Abstract: Structure for and method of charging an electric vehicle at a parking location and facilitating billing for the charging energy utilized and the parking time. The structure includes a charging and parking meter at a parking space for receiving a charge card and into which a charging plug from an electric vehicle may be placed, structure for reading the charge card placed in the meter and for locking the plug in place, and a central processor unit for determining the charging energy used and parking time and for storing billing data relative thereto at a remote location, for periodic removal to facilitate billing. The method of the invention includes the steps of permitting charging of an electric vehicle at a parking location in response to use of a charge card and storing charging and parking information for subsequent retrieval to facilitate billing to the owner of the charge card.

Abstract: A precipitator comprising a multiplicity of vertical wires suspended from their top ends and having weights connected to their bottom ends, and means responsive to the weight reduction when a wire fails to release the top ends of the wire to provide for removal of the entire portion of the wire above the wire failure point from the precipitator by gravity.

Abstract: A stabilized fill material and method of producing the stabilized fill material comprising approximately 45-80% fly ash, 1-6% cement, and 20-50% water by weight, and mixing the material and depositing it directly in water by equipment supported on previously deposited fill material to form a causeway or the like. The fill material may include up to 2% lime by weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering or maintaining phosphate ester type hydraulic fluids in serviceable condition which comprises sequentially filtering the fluid through at least a coalescer type filter and a mole-sieve type filter, preferably in conjunction with an activated charcoal powder filter and a small pore particle filter. In maintaining a hydraulic system in service, a small quantity of the hydraulic fluid is continually circulated from a reservoir through the filters and returned to the reservoir.

Abstract: A tube ferrule for a heat exchanger such for example as a condenser, a boiler, a refrigeration unit, or the like, having the shape of a longitudinally or axially split generally tubular or cylindrical ferrule having radially outwardly extending edge flanges adapted to be compressed and inserted so as to surround the portion of a tube occupying a circular opening in a support plate somewhat larger than the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring displacement between two bodies one of which is provided with a light reflecting target area having a sharply delineated boundary. The other body has two fiber optic bundles one of which has a light emitting end adjacent the boundary of the light reflecting target area. The other bundle has a light receiving end adjacent the light reflecting area adapted to receive light reflected from the area. The arrangement permits use of the transducer in a hazardous or inconveniently accessible area with an output which may be located remote from the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for periodically withdrawing power from an alternating current power signal on a power distribution line at the source of the power signal, including an inductance across the power distribution line in series with a silicon controlled rectifier at a frequency which is a sub-multiple of the frequency which is a sub-multiple of the frequency of the power signal and synchronized therewith and means for detecting the periodic variation in the power of the power signal at a remote location and performing a control function, such as turning off a water heater for a predetermined time in accordance therewith and the method of performing the control function including withdrawing power from selected cycles of the power signal and remotely detecting the withdrawn power and performing the control function in accordance with the detection of the withdrawn power.

Abstract: The invention has both environmental and energy solving implications. A high voltage electrical field is established intermediate a power plant cooling system which inherently produces large quantities of water vapor and is located between the cooling system and a traffic area so as to eliminate or materially limit fog particles when weather conditions would otherwise create fog, and by movement of air, carry the fog to or across the traffic area.

Abstract: A system for burning fuel particles in which the particles are suspended in a stream of air and projected into the firebox of a heat exchanger. In order to spread the fuel-air mixture, air is directed transversely, and preferably outwardly of the flowing mixture. The fuel is preferably powdered coal.