Abstract: A thermoelectric reformer unit-for dissociating fossil-based hydrocarbons, renewable hydrocarbons or hydrogen-containing inorganic compounds to produce hydrogen in a reactor using thermoelectric technology with thermoelectric materials to achieve very high conversion efficiencies. Thermoelectric reforming occurs in a reactor core containing a number of energy sources. These energy sources generate extremely high temperature heat that reacts with the fuels in its local surrounding areas. Since the heat is locally generated, it will not penetrate far within the reactor core that is surrounded by walls that act as a casing for the reformer. Synthetic gas produced in the reformer can be fed into internal combustion engines certain, types of fuel cells, or other energy conversion equipment without or with only limited levels of purification. Ancillary components are needed to produce high-purity hydrogen fuel for other types of fuel cells.

Abstract: A bearing isolator seal is used to seal the space between the housing and the rotating shaft to prevent contaminants such as abrasive particles, moisture, and corrosive media from entering the bearing. The preferred embodiment consists of a stationary retainer ring with a groove for an O-ring adjacent to a bearing housing, a rotating mating ring with a groove for a second O-ring adjacent to a rotating shaft, and a floating ring made of a material with a low coefficient of friction and a low elastic modulus. The cross-section of the floating ring can be Z-shaped, U-shaped, or V-shaped. A C-shaped locking ring is used as an aid to assemble the aforementioned seal components into a module and is subsequently removed after the seal is installed. Contaminants are stopped at both ends of the floating ring as well as at the O-rings by their spring action. The seal is also designed to release pressure built up in the bearing lubricating system.

Abstract: This invention improves and integrates a pressure control device (Pressure control device or PCD) into a new and efficient air removal system of a power plant condenser to dramatically improve condenser efficiency by reducing back pressure. The major improvements in the PCD of this invention are summarized below: First, the invention of a condenser steam-air mixture exhaust simulator for production of steam-air mixture at low pressure typical of operating conditions of power plant condensers makes it possible to study condensation mass and heat transfer data and to learn operating procedures for this Novel Pressure Control System (PCS) Technology for optimum reduction of air inventory in a condenser. With these data and procedures, the design and performance of a PCD can be greatly improved. Second, the development of an orifice plate to replace spray nozzles in a PCD greatly enhances the efficiency of the PCD.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing hair accessories having a cylinder with a plurality of compartments formed by the cylinder and elongated, curved elements attached to the cylinder. The curved element extend beyond the bottom of the cylinder and sit on a base with a short vertical wall with a release slot in it. The cylinder contains a shaft with blades attached to it. The blades fit within the interstices of the compartments. When the shaft is rotated, the blades force the cylinder to rotate. When the shaft is rotated such that a compartment containing items aligns with the release slot in the wall of the base, an item will be dispensed through the release slot in the wall. The device may also have a carrying handle, lock ears for holding the lid and shaft together, and a screw for holding the shaft and base together.

Abstract: A portable beverage cooler contained in a box with tracks that accept rails attached to panels with decorative automobile designs. Panels with the design of one automobile mobile can readily be replaced by panels with the design of another model. Attached the box axles with wheels so that the beverage cooler can readily be moved from place to place.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen for direct use as a fuel or for input to a fuel cell from dissociating H2O in a plasma reformer with hydrocarbon fuel acting as an initiator. The molar ratio of water to hydrocarbon fuel in the input mixture for reactions, and therefore the production of hydrogen from water, increases with the carbon number of the hydrocarbon fuel. Steps in the process include: mixing and vaporizing an H2O and hydrocarbon fuel mixture in an atomization/evaporation chamber, further heating the mixture in a rotating-flow buffer chamber, dissociating H2O and hydrocarbon fuel in a plasma reformer, converting carbon monoxide and H2O to hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a water shift reactor and optionally conditioning the reformate stream by removing carbon dioxide and by purifying hydrogen.

Abstract: A yo-yo with an axle having two side-by-side bearings constituting a double bearing that enhances yo-yo performance characteristics by improving balance and reducing unwanted effects such as wobble, tilting, twisting, vibration, and string friction. Each bearing having an outer ring, an inner ring, and an array of balls trapped in tracks between the two rings. The outer rings of the bearings may be beveled to form a groove to enhance stability and centering of a string. Alternatively, the bearings may be covered with a bridge that has a straight outer surface or has an outer surface with a groove that could take several shapes. The bridge may have an internal ridge that acts as a centering mechanism for the bearing and bridge assembly. The inner and outer rings of the bearings may be independent or shared, and the rings of one bearing may overlap the rings of the other bearing. The inner rings of the bearings may be extended outward to provide spacing between bearing parts and yo-yo side walls.

Abstract: A reciprocating exercise apparatus with a tube that has a slidable weight. The sliding action of the weight is damped by coil springs. To increase the types of exercises that can be performed with the apparatus there is a pair of stationary handles at the ends of the tube and a pair of handles that slide along the length of tube. The slidable handles are seated on sleeves with a swaged end. This configuration allows for exercises where the weight reciprocates alternately compressing one spring or the other and that can be performed with one hand or two. Auxiliary weights can be attached so a single unit is suitable for users with varying degrees of strength.

Abstract: A plasma reformer for the chemical reforming of gaseous mixtures of water and hydrocarbon fuels for producing hydrogen. The reformer contains a reaction chamber with outer lateral walls containing emitter electrodes and inner lateral walls containing collector electrodes. The emitter electrodes and collector electrodes form an electric circuit. There are a multiplicity of thin needle-like extrusions on the emitter electrode from which a profusion of high energy electrons are emitted. These high-energy electrons dissociate the hydrocarbon fuel through absorption and ionization emitting low energy electrons in the process. These low energy electrons cause dissociation of water. Thus, dissociation of hydrocarbon fuel acts to initiate dissociation of water. The molar ratio of water to hydrocarbon fuel in the input mixture for reactions, and therefor the production of hydrogen from water, increases with carbon number of the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A C-gun type caulk gun capable of accepting disposable caulk tubes having different outside diameters within a similar caulk tube body length.

Abstract: A device for holding the plugs of power tool cords and extension cords in electric contact having a C-shaped collar on each end of a rigid rod. Attached to each collar is a flexible band with complementary strip of separable adhesive material. When power tool cords and extension cords are plugged together and when the cords are placed in the collars, the collars abut the plugs. Wrapping the bands around their respective collars and pressing the adhesive strips together secures the cords in the collars. If a cord is jerked, the plugs will not lose electric contact, rather, the plugs will remain in contact and will move as a unit with this retention device.

Abstract: A yo-yo wherein each half body has three essential elements: a axle/hub assembly, a rim, and an interior space containing flexible, compressible material, such as an elastomer or a bladder filled with gas, liquid, or gel. The axle/hub assembly and the rim contain the flexible, compressible material but are not rigidly in contact with each other. In this way a shock to the rim and vibrations to the string are suppressed and dampened by the flexible, compressible material. For greater flexibility and shock damping, there could be cavities (grooves or holes) in the elastomer material or for greater lateral stability, the rim could overlap the gaps between it and the axle/hub assembly. There could also be containment/alignment walls extending into the flexible, compressible material or O-rings in gaps between the rim and the axle/hub assembly.

Abstract: A holder for a nail polish bottle that allows the bottle to be tipped at any angle wanted by the user and that allows viewing of an applicator extracting polish from the bottle. It has a fixed post attached to a base that stabilizes the holder against unwanted motion during use. There is a pivoting post also. The top of the fixed post and the bottom of the pivoting post form a ball and socket joint that allows the pivoting post to tilt at any angle wanted by a user. The pivoting post is attached to a spring-loaded clip. The clip contains arms with non-slip inner surfaces. The arms have an arcuate hollow elliptical oval shape that allows the user to view the transferring of polish to the applicator so that a proper amount is transferred. The clip is opened by pressing its lever portions together to stress the spring. When the pressure on the lever portions ceases, the arcuate arms close to hold the bottle securely.

Abstract: An opaque frame that can be placed in front of a user's eyes like a pair of glasses for 3-D viewing. The frame has two rectangular apertures. These apertures are spaced to be in directly in front of the user's eyes. One aperture is empty; the other opening has plural vertical strips, preferably two, made of polyester film. Between the outer edge of the aperture and the outermost vertical strip is diffractive optical material. The surface of the strips facing away from the person's face might be painted black. Images from a television set or a movie screen appear three dimensional when viewed through the frame with both eyes open.

Abstract: Apparatus for puncturing an aerosol can's valve, draining its contents through the puncture, and for drawing any remaining contents from the can should there be insufficient pressure in the can for it to be fully evacuated when punctured. When the valve is replaced, the can is reusable. The puncturing apparatus has a stationary compartmented piercing tube and a housing that is free to move up and down relative to the piercing tube. The housing is spring-loaded to offer resistance to movement so that a seal is achieved between the housing and the can before the piercing tube makes contact with the can, and to return the housing to its rest position after each piercing cycle. An air cylinder is used to apply pressure to the bottom of the aerosol can so that it will move downward to engage the piercing tube and release its contents into a first compartment.