Abstract: A lawn sprinkler providing water distribution over an irregular or unique shaped water receiving area. The apparatus includes a water impeller, a first water regulator, a second water regulator, and a bypass channel. The sprinkler regulates the delivery of water according to the shape of the area to be irrigated, so that water is not wasted on adjacent areas which do not require irrigation.

Abstract: A full time lean air fuel mixture running spark ignited air cooled aircraft piston engine. In one embodiment, a drop-in substitution is provided for an equivalent make, model, and engine size, wherein the new, rebuilt, or reconfigured engine provides as much or more horsepower when compared to the original engine, but runs at a lean air fuel ratio condition during normal operating modes, including takeoff, climb, and cruise, thus saving significantly on fuel. In yet another embodiment, a drop-in substitution having a somewhat larger cylinder displacement volume may be provided to attain equivalent or enhanced maximum horsepower while operating at lean air fuel ratios. Enhanced engine life may be anticipated, since cylinder head temperatures (CHTs) may be reduced, compared to engines using rich air fuel ratios for climb and cruise conditions. Aircraft using such engines are also disclosed.

Abstract: A supersonic gas compressor. The compressor includes aerodynamic duct(s) situated on a rotor journaled in a casing. The aerodynamic duct(s) generate a plurality of oblique shock waves for efficiently compressing a gas at supersonic conditions. The convergent inlet is adjacent to a bleed air collector, and during acceleration of the rotor, bypass gas is removed from the convergent inlet via a collector to enable supersonic shock stabilization. Once the oblique shocks are stabilized at a selected inlet relative Mach number and pressure ratio, the bleed of bypass gas from the convergent inlet via the bypass gas collectors is eliminated.

Abstract: An emergency response treatment bed system. The emergency response beds may include a frame having a pair of opposing tubular stainless steel side supports and a pair of opposing tubular stainless steel end supports. The side supports and end supports are affixed each to the other by corner fixtures. A plurality of collapsible support legs are affixed to the frame. The support legs have an upper end and a lower end, and are adapted to support the frame above a selected substrate. A support deck is coupled to the frame. The support deck is adapted to support a patient body, and is provided with a liquid impervious, molded thermoplastic contaminant resistant cleanable surface. The support deck also has, above at least some of the support legs, a cutout portion defined by edgewalls, to provide access through the support deck to the support legs, so that multiple beds may be stacked one above the other, using support inserts between vertically adjacent support legs.

Abstract: Solidification of water treatment wastewater brines from oil production operations. Concentrated wastewater brines from water treatment systems in heavy oil recovery operations are converted to solids suitable for landfill using Portland cement. The solidification process eliminates expensive drying equipment for wastewater brine solids, as well as the associated operation and maintenance of expensive dewatering equipment.

Abstract: A dental floss holder. The dental floss holder includes a body having a spool case for holding a length of dental floss, a cover for the spool case, a neck extending from the spool case along a first axis, and first and second fingers extending outward from said neck at an arcuate angle. In an embodiment, the fingers may be parallel. A manually engageable clamp is provided with threaded fastener that engages a threaded nut having a compressing flange, so that the compressing flange works against a land provided on the outside of the cover. A pivot post is provided to prevent dental floss from becoming entangled with the threads of the fastener.

Abstract: A lawn sprinkler providing water distribution over an irregular or unique shaped water receiving area. The apparatus includes a water impeller, a first water regulator, a second water regulator, and a bypass channel. The sprinkler regulates the delivery of water according to the shape of the area to be irrigated, so that water is not wasted on adjacent areas which do not require irrigation.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A coupling beam, and method for constructing multi-story buildings. A coupling beam design using multiple rebar groups is provided for use in coupled shear walls in multi-story buildings. First and second sets of a first rebar group have first ends extending into adjacent sheer walls, and second ends within the coupling beam. First and second sets of a second rebar group have first ends extending into adjacent sheer walls, and second ends within the coupling beam. The first and second sets of the first group of rebar, and third and fourth sets within a second group of rebar, are provided in a configuration that ends at or near the middle of the coupling beam, providing an open or partial-X configuration of reinforcing steel. Such coupling beams may also include transverse reinforcement, such as stirrups, hoops, or cross-ties, to restrain the concrete and to provide a confined beam structure, as well as vertical reinforcement elements.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A load indicator for a spring loaded tensioning device. The indicator comprises an o-ring displaceable along a spring loaded tensionable shaft in a turnbuckle device. When the turnbuckle is unloaded, the indicator device is placed in a known position relative to an indicating mark. When the turnbuckle is loaded, the load causes the load indicator to be displaced a known distance for a known load on the spring loaded turnbuckle. For camper tie-downs, a displacement of about one-quarter inch is desirable for a load of about 300 pounds tension.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100 % quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for conditioning of wastewater treatment brines for deep well injection during recovery of heavy hydrocarbon oils in situ. High pressure steam is used to mobilize oil, which is recovered in a mixture of oil and produced water. The produced water is pre-treated by removing residual oil. The remaining water is acidified and steam stripped to remove non-hydroxide alkalinity and non-condensable gases, and is then fed to a crystallizing evaporator, where it is evaporated from a circulating brine slurry to produce (1) a distillate stream having a trace amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown stream containing, as dissolved or suspended solids, substantially all of the solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate stream is used as boiler feedwater, either directly or after polishing. The evaporator blowdown is conditioned to remove substantially all suspended solids and to produce a clear brine solution for deep well injection.

Abstract: A pulley removal tool. The tool includes circular base having a working side and a wrench engaging side. U-shaped flanges extend outwardly from the reverse side of the base. The flanges having fingers and groves therein sized and shaped for close mating engagement drive groove outer surface features of a selected serpentine belt pulley. A threaded drive bolt is provided for working engagement with a shaft end, so that by mechanical leverage between the pulley removal tool and the threaded drive bolt, force is exerted on the shaft end to drive the pulley removal tool away from the shaft end while the pulley removal tool securely grasps the pulley.

Abstract: A balanced hands clock. The clock utilizes a single movement, which movement may be located in the minute hand. A gear drive mechanism provides leverage from said movement via a first pivot shaft to drive the hour hand. The clock is mounted in a base for time indicating movement. Covers may be provided to hide the single movement and the gear mechanism, so that no visible drive configuration is visible to an observer.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating power from waves. Weighted power cells are suspended at opposing ends of a connecting arm supported by a floating frame that rocks in response to passing waves. The power cells compress air or draw a vacuum as they fall and rise, respectively, with respect to passing waves. The compressed air and vacuum are communicated to a pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber, each of which are operably connected to pneumatically drive an electrical generator.

Abstract: A method of installing fastening elements, and rivetless fasteners for use with the method. Rivetless nutplate fasteners are installed in metal structures by providing flush fit barrel shaped plug or bushing portions in a hole in the structure as defined by an edge wall. The barrel portion is acted upon axially, and expanded radially outward toward the edge wall of the hole, to provide an interference fit. The ends of the barrel portion are machined as desired for flushness. Also, a hole is installed as necessary. Rivetless nutplates are easily installed, and the installation enhances fatigue life of the hole surrounding the barrel of the nutplate.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.