Abstract: A communication and data processing system for use between one or more employers and one or more service providers, at least including a mathematical model for calculating a quantity Hi(T), where Hi(T) denotes a size of a fee to the one or more service providers and T denotes the true time use. Calculating Hi(T) at least includes using the following manipulated parameters: TN, estimated time for completing the project; T, actual time for completing the project; Z, chosen portion of total project value; and at least one parameter indicative of real-time data for the project. The communication and data processing system is implemented as an application on a computer, the application acquiring real-time data automatically at predetermined times and other parameters being entered manually via a user interface.

Abstract: A communication and data processing system for use between one or more employers and one or more service providers, at least including a mathematical model for calculating a quantity Hi(T), where Hi(T) denotes a size of a fee to the one or more service providers and T denotes the true time use. Calculating Hi(T) at least includes using the following manipulated parameters: TN, estimated time for completing the project; T, actual time for completing the project; Z, chosen portion of total project value; and at least one parameter indicative of real-time data for the project. The communication and data processing system is implemented as an application on a computer, the application acquiring real-time data automatically at predetermined times and other parameters being entered manually via a user interface.

Abstract: The master jaw assembly comprises at least three jaw members adapted to be mounted to a chuck, a collet adapter which is received within the jaw members and in an opening in the chuck, and a selected collet received and releasably fixed within the collet adapter.

Abstract: The specification describes particle-charging, specie-separating and concentration-enhancing methods and apparatus which operate on a substantially continual basis. The particles of each specie in a mixture are charged by surface contact, separated in an electric field according to their respective polarities by motion in the direction of the field, and the particles of like net polarities are transported in substantially continuous streams, each of opposite net polarity, running near each other, in a direction or directions transverse to the electric field, the streams being in communication parallel to the electric field, so as to transfer particles of at least one of the species to the other of the respective streams by virtue of continued particle contact and field separation of charged particles as the respective streams progress transversely to the electric field. The two streams can run in the same direction (co-current) or in respectively opposite directions (counter-current).

Abstract: A mixture of particles of different materials is further comminuted by rubbing contact while moving at high relative velocity along a surface of a solid body to a substantially smaller size range during which the particles of different materials acquire a very high differential charge, and while bearing such high differential charge the particles of different material are entered into an electric field for efficient separation of particles of one material from particles of another material.

Abstract: After pulverizing feed coal to a range of particle sizes from 1 to 250 microns, the particles are divided at approximately a micron level in the range from 37 to 74 microns into a coarse fraction and a fine fraction. The inorganic material is separated from the organic material, at least in the coarse fraction, and the particles of inorganic material are excluded from the coal that is fed to the boiler.

Abstract: A rotor-type electrostatic separator is described with means to remove a boundary layer of entrained air from the rotating collector surface prior to depositing on the surface a particulate feed for particle separation. Following the feed hopper a new boundary layer of air with particles in it is entrained on the rotating collector surface. Means are also provided to shield from the action of corona wind the region immediately following the feed hopper where the particles enter the newly-forming boundary layer.

Abstract: After pulverizing to minus 200 mesh, a mixture of coal and pyrite particles is passed through an A.C. silent corona discharge in the presence of a reactant gas. Simultaneously, the particles are de-agglomerated and an electrical or magnetic difference between them is enhanced. Thereafter, the pyrite is separated from the coal. The effectiveness of the pulverizing step in separating pyrite particles from the coal matrix, especially small-size particles approximately 50 micrometers and less, is enhanced by pretreating the coal with a chemical comminutant. One example is a solution of ammonia, used to presoak the coal for a short time, at, for example, atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in a Stirling cycle engine includes a plurality of disc-like plates which are stacked in coaxial fashion within a cylindrical housing, and are supported thereby. The plates are all identical, and are provided with a matrix of perforations extending therethrough parallel to the axis of the heat exchanger. The plates are all parallel and spaced slightly apart, and each plate is rotated about the axis of the device approximately two percent from the adjacent plates. The cylindrical housing includes a plurality of radially extending fins which are disposed within an annular fluid jacket.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for linking the pistons of a heat engine to a rotating drive shaft includes a housing through which the drive shaft extends in rotatable fashion. Secured to the drive shaft within the housing is a main bevelled gear. A plurality of bevelled drive gears engage the main gear, each drive gear being secured to a gear shaft which extends through the exterior of the housing. Secured to the exterior end of each gear shaft is a gear wheel, which meshes with a similar, free-wheeling gear wheel. A pair of eccentric arms are secured to each pair of meshing gear wheels, their distal ends being secured to a block. A piston rod is also secured to the block, so that the reciprocal motion of the piston rod may be transferred through the eccentric arms and the gear wheels to the drive gear and the main gear.

Abstract: A solar heating system includes a solar collector comprising a continuous length of copper tubing coiled into a helical array of closely adjacent turns and supported within a sealed housing. The outer turns of the array are fabricated of tubing having a greater diameter than the tubing which forms the inner turns of the array, and the total length of the larger diameter tubing in the array is greater than that of the smaller diameter tubing. The relationships beween the tubing diameters and lengths are selected to achieve a desired flow rate and temperature rise for the overall array. The array is supported within the housing by copper sheets which also operate to eliminate moisture condensation within the housing.

Abstract: A solar heating system of the closed type comprises a solar collector, a water storage tank, and water lines therebetween. The solar collector preferably comprises a continuous length of tubing coiled in a helical array of closely adjacent turns, having a water inlet communicating with the outermost turn and a water outlet communicating with the innermost turn. Comparatively cold water is taken from a water outlet adjacent the bottom of the storage tank and is pumped through a line to the water inlet of the solar collector, and heated water is supplied from the solar collector water outlet, together with cold water from an external supply, to a common inlet adjacent the top of the storage tank. The water line between the solar collector water outlet and the tank water inlet includes a U-shaped section disposed external of the tank and having legs at least equal to the height of the tank, to provide a heat trap which minimizes the loss of heat from the tank.