Abstract: Laminar translucent artwork is displayed by back-lighting it substantially uniformly for viewing by transmitted light, bordering it with an opaque border, and decoratively framing it along the outside edge, and preferably also along the inside edge, of the border. Preferred display apparatus includes a shallow light-box containing a light source and flanged to provide the border, a light-diffusion sheet overlying the light-box and underlying the artwork, a transparent cover sheet for the artwork, overlain by the border(s).

Abstract: Lobed resilient lumbar pillow adapted to support the lower back of a person either sitting or reclining against a suitable article of furniture. The pillow has two integrally formed side lobes extending laterally apart from one, and another integral lobe extending upward from the midpart of the top of the pillow. Along its vertical bisector the top lobe surface is preferably recessed notchlike from its edge to accommodate a user's spine. The pillow is filled with resilient contents, such as elastomer, fibers, gas, particulates, or mixtures of two or more thereof, or partly filled with liquid, so as to flex to fit a user's spine.

Abstract: Self-grooming aid for animals, especially felines, whereby they can brush their fur or hair and can exercise or sharpen their claws. Such animal can stand at least partly on a base adapted to be clawed and with head or body at the level of a brush adapted to be rubbed. The brush is removable for cleaning or manually brushing the animal, and the mat is removable for replacement when thoroughly clawed.

Abstract: Method of generating electrical power without emission of harmful substances from combustion of a water-derived fuel gas mixture. An underwater carbon arc operated in the absence of hydrocarbons results in a mixture of gases, being non-self-combustible but combustible as a fuel gas in the presence of air, and comprising gaseous hydrogen in major amount and carbon oxides in minor amount, mainly carbon monoxide. The fuel gas is adapted, along with air, to run an internal combustion engine driving an electrical generator and so to provide useful electrical power without the harmful emissions usual in combustion of fossil fuels.

Abstract: Electric arc material-processing system wherein an underwater spark gap is defined in a reactor by spaced graphite electrodes and a conductive carbon rod provided endwise to the gap. The electrodes are rotated by mechanical means, intermittently or continuously. Carbon and water are thereby converted into fuel gas, evolving from the arc, and comprising hydrogen as the major constituent and carbon monoxide as predominant minor constituent. Both the fuel and its combustion products are substantially free from contaminants found customarily in petroleum-based fuels and their combustion products. Surplus heat enables water from any source to be rendered potable.

Abstract: A family of consolidated soft-switching AC/DC PFC converters, for power supplies and related uses. Any of several effective circuitry designs is interposed from an intermediate node on a rectified positive lead to a preselected intermediate node operative as a high-frequency AC source in a DC/DC conversion stage. Features so optimizable, individually or in combination, include power factor, regulation, and efficiency, plus reduction in circuit complexity.

Abstract: Tandem-engine aircraft propulsion module attachable to an aircraft fuselage and/or to the aircraft wings directly. This propulsion module contains fore-and-aft in-line engines and an intermediate fuel compartment. A subhousing of this module has engine instrumentation and controls placed for overhead introduction into an underlying aircraft fuselage cabin when the module is secured on top thereof. Propulsion modules of this invention are readily removable and replaceable for ease of inspection and maintenance, and if like-sized are mutually interchangeable. These modules are inherently economical and enable cost-effective fuselage and dry-wing construction. They also enhance flight safety, not only in comparison with single-engine aircraft but also especially as compared with off-axial twin-engine aircraft.

Abstract: Plug-through electrical transient voltage surge suppression for watt-hour meters and downstream electrical equipment. A circuit board is configured to fit about the power terminals of such a meter and are supported by the terminals or by a plug-and-jack adapter interposed between the meter and its socket in a grounded utility box or panel. The circuit board conveniently and effectively connects a plurality of varistors between the power terminals and an external ground, enabling the varistors to clip voltage surges unassisted and to shunt resulting surge currents to ground, thereby protecting both the meter and powered downstream electrical equipment from possible surge damage. Each varistor is preferably sandwiched contiguously between the grounding plate and respective powered conductive surface layers on the board, or the varistors may be mounted on pairs of leads connected between ground and powered leads and preferably bendable to parallel the varistors to the board and grounding plate.

Abstract: Operation of mechanically or electrically driven vehicles, whether suitable for air, land, or sea transport, substantially pollution-free by operating their internal-combustion engines on a leak-resistant fuel gas derived by pyrolysis of carbon and water.

Abstract: Reinforced fence and building wall construction having upright tubular posts supporting lightweight foam wall panels extending from post to post. The vertical side edges of the panels are recessed to accommodate enough of the post circumferential extent to conceal the posts from exterior view. The panels have reinforcing members, preferably both upper and lower, extending horizontally between and to the panel vertical side edges. Each end of a reinforcing member is similarly recessed and has an adjacent lip, preferably formed from the end of the reinforcing member before its recessing, fitting closely about the post. During installation of such a wall the lips of the reinforcing members are fastened to their respective posts.

Abstract: Disinfectant with colorizer as positive visual indicator of its application to skin, such as udders of milking animals, especially those whose milk production is BST-stimulated, to preclude mastitis. Iodine-free aqueous solution of a permanganate as colorizer and a hypochlorite as disinfectant, buffered to pH of 9 to 10, is applied to udder, especially to the teats, in post-milking step. Removal of residual color is enabled by acidic peroxide solution also similarly useful to decolorize any permanganate-colored animal or human skin.

Abstract: Improved maintenance of skate bearings by means of a hand-tool adapted to rotate the ball bearings of an annular bearing assembly immersed in cleansing liquid to remove lubricant and contaminants. The tool is adapted to hold the outer annular race member of such a bearing assembly fixed and to hold the inner annular race member via its open center for rotation relative to the outer race member, thus rotating the ball bearings in the bearing assembly. Such rotational cleaning is conducive to extending the useful life of the bearings when subsequently re-oiled and re-installed in a skate wheel.

Abstract: Fence walls comprising flanged supporting posts spaced on centers and uniform lightweight panels doubly slotted at their ends fitting between adjacent posts and engaging such flanges. The engaged post flanges are substantially concealed from view. At least one face of such panels is grooved horizontally so as to accommodate facing brick or other decorative material. Any ungrooved face of the panels may be covered with stucco or like cementitious material, preferably containing elastomeric and lightweight bulking ingredients, as well as desired coloring.

Abstract: Electric power converter with load compensation, especially for electrical loads subject to fluctuations in demand for power, such as arc furnaces, welders, etc. An external source of electrical power is applied to a stationary input winding of the converter to produce a movable polyphase magnetic field coupled to an output winding movable at least in part over a limited range relative to the input winding. The movement is resisted by an interposed resilient member adapted to position the output winding to match the output to the input power demand of the load equipment thereby counteracting whatever fluctuations tend to occur in load resistance and current.

Abstract: Sanding accessory for a conventional belt sander or the like, enabling manually held workpieces to be sanded to a super-smooth finish without rounding off their edges. A workpiece held by hand sideways against a fence parallel to the direction of travel of the belt moves forward by belt friction to a crosswise face of the fence and is retained there as the fence reciprocates laterally across the belt and back, sanding the workpiece evenly and distributing the belt wear uniformly over substantially its entire abrasive surface.

Abstract: Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) located conveniently between the conventional plug-in watt-hour meter and its socket at a customer's location. Over-voltage means, such as one or preferably more metal oxide varistors, are supported there, as in a cylindrical housing called a meter adapter. The varistors connect electrically between power leads and an external ground lead to clip voltage transients and to shunt resulting surge currents harmlessly to ground. Varistors may be inserted into suitable holders therein or may be prepackaged and be retained therein within such prepackaging. One terminal and preferably a face of each varistor is contiguous with an extensive laminar conductor within the adapter in the pathway to ground so as to accommodate extremely surge currents and to aid in dissipating resulting accumulation of thermal energy.

Abstract: Disposal of used medical syringes individually, with or without attached needles, is accomplished by placement in individual fluid leakproof containers and, if any residual radioactive content, also by placement of such container and contents within another container effective to shield the surroundings against radiation therefrom. The inner container is assembled from two tubular pieces, preferably by press-fitting them together into an audible and tactile snap-fit. The outer container is assembled from two larger tubular pieces, as by twist-fitting them together, thus enclosing the inner container, with the inner container enclosing a used syringe and any contents.