Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a driving member rotating about a first axis, a driven member rotating about a second axis, and an intermediate member interposed between the driving and driven members and rotating about a third axis configured to intersect the first and second axes. The intermediate member transfers torque from the driving member to the driven member. A method for forming a torque transfer member includes providing a base structure, wrapping a needle assembly around the base structure such that the needles extend outwardly therefrom, and affixing the needle assembly to the base structure. A method of manufacturing a needle assembly includes forming a series of pockets on a side of a ribbon, organizing a series of needles into a series of pockets, and affixing the series of needles into the series of pockets.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a driving member rotating about a first axis, a driven member rotating about a second axis, and an intermediate member interposed between the driving and driven members and rotating about a third axis configured to intersect the first and second axes. The intermediate member transfers torque from the driving member to the driven member. A method for forming a torque transfer member includes providing a base structure, wrapping a needle assembly around the base structure such that the needles extend outwardly therefrom, and affixing the needle assembly to the base structure. A method of manufacturing a needle assembly includes forming a series of pockets on a side of a ribbon, organizing a series of needles into a series of pockets, and affixing the series of needles into the series of pockets.

Abstract: A safety device for vehicles. The device inhibits use of communication devices that run the risk of distracting a driver/operator while the vehicle is in motion. Several techniques for inhibiting use are described which can be used individually or in a complementary combinations. In one technique, a rapidly varying signal level is created local to the communication device. The variations exceed the operational limits of the system, thereby inhibiting communications. The device may be in a constant-on mode, unless it detects an attempt to make a communication classified as appropriate. Such a device may inhibit short messages, such as “text” messages and may also allow or, in some embodiments, place emergency calls.

Abstract: A safety device for automotive vehicles (cars, buses and trucks) or rail locomotives. The device inhibits use of cellular telephones and other communication devices that run the risk of distracting a driver/operator while the vehicle is in motion. Several techniques for inhibiting use are described which can be used individually or in a complementary combinations. In one technique, a rapidly varying signal level is created local to the communication device. The variations exceed the operational limits of the system, thereby inhibiting communications. In another technique, the safety device emits radiation that interferes with the reception of signals by the communication device only within the interior of the vehicle and will not interfere with cell phones or wireless devises outside the automotive vehicle or rail locomotive.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.

Abstract: A safety device for automotive vehicles (cars, buses and trucks) or rail locomotives. The device inhibits use of cellular telephones and other communication devices that run the risk of distracting a driver/operator while the vehicle is in motion. Several techniques for inhibiting use are described which can be used individually or in a complementary combinations. In one technique, a rapidly varying signal level is created local to the communication device. The variations exceed the operational limits of the system, thereby inhibiting communications. In another technique, the safety device emits radiation that interferes with the reception of signals by the communication device only within the interior of the vehicle and will not interfere with cell phones or wireless devises outside the automotive vehicle or rail locomotive.

Abstract: An acoustic scatterer element (10) incorporates a plurality of convex surfaces (38.1, 38.2) has a plurality of associated curvatures in a corresponding plurality of different directions. A plurality of acoustic scatterer elements of various sizes in a cooperative relationship with one another provide for diffusing acoustic waves in a room (14).

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a system for vaporizing liquid fuel. The system includes a misting nozzle for generating liquid fuel droplets having an inlet for receiving liquid fuel and an outlet for exiting liquid fuel droplets and a vacuum pump having an inlet for receiving liquid fuel droplets and being connected to the misting nozzle in an outlet for exiting vaporized fuel. The vacuum pump is capable of vaporizing the liquid fuel droplets to obtain vaporized fuel which exits the outlet of the vacuum pump.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a system for vaporizing liquid fuel which utilizes photonic energy and minimal thermal energy. The system generally comprises a fuel delivery system for delivering liquid fuel and a vaporization system for vaporizing liquid fuel delivered by the fuel delivery system. The vaporization system provides a vaporized fuel temperature of at least about 5 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature of air adjacent to the vaporization system. Another aspect of the present invention relates to systems for altering and controlling the chemical makeup of fuels and chemical processing of fuels and other compounds.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members (20, 22), each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis (82, 84), the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles (86, 88) extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary member without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ration range.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a system for vaporizing liquid fuel which utilizes photonic energy and minimal thermal energy. The system generally comprises a fuel delivery system for delivering liquid fuel and a vaporization system for vaporizing liquid fuel delivered by the fuel delivery system. The vaporization system provides a vaporized fuel temperature of at least about 5 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature of air adjacent to the vaporization system. Another aspect of the present invention relates to systems for altering and controlling the chemical makeup of fuels and chemical processing of fuels and other compounds.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.

Abstract: A caulking composition and method, particularly for hermetically sealing coke ovens and the like having high temperature requirements. The composition is adhesive to metal surfaces at elevated oven temperatures, elastic to accommodate expansion, warping, etc. and drys to a crushable powder by the conclusion of the oven cycle. The composition comprises, by weight, 19 to 23% of a high temperature silicone oil, preferably about 20% dimethyl polysiloxane 20 to 34% of a thermally conductive white metal oxide, preferably zinc oxide, 20 to 34% of an inert particulate filler material, such as whiting and 22 to 35% of a hydrated alkaline metal oxide, such as hydrated lime.