Abstract: An environmental enclosure for nail technicians. The environmental enclosure includes a sec-through box constructed of acrylic plastic or other suitable optical quality material. An interior fan sweeps air into the enclosure and ejects contaminated air, including vapors and dusts, from the enclosure, to a suitable discharge point, via gas tight ductwork. A see-through sloping top is oriented downward toward the nail technician to eliminate glare and to assure that good optics are attained when viewing nails though the top of the enclosure. A preferably solid insert panel which includes hand passageways is detachably affixable to the front, for further restricting air-flow during desired operations. A plastic see-through air curtain is also detachably affixible to the front, for further restricting the flow of noxious gases and dusts. Additionally, a similar plastic see-through air curtain may be provided on the rear of the enclosure, to prevent noxious gases and dusts from escaping toward the client.

Abstract: A refrigerant mixture. The mixture of propane and butane may be advantageously used as a substitute for R-12, thus eliminating the use of ozone depleting R-12 refrigerant. Ideally, the mixture is comprised of approximately 50% propane and 50% butane by liquid volume. Alternately, the mixture may contain up to about 75% of either propane or butane. A refrigeration process utilizing the mixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ramjet engine power generator. Supersonic ramjets are provided at the distal ends of a low aerodynamic drag rotor. The rotor is affixed at a central hub to a shaft, and rotates about an axis defined by the shaft. The rotor acts as a structural member which transmits to the shaft the thrust generated by the ramjets. In the preferred embodiment, a partially shrouded ramjet inlet captures and compresses an impinging inlet air stream by utilizing inlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall. The compressed air inlet stream provides oxygen for mixing with a fuel, such as natural gas, other suitable hydrocarbons, or hydrogen, which is supplied to the novel, preferably replaceable ramjet combustion chamber(s). Fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber(s) to produce expanding combustion gases. Such gases escape out through a partially shrouded nozzle, acting against three outlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall, rotating the ramjet at supersonic velocities, and producing shaft energy.

Abstract: A support for receiving and supporting stacked tiers of cylindrical roll stock is provided. The support can be either located on the base tier of the rolls, folded between tiers, or placed on the top tier, all to provide a rectangular stacked arrangement of the roll stock that is especially suited for storage or transport. The roll support includes a support body that is preferably formed from a resinous plastic, polymeric material, such as PET that includes a plurality of curved cradles and each curved cradle is sized for receiving a roll of cylindrical stock. A multiple of the support bodies combine to support a multiple of the rolls of cylindrical stock in a tiered array. Each support body can substantially support the weight of each roll of cylindrical stock received within its curved cradles. The weight of the support body is less than the supported weight of the roll of cylindrical stock.

Abstract: A covered beverage container with an internal baffle which forces aroma laden vapor between the lid and the beverage in the container out openings in the lid when the container is tipped from the level position to the drinking position, thereby allowing the user to more fully enjoy the aroma of the beverage.

Abstract: A method of generating power. Ramjet structural components to provide inlet compression, a combustion chamber, and an outlet nozzle are provided at one or more circumferentially spaced locations along the periphery of a low aerodynamic drag rotor. Ramjet compression occurs by impingment of an inlet air stream between a rotating inlet structure and an adjacent stationary wall. The compressed air inlet stream provides oxygen for mixing with a fuel, such as natural gas, other suitable hydrocarbons, or hydrogen, which is supplied to the ramjet combustion chamber(s). Fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber(s) to produce expanding combustion gases. Such gases escape out through a nozzle formed between a rotating outlet structure and a stationary wall. The ramjet operates at supersonic velocities, and preferably in excess of Mach 2.0, to produce shaft energy. The rotor rotates about an axis defined by an output shaft.

Abstract: A fluid diaphragm valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphragm chamber is provided in the primary valve which is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphragm valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphragm valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphragm in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphragm, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve.

Abstract: A modular power plant apparatus, and method of power plant assembly. An inlet air module is provided on feet which are mounted on self centering rugged linear roller guides which are linearly displaceable along a track. When the fuel-air mixing module is retracted along the roller track, the main engine housing is pivoted on an engine stand, to position the output shaft upward. An exhaust bearing plate is removable from the main rotor housing, to allow the rotating element to be removed. When exposed, hot section elements can be inspected, repaired, and replaced.

Abstract: Fuel air mixing apparatus, and a method for design and operation of fuel-air mixing apparatus. An axial inlet air fan provides inlet air to an annular passageway having therein fuel supply structures through which fuel such as low pressure natural gas is injected. Vortex generators on the fuel supply structures create vortices to mix the inlet air with the injected fuel. Mixing is provided according to a pre-selected formula to control the ratio of transverse momentum to axial momentum, to thoroughly mix the fuel and the air, so as to provide a uniformly mixed inlet gas stream. This stream is fed to an unshrouded ramjet inlet which captures and compresses the mixed inlet gas stream by utilizing inlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall structure. Fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber(s) to produce expanding combustion gases.

Abstract: A waste collection device has a first, elongated strut, with a waste collection container support having a forward opening mouth removeably attached at a shoe assembly to the distal end of the first strut. A handle assembly is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the first strut. A second strut having a rake at the distal end thereof is pivotally attached to the handle assembly. A disposable bag is detachably mounted at exterior periphery of the mouth and extending rearward through the throat of the waste collection container support. The rake is mounted lengthwise and laterally in a manner so that the rake interfaces with the forward opening mouth so as to be in a position to effectively urge solid waste toward the mouth and thence into the disposable bag, when the rake and container are placed on opposing sides of solid waste lying on a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A retractable camper tie-down. The tie down is provided for mounting a load such as a camper to pre-existing mounting structure on a motor vehicle frame. The tie-down includes a retractable base portion, an adjustable tension member, and a shock absorbing cushioning member. The tie-down requires no drilling, cutting, welding or other custom mounting structure for installation on most vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for generation of mechanical and electrical power. Ramjet type thrust modules (102a, 102b) operate at supersonic speeds (preferably Mach 3 to 4) at the distal or tip ends (116a, 116b) of a low aerodynamic drag rotor (106). Rotor (106) is affixed at a hub means (114) to a power output means including central rotating upper (104a) and lower (104b) shaft portions. Rotor (106) is a structural member which transmits the thrust generated by the thrust modules (102a, 102b) to the shaft portions (104a, 104b). The ramjet thrust modules (102a, 102b) capture and compress a supplied free air stream, which is mixed with and oxidizes a convenient liquid or gaseous fuel such as natural gas from fuel supply means (103). Combustion gases expand to create thrust to rotate the thrust modules (102a, 102b), which are constrained by the rotor (106), to rotates about the axis defined by the shaft (104a, 104b) at supersonic thrust module velocities, producing shaft energy.

Abstract: A process for the production of precipitated calcium carbonate. A slurry of calcium hydroxide is agitated in a pressurized reactor, and carbon dioxide is provided under pressure to the reactor to produce precipitated calcium carbonate at a high reaction rate. Carbon dioxide is utilized at a high efficiency. Solubilized calcium ions and carbonate ions react to produce a calcium carbonate precipitate. Control of process conditions such as temperature, slurry concentration, and pressure, enables production of a desired crystal habit (including sclenohedral, rhombohedral, stacked rombohedral, or aragonite crystal structures), crystal size, or crystal aspect ratio. The precipitated calcium carbonate produced by the process under pressure is useful as either a paper filler or as an ingredient in paper coatings, and provides a paper product with improved preselected properties, which properties include opacity, density, and/or brightness.

Abstract: Deformable foam toys and puzzles. Novel resilient foam puzzles can be removed from puzzle form and converted into a three dimensional objects, such as toy foam animals. The objects preferably include interchangeable parts, and more preferably include articulating appendages which are interchangeably attachable to a body portion at pivot structures that are affixed to, or which extend thru, the body portions. Preferably, pivot structures are formed by resilient foam pivot pins having deformable retaining caps at opposing ends thereof, which, in the case of foam animals, serve to retain articulating limbs. Alternately, a hex-shaped socket aperture defined by a wall edge portion is provided as a joint socket in one or more of the limbs, and a parallepiped, and preferably an elongated rectangular shoulder pin or hip pin is provided for displaceable frictional engagement with the hex shaped socket to articulate the limbs to desired positions.

Abstract: A ramjet engine power generator. Supersonic ramjets are provided at the distal ends of a low aerodynamic drag rotor. The rotor is affixed at a central hub to a shaft, and rotates about an axis defined by the shaft. The rotor acts as a structural member which transmits to the shaft the thrust generated by the ramjets. In the preferred embodiment, a partially shrouded ramjet inlet captures and compresses an impinging inlet air stream by utilizing inlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall. The compressed air inlet stream provides oxygen for mixing with a fuel, such as natural gas, other suitable hydrocarbons, or hydrogen, which is supplied to the novel, preferably replaceable ramjet combustion chamber(s). Fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber(s) to produce expanding combustion gases. Such gases escape out through a partially shrouded nozzle, acting against three outlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall, rotating the ramjet at supersonic velocities, and producing shaft energy.

Abstract: Metal coldworking tooling and a method of employing such tooling. The tooling is used to produce deformation in a workpiece, preferably via use of stress waves, to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile in the workpiece, in order to provide high fatigue life structures in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Preferably, action of an indenter causes propagation of stress waves to coldwork a workpiece, causing dimples in the workpiece. Preferably, the dimples are provided with a shape formed by application of a uniform pressure profile to the workpiece surface. By optimized use of the method, a relatively uniform beneficial residual stress profile is provided at both the surface and at the midplane apertures in a workpiece, so as to improve overall fatigue life. An improved indenter tool profile shape is described, having a smoothly curved indenter surface portion.

Abstract: A method of generating power. Ramjet structural components to provide inlet compression, a combustion chamber, and an outlet nozzle are provided at one or more circumferentially spaced locations along the periphery of a low aerodynamic drag rotor. Ramjet compression occurs by impingment of an inlet air stream between a rotating inlet structure and an adjacent stationary wall. The compressed air inlet stream provides oxygen for mixing with a fuel, such as natural gas, other suitable hydrocarbons, or hydrogen, which is supplied to the ramjet combustion chamber(s). Fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber(s) to produce expanding combustion gases. Such gases escape out through a nozzle formed between a rotating outlet structure and a stationary wall. The ramjet operates at supersonic velocities, and preferably in excess of Mach 2.0, to produce shaft energy. The rotor rotates about an axis defined by an output shaft.

Abstract: A scrubber for removal of contaminants from gas by liquid contact. The scrubber has a gas and liquid tight containment walls, to contain a gas stream through the scrubber, and to allow recirculation of scrubbing liquid, without the need for external power. A plurality of preferably annular, downwardly extending underflow weirs arc provided to define therebetween a series of gas compartments. Preferably annular, upwardly extending overflow baffles are provided between adjacent underflow weirs, and liquid compartments are defined between the inner surface of an outer wall and the first overflow baffle, and between successive overflow baffles, if present. A charge of scrubbing liquid is provided, and gas is directed into the scrubber through an inlet nozzle, under the first underflow weir, over the first overflow baffle, and thence under the next underflow weir.