Abstract: A process for the conversion of geothermal heat energy into electrical power by advantageously combining direct and indirect heat exchange systems and other systems to maximize the power production is presented herein. More specifically, a process and system is presented for the utilization of geothermal heat from flashed geothermal hot fluids composed of hot liquid and vapor. The heat from the hot liquid is advantageously exchanged with a working fluid in a direct contact heat exchanger, while the hot geothermal vapor is used in a boiler for heating, boiling and vaporizing the working fluid. The vaporized working fluid thus formed is fed into a power extraction device which may advantageously form a liquid mist upon expansion. The working fluid vapor is then condensed at the exhaust side of the power extraction device, and returned to the direct contact heat exchanger, thus closing the power cycle.

Abstract: A cake cutter and server which is formed of an integral piece of material. The server has a first enlarged section hingedly connected to a second triangular shaped section. Along the free edge of the second section is located a cutting edge. The second section is adapted to be pivoted to an approximately ninety-degree angle with respect to the first section. With the server used flat, a wedge shaped section of cake can be cut. Once cut, the wedge shaped section of cake can be readily removed by causing the second section to assume a right angle position to the first section and inserting the section under the section of cake and removing such. The second section is also adapted to be pivoted to the right or left to provide for use as a left-handed or right-handed server.

Abstract: A portable medication dispensing cart comprised of a cabinet portably mounted on casters and a plurality of medication drawers or bins which are convenient and easy to use. The cabinet includes swing-away doors that lock to provide security as well as a vertically oriented automatic locking drawer for controlled drug security. The medication drawers are installed in removable and interchangeable racks or cassettes. The rear of the cabinet has a tilt-out panel supporting a waste receptacle communicating with an aperture in the upper surface of the cabinet when the panel is in the closed position. The top or working surface of the cabinet is provided with a flexible holder for a removable lamp and a variable size cup dispenser accessible through an aperture in the top surface. The cabinet has all-around bumper protection both top and bottom with the top bumper providing handles at each end of the portable cabinet.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion machine is provided in which the components are designed and constructed in a manner to give complete combustion by providing a stratified charge which is mixed early in the combustion process.

Abstract: A trapped ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer comprised of an analyzer cell having upper, lower, side and end electrodes positioned to produce a substantially uniform electric field, a magnet positioned to produce a magnetic field and irradiating wires adjacent to the electrodes for producing an RF alternating field. The upper, lower and side electrodes are in the form of a rectangular hyberbola to produce a homogeneous quadrupolar electrostatic field. Sample ions are produced by reaction with a reagent ion and trapped by the electric and magnetic fields. The magnetic field induces the trapped ions into an orbit at a frequency related to the charge-to-mass ratio. The analyzer cell is then irradiated with an alternating electric field which causes the ions to accelerate until they impinge on the upper and lower electrodes and are collected. An electrometer connected to the upper and lower electrodes senses the collected ions and measures the current produced.

Abstract: A vehicle levelling and stabilizing system for campers, trailers and the like, which is easily attachable to existing vehicles. The system is comprised of a plurality of horizontal folding jacks which can be attached at strategic locations to a trailer. Each jack has an electrically operated gear motor for extending and retracting the leg of the jack. The gear motor assembly is attached to the jack by a motor mount configured to permit the gear motor to be secured at a variety of angles to adapt the system to most trailers. The motors are driven by a switching system which allows selection of one or more of the jacks to produce levelling of the trailer. A suitable level is provided either on the tongue of the trailer or at a convenient location. As an alternative, an automatic levelling system may be provided in which a pendulum system operates the jacks successively until the trailer is level.

Abstract: A device for modifying a lathe having predetermined standard thread settings. Primarily, it can be used to adjust the lathe for extra non-standard thread cutting. The device is comprised of an adapter which can be attached to a compound tool rest for moving longitudinally the upper block of the compound tool rest a predetermined amount relative to the carriage during the thread cutting process. A calibrated scale can be set to add or subtract up to 10% from any lead selected from the standard thread series on the lathe. Automatic drive is provided by linking the motion of the carriage being driven by the worm screw on the lathe to the adapter. The adapter is comprised of a plurality of blocks which create a moment arm for moving the upper block relative to the lower block of the compound tool rest when the carriage is being driven.

Abstract: A wave motion power generating system comprised of a floating buoy attached to a pump which pumps water from a container submerged below water level. The pump removes water from the container creating a hydrostatic head which can be used to draw water through a drive system for operating a power generator. The buoy may be in the form of a cylindrical ring mounted on the leg of an ocean platform with the pump being a cylindrical container also mounted on a leg well below the surface of the ocean. The motion created by ocean waves moves the buoy up and down operating the pump to create a void in a tank submerged well below the ocean surface, thus creating the hydrostatic head. This hydrostatic head can be used to drive a turbine which in turn operates a power generator.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving fuel economy and exhaust emissions of internal combustion engines operating at high altitude conditions. The process is comprised of adjustments to spark timing carburetor idling and crankcase ventilation flow to lean out the fuel-air mixture an amount based on the relative elevation in altitude. The process includes the use or modification of a crankcase ventilation modulating valve having novel flow characteristics and produces much greater efficiency than would be expected under the high altitude conditions. The manifold vacuum between the engine carburetor and piston modulates the valve to provide a greater air flow when increased power is demanded from the engine. In addition to coordinating the spark timing with the modulating valve air flow, the process includes a concomitant special adjustment of the engine's speed and fuel air mixture at idle.

Abstract: A swivel drawer assembly is provided which finds general utility in automobile pass-through food dispensing establishments, and which comprises a horizontal tray mounted for swivel movement in a rectangular opening in the wall of the establishment about a first vertical axis at one side of the opening. First and second vertical doors are mounted at right angles to one another on one side of the tray with their junction at the first vertical axis, and third and fourth doors are independently swivelly mounted for rotation about a second vertical axis at the other side of the opening. The third and fourth doors are coupled to the tray through a cam action to be turned about the second vertical axis by the tray, and the assembly is such that when the tray is turned to one limiting position the first and third doors close the opening, and when the tray is turned to its second limiting position the second and fourth doors close the opening.

Abstract: A process for making orthodontic assemblies such as brackets and buccal tubes which permits simultaneous heat treating of the assembly while brazing the assembly together. The process consists of assembling a plurality of aligned bases with caps and a brazing insert. The caps are then tack welded (temporarily fastened) to the bases to produce a strip of orthodontic assemblies which can be easily handled. The strips are then heat treated to a brazing temperature in a specified atmosphere. The individual orthodontic assemblies are either automatically separated during the heat treatment or may be easily separated by cutting after removal from the furnace. The bases and caps for the buccal tube assemblies are of a unique design which is readily adaptable to the multiple strip brazing process.

Abstract: A putter for indicating the slope and direction in which a golf ball should be stroked in which the putter head includes a level observable during use of the club and a device for indicating the amount of offset at which the putt should be stroked in order to direct the ball toward the cup. The putter also includes a measuring device in the handle for measuring the exact offset. The head may be provided in various sizes and shapes with the offset indicator expanded according to the amount of area provided.

Abstract: The flow from geothermal wells is stimulated by injecting a liquid at selected levels in the well with the liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the geothermal fluid at the levels of injection at the operating pressure at the levels of injection. The geothermal fluid and vaporized injected fluid from the well are applied to a system for extracting the heat energy as well as for cleaning sand and other well depositions that may accumulate in the geothermal well. The system may include a direct contact heat exchanger having either a vertical chamber or a horizontal chamber. The contactor has a plurality of zones including a boiler zone, one or more separation zones, and at least one heat exchange zone. The contactor may also include a wash zone and a flash zone.In the wash zone there is advantageously included recirculation trays vertically spaced for washing the vapor to remove entrained substances, such as minerals dissolved in the fluid from the geothermal wells.

Abstract: A mattress construction and method of making is disclosed in which an extremely wide, deep stitch flange permits a more uniform and tighter mattress construction. A mattress cover is sewn to an apron or flanging material with a wide border or flange with the thread being deeply set in the cover by the thick foam padding between the flange material and the cover. This construction allows the apron to be very tightly pulled over a coil spring and stapled through sisal padding to the coil spring rim or border. The stretching of the flange skirt and cover creates a bow in the coil spring pulling the rim toward the center. The wide flange then permits the skirt or side cover to be tightly stitched with edging tape or binding material to produce a very firm and flat mattress construction.

Abstract: A compact indoor environmental control system which has cooling, heating, and ventilation components mounted and positioned to provide a slim design for in-the-wall installation. A cabinet is provided with cooling and heating components mounted to leave plenums at opposite ends of the cabinet so that air outlets can be selected on any one of five sides of the plenums. The heating, cooling and control sections are of modular design to permit full accessibility for maintenance, repair or replacement. A variety of configurations for intake and exhaust of inside and outside air are possible because of the versatility provided by the modular construction.

Abstract: A device which can be used as a sled towed by a vehicle such as a snowmobile which can be converted to a ramp for loading a snowmobile or any vehicle onto a transporting device such as a truck. The device is comprised of a frame having vertical sides forming a container with a pair of skids attached beneath the frame and a tongue or hitch attached to one end for towing purposes. The sides and ends are attached in a manner which permits them to be adjusted to a position for converting the body of the slid to a loading ramp. A transition piece is attached to the end of the frame for attaching the device to a transporter for loading purposes. The vertical sides are hinged to adjust to various positions and act as guides, if desired. The frame is provided with suitable attachment devices so that the hitch or transition piece may be attached to either end.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting the heat from solar energy for use in heating applications such as swimming pools. The apparatus is comprised of a panel having three separately movable structures, each rotatably independent of each other in order to provide a maximum amount of rotation in a relatively compact area. The apparatus is constructed of a plurality of rotatable carriers and frames mounted on vertical legs or posts which are supported on a movable base. A main frame or carriage is rotatably supported on axles attached to the vertical legs. A pair of smaller frames are rotatably supported on each end of the main carriage. The two rotatable frames have a plurality of conduits or pipes for circulating a fluid each at the focal point of a magnifying lens to collect the heat energy of the sun.