Abstract: An ionizable material is injected in the shape of concentric jet and cylindrical column of gases from a cathode-nozzle toward an anode and subjected to a very short, high voltage pulse of electrical current having sufficient magnitude to create a high magnetic field which implodes the cylindrical column of ionizable material and compresses the central jet of ionizable material to a very dense plasma that is relatively stable longitudinally that can be used as a gain medium for a long wave length X-ray laser.

Abstract: An ionizable material is ejected in the shape of a cylindrical column from a cathode-nozzle toward an anode and subjected to a very short, high voltage pulse of electrical current having sufficient magnitude to create a high magnetic field which implodes the cylindrical column of ionizable material to a very high density plasma that emits long wave length x-rays. Accurate and reliably reproduced x-ray bursts are provided through coupling of the cathode and anode to the high voltage pulse generator without substantially degrading the pulse. The conductors between the pulse generator and the cathode and anode are of a configuration whereby a magnetic field is used to prevent the electron losses by tapering the spacing between feed conductors and shaping the feed conductors so that space-charge flow is retrapped and made usable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving optimized efficiency combustion in a diesel internal combustion engine utilizes a cylinder pressure detector which measures peak cylinder pressure relative to crankshaft timing and compares it with a speed-load-timing map comprising several engine parameters including engine speed and engine load in order to compensate for various unknown combustion characteristics of the fuels to be used in compression ignition engines, and automatically adjusts fuel injection timing for optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A multiple cathode-anode pulsed X-ray source utilizes a first X-ray transparent cathode spaced apart from a solid tungsten first anode between which is disposed a second tungsten anode spaced apart from the first cathode and electrically connected to a second X-ray transparent cathode which is also spaced apart from a solid tungsten first anode. Electrons emitted from the first cathode are caused to bombard the second anode to emit X-radiation therefrom where the electrons are then conducted to and emitted by the second cathode to bombard the first anode to again emit X-radiation therefrom. The X-radiation emitted from the first and second anodes passes through the first and second cathodes to a target.

Abstract: An electroexpansive linear actuator utilizes a sagittal tension member to amplify linear motion in which the electroexpansive member is placed in compression between a fixed base support and a lever support member hingedly connected to the fixed base. One end of the sagittal tension member is attached to the fixed base while the other end is attached to the lever support member distal the hinge point. The device to be actuated is connected proximate the midpoint of the sagittal tension member and moves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sagittal tension member when the electroexpansive member expands and contracts. A second embodiment of the actuator utilizes a second lever support arm instead of the fixed base as a bearing support for the other end of the electroexpansive member.

Abstract: A housing having an inlet port and an outlet port utilizes a variable volume cavity connected to the housing and includes a device for limiting the volume of the cavity which is alternately filled through the inlet port and exhausted through the outlet port using a spool valve. The spool valve is arranged to prevent continuous communication of fluid between the inlet and outlet ports. The volume of the variable volume cavity can be varied using electro-expansive or piezoelectric apparatus. The spool valve is reciprocated between the inlet and outlet ports using an electromechanical device and a motion amplifier.

Abstract: A high pressure diaphragm for use with an electroexpansive material utilizes a generally planar central member, a generally outer flange-engaging member, and an annular ring member, which can have a frusto-conical shape, having its outer edge flexibly connected to the inner edge of the flange-engaging member and with its inner edge flexibly connected to the outer edge of the central member. The flexible connection includes a bridge member having a thickness less than the thickness of the annular ring member and maybe fabricated integrally with said annular ring member and with the central and flange-engaging members. In one embodiment the high pressure diaphgram is pre-loaded so that during movement no portion of the flexible connectors are in tension.

Abstract: An electromotive actuator comprises a hollow cylinder within which is an electroexpansive body having attached to each end a metal cup with slotted sides. Inside of each cup there is positioned an electroexpansive disc which, in the absence of excitation, causes the slotted sides, which are called fingers hereinafter, to bend outward, and in the presence of excitation enables them to return to their original position. In the absence of excitation the fingers clamp tightly against the inner surface of the cylinder and in the presence of excitation they spring inwardly and release that surface. By sequencing the excitation of the respective discs and the central body in one embodiment of the invention, the assembly can be made to move in either direction and thereby move an externally extending rod. In another embodiment of the invention, by properly sequencing the excitation of the discs and central body, high torque and fine angular resolution may be obtained.

Abstract: A fuel pump for providing fuel at relatively high pressure is activated by gas pressure, created during the compression stroke of an internal combustion engine. The pump includes a piston and a hollow plunger which are biased by a single spring in opposite directions. The piston, which is exposed to gases in the engine's cylinder, is urged, by the gas pressure in the cylinder during the compression stroke, to move upwardly. A limit is placed on the piston's upward stroke. When reaching the upward limit the pressure which is applied to fuel in a fuel chamber is only a function of the force applied by the spring to the plunger. When fuel ejection is enabled, the spring pushes the plunger toward the fuel chamber to eject the fuel therefrom. Toward the end of the exhaust stroke the piston moves toward the engine cylinder, forcing the plunger to move in the same direction until the latter's travel is limited by limiting means. Fuel is then injectable into the fuel chamber for subsequent ejection.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine is described, which provides for independent, flexible control of timing as well as quantity of fuel injected. The system is programmable for torque shaping and adaptable to a wide range of engine sizes. It uses piezoelectric valves for controlling injection timing, a shuttle, fuel meter and a gas driven high pressure pump for injecting the fuel into the cylinders.

Abstract: A method for generating a horizontal fracture through a wellbore by causing two explosively induced shear waves to intersect. This is achieved by placing, within a coupling fluid within a wellbore, a length of high explosives whose center is adjacent the location where a fracture is desired. Both ends of the high explosive are ignited simultaneously.

Abstract: A high energy discharge apparatus uses a generally electron transparent thin foil anode of various configuration which is arranged parallel to and spaced apart between a pair of cathodes, and energized to create a potential difference between the anodes and cathodes causing electrons to be reflected back and forth through the foil anode with the concurrent discharge of ions being accelerated to the cathode.

Abstract: A method for stimulating oil and gas wells to increase production including filling the lower portion of the well above the pay zone level having exposed rock with a fracturing fluid, and sealing the well above the lower portion. A shock wave is then applied to the fracturing fluid, which, when applied thereby to the rock at the pay zone creates a stress wave in the rock having a rise time faster than the time required for sound to traverse one half the periphery of the rock at the pay zone, and having an amplitude which will fracture but not crush the rock.

Abstract: A method and means for stimulating oil and gas wells to increase production comprises filling a well above the pay zone level with a fracturing fluid, then suspending a cylinder of high explosive centrally within the wellbore adjacent to the pay zone. Thereafter a propellant is suspended within tens of feet above the high explosive and the well above the propellant is enclosed. The application of high explosive is chosen to cause multiple radiating fractures but will not crush the rock in the well. Also, the rise time of the shock wave created by the explosive should be less than the time required for sound to traverse one-half of the periphery of the well opening in the rock at the pay zone. The propellant is detonated first, followed by the detonation of the high explosive. The purpose of using the propellant is to maintain pressure caused by the high explosive over a longer period, thereby extending the fractures caused by the high explosive.

Abstract: An electronic band pass filter adapted for passing an oscillating wave pulse of a predetermined band width frequency is provided with a circuit for short circuiting the energy contained in the ring-down at the end of the pulse to ground with additional circuitry for cutting off ring up at the beginning of the pulse and further narrowing the band width frequency.

Abstract: Free-standing boulders or rocks are fractured and broken down into many smaller pieces by impacting the boulder with a high velocity projectile. The impact energy is delivered to the rock by a blunt nosed projectile in a time which is less than the transit time of a sound signal across the average diameter of the rock.

Abstract: A digital or analog signal containing information is discriminated into identifiable bit bundles of information which are modulated into pulses of an oscillating current whose pulse length corresponds to a particular bundle of information which is of shorter duration than the unmodulated bundle of information and which is multiplexed by time zones.