Abstract: An Elevated Expansion-Ratio Internal Combustion Engine has a substantially standard repeating four-stroke sequence for each of a plurality of cylinders. The head of each cylinder has an intake valve, a combustion-gas exhaust valve, and a vapor return valve. A return manifold for vapor connects from respective ones of the cylinders via a plurality of valve assemblies, each of which includes the return valve, into a passage ahead of a beginning portion of an intake manifold. Each valve assembly also has a discharge valve coupled to the return valve via a holding tank for cylinder vapor or gas. Valve stems of the discharge and return valves are coaxial in a single section valve housing or spaced-apart in a two-section valve housing. A quantity of the vapor is received into the holding tank during the compression stroke, and subsequently transferred via the discharge valve to the return manifold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a timing device for advancing operation of an exhaust valve, and a method of operating the exhaust valve, wherein, for the case of a conventional automotive engine, the timing device opens the exhaust valve less than 90 degrees before bottom dead center in a terminal portion of the power stroke of the engine, but more than approximately 30 degrees before the bottom dead center. The engine is a four-stroke engine, and the open interval of the exhaust valve extends from a terminal portion of the power stroke into the exhaust stroke. The advancement in the opening of the exhaust valve reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: An Elevated Expansion-Ratio Internal Combustion Engine has a substantially standard repeating four-stroke sequence for each cylinder, and the Engine includes for each cylinder: an intake valve, a combustion-gas exhaust valve, and a vapor return valve. A return manifold for vapor connects from the return valves of respective ones of the cylinders back into a passage ahead of a beginning portion of an intake manifold. Substantially during a predetermined part of each compression stroke in the sequence of strokes, the return valve opens after a closing of the intake valve, and thereafter closes at a time within the compression stroke corresponding to a predetermined position of the piston in the cylinder.

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 hollow plastic body, particularly a plastic ball, has antistatic properties and a melting temperature above that found in floating covers of petrochemical storage tanks, therefore, enabling use of the body in flotation of oil tank covers without danger of melting and without danger of developing a static charge followed by subsequent hazardous discharge. The balls are constructed of a non-foamed high-density plastic resin, HDPE (high density polyethylene), mixed with an antistatic additive or agent. The antistatic agent is effective to convert the electrically insulating plastic to an electrically conductive material which does not develop a static electrical charge. Only a relatively small amount of the antistatic agent, less than one percent by weight, is sufficient to provide the desired antistatic property to ball while having no more than a minimal effect on the melting temperature, thereby to retain the integrity of the flotation in the presence of the elevated temperature.

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.