Abstract: A pool cleaning apparatus for cleaning the bottom and sidewalls of a swimming pool has an exterior housing through which water is circulated and at least one source of water-sterilizing ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the form of a straight, circular and/or curvilinear tube that is positioned on the interior of the housing so that the amount of any bacteria in the water circulated past the UV radiation source is reduced.

Abstract: An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing, drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of the salt water pool to be cleaned, and an integral electrochemical chlorine generator mounted in the housing, includes a processor/controller that is programmed to activate the chlorine generator, the pump and drive means in predetermined operational sequences that minimize wear and tear on the water pump and drive means, while at the same time distribute and maintain a safe level of sanitizing chlorine in the pool, to thereby obviate the need for an in-line chlorinator or other chemical additive treatments; an optional automated sensor device can be provided to activate a secondary maintenance program which enables the pool cleaner to operate over prolonged periods of time as the sole means for filtering and sanitizing the pool water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of a pool by a programmed robotic pool cleaner initially set at an arbitrary position in the poll. The pool can be of any standard or non-standard shapes, and the surfaced with any conventional materials. The robot is advanced until it encounters a first obstacle (1), then reverses direction and advances along the same path to an opposing second obstacle (2) to form a first path between the opposing first (1) and second (2) obstacles. At the second obstacle (2), the robot reverses and advances to a predetermined point (A) between the opposing obstacles along said first path. At the predetermined point (A), the robot stops and turns in a first direction at a predetermined angle of turn, and repeats the above steps along additional paths until the sum of the predetermined angle of turns generates a quantity of paths sufficient to substantially clean the pool surfaces.

Abstract: A pool cleaning apparatus for cleaning the bottom and sidewalls of a swimming pool has an exterior housing through which water is circulated and at least one source of water-sterilizing ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the form of a straight,—circular and/or curvilinear tube that is positioned on the interior of the housing so that the amount of any bacteria in the water circulated past the UV radiation source is reduced.

Abstract: A system for recovering potable water from the water vapor in ambient air at a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. The system is especially adapt at operating efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities. The system is able to operate efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities by employing a mechanism for enhancing the buildup of frozen water on the surfaces used to condense the water vapor from ambient air.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sterilization unit having a housing attached to an air heating and cooling system. The housing including two apertures into which lamp cartridges are inserted. The lamp cartridges carrying ultraviolet lamps operating in a frequency capable of sterilizing air within the system. The cartridges are configured to automatically de-energize the lamps when a lamp cartridge is removed from the housing. When the sterilization unit is a multiple lamp system, when one of the lamp cartridges is removed all lamps are de-energized. The de-energizing of the lamps occurring before a user will view the lamp.

Abstract: A self-contained oil spill cleanup craft and method which operates well in both rough and calm seas, is rapidly deployed, which provides high flow rate continuous separation and processing of recovered oil and water mixtures, and outputs water which is substantially free of oil and oil which is substantially free of water and other contaminants and, as such, refinery ready without further processing. The craft of the present invention can be used, for example, to clean up light and medium weight crude oil, lubricating oil, or diesel fuel that is floating on the surfaces of either fresh or salt water.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pressure-sensitive transducer including two spaced pressure-sensitive subassemblies having matched parameters and which are electrically coupled together in a manner to minimize the effect of acceleration on the transducer. In one embodiment, each subassembly comprises a pair of piezoelectric crystals attached to opposite sides of a conductive mounting plate. The two plates are supported on opposite sides of an insulated annular spacer ring in a manner to face like poled surfaces of the crystals in the same directions. The crystals are electrically coupled together in parallel by conductors which couple each pair of crystals of a subassembly together and to the mounting plate of the other assembly.