Abstract: A filter medium for strainers used in the emergency sump of a nuclear power plant ECCS. The filter medium is employed with double wall, concentric tube type strainer modules. The filter medium is preferably constructed of a woven or knitted stainless steel wire material and is shaped in a cylinder so that it can be inserted between two concentric strainer walls, concentric tube type strainer in such a manner that water that passes through the strainer must pass through and be filtered by the filter medium before the water can be pumped to the reactor core. The filter medium is inserted through the bottom of the strainer module and is held in place by an x-shaped retainer. The filter creates varied approach velocity of the fluid and results in non-uniform fibrous debris accumulation on the strainer, insuring acceptable strainer debris hydraulic head loss.

Abstract: A fast opening, stand alone pressure relief valve (200) for providing pressure relief for a vessel in which the valve (200) is installed. The valve has an ejector (216) and a sleeve structure (210) in which the ejector (216) moves. The ejector (216) is constructed of a material that will expand outward slightly upon pressurization to increase friction between staging glands (202) provided on the sleeve structure (210) and buckling glands (206) provided on the ejector (216). Also, as pressure on the ejector (216) increases, the buckling rings (206) deform slightly allowing them to release their grip on the staging glands (202) and move past them. Once the buckling rings (206) move past the staging glands (202), the pressurized ejector (216) quickly moves to its open position, i.e. opening within 2 and 3 milliseconds, thereby releasing the pressure on the vessel.

Abstract: A pet door employing a pair of flaps secured to a frame installed in an opening in a door or wall. Each flap is hinged at the top to the frame so that the flap opens away from the frame. An outwardly angled flange extends around both sides and the bottom of each flap. The flange allows a pet to nuzzle open the flap located on the side of the frame from which the pet is approaching. Once the pet has opened the first flap, the pet opens the opposite second flap by pushing against it. The angled flanges prevent a pet from being trapped between a flap and the frame of the pet door. Optionally, weights may be provided on the flaps to aid in closing the flaps, and the frame may be provided with a gasket to further seal the flaps with the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that installs in-line in the fuel supply line of a gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas powered vehicle. The device consists of a hollow cylinder that contains a tightly packed copper wire core. The copper wire serves as a catalyst to crack the fuel's carbon chain molecules as the fuel flows through the device. The resulting fuel contains more and shorter fuel molecules, has a higher vapor pressure and burns more efficiently in the vehicle's engine.

Abstract: An inexpensive method for quickly and safely sealing illicit taps in a pipe, such as for example a pipe through which a combustible material like oil or gasoline is flowing. The method first seals the valve outlet of the illicit tap with epoxy and removes the valve handle from the valve. Finally the entire tap including the valve and surrounding pipe area is wrapped with an epoxy impregnated material such as fiberglass or carbon composite fabric.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle step that attaches to the vehicle's frame or body via a downward facing c-channel that extends longitudinally along the lower edge of the side of the vehicle. One or more step assemblies can be attached to the c-channel so that the step assemblies extend outward and downward from under the vehicle. The step assemblies are attachable along the length of the c-channel, making the step assemblies adjustable longitudinally relative to the vehicle so that they can be positioned below the doors of the vehicle. The supporting c-channel is hidden from view by a decorative side bar that attaches to the exposed side of the c-channel making the step assemblies appear to be supported by the decorative side bar. The step assemblies used with the step can be made of various lengths and heights.

Abstract: A universal power plug adapter for supplying power to an electrical device. The adaptor is comprised of two intermediate electrical connectors attached together by magnetic force. One connector attaches to an electrical power supply, and another contains a plug compatible with the receptacle on one or more electrically powered devices. An optional specially designed extension cord can be inserted between the two connectors. The extension cord has ends that are identical to the two mating ends of the two connectors so that the extension cord can insert therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product and method for simultaneously conditioning hair, scalp, hands and fingernails with that product. The ingredients of the product are quinine, orris root, methyl sulfonyl-methane, olive oil, coconut oil, bergamot oil, cinnamon oil, full or Virginia Island bay rum, camphor oil, and optionally panothenic acid mixed together in a petroleum jelly base. Other ingredients can also be added to the product. The product is applied by hand to treat primarily the hair and scalp to which it is applied and secondarily treats the skin and fingernails of the hands of the user when it is applied.

Abstract: A particulate deflagration combustion engine for burning particulate fuel and method. Fine fuel particles are fed to a mixing box by a pre-measured auger system where the fuel is mixed with dried, compressed combustion air in a desire fuel to air ratio. The fuel mixture enters a combustion cylinder where it is ignited by a pair of spark plugs located approximately 120 degrees apart in the walls of the cylinder. The hot combustion gases leave the cylinder and are vented through an exhaust stack. The exhaust stack is connected to air driers supplying dry combustion air to the engine, thereby pulling a vacuum on the air driers and removing moisture from the air driers. A control panel receives input from dew point monitors, oxygen sensors, and infrared sensors provided in the engine to control the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A freestanding fence constructed of square tubing and a few connectors. The fence is supported on footed x-shaped posts that sit on top of the ground. A horizontal member extends between adjacent x-shaped posts and a footed vertical support member is provided on each horizontal member approximately midway between the adjacent x-shaped posts. Several fence wires extend horizontally and connect to adjacent x-shaped posts along the length of the fence via electrical insulators and non-conductive fasteners so that the fence can be electrified. The horizontal members attach to the posts by means of couplings that allow for both vertical and horizontal adjustment. The fence is constructed of easily transported and assembled pieces that can be disassembled, moved, and then reassembled as often as needed.

Abstract: A hand operated air pump apparatus comprising an internal bellows in communication with an outer bellows wherein variable force on air pump forces compressed air through a discharge valve into a annulus between a bottle and a flexible bladder wherein said pump is attached upon a container or bottle like vessel wherein pumping action forces from bottle highly viscous substances, that may contain solid or abrasive particles, through a discharge spout without internal substance being contaminated by air or other environmental factors thus allowing for an improved method of removing all contents within a container with greater ease.

Abstract: A baby crib bumper pad formed from abutting tightly padded segments. Each segment provided with pairs of cooperating vertical flaps that extend around balusters of the baby crib and are tied together on the outside of the crib via short tie fasteners provided on the vertical flaps to secure the segments to the crib. A lower border on each segment is a continuously repeating series of u-shaped crescents that touch each other so that longer portions of the crescents rest on and support the segments above the crib mattress and shorter portions of the crescents form lower openings with the crib mattress. The lower openings permit air to flow between the inside and outside of the crib, thereby preventing the baby from being strangled or suffocated by the pad and helping to prevent SIDS.

Abstract: A method of simulating a traditional craps game experience using a specially designed deck of thirty six (36) playing cards to determine play rather than rolling dice. The deck of playing cards includes one card for each possible roll combination of a pair of dice. The deck is shuffled so that the cards are drawn at random to simulate a player rolling dice. The stickman activates the shuffler to draw a card from the shuffled deck. A bar code on the drawn card is read into a computer via a scanner and the computer then provides a visual representation of a dice roll on the monitors provided on either end of the craps table with the visualization showing the dice landing on the roll combination dictated by the drawn card. The display is activated when the shooter rolls the trackball mouse.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas buoyancy experiment device that can demonstrate how the buoyancy force acts against the force of gravity and how an object's buoyancy in a fluid can be manipulated by altering the object's density. The device demonstrates how the buoyancy force works in practice by submerging bundles of hydrophobic fingers capable of collecting gas into a gas releasing liquid such as soda. As the finger bundles collect gas bubbles released by the liquid, the volume of the submerged finger bundles increases, thereby increasing their buoyancy and causing the finger bundles to ascend and float in the liquid. The finger bundles can be pushed back down in the liquid, but will rise again due to the increased buoyancy imparted by the gas bubbles that adhere to the finger bundles.

Abstract: A method for determining absolute density of a slurry that typically contains entrained air, such as cement slurry, in a continuous mixing operation such those used in cementing a gas or oil well. The method obtains density measurements of a slurry at two different pressures and then uses the two density measurements and the two pressure measurements to compute absolute density of the slurry employing the following formula at isothermal conditions: Dabs=D1/(1?((D1/D2?1)/(P1/P2?1))), where Dabs=absolute density, D1=first density, D2=second density, P1=absolute pressure at which the first density was measured, and P2=absolute pressure at which the second density was measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular propane gas log burner for use in fireplaces that were originally designed as wood burning fireplaces. The present burner is designed for clean burning of propane fuel and is modular so that more than one burner can be used in combination in order to create a burner configuration for wider single-sided gas log sets, for deeper single-sided gas log sets, and for two-sided or see-through gas log sets. The burner is provided with means for adjusting the fuel-to-air ratio and for adjusting the position of the flames to allow the user to achieve realistic and clean burning flames.

Abstract: A more efficient heat exchanger with walls of heat exchanger coils oriented at compound angles with respect to its associated heat exchanger fan. The bottom edge of each heat exchanger coil wall is oriented at an angle of between approximately 35 and 85 degrees to the fan, and each heat exchanger coil is tilted inward at an angle of between approximately 35 and 85 degrees relative to a plane connecting the two bottom edges of the heat exchanger coil wall. One or multiple coils can be provided in each heat exchanger coil wall and an optional top heat exchanger coil can be added to the top of the heat exchanger. The front of the heat exchanger, which is normally pointed for forced draft units, is replaced with a triangular shaped plate and a modified trapezoidal shaped base for induced draft units.