Abstract: A modular storage rack, display structural element or cube system formed by snap together panels with alignment guides, which may also support wheels, shelves, drawers and doors. The system is assemble-in-place and may shipped and displayed for sale in a flat pack.

Abstract: A vent assembly for a crawl space type vent opening in the foundation wall of a building has a front frame engaging the outer face of the wall around the opening, swappable venting plates for the front frame, and a rear frame engaging the inner face of the wall in the crawl space and connected under tension through the opening to the front frame. A first form of the vent can be installed axially into the vent opening from the outside of the building to replace an existing vent in a finished wall. A second form of the vent is installed vertically into the vent opening in the wall before the opening has been capped, as part of new construction.

Abstract: An assay device is made by combining a polynucleic acid with a molten material capable of solidifying into a solid thermoplastic or thermosetting material and then allowing the molten material to solidify. The thus-formed thermoplastic solid material has at least some molecules of the polynucleic acid exposed on the surface of the thermoplastic solid material in an orientation wherein the polynucleic acid is bindable to a binding partner by specific binding. The invention further relates to a solid phase substrate having a polynucleic acid embedded therein. The invention further relates to the use of a solid phase substrate having a polynucleic acid embedded therein for hybridization assays and immunoassays to detect anti-nucleic acid antibodies.

Abstract: An electromechanical compression release valve for compressors, engines with rotary or reciprocating mechanisms and external combustion engines, such as, a Stirling cycle engine, reduces the engine starting power by reducing the compression pressure in the cylinder head space area. The valve reduces the compression pressure by passing the working fluid from the cylinder head space to another compartment. The valve comprises a housing, a valve member, a valve-driving member, a valve position sensor, and a ratchet pawl. In the open position, and while starting the engine, the inlet of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the opening in a chamber connected to the engine work space, thus, the working fluid passes through the valve member into the crankcase. After the engine starts, the valve position sensor directs the valve-driving member to rotate the valve member to the closed position. When closed, the engine working fluid can now achieve the operating compression pressures.

Abstract: An evaporative burner that includes an igniter assembly, a swirler, an evaporation chamber, and a reverse throat. The reverse throat has raised ends that protrude into the evaporation chamber. The reverse throat in combination with the evaporation chamber and the swirler, facilitate the recirculation of air in the evaporation chamber such that a flame is stabilized near the evaporation chamber walls. This flame gradually evaporates the fuel in the lining of the evaporation chamber. The fuel-air mixture results in a steady and uniformly distributed flame in the combustion chamber. This flame can heat uniformly the walls of the combustion chamber, and thus be applicable for high efficiency and low emissions applications. Furthermore, this burner can start and reach full burner power rapidly.

Abstract: An ejector, such as a venturi, facilitates the delivery of gaseous fuel to the combustion chamber of a burner. A blower forces air through the ejector, and the air flow produces a suction that draws fuel from a fuel inlet to produce a fuel-air mixture. The amount of fuel drawn from the fuel inlet is a function of the air flow such that a substantially constant fuel-air ratio is obtained over a range of air flow rates and temperatures without the need for a separate high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel-air mixture may be provided to a combustion chamber for combustion. Air from the blower may be pre-heated prior to entering the ejector, for example, using a heat exchanger that recovers some of the heat from the combusted fuel-air mixture. Air flow through the ejector may be conditioned, for example, by a swirler, to produce a tangential air flow that can increase fuel flow by increasing air velocity across the fuel inlet and/or produce a swirl-stabilized flame in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A garment for muffling sound generated by a user’s footstep includes a circumferential sidewall having an upper end, a lower end, and a circumferential lower portion near the lower end. When the garment is worn, the upper end encircles the user’s leg, and the lower position surrounds the user’s foot and shoe portion that surrounds the foot. The lower portion has a circumference substantially larger than the circumference of a user’s shoe, whereby the lower portion is spaced away from the user’s shoe during at least part, if not all, of a user’s footstep. In this fashion, the garment creates an enlarged chamber for muffling sounds generated by the user’s footstep.

Abstract: An electromechanical compression release valve for compressors, engines with rotary or reciprocating mechanisms and external combustion engines, such as, a Stirling cycle engine, reduces the engine starting power by reducing the compression pressure in the cylinder head space area. The valve reduces the compression pressure by passing the working fluid from the cylinder head space to another compartment. The valve comprises a housing, a valve member, a valve-driving member, a valve position sensor, and a ratchet pawl. In the open position, and while starting the engine, the inlet of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the opening in a chamber connected to the engine work space, thus, the working fluid passes through the valve member into the crankcase. After the engine starts, the valve position sensor directs the valve-driving member to rotate the valve member to the closed position. When closed, the engine working fluid can now achieve the operating compression pressures.

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.

Abstract: A method of dispensing soap from a fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of presenting a tube having a tube end disposed at a first position within an indented portion of a spout of the fluid dispensing system, sensing an object below the tube end, in response to sensing the object, expelling said soap from the tube end by drawing the tube end further within the indented portion to a second position, and returning the tube end to the first position.

Abstract: A device and method for equalizing the pressure between work-space and crankcase in a pressurized engine, such as a Stirling engine. The device consists of a two-way valve connected between the work-space and the crankcase. The valve is connected to the work-space with a passageway including a constriction to provide an mean pressure for monitoring purposes. The valve connects the work-space and crankcase allowing the pressure to equalize when the mean pressure of the work-space exceeds the crankcase pressure by a predetermined amount.