Abstract: An engine is disclosed having a water cooling system allowing efficient cooling of the exhaust valves to prevent temperature gradients from building in the engine. Water is therefore pumped through the engine though first and second water cooling cores which discharge through the head. A water manifold is positioned over the discharge opening and includes couplings for the radiator supply, radiator return, water pump supply, oil cooler supply and oil cooler return. The engine has separate chambers to isolate the pistons and cylinders, and reed valves cover the chambers and allow the blow-by gases and oil to enter the oil pan during the power stroke of the engine cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for washing adsorptive media with minimal water consumption. More specifically, the invention provides methods and systems for in situ regeneration and/or sanitization of adsorptive media, such as activated carbon, using back-and-forth washing.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: A coolant bottle defines a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber at a valve seat. The first chamber is fluidly coupled to a source of heated engine cooling fluid, while the second chamber is fluidly coupled to an engine water pump. A thermally responsive actuator is disposed within the first chamber, and has a thermally actuated sliding member having a valve seat engaging surface. The thermally actuated sliding member is movable from a first open position to a second closed position when the coolant is above a first temperature. The thermally responsive actuator is disposed within the first chamber.

Abstract: A two cycle engine having a block defining an exhaust port and a cylinder, a head, and a piston defining a combustion chamber is disclosed. The exhaust port has a resonant frequency that causes a portion of the combusted and uncombusted exhaust gasses to flow from the exhaust system and back into the combustion chamber. At a speed above the predetermined speed, a majority of the portion of the combusted and uncombusted exhaust gasses flows from the exhaust system and back into the combustion chamber without engaging the skirt of the piston.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed having a starter clutch ring gear, and a crank case having an integral starter pinion accepting member defining a through bore, and a gear assembly having an exterior surface configured to engage a flywheel and an surface engaging the second of the shaft. A starter pinion shaft is disposed through the through bore. The integral starter pinion accepting member defines a surface coupled to an engine mount.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine comprises an engine speed sensor generating an engine speed signal, a throttle position sensor generating a throttle position signal, a sensor module comprising at least one of a fuel pressure sensor generating a fuel pressure signal corresponding to a fuel pressure and a fuel temperature sensor generating a fuel temperature signal corresponding to a fuel temperature into the engine. A controller is coupled to the fuel injector, the engine speed sensor and the sensor module. The controller determines a pulse width duration for the fuel injector based on engine speed and throttle position, determining a pulse width correction factor as a function of at least one of the fuel temperature signal and the fuel pressure signal, determining a second pulse width duration based on the first pulse width, and operating the fuel injector with the second pulse width duration.

Abstract: A tooling installation system having unique tools which provide an external force directly to the sleeve end of a faster to create a bulb on the sleeve of the fastener is provided. The system provides external forces directly to the sleeve end of the fastener deforming a portion of the sleeve radially outward and onto the structure prior to swaging a second portion of the sleeve radially inward onto the pin. Additionally, the system controls formation of the sleeve by capturing an external portion of the sleeve creating a cavity between the tool and the structure for achieving proper bulb formation during installation prior to swage. The system also provides specific forces to the head of the pin and the head of the sleeve to insure proper seating of the fastener head against the structure inducing residual compressive stresses within the structure, thus improving mechanical properties such as fatigue life of the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for sanitizing and/or regenerating porous filter media using dissolved ozone in the filter backwash under fluidized conditions.

Abstract: RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter with multiple RFID integrated chips mounted on RFID elevator controller, having customized RFID transponders, a bluetooth module, and an extended I/O connector is disclosed. Customized RFID transponders include RFID Integrated chips, RFID sensor coils, and a SPNT switch. Extended I/O connector is configured to allow connection of customized RFID transponders by coupling to SPNT switches. Bluetooth module instructs which one of SPNT switches is to be opened or closed, which then connects one RFID sensor coil with one corresponding RFID Integrated chip, while other RFID sensor coils and remaining RFID Integrated chips are disconnected. Selection criteria of chosen RFID IC by Bluetooth module is in accordance with preconfigured allocated access right given to each user by an administrator and is programmed on flash memory, EEprom memory of Bluetooth module, in APP, or on cloud authentication server. More than one customized RFID transponder can be chained together.

Abstract: Short-range and long-range operating methods for hospitality accommodation automation and control using APP, webpage, smartphone, RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter, relay controller together with RFID door lock is disclosed, where unlocking RFID door lock requires just pressing a button, various power outlets, lighting levels, HVAC settings, and tv settings can be controlled by smartphone. A gateway device with internet connectivity allows remote unlock or lock of doorlock, sending notifications of door unlock events back to a cloud server, and remotely control electrical or electronic devices under short-range or long-range modes. Detection methods for determining whether any occupant remains inside the room is also included. Current sensor is used for assess electric power consumption rate.

Abstract: The touch-type gas control valve contains a button, a spring, a hollow body, an O-shaped ring, and a stem. The button is configured to be slidable in and out of a top side of the body. The body has a number of outlets around the lower section's circumference and an inlet on a bottom side of the body. The spring is housed inside the body. The ring is positioned around the inlet. The stem has a semi-spherical head at a bottom end and threads around a top section. The stem runs through the ring, into the body through the inlet, through the spring, and is fastened into the bottom side of the button. The ring is sandwiched between the semi-spherical head and the bottom side of the body by the resilience of the spring when the button is not depressed.

Abstract: A smoke producing method and device of the present disclosure produces a non-incendiary, organic-polymerization based, smoke-producing reaction. The method of generating smoke comprises initiating a frontal polymerization reaction by heating a composition comprising a monomer compound that exothermically polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator compound and an initiator compound that initiates polymerization of the monomer compound present at a mass concentration that is at least five percent of the mass concentration of the monomer compound. The polymerization of the monomer compound is exothermic, and in one embodiment the concentration of initiator compound is at least five percent of the concentration of monomer compound. The smoke mainly comprises thermal decomposition products of the initiator compound.

Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A device (1) for removing volatile compounds from polluted waters, comprising: a) a stripping column (2) for desorption of the volatile organic compounds from the water to be purified, b) means (3; 3a, 5) for separating the volatile compounds from the stripping gas that flows out of said stripping column (2); c) a vacuum pump (4) connected on the suction side to said outflow line (24) for stripping gas and connected on the delivery side to said means (3; 3a, 5) for separating the volatile organic compounds from a gas; d) said means (3; 3a, 5) comprising a cryogenic condensation unit (3), with an outflow line (34) for refrigerant wherein said outflow line (34) for fluid refrigerant of said cryogenic condensation unit (3) communicates with said inflow line (23) for stripping gas, for supplying said stripping column (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a concentration of an additive in a mixture is provided. The apparatus for determining the concentration of an additive in a mixture comprises a distillation system, a filtration system, a detection system and a fluid transportation system. An alternative apparatus is a portable apparatus comprising a distillation system, a filtration system, a detection system and a fluid transportation system removably coupled to a portable container. A method for determining the concentration of the additive in the mixture includes concentrating the additive in the mixture, removing the additive from a fraction of the mixture and measuring a spectral signature of both the non-additive fraction of the mixture and the mixture. A spectral signature value of the non-additive fraction of the mixture to the mixture is determined and then compared to spectral signatures of a plurality of reference mixtures containing known concentrations of the additive.

Abstract: A paintball loading device is provided for a paintball gun, including magazines, a control switch, a movable cylinder, and a multi-linkage trigger. The magazines include an upper magazine and a lower magazine respectively configured above and below the movable cylinder, allowing paintballs to be positioned in tandem from the upper and lower magazines to a paintball feeding port behind the movable cylinder, and paintball blocking buttons including a lower paintball blocking button and an upper paintball blocking button. The control switch is configured below the lower paintball blocking button and is capable of a transversal movement to selectively set the paintball blocking button at a closed condition. The movable cylinder is moved with the multi-linkage trigger, thereby moving the upper paintball blocking button and lower paintball blocking button back to an open condition for the entry of paintballs into the paintball feeding port.

Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame sidewall providing a substantially flat surface, with recesses in the flat surface. Alignment arms have inner ends and outer ends, where the inner ends are mounted to the frame sidewall, and the outer ends mount a wheel hub. The inner ends have couplings with pivotal portions and fixed portions, the pivotal portions being at least partially positioned within the recesses, and the fixed portions being attached to the substantially flat surface.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle with a low profile low friction seat support is described. The vehicle includes a rail in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a seat support with a top member and a bottom member. The seat support is adapted for securing on the rail, and the seat support is adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A lock is provided for releasably locking the seat support in a forward position, a rearward position and therebetween. A low friction support member is positioned between the top and bottom members. At least two channels are formed in the top member. One of the channels matches the shape of the support member, and the other channel matches the shape of the rail for close registration between the top member and the support member and the rails. The seat support is highly compartmentalized, sturdier, and safer for vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A snowmobile comprises a chassis with a front portion and a tunnel, and a power train unit supported by the chassis. The snowmobile further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members cooperating with the power train unit to operate the snowmobile. The plurality of ground-engaging members includes a pair of front skis and an endless track assembly. A snowmobile is also depicted which has a raised front chassis relative to the drives haft, which raises the clearance of the front chassis for deep snow.