Abstract: The water rocket engine with a two-phase nozzle includes a water rocket propulsion system having a reservoir, and a nozzle assembly disposed along a central longitudinal axis therein, the nozzle assembly comprising an inverted cup shaped fluid capture vessel having a substantially concave sidewall and extending away from an elongated tube. Open lower portion of the fluid capture vessel forms a fluid inlet. The elongated tube has a concave shaped side wall that forms a nozzle gas inlet at an upper portion of the tube, a nozzle outlet at a lower portion of the tube, and a passageway disposed between the tube upper portion and the tube lower portion. Within the confines of the capture vessel, fluid injection holes are disposed in the tube sidewall to provide fluid intake into the nozzle passageway where fluid and gas combine to form a two phase propellant.

Abstract: The wave-based power generation system has a buoy or float retained by a cable that enters an underwater power generating station. The cable enters the station housing through an inverted U-tube having upturned inlet and outlet ports, which prevent water from entering the housing. The buoy cable passes over an inlet pulley assembly disposed within the U-tube and has its free end secured to a take-up reel or sheave. A driver pulley is mounted on a shaft coaxial with the take-up reel shaft, and is constrained to unidirectional rotation. Rotation of the driver pulley is coupled to a mainspring pulley and a timing pulley through an idler pulley. A mainspring is compressed by rotation of the mainspring pulley until a cam wheel coaxial with the timing wheel releases a brake, causing the mainspring to expand and rotate a generator shaft to produce electricity.

Abstract: The wideband programmable phase shifting circuitry includes a charge pump, a comparator, and a voltage reference generator block. An input signal controls the charge pump which charges and discharges a capacitor connected to an output of the charge pump. The comparator continuously compares the voltage across the capacitor with a reference voltage, ratio of VREF, which is generated by the voltage reference generator block. The voltage VREF is generated to compensate for power supply and integration process variations. The voltage reference generator is comprised of a charge pump unit, a frequency divider unit, switches, and two capacitors. The adjusted VREF ratio controls the comparator threshold level and hence a programmable phase difference between the input signal of the charge pump and the output signal of the comparator.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antitheft security alarm system and method for manhole covers, rainwater drains, and the like, to prevent burglary of the cover by transmitting a wireless alarm signal to a remote station when the cap is removed to notify a dispatch center or other notification message recipient of the burglary incident and location. The security apparatus may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The security alarm system apparatus is adapted to fit within a manhole cavity without the need for extensive or alteration of existing manhole structures.

Abstract: The internally threaded connector device (10a) is a thin-walled, internally threaded tube. A relatively short portion of the device includes a polygonal wrench gripping flange area. The device (10a) is installed on an existing short length of externally threaded stud (BS). Another length of externally threaded stud (12) is installed in the internally threaded connector (10a) so that the second externally threaded stud (12) extends beyond the face of a secured component, such as a flange (F). In an exemplary embodiment, a conventional nut (N) or the like is installed on the end of the second externally threaded stud (12) to secure a flange (F) and associated gasket (G) and pipe (P) to a manifold assembly (M).

Abstract: The method and apparatus for a submersible electronic device provides an electronic device such as, for example, a digital camera (100), PDA, computer, or the like, which may comprise a user interface, a body (101), and an electronic assembly disposed within the body, the device being characterized in that the housing is completely filled with a perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid, or a hydrofluoroether (HFE), or a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), or an aqueous coolant composition comprising a mixture of an alkylene glycol (such as propylene glycol), de-ionized water, and a corrosion inhibitor (such as benzotriazole). A method of introducing any of the aforementioned liquids into the device includes submersion into the liquid inside a vacuum chamber (150) so that air pockets are removed to provide total liquid dispersion into device cavities, and the like. The device is then sealed and removed from the chamber (150).

Abstract: The earth boring bit 10 is designed to bore an angular non-vertical hole into underlying strata. The bit 10 includes a plurality of steeply inclined cutting faces or edges 22 that define a relatively narrow included angle A therebetween. The bit's design ensures that the apex of the bit 10 will contact the surface S and/or other hard strata before the radially outwardly disposed gauge portion of the bit 10. This design reduces or obviates drill chattering or “walking” when the bit 10 is used to drill a hole at an angle that is not vertical relative to the surface or strata S. The bit 10 also includes an interchangeable flow control restrictor that optimizes the velocity of fluid pumped through the bit 10 and thus efficiently flushes debris from the hole as the hole is being drilled.

Abstract: The foot support is a support for use with pedicures or the like, and provides a comfortable rest for the user's foot or ankle. The foot support includes an elongated body having longitudinally opposed first and second ends, with the first end thereof having a recess formed therein. The recess is substantially parabolic in cross section and is adapted for receiving the heel or ankle of the user's foot. The second end of the elongated body is substantially planar and adapted for positioning on a support surface, such as the edge of a foot bath. The elongated body defines at least one outer side surface having a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses formed therein. Preferably, the elongated body is simulates a flower when viewed from an end.

Abstract: The bracelet donning assistance device is a clamping device for holding a bracelet, allowing the user to easily secure the bracelet about his or her wrist, using only his or her other hand to clasp the bracelet. The bracelet donning assistance device includes a tray having a base and at least one sidewall, defining an open interior region therein for storing jewelry. A shaft is provided, with the shaft having opposed upper and lower ends. The lower end thereof is pivotal with respect to an upper surface of the base of the tray. Additionally, a clamp is secured to the upper end of the shaft for releasably holding the bracelet. A pair of lids are pivotally secured to the at least one sidewall for releasably covering and sealing the open interior region of the tray.

Abstract: The dust mop with multiple handle holders is a dust mop having a handle, a dust mop frame, and a dust mop head. The frame has multiple handle holders, including a central handle holder in the center of the fame and another handle holder at one or both ends of the frame so that the handle can be attached to the central handle holder for general use, and may optionally be attached to a handle holder at the end of the frame to dust under objects raised above the floor and in areas too narrow to accommodate a conventional dust mop. The dust mop head is a fabric cover supported on the frame, and has an opening through which the handle can be connected to the handle holders. The handle may have a quick connect, clip-type fitting at one end for attachment to the handle holder.

Abstract: The laser-based method for removal of sulfur (DMDBT) in hydrocarbon fuels provides for deep desulfurization of hydrogen fuels through the elimination of dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) from hydrocarbon fuels. The method involves photoexciting atomic or molecular oxygen to a singlet or triplet energy state, mixing the photoexcited oxygen with the hydrocarbon fuel, and irradiating the hydrocarbon fuel with UV radiation from a tunable laser source at a wavelength corresponding to an absorption band of dimethyldibenzothiophene. The hydrocarbon fuel may be in a liquid or an aerosol state. The oxygen may be provided by pure oxygen gas, by N2O, or by air, and may be diluted by an inert carrier gas, such as N2. Exemplary wavelengths of the laser radiation include 193 nm, 248 nm, and 266 nm. Sulfur is eliminated from DMDBT as elemental sulfur or gaseous sulfides and sulfur oxides, which are easily separated from the hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: The optical analysis of body fluids is a method of determining the relative concentration of certain bio-molecules in blood and urine samples by fluorescent spectroscopy. The relative concentration of these bio-molecules serves as a marker or screening test to assess the presence and stage of cancer in some organ or tissue of the body, and in some cases, the presence of particular types of cancer in the body. The bio-molecules include various species of porphyrin, flavins (including flavin mononucleotide[FMN], flavin adeno dinucleotide [FAD], and riboflavin), bile components (including biliverdin and bilirubin), tyrosine, tryptophan, and NAD(P)H.

Abstract: The semi-hollow body for stringed instruments includes a plurality of resonance-enhancing baffle pairs, each resonance-enhancing baffle pair having a bifurcated prong shape, similar to a tuning fork. The resonance-enhancing baffle pairs extend from an interior peripheral area of the instrument body and create various combinations of baffled and un-baffled regions in a resonance chamber of the semi-hollow body. A solid, central core region separates an upper resonance chamber from a lower resonance chamber. Alternatively, individual resonance enhancing baffles shaped like reeds are disposed inside the instrument body. The semi-hollow body for stringed instruments can be adapted for guitars, violins, mandolins, ukuleles, or the like, and provides a rich, resonant tone to the instrument while avoiding acoustic feedback problems associated with hollow body instruments. Front and back plates cover front and back portions of the body to give it a solid body look and feel.

Abstract: The air conditioner compressor removal and installation apparatus includes an upper plate having multiple sets of leg sockets depending therefrom. The distal ends of legs installed within any given set of sockets subtend a circle corresponding to the diameter of the inner rim of an air conditioner, heat pump, or HVAC coil housing. The distal end of each leg includes an inverted, L-shaped shoe that rests upon the inner rim of the coil housing when the apparatus is placed thereon. The upper plate includes a winch having a winch cable extending through a hole in the plate. The compressor within the coil housing is disconnected from its attachment and electrical and refrigerant lines. The apparatus is placed atop the coil housing. The winch cable is connected to the compressor, and the winch is operated to lift the compressor from within the coil housing. The process is reversed for reinstallation.

Abstract: The freight container is constructed with relatively thin sidewalls of relatively high-strength steel, permitting thinner corrugations. This results in a greater internal width for the container, while still having an external width not exceeding the nominal 102? or 2.6 meter national and international standards. By forming the sidewalls of sufficiently high strength materials, the sidewalls may be constructed to have a thickness not exceeding one inch each, thereby providing a nominal internal width of 100? for the container. This permits the placement of U.S. standard pallets having lengths and widths of 56×44 inches in an alternating array, with each pallet group forming a square of 100? on a side. In this manner, a total of twenty-four pallets may be placed within the freight container.

Abstract: The animal trap includes an enclosure for containing a number of relatively large animals. An entry path (game trail, etc.) extends from the enclosure to an automated drop gate at the entrance, or may comprise the enclosure with a gate at each end. At least one double articulated trip arm is placed along the entry path. The trip arm does not actuate the gate when moved toward the enclosure, i.e., when animals pass through the entry path from the drop gate entrance to the enclosure. However, animals passing in the opposite direction move the trip arm(s) toward the gate, causing at least one trip arm to close a circuit and drop the gate to close the trap. The trap is thus configured to capture a number of herd animals, e.g., wild pigs, passing from the gate toward the enclosure, before one of the animals turns back and trips the gate.

Abstract: The method for elliptic curve scalar multiplication is a method for fast, efficient multiplication of a point on an elliptic curve by a scalar. Two different parameters are used to assign separate projective coordinates to the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate. The x- and y-coordinates are projected by ZLx and ZLy, where Lx and Ly are exponential functions having a common base, i.e., Lx=gnx and Ly=gny, respectively. The use of projective coordinates reduces the number of inversions in scalar multiplication, thereby speeding processing time. Furthermore, since the parameters Lx and Ly are exponential functions, and since the base g is invariant, g?1 can be precomputed and stored. This practically eliminates any further inversions, since Lx?1=(g?1)nx and Ly?1=(g?1)ny so that inversions are simplified to exponentiation by substitution, further speeding processing time and reducing storage requirements.

Abstract: The X-ray tube having a rotating and linearly translating anode includes an evacuated shell having a substantially cylindrical anode rotatably mounted therein. The substantially cylindrical anode may be rotated through the usage of any suitable rotational drive, and the substantially cylindrical anode is further selectively and controllably linearly translatable about the rotating longitudinal axis thereof. A cathode is further mounted within the evacuated shell for producing an electron beam that impinges on an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical anode, thus forming a focal spot thereon. X-rays are generated from the focal spot and are transmitted through an X-ray permeable window formed in the evacuated shell.