Abstract: A recuperating four-stroke internal combustion engine obtains improves Carnot efficiency by use of a new and novel cylinder head which captures thermal energy normally thrown away in the exhaust and re-introduces it to the working cycle. This result, long sought by others, has been achieved by incorporating within the head a compact internal recuperative heat exchanger in series with a combustion chamber or pre-chamber. A recuperator-protecting valve segregates the recuperator from hot combustion gases until the gases reach maximum expansion in the cylinder. Recuperators of both common-duct and seperated-duct design are described, the separated duct recuperator permitting higher recuperator temperature and increased efficiency and a reduction in the number of valves necessary to control gas flow. A preferred embodiment employs four valves per cylinder unit, a separated duct recuperator, and an insulating liner that surrounds both the combustion chamber and the recuperator.

Abstract: A rotary valve is disclosed suitable for replacement of poppet valves. The valve is temperature controlled through a combination of heat transfer techniques and means for reducing heat transfer between gas flows and the valve components. Assymetric geometry is used in the seals to reduce wear and friction, and a removable combustion chamber in the valve housing is used to facilitate fabrication, servicing and performances. A prototype of the valve was developed for a 30 cubic inch displacement four-stroke spark-ignition engine. The gas seals and lubricated parts of the rotary valve have been found to remain below 400 degrees Fahrenheit during test runs wherein the valve controlled gas flows and has maintained a brake mean effective pressure of 108 to 121 psi for periods of up to an hour. The valve uses pure rotation, and can be dynamically balanced for operation to the peak RPM permissible with reciprocating pistons. A four-stroke engine converted to rotary valving needs very few parts.

Abstract: A Recuperative Cycle tow-stroke internal combustion engine having an expander cylinder with an open combustion chamber in its working end and a separate compressor for injecting a compressed air charge into the chamber obtains improved Carnot efficiency by the containment of all its working components in a new and novel cylinder head. This head captures thermal energy normally thrown away in engine exhaust and transfers it advantageously back into the working cycle. The result, long sought by others, has been achieved by incorporating compactly within the head an internal exhaust heat recuperator or heat exchanger closely coupled with a combustion chamber open to the expansion cylinder. A recuperator-protecting valve isolates the recuperator from hot combustion gases until they have been cooled by full piston expansion and a catalytic convertor may be placed in an optimum temperature position within the recuperator chamber.

Abstract: A two-speed tuning machine for mounting on a hand-held, stringed, musical instrument has a first, relatively fast, gearing for rotating a post upon which a string is reeled during initial tensioning to a rough approximation of the desired final pitch, and a second, relatively slow, gearing, with its own separate input shaft, for rotating the same post during the final, precision tensioning to final pitch. A planetary-gear train having a relatively low gear-reduction ratio is used during the initial tensioning by applying manual rotation to an input shaft attached to the sun gear of the planetary-gear train, the planet gears being gang-coupled to rotate the post. The ring gear of the planetary-gear train is restrained during the initial tensioning by means of a worm engaging a worm ring on the periphery of the ring gear.

Abstract: A desk-organizer for releasibly holding paper and the like for ready reference and retrievel, including a resilient paper-holderof transparent plastic or of wire, the paper-holder in the form of a bifurcate structure having at least a pair of extending members joined at a crotch in facing relationship, with a projecting member extending from the end of a first one of the extended members remote from the crotch to form with the second extended member an oriented-access, the oriented-access self-biased to urgedly engage sheet material inserted therein. Extending from the end of the second extended member remote from the crotch is a second projecting member which interacts with sheet material extending away from the crotch beyond the oriented-access to flex the sheet material into a non-planar configuration having improved structural stability.

Abstract: A tide-powered electrical generator wherein the energy from successive rising tides is stored in the form of potential energy for selective conversion to electricity. A float is constrained to vertical motion and it raises on successive tides a weight by means of a jack bar to reach a maximum predetermined height on a stable support structure where the weight is supported until release for the generation of electricity. Provision is made for the prevention of damage to the generator by excessive tidal rises.