Abstract: A high efficiency extremely stable marine vehicle that is connected to and supported by submerged supporting structure(s) is presented. The submerged structure(s) are normally airfoil shaped to insure maximum efficiency and are, in the preferred embodiments, air lubricated on their undersides by pressurized air to reduce wetted area frictional effects. Propulsor(s) take in water from the boundary layer adjacent the upper surfaces of the submerged supporting structure(s) which provides boundary layer control and also enhances the efficiency of the propulsor(s).

Abstract: An improved marine vehicle that offers very high efficiencies made possible by pressurized gas cushion(s) disposed between its hull(s) and a water surface is presented. The gas cushion(s), in the ideal arrangement, is supplied with pressurized gas by a powered blower that obtains at least part of its inlet gas flow from an opening(s) in upper surfaces of a wing shaped cabin structure. In an optional arrangement, gas supply to a propulsion system engine can be obtained from similar opening(s). A secondary wing may be placed above the main wing to help direct airflow over the upper surfaces of the main wing. A gas cushion seal is provided that has the ability to control gas flow and thereby reduce blower power requirements. Further, steps may be inset into the sides of the hull(s) that reduce drag in rough seas but yet are protected by hull chines when the hull is transitioning into planing mode.

Abstract: Presented is an advanced non-amphibious landing craft that is partially supported by one or more artificially pressurized air cushions. In the preferred embodiment, the air cushions are bordered on each side by sidehulls, at the bow by a flexible seal, and at the stem by a fixed angled to horizontal air cushion aft seal member. The forward flexible seal element is attached to the underside of a bow ramp so that, during beaching and unloading of cargo such as vehicles, the forward flexible seal element simply folds underneath the moveable bow ramp as the ramp is lowered. Other features of the instant invention include built in fore and aft angled ramps and a moveable stern ramp. The aft angled ramp nests downward into the fixed air cushion aft seal.

Abstract: A skeletal structure is provided, including a plurality of preferably resiliently flexible rings, each ring passing through and thus being interwoven with immediately adjacent rings, preferably five, so that the rings collectively form a flexible mesh, the flexible mesh being formed into a surface having a double curve substantially defining at least a part of a spherical surface. Each ring is formed from a resiliently flexible linear member having first and second member ends, preferably releasibly interconnected by an overlapping clasp. The spherical surface may be a whole sphere, and may comprise thirty two rings. The spherical surface alternatively may be a hemisphere, which is preferable when the skeletal structure is used as the frame for a building, or the roof of a building such as a domed stadium. The bending of resiliently flexible linear material around to close on itself places the resulting rings into tensile loading, or in tension.

Abstract: The present invention increases the recovery ratio of air intake (AI) as the supersonic flight speed increases, by preventing the penetration of a non-decelerated flow into the channel. In a subsonic regime, all the tiltable panels (5, 8, 20 and 11, 12, 21) are located in a uniform flow and operate as vanes. The partitions serve as a guiding apparatus. In a supersonic regime, the pressure at the outer side of panels 5, 8, 20, which are adjacent to the profile of an expanding channel, is decreased. This decrease in pressure contributes to the panel rotation as the pressure increases in the boundary layer (b.l.) when the AI is throttled, wherein this pressure can be transmitted via a special channel 22. When the panels 11, 12, 21 are at the boundary of zones with different pressures, they are turned thereby forming an aerodynamically efficient shape of a subsonic channel.

Abstract: An improved multi-operational mode marine vessel is proposed that has blower pressurized air cushions that are utilized during high speed operations disposed in one or more secondary supporting hulls wherein said secondary supporting hulls are connected to a main hull by struts in the preferred embodiment of the invention and where, when the air cushions are not utilized, the secondary hulls are at least partially submerged thereby providing an exceptionally stable marine vehicle while stationary or at low speeds. This submergence of the secondary hulls can be enhanced by use of one or more water buoyancy tanks that would generally be disposed in the secondary supporting hulls. In the preferred version of the invention, blower pressurized air is ducted from blowers in the main hull through the struts to the air cushion recesses in the secondary supporting hulls.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially rigid to semi-rigid, lightweight bodyboard, having a durable, slick outer skin on the lower surface, a conventional upper surface and a specially shaped lower surface for maximized speed, maneuverability, and performance. The lower surface of the bodyboard at the nose has a slightly rounded or elliptical shape that is almost a flat surface which changes to a shallow trimaran hull shape in the rear two thirds of the bodyboard. The shallow trimaran includes a center hull and two sidehulls each separated by a channel and is characterized by inverse sharp edged chines at the inside edges of the side hulls to provide grip, tracking and maneuverability. The shallow trimaran is also modified by edge skegs termed infins that end abruptly before the tail to provide the bodyboard incredible hold and eliminate slide out.

Abstract: An improved multi-hull gas cushion supported vehicle that is, in its preferred embodiment, capable of transition to air-borne ground effect operation is presented. This vehicle, normally a marine vehicle known as SeaCoaster, has optional elongated knife shaped bows that slice into waves, fine entry bows and low angle of divergence sidekeels, water rejecting steps that extend high onto the sidehulls, and retractable water stabilizer to insure optimum performance in heavy seas. The Retractable water stabilizers are preferbably in the form of inverted-T hydrofoils and/or small boat shaped members. Several variations of hydrofoil configurations are presented. It also has special, normally inverted-V shaped, gas cushion and wetdeck aft seals to insure minimum effect of wave impacts in those areas. The gas pressurization system normally includes powered blowers where a flap-like sealing device can be installed to seal gas leakage.

Abstract: A sleeve apparatus for retaining cut stems of several different types of plants, where the stems each having a stem cut end, includes a tube of sheet material having a tube upper end and a tube lower end; at least one substantially longitudinal divider formed of sheet material extending across the interior of the tube and joined to cross-sectionally spaced apart points on the tube, defining at least two plant stem longitudinal compartments each having an open compartment upper end and an open compartment lower end, so that at least one plant stem may be fitted longitudinally through each of the compartments to an extent that each stem cut end protrudes out of the tube lower end for immersion in water. The tube preferably is longitudinally tapered to define a truncated cone. The sheet material preferably is flexible. The divider optionally defines compartments of equal size, or alternatively defines compartments of differing sizes.

Abstract: Presented is a new rotary or cyclo-valve system for engines, such as internal combustion engines, that greatly simplifies the valve system for such engines. The cyclo-valve simply rotates to align its gas passageways with inlets to or outlets from engine cylinders in time with the combustion and exhaust cycles of the engine. The cyclo-valves themselves may be in the form of a rotary shaft, discs, or similar rotating elements. There are no valve lifters and no valve "float" at high engine rotational speeds as there are with state-of-the-art engines. Gas passageways, while preferred to be through the cyclo-valve, may also pass, at least partially, external to the cyclo-valve. In the preferred embodiment, sealing is at least partially accomplished by labyrinth seals. The instant invention cyclo-valve may be applied to all manner of engine including piston, rotary such as the Wankel, etc.

Abstract: A caddy apparatus for lifting and carrying a vehicle tire includes a cart frame and a wheel maneuvering structure having a tilt frame and lift carriage slideably mounted on the tilt frame; a pivot mounting of the tilt frame on the cart frame; a tire lift carriage slideably mounted to the tilt frame of the wheel maneuvering structure for engaging and retaining a vehicle tire; and a tire lift carriage lifting and lowering mechanism, preferably employing a hydraulic pump and cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight, insulating panel building component comprised of a combination of a rigid insulation core in a composite structure with a plurality of structural materials, preferably steel. The steel members form a perimeter about the rigid insulation core providing structural strength, particularly taken in combination with the compressive strength of the core and the tensional and compressive strength of the structural members. These structural members include vertical members which provide support in compression, a cap member, a foot member, and optional external and interior facing. The cap and foot members are preferably in the form of a standard channel having a web dimension that is substantially similar to the thickness of the rigid insulation core and can fit thereabout at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The instant invention describes an advanced marine propulsor that has a rotor that is, at least in its majority, enclosed by structure where the rotor receives water over at least a majority of its lower portions and gas over at least part of its upper portions. It is possible to delete the gas flow by use of one or more valves so that an approximate doubling of water flow rate occurs which is valuable as a thrust enhancer for low and mid-range marine vehicle speed operation. It is also possible to operate the rotor with water directed mainly to its lower portions but with little or no gas directed to its upper portions thus forming a partial vacuum over the upper portions of the rotor vanes. When used, a water directing valve that directs water to the rotor vanes preferably has a curvilinear water contacting surface so that water will adhere to and follow that surface. Use of port and starboard water directing valves allows varying levels of water flow to port and starboard sides of the rotor.

Abstract: Presented is a pickup truck tailgate mounted aerostabilizer wing that moves with the tailgate and is therefore out of the way when the tailgate is opened for cargo loading. The aerostabilizer wing is mounted distal from the tailgate by, in its preferred embodiment, use of low drag airfoil shaped stanchions that are attached to forward and upper portions of the tailgate. Other attachment approaches including attachment to rear and/or upper portions of the tailgate and/or use of adjustable or specially fitted attachment systems are also presented. The nose of the aerostabilizer wing is angled down so that the aerostabilizer wing acts as a turning vane to direct pressurized air from an aerodynamic pressure front that builds up on the forward side of the tailgate at highway speeds up and out over the top of the tailgate thereby reducing drag.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for delivery of pressurized particulate matter against a surface or target to abrade, etch, erase, cut, penetrate, smooth, clean, polish and/or harden the surface or target. The most important use to which the present invention is adapted is use by dentists and oral hygienists to very effectively clean teeth, employing a particulate matter such as aluminum oxide, while at the same time having no effect on soft tissue such as the gums. This is accomplished using a prefilled, sealed, and disposable fluidizing chamber and cannula assembly that avoids contamination and which has already been approved by the FDA for dental use. Included is a fluidizing chamber having a discharge end of an inlet tube that is disposed below or overlaps the intake end of the cannula such that the discharge of the inlet tube blows the particulate matter into the fluid above the intake end of the cannula, thereby suspending it therein, without clogging.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying flowable material to a work surface includes a roller frame having a handle portion and an axle portion; a roller cover mounting structure rotatably mounted on the axle portion; a roller cover having an outer cover surface and engagingly fitted over the roller cover mounting structure, for gathering a quantity of the flowable material on the outer cover surface and transferring at least part of the quantity of flowable material to the work surface; and a mounting structure locking mechanism for locking the mounting structure against rotation relative to the roller frame. The locking mechanism preferably locks the mounting structure against rotation releasably, so that the roller cover transfers the flowable material by either rotating or by sliding against the work surface. The locking mechanism is located entirely within the roller to prevent it from being exposed to the flowable material, and operates with a magnet to retain it in either the locked or unlocked mode.

Abstract: A marker apparatus for placing an elongate mark on a marking medium surface, including a first chamber having a first chamber proximal end, a first chamber distal end with a first chamber wick port, and containing a first pigmented marking liquid; a second chamber having a second chamber proximal end, a second chamber distal end with a second chamber wick port, and containing a second pigmented marking liquid; a first wick segment in liquid communication with the first pigmented marking liquid protruding from the first chamber wick port for contact with a surface of a marking medium; a second wick segment in liquid communication with the second pigmented marking liquid protruding from the second chamber wick port for contact with a surface of a marking medium; and a chamber retaining structure retaining the first chamber and the second chamber so that the first wick segment is positioned substantially adjacent to the second wick segment.

Abstract: An improved pressurized gas supported marine vehicle that is, in its preferred embodiment long and slender and stabilized by outrigger hulls, is presented. This vehicle, known as SeaLance because of its optimal very fine entry bow and narrow fine main hull, is also capable of full or partial airborne operation when equipped with sidewings. When waterborne, an artifically pressurized gas cushion is disposed in an open bottomed recess in the main hull. First and second, forward and aft, air cushions can be used to maintain a higher gas cushion pressure aft than forward which reduces water blowout at the bow and aids in trimming of the vehicle. Further, labyrinth seals can be disposed on recess intermediate and aft seals to aid in sealing of gas flow. An optional feature of SeaLance is one or more water stabilizers that can include hydrofoils and/or a small lifting body. The water stabilizer(s) would normally retract into an open bottomed recess in the main hull when not used.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a temperature control system filter includes a mechanism for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged; a mechanism for counting out the selected primary period; a mechanism for activating a signalling device to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter; a mechanism for sensing replacement of the filter; a mechanism for resetting the mechanism for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter; a mechanism for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; a mechanism for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter; and a mechanism for detecting a fire within the building. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a mechanism for shutting down the temperature control system upon detection of a fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fuel for increasing fuel combustion efficiency in an internal combustion engine including a fuel source and a fuel line includes a fuel line supply segment carrying liquid fuel; a fuel line receiving segment in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine; a fuel containment housing having an inlet port and an outlet port; structure for sealingly connecting the housing inlet port to the fuel line supply segment; structure for sealingly connecting the housing outlet port to the fuel line receiving segment; several metal wire strands contained within the housing; and structure for retaining the wire strands within the housing. A method for treating fuel for increasing fuel combustion efficiency in an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply system includes the step of passing the fuel over treating elements within the fuel supply system made up of several different metals.