Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning dishes, vegetables, fish, or like items, is disclosed comprising a base, or tray, and removable hood or cover supported thereon to form a cleaning chamber. An inlet opening is formed at the top of the hood through which a rigid hand-held feed conduit extends. A resilient seal at the inlet opening provides a liquid tight engagement between the feed conduit and hood while permitting manual axial and pivotal movement in any pivotal direction of the feed conduit. A nozzle is provided at the inner end of the feed conduit from which liquid is jetted for cleaning items contained in the cleaning chamber. A high pressure pump in communication with a source of liquid pumps the liquid to the nozzle through a flexible supply conduit connected to the feed conduit. At least a portion of the hood is formed of transparent material for viewing the nozzle and items to be cleaned by the jet stream issuing from the nozzle.

Abstract: Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with Coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or other such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy trasmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin.

Abstract: A system for obtaining air movement is disclosed which includes a dome which is supported a spaced distance above the earth to provide for the inlet of air from a location outside the dome. A passage or tunnel is provided which has an air inlet beneath the dome in substantially axial alignment with the dome axis and an air outlet outside the dome, with the passage or tunnel outlet below the level of the air inlet thereof. Cooling elements of refrigeration means are located in the passage or tunnel for cooling air therein and producing gravity flow of air down the passage or tunnel from the air inlet to the air outlet of the passage or tunnel. Air enters the passage or tunnel air inlet with a cyclonic motion due to Coriolis acceleration, and wind-operated means are located under the dome for operation by the cyclonically moving air. A generator is located in a chamber beneath the passage or tunnel and is coupled to the wind-operated means under the dome for operation thereby.

Abstract: A system for obtaining air movement is disclosed which includes a basin of water covered by a solar energy-transmitting dome a spaced distance over the basin. The basin is located on a mountainside, adjacent a cliff, or the like. a surface type heat exchanger is located in the water adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an air inlet passage is provided having one end which terminates above the water surface beneath the dome and an opposite end connected to the heat exchanger. A long air outlet passage in the form of a flexible tube made of canvas, plastic sheet, or the like, is connected to the outlet from the heat exchanger, which outlet passage extends downwardly along the mountain slope, cliff, or the like. Venturi tubes are located along the air outlet passage, and vane-driven devices are positioned at the venturi tubes for operation by the cooled air flowing downwardly therethrough. An air valve at the bottom end of the air outlet passage controls the rate of air flow therethrough.

Abstract: Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with Coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or othe such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy transmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin.

Abstract: Distillation method and apparatus for separation of alcohol from an alcohol-water mixture are disclosed which include use of a fluid-tight vacuum tank within which a surface condenser is located adjacent the tank bottom. The condenser has a vapor inlet above the condenser, and a condenser outlet which communicates with a first pump having a pump discharge outside the tank. A second pump is provided for removal of mixture from the bottom of the tank. In operation, an alcohol-water mixture is fed into the tank to completely fill the same while air is vented therefrom. The vent is closed, and mixture then is pumped from the tank and condenser to empty the condenser and to lower the level of mixture in the tank beneath the vapor inlet to the condenser. With the removal of mixture, a vacuum is created whereupon alcohol rapidly evaporates from the mixture surface to rapidly reduce the temperature of remaining mixture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distillation of liquids such as sea water, brackish water, waste water, or the like, which also may be used for cooling purposes, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum tank, or vessel, into which liquid to be distilled, such as saline water, is fed to partially fill the tank. If desired, heating means may be included for heating the liquid adjacent the surface thereof to promote evaporation thereof. Vapor from the region above the liquid surface is fed to vapor condensing means adjacent the bottom of the tank for condensing the same. A condensate discharge tube extends downwardly from the condensing means for discharge of condensate therefrom. Means including a pressure head of condensate within the condensate discharge tube maintains a subatmospheric pressure within the tank to promote evaporation of liquid contained therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying moisture-containing material by use of a vacuum tank as disclosed. The tank is partially filled with cold liquid, such as water, and the material to be dried is supported in the tank above the liquid surface. Surface condensing means are located inside the tank adjacent the tank bottom in the cold liquid which condensing means has a combined vapor inlet-liquid overflow conduit through which vapor which evaporates from the material to be dried enters and through which liquid in the tank may overflow. Condensate and liquid overflow are removed from the condensing means as by pumping means. Air is evacuated from the tank as by first filling the tank with liquid while venting air therefrom, then pumping liquid from the tank through said condensing means. Moisture which rapidly evaporates from the material to be dried is condensed at the surface of the cold liquid and in said condensing means, for removal thereof by pumping through the outlet therefrom.

Abstract: A log splitter and method for splitting logs, rails or the like, comprising a pair of double acting fluid cylinder operators in a parallel spaced side-by-side arrangement, which operators are interconnected by a butt plate extending therebetween against which one end of a log to be split may be butted. Means are provided for connecting the cylinders to a fluid source for simultaneous actuation thereof. A cutting or splitting blade is connected to the fluid cylinder operators through adjustable length connecting means such as chains, or the like, for use with logs of different length including those of greater length than the stroke of the fluid cylinder pistons. The log splitter is lightweight, portable, and readily adapted for connection to the fluid pressure source of a tractor, or the like, for use thereof in the field. The novel log splitting method includes performing successive splitting operations on a log by shortening the adjustable length connecting means after each cutting stroke.