Abstract: A superchargeable multi-cylinder 2-stroke cycle internal combustion engine employs opposite reciprocating mult-port slide valves in guideways on opposite sides of the engine block, to open and close cylinder air supply and combustion gas discharge conduits in several variations. Use of opposite multi-port slide valves driven from the engine crankshaft simplifies engine design, and improves scavenging of combustion gases from piston chambers of either spark-ignition or diesel engines. A preferred variation channels air supply and combustion gas discharge flows through dual passageways of opposite air preheating manifolds, to increase engine fuel efficiency, Further development of the preferred variation can result in production of simplified, compact, supercharged 2-stroke spark-ignition and diesel engines of improved design.

Abstract: Dehumidifying heat exchanger apparatuses are disclosed in several variations which may economically condense and separate a potable water product from a humid air stream. Water product extraction yields may be substantially enhanced by new uses of electrostatic and magnetic fields. Liquid water droplets are electrostatically collected on grounded or charged heat transfer tubes in the heat exchanger apparatuses. In one variation, charged or grounded horizontally-declined heat transfer tubes with attached drainage wicks attract liquid droplets and accelerate condensing heat transfer by continuous absorption and transfer of condensate. Both cascading liquid droplets and aerosol injection of fine liquid droplets may be used to provide convenient seed nuclei for condensing attachment of water vapor molecules in other variations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for both reducing and increasing water-side drag of marine vessels are disclosed, to enhance vessel operation and control. The hull of a marine vessel employing the invention would be sectionally constructed, to form a rigid structure. A short central bow section terminating in a primary lateral hydrodynamic step and a longer adjacent aft central hull section are disposed between narrow outboard hull sponsons having large length-to-width aspect ratios which provide substantial buoyant support for the vessel, enclosing an open-channel conduit under the vessel's aft central hull section. Outer water-side surfaces of the elongate outboard hull sponsons are contoured similarly to common racing shells and finished smooth, to delay or prevent flow separation and pressure drag. A shallow-draft aft central hull section having a shingled multi-step bottom surface abuts the central bow section adjacent the primary lateral step.

Abstract: Energy conservation upgrading of existing large continuous atmospheric exhaust booths such as used for spray painting or abrasive blasting occurs when the exhaust booth is supplied with outside make-up air to substantially reduce the outflow of heated air or conditioned air from the building. Fresh outside make-up air may be discharged into the exhaust booth at its inlet opening as a transverse downdraft air curtain and left-and-right side oblique air curtains which substantially prevent the escape of air pollutants from the upper booth inlet zone. A reduced building air inflow into the lower booth inlet zone prevents the escape of air pollutants from this region. Attachable air curtain supply make-up apparatus is disclosed which can be custom fitted about the peripheral air inlet opening of existing exhaust booths.

Abstract: Condensable fractions of a saturated gaseous stream condense onto the outer surfaces of horizontally-declined tubes of a heat exchanger. The upper wick portion of one or more elongate absorbent wicks are longitudinally disposed adjacent the lower outer surface of each horizontally-declined tube, while the lower wick appendage of each wick extends to a lower point away from the tubular heating surface. Condensate runs down the outer surfaces of the horizontally-declined tubes into interstitial passages of the absorbent wicks, and flows to their lower discharge ends. Absorbed condensate is confined to the wick drainage conduits by capillary action. Condensate flow through each wick drainage conduit is substantially accelerated by hydrostatic pressure over the average wicking distance.

Abstract: Forced circulation steam generators of any design may increase effective heat absorption and steaming capacity by maintaining bulk boiler water temperature at or near the saturation temperature for the operating pressure, while the main boiler heat transfer process is substantially reserved for the evaporative function. The acceleration of gas-to-liquid energy transfer across boiler heating surfaces occurs when bulk boiler water temperature is maintained at or near saturation, and significant degrees of nucleate boiling and nucleate film boiling heat transfer exist while stable steam film boiling is limited.In one form of the invention, recirculating boiler water is discharged from a circulating pump through an exterior ejector-type contact heat exchanger to mix with recirculated heating steam before being returned to the boiler. In this adaptation bulk boiler water temperature may be closely controlled by regulating the quantity of heating steam admitted into the ejector heat exchanger.

Abstract: This invention relates to mechanically-actuated ahead-and-astern propulsion of marine vessels by means of a reversible hydraulic-jet ejector structure composed in part of oppositely-directed ejector stagings disposed centrally within a longitudinal open-channel conduit formed into the hull of the vessel. The reversible ejector structure may be alternately actuated by members of an oppositely-directed pair of remotely-driven pump-jet rotor nacelles submerged within the open-channel conduit, and disposed to supply high-velocity motive fluid to their respective secondary-nozzle pair members of the oppositely-directed ejector stagings. The pump-jet rotor nacelles may be remotely driven by right-angle drive shafts housed within supporting structural struts, and actuated by machinery internal to the vessel. The rotor assembly of each pump-jet nacelle may include variable-pitch blading whose operating adjustment may regulate the quantity and velocity of motive fluid supplied to its respective ejector staging.

Abstract: The contact heating of boiler feed water for steam heating systems is effected by mixing recirculated boiler steam and feedwater within water-jet ejector-type contact heat exchangers. Feedwater heating up to the evaporation (or saturation) temperature for the pressure of the boiler may be achieved within an ejector-type contact heat exchanger in a heating process which is separate from the evaporation process. Gas-to-liquid energy transfer across boiler heating surfaces may be greatly accelerated when feed water is supplied to the boiler at saturation, since liquid boiling heat transfer is known to be much more rapid than that of liquids heating or cooling. The principal effect of the invention is to make a substantial theoretical increase in the effective steaming capacity of the boiler.