Abstract: A method for optimizing oil production rate from an oil well with high gas-to-oil ratio is disclosed to include modeling an Inflow Performance Relationship curve and calculating an optimal level of bottomhole pressure to be higher than zero. Maintaining the bottomhole pressure at that calculated optimum level by using a bottomhole tool of the invention or other known means such as gas injection provides for maximum oil recovery from a given well. The bottomhole tool includes a multi-stage flow resistor and a needle moved in and out of the resistor by a spring-biased piston responsive to a difference in pressure between a bottomhole pressure and a pipe pressure. Automatic adjustment of the bottomhole pressure is maintained over a wide range of operating parameters throughout the life of the well.

Abstract: A method and remote-controlled reflector device for layout reference and axis lines is provided for use preferably in high building construction industry. The reflector device includes a mirror capable of rotating about its horizontal and vertical axes as controlled by an instrument man standing with a remote controller and a theodolite at a first location, such as on the ground or a lower floor of the building. The reflector device is positioned over the edge of a floor of a building under construction such as to be in direct view from both the first location and the second location where the new axis line marking are to be placed by the rod man. The mirror is first rotated by the instrument man such as to reflect the view from the theodolite back upon itself to verify its proper alignment with the base axis line.

Abstract: A substance with sedative effect comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a gamma-pyrone such as comenic acid, meconic acid, chelidonic acid, and alike in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. When administered at a daily dosage of between 5 and 200 mg of active ingredient per kilogram of a body weight of a patient, the substance can be used to treat various neurotic disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, neurosis, depression as well as withdrawal symptoms for drug addiction patients, especially for patients addicted to opioid-based drugs. The substance can be delivered in a number of ways of systemic administration of a pharmaceutical agent including oral, parenteral, transdermal, and transmucosal administration. For drug addicted patients, the preferred method of administration involves a subcutaneous implant providing a continuous release of an active ingredient at an effective daily rate over the entire treatment period ranging from 5 to 30 days, and preferably from 13 to 20 days.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for measurement of optical properties of a liquid as a function of temperature. The method and apparatus are based on formation of a stable temperature gradient through the holding cell containing the liquid under study, measurement of the optical property or properties of interest as a function of position, and relating the positions of the optical measurements to the temperature of the studied liquid at that position. In the preferred application, thermal and thermodynamic properties of solutes are obtained.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate is disclosed to include a frame with a curved lower portion, which supports a point stop at the front end followed by a ball support, a string of rotating rollers and a tail ball support. The point stop is preferably another roller fixed in position. The in-line skate allows performing all the maneuvers as the regular ice skate without significant additional training and therefore can be used advantageously during off-season training by ice skaters as well as for a broad range of recreational activities.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the hydration and water content status of soft biological tissue is disclosed and includes a couple of ultrasonic transducers located at a known distance therebetween and held against the tissue of interest as well as an adjustable support system with angle measuring means necessary for evaluation of ultrasound velocity in this tissue. Based on the time-of-flight results of the ultrasound velocity measurement, the water content in the tested tissue is evaluated and the hydration status is determined. One embodiment of the invention is a wearable device attached to human calf measuring water content in muscle.

Abstract: A skating boot adapted to fit around the foot of the user and allowing adequate forward and backward motion of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The boot is equipped with an inside joint and an outside joint connecting the upper portion and the lower portion together. Front and rear elastic covers complete the shape of the boot and are attached to both the upper portion and the lower portion. The joints comprise and inside and an outside concave sliding disks adapted to slidingly engage with corresponding retainers incorporated within the upper and lower portions. The position of the joints is preferably offset with the inside joint located higher and closer to the front of the boot than the outside joint to accommodate the anatomical structure of the human ankle. The boot has a smooth shape and encases the foot such that all skating maneuvers can be completed with ease while providing adequate ankle support and foot protection.

Abstract: A lathe attachment device is disclosed for producing long articles with complicated profiles. The device contains a beveled multi-teeth cutter driven to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of a billet to ensure a very short period of contact time between an individual cutting tooth and the article. The cutter is slightly tilted towards the billet in both horizontal and vertical plane. The teeth of the cutter are shaped to each have a pointed end facing the rough part of the billet. Provisions are made to draw the cutter along the billet. The device allows producing a smooth finished long article with complicated surface profile in a single pass with high productivity. Due to limited contact time, it offers extended life of the cutter. The device is used most advantageously to produce long wood articles.

Abstract: A handgrip for a colonoscope shaft capable of measuring and presenting to the operator of radial and longitudinal forces applied by the operator during the manipulation with the colonoscope. The handgrip includes an internal sleeve positioned over the shaft of the colonoscope so that it can be released and repositioned by depressing a release button. And external sleeve covers the internal sleeve and provides for a convenient grip by the operator. The only means of transmission of force applied by the operator from the external sleeve to the internal sleeve is the engaging means such as a flexible rectangular bar or a set of engaging plates imbedded between the external sleeve and internal sleeve. The engaging means are equipped with a set of sensors such as strain gages positioned on all sides of the bar to measure the forces between the sleeves, which correspond to the forces applied by the operator to the shaft of the colonoscope.

Abstract: Diving goggles with increased depth range includes a collapsible auxiliary air source chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the goggles. As the diver descends into the water depth, the outside pressure compresses the auxiliary chamber and forces some air out of that chamber and into the face chamber formed between the rigid portion of the goggles and the face of the diver. That additional compressed air when mixed with the compressed air inside the face chamber allows for relief of pressure from the user's eyes therefore avoiding eye strain and reduction in peripheral vision. The auxiliary chamber can be incorporated into the strap of the goggles and is attached to the rigid frame on both ends thereof. One or more collapsible leaf springs are placed inside the chamber to keep it open and in extended position while out of the water. Alternatively, the auxiliary chamber is made from a resilient material of such thickness as to ensure its extended shape once out of the water.

Abstract: A frost-resistant windmill is disclosed to provide supplemental power supply for use preferably in large cities. The frame of the windmill carrying a plurality of blades is made hollow defining a serpentine internal air pathway adapted for introduction of warm air from an external source to prevent freezing when used during winter months. A centrifugal speed adjustment system is provided to reduce rotation speed fluctuations of the load drive shaft when strong wind gusts are encountered. A speed adjustment weight is connected to the drive wheel through a cable such that the position of the drive wheel along the radius of the windmill is defined by an equilibrium between the pull force on the cable and the compression force of the spring urging the drive wheel towards the periphery the windmill.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrolyzed fermented medium containing microorganisms includes providing at least one solid plant product reduced to small pieces and mixed with sugar and biocompatible liquid such as milk for fermentation at a temperature of between 35 and 58 degrees C. until the acidity of the medium reaches the range of 300 to 900 in Terner degrees. Alternatively, the medium is prepared by mixing in predetermined amounts of sprouted grains, biocompatible liquid inoculated with at least one of a variety of non-pathogenic microorganisms, vegetables, fruits, berries, high protein products, herbs, sugar, and a chemical element such as potassium. The mixture is then fermented at a selected temperature for a specified length of time to reach high acidity and high concentration of products of bacterial metabolism. A liquid phase is separated from a solid sediment phase and can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

Abstract: A portable miniature incinerator is described allowing easy disposal of household garbage for a single-family house or a small apartment building. The housing of the incinerator is mounted on a wheeled hand-truck assembly and contains an incineration block and a filtration block. The incineration block in turn comprises a furnace chamber equipped with an electric heater. The heater is adapted to bring the temperature of the air and therefore the temperature of the garbage up to the point of spontaneous combustion. During the process of heating up the garbage, it becomes dry as the fans of the device remove all water evaporation. Once ignited, the garbage is incinerated in the furnace chamber while all exhaust gases are directed to the filtration unit. The filtration unit has a first stage of filtration comprising a wire mesh separator submerged in water. Exhaust gases pass through the mesh separator and through the water so that the pollutants and exhaust particles are separated from the exhaust gases.

Abstract: The simulator of the invention is based on a number of functional units connected directly or remotely to the central computer for controlling the operation and recording the shooting results. The weapon unit is untethered and includes a real hand gun equipped with a snap-on emitter unit to send simultaneously two beams of light upon pulling the trigger—a wide angle infrared beam and a narrowly focused and aimed at the target light beam. The infrared beam is registered by the sensor near the screen and a signal indicating a firing event is sent to the computer. The light beam, preferably from a laser source is sent towards the screen, reflected therefrom towards the optical block and travels through a number of fixed and rotating mirrors and through a light divider to the light sensor. That sensor when activated sends the HIT or MISS signal to the computer.

Abstract: A non-invasive remote diagnostic system includes a central processing unit (CPU) adapted to feed an image of a patient such as a digital photograph to be displayed to an operator by a first computer monitor. A second computer monitor is displaying a realistic outline of a target area of diagnostic interest such as an outline of a human organ or a particular portion thereof. These two monitors together with a CPU are adapted to induce a state of heightened consciousness and intuition of a system operator. A detecting/evaluating unit is sensing non-invasively the operator's biofeedback response while the operator is exposed to the images. The biofeedback response is converted to an electrical signal and is fed back into the CPU to compare against a predetermined database of similar signals obtained from volunteers with known diseases. The biofeedback signal allows a non-invasive remote diagnosis of a patient's state of health.

Abstract: A device and method for raising sunken objects such as crates, small boats, vessels and ships including a platform equipped with winches to lower down a basket net and a frame supporting a cryogenic apparatus to the vicinity of the object. The cryogenic apparatus is adapted to pump surrounding water through a freezing unit to reduce its temperature to below freezing and then form a stream of overcooled water directed over the sunken object to form a layer of ice about it. The basket net contains provisions to allow its closure under the object once it is lifted off the sea floor. Once enough ice is formed, the object is lifted to the surface. On average, the capacity of the cryogenic apparatus is such that a 1 ton object can be lifted in about 3 hours. Remote monitoring and control means are provided for the operator to observe and direct the operation of the device. The device is especially advantageous in dealing with explosive objects such as old and unwanted sea mines, torpedoes and alike.

Abstract: An emergency taillight for a vehicle includes a reflective housing with a transparent cover and a light source resiliently suspended in the focal center thereof. In the first embodiment, the light source is energized by a periodic source of electrical power to provide the impression of flickering light both during the movement of a vehicle as well as when it is standing still and no vibration is transmitted to the resilient suspension means of the light source. According to the second and third embodiments, electromechanical means are provided to cause the oscillating motion of the light source even when the vehicle is not itself in motion. The invention provides for a better attraction of the observer to the emergency light in poor visibility conditions regardless of the presence of vehicle motion. One or more light bulbs, LEDs, or laser light diodes may be used as a source of light for the emergency light of the invention.

Abstract: In a tunable optoacoustic filter, a portion of the optical fiber is coiled around and placed at least partially against a rounded shell equipped with at least one longitudinal slit having an emitter and an absorber on both sides of the slit in contact with the shell or the optical fiber. The emitter transmits elastic waves along the shell and therefore along the fiber to the point of absorber. Coiled configuration of the optical fiber along with various positions of emitters and absorbers are presented allowing to widen the functional range of operation of the filter by increasing the usable length of the optical fiber subject to acoustic oscillations. As a result a reflection/conversion coefficient of up to 0.999 and the filtration band of 1-10 kHz are obtainable.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a paint brush comprises a hollow nozzle attached to a source of pressurized cleaning solution such as water, solvent, liquefied hot soap or alike. The distal tip of the nozzle is equipped with a poppet valve such that the body of the valve protrudes from the distal tip. The proximal section of the nozzle is adapted to be attached to a source of cleaning solution, that in the most basic configuration being a common tap water valve. When the water valve is opened, the brush is moved towards the nozzle. Upon engaging with the heel or bristles of the brush, the poppet valve moves inwards and opens the flow of water towards the center of the brush allowing washing out any remaining wet and dissolved paint. In another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device includes a hollow handle attached to a source of pressurized cleaning solution and equipped with one or more nozzles each having a poppet valve.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection barrier having two half-barriers, one on each side of a pedestrian crosswalk. The half-barrier is constructed of two segment-blocks placed adjacently at a center-line of a roadway. Each segment-block has a lower portion, an upper portion, two side-walls and an exterior wall with an optional hollow cavity therein. When segment-blocks are installed on the roadway, the lower portion of each segment-block is placed into a cavity excavated in the ground of the roadway. The upper portion extends above the ground of the roadway to protect pedestrians. One pair of segment-blocks' side-walls form an angle therebetween. The other pair of the side-walls can be located adjacently and parallel to one another and to the centerline of the roadway. Both half-barriers face away from the crosswalk and towards the incoming traffic.