the blade and is hingedly coupled to the cross bar so that movement of the bimetallic element in response to temperature causes the blade to move with respect to the frame. The coupling of the bimetallic operator and the frame is accomplished by a biasing hinge which is coupled to the frame and to the bimetallic element to couple the bimetallic element to the frame and control the temperature movement response of the element. The biasing force of the biasing means is adjustable for controlling the temperature movement response of the damper blade. The bimetallic element is a serpentine spring having a plurality of bends and the biasing means is a hinge. The closed position of the blade of the damper, as well as the biased temperature response of the damper, and adjustable by rotation of adjustment screws.

Thermally activated, automatic damper and damper operator

An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus including a surface structure, a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure, and a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other, where at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure that includes a top half and a bottom half.

Apparatus for collecting and transporting fluids in a body of water

A heat and vibration resistant flexible metal hose assembly includes a liner with either spiral or annular corrugations, a medial body section, first and second end sections and first and second tapered, transition sections converging from the body section to the end sections. The corrugations have diameters in the transition sections which decrease from the body section to the end sections. An optional sleeve subassembly receives the liner and comprises a braided woven wire fabric sleeve secured in place on the liner by first and second annular collars welded on sleeve and liner end sections. Vibration is effectively damped by reducing resonance of the piping assembly by covering the liner with the sleeve with contact therebetween, and by providing the tapered transition sections for effectively transmitting vibrational forces from each end to the greater-diameter liner center section. The liner, sleeve and collars are secured together in a thermally conductive relationship for dissipation of heat throughout the hose assembly.

Heat and vibration resistant flexible metal hose assembly

A thermally activated vent damper assembly for a flue is adapted to be situated in relation to the flue for occluding the passage of gas through the flue. A support member traverses the flue and suspends the damper member across the flue for movement between an open and a closed position. A thermally activated biasing member is operatively coupled between the support member and the damper member to bias the damper member in the open position in the presence of heat and to bias the damper member in the closed position in the absence of heat. The coupling of the biasing member between the support member and the damper member is such that potential sites for frictional inhibition of damper member movement are eliminated. Upon breakage or other failure of the biasing member to apply bias, the damper member defaults to or remains in an open position under the force of gravity, providing for a unique fail-safe feature.

Thermally activated vent damper

A double wall vent pipe is provided which comprises a first tubular wall that is helically corrugated to form radially outermost ridges spiraled around the outside of the first tubular wall and corresponding first recesses spiraled between the outermost ridges The vent pipe also comprises a second tubular wall slidably disposed in a concentric relationship with the first tubular wall The second tubular wall is helically corrugated to form radially innermost ridges which spiral around the inside of the second tubular wall and corresponding second recesses spiral between the innermost ridges The radially innermost ridges are oriented in a direction oblique to the orientation of the radially outermost ridges such that a space between the first wall and the second wall will be maintained within the first recesses and the second recesses regardless of any bending of the vent pipe

Flexible double wall vent pipe

A thermally controlled damper construction for a gas fired combustion apparatus, such as a furnace. The damper has a generally eliptical shape and is mounted on a shaft in the stack or flue for pivotal movement from a closed position, where the damper is located at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the stack, to a full open position. One edge of the damper is recessed to provide a vent opening between the damper and the stack and permit venting of gases generated by operation of the pilot light during periods when the furnace is not operating. The damper is moved between the closed and open positions by a bi-metallic element which is located upstream of the damper and connected to the damper by a linkage. When the furnace is operated, the increase in flue temperature will operate the bi-metallic element to move the damper to the open position. A temperature responsive safety switch is located upstream of the damper adjacent the vent opening and is operably connected to the gas supply of the furnace. In the event the damper does not open when the furnace is operated, the safety switch will shut off the gas supply to the furnace.

Damper construction for a gas fired combustion apparatus

A sheet metal colinear-to-coaxial duct transition assembly for a fuel-fired, direct vent heating appliance is fabricated by providing a one-piece rectangular sheet metal plenum box having a rear wall with first and second circular openings therein, and an open front side. A separate rectangular front wall of the plenum box is also formed and has a circular opening therein. Prior to assembling the plenum box, a rearwardly projecting combustion air stub duct is secured to the rear plenum box wall at the first opening therein, and a forwardly projecting combustion air intake duct is secured to the front plenum box wall at the opening therein. Cooperating side edge portions and flange pockets on the front wall and the open side of the plenum box and then interlocked and crimped to complete the plenum box. A flue gas discharge duct is then extended rearwardly through the front air intake duct to cause a rear end portion of the flue gas discharge duct to project outwardly through the second opening in the rear plenum box wall, and secured to the rear wall so that a front portion of the flue gas discharge duct extends coaxially through the interior of the forwardly projecting air intake duct. The coaxial front ducts may then be connected to a coaxial vent termination assembly, and the rear duct portions may be connected to the colinear flue gas discharge and combustion air intake ducts of a fuel-fired, direct vent heating appliance.

James T. Barth

Papers

Flexible double wall vent pipe

Damper construction for a gas fired combustion apparatus

Methods of fabricating a vent/intake system for a fuel-fired, direct vent heating appliance