Abstract: A gas turbine engine. The engine is based on the use of a gas turbine driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. The supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdynamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by use of a lean pre-mix system, a pre-swirl compressor, and a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor to the combustion gas outlet. Use of a stationary low NOx combustor provides excellent emissions results.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: An illuminated necklace. The necklace has a plurality of ornamental lamp fixtures, some of which include light emitting devices therein. The light emitting devices are switched on and off in excess of 100 times per minute. The ornamental lamp fixtures may be provided in the shape of shamrocks, hearts, pumpkins, a bulbous form, or other desired shapes. The light emitting device may emit light of the same or of a different color than the ornamental lamp fixture in which it is housed.

Abstract: A gas compressor based on the use of a driven rotor having an axially oriented compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which forms a supersonic shockwave axially, between adjacent strakes. In using this method to compress inlet gas, the supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the gas compression ramp on a strake, the shock capture lip on the adjacent strake, and captures the resultant pressure within the stationary external housing while providing a diffuser downstream of the compression ramp.

Abstract: A turnbuckle head assembly. The device includes a pivot housing to which is secured a pivotable handle. An upper attachment feature is pivotably affixed to the pivotable handle. At the bottom portion of the pivot housing, an attachment feature such as a threaded nut is provided for securely accepting a tensionable member such as a threaded rod. Alignable apertures are provided in frame members of the pivoting housing and in the pivotable handle, for locking the device via pin or lock.

Abstract: A process for treatment of water via membrane separation equipment. A feedwater is maintained or adjusted to a pH of 4.3 or lower, and fed to a membrane separation system. In this manner, species such as TOC become more ionized, and (a) their rejection by the membrane separation process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Passage TOC through the membrane is significantly reduced. A recovery ratio of eighty percent (80%) or higher is achievable with most feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of the membrane separation equipment. The method is particularly useful for the preparation of high purity water.

Abstract: A gas compressor based on the use of a driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. In using this method to compress inlet gas, the supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by the use of a pre-swirl compressor, and using a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the intermediate pressure gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor back to the inlet of the pre-swirl compressor. Inlet guide vanes to the compression ramp enhance overall efficiency.

Abstract: A surface clinging robotic device. The device includes a supporting structure or base, on which is mounted (a) a lead pivoting support surface, such as a pivoting wheel, and (b) two or more traction drives, such as drive wheels. Each of the traction drives are independently driven by a separate drive motor. A plurality of vacuum cups are mounted on the bottom of the base. The vacuum cups each have a low friction foot designed for movement over a surface with minimal friction while vacuum is maintained. The low friction foot portion is provided by a generally surface direction oriented C-shaped Teflon skin. The robotic device can move over gaps or obstructions in the surface without losing vacuum in all of the vacuum cups, using a fluid limiting valve at each vacuum cup to interrupt flow in the event of loss of vacuum in that vacuum cup.

Abstract: A submersion tank for on-board brine freezing of whole or nearly whole fish, and a method for freezing fish employing such tank. One or more pivotable screen baskets are provided in tank containing refrigerated brine. The pivotable screen baskets are provided in a normal, fish receiving position immersed in refrigerated brine. Once fish are frozen, the pivotable screen baskets are pivoted upward to a fish unloading position for delivery of frozen fish for bagging and storage.

Abstract: A four-stroke engine with intake air compression chamber. The intake air compression chamber has a pressure responsive displaceable member therein to compress inlet air passively in response to differential pressure between a sealed crankcase and air in the inlet side of the inlet air compression chamber. The displaceable member is substantially impervious to air, oil, and fuel. When the piston moves away from the intake air compression chamber, decreasing pressure draws the displaceable member toward the crankcase, and the movement of the displaceable member draws into the intake side of the inlet air compression chamber through a one way inlet valve. When the piston moves toward the inlet air compression chamber, fluidwise, compressed gas in the crankcase causes increased pressure on the displaceable member, compressing the inlet air, and directing compressed inlet air out through a one-way outlet valve.

Abstract: A spring loaded tensioning device. The device includes an elongated tubular member containing a spring loaded rod which extends through a lower stop on the tubular member to an attachment feature such as a hook. At the upper end of the tubular member, a pivot housing is provided to secure a pivotable handle, as well as to provide apertures for locking the device via pin, or a padlock or similar device.

Abstract: A load indicator for a spring loaded tensioning device. The indicator comprises an o-ring displaceable along a spring loaded tensionable shaft in a turnbuckle device. When the turnbuckle is unloaded, the indicator device is placed in a known position relative to an indicating mark. When the turnbuckle is loaded, the load causes the load indicator to be displaced a known distance for a known load on the spring loaded turnbuckle. For camper tie-downs, a displacement of about one-quarter inch is desirable for a load of about 300 pounds tension.

Abstract: A support apparatus for receiving and supporting stacked tiers of bottles, particularly wine bottles. The support apparatus is (a) located below a first tier of layers of wine bottles, (b) placed between tiers of bottles, in case of multiple layers of bottles, and (c) secured above a top tier of layers of bottles, all to provide a stacked and secured arrangement of bottles that is suited for storage or transport. The support apparatus is preferably formed from a resinous plastic, polymeric material, such as PET. A multiple of the bottle supports combine to support a multiple layers of bottles in a tiered array. The bottle supports are manufactured in thin, nestable configurations, and are stored with a small, compact nested stack height.

Abstract: An illuminated necklace. The necklace has a plurality of ornamental lamp fixtures, some of which include light emitting devices therein. The light emitting devices are switched on and off in excess of 100 times per minute. The ornamental lamp fixtures may be provided in the shape of shamrocks, hearts, pumpkins, a bulbous form, or other desired shapes. The light emitting device may emit light of the same or of a different color than the ornamental lamp fixture in which it is housed.

Abstract: A sanitary spray nozzle system. The nozzle may be fixed in position, or may be mounted on an oscillating or moveable carriage for application of material to a thin film dryer. A nozzle body includes a hollow mounting chamber with an inner surface, a product supply portion, and a discharge portion with a discharge orifice. A spray nozzle assembly is removably mounted to the hollow mounting chamber. The assembly has a propellant supply tube having an outer surface, a discharge end for discharge of propellant fluid, an outer seal sealable against the inner surface of the mounting chamber, and an inner seal slidably engageable with the outer surface of the propellant supply tube, in a fluid tight manner. An actuator urges the discharge end of the spray nozzle between an end stop position wherein the discharge end is adjacent the discharge orifice, and a wide open position wherein the discharge end is spaced apart from the discharge orifice.

Abstract: A fluidized spray vessel. A vessel design is provided for recovering heat from gaseous heat streams. The vessel utilizes a semi-fluidized bed for obtaining desirable liquid/vapor contact times. A spray section is provided in which liquid is sprayed through nozzles designed to provide a mean droplet size having a terminal velocity of from about sixty percent to about ninety five percent of the superficial upward gas velocity. These spray tower design criteria enhance spray tower performance, and thus enables more efficient heat recovery to be practiced, particularly in systems where relatively low grade heat sources are encountered.

Abstract: A surface clinging robotic device. The device includes a supporting structure or base, on which is mounted (a) a lead pivoting support surface, such as a pivoting wheel, and (b) two or more traction drives, such as drive wheels. Each of the traction drives are independently driven by a separate drive motor. A plurality of vacuum cups are mounted on the bottom of the base. The vacuum cups each have a low friction foot designed for movement over a surface with minimal friction while vacuum is maintained. The low friction foot portion is provided by a generally surface direction oriented C-shaped Teflon skin. The robotic device can move over gaps or obstructions in the surface without losing vacuum in all of the vacuum cups, using a fluid limiting valve at each vacuum cup to interrupt flow in the event of loss of vacuum in that vacuum cup.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward, releasing at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A method for cold working metal structures. A compound indenter is used to produce deformation in a workpiece, to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile, to provide improved fatigue life structures with minimal manufacturing steps. A compound indenter deforms a workpiece, resulting in dimples therein. A relatively uniform beneficial residual stress profile is provided at the surface and at the midplane of apertures in a workpiece, so as to improve overall fatigue life. A compound indenter tool having a first, elongate indenter with a shaped indenter surface portion, and a second shaped indenter surrounding the first indenter and forming an annular shoulder recessed from the surface portion of the first indenter, is used. Optionally, a foot having a bottom portion is used to confiningly surround an indenter during application of deforming force to the surface of a workpiece, to prevent deformation of adjacent workpiece surface.