Abstract: The present invention provides a propulsion system mounted in the hull of a marine vessel. The system includes a conduit system with water intake openings defined in the port and starboard portions of the hull adjacent the bow. Water intake conduits conduct water from the water intake openings to a collection chamber. Water discharge conduits conduct water from the collection chamber to water discharge openings. At least one impeller is mounted in each of said discharge conduits. A valve system is mounted in the conduit system and is selectively operable to isolate the system and prevent the flow of water through the system. A water pump may be used to evacuate water from the system when the valves are closed. A further preferred feature provides access to the impeller portion of the propulsion system. A conduit extension section diverges from the conduit system with one end above the level of the vessel's waterline. A sealable hatch is mounted to the conduit extension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling heat recovery coils in an exhaust stack. A set of heat recovery coils at least partially filled with a heat conducting fluid is positioned in a hot zone. The recovery coils are biased in a direction out of the hot zone to prevent accidental overheating in the event of a control or power failure. A heat transduction system is connected in fluid communication with the heat recovery coils. Heat energy is transferred from the hot zone into the heat conducting fluid, and the heated heat conducting fluid is then flowed into the heat transduction system where heat is removed from the heat conducting fluid. The extracted heat is then transduced into useful energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering and cooling air used by a gas turbine. Heat conducting liquid is pumped from a reservoir pool, routed through a heat exchanger, and pumped through a plurality of spray nozzles and allowed to fall as a shower back into the pool. At least some of the heat is extracted from the liquid as it passes through the heat transducer. The energy to run the pump is provided by the transduction of waste heat from the heat conducting liquid and/or from the hot gasses passing through the gas turbine exhaust. The air intake for the turbine is routed through the shower, where foreign particles and contaminants are removed physically and/or chemically removed therefrom.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a wet/dry garage for the hull of a marine vessel. The garage includes a compartment defined within the hull of the marine vessel, with a floor below the vessel's waterline and a ceiling above the waterline. One side of the compartment is a door opening defined in the hull of the vessel. The door opening has a lower edge below the vessel's waterline and an upper edge above the waterline of the vessel. A door is mounted to the vessel and can be closed to cover the door opening. The compartment contains at least one small boat storage position. The door may be lowered to a position providing sufficient draft that a smaller watercraft can be propelled into or out of the compartment. Preferably the door can be closed to form a watertight seal surrounding the door opening. After closing the door, the water in the compartment is evacuated to lower the smaller watercraft into a storage position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a propulsion system mounted in the hull of a marine vessel. The system includes a conduit system with water intake openings defined in the port and starboard portions of the hull adjacent the bow. Water intake conduits conduct water from the water intake openings to a collection chamber. Water discharge conduits conduct water from the collection chamber to water discharge openings. At least one impeller is mounted in each of said discharge conduits. A valve system is mounted in the conduit system and is selectively operable to isolate the system and prevent the flow of water through the system. A water pump may be used to evacuate water from the system when the valves are closed. A further preferred feature provides access to the impeller portion of the propulsion system. A conduit extension section diverges from the conduit system with one end above the level of the vessel's waterline. A sealable hatch is mounted to the conduit extension.

Abstract: A simple and relatively inexpensive containerized vehicle storage system for holding self-parked vehicles. In one embodiment, the system includes a building or housing having an upper level and a lower level, with the lower level being situated below level of vehicle entrance into the housing. A plurality of containers are positioned in at least two vertically stacked columns in the housing. Each container is identically configured, and includes a weight tolerant structural shell. The shell is formed by a floor, sidewall and roof arranged to define a shell entrance and an oppositely situated shell exit to permit respective entry and exit of a vehicle into and from the shell of the container. The shell is typically configured to support the weight of a conventional automobile positioned inside the shell, and further support a stack of about ten similarly loaded and configured containers.

Abstract: A simple and relatively inexpensive containerized vehicle storage system for holding self-parked vehicles. In one embodiment, the system includes a building housing having an upper level and a lower level, with the lower level being situated below level of vehicle entrance into the housing. A plurality of containers are positioned in at least two vertically stacked columns in the housing. Each container is identically configured, and includes a weight tolerant structural shell. The shell is formed by a floor, sidewall and roof arranged to define a shell entrance and an oppositely situated shell exit to permit respective entry and exit of a vehicle into and from the shell of the container. The shell is typically configured to support the weight of a conventional automobile positioned inside the shell, and further support a stack of about ten similarly loaded and configured containers.

Abstract: A carrier capable of carrying elongated materials without bending or folding through conventional pneumatic tube systems which include a passageway having a predetermined inner cross-sectional dimension wherein the passageway includes curvatures having a predetermined radius. The carrier has a length greater than the maximum length of standard carriers which are currently used in conventional pneumatic tube systems.