Abstract: The toilet water tank refilling system includes an inlet pipe adapted for installation within the toilet water tank and adapted for connection to a water supply, a valve connected to the pipe, a float operably connected to the valve to open the valve when the water level falls below a predetermined level and to close the valve when the water level in the tank reaches the predetermined level, and a valve outlet discharging water from the water supply into the tank when the valve is open. The system does not have a valve outlet discharging water from the water supply through the overflow tube directly into the toilet bowl. The only paths for discharging water from the water supply to the toilet bowl in the toilet water tank refilling system are through the tank's flush valve when the toilet is flushed and through the overflow tube when the water level in the tank exceeds the predetermined level.

Abstract: The method of forming a personal mobile grid system and resource scheduling thereon provides for the formation of a personal network, a personal area network or the like having a computational grid superimposed thereon. Resource scheduling in the personal mobile grid is performed through an optimization model based upon the nectar acquisition process of honeybees.

Abstract: The centering guide for automated bottling machinery is secured to its filler unit by a central saddle. Two laterally opposed posts slide in holes through the saddle. A bridge extends across the upper ends of the posts. The bridge provides attachment for a cam roller traveling on a cam as the bottling unit and guide rotate with its filler unit. The lower ends of the posts are threaded into a base plate holding a single piece guide bell removably therein. The bell has a resilient seal removably installed therein. As the cam roller is reciprocated by the stationary cam during rotation of the bottling unit, the bridge, posts, and base are also actuated to raise and lower the guide bell over the bottle mouth in concert with the filling operation. Springs are installed between saddle and base plate to assure proper operation when the bell is lowered.

Abstract: The portable electrical power box includes a power extension cord connected to a 240-volt input plug. Via the input plug, the device plugs into a 240-volt outlet in a home or other location where split phase power is available. Two branch circuits comprise 120-volt receptacles disposed on the power box. The power extension cord has a neutral wire, a first split voltage wire, and a second split voltage wire. The neutral and first split voltage wire feed voltage to the first branch circuit of receptacles. The neutral and second split voltage wire feed voltage to the second branch circuit of receptacles. This arrangement minimizes overloading electrical panels in homes with extension cords in the home's 120-VAC outlets. The device has circuit breakers to prevent overloads.

Abstract: The mobile cabinet and support is a portable storage cabinet and work surface for use in an office-type environment. The mobile cabinet and support includes a base with a plurality of wheels rotatably secured thereto. A plurality of vertical support members are secured between the base and an upper panel to define an open interior region. At least one front sliding drawer is slidably disposed within an upper portion of the open interior region and at least one side sliding drawer is slidably disposed within a lower portion of the open interior region. Additionally, at least one drop leaf panel is pivotally attached to an adjacent pair of the plurality of vertical support members by hinges or the like.

Abstract: The x-ray system with a superconducting anode includes an anode of x-ray machine made from a material capable of superconductivity, which is then cooled to be in superconducting state while being bombarded by an electron beam to generate x-rays. If a non-superconducting heat island is formed, then a magnetic field is used to penetrate this region and spread the heat in the form of hot electrons over the target material.

Abstract: The decorative figurine is formed from at least two golf balls and at least one golf tee. A blind bore is formed in a first golf ball, and a diametrically extending countersunk bore is formed through a second golf ball. A golf tee is then inserted into the golf balls with the shaft extending through the countersunk bore and into the blind bore, the head of the tee being seated in the countersunk portion of the throughbore. Adhesive secures the tee in the bores, forming the body of the figurine. The body is preferably mounted on a base, and the body is decorated with any desired ornamentation and/or props.

Abstract: The tree stand includes a column permanently or semi-permanently secured to a tree or other support by one or more circumferential cables or bands and/or one or more threaded fasteners driven into the tree. The ends of the band are captured in a slot on the column, the threaded fastener, or optionally an unthreaded pin, capturing the ends of the band in the slot. Access to the pin is blocked by a lock that may only be removed by a person having the proper key, thus assuring that the column can be safely left in place. A platform and seat are removably attached to the column when use of the stand is desired. The user of the stand may install several columns in various locations and transport only a single platform and seat to one of the previously installed columns when the stand is to be used.

Abstract: The percussion resonance system allows a drummer to produce additional, resonant acoustic effects beyond those produced by a conventional drum or other percussion instrument. In one embodiment, the percussion resonance system includes a substantially cylindrical sidewall having opposed upper and lower open ends, similar to the sidewall of a conventional drum, and batter and resonant heads respectively covering the upper and lower ends of the substantially cylindrical sidewall. A plurality of apertures are formed through either the batter head, the resonant head, or both, in order to produce additional acoustic effects caused by the air passing through the apertures as the heads vibrate. Air passing through the apertures increases the overall tonal qualities of the percussion instrument, and further aids in decreasing generation of unwanted vibrations, particularly in the form of ringing sounds or overtones.

Abstract: The vehicle roof with a retractable windshield provides a retractable windshield for vehicles, such as UTVs, golf carts and the like, which typically do not include a windshield. The vehicle roof with a retractable windshield includes a roof base adapted for mounting on the vehicle in place of the conventional single panel roof. A cover is also provided, with the cover being adapted for mounting on the roof base so that a storage compartment is defined therebetween. A rear edge of the cover is pivotally secured to a rear edge of the roof base by hinges or the like. A windshield having a support frame with opposed upper and lower edges is removably and slidably disposed within the storage compartment defined between the cover and the roof base.

Abstract: The desalination system and method places water from the sea under electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas. The system has a chamber that is filled with the hydrogen gas displacing other gases. Once the chamber is filled with only hydrogen gas, the oxygen is introduced to form water vapor within the chamber. Liquid water collects on the lower surface of the chamber, and water vapor condenses on the sidewalls. The condensation creates a partial vacuum in the chamber, causing further water to evaporate from the liquid water on the lower end of the chamber. The condensate is desalinated water, which may be collected. Condensation may be assisted through cooling the wall. The hydrogen and oxygen mix in the chamber undergoes a reaction through electrical spark generation from a spark plug to create the water vapor.

Abstract: The leak detection band is mounted about a pipe joint for generating an alert signal when a liquid leak from the pipe joint is detected. The leak detection band includes an annular mount having a pair of opposed annular edges and an annular recess formed in an interior surface thereof adjacent one of the annular edges. A transmitter is attached to the annular mount, and a pair of substantially semicircular leads are provided. Each lead has opposed first and second ends and a central portion. The first ends are electrically connected to the transmitter. The second ends and central portions are disposed within the recess so that the second ends are mounted opposite one another with a gap being formed therebetween. When a conductive liquid leaks from the pipe joint, the conductive liquid fills the gap, closing a transmitting circuit, causing the transmitter to transmit an alert signal.

Abstract: The interactive credential system and method has a database containing employee-employer-applicant surveyed information, industry specific criteria, such as insurance loss history and account performance, an authorization code for authorizing access to the database and a control device, operatively associated with the database, for presenting weighted scores. The system further includes a surveyed party processor operatively associated with the control device, and wherein the surveyed party processor is capable of transmitting the authorization code to view the surveyed information. The system also has a participant processor that is capable of requesting authorization to download the employee-employer-applicant information, including weighted scores computed from the system's algorithms processed from industry specific parameters.

Abstract: The system for electrostatic desalination provides evaporative desalination of salt water utilizing ionized gas formed through corona discharge. The system includes a plurality of stacked water collection plates, each water collection plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A thin film of salt water is formed on the upper surfaces thereof. A plurality of cathodes are provided, each cathode extending between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. A plurality of anodes are attached to a corresponding one of the lower surfaces of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. Each anode and cathode is in communication with an external voltage source to generate an electrostatic field between the cathodes and the anodes. Thus, corona-induced ionized gas is produced between each of the stacked water collection plates in order to enhance condensation of pure evaporated water.

Abstract: The folding storm shutter provides a shutter for protecting a window during inclement weather, and shade similar to that provided by an awning when window protection is not required. The folding storm shutter has an upper shutter panel and a lower shutter panel pivotally attached to the lower edge of the upper shutter panel so that the lower shutter panel can be extended to cover the entire window, and, alternatively, the lower shutter panel can be placed in a folded configuration against the upper shutter panel when not needed for window protection. A latching mechanism is provided for selectively retaining the lower shutter panel in the folded configuration. Hinges pivotally attach the upper shutter panel to the window frame. A rod removably supported by brackets on opposite sides of the window may be used to support the shutter in the folded configuration.

Abstract: The paver installation system includes a grid having a plurality of mounting holes for selective installation of spacers, a flexible edging and a screed guide rail. The screed guide rail may be selectively installed on the grid via mounting pegs mounted in select mounting holes for screeding an intermediate layer of aggregate material between the grid and the pavers to be laid thereon. The flexible edging is attached to the grid in order to set the edges of the pavement to be laid, and the flexibility thereof easily accommodates curved edges by bending to conform to the curves. The spacers are laid onto user selected mounting holes in the grid in order to serve as guides for laying pavers in a desired pavement pattern and to maintain spacing between adjacent pavers.

Abstract: The once-through multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination plant with feed cooler is a desalination system utilizing a feed water cooler. Particularly, the plant includes a conventional MSF system, with a separate water cooler for cooling the seawater or brine that is input into the system, prior to the passage of the brine into the condensation conduits and brine heater. In use, the cooled brine is pumped, under pressure, through at least one conduit that passes through a plurality of flash chambers. The brine is then heated and injected into the plurality of flash chambers, where it is flashed into steam. The steam condenses on an external surface of the at least one conduit, and the condensed water is then extracted from the plant.

Abstract: The method for making a phosphorus ylide produces the ylide 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium in pure form by simple recrystallization of the reaction product. 3-Oxo-3-phenyl-2-(arylhydrozono)propanal and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate are mixed in dichloromethane at room temperature. After cyclization of the intermediate (preferably at least two hours), triphenylphosphine is added to the mixture, ultimately resulting in formation of 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium. The product is recrystallized to produce 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium in pure form and in high yield. The aryl group may be any aromatic or aliphatic group.

Abstract: The hydrogen gas generator for jet engines includes a device that utilizes photons and a catalyst to disassociate hydrogen gas from water. The generated hydrogen gas is directed to the combustion chamber of a jet engine and combined with air therein for burning and powering the jet engine. The device is connected to a source of electric energy and pressurized water. The electric energy is supplied to an anode and a surrounding cathode. The cathode is designed to glow white-hot and emit photons and heat when an electric current is supplied thereto. The anode is fabricated from a catalytic material and is designed to become red-hot when supplied with electric energy. Water is supplied through a conduit and is converted to superheated steam, which is thermolytically decomposed to form hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: The air cycle machine insert and method of repair provides an economical repair of the turbine housing section of an air cycle machine, rather than scrapping the component and replacing with a new section. The toroid shaped insert or liner has a U-shaped cross section, configured to fit closely within the turbine air passage of the air cycle machine. A throat insert is also provided. The existing throat flange extending outwardly over the turbine air passage is removed for installation of the insert. High temperature silicone sealant is preferably placed between the wall of the turbine air passage and the liner, after machining the air passage wall to remove irregularities. The liner is then installed and mechanically secured with one or more rivets, the throat insert is installed to replace the previously removed throat flange, and the repaired turbine housing reassembled with the air cycle machine to complete the repair.