Abstract: A method of improving fuel efficiency in combustion chambers enhances combustion of hydrocarbon fuels by introducing into the flame zone of a combustion chamber a gold compound which vaporizes and ionizes in the flame of the combusting fuel while being held by gases in the flame zone prior to and during the combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A method of improving fuel efficiency in combustion chambers, for simultaneously enhancing combustion of hydrocarbon fuels while inhibiting nitrogen oxidation. A mixture of vaporous metallic compounds is introduced into the flame zone of a combustion chamber, such that this mixture is held by gases in the flame zone prior to and during the combustion of the fuel, and the mixture is thereby ionized prior to or during the combustion. The ionized mixture of compounds contains platinum, rhodium, rhenium, molybdenum, aluminum and ruthenium.

Abstract: A method of improving fuel efficiency in combustion chambers, for simultaneously enhancing combustion of hydrocarbon fuels while inhibiting nitrogen oxidation. A mixture of metallic compounds is introduced into the flame zone of a combustion chamber, such that this mixture is held by gases in the flame zone during the combustion of the fuel, and the mixture is thereby ionized prior to or during the combustion. The ionized mixture of compounds contains platinum, rhodium, rhenium, and molybdenum.

Abstract: A breathable membrane and a method of constructing a fabric having the membrane, wherein the membrane is resistive to transport of liquid water, has a layer of breathable material and is stabilized dimensionally against distension by a force field, such as forces which may be applied to the membrane or resulting from a hydrostatic pressure, by a reinforcing matrix of nonwoven filaments extending in plural directions along the layer of breathable material to inhibit the distension. In the matrix, the filaments are arranged in a first plurality of the filaments which intersect a second plurality of the filaments to form cells. A minimum diameter of an individual one of the cells is greater by at least approximately an order of magnitude than a diameter of one of the filaments to provide open areas of the layer of breathable material which are free from obstruction by the filaments.

Abstract: A breathable membrane and a method of constructing a fabric having the membrane, wherein the membrane is resistive to transport of liquid water, has a layer of breathable material and is stabilized dimensionally against distension by a force field, such as forces which may be applied to the membrane or resulting from a hydrostatic pressure, by a reinforcing matrix of nonwoven filaments extending in plural directions along the layer of breathable material to inhibit the distension. In the matrix, the filaments are arranged in a first plurality of the filaments which intersect a second plurality of the filaments to form cells. A minimum diameter of an individual one of the cells is greater by at least approximately an order of magnitude than a diameter of one of the filaments to provide open areas of the layer of breathable material which are free from obstruction by the filaments.

Abstract: A water vapor permeable dressing, such as a surgical dressing, is constructed of a thin elastomeric transparent film which is protected by a layer of non-woven fabric, such as a material of elastomeric filaments. The fabric is sufficiently thin, elastic and fluffy to absorb stress of abrasive objects so as to protect the underlying film. Both the film and the protective fabric are sufficiently thin and compliant to allow the dressing to conform to the contours of the human body. Adhesive used in the dressing, for securing the film to a person's skin, as well as for securing the fabric to the film, are permeable to water vapor. The film and the adhesives are impermeable to liquid water, thereby to provide an effective shield for a wound against infection by outside bacteria. A release sheet is employed for protecting a layer of adhesive on the film.

Abstract: A method for whipping egg white employs a food processor having a rotary blade for spinning the egg white, the method providing for a rotating of the blade at a rotational speed in a range of 350 to 999 revolutions per minute, preferably at 700 R.P.M.

Abstract: A catalyst mixture of platinum, rhodium, and rhenium is employed in the combustion of gaseous, liquid and/or solid fuel in combustion chambers such as diesel and gasoline engines, for reduction of pollution emitted from the combustion chambers. The platinum serves as a catalyst with carbon and carbon monoxide to produce carbon dioxide, the rhodium serves for reducing oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, and the rhenium serves as a catalytic promoter for the catalytic functions of the platinum and the rhodium. The rhodium also promotes the catalytic action of the platinum. The catalytic mixture is introduced into a flame zone of a combustion chamber in any convenient manner, such as by use of an air draft. The composition of the mixture is as follows, namely, 1-9 milligrams of platinum, 0.3-3 milligrams rhodium, and 0.3-3 milligrams rhenium for treating 24 kilograms of fuel.

Abstract: A water vapor permeable dressing, such as a surgical dressing, is constructed of a thin elastomeric transparent film which is protected by a layer of non-woven fabric, such as a material of elastomeric filaments. The fabric is sufficiently thin, elastic and fluffy to absorb stress of abrasive objects so as to protect the underlying film. Both the film and the protective fabric are sufficiently thin and compliant to allow the dressing to conform to the contours of the human body. Adhesive used in the dressing, for securing the film to a person's skin, as well as for securing the fabric to the film, are permeable to water vapor. The film and the adhesives are impermeable to liquid water, thereby to provide an effective shield for a wound against infection by outside bacteria. A method of administering a topical reagent to a patient is disclosed.

Abstract: A water vapor permeable dressing, such as a surgical dressing, is constructed of a thin elastomeric transparent film which is protected by a layer of non-woven fabric, preferably a fabric of spun-bonded material. The fabric is sufficiently thin, elastic and fluffy to absorb stress of abrasive objects so as to protect the underlying film. Both the film and the protective fabric are sufficiently thin and compliant to allow the dressing to conform to the contours of the human body. Adhesive used in the dressing, for securing the film to a person's skin, as well as for securing the fabric to the film, are permeable to water vapor, The film and the adhesives are impermeable to liquid water, thereby to provide an effective shield for a wound against infection by outside bacteria.

Abstract: A device for the lifting of liquid solely by the use of solar energy is constructed of two vertically disposed pipes, one pipe extending below the surface of the liquid and the second pipe extending above the surface of the liquid. A third pipe, in the form of a transverse section, joins the top of the first pipe and the bottom of the second pipe, the transverse section being inclined to provide entrapment of liquid therein upon submergency of the first pipe. A liquid inlet is provided at the bottom of the first pipe and an air vent is provided at the top of the first pipe at the junction thereof with the transverse section. A discharge port for liquid is provided at the top of the second pipe. An air pressure differential is established between the vent and the discharge port for forcing liquid from the transverse section to the port.

Abstract: A heart monitor is constructed with a housing that is to be worn by a person, the housing including a display of heartbeat data and a detector of pulsations of the heart. The interpulse intervals between successive pulses, or heart beats, are measured to provide heart-beat data which includes the frequency of occurrence of various ranges of interpulse intervals, as well as an average value of interpulse intervals. The display positions the average value in registration with a corresponding range of the frequency of occurrence. The average value is measured by counting pulses through a succession of interpulse intervals. The frequency of occurrence is measured by a set of sequentially activated gating circuits with counters coupled thereto for counting the occurrences of interpulse intervals of differing durations.

Abstract: A system for delivering a catalyst into a forced draft entry port of a chemical reaction chamber, such as a fossil-fuel combustion chamber, includes a container having an aqueous solution of the catalyst. A suction line extends from an air space above the solution to the entry port. An intake line at atmospheric pressure enters the container and has an end submerged below the surface of the aqueous solution, the submerged end having a float for maintaining the end at a predetermined distance below the surface and thereby establishing a predetermined back pressure. A layer of oil floats on top of the aqueous solution and may contain a second dissolved catalyst. The air from the intake line bubbles up through the aqueous solution and the oil layer absorbing minute quantities of the catalysts which are carried by the air into the reaction chamber. Rhenium and manganese catalysts improve the efficiency of fossil-fuel combustion such as that of the home oil burner and the automotive engine.

Abstract: A non-freezing catalyst solution carries a platinum group metal compound admixed with an antifreeze compound which is blocked from reaction therewith by a blocking agent. The blocking agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride. All of the materials are soluble in solution at room temperature.

Abstract: A system for the determination of the direction of a source of sound in water utilizing the finite amplitude effect. A narrow beam of sonic energy at a frequency higher than that of the source is projected in a direction opposite the direction of the source. A hydrophone receiving beam intercepts the projector beam at a distance from the projector thereof, the distance being sufficient to permit a finite amplitude non-linear interaction of the projector beam energy and the energy of the source via a virtual end-fire array. Cross-modulation products resulting from the non-linear interaction are received by the hydrophone, the precision of measurement being dependent on the directivity pattern of the virtual end-fire array.

Abstract: An imaging system and display thereof utilizes a set of overlapping picture elements of varying tonalities. A set of tones is provided by picture elements of differing sizes, of differing density of graphic design, and by the use of first and second colors of differing proportions on each of the picture elements of a set of picture elements. The appropriate tones are selected by producing a coarse half tone image of a subject, and then approximating the elemental regions of the half tone image by elements of the set of picture elements. The selected elements are positioned on a substrate of the display at locations corresponding to the sites of a regular grid.

Abstract: A system for feeding electromagnetic energy into a cavity for heating material contained therein includes a radiator of the electromagnetic energy and a motorized support for carrying the radiator within the cavity by the material. The radiator is constructed of a material such as alumina providing a much shorter wavelength than that existing in the environment surrounding the material to permit the radiator to have a sufficiently small size to be inserted within the cavity. Heat may also be provided by directly heating the walls of the cavity in which case the radiator is provided with a taper for directing the electromagnetic energy into the thicker portions of the material so that all portions of the material are heated at a uniform rate. The feed system includes a support for a bladder which is useful in urging uncured rubber of a tire casing against the interior surface of the cavity for forming a rubber tire.

Abstract: A suspension system for an air-dropped sonobuoy includes a transducer housing wherein the upper portion is emptied upon deployment of a float. The weight distribution of the transducer and housing provides for a center of mass and a center of buoyancy at a location beneath a pivot in the upper portion of the housing. A suspension line connects the pivot with the float, and a pair of opposed extensible fins at the top of the housing locate the center of hydrodynamic pressure at the pivot. Thereby, the housing is maintained in a stabilized vertical attitude during descent through the water and during deployment at a predetermined depth independently of a difference in velocity of fluid movement at the float and at the sonobuoy.

Abstract: A transducer housing for an air-dropped sonar transducer includes a smooth cylindrical case for stowage on board an aircraft. The case is formed with a separation device which permits ejection of the transducer from the case upon impact with the water of the ocean, the device being formed of tabs on the case and chamfers on a cover plate of the case. The impact of the water on the cover plate is directed by the chamfers against the tabs to spread them apart thereby releasing the cover plate and the transducer. Pins on the cover plate project through apertures in the tabs and press against the side of the apertures with a preset force to essentially lock the tabs to the plate until the preset force is overcome by the water impact.

Abstract: A spectrometer for measuring the spectra and concentration of airborne chemicals at long ranges wherein the optical signals may be occluded by dust. A single lasing medium is utilized both for producing a transmitted optical signal and for amplifying a received optical signal, the frequencies of radiation of the transmitted and received optical signals being offset as the radiation propagates to a distant reflector and back to the lasing medium. The frequency offset is obtained by sweeping the transmitted frequency at a rate commensurate with the round trip propagation time whereby the offset is sufficient to place the received frequency at a peak at the amplifying spectrum of the lasing medium. A laser containing the laser medium further incorporates an interferometric structure within the optical path for sequentially shifting the frequency of oscillation to produce a comb spectrum for sampling the spectra of the chemicals to provide identifying signatures thereof.