Abstract: A tool is provided for laying out precise angles in construction of structures such as a foundation. The tool includes three corners including a first corner, a second corner and a third corner. Each of the corners are spaced from each other by separate strands including a first strand, a second strand and a third strand. Each of the strands are inelastic so that when fully extended they have a precise length. The lengths of the three strands are precisely provided so that the tool is provided in the form of a triangle with angular measurements of each of the corners precisely as desired. Preferably, one of the corners measures exactly 90° to facilitate the forming of a structure with a foundation having corners which measure precisely 90°.

Abstract: A device is provided to prevent unauthorized opening of the garage door by interrupting the flow of electrical power to the automatic garage door opener. A power-interrupting switch, suspended from a desired overhead location in the garage, is interposed between the power source and garage door opener to selectively interrupt or complete the flow of electricity to the garage door opener. By interrupting the electrical flow, the garage door opener is deactivated and will remain unresponsive to a possible unauthorized remote control signal.

Abstract: A power generation system is provided which converts chemical energy in one or more fuels into electrical and/or mechanical power. The system includes both fuel cells to directly convert electrical energy in a fuel into electrical power and at lest one combustor and expander to generate mechanical power, optionally than converted to electrical power in a generator. Fuel cell products disclosed from the fuel cell are entered into the combustor to be heated along with products of combustion created in the combustor and expanded in the expander along with the products of combustion.

Abstract: A system is provided for properly resizing a window shade to fit within a window frame adjacent a window. At least one ruler strip is provided with visible graduations thereon. Indicia are provided adjacent at least some of the graduations. The indicia are descriptive of a width of a window frame in which the window shade will fit when the window shade is cut at the graduation adjacent to that indicia. A position of the graduations and the corresponding indicia are misdescriptive of a width of the window shade so that clearance around the perimeter of the window shade and cutting of both edges of the window shade are accommodated. Both rectangular window shade and arched window shade sizing systems are provided. A retainer is also provided for holding and guiding of a cutting tool during cutting of the window shade for proper resizing.

Abstract: An air pressure gauge assembly is mounted to the valve stem of a tire or integrated into a wheel rim for continuous monitoring of the tire inflation pressure. The gauge assembly includes a check valve functionally coupled to the valve stem so that the check valve provides the common function of the valve stem, including allowing for inflation and deflation. The assembly also includes a pressure sensor coupled to a visually perceptible pressure indicator on a dial face.

Abstract: A height adjustment control is provided for a retractable window shade. The window shade includes a top beam and a bottom beam with the bottom beam suspended below the top beam by at least one cord. The bottom beam can be adjusted and positioned relative to the top beam by adjustment of a length of cord extending between the top beam and the bottom beam. The height adjustment control system of this invention acts on the portions of the cord which are not suspended between the top beam and the bottom beam. A retainer is provided to gather up portions of the cord which are not in use. A retractor exerts a force on the retainer to cause the retainer to automatically gather up this excess cord. A cord brake is provided to hold the cord from passing onto the retainer and hold the bottom beam at a desired position below the top beam.

Abstract: A semi-closed combined cycle power system 100 is provided which can also convert an open combined cycle gas turbine 10 into a non-polluting zero emissions power system. The prior art open combined cycle gas turbine 10 includes a compressor 20 which compresses air A′ and combusts the air A′ with a fuel, such as natural gas. The products of combustion and the remaining portions of the air form the exhaust E′ which is expanded through the turbine 40. The turbine 40 drives the compressor 20 band outputs power. The exhaust E′ exits the turbine 40 and then can optionally be routed through a heat recovery steam generator 50 to function as a combined cycle. According to this invention, the exhaust E′ is not emitted into the atmosphere, but rather is routed to a divider 110. The divider 110 includes two outlets for the exhaust E′ including a return duct 120 and a separation duct 130 which both receive a portion of the exhaust E′.

Abstract: A paint ball marker 10 is provided with a rapid loading and firing configuration. A compressed gas is fed to a trigger valve 30 which controls a position of a ram 40. When a trigger 24 is pulled, the trigger valve 30 directs air to the ram 40 so that a piston 44 within the ram 40 causes a unity bracket 50 to move. This unity bracket 50 controls an activator valve 60, causing a charge of compressed gas to be released from a charge chamber 80 to an entrance 91 of the firing chamber 90 where a paint ball is fired from the firing chamber 90. The unity bracket 50 also causes a loading slide 100 to activate a door 110 immediately after firing of the paint ball from the firing chamber 90 so that the door 110 is moved from a closed position to an open position. In the open position a loading hole 96 routes another paint ball into the firing chamber 90.

Abstract: A cylindrical mandrel is provided having a hollow core and a flare at one end. The cylindrical tube otherwise has a substantially constant diameter. Dough, such as phyllo dough, is wrapped around an outer surface of the mandrel in multiple layers. The dough and mandrel are then baked together until the dough hardens into a dough tube. The mandrel is then removed from the dough tube leaving the dough tube to be filled with an edible filling. The flare on the mandrel assists in removing the mandrel from the dough tube. The flare also facilitates contact between the mandrel and a baking tray to enhance heat transfer to an innermost layer of dough adjacent an outer surface of the mandrel. The hollow core of the mandrel facilitates baking of the innermost layer of dough adjacent the outer surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer is provided including two mass analyzers with an ion fragmentation device interposed between the two mass analyzers. The first mass analyzer is a non-destructive mass analyzer, such as an ion trap, to initially collect and hold parent ions and sequentially release parent ions of known mass to charge ratio. The released parent ions pass through the fragmentation device, such as a collision cell, where the parent ions are fragmented into daughter ions. These daughter ions then pass on to the second mass analyzer. The second mass analyzer is of a high speed full spectrum type, such as a time of flight analyzer, so that a full spectrum of mass data is provided for the daughter ions, to go with parent ion mass spectrum data from the first mass analyzer.

Abstract: A solar water heater is provided. The heater features heat control so that a maximum temperature is automatically controlled. The heater is insulated to maintain a water temperature of water stored therein for long periods of time. The heater includes an insulated lens which transmits most solar radiation incident on its top surface through the lens. An air trap is located below the lens. A heat control valve opens the air trap to surrounding air when a maximum temperature for air within the air trap is exceeded. A heat absorption plate is located below the air trap. The plate is in contact with a heat transfer liquid within a liquid space below the plate. A heat exchanger is positioned within the space and routes water in heat transfer contact with the liquid within the space, while keeping the water isolated from the liquid within the space.

Abstract: An adapter blank is provided which is adjustable in size to join generally tubular structures of different diameters, such as pipe insulation cladding, together. The adapter blank includes a tapering wall having a rim defining a larger diameter matching larger diameter pipe insulation cladding to be joined by the adapter. An overlapping edge extends away from the rim. Graduations are located at various different constant distances away from the rim. Indicia, such as numbers, are preferably provided adjacent at least some of the graduations to indicate the various different smaller diameter pipe insulation cladding sizes. The adapter blank is cut along the graduation corresponding with the smaller diameter pipe insulation cladding to be joined with the adapter. The adapter blank is thus modified into a finished adapter ready for installation joining together pipe insulation cladding, or other tubular structures of different diameters; or terminating an end of pipe, tank, vessel or other tubular structure.

Abstract: A riser attachment for mower height adjustment includes a bracket attachable to a mower and a roller removably attachable to the brackets. Each bracket includes a cavity therein which receives an arm extending from a support structure which rotatably supports each end of the roller such as through an axle passing through a collar in an interface to which the arm is connected. The roller or other bearing surface extends below a mower support plane in which primary ground support structures of the mower are located. The roller or other bearing surface of the riser attachment thus elevates a cutting reel of the mower slightly to provide a second cutting height for the mower. This second cutting height can be adjusted through height adjusters which control a distance that the arms extend into the cavities of the brackets. Levers are rotatable to secure or release the arms within the cavities.