Abstract: A brazed aluminum counter-flow heat exchanger particularly suited for use in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is produced by assembling and welding subassemblies of corrugated fins that were previously vacuumed brazed in a stacked group. After the brazing operation, the stacked group of subassemblies are later separated and rearranged to create a subsequent stack of alternating layers of corrugated layers and layers having wide open saltwater passageways. To complete the unit, a friction stir welding process provides final exterior weld seams that penetrate to the internal saltwater passageways in the heat exchanger. The full weld penetration eliminates corrosion-conducive crevices at the welded joints, thus making the aluminum heat exchanger suitable for saltwater use.

Abstract: A cargo carrier mountable to a hitch receiver of a vehicle includes a lightweight, open-air wire basket supported by a tough metal bracket. The bracket is reversible so that the carrier can be attached to different size hitch receivers. To simplify assembly, the mounting hardware for attaching the basket to the bracket is the same regardless of which size receiver is being used. The holes for the mounting hardware are positioned such that the fasteners can avoid carrying most of the cargo's weight. If the basket is evenly loaded with cargo, it is possible for the fasteners to carry substantially no weight whatsoever. When not in use, the basket is collapsible to lie generally flat against the bracket so that the cargo carrier can be readily stowed.

Abstract: A method of using a triple-effect absorption system to recover methane from landfill gas contaminated with CO2 and trace contaminates such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatics involves processing the landfill gas with three absorbers and a flash system. One absorber uses a solvent to absorb the trace contaminants from the landfill gas, the second absorber in conjunction with the flash system extracts CO2 from the gas, and just a first portion of that CO2 is used for stripping the trace contaminates from the solvent in the third absorber. The rest of the extracted CO2 is vented to atmosphere to prevent dampening the combustion of the trace contaminants absorbed by the first portion of CO2.

Abstract: An outdoor, battery powered digital camera includes a passive infrared motion detector that allows the camera to be left unattended, as the detector automatically triggers the camera to take a picture upon sensing the presence of a moving animal. To prolong the life of the battery, the camera goes into a power-saving sleep mode between pictures. To enable the camera to instantly take a picture upon suddenly being awakened by the motion detector, the exposure setting of the camera is periodically checked, adjusted and stored so that the camera can use that fairly recent exposure setting, or one near it, to take an instant picture rather than wasting excessive time adjusting the exposure when the animal first appears. In some cases, the camera is used in conjunction with picture management software.

Abstract: A method allows an H2S alarm system installed at a remote wellsite to be monitored and configured from a distant location. Alert-signals from the alarm system to the distant location and configuration settings from the distant location to the alarm system can be transmitted using the text-messaging feature of a conventional cell phone. The cell phone, for example, can send the H2S alarm system a text message that sets the H2S concentration threshold at which the alarm system triggers an alert. When the H2S concentration reaches the threshold or a fault occurs with the alarm system, the system can send the cell phone a text message that describes the problem, identifies the location of the wellsite, and lists the names and telephone numbers of those that should be notified.

Abstract: An umbrella has an intermediate point of equilibrium between its fully open and closed positions, which reduces the peak force required to move the umbrella in either direction. To actuate the umbrella, a resiliently flexible steel band is able to not only carry tension to pull the umbrella open, but the band also has sufficient rigidity to operate in compression to push the umbrella closed. The band's flexibility allows it to feed through a small sidewall hole in the mast as well as snake through a hinge on an umbrella mast that can tilt. Manually sliding an actuator sleeve upward closes the umbrella. Sliding the sleeve down opens the umbrella. Although lifting to close and lowering to open may seem counterintuitive at first, such action greatly reduces the maximum force required to operate the umbrella.

Abstract: A carwash includes a single thru-beam or retroreflective photoelectric sensor that can determine the position of a vehicle's left side, right side, front end and back end. To accomplish this, the sensor is coupled to a spray arch that travels around the vehicle while spray washing the vehicle's exterior. In some embodiments, the sensor responds to a beam projected from an emitter that also travels with the spray arch, whereby the emitter, the sensor and the spray arch move in unison. The beam is preferably projected at an acute angle to a horizontal plane so that the sensor can detect the presence of the vehicle without the spray arch having to get too close. To avoid over twisting the sensor's electrical cable, the arch alternately rotates CW and CCW to limit cumulative rotation in any one direction. In some cases, the single sensor responds to beams from multiple emitters.

Abstract: A central vacuum system includes a motor-cooling airflow path that provides sufficient cooling for the motor and its drive components even though the cooling air is partially restricted by a downstream filter that captures airborne carbon dust emitted from the motor's commutator brushes. A divider system creates multiple chambers within the vacuum system's canister, and in some embodiments, air passageways in the canister and in the divider system direct the cooling air through the chambers in a flow pattern that avoids contaminating the drive components with carbon dust.

Abstract: An unanchored 3-D portable archery target made of foam can withstand a 20 to 150-pound blow from an arrow without tipping completely over even though the target's weight (e.g., about 10 lbs.) is less than the arrow's force of impact. To achieve such surprising and unexpected results, the target employs a unique combination of weight, foam density, and a center of gravity that is counter-intuitively elevated to provide the target with a greater rotational moment of inertia. Although it would seem that an arrow with 800 in-lbs of kinetic energy should be capable of completely tipping over a target that requires only about 15 in-lbs of energy to tip over, the target's foam core has a density and gumminess that quickly dissipates most of the arrow's kinetic energy before the energy has time to tip the target over. A hollowed-out base underneath the target provides the target with greater stability.

Abstract: A barrel lock for locking various utilities devices such as valves, meters, or enclosures associated with the control or distribution of gas, water or electricity includes a shank with a single driven ball that can be forced radially outward from the shank to lock onto a cap-like retainer such that the utilities device is restrained between the retainer and an enlarged head of the shank. Preferably, only a single driven ball is used to concentrate the clamping force at a single point, thereby creating an exceptionally high clamping pressure. For even greater clamping force, an accurately and strategically positioned end stop allows a drive ball to push against the driven ball at an extremely shallow angle of attack while preventing the two balls from accidentally toggling over center and irreversibly locking up. The barrel lock has infinite variable adjustment in an axial direction to fit a wide variety of devices.

Abstract: A security method obscures the visibility through an aircraft's windshield upon determining the existence of a potential security problem, such as a terrorist attempting to take unauthorized control of the aircraft. The windshield can be obscured by various means such as actuating a liquid crystal system of a chromogenic glass pane; automatically drawing a shade or curtain in front of, behind, or within the windshield; and applying to or within a windshield an opaque or translucent fluid. Although an obscured windshield would likely impede the terrorist, it would not create a problem for a skilled pilot that is more familiar with the aircraft and its instruments. Determining whether a potential security problem exists can be accomplished in various ways such as scanning ID cards; reading passwords; communicating with the flight crew; actuating emergency buttons aboard the aircraft; and comparing cell phone numbers, voice imprints, or facial images to a database.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool is adapted for use with a conventional vacuum cleaner whose suction nozzle is of an indeterminate diameter. In some embodiments, the light bulb changing tool includes a rotational slip joint that enables the tool to be rotated while the vacuum cleaner is stationary. In some cases, the tool includes a torque-limiting coupling that allows the tool to exert greater loosening torque than tightening torque, thereby avoiding over tightening of the bulb and ensuring that the bulb can later be removed without breakage.

Abstract: A motor-driven blower, particularly suited for carpet cleaners and other wet vacuuming appliances, includes a rotating separator cup to impede water droplets and foam from being drawn into the blower. The separator cup is removably connected to a spider bracket that is mounted more permanently to one end of the motor shaft. Since the separator cup is not directly connected to the motor shaft, the cup can be removed without disturbing the rest of the blower. Thus, the blower can be run either with or without the separator cup. Moreover, by not attaching the separator cup directly to the motor shaft, the shaft can be made shorter to minimize vibration and noise at high rpm's.

Abstract: A variable resistance exercising device is described for doing isometric, isotonic and isokinetic exercises. The device includes a unitary, tortuous rod, which is shaped to include at least one mandrel for receiving several turns of a rope, a first loop for receiving the rope near one end of the mandrel, and an overlapping curl for receiving both the rope and an adjustably mountable anchor strap at an opposite end of the mandrel. The shape of the rod is such that there are no tight radius curves. Also, the rod creates a cord-receiving throat that allows the rope to be readily inserted and removed; yet the throat inhibits the rope from falling out from within the loop when tension in the rope is released.

Abstract: An investment casting method involves producing a casting shell by applying a hardenable moist mixture to a sacrificial pattern. To hasten the hardening of the moist mixture to create the shell, a stucco coat is subsequently applied to the mixture. In some cases, the stucco coat comprises a drier mixture of the elements used in the moist mixture. The drier mixture preferably includes a material that alters the alkalinity of the underlying moist mixture. In some cases, the stucco coat also includes an amorphous mineral silicate. Once the shell is created, a molten metal is introduced into the shell to replace the sacrificial pattern, thereby producing a metal cast item.

Abstract: A high-speed universal motor running at over 10,000 or even over 20,000 rpm includes a non-rubbing water repellent sleeve that protects the bearings from moisture damage. Rather than having a sliding contact seal that can quickly wear out under such high speeds, the sleeve is made of material having a low solid surface energy so that the seal material itself repels waters on its own. TEFLON is the preferred material, which is relatively soft, so to prevent the compressibility of the seal from affecting the axial positioning of parts on the motor shaft, the seal is installed such that the seal does not contribute to the critically precise positioning of the shaft and the parts mounted to it. In some embodiments, for example, the relatively soft seal simply overlies a much stiffer, accurately machined metal spacer.

Abstract: A seesaw includes a manually rotatable actuator for adjusting the balance of the seesaw to accommodate a weight differential between two riders. After adjusting the seesaw, the actuator automatically locks the adjustment mechanism in place. A rack-and-pinion assembly provides fine adjustment, and a protective cover avoids creating a pinching hazard.

Abstract: A person-carried hydrogen sulfide instrument is adapted for use with a conventional SCADA system or other type of fault monitoring system normally intended for monitoring well-related conditions at a well site. In response to detecting an abnormally high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas, the instrument triggers the fault monitoring system to record an H2S fault and convey that information to a remote computer. In some embodiments, the instrument includes a signal relay unit that listens to a conventional H2S monitor. The signal relay unit has a learning mode that teaches the unit to recognize an audible alarm from the H2S monitor. In response to bearing the H2S alarm, the signal relay unit emits a trigger signal to the fault monitoring system.

Abstract: A motor-driven blower, particularly suited for carpet cleaners and other wet vacuuming appliances, includes a rotating separator cup to impede water droplets and foam from being drawn into the blower. The separator cup is removably connected to a spider bracket that is mounted more permanently to one end of the motor shaft. Since the separator cup is not directly connected to the motor shaft, the cup can be removed without disturbing the rest of the blower. Thus, the blower can be run either with or without the separator cup. Moreover, by not attaching the separator cup directly to the motor shaft, the shaft can be made shorter to minimize vibration and noise at high rpm's.