Abstract: An isothermal compressor apparatus and method, the apparatus including a compression chamber, a piston operable in the compression chamber and an evaporation chamber disposed in heat exchange relationship with the compression chamber, the evaporation chamber being interconnected with a closed refrigerant system. Valves control the flow of compressible gas through the compression chamber while heat exchange coils carry the compressed gas from the compression chamber through the evaporation chamber. The method includes compressing a gas and rapidly removing thermal energy imparted to the gas by the compression process with a refrigerant in the evaporation chamber.

Abstract: A heat storage apparatus and method including a heat storage medium encapsulated within a container and heat exchange apparatus for exchanging thermal energy with the heat storage medium. The heat storage medium may include a salt having a relatively high latent heat of reaction at a relatively low temperature range. The dehydration reaction of sodium sulfate decahydrate appears to the most promising reaction for this application. Other suitable salts and salt mixtures for other temperature ranges may also be used. The apparatus includes, where necessary, techniques for stirring the heat storage medium to inhibit stratification of the salt during cycles of dissolution and recrystallization or fusion.

Abstract: A solar collector panel and method of making same are disclosed. The solar collector panel has four layers of fiberglass mat which are each saturated with a catalyzed liquiform resin. Between the first two layers, unimpregnated Kraft honeycomb paper having an open cellular structure is placed so as to form a resinated honeycomb core between these first two layers. A black gel coat is sprayed onto the second layer of resin-saturated fiberglass mat and a plurality of copper tubes are then placed onto the black gel coat so as to be bonded in heat-transfer relation thereto. The third layer of resin-saturated fiberglass mat is draped over the copper tubes so as to insulate them. A second layer of Kraft honeycomb paper is then placed between the third and forth layers of resin-saturated fiberglass mat, and a clear gel coat mixed with an ultraviolet inhibitor solution is rolled out over the top of the solar collector panel to partially screen out ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: A fire-resistant, cellulose insulation and method, the cellulose insulation including a predetermined quantity of talc to impart the desired degree of fire-resistant characteristics to the cellulose. If desired, limited quantities of boron compounds can be added with the talc. The method includes directing ground cellulose from the primary grinding stage into a surge bin to accommodate metering the talc with the cellulose to thereby assure the appropriate distribution ratio of talc in the cellulose.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for elemental analysis and non-invasive measurement of the mass flow rate and/or density distribution of a multiple-phase system. The apparatus includes at least two X-ray sources, transmission detectors for the X-ray sources, fluorescence detectors, and collimators all of which are suitably indexed and multiplexed to provide information corresponding to the density distribution, elemental composition, phase composition, and/or flow rate of the system. Energy selective detectors are included in the apparatus to provide selective fluorescent radiation detection for fluorescence emitted by elements excited by the X-rays as a technique for obtaining an indication of the elemental composition of the system. X-ray sources and transmitted X-ray detectors are used to detect the density of the multiple-phase system at each point in a cross-section of the system.

Abstract: A cannula and method for bidirectional blood flow, the cannula being constructed so as to provide a bifurcated flow path, each branch of the flow path independently communicating through telescoping cannulae and a venipuncture needle initially projecting beyond the exterior cannula to facilitate venipuncture and thereafter being displaceable away from the venipuncture site to permit unobstructed simultaneous fluid flow in opposite directions through each of the bifurcated flow paths.

Abstract: A split cycle engine apparatus and method, the apparatus including a combustion engine, a novel compressor apparatus driven by the combustion engine, a closed-cycle refrigeration system in cooperation with the compressor apparatus, and a pneumatic motor driven by compressed air from the compressor apparatus. Refrigerant in the compressor absorbs thermal energy from compressed air and assists in compressing the air. High pressure air from the compressor is stored in a storage tank and may be used to drive the pneumatic motor or other auxiliary equipment in addition to providing high pressure combustion air for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A pollution control system including a smokestack placed at a substantially elevated location on adjacent mountainous terrain and a tunnel interconnecting the smokestack with a source of airborne pollutants. A water-operated scrubber is placed in a part of the tunnel to remove some of the pollutants from the gaseous effluent stream. A heater and a blower increase the upward velocity of the residual effluent stream to assist in impelling it out of the top of the smokestack for dispersal into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump apparatus and method, the apparatus including a reservoir, a pumping chamber, an evaporator, metering apparatus for metering a volatile liquid to the evaporator and a vapor standpipe for delivering vapor from the evaporator to the pumping chamber. The metering apparatus includes a metering cup and a siphon tube in the metering cup. The evaporator is configurated as a metal block having known heat capacity characteristics so as to store sufficient thermal energy to suitably evaporate the metered volatile liquid delivered thereto. Thermal energy for the evaporator may be provided by solar energy or by a conventional combustion source. The method includes heating the evaporator and delivering a metered quantity of volatile liquid from the pumping chamber to the evaporator to produce a predetermined quantity of vapor thereby displacing water from the reservoir with the vapor.

Abstract: An improved dietary supplement for mammals, the dietary supplement includ the essential dietary trace metals, iron, copper and molybdenum. These metals are provided in a highly bioavailable state such as peptide and polypeptide chelates. This invention also includes a method for using natural proteinaceous starting materials for producing the peptide and polypeptide ligands for the chelates. The proteinaceous starting materials are obtained from a primary grown yeast, an isolated vegetable protein, dessicated tissues of animal origin and the like which, upon hydrolysis, yields the peptide and polypeptide ligands suitable for forming chelates with the iron, copper and molybdenum. The metals are each separately chelated with the peptide and polypeptide ligands and thereafter combined in the suitable ratios to form the dietary supplement. The dietary supplement is adsorbed on a suitable food product and provided in an effective amount for consumption in iron deficiency anemia.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a flexible diaphragm as the pumping element with a volatile liquid as a working fluid. The flexible diaphragm is enclosed within a vessel and isolates the working fluid from the water to be pumped. One-way valves control the direction of water flow through the pump. A U-shaped siphon tube acts as a temporary reservoir for the pumped water and is siphoned empty after being filled. A portion of the water siphoned from the U-shaped siphon tube is recirculated through the vessel in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid to condense the working fluid. A reservoir of warm water is maintained in thermal contact with the flexible diaphragm to minimize condensation of the working fluid by thermal contact with the water through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A distillation/absorption engine including apparatus for utilizing a lower boiling point, working fluid and a higher boiling point, absorption fluid, the absorption fluid having a relatively high degree of absorptivity for the working fluid. The apparatus includes a distillation column for separating the working fluid from the absorption fluid and a condenser/storage system for storage of the separated working fluid which is condensed and stored as a condensate. An absorption reboiler is used to revaporize the condensed working fluid. The revaporized working fluid is superheated in a superheater before producing mechanical energy in a mechanical expansion engine such as a turbine or the like. Thermal energy for the absorption reboiler is obtained from the heat of absorption generated by absorbing with the absorption fluid the spent working fluid from the mechanical expansion engine. Absorption of the spent working fluid also lowers the backpressure for improved efficiencies.

Abstract: A flowmeter apparatus and method for use in measuring the quantity of liquid beverage passing through a tubing, the apparatus including a flowmeter wheel adapted to be turned by the flow of beverage through the tubing. The flowmeter wheel is interposed in a light path between a light source and a light detector with a plurality of apertures in the flowmeter wheel permitting light passage through the light path to the light detector. Rotation of the wheel creates a series of light pulses that are detected by the light detector and are electronically counted to thereby provide an indication of the amount of beverage passing through the flowmeter and, correspondingly, the tubing.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for absorbing solar energy, the apparatus providing a sealed envelope having a transparent upper panel with a solar energy absorbing panel thermally isolated against convective and conductive heat losses by a partial vacuum in the sealed envelope. The transparent panel has an upwardly extending curvilinear surface which increases its strength characteristics against the pressure differential between the ambient and the partial vacuum inside the envelope. Support structure is also provided in conjunction with the apparatus to place the periphery of the transparent panel under constriction to compensate for tensile stresses imposed thereon by the pressure differential. The inside surface of the transparent panel and the absorber panel are selectively coated with an infrared reflective surface to reflect and reduce losses of infrared radiation emitted by the absorber panel.

Abstract: A pipe hanger/snubber for supporting and/or protecting high-pressure piping and the like against damage by seismic, vibrational, and thermal shocks to the mechanical integrity of the piping system. The apparatus includes a sealed snubber cylinder containing a non-Newtonian fluid as the hydraulic fluid medium. A working shaft extends completely through the snubber cylinder. A shaft-mounted, perforate load nozzle is moved longitudinally through the non-Newtonian fluid in the snubber cylinder to thereby dissipate the shock forces. Shaft-engaging seals at each end of the snubber cylinder inhibit leakage of the non-Newtonian fluid from the snubber cylinder. Selectively, reservoir apparatus containing non-Newtonian fluid are provided adjacent at least one seal to compensate for leakage, if any, of the non-Newtonian fluid through the seal.

Abstract: A combination step and extension ladder is disclosed. Hinges are provided on each of the side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. Additional side rails are provided which are telescopically mounted so that the ladder can be extended to increase its height in either of the step ladder or extension ladder configurations. Each of the ladder rungs are provided with two flat stepping surfaces which are symmetrically angularly oriented with respect to the side rails of the ladder so that at least one of the surfaces of each rung will present an essentially horizontal stepping surface whenever the ladder is in an upright position, either as a step ladder or as an extension ladder, and irrespective of which end of the side rails the ladder is standing on.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a vapor generator and a vapor-inflatable pumping member enclosed in a pumping chamber. The vapor generator and pumping member form a closed system for a volatile working fluid. Check valves control the movement of vapor and condensate through the closed system as well as the direction of water through the pump. The vapor generator is configurated to be heated either by a solar concentrator or by heat from combustion of agricultural wastes. The expandable diaphragm/pumping piston operates in a pumping chamber having a diametrally enlarged check valve above the diaphragm to accommodate the rapid explusion of water from the pumping chamber upon expansion of the expandable diaphragm.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a flash boiler and a metering device for metering a predetermined quantity of condensate to the flash boiler. A flexible pumping member is enclosed in a pumping chamber and is expanded by the vapor to force water from the pumping chamber. The flexible pumping member also serves as the heat exchange surface for transferring heat from the vapor into the water surrounding the pumping member thereby condensing the vapor. The condensate is collected in a condensate reservoir and is valved into the metering device upon collapse of the pumping member during condensation of the vapor.

Abstract: A wheel lug nut tool apparatus and method, the tool including a plurality of wheel lug studs and/or lug sockets mounted to a base. An indicia is affixed adjacent each stud and/or lug socket to indicate the size and thread characteristics of the same. The base is fabricated so as to be easily hand held and may be configurated with a geometric design to provide a convenient handle and hanging device for the tool. The geometric design also provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance to complement an advertising logo or the like affixed to the tool. The tool retains the lug studs and/or lug sockets in a readily-accessible and identifiable configuration to enable the user to more easily determine the unknown size and thread characteristics of a lug nut and/or lug bolt. Advantageously, each lug stud and/or lug socket may be configurated to be replaceable relative to the base by having a standardized basal portion which matingly engages and is secured to a corresponding aperture in the base.

Abstract: An improved foldable work stand and platform having an upper work support surface with wooden inserts therein to protect saws and the like from being damaged by accidental contact with the metal structure of the platform. The foldable work platform also includes improved structure for elevating the working surface and an adjustable stabilizer leg to maintain the work surface generally horizontal on uneven terrain. Lateral extensions of the work surface provide versatility in the work surface configuration and are easily secured in a selected orientation.