Abstract: This invention introduces lift-clicking, a gentle method of clicking that utilizes light touch home sensors on the mouse and other computer input devices. It can be used either to replace the prior art depression-type mouse button with a home touch surface and a light touch or proximity sensor, or to add a touch/proximity sensor to an existing mouse button, providing three or more additional functions for each finger. It is a very ergonomic method that uses less force than the weight of the relaxed resting finger. It employs a finger lift, or a finger lift followed by a gentle drop, and utilizes unique combinations of windows, timing, hand presence reference, and logic sequences carefully designed to automatically prevent the production of unwanted clicks when the finger first arrives on or leaves the home sensor as the hand arrives or departs the input device. The initial condition is a finger resting on a touch switch/proximity sensor surface at a home resting position.

Abstract: A method employing a precharging pulse to adjust and/or to equalize the peak voltages of a discontinuous bipolar pulse waveform used for powering a corona in an ozone generator system. This precharging pulse is generally opposite in polarity to the first unipolar pulse of the bipolar pulse waveform, and precharges the inductances and capacitances of the system to provide priming energy for the first corona pulse and to compensate for skewing of the waveform due to resonances. This method enables the corona to be operated at the optimum voltage for efficient ozone generation, and provides the ability to fine-tune each system to best match high-voltage transformers to corona cells.

Abstract: A flat plate corona cell for generating ozone with a generally convergent radial gas flow. The net gas flow direction through the corona gap is from the outer edges of the cell inward towards an exit port in the approximate center of the cell. This eliminates parasitic arcing at the perimeter, greatly increases the life of the perimeter seal, and provides a homogenous gas flow which increases ozone output. The cell design allows both electrodes to be operated at high voltage, therefore reducing the effective kilovolts with respect to ground by half.

Abstract: A negative pressure flow regulation and automatic purge method which provides an improved ozone delivery system for use with ozone generators using venturi devices or other negative-pressure ozone injection schemes, such as in ozone water purification systems. The system comprises four components in a particular arrangement: a first check valve and a needle valve or orifice in the ozone line immediately following the ozone generator, a second check valve at or near the venturi end of the ozone line, and a vacuum reservoir volume consisting of the combined volume of a vacuum bottle and the length of ozone line between the needle valve and the second check valve. The system maintains a near-ambient pressure in the ozone generator during operation, and after shutdown it provides an automatic purge of the ozone generator, prevents back-diffusion of ozone into the gas supply line and firmly seats the safety check valve in the ozone delivery line.

Abstract: A self-contained and self-supporting cell for generating ozone by corona discharge which consists basically of two open-ended straight tubes. An inner metal tube serves as a first electrode and is cooled by a fluid flowing through its core. An outer glass or ceramic tube concentrically surrounds and is shorter than the inner tube, carries a second electrode on its outer surface, and is cooled by a flow of fluid across its outer surface. The inner metal tube serves as a supporting column on which all other components are mounted and aligned. It carries a collar near each of its ends, and across each collar are clamped outer end-pieces carrying coolant seals and fittings, the inner side of the clamp assembly comprising flat aligning plates. Short cylinders of non-conductive inert material, bearing seals on each face and dry gas inlet/ozone outlet ports, fit concentrically around the inner tube and are clamped between the surfaces of clamping-plates.

Abstract: A method of supplying electrical power to and controlling corona discharge cells used for the generation of ozone employs a single-cycle discontinuous waveform which is characterized by a fixed pulse width and a variable repetition rate. Discrete bipolar pulses are composed of a pair of unipolar pulses of opposite polarity. The bipolar pulse repetition rate is varied to control the average corona power, providing an infinite turndown of ozone output. When powering discharge cells which are asymmetric in their response to pulse polarity, such as those containing a dielectric coated with a conducting surface as a first electrode and a metal as a second electrode, the present invention configures the first pulse of each pair to make the dielectric electrode electronically negative with respect to the metal electrode. This polarity sequence produces a more stable corona and far less electrical noise.

Abstract: A freeze-thaw air dryer utilizes a heat pump to remove moisture from air by cooling the air to below the freezing point of water, causing the water to pass directly from the vapor state to the solid state and thereby to be removed from the flow of air. The vapor frozen on the cold surfaces is periodically thawed by either turning off or reversing the heat pump, and the condensate and thawed ice are automatically drained out of the device without interruption of the airflow. The geometry of the cold surfaces and the generally centripetal airflow path are designed expressly to cause a buildup of ice without impairing efficiency or blocking the airflow.

Abstract: A method of controlling the power used and the ozone generated by an ozone generator. The rate of gas flow through the generator (and/or also the temperature or pressure) is used to either adjust or to limit the output of the power supply. A control signal derived from the gas flow rate is fed to the power supply, influencing its output and thereby affecting the power drawn by the ozone generator. This method enables the concentration or the total quantity of the ozone generated to remain relatively constant with varying gas flow rate, or it can continuously regulate the power level so as to automatically generate the highest possible ozone concentration at any flow rate. In addition, this method allows a single power supply and ozone generator to feed ozone to multiple users with different and/or varying demands, while holding the ozone concentration constant as the users go on and off independently of each other.

Abstract: A method for preventing stagnation and biofilm formation in the jet pump circuit of a spa, therapy pool or bath employing separate pumps or plumbing circuits for circulation and for pressure jet/massaging functions. The method includes a bidirectional water conduit through which water flows in one direction when the circulation pump is on, and in the other direction when the jet pump is on. All plumbing in the jet pump circuit is thereby kept free of biofilm by causing water containing a dissolved disinfectant to flow through it while the circulation pump is on. The invention further includes methods for automatically flushing the massage jet air lines and the air bubbler chamber with disinfectant-containing water while the circulation pump is on. This method increases the reliability and safety of spa disinfection, reduces the quantity of disinfectant needed, and in some cases enables ozone to be used as the major or sole disinfectant.

Abstract: A venturi (eductor) cartridge for injecting and dissolving fluids is installed as a removable insert after a tee, and utilizes an axial aspirator tube and thin-sheet radial diffusion for efficient low-turbulence momentum recovery in a very short distance. The venturi minimizes bubble size and bubble recombination to enable maximum solvation, and is particularly suited for use with corrosive fluids. The venturi exits directly into a tank of fluid or into a standard pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved brush for cleaning underwater surfaces, such as swimming pool walls and bottoms, and uses a hinged wing that presents an inclined plane to the water when the brush is moved in its downward stroke. The wing thus acts to exert a desired force upon the brush which urges the brush against the surface being cleaned. On the return stroke of the brush, the hinged wing is caused to move to a position trailing the brush, where it avoids urging the brush back into contact with the surface that was just cleaned on the downward stroke. Rather, this trailing position helps to keep the brush off of the cleaned surface, and creates little or no drag for the return stroke.