Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine apparatus includes a stationary support platform having a platform pipe fixed to the platform. The platform pipe has an axis. The apparatus also includes a power ring dimensioned and configured for rotational movement about the platform pipe and having an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of the platform pipe. The power ring includes a sleeve concentric with the platform pipe that has a plurality openings therein. A plurality of rollers is carried on the power ring and each of the rollers extends through one of the openings and abuts the platform pipe thereby facilitating rotation of the power ring about the platform pipe. A plurality of elongated blades is carried on the power ring about the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for torrefaction of associated biomass which includes providing an enclosed chamber having a body and a door having an open position allowing passage into and out of the enclosed chamber and a closed position in which the door is disposed in sealing engagement with the body, providing the enclosed chamber with walls capable of sustaining both a negative pressure and a positive pressure within the enclosed chamber; moving the door to an open position; depositing a liquid heat transfer fluid within the enclosed chamber at a temperature sufficient to achieve torrefication of the biomass and a first quantity of biomass material in the enclosed chamber that is substantially totally immersed in the liquid heat transfer fluid whereby heat transfer occurs between the liquid heat transfer fluid and the biomass immersed therein; moving the door to a closed position in sealing engagement with the body; and allowing the pressure within the enclosed chamber to rise to a pressure above the va

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a balloon which includes providing a web shaped material having first and second sides that is substantially impermeable to a gaseous substance; depositing a quantity of adhesive on the first side of the web shaped material; depositing flocking fibers in substantially perpendicular relationship to the first side of the web shaped material into the quantity of adhesive; and fabricating a balloon from the web shaped material with the first side thereof on the outside of the balloon envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus for biomass torrefaction which includes a serpentine elongated housing, the housing having three generally U-shaped axial portions having first and second axial extremities and an intermediate section, the first and second axial extremities are disposed in normal use at a higher elevation than the first and second axial extremities, the intermediate section being configured for holding a liquid. Other forms of the invention include the method for biomass torrefaction which includes providing a quantity of biomass, providing a liquid heat transfer fluid, providing at least a first housing for holding the heat transfer liquid, elevating the temperature of the liquid heat transfer liquid, heat treating the biomass by passing it through the heat transfer liquid in the first housing at a temperature and duration sufficient to accomplish torrefaction of the wood. In some forms of the method, the process further includes the step of pelletizing the biomass prior to performing the treating step.

Abstract: A smoke/heat detector and alarm system for shutting off power to a heat generating appliance (gas or electric powered) when smoke/heat is detected. The system includes a smoke/heat detector that responds according to a selected one of four selectable modes. The system also includes a library of telephone numbers with corresponding emergency telephone numbers that are automatically dialed in response to reception of a Smoke alarm signal. The system is designed to avoid confusion that might otherwise be encountered when a plurality of such systems are operating in close proximity to one another.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly which includes an electrically insulating layer, a conductive printed wiring layer formed on the surface of the electrically insulating layer and includes a plurality of conductive paths, a conductive trace on the electrically insulating layer and apparatus for dissipating a transient in addition to a surface mount resistor fixed in relation to the trace. In some forms of the invention the surface mount resistor has opposed generally planar lips. The trace may also be generally planar. In some cases the lower lips and the trace are generally parallel. The generally planar lips of the surface mount resistor may be closer to the trace than the thickness of the surface mount resistor. A single geometric plane may extend through substantially all of the lips and all of the trace. In some cases the lower surface of the lips and the lower surface of the trace are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A U-lock holder mounted over the rear wheel of a bicycle and attached to the seat post for storing a U-lock—the U-lock to be available for securing the bicycle to a post or, on which are placed packages when it is required to transport the package on the bicycle.

Abstract: An infrared sensor, comprising a focal plane array (FPA) of resistance microbolometer infrared detectors connected in such a manner to produce different pixel formats to meet specific detection requirements. Typically each imaging pixel may be a mosaic comprising a number of sub-pixels connected in parallel (although other configurations are possible), resulting in enhanced performance and ease of manufacture by micro-fabrication methods. The FPA may be integrated with a readout microcircuit on the same substrate so that with appropriate signal processing one is capable of forming an image of the field of view of interest, facilitating target recognition and very low false alarm rate.

Abstract: A digital system programmed to accept words wherein each of said words is a collection of “bit” voltage values with each bit value represented by its position in the word and the value of a base raised to a power, said base multiplied by an integer, m.

Abstract: A bullet for cleaning/scouring the interior surface of a gun barrel including a jacket section on a rear end and joined to a projectile section on the other end forming a chamber containing a cleaning liquid. An array of brushes is positioned on the outside surface of the forward wall of the projectile section. An explosive cake is positioned against the rear end of the jacket section. A piston disk is positioned against the cake. When the cake is detonated, the disk first expels fluid from the chamber and against the interior wall of the barrel. Then the disk forces the forward wall to spread out so that the brushes on the forward wall come into contact with the interior surface of the gun barrel.

Abstract: A cover and method for covering openings an particularly openings initially intended to cover door knob openings and lock set openings of a modified door which are required to be covered for aesthetic and security reasons. In one embodiment, the cover for a door knob hole is an integral stack of disks wherein the largest outermost disk covers the opening when centered by the second disk that fits snugly inside the opening. A bridge fits inside the lock-set cavity to which a cover over the lock cavity is bolted.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooperation with associated ventilation apparatus which includes an engagement member for engaging and gripping a plurality of teeth of the user. The apparatus also includes an adjustment assembly for connecting the engagement member to associated ventilation apparatus. The adjustment assembly includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches thereon and may further including a first discrete locking member and the elongated flexible member may have a bulbous axial extremity.

Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A method for image recognition of a material object that utilizes graphical modeling of the corner points of a vertex which includes projecting a point on a digital display to an inward depth, a one half pixel distance in the plane of the display, with a conic to a digital display, and a square block containing one half size child blocks that are scaled to depth, projecting the corner points of a vertex and replacing the bisecting points of edge features detected in a digital display scaled at an increasing rate of congruency to the dimensions of an object. The method may further include producing a digital image of the material object, providing a central processing unit, providing memory associated with a central processing unit; providing a display associated with a central processing unit; loading the digital image into the memory; defining the edges of features within the digital image; and a finding fight crucial points from registrations projected on to an edge feature display.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing conduit which includes an elongated transparent vial having a geometric axis and containing a liquid defining a bubble therein whereby when the axis is horizontal the bubble is centered with respect to the elongated transparent vial and an elongated housing having a geometric axis.