Abstract: A controller for a solar electric generator that permits the generator to produce power substantially at its maximum capacity while also providing efficient charging at three charging stages; i.e., bulk charging, acceptance charging and float charging. Power is transferred from the generator to a temporary electric storage device that is periodically partially drained of power to maintain the temporary electric storage device at a voltage corresponding to the voltage needed by the generator to provide maximum generator power. The electric power drained from the temporary storage device is used to charge conventional batteries. In a preferred embodiment, the temporary storage device is a capacitor that is part of a buck regulator operating at 50 kHz with duty factor control between 0% and 100%. This buck topology switching type regulator provides the periodic draining.

Abstract: A method for playing a sport that includes the following steps: (1) a fee is paid by a player, (2) the player places a ball on the ground at the beginning of a course (the course contains a plurality of goals), (3) the player kicks the ball towards the first of the goals, (4) the player scores a goal by kicking his ball into the first goal, (5) the player tabulates the number of kicks required to score the goal, (6) the player records the results of his tabulation and assigns one point for each kick required, (7) the player moves to the next goal and repeats steps 3-6 for each successive goal until the course is complete, and (8) the player determines his final score by adding the number of points required to complete the course. The player with the lowest point total is the winner.

Abstract: A protein skimmer for removal of protein contaminates from protein contaminated water. An injector is used for spraying protein contaminated water into a mixing chamber having a water bubble chamber. The spraying motion causes bubble generation in the water bubble chamber. Contaminates in the water attach themselves to the bubbles and rise to the surface of the water as foam. A hollow foam riser is attached to the top of the mixing chamber and provides an exit pathway for the contaminated foam. As foam is generated, it rises through the foam riser and carries with it contaminates. A foam collection cup is attached to the top of the foam riser and collects the contaminated foam. Consequently, the water left behind in the mixing chamber is substantially more pure. The substantially more pure water exits the mixing chamber through a purified water exit aperture.

Abstract: An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates. The automated machine includes at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates, at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, and a microplate filling assembly disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber.

Abstract: A spectroscopic detection system and method for quantitative measurements of non-volatile residues. A sample to be analyzed is spread out on the inside surface of a cup portion of a unique detector cup. The cup portion mates with a detector portion to create an enclosed reflecting volume. A small port in the detector portion permits entrance of light which diffusely reflects multiple times from the inside surface of the enclosed reflecting volume and which is partially absorbed by the sample depending on the spectral absorption characteristics of the sample. A light detector in the detector portion detects light after multiple reflections from the surfaces of the detector and cup portions and multiple passes through the sample on the surface of the cup portion. Light detected by the light detector is spectrally analyzed to determine the spectral characteristics of the sample.

Abstract: An underarm perspiration shield that attaches to the shoulder strap of a wearer's undergarment. The elements of the present invention include an absorption pad suitable for absorbing perspiration from a wearer's armpit and two straps that are connected to opposite ends of the absorption pad. The ends of the two straps loop around the shoulder strap of the wearer's undergarment, and attach to the absorption pad through an attachment means. In a preferred embodiment the absorption pad is laminated with the side closest to the wearer's armpit being cotton and the side closest to the outer garment being PVC. Also, in the preferred embodiment, each of the ends of the two straps are attached to the absorption pad with a Velcro.RTM. hook and loop structure.

Abstract: A controller for a solar electric generator that permits the generator to produce power substantially at its maximum capacity. Power is transferred from the generator to a temporary electric storage device that is periodically partially drained of power to maintain the temporary electric storage device at a voltage corresponding to the voltage needed by the generator to provide maximum generator power. The electric power drained from the temporary storage device is used to charge conventional batteries. In a preferred embodiment, the temporary storage device is a capacitor that is part of a buck regulator operating at 50 kHz with duty factor control between 0% and 100%. This buck topology switching type regulator provides the periodic draining. In the preferred embodiment control of the duty factor of the buck regulator is utilized to limit current, to prevent battery over charging, to test for the voltage corresponding to maximum power, and to operate the solar generator at is maximum power voltage.

Abstract: Thermoelectric elements for use in a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric elements have a very large number of alternating layers of semiconductor material deposited on a very thin organic substrate. The layers of semiconductor material alternate between barrier semiconductor material and conducting semiconductor material creating quantum wells within the thin layers of conducting semiconductor material. The conducting semiconductor material is doped to create conducting properties. The substrate preferably should be very thin, a very good thermal and electrical insulator with good thermal stability and strong and flexible.

Abstract: A roadable aircraft capable of flying as well as road travel. The wings of the roadable aircraft are defined by inner and outer wing panels. The outer wing panels are folded with a fold mechanism that rotates each of the outer wing panels from a substantially horizontal extended flying position to a substantially vertical extended position and then folds each of the outer panels into a direction parallel to the travel direction defined by the fuselage. An operator controlled selectable drive mechanism allows the operator to select either the propeller or drive wheel to receive power from the engine shaft.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In preferred embodiments casters are mounted on the top of the riding surface to permit easy horizontal movement of the cart over the casters. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is flat and casters are mounted on the bottom of the overhead cart.

Abstract: A laser treatment device and process with controlled cooling. The device contains a rod with high heat conduction properties, which is transparent to the laser beam. A surface of the rod is held in contact with the tissue being treated and other surfaces of the rod are cooled by the evaporation of a cryogenic fluid. The cooling is coordinated with the application of the laser beam so as to control the temperatures of all affected layers of tissues. In a preferred embodiment useful for removal of wrinkles and spider veins, the rod is a sapphire rod. A cryogenic spray cools the walls. A first surface is in contact with the skin surface being treated and an opposite surface is contained in an anticondensation oil chamber that is optically connected to a laser beam delivering fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A stovepipe thermoelectric generator. The unit fits in a stovepipe of a coal or wood stove. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot side fin unit with fins extending into the flow of exhaust gases and a cold side fin unit with fins cooled by forced room air. A damper controls exhaust gas flow through a heat chamber, directing the exhaust gas through a generating side and a bypass side depending on a temperature indication. This prevents heat damage to the thermoelectric module. At least one fan is provided to force room air through cooling fins of the cold side fin unit An electric circuit is described for providing power for the fan and providing additional electric power for purposes such as charging a battery.

Abstract: A piezoelectric positioner. First and second piezoelectric stacks are mounted on a rigid frame. A T-lever defining a yoke and a lever arm is disposed so that the yoke overlies the piezoelectric stacks. A compression element is position so as to hold in compression both stacks in-between the frame and the yoke. A programmable voltage source is programmed to provide elongating voltages alternatingly to the first and the second stacks to cause the stacks to alternatingly expand against compressive forces produced by the compression element so as to cause the yoke to rock back and forth and to cause the T-lever arm to swing back and forth. A tool beam is flexibly connected to the T-lever arm. A tool beam restraint restrains movement of the tool beam to back and forth motion in a single direction. In a preferred embodiment a tool is mounted on the tool beam.

Abstract: An improvement to a sliding door system for a shower-bathtub installed adjacent to three walls of a bathroom. The sliding door system includes an upper track that has the following elements: (1) at least two wheel supports, (2) at least two wheel stays positioned above the two wheel supports, and (3) at least two lower bearing supports positioned at least five inches below the two wheel supports. The upper track is rigidly attached to the two short walls of the shower-bathtub and provides enough support so that the presence of a lower track is unnecessary. In a preferred embodiment, the outside wall of the bathtub and the two short shower walls comprise molded dams.

Abstract: A self-powered combustion furnace unit. A combustion furnace providing circulating hot fluid heating is equipped with a thermoelectric generator comprised of a plurality of thermoelectric modules mounted on the furnace. The heat from the combustion provides a high temperature hot side heat source for the thermoelectric modules and the fluid of the circulating hot fuid system provides the cold side heat sink for the thermoelectric modules. Electric power produced by the thermoelectric modules powers a motor driving a pump which circulates the circulating hot fluid. In a preferred embodiment low cost, high temperature thermoelectric modules are provided which comprise thermoelectric elements installed in injection molded eggcrates. The thermoelectric modules are held in close contact with the hot side heat exchanger and the cold side heat sink with a spring force such as that provided by Belville springs.

Abstract: An overhead support system. An array of spoked rimless wheels are located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported with a tension element. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the array of spoked rimless wheels carrying the load in the horizontal direction. The spoked rimless wheels rotate permitting the tension element to pass horizontally through the array of spoked rimless wheels. In preferred embodiments the spoked rimless wheel has the general shape of a star or a daisy and is referred to as a star wheel or a daisy wheel and the cart has a circular bottom surface. In preferred embodiments casters are mounted on top of the star wheels or daisy wheels to permit easy horizontal movement of the cart over the wheels. In other preferred embodiments the daisy wheels are flat on top and casters are mounted on the circular bottom of the cart.

Abstract: A testing device to test and troubleshoot APUs that is designed to be small, rugged, light weight, and easily adaptable to many different APU applications. Using a special multi-wire cable system, test and monitor circuits are imposed between the APU control panel and the ECU and also between the ECU and the LRUs. LRU electrical circuits are subjected to short electrical pulses and the resulting current flow is monitored. Defective LRUs are detected by a very low or zero current measurement indicating an open circuit or by an excess current flow indicating a short circuit. The testing device does not include standard monitoring equipment such as voltmeters and oscilloscopes which would require calibration. Instead, the APU Tester's signal selector equipment routes a selected APU signal to the APU Tester's front panel test jacks for easy monitoring of circuit resistance and signal characteristics using standard external monitoring equipment which can be separately calibrated.

Abstract: A bicycle with a torsional shock absorber comprised of a torsion spring assembly. The elements of the torsion spring assembly include: housing, a shaft positioned within the housing, a rubbery substance bonded to the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the shaft. The torsional shock absorber is mounted on the bicycle such that shock forces are converted into rotational forces tending to rotate the shaft within the housing. These rotational forces are resisted by the spring force created by the rubbery substance within the torsion spring assembly; thereby absorbing the shock forces. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear portions of the bicycle frame pivot about the pedal spindle axis. The housing of the torsion spring assembly is rigidly connected to the front portion of the bicycle frame in-between the top tube and middle brace and just in front of the seat tube. The rear portion of the bicycle frame is pivotally connected to two torsion arms rigidly connected to the shaft.

Abstract: A disconnect information and monitoring system for a dynamically positioned offshore drilling rig at an ocean surface rig location over a wellhead on the sea floor. The system includes a data processing computer, a GPS monitor, a flex joint angle monitor, a slip joint stroke position monitor, and signal equipment to feed signals from the GPS monitor, the flex joint angle monitor, and the slip joint stroke position monitor to the data processing computer. The computer is programmed with software to analyze signal data from the GPS monitor, the flex joint angle monitor and the slip joint stroke position monitor and to present the results of the analysis on the computer monitor so as to provide visual guidance to operators of the rig. In a preferred embodiment a riser top angle monitor and signal equipment for feeding signals from the riser top angle monitor to the data processing computer is also provided.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic supercharger system. The control system is specially adapted to control a supercharger system comprising: (A) an hydraulic pump; (B) a supercharger comprising: an hydraulic turbine drive and a compressor driven by said hydraulic turbine drive; (C) a main hydraulic piping means providing an hydraulic circulation loop for hydraulic fluid to flow from said pump, to drive said hydraulic turbine drive, and back to said pump; and (D) a supercharger bypass system comprising a controlled bypass valve and a piping means to permit a portion of said hydraulic fluid to bypass said supercharger turbine drive. The control system includes a bypass control valve arranged to close and partially or fully open the controlled bypass valve. The bypass control valve may be an hydraulic valve controlled by the pressure of the compressed air intake to the engine.