Abstract: A method is provided for the production of biofuels. The method includes contacting at least one of a plant oil, an animal oil and a mixture thereof with a catalyst including an acid or solid acid, thereby producing a catalyst-oil mixture. RF or microwave energy is applied to at least one of the catalyst, the plant oil, the animal oil, the mixture, and the catalyst-oil mixture to produce the biofuel. The process can be adjusted to produce gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, or diesel range middle distillate products.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of liquid coming from a well that has a pump and pipe assembly. The method includes identifying a region of the well that is low in contamination and a region of the well that is high in contamination, and modifying the pump and pipe assembly so that suction of the assembly is enhanced in the region that is low in contamination and inhibited in the region that is high in contamination. The method also includes cleaning the well in the region of low contamination. Modifying the pump and pipe assembly includes coupling a suction control device to the pump and pipe assembly, and positioning the suction control device in the region of low contamination, and forming a barrier between the region of low contamination and the region of high contamination by attaching a flow control disk to the pump and pipe assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of biofuels. The method includes contacting at least one of a plant oil, an animal oil and a mixture thereof with a catalyst including an acid or solid acid, thereby producing a catalyst-oil mixture. RF or microwave energy is applied to at least one of the catalyst, the plant oil, the animal oil, the mixture, and the catalyst-oil mixture to produce the biofuel. The process can be adjusted to produce gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, or diesel range middle distillate products.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of liquid coming from a well that has a pump and pipe assembly. The method includes identifying a region of the well that is low in contamination and a region of the well that is high in contamination, and modifying the pump and pipe assembly so that suction of the assembly is enhanced in the region that is low in contamination and inhibited in the region that is high in contamination. The method also includes cleaning the well in the region of low contamination. Modifying the pump and pipe assembly includes coupling a suction control device to the pump and pipe assembly, and positioning the suction control device in the region of low contamination, and forming a barrier between the region of low contamination and the region of high contamination by attaching a flow control disk to the pump and pipe assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding distinct feed stock through a roller driven tray device to an information transfer device (i.e., scanning, facsimile, printing, copying) or a multipurpose information transfer device for processing feed stock, the roller driven tray device comprising a first tray and a second tray each tray capable of holding an item of feed stock for processing through the same port of an information transfer device from either tray without manual intervention. Also, an apparatus for maintaining alignment of feed stock in a roller driven tray device comprising a cam radially coupled to the first end of the roller shaft, a cam follower seated on the cam, a cam shaft with one end coupled to the cam follower and a second end slidably coupled to the tray housing, and a cantilever finger crank coupled to the cam shaft, and having a first position to not impede the path of the feed stock and a second position against the feed stock.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for efficiently coupling an additional component to an electronic device. The invention is particularly useful in conjunction with modular electronic devices. An additional component may be mechanically and electrically coupled to a video electronic device. The added component is joined to the electronic device by a series of easy steps which include bringing the front bottom surface of the electronic device into contact with the front top surface of the added component and then rotating the rear surface of the electronic device, such that the front bottom surface of the electronic device is flush with the front top surface of the added component. The electronic device and added component include feet and receptors respectively that allow them to be easily aligned. Finally, the added component and electronic device are securely joined by a latch. Since the device and component are integral, the added device does not require a large amount of space.

Abstract: A convection oven includes a frame having a base member and two upright members which extend upwardly from the base member. A cooking chamber is removably supported by the frame and includes an upper enclosure member and a lower enclosure member. A housing attached to the upper enclosure member is configured so that cool air flows from a peripheral portion of an arm into a central portion of the housing and then is expelled from the arm over the upper surface of the upper enclosure member. A passive hinge connects the housing to the frame such that the housing and upper enclosure member may be both separated from the frame and lower enclosure member by lifting the housing vertically and pivoted relative to the frame and lower enclosure member. An extension ring selectively enlarges the size of the cooking chamber. A holster may hold the upper enclosure member and the housing when they are separated from the lower enclosure member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wafers of semiconductor material incorporates the steps of: providing an elongated ingot of semiconductor material having a curved surface along the direction of elongation; mounting a structure for ingot mounting on each of the end surfaces of the ingot; positioning the ingot mounting structures on fixture structures to mount the ingot; and rotating the mounted ingot. The positioned ingot mounting structures are released and the ingot is removed from the fixture structures; however, during the course of the process the mounting structures are again positioned on fixture structures to mount the ingot and the ingot is rotated a second time. The method is adapted for accurate centering of the ingot during processing involving the sawing of the ingot to provide opposed elongated planes therealong (including rotation of the ingot in accomplishing such) and involving further rotation of the ingot during grinding.

Abstract: A device and method for nodularizing cast iron which includes a funnel like portion including a mixing chamber having a tangential inlet which is operative to cause molten metal admitted to the chamber to assume a swirling configuration or vortex and a barrier portion positioned in the path of the swirling stream which is operative to cause the swirling stream to fold over itself and to promote mixing of the nodularization additive deposited into the vortex of the swirling metal.