Abstract: An apparatus has a heat engine and a power output member drivenly connected to the piston of the heat engine and having an output for supplying work. The displacer is driven by an adjustable drive member. An adjustable signal generator is provided for modulating a signal which is sent to the adjustable drive to adjust the cycle profile of the displacer. The phase angle, the dwell time of the displacer at one or both ends of its cycle and/or the velocity of the displacer is thus adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus has a heat engine and a power output member drivenly connected to the piston of the heat engine and having an output for supplying work. A feedback member responsive to power demand from the apparatus by a load is provided to modulate the amount of heat provided by the heat source to the working fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; and, at leat one plurality of spaced apart members, each member rotatably mounted in the housing and having a pair of opposed surfaces to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the spaced apart members, the surface area of the opposed surfaces varying between at least some of the immediately adjacent spaced apart members.

Abstract: A water dispenser has an apparatus for removing water from the air and an apparatus for treating the water to provide a consumer with potable water.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head has a casing having a dirty air inlet and a brush mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet. The brush is pivotally mounted to the casing by a pivot member at a position forward of the brush. The pivot member transmits force generated by the rotation of the brush to the casing thereby reducing the required offsetting upward biasing force and permitting effective floating of brush in the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A turbine comprising a first housing having a first shaft rotatably mounted in the housing; a plurality of first spaced apart discs having an outer diameter and mounted on the first shaft and rotatable therewith, each first disc having a radial inner end defining an inner opening, a radial outer end and a pair of opposed surfaces extending therebetween; a second housing having a second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing; and, a plurality of second spaced apart discs having an outer diameter and mounted on the second shaft and rotatable therewith, each second disc having a radial inner end defining an inner opening, a radial outer end and a pair of opposed surfaces extending therebetween, the outer diameter of at least some of the first spaced apart discs is less than the outer diameter of at least some of the second spaced apart discs.

Abstract: A method for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream has subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to a second cyclonic separation stage and an electronic filtration stage to obtain the clean air stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the degree of treatment of a material by a reactive fluid is monitored by reacting the unreacted fluid to produce a signal, eg. heat, and measuring the signal so produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing cooling has a heat engine in which the cycle profile of at least one of the displacer and the piston is variable for to provide efficient cooling at various temperature differences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pressure swing adsorption process is disclosed that may utilize only a single adsorption stage yet still produce a continuous stream of a concentrated fluid. A portion of the enriched fluid produced during the adsorption cycle in an adsorption chamber is used to purge the adsorption chamber.

Abstract: A mobile work station has a generally compact configuration in the closed position. When opened, it has a lower drawer for access to stored material and may function as a filing cabinet and an upper work surface which may be used in a similar manner to the top surface of a desk.

Abstract: A clutch for altering the direction of a drive unit of a transportation device between a first direction of travel and a second direction of travel, the drive unit having at least one drive wheel connected to a shaft, the shaft being rotatably mounted with respect to the transportation device between at least a first position, corresponding to the first direction of travel, and a second position, corresponding to the second direction of travel, the clutch comprises a housing to receive a portion of the shaft, a lock having a first preset locked position corresponding to the first direction of travel and a second preset locked position corresponding to the second direction of travel and, a connecting member connected to the shaft and the lock for alternately locking the shaft in one of the directions of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ozone from oxygen comprises a high voltage electrode connectable to a current source; a ground electrode spaced from the high voltage electrode and having an upstream end and a downstream end; a dielectric element positioned between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode; a path for air flow positioned between the dielectric element and the ground electrode; and, a current collector positioned downstream of the high voltage electrode and comprising an extension of the ground electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port; a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members and to separate the fluid into at least two fluid streams; and, a fluid outlet port positioned on the housing for receiving each fluid stream.

Abstract: A base for receiving a seat has a longitudinally extending chassis having a front end, a rear end, a central portion positioned therebetween and opposed sides extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends; at least one drive wheel mounted below the central portion; a plurality of rotatably mounted wheels positioned around the chassis and mounted at a fixed distance below the chassis; and a biasing member associated with the at least one drive wheel to bias the at least one drive wheel to engage the surface on which the base is situated and reduce the weight supported by the rotatably mounted wheels whereby the rotatably mounted wheels support sufficient weight of the base and the unoccupied seat to define a stable platform.